KL Magazine November 2019

ISSN 2044–7965

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ISSUE 110 NOVEMBER 2019 PRICELESS

magazine

WEST NORFOLK | NORTH NORFOLK | COASTAL

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welcome

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t hardly seems possible that we're approaching the end of the year, but it's already time to turn our thoughts to everything festive, and in this month's magazine you'll find that plenty of people are already full of Christmas cheer.

We're taking a look at the best Christmas markets in the area on page 16, focusing on the centre of King's Lynn (which will be a hive of seasonal activity over the next few weeks) on pages 20 and 102, recommending some of Norfolk's best home-produced wines for your Christmas table on page 75, and talking to local farmer James Graham on page 78 about his famous Norfolk Black turkeys – and discovering why this unique local taste should be a regular food choice throughout the year.

It's not all about eating, drinking and

shopping however. The festive season is the perfect time to enjoy some of the area's spectacular wildlife - whether that's the beautiful herds of deer on the Holkham estate (roaming free in an equally spectacular setting) or the many thousands of birds that choose to make the Welney Wetland Centre their home for the winter. You’ll find them on pages 50 and 8 respectively.

We’re also paying tribute to two remarkable women this month. Having successfully brought the scarf back to the cutting edge of fashion, local designer Bella Singleton (page 66) is now setting her creative sights on a collection of shirts and dresses, while Naomi Adie (page 34) is bravely building a successful sporting career after a serious injury abruptly ended her service with RAF.

And while most of us accept Horatio Nelson as Norfolk’s greatest hero, few us know the story of the ‘other’ Lord Nelson (see page 26), a controversial figure who quickly – rather too quickly for some people – stepped into his brother’s shoes. It’s a fascinating story.

However you’re planning to celebrate Christmas and whoever you’re planning to celebrate it with, we hope this month’s magazine will help get you in the festive spirit.

Happy reading – and we’ll see you again next month.

Eric Secker EDITOR KL magazine

COVER IMAGE

meet the team

Ely Cathedral by Ian Ward

MANAGING DIRECTOR Laura Dunn

WRITER

Stephanie Lewis

EDITOR

ADVERTISING

Eric Secker

Jessica Smith

GRAPHIC DESIGN

DISTRIBUTION

CONTRIBUTORS

ADMINISTRATOR

Clare Bee Alison Gifford Ralph Sliwa Sylvia Steele

Amy Phillips Lisa Barrett

Pete Tonroe

Sophie Allen

PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Ward

contact

18 Tuesday Market Place King’s Lynn PE30 1JW 01553 601201 info@klmagazine.co.uk

KL magazine is published monthly by KL Publications Ltd. The magazine cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and KL magazine takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

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contents

7 8

12 16 20 26 34

42 46 49 50 KLmagazine November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

DIARY DATES This month’s forthcoming events A LOCAL SWAN SPECTACULAR Visiting the Welney Wetland Centre PARISH CHURCH, ROYAL FAVOURITE Inside St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham PICK OF THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS 12 ways to enjoy the festive spirit KING’S LYNN CELEBRATES How the town is preparing for Christmas THE OTHER LORD NELSON...

The strange story of William Nelson BUILDING TRIUMPH FROM ADVERSITY The brave determination of Naomi Adie NOVEMBER IN THE GARDEN Expert advice with Wendy Warner THEN AND NOW How the local area has changed YOU AND YOUR PETS With London Road Veterinary Centre

56 66 70

75 78 84 90 96 102 108 114

NATURAL RESIDENTS, NATURAL BEAUTY The famous deer on the Holkham estate

FASHION It’s party season and time to dazzle SCARVES MAKING STATEMENTS With local designer Bella Singleton FOOD AND DRINK Recipes and recommendations LOCAL WINES FOR CHRISTMAS Raising a glass or two to local tastes NORFOLK BLACK TURKEYS Continuing a proud family tradition SMALL VILLAGE, BIG HISTORY Building the story of East Walton HOME INTERIORS Sparkling ideas for the winter ABAHNA LUXURY BATHING A time for pure indulgence EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY...

Family fun at the Vancouver Quarter AN ARTISTIC VIEW OF NATURE The work of local artist Tor Falcon MICHAEL MIDDLETON What happened to Guy Fawkes?

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the berney

CHRISTMAS SET MENU S TA RT E R S

Wreaths & freshly cut flowers also available Open up until Christmas Eve!

One of the biggest displays

in West Norfolk!

MAINS

Moat Rd, Terrington St Clement, King's Lynn, PE34 4PN Tel: 01553 828723 | Open: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4

DESSERTS

2 Courses £18

|

3 Courses £23

C A L L TO B O O K : 0 1 3 6 6 3 47 9 9 5 Church Road, Barton Bendish PE33 9GF f l

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Diarydates

LOCAL EVENTS IN NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

HANDS-ON ASTRONOMY King’s Lynn and District Astronomy Club hold their annual open day, with displays of telescopes and binoculars, and displays and videos celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. There will be a chance for people to do some solar viewing during the day and starwatching in the evening – weather permitting. Club members will be on hand to offer advice and information on stargazing, plus lots of activities for children, and refreshments will be available. Free entry.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2019 The Hunstanton and District Festival of Arts (HDFA)’s Festival 3 by the sea programme will include the return of one of their most popular presentations, The Christmas Tree Festival. The event takes place at Hunstanton Town Hall where local groups, charities and individuals will be displaying their themed Christmas trees throughout the 3-day event. Just as in previous years, there will be a public vote involving everyone who views the exhibits with a prize for the most popular display. As well as over 20 trees to view, visitors will able to buy mulled wine and mince pies. Father Christmas will also visit on all three days, times to be confirmed.

WHEN: Saturday 16th November, 2-8pm WHERE: Tottenhill Village Hall,

WHEN: Friday 6th December, noon - 7pm, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of

10 Whin Common Rd, Tottenhill, King's Lynn PE33 0RS

WHERE: Hunstanton Town Hall, The Green, Hunstanton PE36 6BQ

December, 10am - 4pm

TITCHWELL'S WINTER WONDERLAND For one night only St Nicholas’ Chapel is being transformed into a Christmas wonderland. There will be a pop-up cosy Christmas Market with organ recital, followed by an evening of entertainment including readings about Christmas traditions throughout history, Christmas Carols performed by a variety of choirs including St Edmund’s School Choir, Heacham Girl Guides and the Guildhall Singers. Plus, local talented artists Emily Blake and Sean Lang. Not least a very special performance of A Condensed Christmas Carol! The classic tale performed in under 15 minutes! For more information, please contact: True’s Yard Museum – 01553 770479 or info@truesyard.co.uk Free entry.

At Christmas time, Mother Nature dusts the forest at RSPB Titchwell nature reserve with a crunchy frost. In her woodland grotto, all the animals snuggle around her for warmth. Join us at this special time when Titchwell Marsh transforms into a Winter Wonderland. Gather round for a festive afternoon tea, seasonal stories and activities in our wonderfully cosy gingerbread house.

Then be guided through our magical forest for a special encounter with Mother Nature herself. You may even be visited by our friendly Christmas robin! Our gift shop will also be open for a spot of latenight shopping. Every child will receive a Christmas gift during their visit with Mother Nature, who is making a special appearance to the reserve during her busy winter schedule. For more details and to book, visit rspbtitchwell.eventbrite.co.uk.

WHEN: Tuesday 3rd December, 6-9:30pm WHERE: St Nicholas’ Chapel, St Ann’s Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1LT

WHEN: Saturday 14th December, sessions at 3:30pm and 6pm WHERE: RSPB Titchwell Marsh PE31 8BB

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

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It’s one of the area’s most unforgettable sights, and it’s one that never fails to delight visitors of all ages...

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Welney’s unmissable spectacle of swans Every year, over 10,000 birds descend on the Welney Wetland Centre near Downham Market for a winter stay, creating a breathtaking sight that attracts hundreds of human visitors too... effort a wealth of birds are waiting to be enjoyed on and around this wetland oasis.

As the north wind starts to blow it carries with it travellers from Iceland and Scandinavia. Whooper swans travelling as families or non-breeding flocks are the largest and most easily recognisable. Their numbers increase throughout November and December, reaching a peak of around 10,000 by mid-January. Seeing these birds arrive throughout autumn is truly magical, with the birds completing the longest sea crossing of any swan species, touching down at Welney for the winter months.

They set about feeding on waste

from the arable harvest, sugar beet tops, potatoes too small for the graders, and spilt grains including maize and wheat. Throughout the day they return to the wetlands to drink and preen their feathers, but it’s at dawn and dusk that the biggest flights occur as the swans move between the wetlands and farmland.

The flight in at dusk takes place just after the daily commentated swan feeds at Welney. From the comfort of a heated hide, the picture windows take in a magnificent wetland scene with the main lagoon thronging with activity in the foreground and the washes beyond filled with large flocks of birds.

Whooper swans are joined by

IMAGE: Sacha Dench

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part from the approach of Christmas, it’s an exciting time in west Norfolk as the annual migration of thousands of swans along with tens of thousands of ducks and wading birds has begun. For anyone living in the Fens, particularly around the Ouse Washes and WWT Welney Wetland Centre, the daily routines are punctuated by the calls of whooper and Bewick’s swans as these birds fly from their roosting sites to feeding grounds and back again.

The Fens are a much underrated area of Norfolk, and although the southwest corner of the county can seem remote and bleak, for those that make the

IMAGES: Georgette Taylor (right) David Featherbe (below)

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PICTURES: While up to 10,000 Whooper swans will visit the Welney Wetland Centre over the next few months in family groups or as nonbreeding individuals, the centre will also provide a winter home for vast numbers of birds such as wigeon (below)

resident mute swans and a variety of ducks including pochard, tufted duck and mallard. The scene switches from one of quiet calm to one of boisterous feeding as the warden and the wheelbarrow of grain arrives.

November also marks the start of the evening floodlit feeds, these take place every week on Saturday and Sunday, with the swans being fed an additional barrow of grain at 6.30pm.

The scene visitors are greeted with on entering the heated hide is often referred to as ‘swan lake’, as the inky black water of the main lagoon is dotted with the elegant white forms of swans. They glide about on the water prior to the feed, coming closer to the hide once the barrow of grain appears.

A new addition to the winter schedule this year are swan ‘supper evenings’ where guests are treated to a

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three-course meal in the Wigeon Café after watching the swans receive their feed. These take place on selected Fridays from November through to February.

There is also a third species of swan, but these are a smaller, shyer character of the Ouse Washes. Bewick’s swans are carried in from Arctic Russia on easterly winds. Having travelled twice the distance of whooper swans, the Bewicks that arrive on the Ouse Washes will have made their journey in stages, stopping to feed and rest at wetlands in Estonia, Latvia, Germany and the Netherlands before arriving here.

Bewick’s swans haven’t fared as well as Whooper swans in recent decades, with a decline in the total population added to the fact that milder winters are resulting in birds ‘short-stopping’ en-route rather than travelling the full length of the flyway to the UK – and we have fewer Bewick’s to find each winter.

The Ouse Washes are still a stronghold for Bewick’s swans within the UK, with peak numbers in January of around 1,000 individuals.

The best chance of picking out Bewick’s swans from the mixed flocks is by joining the warden and volunteers at early morning events

called ‘swans awake’. An early start is needed, but the scene that greets you as dawn breaks across the wetlands is well worth the effort. The sound of swans whooping and mewling to one another carry across the reserve to the hides, and as the light increases and the flocks make ready to depart, the calls become more urgent until it’s time to take to the skies.

The slapping of large webbed feet against the water’s surface and wing beats overhead as the swans lift in the early morning sun are something that stays with you long after your visit.

The Whooper and Bewick’s swans aren’t alone on the wetlands at this time of day. A very healthy list of birds can be built before breakfast with flocks of duck including wigeon, teal, shoveler, pintail and pochard – as birds of prey such as marsh harrier begin to quarter for the day and flocks of roosting waders take to the skies to evade becoming an easy meal.

Shoals of black-tailed godwits and clouds of lapwing and golden plover are interspersed with snipe, redshank and curlew.

It’s one of the area’s most unforgettable sights, and it’s one that never fails to delight visitors of all ages.

For more information and details of the Welney Wetland Centre’s new winter opening times, please see the website at www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/welney

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BARRY L HAWKINS Independent Auctioneer and Land Agent

Antiques & Collectables

Wednesday 20th November 9.30am

NOVEMBER What’s On Show times all at 7:30pm unless stated

Fri 1st

Talon: The Best of Eagles

This world class seven-piece band will once again feature the Eagles timeless back catalogue.

Guys Have All The Luck: Rod Stewart Story Sat Some A brand new theatrical production celebrating the career of 2nd one of rocks greatest icons.

Bid live online at: www.the-saleroom.com

Buyer’s Premium 12.5% plus VAT of hammer price

Downham Market | Auction Rooms www.barryhawkins.co.uk 01366 387180 The Estate Office, 15 Lynn Road, Downham Market PE38 9NL

Gower : On The Front Foot Sun David Following his sell-out Spring tour David Gower (The former 3rd England cricket Captain) is back on the road!

