KL Magazine May/June 2021

ISSN 2044–7965

ISSUE 122 MAY & JUNE 2021 PRICELESS

magazine

WEST NORFOLK | NORTH NORFOLK | COASTAL

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welcome

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’m sure we’re not the only people looking forward to the next few weeks. From May 17th we should finally be able to visit our fantastic local restaurants and eat indoors (you’ll find several of them appearing on the following pages) and all being well the restrictions we’ve lived with for the last year will all be lifted from June 21st.

We’re also about to welcome the popular King’s Lynn Farmers’ Market back to the town’s Saturday Market Place - the first of 2021 will take place on May 8th and return on the second Saturday of every month until October.

It’s always a great opportunity to talk to local producers and artisans about where your food is grown, how animals are reared and cared for, and how these local products are processed. For the

COVER IMAGE

latest details and information please visit the website www.discoverkingslynn. com.

As we enter the summer months there’s probably never been a better (or more important) time to support our local businesses, tourist attractions and hospitality industry.

It feels like it’s been a long time coming, but it’s time to enjoy everything west and north Norfolk has to offer and as this edition of KL magazine shows, there’s plenty to celebrate.

From the natural wonders of the Sandringham estate and the pinewoods at Holkham to iconic buildings and history-rich churches they’re all here - and they’re all waiting to be (re)discovered.

As you’ll see, the magazine also

highlights the fact that Norfolk is home to some truly extraordinary and worldfamous businesses, including Holts Auctioneers (whose lots are frequently unique pieces of history) and Garrick Watchmakers, who are currently putting the tradition of British watchmaking back on the global map.

Along with our local business community we’re tempted to say welcome back to west and north Norfolk, but the truth is that none of us have really been away.

Enjoy everything the area has to offer over the coming months, and enjoy your magazine.

Eric Secker EDITOR KL magazine

Thornham harbour by Ian Ward

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KLmagazine May 2021

contents

6 12

FROM SAINTS TO SCANDALS A look at the fascinating church of Stiffkey

18 24

HAPPY 600TH BIRTHDAY The story of King’s Lynn town hall

32 38 46

TAKING A SHOT AT HISTORY Inside Holts Auctioneers

52 60 66 KLmagazine May 2021

A RIOT OF ROYAL COLOUR The natural beauty of Sandringham

THE KL MAGAZINE QUIZ A springtime challenge for you

WELCOME BACK TO WEST NORFOLK It’s finally time to enjoy the local area REACHING FOR THE SKIES Foras creates a stunning show garden YOUR SUMMER IN THE GARDEN Expert advice with Wendy Warner A MAN-MADE NATURAL WONDER Exploring the pinewoods at Holkham GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Where have all our sparrows gone?

MAY/JUNE 2021

74 80 86

THE LOCAL ROADS TO RICHES The story of our tolls and turnpikes THE TIMES ARE A CHANGING Reviving our watchmaking pedigree FASHION It’s time to shine with colour

99 108 114 120

FOOD AND DRINK Recipes and recommendations

122 126 130

A BRIGHT NEW LOOK AT NORFOLK The graphic art of Pandora Layton

A RICH LITERARY TRADITION The west Norfolk coast in books KING’S LYNN AND THE PLAGUE Paul Richards traces its local impact RETURNING TO THE STAGE...

Focus on our local dramatic societies

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ART Local artist John Hurst looks back MICHAEL MIDDLETON When English all seems a bit Greek

5

A riot of colour and a feast of royal beauty It’s that time of year when the Sandringham estate is arguably at its most attractive, with thousands of rhododendrons in full bloom and the formal gardens looking at their very best

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ake a walk along any of the country lanes and roads close to Sandringham House at this time of year (especially those to the west of the estate) and you’ll see a vibrant and seemingly-endless expanse of rhododendrons in full and glorious bloom.

It’s an extraordinary sight of a plant that has over 1,000 different species,

is the national flower of Nepal, the state flower of West Virginia and the provincial flower of Jiangxi in China.

Although the first rhododendrons (the ‘alpenrose’) arrived in Britain during the 16th century thanks to people fleeing religious persecution in Europe the ones in this wonderful corner of west Norfolk are a later introduction - and it’s surprising to learn the plants are often considered a pest because

of their dense and smothering undergrowth.

Although this natural display is stunning enough, by far the most impressive rhododendrons on the estate are within Sandringham Park which now covers around 600 acres.

Enjoyed by the royal family and their guests when in residence, the more formal gardens - which themselves cover 60 acres - are open until October

(see below for details) and have been have been developed by every British monarch since King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra purchased the estate in 1862.

The lavishly-planted shrubbery with its shady woodland walk was introduced by Queen Elizabeth II in the late 1960s when an important collection of rhododendron, camellia and magnolia trees were brought to Norfolk from Windsor and planted to create more interest, shelter and privacy in the garden.

Most of them have matured in the last 40 years, and alongside a wide

range of rare and unusual trees underplanted with shade-loving species, they provide a spectacular display for thousands of visitors who enjoy the shape, colour and texture of leaves, stems and bark - and follow them through the seasons.

Although the enclosed areas of the garden (created by Geoffrey Jellicoe in 1947 for King George VI) are referred to as ‘formal’ they’re actually planted in a relaxed cottage style and are usually at their best in late July - when they act as a haven for bees and butterflies.

The west side of Sandringham House itself overlooks a large expanse of lawn

which was once the site of an elaborate series of colourful flower beds and pathways, but they were ploughed up during the Second World War to make way for crops as part of the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign.

There’s also plenty of history to discover here - from an oak tree planted by Queen Victoria and a giant redwood planted by Princess Christian of Denmark to the ornamental lakes landscaped for King Edward VIII by the famous company James Pulham & Son. Fed by natural springs and planted with moisture-loving plants, this area of the garden is managed in a more naturalistic style to encourage a wide range of wildlife. And standing beside the upper lake is the garden’s oldest tree - a veteran oak that’s believed to be over 800 years old.

The expanse of rhododendrons on (and surrounding) the Sandringham estate may be the most well-known and recognisable plants in the area, but they’re really only the start of a remarkable and nationally-important horticultural heritage.

The gardens at Sandringham are currently expected to be open to visitors until October (apart from 6th11th May) on a pre-booked ticket basis.

For the latest information and ticket availability please visit the website at www.sandringhamestate.co.uk

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KLmagazine May 2021

Y O U R N E X T A D V E N T U R E S T A R T S W I T H U S At Norfolk Campervan Hire we love the great outdoors, in fact we believe there is no better way to enjoy it than in one of our Campervans. Whether you’re looking to get away for a few days in our home county of Norfolk or go further afield into Europe we’ve got you covered. All our Vans come well equipped as standard but we also have some great accessories to make your adventure even more memorable.

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KLmagazine May 2021

Keeping your loved ones safe at home this year Taking care to a new level, Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk is helping people remain independent and happy in their own home

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or the last 12 years Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk has been one of the UK’s leading providers of care in the home, helping people stay connected to their family, friends and local community in cost-effective ways that have the clients’ best interests at heart. It’s not just good news for the vast majority of people who prefer to stay in their own homes rather than move into a carehome. Their extended family (who may well be living in another part of the country) can ensure they’re safe and well on a daily basis

thanks to a comprehensive and totally secure online service.

The last 12 months has seen Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk increase staffing levels to maintain its exceptional levels of service and its truly individual and personal care.

“Building relationships has always been at the very heart of our business and we’re looking forward to building on that in 2021,” says director Tom McEwan of Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk. “Our services took on a new dimension last year as people were unable to visit relatives and vulnerable family members, but our staff have been fantastic and we’ve continued to develop very strong relationships with our clients and their relatives.”

Family has always been at the very heart of Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk (it was founded after personal and first-hand family experience) and Tom has ensured the company’s ethos

of individual, personal and customerfocused attention is shared by everyone - from the dedicated office staff to the team of inspirational and awardwinning CAREGivers.

“We keep in touch with our clients on a regular basis to make sure they’re satisfied with the service we’re providing and asking if we can help in any other way,” he says. “It’s an incredible testament to our staff and CAREgivers that 100% of our clients have told us they’d recommend Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk to a friend - and despite the pressures of the last 12 months we’ve maintained a totally personal, totally bespoke and totally individual level of care.”

If you’d like more information and details on the many homecare services Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk can offer, please contact your nearest office using the details below.

HOLT DERSINGHAM HINGHAM 01263 650983 01553 387967 01362 357974 www.homeinstead.co.uk/west-norfolk KLmagazine May 2021

11

“At the junction of the south and west walls of the churchyard stands one of the imposing towers of the adjacent Stiffkey Old Hall...”

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KLmagazine May 2021

ABOVE: The church of St John the Baptist at Stiffkey now overlooks the village by itself since the disappearance of the church of St Mary (which stood in the very same churchyard) some 400 years ago

The fascinating story of Stiffkey’s church There used to be two churches on this beautiful spot in north Norfolk, but St John the Baptist can tell enough stories for both of them - which includes everything from famous authors to national scandals...

W

alk around the church of St John the Baptist at Stiffkey and it’s hard to imagine that until the middle of the 16th century there were two churches in the same churchyard. Virtually nothing remains of the church of St Mary today, but its companion has a religious tradition that stretches back over 900 years. And maybe even longer, since a old legend suggests this was the site of a pre-Christian burial mound.

Behind the window at the east end of the church is a lovely conservation area KLmagazine May 2021

tended by parishioners to encourage wildflowers, butterflies and lichens and it’s here that the second church almost certainly stood.

At the junction of the south and west walls of the churchyard stands one of the imposing towers of the adjacent Stiffkey Old Hall - a magnificent private home that was built in 1576 by Sir Nicholas Bacon, who was Lord Keeper of the Great Seal during the first half of Elizabeth I’s reign and was the father of the famous philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon.

In the 1930s it was home to Henry

Williamson, best known for his 1927 book Tarka the Otter. The much-loved story has never been out of print and was largely responsible for changing people’s attitudes towards the animals, which had been considered vermin until then.

Although Williamson left Stiffkey for his home county of Devon after only eight years, he recorded his impressions in The Story of a Norfolk Farm (1941), which contains some memorable descriptions of the north Norfolk coast: “The sea was half a mile from the village, and the field ended in a 13

PICTURES: The church of St John the Baptist at Stiffkey made national headlines in the 1920s thanks to the work of Harold Davidson, who became known throughout the land as the “Randy Rector of Stiffkey” and the “Prostitutes’ Padre”

plantation or land-fringe of stunted trees, and then steeply down to a pebbly shore and a creek where a fisherman’s boat was moored,” he wrote. “We sat down on the grass, gazing out over the marshes, one vast gut-channered prairie of pale blue sealavender. There was no sound: the air was still: not a bird stirring. This was the sun I remembered from boyhood days, the ancient harvest sunshine of that perished time when the earth was fresh.”

Near the north side of the churchyard is the grave of another notable Stiffkey resident, although a slightly more controversial one.

Here is the final resting place of Revd Harold Davidson, who was appointed the rector of Stiffkey in 1906. During the 1920s he embarked on a oneman crusade to save young women in London from a life of deprivation and abuse. According to his critics he was

14

spending his time away from Norfolk in the company of prostitutes.

The affair soon became a national scandal, with lurid (and often groundless) stories appearing in the newspapers - publicity which ultimately led to Davidson being stripped of his holy orders following a church trial.

Unemployed and penniless, Davidson took to increasingly bizarre ways of clearing his name. Appearing at a number of seaside attractions, the former rector could be found freezing in a refrigerated chamber, being roasted in a glass-fronted oven while a mechanical devil prodded him with a pitchfork, and re-enacting the biblical story of Daniel with two real lions.

And that was his ultimate undoing. At Skegness on 28th July 1937, Davidson was attacked by one of the lions and died of his injuries two days later, being brought back to Stiffkey for his funeral.

As for the church itself, the central south-facing window contains some interesting fragments of medieval stained glass, with the lower section containing five 15th century heads - some of which may have originated in the now-vanished church of St Mary.

A poignant

brass memorial records the sad deaths of five of Revd Arthur Branthwayte’s young children in the 18th century, who was rector of the church for 23 years until 1792 - and the Art Nouveau war memorial is stunning. Strangely enough it was commissioned by Harold Davidson before his fall from grace.

Norfolk is blessed with over 650 churches and they all have their stories to tell - but few can be as fascinating as the church of St John at Stiffkey, which sits in one of the county’s most beautiful locations.

KLmagazine May 2021

Forest Homes Stamford Limited is dedicated to designing and building properties of the highest quality to meet the desires of the most discerning of home buyers. All individual.

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KLmagazine May 2021

Building a granny annexe?

What you need to know...

Building an annexe for family members is becoming increasingly popular, but it also has legal implications, as Hayes + Storr explains

I

f you’re thinking about building an annexe for an elderly parent or other family members, you’ll need the necessary planning consents in place before you start work. If not the local planning authority can require you to remove the dwelling and return your home to its original state - and being unable to show the requisite consents may also cause problems when you come to sell your home.

WHAT OTHER CONSENTS ARE NEEDED? There may be restrictions in your title deeds which mean any building works require the consent of an adjoining landowner or other third party. If your home is a leasehold property, then it’s likely you’ll need consent from your landlord for structural alterations. If your home is subject to a mortgage, you may also need your lender’s consent.

DO YOU NEED PLANNING PERMISSION? Depending on your location and what you want to build you’re allowed certain building works without making a planning application.

Permitted development rights do allow the improvement or extension of a home without planning permission, but a separate self-contained building in your garden is almost certain to need it.

If you’re unsure whether planning permission is required, you can apply for a certificate of lawful development, which can give you the peace of mind that your proposals are lawful from a planning perspective.

WHAT ABOUT STAMP DUTY LAND TAX? Building an annexe shouldn’t give rise to any liability for stamp duty land tax, but it will apply on any future sale of your property, affecting how attractive your home is to would-be purchasers.

WHAT ABOUT FINANCE AND OWNERSHIP? If you’re combining finances with other family members you should all be clear about the arrangement. Ensure there’s a written agreement which reflects your true intentions, taking into account

your respective contributions and what could happen in the future. For example, what legal interest (if any) will your parents have in your shared home?

Joint ownership as tenants in common may seem like the obvious and fairest choice, allowing everyone to have a fixed share reflecting their different contributions. However, if your parents die, their share in the property will pass according to their will or the rules of intestacy. You could then find yourself sharing ownership of your home with their beneficiary, which may not be what you had in mind at all.

For further information about extending your home to share with relatives, contact Hayes + Storr on 01553 778900 and ask to speak to someone in the property department.

CHARLOTTE BENTLEY Chartered Legal Executive

This article aims to supply general information, but it is not intended to constitute advice. Every effort is made to ensure that the law referred to is correct at the date of publication and to avoid any statement which may mislead. However no duty of care is assumed to any person and no liability is accepted for any omission or inaccuracy. Always seek our specific advice.

The Old County Court, County Court Road, King’s Lynn PE30 5EJ W: www.hayesandstorr.co.uk | E: law.kingslynn@hayes-storr.com OFFICES AT: KING’S LYNN | FAKENHAM | SWAFFHAM | HOLT | SHERINGHAM

KLmagazine May 2021

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The glittering jewel in the crown of King’s Lynn It’s an extraordinary building that’s been featured in major Hollywood films, but there’s a lot more to the town hall in King’s Lynn than meets the eye - from priceless treasures to unique works of art

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he historic and distinctive town hall in King’s Lynn celebrates its 600th birthday this year, having been commissioned after the town’s original guildhall was destroyed in a fire. Taking six years to build, its heart is affectionately known as the Stone Hall - a grand structure with a steep arched roof, an oak-beamed ceiling, an enormous window looking over the Saturday Market Place towards the King’s Lynn Minster, and an extraordinary checkerboard flint exterior.

It started life as a meeting place for a religious association of merchants known as the Guild of the Holy Trinity, and proudly displayed the royal arms of

Elizabeth I, which were removed from the nearby church of St James in 1624.

Today they sit under the royal arms of Charles II, which were added to the facade in 1664.

This is a building with a distinctly royal heritage - among the many significant portraits on the walls of the Stone Hall is the very first painting of King George VI and Elizabeth the Queen Mother, a treasure given to the town by their daughter Elizabeth II. When the Guild of the Holy Trinity was suppressed by Henry VIII during the Reformation, half the guildhall’s undercroft was used as a prison, and by 1618 the other half was being used as a ‘house of correction’ - a place deemed suitably useful for vagrants, beggars

and people who were judged to be “unwilling to work”.

Following the addition of an imposing hall porch, the guildhall received a spacious courtroom in 1767 and an adjoining card room and assembly room were constructed within the following 12 months.

The assembly room was extremely fashionable in the 18th-century, and it’s still used for weddings, business functions and significant civil events.

Thanks to a sensitive restoration the room is furnished in glittering Georgian style, with elegant chandeliers and its original fireplaces. In addition to the gilded mirrors, the walls are lined with a number of portraits painted by local artists that mix royalty with local figures

like Admiral Nelson and Captain George Vancouver.

It’s an astonishingly atmospheric space, and it was here that Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was granted Freedom of the Borough of King’s Lynn in 1954.

The smaller card room is equally evocative, being dominated by a massive Baroque mirror that was made around 1750 and leads to the nearby Heritage Room, which houses a collection of prints by the British-born Canadian artist John Horton, largely focusing on the famous journeys of Captain George Vancouver - who was born less than 300 yards from the building.

In 1784 a house was added to the guildhall complex for the town jailer based on the design of the infamous Newgate prison in London, and although the last prisoners to serve sentences in the cells were released in 1866, the building continued to be used as the town lock-up as late as 1937.

Having played such an important role in the life of the town for so long, it’s hardly surprising that five years ago the vaulted undercroft of the guildhall was converted into the Stories of Lynn museum, multi-media experience and exhibition space.

It’s the perfect place to learn about the town’s history - whether that’s how the Hanseatic League helped King’s

1935

Lynn become the third most important port in England, or why a local schoolteacher working less than 100 yards from the guildhall created a national sensation in the 18th century when he was arrested for a 15-year-old murder in Yorkshire.

This is a world of fascinating treasures.

If the magnificent regalia (still used in civic ceremonies today) wasn’t impressive enough, the unique King John’s Cup (pictured right) is simply breathtaking. It’s the oldest and finest specimen of all English secular medieval cups, and all the intricate gilt and enamel work are more than enough to forgive the fact that it was made at least 100 years after the death of the king it’s named after.

But perhaps the most valuable items are also the most unassuming.

Stories of Lynn houses the King’s Lynn borough archives, which are one of the most important in the whole ABOVE: The heart of the town hall in King’s Lynn is the country. Here you’ll find famous Stone Hall, dominated by a massive window overlooking the Saturday Market Place. documents recording the 20

entire history of the area - including King John’s royal charter that was drawn up some 300 years before the town was called King’s Lynn. And pride of place must go to the Red Register.

A seemingly innocuous register of deeds and wills from 1307-72 it was written on paper over 100 years before the country’s first paper mill, and is the earliest example of English writers intending their work to be bound together as a single book. As far as literature goes it’s not particularly remarkable, but its place in the history of English books makes it priceless and truly unique.

For the latest details and information on current opening times and how to book the town hall for your own special event, please visit the website at www.kingslynntownhall.com KLmagazine May 2021

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KLmagazine May 2021

Enjoy a breath of fresh air and save money all year Discover the energy and cost-saving benefits of the latest air conditioning systems and in-depth expertise of the 4 Way Group

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he summer always sees an increased demand for the 4 Way Group’s professionally designed and expertly installed air conditioning systems - although it’s a good idea not to leave it until your indoor temperature becomes almost unbearable.

“We’ve been really busy with enquiries, installations and maintenance work recently,” says director Steve Simpson, “which is encouraging because it shows people understand that today’s air conditioning is completely different to the traditional view of the technology.”

The 4 Way Group takes a seriously responsible approach to the products it uses, particularly concerning the impact of heating and air conditioning systems on the environment.

“For some time we’ve been installing air conditioning systems that contain the new refrigerant R32, which is about to become the industry standard for split-type systems,” says Steve. “It

contains up to 20% less refrigerant than older systems, which means superlow emissions and much lower energy costs.”

The new systems also help lower a property’s carbon footprint, which makes them the ideal solution for domestic and commercial properties - especially newbuild and self-build projects.

Offering year-round comfort (air conditioning can be used as an extremely effective and energyefficient heating system), the 4 Way Group’s units are stylish and unobtrusive and feature benefits such as built-in sensors to optimise energy use and speciallydeveloped filters that remove particles, allergens and odours from the air.

Of course, it always helps when you specify some of the best products on the market today and one of the world’s most respected and innovative manufacturers.

“We’ve been a fully approved Fujitsu installer for several years now,” says Steve. “We’ve always preferred to use Fujitsu for our air conditioning systems, partly because of their high quality but also because their performance is outstanding. They’re also extremely reliable - which means you’ll probably never need the sevenyear warranty.”

These are just a few of the reasons why the 4 Way Group is the area’s leading supplier and installer of professional air conditioning - which can usually be fitted in a day. And don’t forget that the 4 Way Group is always available for help, advice, maintenance support and emergency servicing.

Contact Steve and his team at the 4 Way Group today for high quality air conditioning that isn’t just better for your bank balance. It’s better for you and your family, it’s better for your home, and it’s better for the planet.

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KLmagazine May 2021

23

Your chance to test your knowledge of springtime As we move into the summer it’s the perfect opportunity to test your knowledge of the local area during the months of May and June here’s 26 questions to test how well you know the local area...

1 Exactly 80 years ago on May 1st, a film generally regarded as the best film ever made premièred in New York what was it called?

William Coke, Earl of Leicester entered Parliament as its youngest member at the age of 22 and left 56 years later as its oldest. Where was his family home?

a. Gone With the Wind b. The Wizard of Oz c. North by Northwest d. Citizen Kane

a. Sandringham House b. Holkham Hall c. Castle Rising d. Heacham Manor

2 Who became the first Mayor of London on May 4th 2000?

4 Which global brand started life as the Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation exactly 75 years ago on May 7th?

a. Ken Livingstone b. Boris Johnson c. Theresa May d. David Cameron 3 On the 6th May 1754 Thomas 24

a. Toyota b. Sony c. Samsung d. Fujitsu

5 On May 12th 1955, what did people in Norfolk experience for the first time? a. Super-fast broadband b. An earthquake c. The speaking clock d. Dual carriageways 6 Born on 12th May 1820 she became a nursing pioneer who managed to reduce the hospital death rate from 42% to 2% - but what was her name? a. Edith Cavell b. Mother Teresa c. Florence Nightingale d. Elizabeth Fry

KLmagazine May 2021

7 Born on 16th May 1782, which Norfolk-born watercolourist became one of the most popular English artists of the 20th century?

a. No one had to pay anything b. The main course was antelope c. Everyone had to sit on wine barrels d. There were no prisoners in the jail

d. Werner Kinder

a. John Sell Cotman b. Joseph Mallord William Turner c. Laurence Stephen Lowry d. David Hockney

11 May 24th will be the 65th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest. Who won the first competition, which was held in Lugano, Switzerland?

a. Television licences b. Traffic lights c. ATM machines d. Self-service checkouts

8 Who became the first British citizen to travel into space 30 years ago on 18th May 1991? a. David Attenborough b. Richard Branson c. Stephen Hawking d. Helen Sharman 9 Published by Abraham Ortelius on May 20th 1570 what was Theatrum Orbis Terrarum? a. The first recipe book b. The first modern atlas c. The first science fiction novel d. The first celebrity biography 10 On 20th May 1853 a special dinner was held by the town’s mayor at the jail in King’s Lynn. Why was it rather unusual?

a. Switzerland b. Ireland c. Australia d. Bosnia-Herzegovina 12 On 29th May 1961, the first member of the Royal Family was interviewed on television. Who was it? a. Queen Elizabeth II b. Prince Charles c. Princess Margaret d. The Duke of Edinburgh 13 Famously known for his Easter eggs, who was born 175 years ago on 30th May 1846? a. John Cadbury b. Mark Mackintosh c. Peter Carl Fabergé

14 What were introduced in Britain 75 years ago on 1st June 1946?

15 Which famous writer died on 9th June 1870 leaving his 15th novel halfcompleted? a. Victor Hugo b. Robert Harris c. DH Lawrence d. Charles Dickens 16 Exactly 50 years ago on 15th June the Education Secretary’s plans to end free milk for all schoolchildren over the age of seven was passed by a majority of 33. Who was the minister in question? a. Neil Kinnock b. Jeremy Corbyn c. Margaret Thatcher d. David Cameron 17 On 15th June 1865 the first instance of what event was held at Chapelfield in Norwich? a. The Norfolk Arts Festival b. The Royal Norfolk Show c. The North Norfolk Music Festival d. The Royal Norfolk Car Show 18 Which James Bond film had a screenplay by Roald Dahl and was released on 13th June 1967? a. Skyfall b. Goldeneye c. Moonraker d. You Only Live Twice 19 On June 20th a major music festival took place for the first time in southwest England. What is it called? a. Woodstock b. Sundance c. The Glastonbury Festival d. Latitude 20 Charles Townshend died in his home at Raynham Hall on 22nd June 1738. He was brother-in-law to the country’s first prime minster and played an important role in the British agricultural revolution. But what was his nickname? a. Turnip b. Townsey

KLmagazine May 2021

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c. Tomato d. Tarragon 21 We won’t get the results of this year’s census for some time, but 220 years ago the population of King’s Lynn was 75% smaller than it is today.

How many people lived in the town? a. 42,800 b. 678 c. 10,096 d. 225,351 22 On 20th June 1960 a woman appeared on television reading the BBC news for the first time. What was her name? a. Angela Rippon b. Selina Scott c. Moira Stuart d. Nan Winton 23 Who was born in New Conduit Street, King’s Lynn on 22nd June 1757? a. Horatio Nelson b. Charles Darwin c. George Vancouver d. Henry Bell 24 On June 22nd 1986 England lost their quarter-final match of the FIFA World Cup thanks to the ‘hand of God’ of which player? a. Diego Maradona b. Lothar Matthäus c. Lionel Andrés Messi d. Fernando José Torres 25 Eric Blair was born on 25th June 1903 in Motihari, India and would become one of the best-loved English

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writers of the 20th century under which name?

Adolphe Sax patenting a new musical instrument. What was it called?

a. John Steinbeck b. Ted Hughes c. George Orwell d. Norman Mailer

a. Violin b. Saxophone c. Harmonica d. Drum machine

26 On 28th June it will be the 175th anniversary of Belgian craftsman

ANSWERS The only way to receive the answers to this quiz is by joining Friends of KL magazine. If you haven’t already registered (it’s completely free) please visit www.klmagazine.co.uk - all you need is an e-mail address and we’ll send you the answers in the next few weeks.

KLmagazine May 2021

KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • TILES • BEDROOMS • PLUMBING SUPPLIES

Welcome back to

OUR SHOWROOM Book your appointment with our friendly team today If you’re looking for a new kitchen, bathroom or home office you’ll feel at home at the Quay Centre, with a vast showroom set on two floors. Our unique set-up means you can relax and browse over 40 displays - and we’ve introduced several social distancing measure to ensure you stay safe. For more details, and to book your showroom appointment please visit our website, see our Facebook page or give us a call using the details below.

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We project manage your new installation from start to finish, co-ordinating all trades needed so that it’s a stress-free process Address 28-31a North End, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1PE | Tel 01945 476797 Fax 01945 463495 | Web www.quaycentre.co.uk

Time to start living the Lithium lifestyle!

As our move into a greener and cleaner world gathers pace, Kevin Holland of The Solar Shed explains how easy it is to embrace the future - and how simple it is to enjoy all the benefits

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he advent of ‘big battery’ technology addresses a key challenge that’s been at the heart of the green energy revolution for some time – the intermittency of the natural wind and solar sources.

The vast majority of people aren’t at home during the day when the sun is shining, so it makes sense to have a battery system installed when the solar panels go up. Collecting unused solar energy during the day to use later in the evening when demand is high and the sun is going down saves most homeowners almost double what they would have saved with solar energy on its own.

And it’s not just batteries that we use to store excess solar energy. Once the batteries are full, we send all the excess solar energy into immersion heaters to 28

heat the water, saving a great deal on those dirty and old-fashioned oil and gas bills.

After all, there’s nothing worse than sitting in the garden and having the sounds and smells of an oil boiler running just to have a shower.

But not today - your boilers will only come on when there isn’t enough solar energy.

A well-designed solar and storage home energy system will generate over 500kWh a month in peak months, and that’s enough to run your house, heat your water and charge your car for free day after day after day.

The fuel savings are immense, and best of all these systems follow the ‘set it and forget it’ principle - you simply plug in, and once you’re set up the systems are fully automated, allowing you to follow all the solar energy

flowing around your house via an easyto-use smart app.

Some systems we install allow homeowners to smart charge both

KLmagazine May 2021

the grid for days, weeks or months on end. We recently fitted a 90kW battery to an industrial-scale plant nursery that had been running a large diesel generator becaude there was no grid connection.

Instead of running the generator every hour of the day it now kicks in for around six hours, every three days in winter, and much less in summer because this battery is complemented by solar panels.

The diesel generator is now the third source of energy rather than the primary.

The drivers for homeowners have changed in recent years, and while we may have lost the ‘Oil War’ we’ve definitely won the environmental and climate arguments. We know what needs to be done to reverse the effects of decades of burning fossil fuels.

And the answers (to coin a phrase) are blowing in the wind, turning with the tide, and rising with the sun.

Well-designed renewable technology systems that harvest Mother Nature are now becoming second nature in the ABOVE: The home battery is the real star of the show UK. We’re fast becoming a solar nation, and in west Norfolk the a battery and electric vehicle(s) from evidence is on our doorsteps. the grid overnight when some energy Of the thousands of systems installed in companies offer cheaper (and on villages and towns across the area, the occasions free) energy. During the team at The Solar Shed in Wiggenhall winter months when solar gain is St Mary Magdalen have managed obviously low, this is proving a real several hundred of those since we were game changer in the energy markets. established in 2008.

Solar energy flows into the house, We’re proud of our standing in and when the house is supplied the west Norfolk and of our service to battery fills. It then turns its attention to the communities and associations the hot water and if there’s anything left we’ve supported over the years. The the car will receive it. Although with the touch of a button you can change your priorities and start delivering excess energy into the car before anything else.

And in the event of a power cut you can choose between having the whole house or just a few appliances running.

The technology available is vast, the possibilities are virtually endless, and we have a solution for every situation or environmental ambition.

It’s something we like to call ‘Living the Lithium Lifestyle’.

It’s not just houses we’re taking off

transition to a cleaner, greener Britain and beyond starts at home - and that means that each and every one of us has a role to play, whether that’s simply turning the lights off after leaving a room or switching to solar energy.

And that’s the focus for our business as we step into a post-pandemic world.

We’re keeping the same message and we’re delivering the same services, but rather than clients visiting The Solar Shed we’re bringing The Solar Shed to you with a fully-functional Covidsecure mobile showroom and advice centre.

Just contact us using the details below and the team at The Solar Shed will arrange a visit to your home. We’ll answer any questions you might have and we’ll provide a solution to meet your aims, your ambition and your budget.

Or share the excitement with a few neighbours and book your local village hall for a presentation on group installations and ‘Street Solar’ projects.

At The Solar Shed we’re taking solar power to the people - house by house and street by street.

Call us today and say hello to the future of energy.

Tel: 0808 126 1289 / 07737 457208 www.solar-power.co.uk | info@thesolarshed.co.uk KLmagazine May 2021

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Only with our dedication and the utmost care is perfection made possible.

As an exclusive supplier of Duravit and other high quality brands, Arcadia Home & Living takes pride in partnerships that can help create perfection in your home. Duravit is working on the bathroom of tomorrow, constantly optimising

technologies, modifying products and rethinking our bathroom experience. With over 200 years experience, the company have accomplished to be manufacturers of designer bathrooms.

That’s why Arcadia Home & Living works closely with

Arcadia Home & Living Heath Barn, Norwich Road, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 8LZ

the brand to create your unique and personal bathroom to the highest standard. With our craftsmanship and Duravit’s timeless design, your bathroom experience will never be the same as before.

01328 807063 info@arcadiahomeandliving.co.uk

Building a community and celebrating Norfolk Discover how the Building Norfolk initiative from Grocott & Murfit is making a real difference to the area - and how you can contribute

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urnham Market is a village best known for its pictureperfect setting just a stone’s throw from the coast, along with its numerous boutiques and restaurants that appeal to thousands of visiting tourists.

As with many other similar villages and towns across Norfolk that have become popular hotspots for property investment, there’s a secondary story here – one which places the community at its heart.

Burnham Market Primary School contacted Fakenham-based building company Grocott & Murfit on hearing about its Building Norfolk outreach programme, which the company operates as a separate community

interest company.

Building Norfolk sets out to support community-based projects across four pillars: environment, education, wellbeing and growth with the aim of protecting the community ethos and future proofing growth of the area - all in line with the company’s sustainable approach to business.

The school has a number of children that require specialist intervention to help them learn, often in a quiet 1:1 setting - but it’s rapidly running out of space, with intervention support requirements increasing annually.

The local parent-teacher association has been fundraising to develop the outside space into a ‘nurture’ area, combining a secure cabin-like building, external seating, and a sensory garden to support the needs of the children, although the impact of Covid-19 placed severe restrictions on fundraising opportunities.

Once complete, the project will see an unused and inaccessible space turned into a highly-practical multizoned outdoor area combining privacy

and space with sensory and tactile materials - all supporting SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) learning objectives.

There are a number of fundraising initiatives in place, and Building Norfolk CIC has committed to support the project and is inviting like-minded tradesman and companies with an interest in supporting the community to join them in making the project a reality by way of donations in materials or labour.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the business community across north and west Norfolk to collaborate in delivering a lasting legacy for the children of Burnham Market, providing an opportunity to help them achieve their best potential within a county to be proud of.

For further information on the Building Norfolk community programme and to get involved, please visit www.grocottandmurfit.co.uk/ about-us/building-norfolk or contact info@grocottandmurfit.co.uk

Heath Barn, Norwich Road, Fakenham NR21 8LZ | 01328 851420 info@grocottandmurfit.co.uk | www.grocottandmurfit.co.uk KLmagazine May 2021

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Holts Auctioneers, Wolferton

Nick Holt 32

KLmagazine May 2021

IMAGES: © Andrew Orr – Holts Auctioneers

History, heritage and Holts Auctioneers From a converted dairy farm on the Sandringham estate, sportsman, gun enthusiast and auctioneer Nick Holt oversees a world-famous business that never fails to amaze...

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owards the end of January 2002 a pair of steel-mounted ‘saddle’ pistols were sold at auction for almost £1.5 million. They’d been presented to George Washington (the first president of the United States) by the Marquis de Lafayette during the American Revolution, and consequently played a part in the young republic’s struggle for independence.

Guns such as these can hardly be described as weapons. They’re a part of history, they’re a tangible link to the past, and they’re often works of art.

None of which comes as much of a surprise to Nick Holt.

The man who brought Holts Auctioneers to an old dairy farm on KLmagazine May 2021

the Sandringham estate over 20 years ago has had a love of weaponry and associated memorabilia since he accompanied his father to legendary gunsmith John Wilson.

“As soon as I left school I started working with John as an apprentice gunmaker,” says Nick. “It was a world of history, tradition and craftsmanship that fascinated me as a young boy - and that fascination has continued to this day.”

Following a spell with the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London, Nick started working at Bonhams (one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques) as a porter, and within a few years had established a specialist gun department

for them.

The founding of Holts Auctioneers at Wolferton was a natural development, and it’s since grown into one of the country’s only auction houses specialising in guns and weaponry. It’s also one of the most famous in the world.

In this beautiful corner of west Norfolk, Nick and his team of researchers, gunsmiths and ballistics experts have sold guns belonging to D-Day heroes, recipients of the Victoria Cross, British and European royalty, three different James Bonds, global rock stars, Oscar-winning actors, and historical figures from explorer Henry Stanley to the bare-knuckle boxer who gave his name to Big Ben. 33

“This world of history, tradition and craftsmanship fascinated me as a young boy, and that fascination has continued to this day...”

“That’s the real appeal of these wonderful things,” says Nick, who happily admits to losing four fillings while firing the largest handheld rifle in the world a few years ago.

“It’s all about the provenance. We never use words such as ‘reputedly’ or ‘possibly’ when it comes to our lots, because having a proven history makes them all the more special. And it also makes a huge difference to their value.”

A case in point is a pistol appearing in Holts’ auction of antique, vintage and sporting guns at the end of June.

Coming to Holts through the family

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and engraved with his name, it belonged to Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma - who was the last Viceroy of India and received the surrender of Japan in Singapore at the end of the Second World War. A similarly unique item is the .455 Webley service revolver still in its original holster and stamped “JA Purdey 21st Lancers” on the pistol itself - the initials standing for James Alexander Purdey, a descendant of the man who established the most famous PICTURES: The worldwide appeal of Holts Auctioneers lies in the gunmaker in the provenance of the lots themselves and the stories of their previous UK. Holding no owners - from Victorian explorer Henry Stanley (above) to guns belonging to Lord Louis Mountbatten and James Purdey (below) less than three Royal Warrants press, but having spent a lifetime with and specialising them Nick Holt is keen to put the in bespoke shotguns and rifles, Purdey record straight. still only makes around 150 guns a “They’re obviously made for a year - many of which are owned by the rather controversial purpose primarily, royal families of Europe. but for many people that’s the least It’s a perfect example of important element of a gun,” he says. just how exclusive Holts “These are really beautiful works of Auctioneers is - and how art, they’re valuable and unique parts much it’s embedded in of our history, and they’re outstanding the country life heritage examples of one of Britain’s finest and of Norfolk. oldest crafts. I’ve been excited about “We’ve been them all my life and I still get a thrill hosting a clay from something very special coming pigeon shoot at to us.”

Sandringham for And at the end of the day that’s decades and it’s exactly what Holts Auctioneers is all always been for about. Every lot, every item, every piece a good cause,” of memorabilia and every gun has a says Nick. story - and it’s a story that shouldn’t be “We’ve raised a forgotten. huge amount of money for the Ghurka Welfare Trust and the Game & Forthcoming Auctions Wildlife Conservation Trust and it’s always been Holts holds a number of auctions important that we support and free valuation days throughout an incredible local tradition of the year. Please check the latest country pursuits. We’ve always dates opposite and visit loved this part of west Norfolk, and www.holtsauctioneers.com I like to think this part of west Norfolk for the latest details, information, has always loved us.” and online catalogue.

Ordinarily guns tend to get a bad

Henry Morton Stanley

KLmagazine May 2021

KLMa

OUR NEXT AUCTIONS On view at Church Farm Barns, Wolferton, Norfolk PE31 6HA Monday 21st June Air Weapons, Taxidermy, Edged Weapons, Antique Arms & Accessories.

Tuesday 22nd June Modern Sporting Guns, Rifles & Accessories.