Hansard – LIVE BROADCAST • 7pm Thurs NTL Don’t miss this witty and devastating portrait of the governing 7th class starring Lindsay Duncan and Alex Jennings.

Mania Sat Abba Dig out those platforms and dust down those flares and enjoy 9th the world’s number one touring ABBA tribute production!

Sun 10th

Wired For Sound – Celebrating the Music of Cliff Richard with Jimmy Jermain

A live concert featuring all the much loved songs by Cliff Richard.

Street – The Musical Captured Live • 7pm Tues 42nd The largest ever staging of the Tony® Award-winning musical, 12th filmed live at the magnificent Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Wed 13th Thurs 14th

Madama Butterfly – The MET Opera DELAYED SCREENING • 7pm

Featuring leading sopranos Hui He Ana María Martínez.

NTL Midsummer Night’s Dream DELAYED SCREENING • 7pm Shakespeare’s most

romantic comedy captured live from the Bridge Theatre, London.

Sounds of the Supremes Fri The Direct from the USA one of the greatest female vocal groups 15th performing today will tour the UK this month.

Drifters Sun The Back on tour in the UK with an exciting new show performing 17th all their classic hits from the last six decades.

Sat 23rd

Buddy Holly & The Cricketers : Holly at Christmas 27 Years of Rock ’n’ Rolling The World Buddy Holly and the Cricketers once again herald in the Yuletide festivities.

Whittington and his Wonderful Cat •2pm Sat Dick Following the huge success of Snow White, join us for a pirate, 30th pussycat and rat-packed panto party in Laaannndaaaaan Town.

For ticket prices, more info & to book visit the website:

www.princesshunstanton.co.uk

or call the Box Office: 01485

532252

The Princess Theatre, 13 The Green, Hunstanton PE36 5AH KLmagazine November 2019

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Inside the parish church that became a royal favourite...

PICTURES: The interior of the church is lavishly decorated with stained glass, carved and gilded wood, and the renowned silver altar and processional cross

The church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham is regularly attended by the royal family when they are in residence, and glitters with gilded woodwork and a silver altar.

T

ake a short walk along an avenue lined with fine old Scotch firs, through the beautiful wooded grounds west of Sandringham House, and you’ll find the historic church of St Mary Magdalene. The church has stood in this spot, in different forms, since the fourteenth century, but the building you can see today dates from the Tudor period.

However, it only really began its journey to its present-day magnificence in the Victorian era, when the Sandringham estate passed into the

KLmagazine November 2019

hands of the royal family. The estate was bought by John Motteux, a wealthy London merchant in 1836, and after his death in 1843, inherited by Charles Spencer Cowper, the son of Motteux’s close friend Emily, Viscountess Palmerston. Cowper lived an extravagant life, spending most of his time on the Continent, and mortgaged the estate. In 1862 it was purchased as a country home for Albert Edward, Prince of Wales – later Edward VII. Sandringham quickly became a beloved retreat of Edward - and of every successive monarch - and the fortunes

of the church have marched alongside those of the estate ever since.

Outside, the church is fairly typical for this area. It is constructed from carstone: a building material particularly associated with the northwest of Norfolk. Its rusty ginger colour gives many of our villages their distinctive and charming look, and of course, gives Hunstanton cliffs their unique stripes. There are many fine examples of carstone buildings to be seen in this area, including Sandringham House itself. Downham Market is rightly famed for its carstone 13

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ABOVE: The Florentine marble font, and the silver pulpit presented to Queen Alexandra by the American magnate Rodman Wanamaker

buildings including its Grade II*- listed railway station; carstone is sometimes known as ‘gingerbread’, which gave rise to Downham’s nickname of the Gingerbread Town.

But while it is typical outside, St Mary Magdalene is remarkable on the inside.

Step inside and the church, while small, is like a jewellery box, gleaming with rich wood and precious metals. Much of the decoration and the church's stained glass was created by Charles Eamer Kempe whom King Edward VII had also commissioned in 1903 to create a stained glass window for Buckingham Palace of his eldest son, Prince Albert, Duke of Clarence.

Charles Eamer Kempe was a very successful designer of stained glass and his work can be seen in scores of churches around the world to this day.

Kempe aspired to be a clergyman, but felt his pronounced stammer would be a barrier to preaching, so turned to ecclesiastical stained glass manufacture: “if I was not permitted to minister in the Sanctuary I would use my talents to adorn it,” is how he put it.

Kempe studied under William Morris, the most famous proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement, and was heavily 14

influenced by him.

Particularly of interest are the church's ornate and beautiful silver altar and reredos. They were presented to Queen Alexandra by the American department store owner, Rodman Wanamaker, as a memorial to her husband Edward VII, following his death in 1910. He also presented her with the silver pulpit and a silver 17th-century Spanish processional cross. Wanamaker was renowned for his philanthropy, and also presented a silver processional cross to Westminster Abbey. Of note also is a Florentine marble font and a Greek font dating to the 9th-century.

As most residents of west Norfolk know, Sandringham is particularly beloved by our present Queen, and she spends most of the winter at the house, including the anniversary of her father's death and of her own accession. The Queen and Prince Phillip are often joined by their children and grandchildren over Christmas at Sandringham, and usually all members of the royal family in residence attend the traditional Christmas Day morning service at the church of St Mary Magdalene.

The church holds memorials to many

members of the royal family, and a few are actually buried here. King George VI lay in state at the church after his death in 1952 before his public burial at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The church has also hosted several royal christenings including, most recently, Princess Charlotte (2015). Other royals to be christened here include the future King George VI (1896), King Olav V of Norway (1903), and Diana, Princess of Wales (1961). The first royal baby to have a public christening was Princess Eugenie of York in 1990.

If you’d like to see the spectacular interior of this church for yourself, during the winter the church is only open for services, but it will reopen to the public in April, and it’s definitely worth the wait!

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AV VA I L A B L E N O W

ARTIFICIAL C H R I S T MA S

TREES &

DECORA ATIONS

by Norfolk Leisure

Available to take away immediately at heavily reduced prices direct from the importer TREES • WREATHS • GARLANDS TABLE DECORA ATIONS LUXURY PRE-LIT DECORA RATIONS

THE CHRISTMAS SHOW OWROOM IS NOW OPEN

10am-4pm Saturday & Sunday and 9am-5pm Monday-Friday The showroom will close on Sunday 15/12/2019

Norfolk Leisure, Garage Lane, Setchey, King’s Lynn, PE33 0AX

Tel: 01553 811717 | Email: christmas@norfolkleisure.co.uk | Web: ww ww.norfolkleisure.com

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Christmas in King’s Lynn – shop, eat, drink, enjoy!

There’s plenty to discover in King’s Lynn this festive season – so it’s time to start planning your visit now to make the most of it!

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ith over 200 independent retailers sitting alongside bigname stores such as Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, TK Maxx, Boots, Wilkinson, Primark and the new H&M (due to open on November 7th), King’s Lynn has plenty to offer shoppers this Christmas.

Add a superb range of pubs, restaurants and cafes, street entertainment, a weekly festive fair, live music, Farmers’ Market, and of course the Christmas Lights Switch-on event, and you’ll soon be feeling festive, and supporting your local town centre.

CREATE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS BAUBLE AND JOIN THE PARADE Stories of Lynn, based at King’s Lynn Town Hall, is hosting two free workshops for families to create lightup Christmas baubles made from recycled materials. The workshops take place on 17th and 24th November between 11am and 3pm. Everyone taking part in the workshop, along with children from a local school, will be invited to join a light parade and take part in the switch-on of the King’s Lynn Christmas lights.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON King’s Lynn’s annual Christmas lights switch-on event will be on 28th November 2019. The fun starts at 4pm with a small number of fairground rides in the Tuesday Market Place; a festive fair with Liquor and Loaded, Bank House and Goldings/Dough Dealers; a mix of craft and artisan food traders from previous Farmers’ and Craft Markets, and live Christmassy music in the bandstand. The light parade will get ready at Stories of Lynn at 5pm, ready to leave at 5:30pm. The glowing and flashing parade will arrive in the Tuesday Market Place for 6pm, and you’re welcome to get involved by getting creative with a festive costume – whether it lights up, is bright, sparkly or glow in the dark. Music will then play from the main stage. Britain’s Got Talent champions Twist and Pulse will hopefully take a break from panto rehearsals for a special appearance on the main stage, before the countdown to the switch-on at 7pm.

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING Late-night shopping takes place every Thursday from 28th November through to 19th December. Cheeky rollerskating elves and glowing ballerinas will delight shoppers as they go through the streets, adding to the festive feel.

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ABOVE: The centre of King’s Lynn will be packed with festive cheer over the next few weeks as the town gets ready for Christmas with a series of fun events for all the family 21

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CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAY COMPETITION Retailers and other businesses in the King’s Lynn Bid area are being encouraged to get involved and create a festive window display to form a trail through the town. To take part email info@discoverkingslynn.com, and you’ll be sent a window sticker which must be part of your Christmas-themed display.

Judging takes place on 8th December. Not only will entrants get more attention from their fabulous display, but they could win a hamper for their staff, a social media workshop for five people from To The End, or up to £2500 of advertising with KLFM 96.7 and Your Local Newspaper.

PANTOMINE MAGIC WITH ALADDIN Let the Genie grant your wishes and join Alive Corn Exchange for another magical pantomime, with performances from 10th December to 5th January.

Widow Twankey wants a husband, evil Abanazaar wants the magic lamp, Aladdin wants adventure and Wishee Washee wants a new vest – can the Genie grant their wishes?

The team behind last year’s production of Sleeping Beauty promise you another show jam-packed with all of the essential pantomime ingredients plus top-class live music, a fabulous cast, featuring Lisa Mathieson, Steven Pinder, Ian Marr, Scott Cripps and Britain’s Got Talent champions Twist and Pulse, dazzling sets, and a magic carpet ride through a spectacular adventure! Book online at kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

FESTIVE FAIR The Festive Fair takes place over four weekends, beginning on 28th November, at the following times: Thursdays and Fridays 4pm - 8pm, Saturdays 10am - 6pm, Sundays 11am – 4pm. Live traditional, acoustic and festive music will be on the bandstand including performances from the Rock Choir and the town band. There’ll be fairground rides for little ones while adults can enjoy the food and drink stalls in a heated marquee, and artisan food and craft gift stalls featuring both new and regular traders.

CRAFT YOUR OWN VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS This is a special free festive event at Stories of Lynn for families to prepare some traditional Victorian treats to take home. Taking place from 11am to 3pm on 14th December, families can drop in to take part in making table decorations, chocolate logs, wreaths, stained glass biscuits, printing their own wrapping paper and making Christmas cards and labels. There may even be a special visit from Father Christmas himself – but only if the children and their parents are very good!

FESTIVE FARMER’S MARKET On 7th December over 30 stalls, including some regular Farmers’ Markets favourites, along with an organ player and choir will really get shoppers into the Christmas spirit.

Look out for crafting and making sessions taking place throughout December in venues across the town.

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Festive King’s Lynn is brought to you

by Discover King’s Lynn in partnership with the Borough Council of King’s & West Norfolk.

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C O A C H I N G

Full premises or cocktail bar available for private hire for parties or special occasions.

Call us for details 01760 723244 www.kingsarmscoachinginn.co.uk 21 Market Place, Swaffham PE37 7LA

KLmagazine November 2019

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F IN AN C IAL ADVIC E O F REAL FAMILY VALU E Our intergenerational wealth management advice is designed to protect the wealth and financial future of your family. We provide a range of family-oriented financial products and services, enabling you to work together to support each other across the generations.

Whether you would like to help younger family members onto the housing ladder, contribute to a grandchild’s education or wedding, or help an older relative with later-life planning, careful consideration can ensure your wealth works harder for all your family without compromising your own retirement needs.

Contact us for further information.

PLUMMER AND ASSOCIATES Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

Tel: 01485 500025 Email: jeremy.plummer@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.plummerandassociates.co.uk

The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

H2SJP33398 10/19

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Still leading the way in the family-oriented market Discover the exciting new generation of the BMW 3 Series Touring at Listers King’s Lynn – and book your test drive today!

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lthough the debut of the firstever BMW 3 Series Touring took place over 30 years ago, it's a car that's always moved with the times and has actually improved significantly with age. While around 1.7 million examples of the 3 Series Touring have driven on our roads since 1987, the car’s most recent version has accounted for more than 500,000 of them.

It's become more popular than ever,

and Listers King's Lynn is now taking delivery of the brand new edition of the five-door 3 Series, which brings a compelling and seamless blend of driving pleasure and functional appeal to the premium midsize class.

“This is the sixth generation of the 3 Series Touring, and it's the most dynamic version in the car's history," says Laurence Bennett, Head of Business at Listers King's Lynn. "In a world where more and more people are simply choosing the most convenient SUV, BMW have confirmed the place of the 3 Series Touring at the very top end of the family-oriented market."

Boasting the latest advancedtechnology engines and new chassis refinements to provide improvements in both performance and handling, the BMW 3 Series Touring is packed with

intelligent equipment features that optimise its versatility – both in everyday use and on long trips away. It also includes the new BMW design language, a refined and luxurious interior, and several innovations in control/operation and connectivity.

"Thanks to improvements to the suspension and body (it's actually 10kg lighter than its predecessor) the BMW 3 Series Touring isn't just good to drive on twisty country roads," says Laurence, "it's a joy to drive anywhere. It's a really exciting car - with all the quality and sophistication you might expect of a BMW, but with the proven pedigree of a sporty, rear-wheel-drive estate."

To be among the first to experience the new generation of the BMW 3 Series Touring, contact Listers King’s Lynn today on 01553 692000 – and book your personal test drive.

FIND US: Hardwick Road, King's Lynn PE30 4NA TEL: 01553 692000 | WEB: listerskingslynnbmw.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2019

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“William Nelson was always called ‘the rector’ as if he was too odd a creature to actually have a name...”

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ABOVE: A pencil and chalk sketch from 1820 of various notables by the English painter Sir George Hayter. It includes a very rare portrait of William Nelson, 1st Earl Nelson (far right), the less well known (and even lesser liked) brother of Horatio Nelson

The less-than-heroic life of the ‘other’ Lord Nelson The death of Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar was seen as a national tragedy, but in Norfolk his older brother realised he’d soon be receiving the prestige, power and wealth he had wanted for so long...

A

t 4pm on Monday 21st October 1805, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, Viscount and Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Burnham Thorpe and of Hilborough in the County of Norfolk, Duke of Bronte in Sicily, to name but two of his titles, died at the Battle of Trafalgar.

At that exact moment, a chubby 48year-old rector in the tiny village of Hilborough who’d never fired a shot in defence of his country (or told an entire fleet that “England expects that every man will do his duty”) became the new Lord Nelson. At long last, the ambition of William Nelson was fulfilled. Years of nagging his illustrious younger brother for preferment to a bishop’s palace (at least) had failed, but with the death of England’s hero, William Nelson was literally “made up”. After all, inherited KLmagazine November 2019

titles need someone to inherit them – and in the absence of a son the nearest male relative will serve, no matter how undeserving they may be.

William was never popular with the rest of the large Nelson family, and was despised at best by Fanny Nelson, Horatio’s refined wife, who was the daughter of a well-to-do planter in the Caribbean. In fact, she thought him the “roughest mortal surely who ever lived.”

Hilborough was the home parish of generations of Nelson clergymen, so William naturally ended up there. No merit was needed, after all. Indeed, William Nelson was always called “The Rector” as if he was too odd a creature to actually have a name.

After his brother’s famous victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, he expected (on a daily basis) to be made a bishop, eventually writing to Horatio

”What must we think of the gratitude of ministers who pass over your Brother almost every day? No longer ago than last week, Two deaneries and Two Prebendal Stalls were disposed of – but the name of Nelson is not even thought of by [Prime Minister] Mr Pitt.“ He knew it was onIy through his family connection to the great admiral that any chance of a better position would come.

In October 1800, when Horatio Nelson returned from Naples with Sir William and Lady Emma Hamilton (therein lies a tale), ‘the Rector’ and his wife, well-briefed by the gossip columns in the newspapers and realising which way the wind was blowing, abandoned Fanny and toadied up to Emma – with whom Nelson had by then become completely besotted.

Not only did they attach themselves 27

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ABOVE: The grand property of Standlynch Park in Salisbury became home to the newlyelevated William Nelson – and was duly re-named Trafalgar House in honour of his brother

to Nelson and the Hamiltons (which bored Sir William immensely) but they were now resolute in their attack of Fanny. They were frequent guests at 23 Piccadilly, the house Lord Nelson shared with Sir William and Emma in a very public tria juncta in uno (‘three joined in one’) – the Latin phrase being chosen by themselves.

Sir William himself put pen to paper to congratulate Nelson on his victory at Copenhagen, but couldn’t help mentioning his annoying sibling, commenting that “your Brother was more extraordinary than ever. He would get up suddenly and cut a caper – rubbing his hands every time the thought of your fresh laurels came into his head.”

After Nelson’s death at Trafalgar, Parliament had no living hero to elevate to high office in grateful thanks for vanquishing the French and Spanish fleets. So, on 9th November 1805, William finally got the attention he felt he deserved, being named ‘Earl Nelson of Trafalgar’ in honour of his late brother’s achievements.

28

He had already inherited Nelson’s Sicilian title of Duke of Bronté given by King Ferdinand of Sicily and, as if this wasn’t enough, Parliament granted the former rector a lump sum of £99,000 (£100 million at today’s values) to purchase a suitably stately home – meaning the imposing property at Standlynch Park in Salisbury would soon be re-named as Trafalgar House.

William’s change in fortune didn’t end there. He also received a rather useful pension of £5,000 a year – some £3.7 million at 2019 values!

Parliament also voted grants of

money to Nelson’s immediate family (his two sisters received £15,000 each) and his ever-loyal wife Fanny recieved £2,000 – which the widow was going to need as she planned to sue her recently-elevated brother-in-law for the annuity willingly given to her by Nelson.

One of the law officers involved in the dispute wrote: “I love Lady Nelson dearly and admire her dignified pride and spirit, which, I trust, will not be subdued by the infamous conduct of her late husband’s brother, sisters and their husbands – all of them vile reptiles.”

The rector-made-earl then showed his true colours, abandoning Lady Hamilton as easily as he’d originally supported her – ignoring her descent into alcoholism, poverty and a lonely death in Calais. After all, he’d finally received what he felt he’d been entitled to for so long.

He also seemingly (but perhaps not surprisingly) forgot his promise to look after Horatia Nelson – the daughter his brother had fathered with Emma Hamilton.

Horatio Nelson’s friend Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood (who’d commanded the first ship to engage the enemy at the Battle of Trafalgar) had no doubts about William Nelson.

“Nothing in him like a Gentleman,” he wrote. “Here has Fortune, in one of her frisks, raised him, without his mind or body having anything to do with it, to the highest dignity.”

Within a year of his wife Sarah’s death in 1828, William Nelson married a young woman Hilare Barlow – young being the operative word, as she was 46 years younger than her new husband. If it was an attempt to establish a new Nelson dynasty, it failed. William died in February 1835 without a male heir, and all his British titles passed to Thomas Bolton, the son of his sister Susannah. The Sicilian dukedom of Bronté passed to his daughter Charlotte (left).

A member of the family remained at Trafalgar house for over a century, before the 5th Earl Edward Nelson sold the estate to the 11th Duke of Leeds in 1948.

Actions speak louder than words, but in this case they all say the same thing. By all accounts, William Nelson was a particularly unremarkable man – whose relationship to a national hero ensured he had a quite remarkable story nevertheless.

KLmagazine November 2019

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Domestic abuse and the family

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As Hayes + Storr explains, domestic abuse is soon to be a criminal matter no longer limited to physical violence

omestic violence, or domestic abuse as it is now known, is a criminal matter. In 2013 the government’s definition of domestic abuse was amended to include controlling and coercive behaviour. Proposed new laws aim to go even further by including economic abuse and other forms of manipulative non-physical abuse.

However, greater awareness and support of victims are required. There are many factors that prevent victims seeking help, including financial, cultural, psychological or social reasons. Some fear reprisals from the perpetrator, while others believe they can’t be adequately protected by the police. Where they have children, victims may also fear social services becoming involved, worrying their children may be taken away from them.

Local organisations offering support for victims include the Norwich-based Leeway and Pandora, which is based in King’s Lynn and recently received £85,000 in extra funding from the

Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner in recognition of the important work it does.

Pandora currently supports 300 women on a one-to-one basis and around 140 children in the course of a year. It offers a 10-week recovery programme for women who’ve left abusive partners to help them get their lives back together. It’s important to note that if you are experiencing domestic abuse and have children, you have a duty to protect your children from the abuse. Therefore you may need advice in relation to obtaining an injunction against your partner or expartner. You may also find that you require advice in relation to divorce, finances and living or contact arrangements for your children. Any abuse you or your children have already suffered may impact on the decisions you make in these areas, and on any court proceedings taken in respect of these issues. As family lawyers, and specifically as members of Resolution (a national organisation of family

lawyers committed to nonconfrontational separation) we always look out for the presence or risk of domestic abuse being perpetrated against our clients – and we very often see it in cases where it is not the primary reason for the client seeking our advice. However, once we become aware of the circumstances we’re able to offer additional legal and practical advice to our clients who may be feeling vulnerable.

Domestic abuse happens to men and women, to people of all ages, backgrounds and occupations – both as the abused and the abuser.

If you would like further advice on this matter please contact Maria on 01328 863231. If you require advice on any other legal matter call 01553 778900 or email law@hayes-storr.com.

MARIA ENDALL

Family Solicitor

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 | HUNSTANTON | FAKENHAM | SWAFFHAM | HOLT | WELLS | SHERINGHAM

KLmagazine November 2019

31

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KLmagazine November 2019

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Getting your car ready for winter...

A free winter check from K Brown Auto Repairs is the easy way to make sure your car is ready for whatever the weather has in store

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s autumn turns to winter, the weather gets worse and the days get shorter and this means we do more of our driving in the dark, and in wind, rain, ice and even snow. That’s why it’s really important to maintain our cars properly, and ensure they’re prepared for the challenges of winter driving.

One way to prepare is to take advantage of the free winter check offered by K Brown Auto Repairs. At one of their two centres in King’s Lynn and Hunstanton, their friendly and expert staff can check your car over. “Every driver needs to make sure their car is roadworthy – that’s a legal requirement,” says Tamsin Brown. “But your car also needs to be as safe as it can be, to give you peace of mind. Breaking down is always inconvenient, but if it

K Brown Auto Repairs

happens on a dark, cold, rainy day it’s even worse. So do all you can to prevent that, by coming to us for a quick and simple winter check.”

Your free winter check will include a thorough inspection of your car’s tyres, lights, wiper blades, antifreeze and more. Did you know wiper blades need to be checked to ensure they’re clearing the screen properly and the rubber hasn’t perished? You’ll know that tyres must have at least 1.6mm of tread, but were you aware that 3mm is recommended for maintaining good grip in wet and icy conditions? And very few drivers realise their antifreeze has to be at precise levels (normally governed by manufacturer’s requirements) to prevent engines freezing.

And if your check does identify any issues with your car, you’re already in the perfect place to get them sorted.

K Brown Auto Repairs have been in

business for almost 25 years, and their customers come back year after year because of the garage’s honest and open approach to servicing.

K Brown Auto Repairs offer vouchers that can be redeemed against any of their services. “Younger drivers especially can find the costs of maintaining their car hard to meet,” says Tamsin. “A voucher is a good way to help them out, and a practical gift.

Why not give one to your son or daughter and buy yourself peace of mind that they’re driving safely at the same time?”

To keep you and your car safe over the winter (or at any other time of the year) contact K Brown Auto Repairs today using the details below.

King’s Lynn Simon Scotland Road, Hardwick Ind Est Tel: 01553 763763 Hunstanton 12 King’s Lynn Road Tel: 01485 533786 www.kbrownautoskingslynn.co.uk Find us on Facebook

KLmagazine November 2019

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How Naomi Adie built triumph out of adversity When a spinal injury curtailed her career in the RAF, Naomi Adie saw it as an opportunity – and within four years returned from the Invictus games in Sydney with a silver and two bronze medals...

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F

rom the age of six, all Naomi Adie wanted to do was join the Royal Air Force. So when she joined up in 2000 as a survival equipment fitter, she was thrilled to be able to do something she had always dreamed of.

However, while doing the job she loved (which included pilot survival and safety) Naomi suffered a serious injury to her spine in 2001. She continued working, even participating in two tours of Afghanistan, but her condition worsened, and eventually, in 2014, she was medically discharged.

“At the time of discharge, I was already at home on long-term sick leave,” says Naomi. “I was feeling very isolated. I didn’t go through a recovery centre as is the norm now, as at the time it was felt that I didn’t need that. I knew my career in the RAF was over and that my service was no longer required. To have this stress plus not knowing how my health was or what job I might be able to do, was incredibly hard. I wasn’t an easy person to live with!”

Naomi’s date of exit was six months later, and during that time she had to attend a two-day course with everyone else who was leaving the RAF – including those who had chosen to leave as well as those who were being medically discharged.

At around this time her sister, who was a nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, quite by chance told her about an event for those leaving the military, an event being run in conjunction with the charity Walking for the Wounded, which supports a

pathway for vulnerable veterans to reintegrate back into society.

Naomi attended the open day, and within about five minutes of being there, a light switched on which told her that there was something she could do. She set up a meeting with someone she met there, from the organisation Step into Health, who suggested she could help Naomi get some work experience.

She was on one of the first pilot schemes at the Norfolk and Norwich, which was a programme organised through Walking for the Wounded and the Royal Foundation .

“I was thrown in the deep end and I was sent on two days’ work experience in an operating theatre,” says Naomi. “I was working as part of the surgical

team and it was amazing to see the patients before the operation, during it, and their whole recovery. It was so good to be part of the team.”