Both days commence at 11:00am Viewing from Monday 7th June strictly by appointment —•—

FREE VALUATION DAY For guns, militaria, edged weapons and related items Monday May 17th Church Farm Barns Wolferton Norfolk PE31 6HA —•—

SEALED BID AUCTION: Bids to be received by 10:30am Thursday 1st July 2021 OVER 3,000 LOTS Sporting Accessories, Collectables, Militaria and Antique Arms Also featuring a wide range of Modern Sporting Guns and Rifles On view at Church Farm Barns, Wolferton, Norfolk PE31 6HA Viewing from Monday 14th June strictly by appointment Tel: +44(0)1485 542822 info@holtsauctioneers.com View the catalogue and bid online now:

www.holtsauctioneers.com KLMag_Apr_2021.indd 1

23/04/2021 11:37

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Call 01553 763164 for a free quotation Hereford Way, Hardwick Narrows, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4JD

www.westnorfolkglass.co.uk *Image used is for illustrative purposes only. Terms and conditions apply.

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KLmagazine May 2021

Andrew Mulligan Senior Financial Planner

New expertise and a new approach to finance...

As Andy Mulligan joins the Allen Tomas & Co team of highly-qualified financial advisers, he explains why independent advice is so valuable

A

llen Tomas & Co Financial Management Ltd are delighted to welcome the expertise of Andy Mulligan as Senior Financial Planner to the company - and he’ll be based at our Fakenham office working closely with colleagues Tracey Caney and Marc Ward.

Before entering the world of financial services Andy spent 12 years as a member of the RAF stationed in Cardiff, Germany, Sardinia, Shropshire and his home county of Norfolk. He was employed as a technician and was involved in the major servicing and rebuild of aircraft such as Vulcans, Blackburn Buccaneers, Canberras, Harrier Jump Jets, Wessex helicopters and Jaguars. And he’s successfully transposed his attention to detail and commitment to precision to a very different environment.

Andy became an Independent Financial Adviser in 1989, with successful careers at major firms in Norfolk including running and

owning his own advisory businesses.

A diploma-qualified adviser with the Chartered Insurance Institute, Andy is now working towards achieving Chartered and SOLLA status. He specialises in planning areas such as inheritance tax, long-term care, pensions and investments using lifestyle planning, retirement management and detailed administration.

“I’ve been a financial adviser for many years and have been through many events that have caused people to seek reassurance in difficult times,” he says. “The events of the last year may have been unprecedented, but our clients didn’t have to worry about their finances because we already had everything in place.”

Emergency funds nominated for access in a crisis were made available and (where appropriate) income drawings from investments were reduced - with relevant adjustments made to investments to keep the situation calm.

“Keeping a clear head is difficult for people when there’s no one available for reassurance,” says Andy. “Many of my clients have been with me for over 30 years, and the results they’ve seen with respect to their financial achievements speak volumes for the value of having an idependent financial adviser.”

Proper in depth planning and analysis isn’t available everywhere. Selecting a Chartered company such as Allen Tomas provides the solutions needed and the experience required across the whole length and breadth of the financial spectrum.

For a free appointment (whether in person, by telephone or online), please contact Andy on 07856 980450 or send an email to him at andy@allentomasfinancial.co.uk

6 St Nicholas Court, Church Lane, Dersingham PE31 6GZ • Tel: 01485 541998 2 Oak Street, Fakenham NR21 9DY • Tel: 01328 854706 Website: www.allentomasfinancial.co.uk Email: info@allentomasfinancial.co.uk Allen Tomas & Co Financial Management Ltd is registered in England and Wales with number 8864562 and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with Financial Services Register number 630427 KLmagazine May 2021

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PICTURES: As we move out of lockdown there’s never been a better time to support our local businesses and tourist attractions - whether you’re enjoying shopping in the centre of King’s Lynn (above) or relaxing in the shadow of the town’s famous Red Mount Chapel (opposite)

Welcome back to the wonders of west Norfolk It’s finally time to enjoy everything the area has to offer, and you and your family can do it safely and securely thanks to the work of local businesses and The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk...

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t may have been a long time coming, but it’s also been well worth the wait. As we return to some form of normality, West Norfolk Welcomes is the message from businesses across the area supported by a campaign run by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and funded by the government’s Reopening High Streets Safely fund.

The campaign aims to encourage us back to the shops and attract tourists, day-trippers and shoppers into this lovely part of the world, safely supporting an important retail, hospitality, and tourism industry.

The campaign includes Covidsafety signs in locations in King’s Lynn, Hunstanton and Downham Market, KLmagazine May 2021

bus stop posters, radio advertising, and press advertising. An accompanying video has been posted on the council’s social media accounts, and while welcoming people back to the area it also reinforces official guidance on using contactless payments wherever possible and planning to travel at less busy times. The video features several local businesses highlighting the efforts they’ve made over the past 12 months - and you can see west-norfolk. gov.uk/welcomes for more details and information.

Some of our local tourist attractions opened on 12th April, and if the government’s roadmap goes to plan the rest will reopen on 17th May. It’s

obviously been a very difficult year, but the borough council’s tourism team has been working closely with local businesses to ensure they’re at the forefront of the public’s mind - and English Tourism Week (which starts on 22nd May) will offer even more

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opportunities to promote the fabulous venues and locations west Norfolk has to offer in a year when the ‘staycation’ is likely to be more popular than ever.

And there are plenty of new things to discover. A collection of colourful benches have appeared in various locations in King’s Lynn, Hunstanton and Downham Market as part of the Explore-a-Book bench trail that launched at the end of March.

Supplied by Wild in Art (who’ve produced trails both here and abroad) some of the benches are decorated with designs submitted by local young people and will remain as permanent features. The final designs were created by local artists Madeleine Eggleston, Nicola Murray-Woods and Savannah

Andrews.

A trail leaflet developed by the Kick the Dust group guides people around the benches and the response has been amazing.

Photographs of people on the benches have been appearing all over social media, and if you’d like to join them tag us into your photos #exploreabookWN. Please remember to keep socially distanced unless you’re in a family group and download a copy of the trail leaflet from www. storiesoflynn.co.uk/explore-a-book/ Anyone visiting King’s Lynn over the last few weeks will have noticed the work taking place in the town’s High Street between VPZ and Primark.

Financed through the Town’s Deal accelerated fund and the Norfolk Strategic Fund, new paving, planting and seating is being installed following feedback from earlier consultation. New street lighting will enable festoon lighting for special events and occasions, making the whole area more attractive and in line with the development of the Saturday Market Place and Tuesday Market

SUPPORTING THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR With the help of the Norfolk Strategic Fund Tourism Support Package, outdoor seating has been purchased to support hospitality businesses without such facilities. Initially on the Tuesday Market Place and in King’s Staithe Square, it’s an initiative planned for other locations in the borough including Hunstanton.

Any hospitality business wishing to apply for a licence for street furniture should visit west-norfolk.gov.uk and type “pavement licence” in the search bar - after which they’ll be able to download a guidance pack and application form.

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Place schemes.

The stores in the area and on the nearby Purfleet Street are now open and ready to welcome you, and there’s never been a more important time to support them.

Now is the time to discover everything west Norfolk has to offer.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES Over the course of the pandemic the borough council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk has processed over £61million in government grant payments to local businesses.

It’s also used government funding to help businesses reopen and ensure the area is safe and welcoming for residents and visitors.

A team of marshals continues to be in and around the town providing advice and support to businesses, while the Environmental Health department is on hand for businesses needing support or assistance to comply with the current legislation and guidance.

New hand-sanitising stations, enhanced cleaning regimes and specially-designed safety signage is already in place. Restart grants are being paid to eligible local businesses to help them reopen safely, and a discretionary refresh grant scheme also launched at the end of April.

For full details of all available grants, please visit westnorfolk.gov.uk/businessgrants for more information.

Meanwhile, a business and tourism toolkit, produced

by Norfolk County Council Public Health, has been circulated to local businesses with an offer to print (free of charge) any of the featured posters or booklets to help them ensure they display all the information they need for their customers. This is backed up by a special signage pack available on the borough council’s business support pages - again with the offer of free printing.

For more details please visit www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/ reopeningpremises

KLmagazine May 2021

enjoy our new menu this summer

Keep up to date with us on our social media:

thedukesheadhotel

dukesheadhotelkingslynn

The Dukes Head Hotel, 5-6 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn PE30 1JS T: 01553 774996 E: reception@dukesheadhotel.com W: www.dukesheadhotel.com

By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Purveyor of Dress Fabrics and Haberdashery P.F.Day & Son King’s Lynn

The Fent Shop

Thank you to all of our customers for their continued support.

Our premises are COVID-19 safe, we have a one way system in place and social distancing practices in the shop.

Card payment is preferred. Our new opening hours are: 9.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Saturday.

Please follow our Facebook page for the latest updates.

Dress Fabrics

Curtain Fabrics Knitting Wool

Craft Fabrics Haberdashery

Net Curtains

41 Broad Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1DP | T: 01553 768613 | W: www.thefentshopkingslynn.co.uk KLmagazine May 2021

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Sew & Sew Bespoke curtains and blinds for all your soft furnishing needs Handmade curtains • Swags & tails Roller blinds/verticals and venetians • Wooden blinds Roman blinds • Cushions Home measuring & design service Extensive choice of fabrics and wallpapers Give us a call, email us or visit our friendly team in store to discuss your ideas with us!

122 High Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1DD • Tel: 01553 776411 / 07920 747157 Email: sandersontina@yahoo.com | Website: www.sewandsewkingslynn.co.uk

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KLmagazine May 2021

Welcome back to the best carpet service in the area With over 40 years’ experience, 30 different brands and 1,000s of different options, Metric Carpets has the floor you’re looking for...

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t’s been a long time since Metric Carpets were able to welcome customers into their showroom in the centre of King’s Lynn, but at long last you’re invited to a distinctly family-friendly atmosphere and a world of choice.

Metric Carpets have been covering the area for over 40 years, and the future is looking even more stylish for the homes of Norfolk thanks to this much-loved local company, which is now in its third generation.

Alistair Allen may have been the face of Metric Carpets for the last three decades, but his son

Greg and son-in-law Ben Edwards are now playing increasingly prominent roles in the business, and they remain dedicated to the high standards the company has become famous for.

“Since the 1980s we’ve always gone the extra mile, we’ve always gone out of our way to help, and we’ve always taken the utmost care of people’s home,” says Alistair. “It’s great to be welcoming people back to our showroom, and we’ve got plenty of exciting new things to show them.”

If you’re looking for a stunning new floor, you couldn’t ask for much more. With over 30 different manufacturers (most of them

36 Norfolk Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1AH | Tel: 01553 775203 Email: info@metriccarpets.co.uk | Web: www.metriccarpets.co.uk KLmagazine May 2021

British) and thousands of colours, patterns and materials to choose from, Metric Carpets have the carpet or luxury vinyl tiles you’ve always wanted together with the quality you want and the service you expect.

“We have our own in-house team of fully-trained and experienced fitters and we offer a complete 12-month guarantee on our work,” says Alistair. “If you every need any help or advice on carpet or flooring-related issues we’re always here for you at the end of the phone - and we always have been.”

From the most traditional styles to the lastest contemporary trends, you’re very welcome back to Metric Carpets.

floors designed for life

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KLmagazine May 2021

Employmenthelp Our bi-monthly look at employment quesrions that concern you, with local HR experts Peter Lawrence & Rod Lee of Human Capital Department.

Making sure your HR Documentation is compliant

Help with Employment Contracts A written Employment Contract is now required from the first day of employment and must be in place for all employees and workers WHAT AN EMPLOYER MUST PROVIDE IN WRITING: By law, an employer must provide anyone who’s classed as an employee or worker, with the terms of their employment in writing (a ‘written statement of employment particulars’).

This document must contain a summary of the main terms of employment, such as pay and working hours. Don’t just google it!

At Human Capital Department we subscribe to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development [CIPD]’s

“HR Inform” subscription service which gives us access to a wide range of model employment contracts, as well as employee policies & procedures.

Getting the HR basics wrong can be costly - Employment Tribunals [ET] are now overwhelmed with claims from employees which are always time consuming and potentially costly for employers.

For a confidential discussion about how we can help with Employment Contracts, Employment Handbook, HR Policies & Procedures, or more

strategic HR initiatives to help you gain the most from your people, get in touch today.

m 01553 401781 / 0800 246 5614 1 humancapitaldept.com k info@humancapitaldept.com KLmagazine May 2021

45

Setting the standards of modern garden design This year’s Chelsea Flower Show may have been delayed for four months, but that hasn’t stopped the award-winning team at Foras creating a stunning show garden at the company’s home in Norfolk

W

hen local farmer John Wootton and business consultant Claire Brutnall got together almost 20 years ago to develop an exclusive range of natural stone garden accessories and flooring they had little idea they would eventually create one of the country’s most respected names in exterior design.

Taking its name from the Latin word for ‘outside’ Foras has become a multi award-winning business with a show-stopping 10,000m² display at Stowbridge, which showcases the largest display of water features in the UK - in addition to a comprehensive range of tiles and flagstones, stone benches and sculptures, pots and planters, decorative lighting and beautifully created garden jewellery.

By taking a responsible, ethical and style-led approach to sourcing products and materials, Foras almost single-handedly rewrote the book on garden design - picking up a gold medal at their very first appearance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and repeating the achievement with another gold medal the following year.

And when the world’s most famous horticultural show was postponed until September (for the first time in its 108-year history) Foras decided to take a typically imaginative approach and create their very own show garden in the heart of Norfolk.

“After the year we’ve just gone through it seemed the perfect way to celebrate our new-found freedom and our love of our outdoor spaces,” says Claire. “We wanted to use the garden to bring together a wealth of local talent and highlight the work of local craftspeople - and I’m truly amazed with the results.”

Covering 100m² on the edge of established woodland, the show garden has been designed by the hugelytalented Lucy of Lucy’s Garden, based in Surlingham just outside Norwich and winner of a gold medal (in addition to the Best in Show and the Visitor Vote award) at the most recent Royal Norfolk Show in 2019.

Named the Juniper Sky Show Garden, it pays tribute to the natural beauty of the local area and one of our most important trees.

KLmagazine May 2021

ABOVE: Local garden designer Lucy Belsey, who designed the show-stopping Juniper Sky Show Garden at Foras - which is now in the final stages of completion

“We wanted to use the garden to bring together a wealth of local talent and local craftspeople...”

Clearing the site

Taking shape

47

ABOVE: The Juniper Sky Show Garden at Foras includes a bespoke and locallymade Armillary sphere.

“Juniper is declining all over the country and around 80% of the plants are now only found in Scotland,” says Claire. “It offers fruit, food and nesting sites for our local wildlife and it provides a key ingredient for our range of award-winning Norfolk gins.

Combining that with our fabulous landscape was a brilliant idea.”

Well known for its vast skies and low levels of light pollution, Norfolk is the perfect setting for a garden that looks out to natural grass meadows and offers plenty of opportunities to engage with nature. In fact, that may be the central secret of Juniper Sky - since the hard landscaping is built on multiple angles, you have a choice of different journeys through the experience.

No less than 80 different plants make an appearance in the garden (everything from the attractive

Japanese Spindle bush and Bay trees to stunning African lilies and charming Verbenas) and they combine perfectly to produce a totally harmonious effect.

“It’s everything a garden should be,” says Claire. “There are multiple rooms, places of interest, lots of wildlifefriendly plants and some wonderful examples of the architectural detailing Foras has become famous for.”

That architectural influence is nowhere more apparent than in the clever positioning of the covered pergola and the Nook Cabin - which was handmade by the Foras team and features a ‘living’ roof.

“It’s the perfect place to enjoy our selection of Norfolk gins and vodkas while you take in the surroundings,” says Claire. “It’s a lovely blend of different materials, contrasting furniture and specially-designed focal areas.”

Claire herself was the inspiration behind Claire’s Avenue, which lies at the top of the garden and includes several water features delivering a fascinating mix of sounds and reflections looking out to the woodland.

“One of my favourite moments at RHS Chelsea is walking down the lime tree avenue in the gardens of the hospital before the event opens to the public,” she says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy all the stands and show gardens without the hustle and bustle of the crowds - and that sense of peace and quiet is what we wanted to

create on our own doorstep.”

From the exquisite and locallycrafted armillary sphere to the secluded area created by an imaginative planting of pleached parasol trees, the Juniper Sky show garden is a feast for the senses and a delightful space in which to relax.

RHS Chelsea 2021 may be 100 miles and four months away, but Foras have already delivered a show garden fully deserving of a gold medal. This isn’t a garden you admire. It’s one you experience.

For details of how and when you can visit the astonishing Juniper Sky Show Garden and enjoy hundreds of other highlights from the Foras collection, please contact Claire and her team by using the details below.

If you would like a personal VIP tour with added benefits and surprises register at: foras.co.uk/junipersky

West Head Road, Stowbridge, King’s Lynn PE34 3NJ Tel: 01366 381069 Web: www.foras.co.uk Email: info@foras.co.uk 48

KLmagazine May 2021

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KLmagazine May 2021

Bring the outdoors in, take your interiors out It’s time to make the most of the summer, and there’s never been a better time to talk to Rudd Joinery about improving your home...

T

he line between the interior and exterior of our homes is becoming increasingly blurred. And that’s largely thanks to the efforts of people like Jamie Rudd and his team of craftsmen at Rudd Joinery - who manufacture a stunning range of bi-fold, French and sliding doors to take your interior design style into your garden and bring the natural beauty of your outdoor spaces indoors.

It’s a brilliant way of bringing extra light into a property, but the benefits of bifold doors don’t stop there - they can increase the sense of space and effectively create a whole new ‘outdoor room’ in the sunnier months.

Rudd Joinery offers a huge range of materials, sizes and styles - and they’re available in any number of colours and finishes for the perfect match.

What’s more, the use of responsiblysourced timber offers

KLmagazine May 2021

a number of cost and environmental benefits.

“We’ve been producing superior and environmentally-friendly timber doors, windows and conservatories for almost 30 years from our family-run facility just outside Fakenham,” says Jamie. “We can advise you on the best solution, recommend the best glazing option, and suggest alternative products which may work even better.”

A case in point is the use of internal bifold or sliding doors, which can effectively (and unobtrusively) divide an open plan layout when you need some space and privacy.

“You can have some peace and quiet when you need to do some work or need some privacy,” says Jamie, “but when you have guests or a large family gathering you can open the doors up and create a truly stunning space.”

As long-standing members of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Rudd Joinery works to the very highest

standards, combining the beauty of the past with the technology of the present - and employing exceptional craftsmanship skills to create outstanding high-performance timber products individually tailored to suit your home.

For a free quotation and to explore the possibilities of what bifold doors could bring to your building project, contact Jamie and his team today.

51

It’s time to hang out a summer festival of colour...

It’s finally time to get this year’s hanging baskets ready, but as Wendy Warner of Thaxters Garden Centre explains, there’s a lot more to it than you might think

M

ay is the month to be planting your hanging baskets as well as troughs and containers for months of colour and enjoyment throughout the summer. But a little extra effort in your planning and planting will give you greater rewards for the finished product.

For starters make sure you use goodquality compost, either a specially mixed container and basket compost such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control or a general multi-purpose compost, adding slow-release feed granules and water-retaining gel crystals before planting.

Choose suitable sized hanging baskets, and remember that even small plants will quickly create a big root system and be competing for all the goodness in a small container.

When lining hanging baskets, adding a layer of plastic inside the ready-made liner (a circle from an old compost bag with a few holes will suffice) will help retain moisture in the compost and stop the compost drying out from the outside if it’s windy. There are different types of liner, some allowing planting though the sides, or if you like the effect you could make a traditional moss-lined basket.

There are so many different plants you could choose for your baskets.

Some people like to stick to a particular colour scheme, while others like a multi-colour display. You don’t even need to use a mix of plants - baskets of a single colour Surfinia (trailing petunia) or trailing Begonias can look stunning.