Naomi found it uplifting, and decided to apply for an administrative job in practice development and nurse training, not thinking she’d get it – and was amazed to be successful.

Her confidence started to improve and she began to want more and push herself, so in 2016 decided to go for a position at Walking for the Wounded based at Stody in Norfolk. There she was involved in grant funding, and education courses for service veterans, something that Naomi knew a lot about.

At the time, Naomi was aware of the Invictus Games, which had started in

ABOVE: When the RAF career of Naomi Adie was cut short in 2014, she embarked on a sporting career that’s seen her travel to the other side of the world and win three medals to date KLmagazine November 2019

35

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“I wanted to show others that if you really want to do something, you should just do it...”

2014, and felt she might be eligible to be part of it.

“I’d started to believe in myself,” explains Naomi, “and accept who I was.

But I never wanted to be seen as the one ‘with the stick’ or be defined by my disability. So I made a decision to go for it.”

She signed up for sledge hockey – which meant travelling to train in Peterborough, but that wasn’t going to put her off!

“I just loved it, and I didn't stop laughing. It was so different, and it was the missing thing that I needed,” she says.

Naomi subsequently applied to be part of the team going to Toronto in 2017, but unfortunately the sport was dropped – which only made her more determined to pick another sport and go for it.

She chose wheelchair racing, and again had to travel quite a way, this time to Nottingham, to give it a try. She was encouraged to continue and started to train at the University of East Anglia in Norwich with the Invictus coaches.

Again, Naomi applied to be a part of the Invictus Games team going to Sydney, Australia in 2018, and was one of 72 athletes to be picked out of an application of 1,000. And she didn’t just go for one race – she took part in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 1500m, and the 100m 4x4 relay.

To her immense delight and pride, Naomi came back from Sydney with two bronze medals and a silver.

“I genuinely didn’t go for the medals,” says Naomi, “I just wanted to be on that starting line and do the best I could. I wanted to show others that if you really want to do something, you should just do it.”

She has so much to be grateful for now.

“I owe my life to the Invictus Games.” she says. “And to the Invictus family for giving me back to my family.”

36

ABOVE: At the Invictus Games in Sydney last year, Naomi Adie took part in no less than five races – over distances from 100m to 1,500m KLmagazine November 2019

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Planting the seeds of success with Germains...

The UK sugar beet industry is one of the most efficient in Europe, thanks in no small part to the industry-leading work of Germains Seed Technology – which is helping growers maximise their yield

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S

ugar beet piled up at the side of a field is a familiar sight in Norfolk, and lots of us probably know quite a bit about this crop. But most of us might be very surprised to learn just how much scientific innovation goes into growing sugar beet – starting from before it’s even planted.

Sugar beet has been grown in the UK for over 100 years, and the industry has always been concentrated in the east of England. The 1914-18 War created a shortage in imported cane sugar, leading to 17 processing factories being built in the UK, and the crop beginnning to be grown on a large scale.

Today around half of the sugar we consume is made from British sugar beet, and all of that comes from farms in East Anglia and the East Midlands. To keep up with this kind of demand, the growing of sugar beet needs to be as efficient as possible – and right at the cutting edge of this is Germains Seed Technology, a local company with a global reach.

Germains Seed Technology develops seed treatments for sugar beet and a range of other vegetables and flowers, and they’re based right here in King’s Lynn. Their slogan is “we maximise nature’s potential” and that’s exactly what they do: by taking the raw (untreated) sugar beet seed and adding their industry-leading technologies to help their customers to grow crops that are as cost-effective and productive as possible.

Germains began as a family-run firm in 1871. It was founded by Eugene Germain, a Swiss pioneer, after he settled in Los Angeles, California. The firm’s success in the fields of seed coating and pelleting meant it expanded far beyond California, and its European presence began in the 1960s.

Today the firm has facilities in the UK, USA, Spain, and the Netherlands, and is owned by Associated British Foods. In total, Germains Seed Technology employs around 200 people, and 80 of them work at the firm’s King’s Lynn

KLmagazine November 2019

PICTURES: A mature sugar beet picked by Richard Cobbald, estate manager at South Pickenham (left). Pink and green filmcoated pelleted sugar beet seed, treated at Germains in King’s Lynn (above). Examples of Germains’ ‘Polyselect’ polymer portfolio – just some of the variety of seeds they treat (below).

headquarters and research and development laboratory.

Research and development are at the heart of what Germains does; the pinnacle of current seed technology is exemplified in their latest product Xbeet enrich 100.

“It’s the combination of a new pellet and elicitor treatment that promotes stronger plants, leading to greater yield potential,” says Richard Nicholls, EU Commercial Sugar Beet Manager at

Germains Seed Technology. “The priming and the elicitor are the result of our extensive research and help the plants germinate faster and improve stress tolerance to benefit crop establishment, growth, and ultimately the yield of the sugar beet.”

Pelleting is the process of producing bigger, rounder and smoother seed, helping growers with their precision planting. The filmcoat is added as a basis to apply agrochemical treatments or colouring for easier identification in the field. Germains offer a variety of colours to their customers.

“We can make pink seeds, green ones, even metallic and gold seeds,” adds Richard.

Quality control is rigorous, and the dedicated quality team carries out over 270 quality tests on every bulk of UK sugar beet seed. Samples of each bulk are analysed prior to treatment to test their germination, purity and sizing (to name a few), to ensure that they meet exacting standards.

Once a new seed treatment has been tested exhaustively under laboratory 39

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ABOVE : Eugene Germain, the founder of Germains Seed Technology

“Sugar beet is probably the outstanding crop in my farming life where yields have increased so dramatically” conditions, it’s then tested in UK field trials by independent trialling organisations. Germains also offer UK growers the opportunity to trial their new treatments in real growing conditions and obtain feedback on products prior to their commercial launch.

One sugar beet grower that works closely with Germains Seed Technology on their new product trials is South Pickenham Estate.

“I like to do the trials, because if we as farmers don’t do it then the industry can’t move on,” explains Richard Cobbald, the estate manager. “And I like to get one jump ahead. I see the results of the new products I’m trialling and I want to get it as soon as it becomes available.”

South Pickenham Estate is a 3,00040

hectare estate growing combinable vegetable crops like potatoes, onions, carrots and parsnips. They raise organic beef, and have diversified into grain storage, forestry management, water for irrigation and even their own vineyard. Sugar beet is a significant crop for them: they grow between 200 to 250 hectares’ worth each year. The estate aims for 100,000 plants per hectare, which produces around 20,000 tons of sugar beet, and every one goes to the British Sugar factory at Wissington just 18 miles away.

“Sugar beet is probably the outstanding crop in my farming life where yields have increased so dramatically,” says Richard. “Forty tons a hectare was regular when I started my farming career; ten years ago it was seventy tonnes and now with new

technologies like these from Germains, 100 tonnes a hectare is a regular occurrence. Wheats and rapes have made small improvements, but they’ve plateaued – I’m getting the same wheat yields I got twenty years ago almost.

Sugar beet, of all the crops, has seen the biggest change. Yields have increased by 25% over the last ten years: the difference made by using different varieties, and advances in the seed technology and genetics, is astonishing.”

And the process never stops for Germains Seed Technology – they’re already developing their latest product: the Xbeet enrich 200. In trials that reflect commercial conditions closely, it’s achieving a 2% increase in yield over Xbeet enrich 100. Whatever challenges the future holds for agriculture, by continuing their cutting-edge research and working closely with growers, Germains Seed Technology will be ready for them.

With its global presence and technologies developed in the highvalue horticultural crops Germains is able to bring the sugar beet growers of the UK a unique advantage over their continental competitors, maximising the potential of every seed and ensuring the UK industry remains one of the most efficient in Europe and well able to compete against sugar cane globally.

KLmagazine November 2019

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42_Gardening.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2019 19:08 Page 2

Putting the garden to bed for the winter...

Although it’s tempting to think the onset of winter offers gardeners some respite, there’s still plenty to be done to protect your plants and keep your garden in great condition, as Wendy Warner explains

D

uring November, as autumn turns to winter, some simple jobs can protect plants and garden structures from the onset of the harsher weather to come. Make the most of the nicer days to get these jobs done now and you’ll save yourself extra remedial tasks in the Spring.

Depending on how cold it’s been, most leaves will have fallen from deciduous shrubs and trees, so it’s best to remove these now. Most importantly if any leaves were diseased (such as roses that had blackspot) clear these

away from under the plant to help prevent further problems next year.

If left around perennials that have died down, they can also harbour slugs and snails – which will eat emerging shoots in the spring. Also, cut back yellowing foliage on soft herbaceous plants before frosts make them go mushy.

Uninfected leaves and plant material can be added to compost bins, and shredded leaves will rot down more quickly. It’s possible to do this, especially with leaves on the lawn, by going over them with a rotary mower

which has a collection box.

If you have any less hardy plants in pots, move them into more sheltered positions near to the house or into the greenhouse. Pots can be insulated from frost using hessian or bubble wrap secured with twine or wire – this will protect the pot itself and keep the plant roots warmer. Removing saucers and raising pots off the ground with pot feet or bricks will help prevent waterlogging and avoid roots rotting.

When emptying your old containers of summer bedding, use the compost as a mulch on the garden, making sure

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“Autumn is a good time for planting lots of shrubs, conifers and other hardy plants...” there are no vine weevil larvae or other bugs present.

Before moving plants into the greenhouse, any summer shading should be removed to allow as much light as possible in, and now is a good time to give it a thorough clean too.

Fumigator smokes or disinfectant can be used to kill off any insects that might overwinter in the greenhouse. Once clean, bubble wrap can then be attached to the inside of the frame to insulate it and reduce heat loss. If possible, on nicer days, try to open the door or window to provide a little ventilation, and if needed, water the plants in the morning to avoid them sitting in cold water at night.

A great tip I read recently, which I’m going to try myself this winter, is to put a solar light in the greenhouse so you can check on your plants on dark winter evenings.

Strong winter winds can also cause problems by disturbing the roots of plants. Protect roses by cutting them back by between a third and a half to stop them swaying in the wind and becoming loose in the soil. This also works with other tall, fast-growing shrubs such as Buddleja and Lavatera too, preventing windrock.

Before the ground becomes frozen, autumn is still a good time for planting lots of shrubs, conifers and other hardy plants. It gives their roots time to get established in the soil over the winter and early spring before the heat of the summer dries the soil out.

And if you want to put in a deciduous hedge or fill any gaps in an existing one, this is the perfect time, as bareroot saplings will be available and work out a much more economical option.

Hawthorn, blackthorn, privet and beech as well as many other varieties can all be purchased bareroot. November is also the best month for planting tulip bulbs ready for flowering next spring

KLmagazine November 2019

ABOVE: Even though we’re approaching the end of the year, there are plenty of jobs to be done in the garden to keep your plants safe and prepare for next year’s growing season

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because the cold temperatures help to wipe out viral and fungal diseases that lurk in the soil and which may infect the bulbs.

If you haven’t already, you can still aerate your lawn using an aerator or garden fork before the ground becomes frozen, and if the weather is fair, autumn lawn feed and moss killer can still be applied which will help to strengthen the roots. Make sure fallen leaves are removed from the grass, and if you still need to mow, move the setting to a higher cut-height.

Now is also a good time to neaten the edges of the lawn when plants that

44

have become overgrown have been cut back and make the edges more accessible.

In the vegetable garden, garlic and onion sets can still be planted and green manures can be sown now and then dug into the ground in spring to return valuable nutrients to the soil and improve soil structure.

Insulate garden taps to avoid freezing, either with bubble wrap or with a special tap protector that makes it possible to use the tap whilst still covered.

Lastly, put food and water out to encourage birds into the garden. They

won’t just help to keep pest numbers down – they’ll bring plenty of joy and colour into your garden on those dull winter days.

YOU AND YOUR GARDEN Wendy Warner is the Manager of Thaxters Garden Centre in Dersingham.

You can visit the website at www.thaxters.co.uk or telephone 01485 541514. If you’d like some inspiration for your garden or have a particular issue or variety of plant you’d like Wendy to look at, please contact us at info@klmagazine.co.uk.

KLmagazine November 2019

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DMG T mber

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KLmagazine November 2019

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West Norfolk: Then & Now

GOING BACK 60 YEARS ON NORFOLK STREET Although most of the stores on Norfolk Street in King’s Lynn have changed hands over the last six decades (and the buildng at the top of Broad Street in the

background has disappeared completely), it’s interesting to see the sign for Stratfords Army Stores on the right.

The store was opened by George William Stratford after he was demobbed from the Army in 1918, and the first advertisement for his company (selling new and used army boots)

appeared in the local newspaper just two days before the Armistice was signed.

Over 100 years later, Stratfords still exists to this day, supplying workwear, school uniforms, and safety and personal protection equipment from its new premises on the North Lynn Industrial Estate.

If you’re interested in seeing more of how our area has changed visit www.truesyard.co.uk 46

KLmagazine November 2019

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“you don’t have to wait another five years before you enjoy a heating system that can be up to 50% more effective than traditional solutions...”