Give some consideration to where you’ll be hanging your baskets. Most basket plants thrive best in full or partial sun. For full sun, both zonal (upright) and ivy-leafed (trailing) Geraniums are ideal and are a traditional favourite.

They look great on their own or mixed with other basket plants, and come in an array of colours from white through pinks, lilacs and lavenders to reds and burgundy, and some even have a twotone stripe.

Cascading Surfinias (trailing petunias) and Calibrachoa (million bells) have soft stems making them particularly tolerant of wind and rain, which is handy in our coastal area. If you’re going for these alone in a hanging basket, three plants will be sufficient for a 12” basket.

Trio Calibrachoa have been very popular for the last few years with three colours appearing to come from the same plant (sorry to spoil the illusion,

KLmagazine May 2021

PICTURES: While you may be tempted to stick with a specific colour scheme for your hanging baskets, multi-coloured arrangements can work really well - even if you only choose a single type of plant 53

but three plugs have actually been grown very close together in one pot to obtain this effect!) One of these can be planted in a small basket to give a great show. Other trailing basket plants include basket Lobelia, Verbena, Diascia, Brachycome, Bacopa, Nemesia and many more varieties. All of these are suitable for baskets where they can be allowed to trail down in a sunny position.

If you have a shady position, choose trailing Fuchsias, Begonias, New Guinea Hybrids or Busy Lizzies. Just because they like shade doesn’t mean they’re insignificant – many Fuchsias have the most amazing large flowers, and others have interesting variegated or golden leaves. Trailing and Non-stop Begonias with their waxy flowers come in an array of bright, vivid colours. Impatiens, New Guinea Hybrids and Busy Lizzies are all part of the same family and will give months of colour as long as they’re not allowed to dry out.

For a balanced look when choosing plants for your baskets, try to have a 54

“thriller” (a tall, upright plant for the centre) “spillers” (trailing plants that hang down around the sides) and “fillers” - those plants that fill the gaps in the middle. Remember your basket can swing round in the wind, so don’t leave the back bare.

And don’t be tempted to hang them straight up. Once planted, leave your baskets in the greenhouse for a week or two to get established and become well rooted before hanging in their final position. If you don’t have a greenhouse, position them in a sheltered spot and stand them in a bucket or pot rather than hanging them. Ensure the chains of your basket haven’t perished and replace any that look weak.

Make sure your bracket is big enough to hold your basket - remember the size of your basket when planted and in full growth will be much wider than the empty basket, so allow this extra space to avoid crushed and broken stems,

especially if it is windy.

Once flowering, feed at least once a week with a high-potash feed such as Tomorite or an all-purpose liquid feed and when it’s hot or windy your baskets are likely to need watering daily.

At the garden centre we source most of our bedding and basket plants from local growers in Norfolk or around the Spalding area and have fresh deliveries at least once a week in season, so you can be assured you’re always getting the best quality plants.

And if you don’t have the time to make up your own, by the end of the month we’ll have ready-planted hanging baskets and containers on sale.

YOU AND YOUR GARDEN Wendy Warner is the Manager of Thaxters Garden Centre in Dersingham. See the website at www.thaxters.co.uk or telephone 01485 541514.

KLmagazine May 2021

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56

KLmagazine May 2021

Your kind of home.

Our kind of service.

As it welcomes customers back to a recently-refurbished showroom, MKM in King’ Lynn has designs on every room in the house...

A

s MKM King’s Lynn welcomes customers back to one of the friendliest independent builders’ merchants in the country, it’s also the perfect time to discover one of the best landscaping displays in the area - together with a commitment to high-quality products, efficient and reliable deliveries, and complete dedication to customer support, help and advice.

But it’s not just about everything you could need in the way of paving, decking, garden furniture and outdoor

KLmagazine May 2021

buildings - because MKM is packed with inspirational ideas for every part and every room of your home.

“It was our 25th anniversary last year and we celebrated by doubling the size of our Kitchens and Bathrooms showroom, completely refurbishing the offices, and employing specialist staff with a wealth of design expertise,” says branch director Damian Roach.

“It’s been a really exciting time for us and we’re really looking forward to finally being able to sharing that with our customers.”

MKM still offers a complete service to

the building trade, but its new-look showroom offers a retail-friendly experience to everyone with a range of kitchens and bathrooms from leading British manufacturers and a friendly team of in-branch designers who’ll expertly guide you through every stage of the process.

“One of our greatest strengths has always been our ability to offer something for every taste, every project and every budget,” says Damian. “MKM is now the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchant, and our success has been built (literally!) on local knowledge, innovative products, reliable deliveries and a friendly service.”

And at last it’s time to discover the MKM difference for ourselves.

57

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KLmagazine May 2021

Drive into the future and save up to £350 Thanks to the 4 Way Group in King’s Lynn, charging your electric vehicle at home isn’t just sensible - it can actually save you money

A

s if a greener, cleaner and more sustainable world wasn’t enough of an incentive to invest in an electric vehicle (something that will soon become obligatory), the government is currently offering a special grant worth up to £350 off the cost of installing smart electric vehicle chargepoints at domestic properties.

The initiative is provided through the government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) - which changed its name from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) at the start of the year and strengthens the intention of ending all sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in nine years’ time.

“Over the last 15 years we’ve built a strong local reputation as leaders in the installation of energy-saving technologies,” says director Stuart Olley of the King’s Lynn-based 4 Way Group.

“We’ve recently become an approved

installer for the award-winning British company Myenergi’s revolutionary EV chargers and there’s never been a better time to embrace the future especially as you can save money in the process.”

To qualify for the OZEV grant you’ll need to have off-street parking, have your smart charger fitted by an OZEV-approved installer, have it in place less than four months before the delivery of the vehicle, be able to provide its VIN number and ensure the vehicle itself meets the official criteria - which shouldn’t be a problem as the latest list published by the government at the start of April includes no less than 150 electric and

plug-in hybrid cars and 17 commercial vans and trucks.

“That may sound like a lot of hurdles to jump over for a £350 grant but we handle every stage of the application process at our end,” says Stuart. “In fact, the only thing you have to worry about is whether or not to combine your EV charging point with a solar installation - which can charge your car for free.”

That’s why the 4 Way Group are adding Zappi, the world’s first solar-compatible EV charger to their range of solar arrays and battery storage solutions. It’s why Stuart and his team insist on safer, cheaper and more convenient solutions. And it’s why the 4 Way Group should be your first port of call for investigating the benefits of electric vehicles - not just for your and your car, but for your family, your community and your planet.

t 01553 767878 w www.4waygroup.co.uk e sales@4waygroup.co.uk Recognised and accredited throughout the industry:

KLmagazine May 2021

59

One of our most valuable natural resources...

It’s surprising that the pinewood at Holkham is little more than 200 years old, but it’s even more remarkable that it features some scarce plants and often provides a winter home for extremely rare birds

T

he National Nature Reserve at Holkham is the largest in the entire country, covering almost 10,000 acres, containing a wide range of different habitats leading to a threemile stretch of beach that was recently voted the best in the UK, and providing a home to a vast number of migrating birds and several rare invertebrates and plants. It’s also one of only two sites in the UK to have an colony of antlions.

And in the unlikely event you could want anything more from a single location, it also features a breathtaking pinewood that stretches all the way from Holkham to Wells-next-the-Sea and is visible from the sea, the land and

the air.

Planted on an ancient sand dune over the course of 20 years in the late 19th century by Thomas William Coke, 2nd Earl of Leicester, the pinewood features three different types of tree.

The Corsican Pine has a grey trunk and produces small cones, the Scots Pine has a distinctive orange upper trunk, and the Maritime Pine develops large cones in treetop clusters.

It’s almost impossible to imagine that some 200 years ago this beautiful environment was simply a prominent ridge of sand dunes resembling Burnham Overy and Scolt Head at Brancaster.

By the time the last sea wall in the

area was built at Wells, most of the former marshes had already been converted to fields for arable crops and sheep grazing - all of which had to be protected from the vagaries of the changing tides.

The pine trees not only stabilised the fragile dunes, but prevented huge amounts of sand from blowing inland onto the cropped fields. But it’s not all about pine - the woodland also features oak, birch, sycamore, willow and elm - alongside hawthorn, bramble, elder and spindle bushes.

One of the more interesting trees is the invasive and infamously aggressive Holm Oak. Its ‘real’ home is the eastern

PICTURES: The pinewood on the edge of the beach at Holkham may be less than 200 years old, but it’s already home to an extraordinarily rich variety of plants, birds and wildlife

Mediterranean but was planted in significant numbers at Holkham during the 18th century using acorns used as packing material in the many statues and paintings shipped to Holkham Hall from Europe. Very resistant to salt-spray from the sea, they’re very useful as windbreaks in coastal areas although the trees have a tendency to dominate and eventually replace any other tree in the area.

Without the careful management and intervention of an independent advisory board and the Holkham Estate’s team of wardens and conservationists, the varied environment would eventually be replaced by a woodland consisting exclusively of Holm Oak - with the trees’ dense canopies having a devastating impact on the reserve’s other plants and wildlife.

And that’s one of the pinewood’s most valuable assets.

In addition to the attentiongrabbing foxgloves, you can find pretty little Heath Speedwell flowers and (if you’re lucky) tiny white orchids - this is one of the few remaining sites in

62

England where you can spot them.

For nature lovers, the pinewood is a rare treat indeed.

Towards the end of the summer it’s full of migrant songbirds and while we may be familiar with thrushes, finches and warblers other winged visitors to Norfolk are far more elusive.

In 1989 a redbreasted nuthatch spent its winter at Holkham, having flown all the way from Canada - a bird species that had never been seen in the UK before. Or since.

A citril finch arrived in 2015 (a bird seen only once before in the UK) and some parrot crossbills also made their UK debut when they nested in the area in the mid-1980s.

Sadly the last red squirrel at

Holkham died in 1989, but it’s hoped that at some point in the future these delightful creatures may be re-introduced to the pinewood - the perfect home for them.

As one of the most attractive locations on the north Norfolk coast, the pinewood at Holkham attracts well over 100,000 visitors every year and the reserve is equally important to the local economy. This is, however, a delicate and fragile environment so all visitors are advised to follow the Coastal Code in order to continue enjoying, respecting and protecting the area.

KLmagazine May 2021

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Swaffham: 2 Market Place PE37 7AB KLmagazine May 2021

Insuranceinsights Our regular look at insurance issues for you and your family with the experts at Adrian Flux...

How to keep your motorhome safe this summer and beyond The perfect way to stop worrying - and start enjoying your holiday

M

otorhome thefts are on the rise despite the UK being in a lockdown for much of the past 12 months.

And with staycations back on for summer 2021 it’s more important than ever to ensure your motorhome is as safe as houses, whether it’s on your drive, in storage or at a campsite.

There are two main types of theft: • Entire vehicle theft, where the van is stolen and often broken down for parts • Break-ins, where thieves are more interested in the motorhome contents than the vehicle itself.

Here we break down everything you need to know about keeping your motorhome safe.

INVEST IN GOOD SECURITY Ensure your motorhome has good security, the best you can afford to buy.

Security alarms, immobilisers and CCTV can put off potential thieves, and if your van does disappear, a tracking device will make it easier to recover.

Clutch claws which lock the brake pedal and clutch pedal in place, steering locks and gearbox locks which secure the gear stick to the handbrake are all powerful deterrents worth investing in.

CHECK YOUR LOCKS When leaving your motorhome unattended ensure all door and window locks work and are locked. Lock your motorhome every time you leave it and don’t leave the keys in the ignition, even for a brief moment, perhaps while you are filling the tank.

Also, try not to leave valuables on view and don’t leave paperwork relating to your motorhome inside the vehicle as this may make it easier for thieves to sell it on.

INSURE YOUR MOTORHOME It doesn’t matter if you’re planning an overnight stay, a short break or a longer trip across Europe, your campervan is your holiday home from home so invest in peace of mind insurance.

Adrian Flux is a specialist insurance company able to provide competitive quotes for all makes and models of motorhome. And we shop around to find the best prices for our clients.

If you plan on doing any work to your motorhome, we will also cover modifications on a like-for-like basis.

KNOW WHAT YOUR MOTORHOME LOOKS LIKE Yes we know you know what it looks like, but not everyone does, including your insurer. Before setting out on a trip it’s a good idea to take pictures of your motorhome’s exterior and interior along with the contents inside.

UNDERINSURED? DON’T STALL, CALL Call 01553 400399 for an Adrian Flux motorhome insurance quote — 79.5% of all customers receiving an online quote in July 2020 could have obtained a cheaper quote over the phone, based on the information they provided.

TEL: 01553 400399 | EMAIL: contact-us@adrianflux.co.uk WEB: www.adrianflux.co.uk

KLmagazine May 2021

EDQ 65

The sad decline of one of our favourite birds If you’ve seen a sparrow lately you can count yourself lucky, because as Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserves Officer Bob Morgan explains their numbers have plummeted in recent years - and no one knows why to raise awareness of all formerly common birds, particularly in urban areas. The house sparrow, with the help of humankind, has spread to nearly every corner of the world and was close to being one of the commonest bird species.

A lot of wildlife conservation naturally concentrates on precious habitats or rare animals, and it could be argued that we shouldn’t be worrying about something as ordinary as a sparrow.

But the way the house sparrow population has plummeted over recent years is quite staggering, and it’s difficult for younger

people to appreciate just how many there once were in our towns and cities.

Formerly, apart from feral pigeons most city dwellers’ only regular encounter with the natural world was seeing sparrows - in fact they were so commonplace as to be disregarded.

Even among birdwatchers they were ignored, and some bird-ringers even wrung their necks to stop them being caught continuously in their mist nets – for familiarity breeds contempt.

As their name implies every house seemed to have a sparrow, or more.

At sunrise they’d form a chorus line

IMAGE: FURGUS GILL / 2020 VISION

I

t appears that there’s a day of celebration for most things now, so it’s no surprise that this spring saw the observance of the 10th annual World Sparrow Day on March 20th. For one, I’ve always loved the humble house sparrow, but the day had little to celebrate because it developed out of a great many serious and worrying issues.

It is now designated as a platform

IMAGE: BEN HALL / 2020 VISION PICTURES: House sparrows used to be one of our most familiar garden birds, but their numbers have declined by over 75% in recent decades and no one seems to know exactly why - although there are several things homeowners can do to help

“The tree sparrow was once a regular sight along the hedgerows of arable farmland...”

gather at the feast. It was always a hasty affair as at least one boisterous child would run wildly towards the birds, sending them into the air in all directions, only to meet again on the safety of the roof. House sparrows were an everyday part of children’s lives.

If they were lucky one would fly into the school hall and disrupt morning assembly. No pupil could resist chuckling at the caretaker flailing a broom around his head whilst trying to encourage it out of an open window.

Even in the heart of London, sparrows thrived.

Since the 1920s a remarkable series of autumn bird counts have been carried out in Kensington Gardens, which clearly illustrates the extraordinary decline of the sparrow.

Some 2,603 were counted in 1925, but numbers dropped to 885 in 1948, 544 in 1975, 81 in 1995, and only 8 in October 2000 - and very few have been recorded since.

Of course, there were still a great

KLmagazine May 2021

IMAGE: HARRY HOGG

along the guttering and in unison twitter a loud repetitive song outside bedroom windows. Even on a Sunday.

As a child I recall watching squadrons of them dropping into the garden and dust-bathing in the fine soil by the cabbage patch. They’d squabble and argue, chasing one another from the cabbages to the runner-beans and then into the heart of the privet bush.

Sparrows would hop among shoppers’ feet in the High Street in search of crumbs or line up on park benches at lunchtime, although the sparrows’ favourite haunt seemed to be the school roof. They’d wait patiently for the scattered contents of a tuckbox.

At least 20 (and often more) would 67

IMAGE: MARGARET HOLLAND PICTURES: Thanks to a loss of habitat, a lack of suitable nesting sites and a gradual decline of natural food sources the humble house sparrow has become an increasingly rare sight in our gardens - but there are several ways to encourage them back and grow their numbers

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IMAGE: JOAN BURKMAR

them.

This spring I’ve built a terrace of sparrow nestboxes on the north-facing wall of the house (they like to be out of direct sun), for if we can’t find space in our homes and hearts for the poor old sparrow what hope is there?

World Sparrow Day may not be as engaging as saving whales or protecting gorillas, but it’s a very real warning that we shouldn’t take the natural world for granted.

We need to let our children grow up in a world full of sparrows once again instead of asking “what’s that bird?” in the very rare event they actually see one.

IMAGE: AMY LEWIS

many horses in London back in 1925 all requiring large quantities of oats, and plenty of run-down housing provided excellent nest-sites. Despite this, in recent times 74% of the house sparrow population has simply disappeared.

This rapid decline was noticed by many people, questions were asked in Parliament, and The Independent newspaper offered £5,000 for the first scientific paper which could explain the disappearance of the house sparrow from our urban areas. Only three entries were submitted and the prize still hasn’t been awarded.

Clearly the answer to the demise of our sparrows still isn’t obvious, and is probably a complex combination of reasons. However, one notable discovery is that parent birds aren’t finding enough small invertebrates to feed their chicks during the first few days after hatching - perhaps as a result of us having fewer urban gardens.

Its country cousin the tree sparrow has fared much worse. With its smart chocolate brown cap, the tree sparrow was once a regular sight along the hedgerows of arable farmland. It has all but disappeared from Norfolk now, its decline a result of changing farming practices, although attitudes are improving. Many farmers are now leaving weedy margins on their fields, providing supplementary seed in winter, and installing nest boxes. A small but important increase in tree sparrow numbers has been observed during recent survey work.

I’m lucky enough to have a wellstocked garden. It has boasted spotted flycatcher, brambling and blackcap but never house sparrows, and I miss

For more information on the work of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, tips on how to help the local environment and details of upcoming events, please visit the website at www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk KLmagazine May 2021

Animalmatters Our monthly look at the issues concerning you and your pets with at London Road & Hollies Vets...

Clinical Director

Sarah Colegrave

Smallbites

Good for you and great for your dog

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’m a very keen runner myself, and I often pass people running with their dogs. We all know the benefits of running include weight loss, mental sharpness, less anxiety and depression, and an increase in the strength of your heart and lungs - but what few people realise is that running can be equally beneficial to our fourlegged friends.

Running uses different muscles from walking (which is equally true whether you’ve got two or four legs) and provides a continual and more intense workout. Sadly, dogs are susceptible to the same health implications we are due to lack of exercise, and diabetes

in dogs has increased 850% in the last five years - largely due to weight gain.

A few years ago the PDSA released an Animal Welfare Report that estimated that 30% of dogs in the UK are now overweight or obese, pointing out that six million of them go for less than an hour’s walk per day, and some 250,000 dogs don’t get any walk at all.

In addition to the physical benefits, allowing your dog the freedom to run is also great for their mental health and psychological wellbeing. Running improves mental sharpness and reduces anxiety, stress and depression for both you and your dog.

Under-stimulated and underexercised dogs can be prone to destructive behaviours such as chewing, digging and rubbish rummaging. They can become hyperactive, overly-excitable and restless at night. They can develop attention-seeking behaviour such as whining, jumping up and barking - and can even become more aggressive.

Many owners have told me that thanks to increased daily exercise their

LONDON ROAD Hospital Walk, King’s Lynn • 01553 773168 HOLLIES Paradise Road, Downham Market • 01366 386655

KLmagazine May 2021

Our Pet Health Club provides essential routine care and helps you become a responsible pet owner. You can save money on the cost of treatments and services and keep your pets healthy and happy just ask any of our friendly staff for full details of how to join.

dogs have shown less destructive or anxious behaviours.

Burning off all that nervous energy is great for puppies and dogs that suffer from issues such as separation anxiety, and if you’ve adopted a dog it’s the perfect way for them to bond with their new family and familiarise themselves to their new surroundings and unfamiliar dogs.

But before you decide to take your dog with you on your next run, please contact us first for some help and advice, because different breeds require different levels of exercise.

Some dogs are naturally athletic and can manage long-distance running without a problem, but smaller breeds with breathing difficulties or very short legs are more suited to short sprints.

We can help you develop an exercise regime for you and your dog that does the both of you the world of good.

Because just like us, active dogs live longer and happier lives.

info@londonroadvets.co.uk www.londonroadvets.co.uk

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

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Living

For buyers and sellers the property market in west & north Norfolk has never been more vibrant,

Spencer Cushing of Sowerbys explains how to make the most of it...

The Gables, Brancaster

Buying your new home in Norfolk...

P

rior to becoming an estate agent I enjoyed ten years service as an Army officer where I very soon learned about the six P’s - Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance - and I’d say it’s just as relevant and important in the house buying or selling process as it is in any military operation. Especially in a market as energised as our current one.

If buyers want to plan for success the most fundamental preparation you can do is ensure you’re ready to move at the drop of a hat. You need to make sure you have all your financial arrangements in place before registering your interest or booking a viewing.

If you’re looking to use a mortgage to fund part of your purchase then at the very least you’ll need an Agreement in Principle (AIP) from a lender because

possession of such is all the proof agents need to convince us that you’re serious.

At Sowerbys we always recommend Broadland Consultants to help and advise at these stages. Not only do they help buyers in this respect but they often help sellers with financial planning and wealth management.

The second essential piece of preparation is instructing a solicitor to act for you. It’s extremely unlikely that a solicitor will start acting for you until they’ve carried out their ‘know your client’ procedures - and it’s unlikely they’ll do anything without being in funds to do so.

Telling an agent you’ve already got this in place before you view a property is a clear demonstration that you mean business - and your agent will almost certainly prioritise you at the top of their tree of prospective buyers.

This second fundamental is even more a part of prior preparation for the seller than it is for the buyer. After a sale is agreed one of the most usual timeconsuming processes is when a seller has forgotten to instruct a solicitor.

As well as the basic ‘know your client’ requirement sellers must also complete (and return) the protocol papers to their solicitor - which need to include the fixtures and fittings form in addition to the property information questionnaire.

These aren’t huge documents and no one likes filling out forms, but these must be completed and returned before a seller’s solicitor can begin the conveyance process.

Doing this before you go on the market will have a huge impact on your sales performance down the line. In fact sellers who take their preparation really seriously take it one step further and instruct their solicitors to apply for the Local Authority Searches.

Such searches are the responsibility of the buyer, but sellers can sell them on at cost and immediately reduce the conveyance period by at least two weeks.

In fact one of the most common frustrations of buying and selling is how long the conveyancing can take - but it doesn’t have to be.

By only applying the first three Ps of the whole six you can largely prevent the last two.

As with the property itself, it’s all in the planning.

Tudor Wood, Dersingham

Burnham Market | Dereham | Fakenham | Holt | Hunstanton | King’s Lynn Norwich | Watton | Wells-next-the-Sea www.sowerbys.com 70

KLmagazine May 2021

Norfolk is a wonderful place to live, and few people have more experience in styling our homes than Aldiss, as managing director

Darryl Simpson explains...

Blake sofa by A&J. With the combination of the right furniture, furnishings, textures, materials and colours - you can create a great look

Lake wardrobe by Weimann makes the most of storage space in any bedroom

Styling your new home in Norfolk...

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t Aldiss we’ve been making Norfolk our home since opening our very first shop in 1892, and we’ve been helping customers bring their properties to life with beautiful designs and clever ideas ever since.

Our experts are always on hand to help and are happy to share their experience and share hints and tips on furnishing your home.

Our collections are sourced from around the world, but they always have Norfolk in mind - taking inspiration from the surrounding fields, coastlines, and landscapes of this very special county.

At Aldiss you’ll find attractive and practical solutions in the two largest furnishing stores in Norfolk, all delivered by an experienced distribution team in Fakenham and backed by aldiss.com - the online home to the very best in furniture and furnishings.

Dining set by Hastings offers a variety of painted finishes

If you’re looking for furnishing tips it always helps to start with some local knowledge, and there’s no better place to start than with the light. For many years artists have made their home in Norfolk to take advantage of the wonderful light. It’s worth thinking about this when planning your furnishings, especially as some colours

suit particular settings - just look at our painted furniture ranges for some inspiration.

Next think about size and scale. Smaller cottages can prove a challenge as the temptation is to over furnish, but at Aldiss we’ve scaled a number of our ranges to suit. Traditional staircases and sloping ceilings can make the delivery of bedroom furniture and beds difficult, but smaller pieces or ones that can be assembled in your room both offer effective solutions.

By the same token, large-scale houses such as farmhouses and barn conversions can lose their personality if your furniture is too minimal or small in scale.

To create a perfectly harmonious space, concentrate on your floors, windows, carpets and curtains first and then you can start thinking about how you’ll be using the space, where you’ll store everything, how you’ll incorporate modern technology (many sofas now have built in USB points) and you can then make the most of Aldiss with a breathtaking choice of soft furnishings and finishing touches.

If you’d like to discover what a difference 129 years of home furnishing expertise can bring to your new project, contact Aldiss today and we’ll explain the options, show you the available designs, and give your home the look it deserves.

Fakenham: Oxborough Lane NR21 8AF | 01328 86238 Norwich: Hall Road Retail Park NR4 6DH | 01603 272100 www.aldiss.com KLmagazine May 2021

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KLmagazine May 2021

How to make the most of your holiday let Furnished holiday lets carry several tax benefits, but as Partner and Tax Specialist Dan Jastrzebski of Stephenson Smart explains it’s important to plan correctly and obtain professional advice as soon as possible

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he last year has impacted hugely on the holiday market.

It’s not just airlines that have been affected, but holidays closer to home. If you own a property that you rent out as a furnished holiday let you need to be aware of the impact that the reduction in rental occupation may have on your tax affairs.

There are special tax rules for rental income from properties that qualify as Furnished Holiday Lettings.

If you let properties that qualify as Furnished Holiday Lettings you can claim Capital Gains Tax relief and you’re also entitled to plant and machinery capital allowances for items such as

furniture, equipment and fixtures.

There’s also a benefit to those wishing to use those earnings to increase the threshold to pay into a pension, as profits on Furnished Holiday Lettings count as earnings for pension purposes.

To qualify as a Furnished Holiday Letting your property must be commercially let as a business. You must make the property available for commercial let for 210 days during the year, and actually let the property as furnished holiday accommodation to the public for at least 105 days in the year.

It’s important to note that days

when you let the property to friends or relatives at zero or reduced rates is not classed as a commercial let.

There’ll be many furnished holiday let owners who will have struggled to meet these criteria over the last twelve months. However, you may still be able to qualify for tax reliefs. If you have more than one property you may qualify for the averaging election - or if your property reaches the occupancy threshold in some years but not in others, you may qualify for a period of grace election.

There are many tax and other financial benefits to owning and letting furnished holiday properties as a commercial business. As a tax expert at Stephenson Smart specialising in income tax and capital gains tax for individuals, I’m fully qualified to give personally-tailored advice to help you navigate tax relating to your business and your personal finances.

Contact our team for an initial discussion about your needs at our King’s Lynn office on 01553 774104.

Dan Jastrzebski Partner & Tax specialist

Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors

KING’S LYNN 01553 774104 FAKENHAM 01328 863318 WISBECH 01945 463383 MARCH 01354 653026 DOWNHAM MARKET 01366 384121 GREAT YARMOUTH 01493 382500 www.stephenson-smart.com

KLmagazine May 2021

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PICTURES: A typical turnpike from an early 19th century engraving. The idea of paying to use roads was introduced in 1707 and it soon became a normal practice throughout Norfolk. Welcomed by many, the idea certainly wasn’t popular with everyone.

The road to riches: paved with good intentions We tend to take our roads for granted, but there was a time when we had to pay for the privilege of using them. Russell Lyon looks at the history of local tolls and turnpikes - and why they were so unpopular

M

edieval roads were difficult for travellers to say the least since many were little better than poorly-maintained tracks. The famous Roman roads with their straight lines, good surfaces and efficient drainage systems had long fallen into neglect. Most people travelled on horseback (or walked) and goods were carried on pack horses and they moved with great difficulty.

Medieval seaports such as King’s Lynn prospered greatly because they had easy access to inland waterways, and goods such as wool, coal and wood were easily moved by boat and barge.

Norfolk’s roads were better than most according to Charles II, however, KLmagazine May 2021

who said that “Norfolk ought to be cut into strips to make roads for the rest of the Kingdom.” This was almost certainly due to the roads in Norfolk being generally raised higher than the surrounding land and having a firm foundation of gravel flint and chalk - a technique that had been learned from the Romans.

Landowners were generally responsible for roads in their area but a law of 1553 required parishes to maintain all roads within their boundaries something that didn’t sit well with locals who felt they were simply providing roadways for people who were only passing

through.

A solution was eventually found with the principle of paying a toll to use a main highway for long-distance travellers and waggoners, the money raised being used to maintain the roads

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and build new ones.

To prevent people accessing toll roads without paying, turnpikes came into use as early as the 16th century.

Taking their name from the long spears used by foot soldiers against cavalry, turnpikes consisted of rows of sharpened iron bars pointing upwards and held together by horizontal struts.

The gates could be opened and closed easily, and ‘toll cottages’ were built for the people keeping watch over them.

Despite being uniquely well served through its waterway connections even King’s Lynn needed toll roads.

Initially supervised by local justices and magistrates, control of the toll roads became the responsibility of trustees after the passing of the first Turnpike Act in 1707.

Usually locals of good repute such as local gentry, clergymen or businessmen the trustees were obliged to indicate distances through the use of mile markers and establish rules of the road - such as driving on the left and not damaging the road surface.

Toll roads may have been welcomed by many people but they certainly weren’t popular with everyone.

They were particularly hated by local farmers, one of whom regularly took

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PICTURES: Although many toll houses have been demolished over the last 200 years, several of them still exist and are instantly recognisable, a lasting reminder of a controversial approach to road usage

his produce to King’s Lynn and saw them as a “right way to ruin” - they resented the extra costs of taking animals and goods to market.

Rural communities didn’t think much of the new system either. In 1839 new tolls on old roads sparked protests of violence and vandalism and the

“Norfolk’s roads were better than most in the country according to Charles II...” widespread avoidance of toll payments.

The authorities cracked down on rioters with prison sentences and public whippings, and when that didn’t work some people were transported overseas - and some were even executed.

Prices varied from regions to region, and the distance between turnpikes varied enormously. In some locations charges were required every two

miles, but a single payment could also take you on the 10-mile journey from Gayton to Ingoldisthorpe.

For several years I used to travel along a 1.5-mile shortcut at Lakes End near Welney called Halfpenny Toll Road and I presume it must have once cost a halfpenny to do so - no wonder some local farmers were irate.

In an attempt to reduce the rural burden of these charges, payments were sometimes made “in kind” and marshland farmers would happily spend a day during the year repairing the roads for a £50 reduction in the parish’s toll fee.

Toll houses were once everywhere but many have been demolished over the years - the toll house at Southgate was demolished to make way for a Baptist chapel and many others met a similar fate. Toll houses at Hardwick, Fairstead and on the Wootton Road have long since disappeared but if you look hard enough, they can still be found in many villages.

For example, the Old Toll House at Lynn Road in Setchey was recently on the market and the giveaway is a house with a distinct bay window adjacent to the road - which originally gave the toll keeper a clear view of the traffic in both directions. Mileage markers can also still be found in many places.

The final days of turnpikes, tolls and trusts came with the arrival of the railways and a local government act - which passed the responsibility for road maintenance on to county and borough councils. The very last turnpike trust expired in November 1895 although the principle has continued in Europe and the USA, and the UK still has 23 tolls - the most famous of which is the Dartford River Crossing on the M25.

The legacy of turnpikes and tolls is the foundation of our main road systems and many roadside features remain despite no longer having a function in modern road management systems.

KLmagazine May 2021

The luxurious way to enjoy your Norfolk stay Make more of your time in Norfolk with Griff Transport Solutions the company that’s going in the right direction in more ways than one

N

orth Norfolk is one of Britain’s best-loved destinations, and almost half of the properties along the coast are either second homes or buy-to-let rentals.

Over the last year passenger demand for airlines has declined by almost 95%, whereas interest in ‘staycations’ increased by 500% - which means more people than ever are discovering the benefits of holidaying closer to home.

But the last thing you want to do is

spend your well-earned break driving around the area’s notoriously twisty roads and trying to find a convenient parking space.

Which is where Griff Transport Solutions come in, offering you a reliable and punctual private transportation chauffeur service from the day you arrive to the day you leave - and being available throughout your stay.

“We have a huge amount of experience with hospitals across East Anglia doing patient transfers, so we’re very familiar with caring for people and maintaining exceptionally high and safe standards,” says Simon Griffiths, who founded the company 14 years ago. “If you’re coming to Norfolk for a holiday, our drivers will take you wherever you want to go and they’ll do it whenever you need them - and they’ll also take you safely home. All our drivers have a huge amount of local knowledge, and they’ve all passed our enhanced and

King’s Lynn and Train Station bookings please call SIMON: 07876 North Norfolk bookings please call JOHN or JARROD: 07395

KLmagazine May 2021

366830 069773

rigorous criteria in terms of customer care and safety.”

Simon and his team can pick you up at the nearest train station and take you to your destination. They’ll be available throughout your stay to help you discover some of the area’s bestkept secrets, and they’ll also ensure you don’t need to argue about who’s driving when you decide to enjoy some of the region’s award-winning pubs and restaurants.

“Our top-end vehicles are kept in pristine condition and our clients are always given the red-carpet treatment,” says Simon. “We like to think we offer the easiest, most relaxing and most flexible way to enjoy your staycation although with our service you probably won’t want to leave.”

To book Simon and his team and enjoy a first-class journey around Norfolk, please contact them by using the details below.

info@griffnorfolkltd.co.uk www.griffnorfolkltd.co.uk

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KLmagazine May 2021

Langham Glass Gift Shop

Forever Into Glass Paperweight

An ancient craft and a unique experience Discover the professional skills and local tradition of glassmaking, and create your own unique work of art with a visit to Langham Glass

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or over four decades Langham Glass has been treating visitors to a unique experience that’s got Norfolk at its heart but can trace its roots back thousands of years to the craftsmen of ancient Egypt.

From its home in Fakenham the company’s team of glassmakers uses traditional methods and techniques to create an extraordinary range of handmade crystal products.

“I think one of our greatest appeals is that it’s not just a passive experience,” says Managing Director Jonathan Miller. “It’s fascinating to watch a professional

glassmaker at work and listen to their step-by-step commentary but there’s nothing like getting a hands-on feel for the art.”

Despite the fearsome heat and molten glass it’s a perfectly safe environment, and Jonathan is proud to have had three-year-olds and people in their 90s creating their very own works of art - which can be posted or picked up the following day.

The glasshouse (which offers glassmaking demonstrations seven days a week until October) is fully accessible throughout and has a large free car park. In addition to showcasing the

latest Langham Glass products and sculptures (including the Forever Into Glass collection of memorial jewellery and glassware) it also features a range of textiles, stationery and giftware - and even has its own on-site coffee shop, which serves drinks, light lunches and daily specials.

“There’s nothing quite like making your own unique work of art,” says Jonathan, “and there’s nothing quite like a visit to Langham Glass.”

For more information, current opening times and details of glassmaking courses, please contact Langham Glass using the details below.

Langham Glass, Greenway Lane, Fakenham NR21 8ET | T: 01328 863500 W: www.langhamglass.co.uk | E: enquiries@langhamglass.co.uk KLmagazine May 2021

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In Norfolk the times they are a changing...

In less than ten years David Brailsford and Simon Michlmayr have become known around the world for crafting timepieces of extraordinary quality and putting British watchmaking on the map

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he current time is all around us. It’s on our smartphones, it’s on our monitor screens, it’s on any number of kitchen appliances, it’s constantly displayed on several TV channels and it’s in our cars. You could be forgiven for asking why anyone would ever need a watch.

But as David Brailsford, founder of the Norfolk-based watch brand Garrick would tell you, there’s a lot more to a watch than telling the time.

In addition to being stylish and much sought-after accessories they can celebrate the heights of craftsmanship and ingenuity. They can become valuable collector’s items and family heirlooms. With the right approach they can even become works of art.

When David met Simon Michlmayr at

a trade show in London back in 2012 it was a genuine meeting of minds.

While David had a lifelong interest in watches and had worked as a consultant for various independent watch brands over several years, Simon had followed in his Austrianborn father’s footsteps and become an accomplished watchmaker in his own right.

They talked about the possibility of creating a brand of their own, which in the watch world is much easier said than done.

“I was intially reluctant because I knew from experience how difficult watchmaking is and how many pitfalls would be in our way,” says David. “But the more I thought about it the more I realised we could do something very British, very desirable and very special.”

Following a year of development and a considerable investment in plant and machinery, David and Simon launched Garrick towards the end of 2013 with a commitment to designing and handcrafting some of the best mechanical watches in the world.

And this is a very luxurious world - the global market for luxury watches is currently valued at around £8 billion.

From its home in the centre of Norwich, Garrick painstakingly builds every single watch by hand to order and will generally produce less than 50 a year.

PICTURES: Garrick was founded by David Brailsford and Simon Michlmayr (right) less than 10 years ago, but it’s already put Norfolk on the map for exquisite and exclusive watchmaking - only five of the beautiful S3 (bottom) are made in a year

make our own dials, cases, hands and components it can easily take a month to assemble a single watch.

Which is why we always have a waiting list that can be as long as six months for some models.”

Take Garrick’s extraordinary S3 watch for example. Available in steel or gold, only five of them are made every year, and it features a unique movement, a free-sprung balance made of Sircument (a non-magnetic alloy exclusive to Garrick), hand-frosted rhodium plating, and an openworked dial that reveals several components usually hidden from view.

The £30,000 price tag seems a small price to pay for such an exquisite timepiece. “What we’re doing is beyond

David Brailsford & Simon Michlmayr

Rather than taking the obvious route and calling their new brand ‘Brailsford’ or ‘Michlmayr’ or a combination of both, they decided on a distinctly British name - paying tribute to one of the oldest and most exclusive members’ clubs in existence. And it works perfectly.

Everything is made by hand on an individual basis and is built to the very highest standards.

This is British craftsmanship at its very best.

“Watchmaking is an extremely complex process and it’s also a very time-consuming one,” says David. “Because we

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the capabilities of most British watchmakers,” says David, “but that’s always been the whole point of Garrick.

We’re putting British watchmaking back on the map and it’s amazing to think our watches are now in demand all over the world - from America and Europe to China, India and the Middle East.”

In less than ten years Garrick’s team of expert watchmakers have established a brand that will undoubtedly - if you’ll excuse the phrase - stand the test of time.

For more details and information on Garrick’s work and its latest models, please see the company’s website at www.garrick.co.uk

KLmagazine May 2021

Working with Architects, developers and electrical contractors creating..

Lighting should be an integral part of every building project. At Edmundson Electrical we work closely with architects, developers and electrical contractors in the early stages to design and supply lighting concepts and products that make the most of the project - both inside and out.

Discuss your project with our team on 01553 773132

By Appointment to her Majesty the Queen Suppliers of Electrical Products Edmundson Electrical Ltd Knutsford

WEB: www.edmundson-electrical.co.uk • E-MAIL: kings-lynn.039@eel.co.uk Hardwick Industrial Estate, Unit 5 Old Berol Court, Scania Way, King’s Lynn PE30 4LS

“

We finally agreed the patterned carpet in the living room had to go, we already knew what we wanted but Olympic Carpets offered us a great price, so we had the bathroom vinyl flooring replaced at the same time.