Air source heating: for the homes of the future

Fossil fuel heating systems will be banned in five years’ time – but the energy-efficient alternative is already available from the 4 Way Group

A

t the beginning of October, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP unveiled the government’s Future Homes Standard, which will see polluting fossil fuel heating systems such as gas boilers banned from new homes by 2025 – and be replaced with the latest generation of clean technology such as air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and solar panels.

But you don’t have to wait another five years before you enjoy a heating system that can be up to 50% more effective than traditional solutions – and can even keep your home cool over summer.

Expertly designed and professionally installed air source heating is available right now from the 4 Way Group in King’s Lynn, and that’s good news for both builders and homeowners.

“For self-build and custom-build

projects, fitting an air source heating system causes no disruption or delays to the construction process,” says director Steve Simpson,’“and for the end-user it’s very simple to operate and incredibly easy to run.”

It's even easier to maintain too, with the 4 Way Group offering a full range of ongoing service and maintenance packages to ensure the system’s optimum performance throughout the year.

But the real benefit of air source heating is that the system can produce more than three times as much heat energy as the electricity it takes to run – and can work effectively in temperatures as low as -15o.

“What attracts most people to air source heating is that it offers a significant reduction in fuel costs and energy bills," says Steve, "but with all the growing concerns about climate

change and current legislation about cutting carbon emissions, it’s quickly becoming the most cost- and energyefficient heating solution for all new homes.”

And although air source heating will provide all your hot water and heating needs 'on demand' 365 days of the year, it can also work in reverse – taking the heat from the outside air and converting it to cooler air during warmer weather.

This really is the heating system of the future, but it's available today from the 4 Way Group – together with all the help and advice you need, a full design service, and a complete installation package from first fix to final commissioning.

Contact the 4 Way Group today for more details and a free quotation on how to treat yourself and your home to the benefits of air source heating.

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

KLmagazine November 2019

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Firewood supplied & stumps removed

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48

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KLmagazine November 2019

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Animalmatters

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

Director

Jennifer Sinclair

Smallbites

If your pet is due to come in for an anaesthetic, speak to a member of our team who can talk you through the process, and the surgery or procedure they may be having.

Remember, we offer a number of free nurse clinics, where one of our nursing team will be happy to discuss your pet’s procedure with you, and the process of having either a sedation or anaesthetic, as well as answering any questions you may have.

Harley

Helping Harley become a hero...

A

t the practice we see heroes in all shapes and sizes, breeds and colours. One such hero we saw recently was Harley, the 9 year old chocolate Labrador. He had started to slow down a bit and get uncomfortable when walking and lying down due to a number of very large fatty lumps (lipomas) that had formed between his back legs. We see fatty lumps very commonly in our patients, particularly middle-aged to older dogs.

They are caused by an overproduction of fat cells in one area, and often feel soft and smooth to touch. Most lipomas cause no problems to animals, unless they grow very large, or start to affect the comfort levels of the pet.

However, not all lumps and bumps are simple fatty lumps. Without taking samples from these lumps and looking at the cell type present, it is impossible to know for sure whether a lump or

bump is harmless or not.

Harley’s Mum and Dad made the decision to try to improve his comfort levels by having surgery performed to remove the uncomfortable fatty lumps.

Harley took this all in his stride, and happily followed us through into our kennels ward in order to have a good nap before having his operation. The surgery took a number of hours, as six large lipomas were removed from his groin area. Following this it took a fair amount of time to close the surgical wound, and place a surgical drain in order to collect any fluid produced by the tissues to try to prevent any excessive swelling, inflammation and the risk of an infection forming.

After a very steady general anaesthetic, and a relaxing recovery, Harley was in fact able to go home fairly quickly following his surgery.

Harley’s Mum and Dad were very

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

KLmagazine November 2019

vigilant with monitoring his surgical wound, keeping everything clean and dry, and stopping him doing too much while he was meant to be resting.

Nothing seemed to faze Harley – from the consultation appointments with me prior to, and after surgery, to meeting all his new nurse friends in the kennels ward and our dedicated prep room and operating theatre. We have kept a close eye on Harley’s wounds during his recovery period, but it was soon clear to see that he was feeling a whole lot better, and even managed to cheekily sneak upstairs at home! He is now back to his old self, and rather than tiring quickly on walks and being uncomfortable, he is wanting to get out and visit his favourite places to meet up with his other doggy friends.

Harley always comes into the practice with a wagging tail, and enjoys the attention he gets from the reception desk as soon as he walks in.

Harley and his parents truly are heroes – Harley for taking his surgery and recovery completely in his stride, and his parents for allowing him the opportunity to become a 9 year old puppy again, as well as being so diligent with his postoperative care.

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

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

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The natural beauty of the Holkham estate’s resident fallow deer Although the Palladian grandeur of Holkham Hall is of national importance, the beautiful herd of deer that’s roamed the estate’s picturesque parkland for 150 years is an attraction in its own right...

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H

olkham Estate is a wonderful place to spot plenty of our native wildlife like ducks, geese, birds of prey, and deer. Five of the six species of deer that live in Britain can be found on the estate: red, fallow, muntjac, roe and Chinese water deer.

And while some may be elusive, you’re very likely to spot fallow deer on a visit to the estate, as a large herd make their home in Holkham’s 677-acre deer park.

The fallow deer roam freely around the park, around the hall, the lake and woodland, among the evergreen oaks brought to Holkham from Italy. Fallow deer were originally brought to Holkham in 1844 by the second earl.

Until that time venison was brought from North Elmham where the Cokes, the owners of Holkham, had another estate.

Venison was a popular food in the Victorian era and fallow deer were judged to be ideal park deer as they are attractive, small in size, easy to look after, and each deer produces a good amount of meat. In fact, the famous French chef Escoffier thought that the fallow deer from an English park 'has no equal as far as delicacy and tenderness are concerned'.

Fallow deer were introduced to this country by the Norman invaders in the 11th century. Fully-grown male fallow deer are known as bucks, the females as does, and the young as fawns. Bucks grow on average to be 90-95cm high at the shoulder: much smaller than red deer which makes them more manageable for a deer park.

52

Fallow deer are herbivores, and eat grass, cereals, herbs, fruits, nuts and berries. They digest their food by rumination – they quickly eat then go into cover to chew cud. They have finely developed senses of hearing and scent but see only in black and white.

They don’t sleep properly: they just doze with eyes half-closed.

The rutting period for fallow deer is late October to November and following a gestation period of 234 days a doe gives birth to one fawn, in mid-June. Fawns have a diet of milk and grass: the mother feeds herself after hiding her new-born in long grass.

The male deer’s rutting behaviour takes place in the autumn, primarily at dawn or dusk. They mark themselves

with their scent by mixing mud and urine with their hooves and wallowing in it. They also bellow, and scrape their feet with their head held high as a display of strength. Sometimes you will see the deer with foliage in their antlers; this is done to try and increase the perception of the antlers’ size.

Actually clashing antlers is a last resort due to the potential of getting hurt.

Their antlers are solid bone and are shed each year after the rutting season.

If you do visit to take a look at these beautiful creatures, remember that they are wild animals, and keep at least 50m away. This is for their benefit, but getting in between rutting stags or a doe and her fawn can be dangerous for you too!

KLmagazine November 2019

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NOT JUST A FANCY OT, A FULLY NCTIONAL, TERPROOF & ONABLE FOOT

|

KLmagazine November 2019

B: www w..bear ts.co.uk

| Br riighton Mill, Stow Br riidge, K Kiing’s L Ly ynn PE34 3PD 53

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Use your local merchant rather than shops & garages for a wider variety of excellent quality fuels designed for your specific appliance at very comp petitive prices

For more information on what we can supply, prices and discounts on offer or to arrange delivery/collection please call us on: 07780 776576 / 01485 520637 or email nigel.carlton@btinternet.com

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KLmagazine November 2019

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The perfect solution to your broadband blues...

Rural Broadband offers a remarkably simple and brilliantly effective way to bring stable Wi-Fi to every part of your home or business

W

e're all familiar with the problems – you're at the bottom of the garden and you can't make a phone call; you're in a top floor bedroom and the Xbox connection keeps cutting out; or you're in a converted outbuilding office and you can't stream a movie.

"We're getting calls all the time from people across Norfolk complaining about their broadband speed, but when we visit them we discover that the signal is actually perfectly

Richard Dix

good," says Richard Dix of Heachambased Rural Broadband. "The problem is that we're now asking our broadband signals to do much more than they're really capable of."

For homes over 3,000ft2, for large office suites, for historic buildings and for spaces such as village halls and holiday lets, Richard and his team at Rural Broadband have the perfect solution in the form of 'mesh nodes' – unobtrusive units less than 10cm2 which can be installed in a matter of minutes.

It's a technology that's been used in military installations and hospitals for some years now, but it's now making a big impression on homes and small businesses – with no mess, no fuss, and no need to drill through walls and lay several metres of extra cable.

"Basically, each unit 'talks' to each other, amplifying your broadband signal and spreading it a little further than the last," says Richard. "They effectively blanket your home in high-quality stable Wi-Fi and bring it into all the dead zones caused by thick walls and long distances."

Easily controlled and managed through a simple smartphone app, the units are compatible with all broadband service providers and are supremely versatile – making it easy to quickly set up a temporary network for short-stay guests or visiting business colleagues.

Bring your home or office into the 21st century today by contacting Rural Broadband using the details below for a free consultation about all your networking needs.

Unit 1, Marea Farm, School Rd, Heacham PE31 7DH

Tel: 01485 572253 / 07786 887750 www.ruralbroadband.co.uk KLmagazine November 2019

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Dark nights mean it’s time to dazzle! Party season has begun, and whether you choose a bold print or a slinky silhouette, it’s time to make a statement. Add some luxurious accessories for a top-to-toe look that will be unforgettable.

Blouse by Frank Lyman

CINDY’S

Sutton Bridge

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Shoes & Clutch

by Peter Kaiser

SHEILA TILLER Long Sutton

Ontrend

A contrasting bag and shoe will give your party dress a modern edge - don’t match, go metallic!

KLmagazine November 2019

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Chelsea Watch

by Sara Miller

DAVID AUKER King’s Lynn

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KLmagazine November 2019

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Bsujdiplf

Stylish casual clothing ANNA MONTANA | STEHMANN | GRENOUILLE JAMES LAKELAND | POMODORO | ERFO

TINTA | BARILOCHE | EMRECO | JOLIE MOI DANTE | GABY | ORCA BAY

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Ne Autuumnws availlable tock by Frank Lyman

Chic h and affford dable fashion for all ages

Add a splash of colo colour l r Shop our autumn/ t / winter collections

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KLmagazine November 2019

t: 01553 631915 The Old School, Castle Rising, King’s Lynn y PE31 6AG

www.allezchic.co.uk

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Dress by James Lakeland £99

ARTICHOKE Swaffham

We all need a perfect LBD – crisp tailoring and understated elegance go with everything.

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KLmagazine November 2019

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Dress & Coat

by Pomodoro

ALLEZ CHIC Castle Rising

Styletip

Make an entrance!

The party starts the moment you arrive, so a beautiful coat is a must-have.

62

KLmagazine November 2019

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Lings Country G for all your countr y pursuit

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New Le Chameau Clothing

A wide range of top brand countr y clothing and accessories • ALAN PA AINE • DUBARRY • SCHÖFFEL • LE CHAMEAU • HUCKLECOTE • SEELAND • IZZI RAINEY • MUSTO Heath Farm, Great Massingham PE32 2HJ www ww.lingscountr ygoods.co.uk www ww.mortonatvv.com | Tel: 01485 520828

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TAKE CARE OF YOU YO Y OU TH THIS HIS YEAR YEAR Are you concerned about your teeth wearing? Are they chipping or looking smaller? We can help to restore appearance and function.

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Safe and Professional Skin Lesion Removal

DermaPlus is a private service owned by Vida Healthcare at Gayton Road Health Centre and coordinated by DermaVida.

Working with a General Surgeon and Oculoplastic Surgeon.

Problems with snoring, grinding or clenching your teeth at night?

Do you suffer from headaches, ear pain, face pain or neck pain?

we hav ave a ra range of tre reat atments tha hat could help with these conditions Phone the practice to make an appointmentt for a consultation and treatment plan.

Contact us to find out mor re e Tel: 01553 631094

Offering treatments for the removal of:

Call 01553 696 886 for more information KLmagazine November 2019

Address: PARTNER

Email: info@castlerisingdentist.co.uk

www.castlerisingdentist.co.uk 63

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Our commitmentt to protecting your child’s eyes Y

our child’s eyesight is precious. Good is vital for your child’s v vision development. Their sight allows them to see and experience their surroundings, and it aids their speech and ability to read ny of us take it for and write. Yet so man dren’s eyes are healthy granted that our child od, unless something and their vision is goo obvious presents itsellf. How do you know e seeing clearly? If they that your children are

are born with less than perfect vision it iss unlikely that they will report it to you at a young age. Why would they? What and how they are seeing the world is ‘normal’ to them, they’ve never experienced anything nt. differen At D.A. Seaman Optometrists we are committed to protecting your child’s sight.