”

Julie Gifford HOME OWNER

Carpet & Flooring Specialists Family-run independent business with over 40 years experience, providing solutions both commercially & residentially • One of Norfolk’s few Karndean flooring specialists • Natural Flooring including Seagrass, Sisal and Jute

01553 840219 | sales@olympiccarpets.co.uk 214 Main Road, West Winch PE33 ONP www.olympiccarpets.co.uk

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KLmagazine May 2021

Visit our expanded showroom

Welcome to the future of home entertainment There’s no better time to discover how Core Technology Projects can bring the movies to your home with your very own bespoke cinema

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f the last year has taught us anything it’s that home entertainment has never been more important. According to the UK’s communications regulator Ofcom, viewing figures for video streaming services have increased by almost 100% over the last 12 months and we’re now spending almost 40% of our time in front of a screen of some form or another - which means that screen has to be as good as possible.

We’re demanding better pictures and better sound, we’re looking for more comfort and more flexibility, and we’re looking for an expert local service to make sense of all the technical wizardry.

For several years Core Technology Projects in the centre of King’s Lynn has been taking the latest innovations

and state-of-the-art technology into people’s homes - with full 4K UHD resolution, crystal clear screens up to 13ft wide, full Dolby ATMOS surround sound, completely automated and easy-to-use controls, and luxurious bespoke seating. It’s all the magic of the movies, but it’s all in the comfort of your own home.

“Even if you don’t have the space for a bespoke and specially-designed cinema room we can still transform your home entertainment experience,” says managing director Jim Garrett.

“We can connect your existing television to a discreet and wireless sound system, and for multi-purpose rooms we can even arrange for the screen to drop down from the ceiling at the touch of a button. The options are virtually endless and we’ll design

a system to meet your individual needs and requirements.“ Following a recent refurbishment, the Core Technology Projects’ showroom is now almost four times bigger than before, offering the best home automation experience in the area - with a dedicated cinema room, specially-designed furniture, and live demonstrations of everything from the very latest ideas in home security to next-generation gaming.

If you want to take your home entertainment to the next level or discover how the latest technology can benefit every room in your house, visit the Core Technology Projects showroom in King’s Lynn or contact Jim and his team using the details below - and bring the future into your life.

Tel: 01553 776413 Web: www.coretechnologyprojects.co.uk E-mail: enquiries@coretechnologyprojects.co.uk 1 APS House, Oldmedow Road, Hardwick Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn PE30 4JJ

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Summer is finally here at last, and it’s time to match the bright skies with bold prints, multi-coloured designs and figure-hugging and cool fabrics. Our favourite local boutiques have plenty of new ideas for you to wear, and there’s probably never been a better time to enjoy the great outdoors - and look equally fantastic yourself...

Sela Peony print dress by Adini £60

ALLEZ CHIC Castle Rising

Paisley print maxi dress by K design £90

ARTICHOKE Swaffham

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Dress by Dolcezza

CINDY’S

Sutton Bridge

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te nts iva e Pr ointmlable p ai ap av

Cindy’s of Sutton Bridge

From casual wear to wedding outfits for your special occasions visit Cindy’s Follow us on Facebook to watch our twice weekly videos, keeping you up-to-date with our new season collections in the comfort of your home Facebook: cindysfashionssuttonbridge www.cindysfashions.co.uk 108 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge PE12 9SA | Tel: 01406 350961

Sizes 10-26

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EXCLUSIVE LADIES FASHION & SHOES EST. 1978

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13 Market Place, Long Sutton | Tel: 01406 363 433 | www.sheilatiller.co.uk KLmagazine May 2021

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Top by Caractere

SHEILA TILLER Long Sutton

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CAMEL & GOLD SNEAKERS WITH STRIPE £69

GOLD CRACKLED EFFECT TRAINER £59

BLACK CRACKLED EF FECT TRAINER £62

Step into Summer at POPPY PATTERN ESPADRILLES £65

ATFORM BLACK JACQUARD FLSANDALS £65

41 Market Place, Swaffham PE37 7LA | 01760 724948 | www.artichokecollection.co.uk sales@artichokecollection.co.uk sales@artichokecollection.co.u Q E

Chic and affordable fashion for all ages

PICK YOUR SPRING FASHION Shop the latest collections, in-store now at Allez Chic t: 01553 631915 The Old School, Castle Rising, King’s Lynn PE31 6AG

www.allezchic.co.uk

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Oliana Festival Border print dress by Adini £79.50

ALLEZ CHIC Castle Rising

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Look Good, Feel Good but don’t Cost the Earth

Classic clothes making a comeback www.boomerangwithstyle.co.uk

stylish outfits for special occasionS Sizes 10-18. Planet, Jaques Vert, Minuet, Jasper Conran, Alex & Co, Kaliko, Gina Bacconni, Roman, Country Casuals & many more designer labels Every dress has a matching jacket or coat

- the whole outfit sorted in one visit!

Contact alison for an appointment alisongifford@btinternet.com 01553 763983 / 07870139315 21 Queen Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1HT

AIGLE ARIAT BARBOUR BUFF CATERPILLAR

The Hayloft

at bearts of Stow Bridge

Everything for the great outdoors

JOULES LE CHAMEAU MOUNTAIN HORSE MUCK BOOTS

CHATHAM

RIDGELINE

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GRUBS

STETSON

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PLUS! SHOOTING - GUN CARTRIDGES CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES GAMEBORE • HULL

WOOFWEAR TILLEY

visit our superstore with ample free parking TEL: 01366 388151 | WEB: www.bearts.co.uk | Brighton Mill, Stow Bridge, King’s Lynn PE34 3PD

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Optifog fog-free lenses available here! ka

o r ir k! re inf Ou ti pa bac or mo ul s aff f m er i r of st f e of memb

As

Our Optomap retinal exams are Covid-19 safe Optomap technology allows us to have an excellent view of the Retina without having to be in close contact.

• The safest way to check the health of your eyes at a safe distance • Images up to 82% of your Retina Cleaned and disinfected after • every use We’re seeing all patients SAFELY and have resumed routine sight examinations. Call us to book:

Tel: 01760 722661 www.daseaman.org.uk ‘D.A Seaman Optometrists’ 44 Market Place, Swaffham, Norfolk PE37 7QH

D.A. Seaman Optometrists

Sutha Aesthetics

THE CELEBR MUST- IT Y HAVE TREATM Loved b ENT y Beckha Victoria m Amand and a Holden

Give your skin a new lease of life SkinPen® Precision comfortably creates thousands of controlled micro-injuries in the skin to trigger the body’s natural wound healing process. This process results in the formation and remodelling of new collagen, reducing the appearance of pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and stretch marks. Let your body’s own collagen do the job naturally with no heat, chemicals or invasive injections.

Get in touch with us to find out more about SkinPen® and other treatments we have available at our clinic using the contact details below

“

From dermal fillers to skin peels, I am specialised in all of our treatments.

We also offer surgery consultations for any cosmetic operations you require, helping you to choose the right surgeons in London and support you both pre and post op, you will be looked after from us.

Su tha x ”

St Ann’s House, St Ann’s Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1LT • 07506 133091 admin@suthaaesthetics.co.uk • www.suthaaesthetics.co.uk

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“Many patients report immediate relief from day one...”

- Jane Cole Free Your Body Therapy

A new treatment for a new pain-free life Free Your Body Therapy introduces state-of-the-art shockwave therapy to free people from years of chronic aches and pains

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here’s never been a better time or a more effective way of freeing yourself from those aches and pains that have been holding you back for far too long.

At Free Your Body Therapy in the centre of King’s Lynn, Terry Connolly and Jane Cole have been using amazing new techniques from acupuncture and massage to P-DTR and ‘Anatomy in Motion’ gait therapy for many years - and have now introduced an exciting new treatment that revolutionises the way you’ll think about pain. Following professional indepth training and investment in new technology, Free Your Body Therapy is now one of the very few centres in the area using medical grade shockwave therapy (ESWT) to treat a wide range of soft tissue injuries.

“It’s around 1,000 times more

powerful than ultrasound, and research suggests that it’s better and more effective than steroid injections,” says Jane. “It’s painless, the treatment only lasts for about 10 minutes, and on average you’ll only need six sessions - although many patients report immediate relief from day one.”

Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical solution for the treatment of virtually all soft tissue injuries, whether the pain or chronic condition has been caused by general wear and tear, exercise, pregnancy, ageing, accidents or musculoskeletal disorders.

Essentially, it uses high-energy soundwaves to accelerate healing and put the affected cells into repair mode, stimulating repair and regeneration and breaking down injured tissue and calcification.

“It’s perfect for treating conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, heel pain,

shin splints, tennis and golfer’s elbow (epicondylitis), and chronic pain in the shoulder, hips and back,” says Jane.

“It’s a clinically proven treatment and is already being used by top orthopaedic hospitals and high-profile professional sports organisations. Being able to offer this in King’s Lynn is great news for all our clients - and for anyone looking to free themselves from pain.”

There’s no need to suffer any more contact Free Your Body Therapy today and book your appointment.

Old Dairy Units, Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel: 01553 277520 www.freeyourbodytherapy.co.uk

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Derma Vida COSMETIC & LASER CLINIC

CREATING BEAUTIFUL SKIN

with Wrinkle Relaxing Injections, Filler Treatments & HydrafacialTM ANTI-AGEING Wrinkle relaxing injections, JuvédermTM Filler Injections, Microdermabrasions

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The ultimate treatment to rebuild the health of your skin using super-serums to boost hydration and protect skin from environmental damage.

Book a consultation at our Doctor-run clinic on 01553 696886

Gayton Road Health & Surgical Centre, King’s Lynn | info@dermavida.co.uk | www.dermavida.co.uk

The Wish

Norfolk House, High St, Fincham, Norfolk PE33 9EL

Transform your hair with our range of innovative products from Monat

• 100% plant-based & cruelty-free • Fuller, shinier, more manageable & faster growing hair • Monat’s Rejuveniqe® blend can re-stimulate hair growth If you’re interested in having these products delivered to your door please contact us on the details below...

9 COVID-1wing

llo We are fo relevant all of the ent governm s in our guideline ous aci sp , clean n & safe salo

Tel: 01366 347999 • Email: chris@thewishsalon.co.uk 96

KLmagazine May 2021

Better by design - and much better by bathco Expertly designed and professionally installed, your new bathroom is ready at bathco today - together with all the help and advice you need

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or the team at bathco every successful home improvement project is a work of art, and every single job is given the same amount of attention from start to finish, from the initial concept to the final installation.

That approach is evident from the very first stages of your new bathroom journey, which begins with a free 3D virtual design based on your room’s exact measurements and uses the latest modelling software and virtual reality tools to show you exactly how your

new bathroom will look.

To get the perfect look you can change the style, change the colours and change the finishing touches - and you can do it all without leaving the comfort of your own home.

“Our customers know precisely how their new bathroom will look before any work starts,” says general manager Stuart Marsden. “But more than that they know how to budget carefully because we provide a detailed free quotation that covers all the costs of the project - and we can even help with our excellent range of finance options.”

If you’re unable to visit bathco’s inspirational showrooms in person, you can download the company’s complete 260-page brochure from their userfriendly website - and the entire design and sales team are always available to help you plan your new bathroom from start to finish.

“It sounds a bit unusual to have your new bathroom planned and designed remotely but that’s the great advantage of our expert project managers,” says Stuart. “We’ll ensure everything runs smoothly for you - arranging for all parts to be delivered on time, liaising with the expert installation team and dealing with any operational issues. In fact, all you have to do is look forward to is enjoying your new bathroom.”

For almost 20 years, bathco has been designing and installing high quality bathrooms - and every single one is a work of art.

Discover yours today by contacting bathco using the details below.

Tel: 0330 1239 334 | Web: www.bathcoeu.com | E-mail: enquiries@bathcoeu.com DEREHAM: 35 Yaxham Road NR19 1HD | THETFORD: Unit 1, Station Lane IP24 1ND

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Live music in the Beer Garden

Bank Holiday Monday 31st May 2-4pm

WE ARE DOG F R IE N D LY

Welcome back to the Heron from 18th May

• Enjoy our freshly cooked food including homemade desserts, all created on the premises using local produce • Visit our website to see our brand new menu including all your favourites plus new dishes with a twist!

• Take advantage of our spacious beer garden and two lit decked areas, perfect for evening outdoor dining • Book a table in our large restaurant with social distancing • Please pre-book your table to avoid disappointment

We look forward to seeing you very soon

Tracey, Stuart & Erin x

• BEAUTIFUL RENOVATED PUB SET BETWEEN TWO RIVERS • TRADITIONAL HOME-COOKED FOOD • GIN SHELF • AFTERNOON TEAS • B& B • TOURING CARAVAN PARK

01366 384040 | www.theheronstowbridge.com | The Heron Stowbridge, The Causeway, Stowbridge PE34 3PP

Dine with us on our outside tables

Crawfish Inn Authentic Thai Restaurant

In lockdown we’re still open for

Takeaway Service

Following government guidelines

~ We can take payment over the telephone ~ Restaurant quality food in a takeaway box

View our menu online at:

www.crawfishinn.com Tel: 01328 878313

Holt Road, Thursford, Norfolk NR21 0BJ Open: Tue to Sun from 6pm (open on all Bank Holidays)

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The Heron is one of almost 50 local restaurants featured in the new edition of Dining Out in Norfolk. You can purchase your personal copy by visiting www.klmagazine.co.uk

INGREDIENTS (Serves 6 as a starter) PORK BELLY & SKIN Piece of pork belly off bone, approx. 1.5kg 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 2 tbsp Maldon sea salt rosemary stalks 1 tbsp five spice 1 tbsp vegtable oil 1.5 litre water Head of garlic 2-inch piece ginger 1 cinnamon stick 4 star anise ½ tbsp fennel seeds ½ tbsp chilli flakes 200ml dark soy 200ml hoisin sauce PORK BELLY SAUCE 2 tbsp honey 100ml hoisin sauce 100ml of the stock SALAD Broccoli stalks Fennel Carrot White wine vinegar Red chilli Spring onion KLmagazine May 2021

Asian pork belly METHOD

1 Score and skin pork belly and cut into 1-2 inch cubes, add vegtable oil and five spice and set aside for two hours.

2 Brush pork skin with white wine vinegar and add sea salt. Leave for two hours.

3 Rinse skin off pat dry, add seasoning lay on rosemary stalks and bake at 210°c for approx.

25 to 30 minutes and allow to cool. Turn over and slice into 1-inch squares.

5 Peel and slice carrot, broccoli stalks finely, slice fennel finely, add vinegar.

6 Take cold pork belly from stock, add all ingredients for the sauce, bring back up to temperature over a medium-high heat and let the sauce thicken - you can always add more stock if needed.

Plate as shown.

4 Add marinated pork belly to a pan with 1.5 litre water, head of garlic, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, chilli flakes, hoisin, fennel seeds, and soy sauce bring to boil and simmer for 20 minutes, allow to cool in this stock.

Recipe by David Plumb, Head Chef at The Heron The Causeway, Stowbridge PE34 3PP 01366 384040 www.theheronstowbridge.com 99

Norfolk’s extraordinary catch of the day For hundreds of years Norfolk’s 90-mile coastline has produced some of the very best fish and seafood in the whole country. Here’s a small selection of the area’s most delicious coastal delicacies...

Cromer Crab

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here’s a good reason why Cromer crabs have a reputation that stretches far beyond Norfolk.

They may not be as large as their Cornish cousins, but growing up in the nutrient-rich waters of the longest chalk reef in the world means they’re particularly tasty, tender and fragrant. Over 200 years ago a national guidebook described them as the “finest perfection” and this local delicacy is still being championed today from chefs such as Delia Smith and Galton Blackiston and celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Loyd Grossman. The minimum legal shell span of Cromer’s crabs (115mm) is smaller than any other crab in the UK - but that simply adds to the flavour.

Packed with Omega-3 and low in fat, they’re good for you as well - and all you need is some freshly-ground black pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Mussels

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hortly after the Romans arrived in Britain in 43AD they discovered that the place they called ‘Branodunum’ (today’s Brancaster) was home to incredibly tender, surprisingly large and irresistibly tasty mussels. They’ve been farmed, harvested and enjoyed ever since. Although at one time they were known as the “poor man’s shellfish” these genuine treasures from the tidal creeks feature regularly on the menus of the area’s best restaurants - and can be bought direct from fishermen and local shops along the A149 coast road. The peak season for mussels is from October to March, and if you’re cooking them at home all you need to do is steam them lightly in a little white wine or cider.

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Samphire

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or a relatively humble succulent salt-tolerant plant, samphire is one of Norfolk’s most famous foods - you’ll see it on television, you’ll read about it in national newspapers and you’ll find it on the menus of exclusive London restaurants. Samphire itself is rather exclusive as well - it only grows in certain environments (you won’t find any in Kent or Devon) and is only freshly available from May to August. Resist the temptation to buy it out of season (it will come from South America or the Middle East) and treat it to 10 minutes of hot water before adding some butter and black pepper. It’s hard to believe this delicious mineral-packed delicacy was once burned in huge quantities in the production of soap and glass and even harder to believe it’s often called “poor man’s asparagus” - it’s an incredible natural produce that deserves to be celebrated.

Brown Shrimp

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he brown shrimp (crangon crangon if you want its official name) isn’t particularly large - you’ll never find one more than 50mm in length - but it’s been hugely important to King’s Lynn and the surrounding area for hundreds of years. In fact, the Wash accounts for 90% of the brown shrimp landed in the whole country. They’re enjoyed everywhere from Inverness to Cornwall and are one of Norfolk’s tastiest exports. The best time to get fresh brown shrimp is from spring to autumn, and unless you’re using them as an ingredient to a more complex dish they couldn’t be simpler to cook. All they need is three minutes in boiling water - and a few slices of toasted wholemeal bread.

Stewkey Blues

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tiffkey is a beautiful village on the north Norfolk coast consisting largely of flint and brick cottages and has a population of less than 400 - but it’s also home to a unique and deservedly famous shellfish. The blue clays of the area are known locally as the ‘Norfolk Stew’ and the cockles that grow there develop a distinctive colouring that’s given rise to the delicious Stewkey Blue. So distinctive, in fact, that Farrow & Ball’s paint No.281 is called ‘Stiffkey Blue’. Refreshing, rich in flavour and slightly salty, they’re best enjoyed fresh with some vinegar and pepper - but they’re also an ideal ingredient for soups and pies. Athough numbers declined dramatically at the end of the 1980s, there are encouraging signs that this delightful coastal treat is making a comeback.

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Lobster

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hree years ago The Daily Telegraph said that the very best lobsters in Europe were caught off the north Norfolk coast - in fact they’re so delicious that the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival was established to help promote its distinct character. A unique habitat makes them particularly tasty, but if you’re buying one fresh (and you certainly should) check the weight, because any lobster over 550g will start to lose its wonderful succulence. They’re best enjoyed from July to September, and for a denser and meatier meal choose a male lobster - although the female’s orange ‘coral’ roe is perfect for colouring and adding depth to sauces. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to move away from the classic Lobster Thermidor, add it to a risotto - you’ll be amazed at just how good it tastes.

Oysters

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Fish

en years ago, 15 million oysters were sold in the UK every year - although that was less than we were sending to France every single week. Oysters have experienced a complete turnaround since Charles Dickens observed that “poverty and oysters always seem to go together” - today they’re considered something of a luxury. The oft-repeated adage that you shouldn’t eat oysters in a month without an ‘r’ in its name isn’t just a quaint urban myth - those are the most important months for the oysters’ delicate spawning process and when the stocks need to be protected. Norfolk’s oyster production is now largely centred around the old smuggler haunts of Brancaster, Thornham and Blakeney - and the salty tidal marshes of this area of north Norfolk help produce some of the best oysters you’ll ever taste.

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orfolk’s coastline is very special, as a nutrientrich current of cold water sweeps down from Norway and supports an incredibly diverse food chain. It also means that our county’s fish is some of the very best in the country. Although herring and skate aren’t particularly fashionable, they’re amazingly tasty and extremely nutritious - and they’re best enjoyed in the winter if you can find them with their roes in. Norfolk’s longshore cod is also well worth seeking out - its pearly white flesh cooks to incredibly succulent flakes. When you’re on one of the best coastlines in the whole country, it’s inexcusable not to try some of its finest food.

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This is just one of the features in the new edition of Dining Out in Norfolk - which also includes details of the county’s best restaurants and exclusive recipes by some of its most talented chefs. You can purchase your personal copy from our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine May 2021

S3424 Le Strange KL Mag ad v3 182x130mm.qxp_Layout 1 13/04/2021 11:08 Page 1

Relax and unwind by the sea TERRACE BAR AND RESTAURANT WE’VE MADE SOME CHANGES l

New extended patio with seaviews l New menu l Afternoon teas Open daily from 12pm

THE MARINER l

Golf Course Road, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6JJ Tel: 01485 534411 Email: reception@lestrangearms.co.uk www.lestrangearms.co.uk

Open daily for meals and drinks from 10am l New menu l New outside seating area www.themarinerinn.co.uk

CURRENT OPENING TIMES: Tuesday-Friday 7am -4pm & Saturday 7am-2pm

Delicious local fish & shellfish NOW IN! New season lobsters & crabs For all your BBQ requirements including kebabs made to order and much more!

Award-winning smoked haddock, hot roast salmon and smoked mackerel pâté Deli Counter with local cheeses and olives

Homemade dinners

Something for a quick tea, check out our quiches, pies, sandwiches, Thai fish cakes, spring rolls and much much more!

Have you tried our prawn curries?

Seasonal vegetables and herbs now available to complete your fish dishes Follow us on Facebook for all our Father’s Day and Bank Holiday specials

DONALDSONS A fresh taste of the sea

Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel: 01553 772241 KLmagazine May 2021

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C O S Y T E A RO OM S E T I N T H E H E A RT O F G R E AT M A S S I N G H A M

a place to enjoy breakfast, coffee & cake, lunch and afternoon teas Locally sourced ingredients | Hot food freshly cooked to order All cakes handmade on the premises | Takeaway available Open: 9am-4pm 7 days a week Book a table: 01485 520 272 / info@thecartshedtearoom.co.uk Web: www.thecartshedtearoom.co.uk Located behind Great Massingham Stores & Post Office: Church Lane, Great Massingham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE32 2HY

ORIENTAL PALACE

CHINESE RESTAURANT Peking Szechuan & Cantonese Cuisine

Choose as many dishes as you want from the à la carte menu and they’ll be freshly cooked to order - all for one set price!

TAKE AWAY & DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE 204 Main Road, West Winch, King’s Lynn, PE33 0NP Tel: 01553 842255 | www.orientalpalacewestwinch.co.uk or Facebook page for up-to-date news

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Wild Blackberry Parfait INGREDIENTS & METHOD (Serves 8) 400g blackberry purée 3 egg whites 180g caster sugar 100g blackberry juice 1 Place the egg whites in a mixing bowl and start whisking.

2 Boil sugar and juice to hard ball, pour slowly into the egg whites, and whisk until cold at the bottom of the bowl.

Fold the meringue into the blackberry purée and place in a tray lined with cling film.

Put in the freezer.

APPLE SPONGE 2 apples, grated 50g honey 2 tbsp almond oil 3 egg whites 125g icing sugar 175g ground almonds 1 Put the apple, honey and oil in a pan and cook until dry. Whisk the egg whites and sugar until stiff, and fold in the almond and apple.

2 Spread thinly onto greaseproof paper and bake at 170°C for 8-10 minutes until golden.

3 Cut in half and place on the top and bottom of the frozen parfait - do this while the sponge is hot so the parfait sticks to the sponge and return to the freezer.

The Neptune is one of almost 50 local restaurants featured in the new edition of Dining Out in Norfolk. You can purchase your personal copy by visiting www.klmagazine.co.uk KLmagazine May 2021

BLACKBERRY & MINT SORBET 200g blackberry purée 100g sugar 200g water Handful mint Boil the sugar, mint and water, and strain onto the purée mix in an ice cream machine. Place in the freezer.

CARAMEL APPLE 100g sugar 3 apples 1 Peel and cut into balls with a Parisienne scoop.

2 Put the sugar and a splash of water in a pan. Bring to the boil and turn the heat down when the caramel is golden. Add the apple balls and 50g of hot apple waste and cook until tender.

APPLE PUREE Boil the waste apple with 20g of honey and 100g of water until soft. Liquidise and strain - and assemble.

Recipe by Kevin Mangeolles, Head Chef/Owner at The Neptune 85 Old Hunstanton Road, Old Hunstanton PE36 6HZ 01485 532122 www.theneptune.co.uk 105

of 95 s 9 ng ce 1 i ild Sin u B ty i al u Q

BUILDING CONTRACTORS FOR

from start..

To begin with on site the building area

The bar and function room wing of the building is

was stripped of topsoil and the concrete

supported by a steel frame structure. Once the steel

we started constructing the first floor

foundations were excavated and

frame was erected, the external walls could continue

partitions. Multiple timber studs were

Once the first floor was completed

poured. On top of these the external

to be built up ready for the floor. Metal web floor joists

put up in places to support steel beams,

walls were built up along with internal

were installed to the areas with rooms over to allow easy

the steel beams in turn supported the

sleeper walls to support the floor.

service routes below. The balcony area has a concrete

roof trusses. Pre-fabricated trusses

The drainage was then installed

plank floor with a raised composite decking placed on top.

were installed where possible with infill

followed by the pre cast beam

timbers added as necessary. Once the

and block flooring.

roof was on and tiled we could begin the internal works.

. . to finish www.robsonconstructionltd.co.uk www.facebook.com/robsonltd Head Office: 3 King John Bank, Walpole St. Andrew, Wisbech PE14 7JT Tel: 01945 780980 North Norfolk Office: 21 Holkham Studios, Longlands, Holkham Estate NR23 1RU Tel: 01328 854455

Welcome to The Pavilion: and your best-ever event It’s been one of the area’s most luxurious venues for years, but The Pavilion at Heacham Manor takes your experience to a new level

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few years ago it was simply a stretch of open land on the edge of a coastal golf course, but within less than 18 months The Pavilion at Heacham Manor has become one of the most luxurious and stylish venues for business meetings, weddings, corporate events and private functions anywhere in Norfolk.

It’s hard to know where to start. The private south-facing garden floods the Dove Suite (which can host up to 150 people and be cleverly divided in two for smaller events) with natural light and the enormous terrace above it offers simply breathtaking views over the 18th hole towards the sea. There couldn’t be a better place to relax and watch some of the most amazing sunsets in the country.

The totally new kitchen is led by Head Chef Dale Hürlimann, who trained at Les Roches in Switzerland (judged one of the world’s top three schools

for hospitality) and spent several years working on private super yachts before coming to Norfolk - joining pastry chef Fabien Eon to deliver an extraordinarily imaginative and varied menu. He also spent the last few months developing new partnerships with local suppliers, insisting that everything is made on site and as freshly as possible.

“Heacham Manor has a fascinating and very rich history that stretches back over 400 years, but The Pavilion is firmly focused on the future,” says Graham Bray, Head of Marketing for the Searles Leisure Group. “ Everything has been designed to help people celebrate their wedding, host a conference, stage an awards night or commemorate a special event with state-of-the-art AV technology, bespoke furniture and speciallycommissioned furnishings. The clever and fully-accessible layout (designed by Thornham-based Strata Architecture

and built by RobSon Construction) means the space is completely and totally inclusive. Everyone is welcome and everyone is in for an unforgettable experience.

The all-new pro shop and luxurious changing rooms are perfect for golfers, the sports bar is ideal for casual diners and guests, and the first-floor lounge is for enjoying incredible views alongside equally impressive food - and all of it works together seamlessly.

You’d be forgiven for wanting to stay at The Pavilion for longer, which is good news because the venue has a number of brand new deluxe rooms and suites available - all of which have been finished to the very highest standards and all of which treat guests to the heights of luxury.

To take your next event to another level and make it a special occasion to remember, contact Sarah Pegden and her team by using the details below.

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The west Norfolk coast: a literary sense of place Heacham, Snettisham and Hunstanton are blessed with natural beauty and fascinating histories, but as Ian Duckett explains they also have their own place in a long literary tradition

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here’s no shortage of legends and stories from the villages of Heacham and Snettisham and the town of Hunstanton and it’s hardly surprising.

Snettisham is mentioned in the Domesday Book, Dersingham abounds with rumours of piracy and smuggling, the native American princess Pocahontas (pictured here) married a Heacham man, and King John may

have lost his treasure (and his kingdom) on the sand bank off Hunstanton.

But apart from occasional mentions in the crime novels of Elly Griffiths (in which one of the central characters is a Heacham-born police officer) there’s little to suggest a literary sense of place for these charming coastal locations.

Though the evidence is inconclusive, it’s argued that the Puritan colonisers of America influenced Shakespeare

and provided the creative spark for The Tempest - the hurricane that shipwrecked Heacham’s John Rolfe supposedly inspired Shakespeare’s play and it’s likely the playwright was familiar with the exotic nature of the story of Pocahontas and her fundraising on behalf of the beleaguered colonials under her married name of Rebecca Rolfe:

O wonder!

How many godly creatures are there here!

How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in’t.

- The Tempest V.i. 184–187 The relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith is very similar to the relationship between Miranda and Ferdinand; both women teach their culture and language to men who are outsiders.

Furthermore, both relationships are frowned upon by their respective fathers. Caliban is an early example of a literary staple (the ‘noble savage’) and Pocahontas can certainly be said to have been a civilising influence on the settlers in the New World.

Through the character of Ariel there is the ancient tree - and Heacham Hall (the family home of her husband) claims to have a mulberry tree planted

by Pocahontas herself. At the very least there’s enough to link one of the greatest of modern myths with the village.

A more contemporary literary link with Heacham can be found in the wonderful poetry of Alan Brownjohn.

Writing of a coastal walk where he strayed inland to the east from Heacham, Brownjohn observes that “each field and hedge looks green and living still, as I stride away” when “the

KLmagazine May 2021

PICTURES: The story of Pocahontas is known around the world, but it’s just part of the rich literary tradition of the west Norfolk coastline

whole long day is setting with that sun” (from the poem Sixteenth).

In the poem In the Visitors Book Brownjohn writes of the “exhausted, exalted coast” and notes the spring tide is “a cagey, persistent ripple towards us.” In January to April he once again visits the “cold plain stretch” at Heacham, and his later collections return to the quiet wildness of this stretch of coast: There is only me in this landscape.

There was only me

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“Within the massive framework of the grey wall seven slender tapers of stone soared upwards. After that, it was as though the tapers had been lit and two people, standing one on either side, had blown the flames together.

Curving, straining, interlocked, they flung themselves against the retaining arch in an ecstasy - or should we say an agony? – of petrification. Pictures of saints and angels, red, blue, and yellow, pressed against and into him, bruising him, PICTURES: Few places can boast the work of such diverse cutting him, spilling writers as west Norfolk - from William Shakespeare to their colours over him.”

PG Wodehouse and LP Hartley (below) Hunstanton (Anchorstone in the This morning, in the brightness of the Eustace and Hilda trilogy) provides the beach… backdrop for another seminal moment Should I bow, in winter’s direction, like in The Shrimp and the Anemone: the grass?

“Eustace gazed all about him...

- September Days on his left was the sea, purposefully coming in; already its advance ripples Moving further along the coast two were within a few yards of where they of the most famous characters in stood. Ahead lay long lines of breakers, English literature make their debuts in sometimes four or five deep, riding in Hunstanton. PG Wodehouse’s Bertie each other’s tracks towards the shore.

Wooster and Jeeves and their fictional On his right was the cliff, rust-red home of Blandings Castle, complete below, with the white band of chalk with the park, lake, moat and estate above and, just visible, the crazy line of of Hunstanton Hall make their first hedgerow clinging to its edge.” appearance in the 1915 short story And it’s close to Hunstanton’s Something Fresh. distinctive cliffs that the central motif of Writing in his diary on 27th April 1929, the entire trilogy occurs.

Wodehouse clearly references the “Fastened to a boulder, just above “frightfully bright” Hunstanton Hall, the the water-line was a shrimp and the butler with “the cheery soul who used anemone was eating it, sucking it in.” to be the life and soul of the party” and The children cannot save in the same entry states that he “laid the the shrimp from its fate. It scene for Money for Nothing (1928) at is also in Anchorstone in Hunstanton Hall.” the final novel in the trilogy The village of Old Hunstanton is that Eustace and Hilda (with clearly identifiable in the moated hall, the “fastening” metaphor the stream with its little bridge and the present again) the story path across the fields to the village. reaches a more positive Money for Nothing isn’t the only conclusion: Wodehouse novel set in this part of “The stability of paperNorfolk, and many of Wodehouse’s weights appealed to him. characters have Norfolk names, such They tethered things as Lord Heacham and Jack Snettisham. down, they anchored the Hunstanton features most significantly past. The Anchor Stone!” in Very Good Jeeves (1930) and A These delightful coastal Pelican at Blandings (1969). towns and villages are a In LP Hartley’s The Shrimp and joy to visit and a pleasure the Anemone Snettisham becomes to live in but it’s clear Frontisham. At a family meal at the Swan Hotel (which must be the village’s they also have a very real literary sense of place. famous Rose and Crown) the main protagonist Eustace is mesmerised by a view of the church.

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KLmagazine May 2021

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KLmagazine May 2021

Keeping our local holiday lets as safe as possible As more and more people prepare to enjoy ‘staycations’ in Norfolk, Foreman & Son is helping landlords and guests enjoy the summer...

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here are thousands of holiday homes along the north Norfolk coast, and they’ve probably never been in greater demand. A recent report found that no less than 84% of people in Britain are considering a ‘staycation’ this year - which is good news for the local economy, but places a number of increased demands on the property owners.

“We’ve seen an incredible increase in demand for our services from landlords needing work carried out on their holiday lets in preparation for re-opening this summer,” says Annaleigh Foreman of Heacham-based Foreman & Son. “That ranges from the preparation of Gas Safety Certificates and boiler servicing to emergency callouts and radiator maintenance - all of which are covered by our BoilerCare packages.”

Having a professional 24-hour service doesn’t just make the guests’ stay

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safer and less stressful in the event of any problems - it can save everyone a considerable amount of time and money.

“That was one of the main reasons we developed our BoilerCare service in the first place,” says Annaleigh. “Being able to contact our engineers directly minimises the impact on the guests, and it also takes a lot of the stress away from the landlords and agents.”

With over 26 years’ experience and a team of qualified plumbers and heating engineers, Foreman & Son also offers complete boiler and bathroom installations, general plumbing and maintenance, underfloor heating, and comprehensive site work for multiproperty developments.

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To discover how easy it is to leave your holiday home in safe hands every day of the year, please contact Annaleigh and her team by using the details below.

www.foremanandsonltd.co.uk boilercare@foremanandsonltd.co.uk 113

PICTURES: The Guannock Gate and South Gate (opposite) in King’s Lynn were originally part of its defences, and were useful for preventing the plague entering the town and minimising its impact

A look at King’s Lynn during the plague years In less than 10 years the Black Death killed up to 65% of Europe’s entire population, and it continued to be a threat for the following 300 years.

Dr Paul Richards examines how the deadly disease affected King’s Lynn

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n October 1347 a dozen trading ships from Genoa docked at the Sicilian port of Messina after a long journey through the Black Sea. Most of the sailors were dead and the remainder were seriously ill, and although the locals did what they could to help, the town soon learned at first hand what the ships had brought with them. Within weeks the Black Death had spread across Italy and raced through Europe, arriving in England a few months later.

Within four years, almost 50% of Europe’s entire population had been lost to the plague and its variants, and the disease would continue to strike terror around the world for centuries to KLmagazine May 2021

come.

By the time Bishop’s Lynn became King’s Lynn by an Act of Parliament in 1537 its population of about 5,000 probably thought the worst was behind them, but as an important port with many international connections the town frequently suffered from outbreaks of the plague which often lasted several months.

The onset of the plague was a disaster for the town’s economy as death rates and sickness increased.

Unemployment rose as workplaces and taverns closed, although the weekly markets continued for healthy citizens who had no other access to food and the daily catches of fish by the

Northenders became vital.

From the Town Hall the mayor and aldermen ordered people to stay at home and issued “stay at home” directives. Quarantines were put in place to stop the spread of the disease, the authorities appointed wardens to enforce the regulations, and neither of Lynn’s annual fairs were held in 1540 because such events could double the town’s population, increasing the opportunities for the disease to spread.

The next major outbreak of plague occurred in 1584, when a special tax was levied for the relief of victims and their families and the town’s February Mart was permanently moved to the town’s Tuesday Market Place because 115

PICTURES: Now almost completely vanished, the town walls (above) of King’s Lynn and the workhouse of St James (below) played prominent roles during the outbreaks of plague that occured over a number of years until the 17th century

of overcrowding in Norfolk Street.

Another outbreak 13 years later saw the deaths of some 6,000 Lynn residents (around 10% of its entire population) and over 200 were interred in St James burial ground adjacent to the town’s workhouse where the sick were hospitalised - a single window and section of wall still exists in the nursery school playground in St James Park.

Little more than four years later, the plague paid another visit to Lynn in 1602, although it was concentrated in the North End. In October of that year the council ordered that residents of the area should be isolated and their food conveyed to them. Shortly after that another outbreak saw the town’s grammar school “broken up” to stop the spread of infections.

It wasn’t just the threat from within that was of concern.

Council minutes from July 1625 report an outbreak of plague in

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Cambridge, and the mayor ordered the gates of King’s Lynn to be shut and a watch kept along the river to prevent sailors disembarking. Innkeepers were told not to accommodate people from other towns on penalty of having their premises closed.

A similar outbreak in Cambridge in April 1630 saw the town’s gates closed to all incoming traffic again, but when the disease was found in the town two months later Lynn’s cats and dogs were shot as likely carriers.

Six years later the threat was coming from the north, as “the pestilent sickness” raged in Newcastle during the spring of May 1636. Colliers frequently sailed to Lynn in convoy delivering coal for its distribution to eight English counties, which was an obvious cause for concern.

No one from Newcastle or any other “infected place” was allowed to come ashore for 14 days, a regulation enforced by the council’s porters.

Wooden booths

(“pesthouses”) were erected outside the town walls for plague victims, and a special doctor was paid by the Town Hall to treat the sick until it “pleased God” to end the epidemic - the containment orders were only cancelled the following year.

Less than a decade later, armed guards were being posted at the gates of King’s Lynn to keep out “rogues and vagabonds” as well as sick people during the Mart, and a few weeks later came news of a new outbreak of plague in Sunderland. Ships arriving in Lynn were quarantined and sheds to house the sick were built against the town walls. It was reported that traders were “forsaking” the town.

The national ringing of church bells on the “thanksgiving day” of 14th October 1646 was only a short-lived celebration. The Lynn Mart was held successfully in February 1665, but

by June the plague had devastated London (10,000 people would eventually die) and it returned to King’s Lynn over the summer.