We believe this so much that we have decided to offer all children under the age of 16 yearrs an Optomap Retinal Scan FREE OF GE with their routine eye test. Our CHARG Daytona Plus offers your O NEW Optomap he best eye health check possible, child th ng our opticians to see up to 82% of allowin the retina. This amazing machine will take fantastically clear images, allowing our child’ss opticians to check the health of your child

a enjoying eyes and check that they are u and involves perfect vision. It’s easy to use no nasty eye drops! Of course we recommend Optomap forr all e adults too. It is after all the best way for you to look after the health of your eyes. Why not pop in to the practice or give us a call for more information and to arrange an appointment today.

We look forward to g yyou soon. seeing

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64_BMI_Sandringham.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2019 18:28 Page 3

Mr Christopher Withey

Mr Chandra Pasapula

Mr Leo Ribeiro

Serious about health and passionate about care...

With a complete podiatric clinic, BMI The Sandringham Hospital continues to offer local patients the very best in local healthcare

W

ith two operating theatres, a diagnostic imaging department and an outpatient and minor treatment area, BMI The Sandringham Hospital is part of a nationwide network of clinics that performs more complex surgery than any other private healthcare provider in the country. It's also supported by an exceptional team of medical professionals and experienced consultants such as the podiatric team under the lead of consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Chandra Pasapula, consultant podiatic surgeon Mr Christopher Withey, and physiotherapist Mr Leo Ribeiro.

Together, they offer a comprehensive range of services from more simple

procedures such as verrucas and ingrowing toenails to more complex treatments such as Achilles Tendinitis pathology and cartilage replacement surgery. While Mr Withey has built a strong reputation for the treatment of foot pathology and has published his surgical technique for the treatment of mid-foot osteoarthritis in the leading international Foot & Ankle Surgery professional journal, Mr Pasapula has developed a complete foot and ankle service that includes neurological feet, flat feet and forefoot surgery – in addition to continuing his work in general trauma and hip and knee surgery. With over 40 years combined experience between them, the podiatric team at BMI The Sandringham Hospital offers a patient-focused service that puts

successful outcomes at the head of its priorities, which is why 98.6% of our patients would recommend BMI The Sandringham Hospital – whether you're looking for advice on managing pain, seeking information about specific treatments, or investigating different foot surgery options.

The podatric clinic is just one of the many services now available at BMI The Sandringham Hospital, which offers appointments as and when you need them, and a more comfortable and professional way to receive the treatment you’re looking for.

For more details and information, please contact us on 01553 769770 and discover the very best standards in local healthcare.

Serious about health.

Passionate about care.

BMI The Sandringham Hospital, Gayton Road, King's Lynn PE30 4HJ • Tel: 080 8101 0336 Email: info@bmihealthcare.co.uk • Web: www.bmihealthcare.co.uk KLmagazine November 2019

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Moving scarves to the forefront of fashion It’s been an iconic fashion accessory for over 80 years, and for designers such as up-and-coming Bella Singleton, the scarf offers a canvas for inspired patterns and fabulous colours

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hen the first Hermès ready-to-wear scarf made its debut in 1937 (on a rare and neverseen-before Chinese silk) it introduced an accessory that has captivated the fashion world ever since.

Designs and fabrics began to signify fashion statements, and became works of art worn by wealthy celebrities throughout the world. Unattainable by many, it’s only during the past few years that the printed scarf has enjoyed something of a resurgence, with colour and design dominating the mix-andmatch fashion trend.

Having always been interested in fashion, focusing on scarves seemed like the natural platform for Bella Singleton after she studied Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design at Leeds College of Art. “Scarves are a blank canvas for print designers,” she says. “I chose them because they follow what I’d studied, but it was during an Art Foundation course at Falmouth University that I truly fell in love with colour and pattern.

My ambition was to design my own brand.”

In 2017, Bella moved to Norwich from London where she worked part-time in marketing for an art gallery and a jewellery store while working on her own designs in readiness for setting up her business. Bella remembers the moment that encouraged her to take the leap of faith into following her dream.

“I was launching my brand at Top Drawer in London and was approached by the Tate Modern’s product developer who commissioned a collection and bought 700 pieces for their new Switch House gallery store,” she says. “I was naturally over the moon, and that gave me the confidence I needed to move forward with my plans.”

She admits that her biggest challenge was working in part-time jobs whilst trying to build her brand, and agrees that markets for new designers are becoming flooded and the competition is huge. So how does a young designer get started?

“You have to stand out from the crowd, and try to be creative and commercial at the same time,” she stresses. “Don’t get too frustrated with the gradual learning process. Focus on what you’re really good at and don’t take too many products on board. My first season meant approaching outlets and attending trade fairs, getting my brand out there, and taking on freelance work of about five collections a year for other companies.

“There are still some grants available, however. I obtained a grant from the

KLmagazine November 2019

ABOVE: Bella Singleton with a few of her recent prints that are taking an iconic fashion accessory to a new level – “scarves are a blank canvas for designers,” she says 67

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UK Fashion and Textiles Association that I used to finance trade shows. However, without financial support from my family I could have been struggling.

East Anglia Growth Hub is also very supportive and their talks are really helpful too.

“I endured lots of trial and error mistakes in the beginning, but I’m now getting there and the benefits are being able to design what I like.”

In addition to running the successful brand Bella Singleton, other disciplines of art and design also interest her.

“I find jewellery really fascinating,” she says, “and this may have been a second choice if I hadn’t gone into print design.”

Bella’s inspiration comes from still life as well as looking at the cultures of other countries. She’s recently completed a collection using Latin America as a brief, inspired by the vibrant colours. Another collection, Wildflower, has east Asian influences and uses the quieter pastels of Japan.

“Design comes from hand drawing before digital printing,” says Bella. “I look at samples of fabric that enhance the garment. In the case of my scarves, I use silk from India.”

So, now that she’s come this far in her career, what are her thoughts about owning her own store?

“I feel we’re so online these days and 68

“My designs are for a range of simple garments that I like, giving them a new collar or cuff design” that’s maybe the way forward without incurring overheads, but I hope to increase my stockists,” she says. “I do like to speak with my customers directly and let buyers feel the fabrics.

As a designer, I mostly enjoy matching a certain colour combination to a particular person.”

Bella’s personal style, she admits, is very casual – simply using a scarf she can easily put together with jeans, a tshirt and jacket.

“You don’t need to think about your outfit too much,” she says. “because

you’re wearing something unique, and something you feel comfortable in.”

Looking forward to 2020, Bella is working on new collections of shirts and dresses.

“My designs are for a range of simple garments that I like, giving them a new collar or cuff design,” she says. “I feel my biggest opportunity will come from securing more UK markets, and with that in mind, I’ll be working with a public relations company soon.”

Bella Singleton designs will be on show at the pre-Christmas pop-up at the Fairhurst Gallery in Norwich, which will allow customers to see and touch the fabrics. It should open more doors for her and secure the trend for this iconic accessory into the future.

For more information on Bella and to see more examples of her work, please visit www.bellasingleton.com

KLmagazine November 2019

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The Fent Shop

Shaun Cross of of Time Out

Largest selection of fabrics in West & North Norfolk

Dress Fabrics Curtain Fabrics Craft Fabrics Net Curtains Knitting Wool Haberdashery

GIFT T,, INTER RIIORS, HAIR & BE EA AUTY 4 H i g h St r e e t , L o n g Su t t o n , L i n c o l n s h i r e P E 1 2 9 D B 41 Broad Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1DP

T: 01553 768613 | W: www.thefentshopkingslynn.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2019

Teel: 01406 366789 T O p e n : Mo n 9 . 1 5 - 5 T Tu ues 10-5 Weed closed Thurs & Fri 9.30-4 Sat 9.30-4 W Hair & Beauty - Late appointments Thursday & Friday In House Florist LilyyJJayne

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Plum & Cinnamon Nutty Crumble Tart

INGREDIENTS

For the pastry 250g plain flour (plus extra for dusting) 125g butter 50g icing sugar 2 egg yolks Zest of 1 orange 1 tsp vanilla extract Splash of cold water For the filling 16 tbsp plum & cinnamon jam For the crumble topping 75g plain flour 75g soft light brown sugar 60g butter, melted 1 tsp cinnamon Handful chopped mixed nuts

1

Pre-heat oven to 150°c Gas mark 2.

Prepare four 5� fluted tart tins by greasing with butter.

2

To make the pastry gently rub together the plain flour and butter.

Once combined add the orange zest and vanilla then slowly add the egg yolks to create a smooth dough. If needed add a splash of cold water to bring the mixture together.

3

The pastry can now be used to line the tins. Roll to approximately 5mm in thick, then lay over the tins pressing the pastry gently into the shape of the tin. Roughly cut away the excess pastry then, using your fingers make sure the pastry is pressed into the flutes of the tin. Using a sharp knife tidy the pastry around the edges.

4

Next, add approximately 4 tbsp of the plum and cinnamon jam to each tart and smooth with a spoon.

5

To create the crumble topping mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts in a bowl. Add the melted butter and bring mixture together: this will create lots of clumps. Sprinkle over each of the prepared tarts.

6

To bake, place each tart on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 23-30 minutes or until the pastry is evenly cooked and the crumble topping is a light golden brown.

Recipe by Judith West

OWNER AT FOLLY TEA ROOM

Hoppers Yard, Bull Street, Holt NR25 6LN 01263 713569 www.follytearoom.co.uk 70

KLmagazine November 2019

70_RecipeFolly.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2019 18:41 Page 3

Xma mas Coc ockt kktai tail Eve vening nings

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KLmagazine November 2019

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SHOP

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www.englishwhisky.co.uk | 01953 717939 St George’s Distillery y,, Harling Road, Roudham, Norfolk NR16 2QW OPENING TIMES | Distillery: 9am-5.30pm | Tours: 10am-4pm | The Kitchen: 9am-5pm

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KLmagazine November 2019

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Norfolk Partridge

dauphinoise potato, pickled baby carrots, salt baked celeriac & carrot purée

INGREDIENTS (Serves 1)

For the dauphinoise potato 2 large potatoes 500g white pudding 1 pint double cream 1 onion 2 bulbs garlic 2 bay leaves For the pickled carrots 3 baby carrots 500ml cider vinegar 50g sugar zest 1 orange 2 star anise 5 baby beetroot For the salt baked celeriac 1 celeriac Celery salt For the carrot purée 2 carrots Zest 1 orange 1 bay leaf Carrot juice For the partridge 1 partridge 1 onion 1 garlic bulb 10 crushed junipers Goose fat 50ml port 200ml chicken stock Knob of butter Seasoning

KLmagazine November 2019

For the dauphinoise potato

1 Peel onions and garlic, place into pan with cream, white pudding, bay and bring to the boil. Let simmer, remove from the heat and leave to infuse. When ready remove bay and blend the remaining mixture until smooth.

2 Slice potatoes thinly. In a greased tray layer the potatoes pouring the cream mixture and seasoning until tray is 2/3 full.

Cook at 180°C for 50/60 minutes.

For the pickled carrots

Bring pickle liquor to the boil, drop in carrots and beetroot, cook carrots for 4 minutes then remove, leaving beetroot to cook for a further 6 minutes, take off the heat and leave to pickle for at least 12 hours.

For the partridge

1 Remove the legs and place in a small foiled tray with onion, garlic and the junipers. Cover with goose fat and cook at 90°C until tender.

2 Remove the back bone from the partridge, leaving just the crown. For the sauce, make 200ml of chicken stock and add 50ml port, season.

3 To cook the partridge preheat the pan with oil, season the partridge crown with salt and place in pan sealing each side until golden brown. Add a knob of butter, this should take about 3 minutes each side. The partridge should be served slightly pink to stop the bird from drying out, when ready leave to rest before serving.

For the salt baked celeriac

Peel celeriac, lightly cover in oil, encase celeriac in celery salt and place in oven at 160°C for 1 hour, remove from oven and break off salt.

For the carrot purée

Peel and cut carrots, place into pan with orange zest and bay, cover with carrot juice and simmer until carrots are cooked, remove bay leaf, strain carrots keeping the juice, place carrots into blender adding carrot juice until required texture. Season to taste.

Recipe by The Orange Tree

High Street, Thornham PE36 6LY 01485 512213 www.theorangetreethornham.co.uk 73

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Chr hristmas Partities

Christma hristmas Extravagan xtravaganza Shopping Nights

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CASTING OFF Crab & sweetcorn chowder with bloomer bread Salmon & smoked haddock fishcakes Satay prawn skewers with Asian red cabbage slaw

THE MAIN CATCH Monkfish wrapped in Parma ham, tomato dauphinoise potato, fine beans and herb cream Pastry-topped fish pie with buttered greens and dressed leaves Honey & harissa swordfish steak with pink peppercorn sweet potato wedges and dressed leaf

Tracey & Stuart welcome you to their newly refurbished pub beautifully set between two rivers • TRADITIONAL HOME-COOKED FOOD • GIN SHELF • AFTERNOON TEAS • B& B • T O U R I N G C A R AVA N PA R K

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CALL TO BOOK: 01328 710456 Orders in one week prior and a £5 deposit pp

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Available December 1stt-20th

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

KLmagazine November 2019

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Local Wines for Christmas

I

t’s never too early to start stocking up on food and drink for Christmas, so we’ve picked some of the very best Norfolk wines to inspire you. Norfolk has one of the best climates in the country for wine-growing, with temperatures similar to the south coast but it has a drier climate, and produces some truly world-class wines.

Why not surprise your guests by serving them a glass of something produced right on our doorstep this festive season?

HUMBLEYARD VINEYARD at Mulbarton planted their first vines in 2010 and now grow nine grape varieties. They’re particularly known for their Humbleyard 2014 Rosé – a medium dry wine awarded the prestigious PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status, and made from Rondo and Reichensteiner grapes.

A beautiful deep pink in appearance, it’s a wine with wide appeal and it’s perfect for any occasion. It goes especially well with spicy foods and seafood, so it’s ideal to accompany canapés. The wine can be ordered online for delivery in Norfolk, or you can pick some up at the Norfolk Deli in Hunstanton or try it first at The White Horse in Brancaster.

KLmagazine November 2019

Originally making wine for the estate’s owner’s private consumption, in 2010 SOUTH PICKENHAM VINEYARD now sells up to 3,000 bottles of its own vintage each year – principally to local pubs and restaurants, but also in cases of six bottles to members of the public.

Delivery can be arranged anywhere on the UK mainland. Try their smooth medium-bodied dry white wine as an accompaniment to your roast turkey or chicken. It’s made from a delicious blend of Muller Thurgau, Seyval Blanc, Schonburger, and a recentlyintroduced Bacchus variety of grapes, and the combination results in a wine that’s perfect with poultry.

WINBIRRI VINEYARDS is a worldfamous 25-acre (10 hectare) producer of still and sparkling wine based in Surlingham on the edge of the Norfolk Broads National Park. It was established in 2007 by experienced fruit farmer Stephen Dyer, who supplies major retailers all over the country. He spotted an opportunity and planted around 2½ acres with vines – and his son Lee took over in 2010, overseeing the vineyard’s first commercial plantings.

Their signature red wine is characterised by bold ripe red berry

fruit and spicy, oak aromas. Broad and expansive on the palate, with rich thick black fruit balanced by crunchy red berry flavours, it’s excellent on its own but also pairs extremely well with strong meats like burgers, steak or roast lamb.

CONGHAM VINEYARD in Hillington was planted in 2007 by owners John and Helen Lilley with four European disease-resistant hybrid grapes – two black varieties (Rondo and Regent) and two white varieties (Orion and Phoenix).

The vineyard extends to just under an acre and produces Congham Rosé, a dry still wine well known (and muchloved) locally, and the Bacchus-style white wine Congham Phoenix.

The vineyards are sold locally in west Norfolk through pubs and restaurants and also in farm shops, delis and specialist shops including Drove Orchards farmshop at Thornham and Satchells of Burnham Market. For something unusual to celebrate a special occasion (and what can be more special than Christmas?) try their Sparkling Rosé Brut, which is in stock now at Beers of Europe just outside King’s Lynn. It’s a light wine with a subtle fizz, and raising a glass will make any party go with a swing!

Norfolk is growing a fine reputation for producing high quality wines, and this festive season offers the perfect excuse to sample the best of them.

Enjoy!

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A luxury kitchen to match your luxury new home

1963-2019

Celebrating 56 years of our family business

Beccaause a kitcchhen iiss tthhe heeaart off your homee,, it deesserveess just as much tthhougghht as tthhe reesst off your house. Viissit Beexxwellll K Kiittcchens ffoor a kittcchen individduualllyy deessiiggneedd arroound your needdss • A ffaamily ffrriendly company • Neffff specialists ffo or 45 year s • Full measuring and C AD design ser vice • All kitchens supplied rigid • 23 displaayys • Full installaattion ser vice aavvailable

Bexw we ell Kitchens

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Authentic Indian Restaurant

Described as one of the best Indian Restaurants in Norfolk, Anwar and his family pride themselves in using only the freshest, finest and most traditional herbs and spices

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@thedownhamtandoori KLmagazine November 2019

76_RecipeKingsArms.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2019 18:36 Page 3

Porn Star Martini Sweet vanilla vodka and sharp passion fruit flavours with a shot of Prosecco really do give this one an extra little festive charm!

INGREDIENTS 35ml vanilla vodka 25ml passion fruit liqueur 10ml passion fruit puree 10ml fresh lime juice 10ml sugar (for the syrup)

Fresh passion fruit garnish (add some of the seeds to the mix for a more authentic drink) 25ml Prosecco

1 2

6

Chill a martini glass by filling the glass with ice.

Prepare the sugar syrup by mixing the sugar with the same amount of water on a low heat (so it’s a 50/50 mix) – stir until sugar dissolves.

Garnish with one-third of a passion fruit, floating on top of the drink.

7

Pour the Prosecco into a shot or sherry glass for your cheeky little side order!

3

Get your shaker and add 6 cubes of ice, the vodka, passion fruit liqueur and puree, lime juice aand cooled sugar syrup.

4 5

Shake hard for 15 seconds.

Strain and pour into empty martini glass (remove ice).

Recipe by Claire Evans

OWNER AT THE KING’S ARMS COACHING INN 21 Market Place, Swaffham PE37 7LA 01760 723244 www.kingsarmscoachinginn.co.uk KLmagazine November 2019

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People are often surprised when they try it for the first time. They didn't think turkey could taste so good - or taste of anything!

”

- James Graham of Peele’s Norfolk Black Turkeys

”

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A true taste of Norfolk for a traditional Christmas It may well be the centrepiece of the most delicious Christmas dinner you’ve ever had, but had it not been for James Graham’s family, the Norfolk Black turkey may have disappeared completely

W

hen you think of a traditional Christmas dinner, your thoughts don't immediately turn to the 16th-century Spanish conquest of South America.

But had it not been for the explorer Pedro Niño trading with the Aztecs, the Norfolk Black turkey (which is one of our most delicious local tastes) may never have appeared on these shores.

More to the point, had it not been for James Graham's family we almost certainly wouldn't be able to enjoy it today.

At Rookery Farm in Thuxton just outside Norwich, James is the fourth generation of his family to rear the Norfolk Black, which is generally considered to be the oldest turkey breed in the UK. But in the early 1950s, it was in danger of disappearing completely thanks to a growing demand for cheaper, whiter and more easily-produced meat.

"My grandfather was very concerned about the demise of the Norfolk Black turkey and did everything he could to save the breed from extinction," says James. "Even back then he recognised the importance of maintaining the purity of the bird and promoting its naturally distinctive flavour."

A founding member of the Norfolk Black Turkey Club, Frank Peele also helped establish the British Turkey Federation (becoming the first president of the Norfolk branch) and worked with the local Ministry of Agriculture's research station to set up a breeding programme - which James follows to this day.

"The industry produces almost 30 million turkeys for meat in the UK each year, but we're probably aiming for around 2,000 birds this Christmas," says James. "For us, it's never been about KLmagazine November 2019

mass-production and raising turkeys for the sake of it. We're far more interested in promoting and championing the rare breeds that we have here."

A long-standing member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, James was named a Rick Stein Food Hero in 2002, reached the top three in the BBC National Food & Farming Awards, and has been featured regularly on television in everything from Great British Railway Journeys to Ade in Britain.

In addition to the famous Norfolk Black, his farm is also home to five other rare breeds of turkey - the Cambridge Bronze, Bourbon Red, Narragansett ("they're probably the wildest birds we've got!" he says), Lavender turkey, and the Cröllwitzer, more commonly known as the Royal Palm turkey. All are reared on a diet largely grown on James' arable fields,

ABOVE: Peele’s Norfolk Black Turkeys have come a long way since the start of the 20th century, but James Graham is maintaining the breeding programme established by his grandfather Frank Peele in the 1950s

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PICTURE: JOHN LAWRENCE

How to cook a Norfolk Black turkey Peele’s Norfolk Black turkeys are hung for seven days, and therefore need a shorter cooking time. For the best flavour allow approximately 10-12 minutes per pound in a conventional oven, and adjust accordingly for fan-assisted or non-conventional ovens.

ABOVE: James Graham (centre) is the fourth generation of his family to rear pure-breed Norfolk Black Turkeys – and he’s a long-time champion of the bird and its delicious flavour

and there isn't a commercial or hybrid breed in sight.

But it's not all about heritage and preserving the past. At the end of the day there's a very real difference.

"Commercial strains have been genetically developed to grow very quickly and put on as much meat as fast as possible," says James. "That has a very real impact on the quality, the texture and the flavour of what you serve at your Christmas table."

It's a telling point. Most people's experience of turkey is of a dry, crumbly meat that's difficult to carve and requires a strong accompanying sauce to bring out any flavour. James' Norfolk Black turkeys are (to coin a phrase) a bird of a different feather entirely.

The meat is more compact and dense. It's naturally moist, thanks to the birds' more natural development. It can be carved wafer-thin without any problems. And it tastes exquisite.

"To me it's more like a game bird than anything else," says James. "It's a 'real' flavour, and people are often surprised when they try it for the first time. They

didn't think turkey could taste so good - or taste of anything!"

Even though the rise of veganism and vegetarianism has had an inevitable impact on the meat industry, James is encouraged to see a similar growth in the interest for locally-reared, locallyproduced, and locally-prepared foods.

"I don't deal with supermarkets and I only work with a very few local butchers," he says. "Our turkeys go all over the country, but many people still prefer to collect them in person from the farm on which they were born and raised."

James' turkeys are freshly dressed the day before they're collected or delivered, and are supplied with cooking instructions and the (vacuumpacked) giblets for people wanting to make authentic stock and gravy.

There are no prizes for guessing for what James will be having for dinner on December 25th, but he's keen to point out a turkey isn't just for Christmas.

"We'll use Norfolk Black turkey throughout the year in all sorts of ways - in casseroles, pies and stir fry dishes," he says. "It's really versatile, it tastes amazing, and it's produced in a fully sustainable and natural way.

I can't think of anything better."

Peele's Norfolk Black Turkeys can be ordered until the second week of December and are available by mail order or by collection in person. For more details, please call 01362 850237 or visit www.peelesblackturkeys.co.uk

80

1. Rinse your turkey with cold water and pat dry with kitchen towel. Set in a large baking tray and smear with butter, good dripping or a few rashers of streaky bacon.

2. Season with salt and pepper, cover with kitchen foil and cook in a preheated oven at 180C/350F/Gas 4 for 30 minutes.

3. Lower the temperature to 150C/300F/Gas 2, and baste the turkey once every hour.

For the last 30 minutes increase the temperature back to 200C/400F/Gas 6 – this helps draw the flavour and moisture back from the bone.

4. Uncover the bird for the last 15 minutes to brown. The turkey is cooked when its juices run clear when pricked with a knife.

5. Allow to rest for half an hour before carving. The meat closest to the bone should still be light pink in appearance.

6. Although it’s a matter of choice, serve your turkey with Brussels sprouts, honeyroasted parsnips, carrots, potatoes, stuffing and gravy.

KLmagazine November 2019

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u EE as yo ese er FR tm en e p ris wh ch am Ch ing at, le h e dd m tab pu y a ge bu d ve an

Festive F ti ham h mpers, full f ll off locally sourrced goodiess Whole turkey hamper fr W from £9 90 | Boneless turkey hamper £ £60 Local cheese hamper £25 | Luxury cheese hamper £35 Christmas vegeetable hamper £10

Orde Order er now!

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Norwich Market

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Row F, 124/125, Norwich NR2 1ND D t: 01603 621966

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C ome annd ennjoy the at ions fest est ive celelebrat ead wit h the Kinggs Hea CHRISTMAS PARTIES 13th & 20th December

Enjoy a evening of dinner & dance!

Including a 3 course meal and disco.

Email or call us for bookings and further details

HRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

ome and join us for a Christmas ay 5 course dinner.

EW YEARS EVE ELEBRATIONS

C hr istmas gift ide dea Why not treat a friend or loved one this Christmas to a voucher for Afternoon Tea at the Kings Head!

Great Bircham, King’s Lynn PE31 6RJ | T Te el: 01485 578 265

www.thekingsheadcountryhotel.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2019

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, market www.giardinidinaxos.co.uk

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Authentic Mexican food

TH TOP BRAND APPLIAN EXPER RT T KNO OW WLEDGE • COMPETITIVE PRICES

•

Open Tuesday to Saturday 12 noon -10pm Book a table via our social media or give us a call

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1 Railway Road, King’s Lynn | 01553 762277

A TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB S E R V I N G F R E S H , L O C A L LY S O U R C E D F O O D w w w. j o l ly b r e w e r s p u b . c o . u k 01366 348134

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“Our stone floors have never looked better...”

The winter means it’s getting darker, but thanks to the professional services of Xtraclean your stone floors are looking better than ever!

I

t’s that time of year when the weather is about to wreak havoc on your stone and tile floors, with rain and mud only adding to the ingrained dirt, dust and debris that naturally builds up over time.