Once again the town’s gates were shut to incoming traffic. Boats from Cambridge and Peterborough were prevented from landing goods on Lynn’s quaysides. Booths were once again erected against the town walls “to entertayne” infected people - and visiting relatives were deterred by armed guards.

It was the last major outbreak of plague (although ships were still being quarantined in King’s Lynn as late as September 1743) and the town wouldn’t experience anything like it for over 350 years - until the World Health Organisation named the disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 as Covid-19 in February 2020.

The plague had a huge impact on social structures, working practices, economics, architecture and literature - and only time will tell if we’re currently undergoing a similarly widespread and long-lasting upheaval.

KLmagazine May 2021

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KLmagazine May 2021

YOUR SAFETY MATTERS!

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A spring clean and a fresh look for your floors With a totally safe and first-class service Xtraclean can treat your stone and tiled floors to a genuinely ‘good as new’ look

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ver the last 12 months we’ve all spent much more time in the home than usual, and all that extra foot traffic has really taken its toll on our floors. But as we head into summer and we finally start to see some light at the end of the tunnel, it’s time to give your natural stone and ceramic tiled floors a fresh new look for the rest of the year. Which means it’s time to call on the professional cleaning services of Martin King and his Swaffham-based team at Xtraclean.

Following the latest official guidelines on social distancing and using highquality anti-bacterial cleaning agents, Martin can bring your floors back to their best and give them an ‘as new’ look - usually in less than a day.

“If your stone or tiled floors were fitted professionally they deserve an

equally expert approach to cleaning,” says Martin. “For over 25 years we’ve been restoring floors all over Norfolk using the most advanced and powerful cleaning system currently available in the UK.” Xtraclean’s highly experienced technicians offer a fully-insured and friendly service (they’ll even move your furniture for you) and following an initial test and survey they’ll get to work breaking down all the ingrained dirt and loosening the surface soiling.

“Our state-of-the-art turbo ‘clean and capture’ system pressure cleans the floor using its own water supply,” says Martin, “and it even captures all the waste in the process – so you have no mess, no fuss, and no worries.”

Xtraclean never uses harmful chemicals or procedures such as grinding and resurfacing (which can actually damage the floor) and the

results are truly spectacular.

“Stone and tiled floors aren’t the easiest surfaces in the world to clean,” says Martin, “but our powerful system and professional-grade products can bring even the heaviest-soiled floors back to their very best.”

Xtraclean can also help you preserve those good looks for longer with a range of specialist sealing products specially developed for stone floors.

“To be honest you really have to see the results to believe them,” says Martin.

“Just ask our customers – they’re always amazed at the finish, and they can hardly believe it’s the same floor.”

To give your floors a bright new look and bring them back to life, contact Martin and his team at Xtraclean using the details below for extra-professional cleaning, extra-personal customer service, and sparkling results that really are second to none.

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KL Players -The Railway Children

All the world’s a stage, and we’re ready to return It’s been an extraordinarily difficult time for amateur dramatics over the last 12 months, but as NODA’s Region 4N Rep (Eastern Area) Leslie Judd explains, the stage is now set for a triumphant return

D

riving around north Norfolk, whether along the coast road from Cromer around to King’s Lynn or inland to towns such as Swaffham, Wisbech, Fakenham and villages such as North Creake there’s one thing that’s been missing for the past year. It’s the poster advertising an amateur theatrical production.

Amateur theatre brings communities and groups together in village and school halls, local town halls or visiting professional theatres entertaining audiences both small and large.

Amateur theatre covers a diverse range of styles and genres - including musicals, pantomimes and plays.

You can watch and enjoy something

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covering all tastes – from Shakespeare to modern drama, from murder mysteries and classical theatre to Gilbert and Sullivan, variety shows, and youth productions.

There is a huge amount of societies in this area, so it would be impractical to list them all - although they have one thing in common, and that’s the struggle they’ve endured over the last year.

The King’s Lynn Players held their dress rehearsal for The Railway Children in March 2020 when the theatre was closed - and the next day was supposed to be the opening night. All societies had to put their productions on hold.

The Angles Theatre in Wisbech had to

Wisbech Players - Cheshire Cats, KLmagazine May 2021

Angles Theatre - Jack and the Beanstalk cancel a whole year’s programme of amateur productions, and Watlington Young Players put their production of Alice In Wonderland on hold for 14 months.

It’s a bleak picture, but the one benefit is that right’s holders have been very amenable in transferring or putting the rights to perform a show on hold.

So in the absence of live audiences and working venues, what have our local societies been doing over the last year?

True to form they’ve been versatile and imaginative. To keep active the socieities have hosted online readings and video performances - such as the Lavender Hill Mob Theatre Company regularly posting to their YouTube channel. There have been online quiz evenings, social events, and variety shows - and most of those (from companies such as the Swaffham Players and KLODS) are available from their respective websites.

All societies have one thing in common, and that’s a commitment to provide as professional a production as possible in current circumstances - together with the wish to provide an evening’s entertainment by a dedicated band of people.

All these groups draw on the talents of their members, whether they’re actors, musicians, singers, set designers, builders, wardrobe teams, backstage crew, prop makers, or administrators. Everyone is welcome and everyone can take part.

Something few people realise is that none of the performers get paid. They’re amateurs, and they do it for the love of performing and the applause at the end of the night.

KLmagazine May 2021

Despite that these performances can be expensive to produce, especially when you factor in rehearsal space, venue hire, scenery and props - and all shows pay rights holders anything from £60 for one performance or up to 18% for all ticket sales. An orchestra of hired musicians can cost thousands, so it’s not unusual for budgets to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

These may be amateur societies, but their performances are run on a professional scale, and are fortunate enough to be supported by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) which has a professional staff dedicated to amateur theatre.

Registered as a charity back in 1899, the association has been supporting amateur theatre ever since.

Alongside the professional support of NODA, the country is split into regions, with each being split into areas - in northwest and northeast Norfolk the two areas have their own representative whose main role is to visit productions and write reviews encouraging and guiding individuals and groups into the world of amateur

For more information and to get involved, please visit the website at www.noda.org.uk for details of your nearest amateur dramatic society.

Angles Theatre - The Railway Children

KLODS - The Importance of Being Earnest IMAGE: ADAM FAIRBROTHER

IMAGE: ADAM FAIRBROTHER

dramatics. They also judge annual awards for the best play, the best pantomime and the best musical.

As we move through 2021 societies are finally able to prepare for the future. Show rights are being dusted off to prepare performances in the autumn and next spring, casts are being re-assembled, scripts are being re-learned, and show plans are being rearranged - even as far ahead as 2023.

There’s never been a better or more important time to support these local societies, who’ve worked incredibly hard over the last 12 months. Look out for the posters and press advertisements and book your tickets - whether for a great evening’s entertainment in your local village hall or the theatre on the end of Cromer Pier.

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Creating a very different shape of Norfolk KL magazine catches up with artist Pandora Layton, who combines a love of history with some of our most iconic buildings to create artwork that endows the past with a contemporary treatment...

KL magazine: Did you always want to be an artist?

Pandora Layton: I’ve drawn and painted for as long as I can remember, so I suppose you could say it’s in my blood - the wonder of creating art never left me, and I never left it. My grandfather was an architect and my father studied art, so I was brought up with art all around me, and was encouraged all the way.

KL magazine: As a student you founded the Fine Art Society at Trinity College Cambridge and became its first president. What was your motivation behind that?

Pandora Layton: I actually studied history at Cambridge, but I took my love of painting with me, which had been considerably enhanced when I received the Fishmongers’ Fine Art Scholarship to Gresham’s School.

I loved studying there, and I spent every spare moment in the art block. I wanted to continue with painting and share my love of art while at Cambridge and founded the society at my college.

It was really well attended, and I even found time to work as an illustrator for the student magazine Travesty.

KL magazine: What was the greatest challenge you faced in becoming a fulltime artist?

Pandora Layton: Facing a blank canvas!

KL magazine: Your work is very geometric and resembles stained glass, which is fitting given your paintings of locations such as Binham Priory, Norwich Cathedral and Creake Abbey.

Did that style influence your choice of subject, or did the locations suggest that kind of treatment?

Pandora Layton: I was brought up in a Norfolk village where you can still feel a real sense of the medieval, especially around sunset. It’s all around and it’s never left.

I have a love of the period and was raised with an awareness of local history and archaeology. Norfolk is extremely rich in medieval ruins and they provide me with wonderful subjects, so I’d have to say the locations suggested the treatment because I can also paint naturalistically.

I’ve actually found medieval glass when digging a 14th-15th century midden, and that was really exciting, so maybe that has something to do with it, it’s hard to say.’

KLmagazine May 2021

PICTURES: Local artist Pandora Layton (opposite) has brought another dimension to some of the area’s iconic locations, such as Burnham Norton Friary (top) and Binham Priory (bottom) 123

ABOVE: Using a geometric style that resembles stained glass, Pandora Layton is shedding new light and a new perspective on landmarks such as Binham Priory (left) and Castle Acre Priory (right)

KL magazine: What’s a typical day in the studio for you like?

Pandora Layton: I don’t know why, but I’ve always tended to paint in the evenings, which means I can tutor students during the day. Sometimes I’ll work in intense stretches, and some days I won’t work at all - it depends on my mood.

I often have three or four paintings on the go at the same time and I’ll flip back and forth between them.

I’m always looking for subjects and compositions though, so no rest.

KL magazine: Who would you consider to be your major artistic influences?

Pandora Layton: The German Expressionist painters Franz Marc and Auguste Macke and the Russian-born Chaïm Soutine - and I’ve always found the work of the English painter and printmaker John Piper really inspiring.

KL magazine: Is there a particular work of your own that you’re particularly proud of - or is important to you?

Pandora Layton: I’m not sure any artist is proud of anything they’ve done, possibly because they can see things not only as they are, but as could be.

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You might glimpse something special, but it’s extremely difficult to grasp. It’s very demanding. Having said that, I was quite pleased with the response from four A3 drawings I did on Gessobord when I was studying at the Royal College of Art, and exhibited there at the Hockney Gallery. The figures were inspired by momento mori and I eventually gave those drawings to my parents.

KL magazine: If you could have any work of art in your home, what would it be?

Pandora Layton: What a question!

There are so many great painters to choose from and so many great paintings.

If I had to choose one it would probably be Van Gogh’s painting of the Church at Auvers (pictured right).

KL magazine: What are you working on at the moment?

Pandora Layton: I have an exhibition coming up next summer at Creake Abbey and I’ve been asked to paint about twenty 80cm x 60cm canvases.

Since each one takes about 100 hours to complete, it’s a lot of work. The paintings shown here are to be part of that intended exhibition and I’m really enjoying working on them. Virtually all the paintings will be of local sites.

KL magazine: Where do you see your work going in the future?

Pandora Layton: To be perfectly honest I have no idea and I don’t really want to know - because that would spoil the journey. Northwest Norfolk is my home and a major source of inspiration, though I currently live in London.

KL magazine: Where can we see more of your work?

Pandora Layton: I always post new paintings on my website at www.pandoralayton.com and you should be able to see my latest series in the flesh, so to speak, at Creake Abbey next year.

KLmagazine May 2021

KLmagazine May 2021

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“My earliest memories are of a primitive upbringing in fenland Lincolnshire at a time when I was expected to provide roast dinners and protect crops with a gun...”

PICTURES: John Hurst’s latest book Watercolour Words charts a life spent engaging with the local environment and its wildlife, combining beautiful watercolours with stories of the popular artist’s adventures

A fascinating look at the life of an artist As one of Norfolk’s most popular watercolour artists publishes a memoir documenting half a century of adventures and artwork, we talk to John Hurst about orphaned rooks and the beauty of north Norfolk

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n reviewing John Hurst’s beautifully-illustrated book of coastal walks On My Way back in June 2017, we suggested that a sequel was almost obligatory.

As a natural-born storyteller, the professional watercolourist has always wanted to share his encounters with the great and the good, and his memoir Watercolour Words: Fifty Years proves to have been well worth the wait shedding a new light on the story of one of north Norfolk’s most popular artists.

“The story probably began about four years ago when I read Chris Packham’s autobiography Finger in the Sparkle Jar in which he describes obtaining a kestrel chick and being distraught when it died,” says John. “I sent Chris a note about my own best friend Rookie (an orphaned rook) and some other ‘ripping yarns’ from the 1950s and his response KLmagazine May 2021

he decided to produce an illustrated was really encouraging. In fact he commemorative book of memories. said they were “eloquent, poignant, to The narrative weaves its way through the point and with a punch” - which both the natural cycle of seasons and made me think other people might the seasons of life, and begins in a be interested in reading about my charmingly bucolic place and time. adventures.”

“My earliest memories are of For many years visitors to John’s a primitive upbringing in fenland exhibitions had asked him to write Lincolnshire at a time when collecting down tales of a rural watercolourist, eggs was the norm and I was expected and a short monologue at a North to provide roast dinners and protect East Norfolk Bird Club members’ crops with a gun,” John says. “By evening generated even more the time I read Rachael Carson’s interest. The club’s groundbreaking president, respected WATERCOLOUR WORDS environmental ornithologist and FIFTY YEARS book Silent local author Moss Spring in the Taylor offered 1960s I had my to proofread the own ‘bird hospital’ material, and when catering for John realised 2021 injured waifs and would mark his strays alongside 50th anniversary JOHN HURST those that had of “colouring in” Foreword by Sir

Norman Lamb

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succumbed to pesticide and herbicide poisoning.”

It’s hardly surprising that birds feature so prominently in John’s work, despite his stated aim of wanting to use his art to record topographical and architectural changes.

The stories of John’s years in college, his overseas painting trips and his work as an advisor in rural schools (in each one of which he challenged himself to create a wildlife haven) range from the humbling to the hysterical, but they also made a serious impression on the artist.

“I came to understand how precious education is for our children and how the natural world enhances our wellbeing,” he says.

PICTURES: Few local artists are more accomplished at capturing the natural beauty and atmosphere of the north Norfolk coastline, but John Hurst has been in love with the landscape since his very first visit “It’s something that’s been brought into stark focus over vignettes, collected, leather bound and as the primary beneficiary, and its the last 12 months, which led me to use gold-tooled into rare heritage books. founder (one of the UK’s most tireless sales of the new book to support the Examples include ‘The Egg Collector’, campaigners in the area of mental young people bravely managing their ‘Gardener’s Coffee Break’ and ‘Evening wellbeing) has written the book’s conditions.”

Bluebells’ - simple examples of a ‘less foreword.

John chose the Sir Norman Lamb is more’ estate life in such wonderful “In this enchanting book, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund locations as Kelling in Norfolk, commentary documenting John’s Chadacre in Suffolk, Rosedale in life is a joy,” writes Sir Norman. “We Yorkshire and Dulverton in Exmoor. know that connecting with nature Watercolour Words: Fifty Years is a and beautiful scenery is good for our truly beautiful book, and the barn owl mental health, and there are few better swooping over the landscape on the guides to the wonders of north Norfolk cover is a reminder of John’s annual than John Hurst.” exhibitions of coastal watercolours Warmly welcomed into Norfolk each year at Cley Marshes - something by local residents, John recounts he’s done since the current visitors’ the experiences of an ‘incomer’ centre opened in 2007. from Lincolnshire and the growth The paintings and drawings are of a devoted base of patrons. As exquisite, but the glimpses into the opportunities to record the local life of an local artist are fascinating. landscape developed, John jumped at If he’s not singing about swifts with the chance to make an extraordinary musician Martin Simpson, you’ll find series of estate studies, in which John waxing lyrical with the wonderful numbers of original watercolours Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, and having were painted as loosely-sketched hedge-related disputes and walking miles for Leukaemia Research with his ex-neighbour Baron Botham.

It’s a wonderful celebration of the natural world and a thoroughly entertaining journey down memory lane.

Watercolour Words: Fifty Years contains 219 pages and almost 200 illustrations and is available from www.marshlandarts.co.uk.

John’s 2021 exhibitions start at Salthouse Village Hall from 29th May to 1st June, where personally-signed copies of the book will be available to the public for the first time, alongside a new collection of Norfolk landscape watercolours.

A young John Hurst wianth ookie, his best friend Rorp appropriately-named haned rook

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couple of weeks ago I received the following message on my phone from the man who runs the village shop: “BTW H8 2 say bt smth imp came up. Let’s 2day & meet 2mrw?

G2G YOLO.” It took me nearly 30 minutes on the computer to find out what he was talking about.

For many years now I’ve been complaining that the English language is being ruined - by the internet, by the accursed SMS short message service,

by Americans or by young people who think grammar is the woman who gave birth to their parents.

I was reassured to discover that people such as myself have been moaning about the very same thing throughout our history. If you take 1066 as the beginning of modern Britain then people have actually been grumpy about our language since Day One. He may have become (arguably) our very first king, but William the Conqueror couldn’t speak a word of English - and while French became the language of government and business for the next few centuries, Latin would be the only thing you heard in church.

In fact, by the time Richard II became king he was our first monarch to use English exclusively in 400 years.

It wasn’t quite the same language, however. It was now a random (and often nonsensical) mix of English, French, Arabic and Scandinavian words.

Which gave people even more cause to grumble.

Halfway through the 14th century, the Benedictine monk Ranulf Higden complained that contemporary English just didn’t sound as nice as it used to 130

before all those pesky invaders came and messed everything up.

“By intermingling and mixing, first with Danes and afterwards with Normans, in many people the language of the country is harmed,” he wrote (I’ve modernised his spelling), “and some use strange inarticulate utterances, chattering, snarling, and harsh teeth-gnashing.”

He should have come to Norfolk on a weekend.

But Higden had already lost the argument, because some of the words in his complaint (such as ‘country’ and ‘language’) came from French in the first place.

You’d have thought the invention of the printing press would have shut people up, but you’d be wrong.

Or wrongue, rong, malum or faux depending on where you lived and who your parents were.

It didn’t help that the economics of typesetting, ink and paper far outweighed the accuracy of the language. Printers happily dropped letters when all they seemed to do was create more work and make lines longer than they needed to be. Which explains why I’m now described as a grumpy ‘old’ man rather than a grumpy ‘olde’ one.

When the Renaissance took hold in the 16th century, we were moaning yet again. Since ‘our’ language was unable to express the full range of ideas that Latin or Greek could, various scientists, thinkers and writers started introducing thousands of foreign words into English - words such as chaos, specimen, frugal, cautionary and (appropriately enough) lexicon. And people were furious.

“I am of this opinion that our own tung shold be written cleane and pure, unmixt and unmangled with borowing of other tunges,” wrote the Provost of King’s College, Cambridge Sir John Cheke, “wherein if we not heed by tiim, ever borowing and never payeng, she shall be fain to keep her house as bankrupt.”

Which I’m sure made a lot sense at the time.

And getting upset about random abbreviations is nothing new either.

The lazy practice of saving yourself four letters and two spaces by writing IOU has been around since at least 1618, and less than a century later the poet and politician Joseph Addison was complaining about people “miserably curtailing” words by saying ‘pos’ for ‘positive’ and ‘incog’ for ‘incognito’ something the writer Jonathan Swift described as a “barbarous custom”.

And I must finally offer an apology for suggesting our American friends messed up our language. In fact, according to lexicographer Noah Webster (of Webster’s Dictionary fame) it was the other way round. Thanks to the Normans, English had already been ruined, and he felt it should look more English and less French.

Which is why he dropped the ‘u’ from words with ‘-our’ (as in color), changing ‘-er’ endings to ‘-re’, and paying his bills with ‘checks’ rather than ‘cheques’.

So the next time someone asks me to CYS, C&P or tells me to RTFM I’m not going to work myself into a state (st8?) - because although it may not be English as I know it, it seems that nothing ever has been.

Which is why I’m sure you’ll know what I mean when I say CU nx mnth.

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