Despite your best efforts, all that will inevitably work its way into natural crevices and grout lines – to the point where it takes a lot more than a bucket of water, a mop and some off-the-shelf cleaning products to bring your floors back to their very best.

Happily, the perfect solution is only a phone call away – putting you in touch with the expert services of Martin King and his Swaffham-based team at Xtraclean, who can give your floors a bright and clean ‘as new’ look – in less than a day!

“Stone, tiled and wooden floors look fantastic when they’re first laid, but it's virtually impossible to keep those

pristine looks forever,” says Martin. “If your floors have been professionally fitted they deserve an equally expert approach to cleaning – and that’s where we comes in.”

For over 25 years now, Martin and his Xtraclean team have been treating floors across Norfolk to the most advanced and powerful cleaning system currently available in the UK. “These aren’t the easiest surfaces in the world to clean,” says Martin, “but our powerful system and professionalgrade products can bring even heavily-soiled floors back to their very best. And we can usually do it all in a single visit!”

Xtraclean's highly skilled, trained and experienced technicians offer a reliable, fully-insured and friendly service (they'll even move your furniture for you!) and following an initial survey and test, they'll get to work – breaking down ingrained dirt and loosening

surface soiling.

"Our state-of-the-art turbo ‘clean and capture’ system then pressure cleans the floor using its own water supply – and it captures all the waste in the process with no mess and no fuss," says Martin. "And we don’t have to use invasive procedures such as grinding and resurfacing, which can actually damage your floor – the results are truly spectacular."

And Xtraclean can even help you 'lock in' those good looks and keep them for even longer, thanks to a professional range of specialist sealing products.

“To be honest, you have to see the results to really believe them,” says Martin. “Just ask our customers – they can hardly believe it's the same floor!”

Get your floors back to their best today by contacting Xtraclean for extraprofessional cleaning and an extra-special service.

Unit 3, Jack Boddy Way, Swaffham PE37 7HJ Tel: 01760 337762 Web: www.xtraclean.co.uk E-mail: sales@xtraclean.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2019

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East Walton: our village and our history...

It may have less than 100 residents, but a recent community project has shone a light on over 1,000 years of East Walton’s history – from medieval footballers to 20th century prisoners of war

F

rom the busy Gayton to Narborough road, a narrow lane leads to the village of East Walton and the meadows that, a few months ago, saw re-enactment battles, sword fights, archery and cannon blasts. The village’s History Festival was in celebration of the completed works to St. Mary’s Church – an extensive project that back in 2014 had seemed far beyond the funds of the village of less than 100 residents. That is, until an undaunted quartet set about a fundraising challenge.

Delighted at the project's success, Reverend Jane Holmes is effusive in her praise of the charities that made the whole thing possible.

“Our thanks must go to the tremendous help we’ve received from so many quarters,” she says. “That includes the Norfolk Churches Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Churches Fund, the Round Tower Churches Society, the Garfield Weston

Foundation, the Geoffrey Watling Charity and countless private donors.”

For over 1,000 years, St. Mary’s has been at the centre of life in the village, and naturally holds the key to unlocking the history of the area. With the pretty church now fully restored, it was decided to commit the village history to a book named simply East Walton: Our Village, Our History and distribute a copy to every household.

The research of local historian Louise Scrimshaw reveals the story – from the beginnings of the area in the Ice Age through to the excavation in 2004 of artefacts possibly dating from the early Bronze Age. Accounts of three possible Roman settlements identified through field walking and metal detecting take the history of the area through medieval and post-medieval times to more recent happenings.

In the 19th century, the population of East Walton was actually higher than it is today, and ownership of the land has changed significantly over the

centuries. The church records have a wealth of information recording village life. For instance, records disclose that George William Lemon, the mid-18th century vicar of St. Mary’s, was also Master at Norwich Grammar School and teacher to a young man called Horatio Nelson.

Closer to modern history, the field known as ‘the Searchlight’ and the block house were the location for a searchlight battery and pillbox during the Second World War in the preparations for D-Day. A tithe map of the area shows three fields known as Camping Land, Little Camping Land and Great Camping Land – and dates from a period long before the rise of holiday camps. They almost certainly refer to the East Anglian sport (all-out brawl may be a better description) known as camping – a variant of the popular game that would eventually become football.

The book’s centrepiece map takes the reader on a walk around the village,

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PICTURES: The village of East Walton may have less than 100 residents, but it knows how to celebrate over 1,000 years of history – a legacy which is still being revealed by archaeology

starting and finishing at the church with clear indications of the various points of historical interest on the way.

One of the largest properties is Abbey Farm, which is believed to occupy land formerly belonging to West Dereham Abbey until, during the depression of the 1930s, it was taken back under the management of the Westacre Estate until the 1940s when it became the subject of tenancies.

Bill Lewis is the current tenant of Abbey Farm, and remembers being told by his grandfather and father about the old property.

“It had been an army barracks and a prisoner of war camp, and it was in an awful state,” he says, also recalling how the oats now back in fashion as a health food were originally only grown to feed the cart horses.

In the gardens of Abbey Farm are the ruined remains of the Priory Chapel of St. Andrew that it’s thought went out of use in the 16th century. It then became a mill house until it started to deteriorate – by 1845 all that remained was the shell and the base of a medieval cross in the west doorway.

Back at St. Mary’s, a grave in the churchyard remembers John Porter Wellingham, who records reveal as coming to the village as an infant and starting to farm the land at the age of 16. Reputedly one of the largest agriculturists in Norfolk, he died in the village in 1891.

Several properties have now resorted to private ownership. The Greyhound Inn marked on 19th century maps as a public house hasn’t been used for that purpose since the 1940s. The Church Reading Room was once the village school until a new school was built in the 1870s, 86

and the village blacksmith occupied a long building with an open fronted bay where the horses were shod.

The history of the village is still coming to light as children of Gayton Primary School discovered in their recent archaeological dig around the Abbey with some interesting finds.

It’s been a fascinating project to uncover the long history of a single Norfolk village, and the team behind the book are hoping it may encourage more communities to take the same journey.

“It was inspired by the endeavours of a village to save the little church at its centre and has generated lots of interest from surrounding villages,” say the authors of East Walton: Our Village, Our History. “We hope it will inspire others to get involved in their own communities – working as a group is so much fun.”

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Claire Melton FCCA TEP Partner

On the road to a greener and tax-efficient world...

Claire Melton FCCA TEP of Stephenson Smart explains how your chcoie of company vehicles can help the planet and your business

A

lthough we’re all aware of how important it is to combat the effects of climate change and contribute to the reduction of global warming, businesses originally had little choice when it comes to company cars.

When HMRC first started offering tax incentives for electric or hybrid cars, the range of cars available with CO2 emissions under 75g/km wasn’t huge.

And though the motor industry has now introduced affordable and exciting low-emission models, it’s actually become harder to achieve the tax efficiencies offered by HMRC. While we still have access to a 100% business tax write off in the first year for new cars with CO2 emissions under 50g/km, cars with emissions up to 110g/km attract 18% per annum, and vehicles above that attract 6% per annum. Note also that the corporation tax rate falls in April 2020 from 19% to 17%, so to maximise the relief you should invest before this.

The next consideration concerns whether the car is provided to an employee and if any private use takes

place. If the answer is yes, the next step is to evaluate the benefit in kind which will be assessed upon the employee for income tax purposes and Class 1A NIC – which will be payable by the business.

The benefit of electric/hybrid cars has lessened year by year, and currently the lowest benefit percentage payable is 16% of the car’s list price (the highest being 37%). This amount is deemed to have been paid to the employee, and as such attracts tax on them as individuals as well as national insurance on the employer. To rectify this, from 2020/21 zero emission cars will attract 0% – and all other low emission cars under 50g/km will be judged on their electric range, their percentages ranging from 2% to 14%. Cars over 50g/km will continue to attract higher rates.

To avoid these tax inefficiencies, one may elect to buy a commercial vehicle, which takes away much of the complexity. The vehicle will attract the annual investment allowance, and if provided to an employee for private use will incur a benefit in kind upon them of a maximum of £4,085 per annum (zero

emission vans attract a slightly lower amount). When it comes to a commercial vehicle, the home-to-work commute isn’t deemed to be a private journey (unlike a car) which means many van users will not be liable to any charge. However, note that HMRC are aware that many commercial vehicles on the market could quite easily be enjoyed as a ‘car’ and are looking at vehicles they regard to be dual purpose. In the recent case of CocaCola v HMRC (2017) it was found that unless a vehicle is primarily constructed for the conveyance of goods, it is not likely to be viewed as a van by HMRC. If an employer treats such a vehicle as a van for benefit purposes, HMRC is very likely to challenge that treatment.

Improve your green credentials and maximise your tax efficiences by contacting Stephenson Smart today using the details below.

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 November 2019

D E: CH 87

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Choose the best builder for the best results...

If you’re planning to improve your home, you need to ensure your builder is more than up to the task, as RGR Developments explains

W

hen the Federation of Master Builders revealed that the price of ‘cowboy’ contractors was costing the UK economy up to £10 billion a year, its Chief Exective had no doubt about the main cause of the problem.

"Around a third of homeowners are so anxious about the possibility of choosing a bad builder," said Brian Berry, "that they don’t actually commission any building work whatsoever."

It's an important point, because choosing the right builder is one of the most important steps in the whole process - whether you’re looking for a simple kitchen or bathroom refit or a complete new build. And it's an area that RGR Developments are keen to address.

“Although plenty of people claim to be builders, you should never take their word for it,” says director Ryan Rix. “Start by asking the right questions. No reputable builder will refuse to show you examples of previous work or prevent you speaking to their

customers. If they won't do that, you need to be wondering why.”

As Ryan explains, all RGR Developments’ customers are happy to share their experiences – and even their immediate neighbours will confirm the minimal impact RGR Developments has on site. Moreover, RGR Developments constantly posts online updates and photographs to keep customers informed at all times and up to date on the project’s progress.

“One of the easiest things you can do is meet your prospective builder for a cup of tea and a chat about the project,” says Ryan's fellow director Gary New. "It will help you get a ‘feel’ for the company, and if you’re not completely comfortable and confident with them then you need to keep looking.”

Another crucial element concerns quotations and estimates. Although keeping costs down will be one of your

main priorities, the ‘cheapest’ quote can often cost you in the long run as it may ignore essential parts of the work and underestimate the price of materials.

“When we estimate a project, we work directly from the plans and cost everything on the drawings,” says Ryan.

"Any modifications during the build are fully priced and agreed before the work starts - which is why our customers never see the word ‘extras’ on their bills.”

These are just some of the reasons why RGR Developments has built such a strong reputation around Norfolk for work of an exceptionally high standard completed efficiently, on time, and on budget.

From single-storey extensions to complete renovations, contact RGR Developments today for a professional look at your project. And stop worrying about finding the right builder – because with RGR Developments you’ve already found them.

8 Mill Road, Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen King’s Lynn PE34 3BZ | Tel: 07921 910651 /

07817 941897 | Web: www.rgrdevelopments.co.uk | Email: info@rgrdevelopments.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2019

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Sumptuous fabrics in a cool wintry palette will make your home cosy with a contemporary feel. Adding touches of silver, platinum and rose gold will amplify the luxe effect. Mirrored tables, crystal lights and a shimmer of sequins will catch the light and bring a sparkle to your very own winter palace

Fabrics by Clarke & Clarke

SEW & SEW King’s Lynn

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Kylie Minogue Galactica monochrome cushion

CHARMED INTERIORS Spalding

Metallic wallpaper

POPPI INTERIORS

Swaffham

Luther sofa (left) & 16 piece gold cutlery set (right)

ALDISS

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Gold marble effect tray

BAREFOOT LIVING Burnham Market

Kylie Minogue Skyla silver bedding

CHARMED INTERIORS Spalding

KLmagazine November 2019

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Curtain poles, wood & metallic finishes

POPPI INTERIORS Swaffham

Ceiling light with crystal drops

ALDISS

Fakenham Fabrics by Clarke & Clarke

SEW & SEW King’s Lynn

Gold & glass triple pot (above) & glass bottle matchsticks (right)

BAREFOOT LIVING Burnham Market

Marble top dining table & lamp (right)

ELSE FURNISHERS Wisbech

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KLmagazine November 2019

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F I REP R E P LAC L A C E S | S TOV T O V E S | G RA R A NI N I TE T E WO W O RK R K TOPS TOPS

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How safe are your smoke detectors?

Bircham Electrical explains the new fire prevention guidelines...

t's an incredible fact that although virtually all homes in the UK have smoke alarms installed (95% at current estimates) the alarms fail to activate in around 20% of accidental house fires - either because the smoke failed to reach the detector, because the batteries were either missing or defective, or the alarm itself was simply no longer working.

"In addition to people not testing them as regularly as they should do, most people are unaware that smoke detectors actually have a limited lifespan," says Darren Goldsby, General Manager of Bircham Electrical. "If your smoke detectors were manufactured

over 10 years ago, then they need to be replaced."

Even fewer people are aware of the changes to the relevant British Standard (BS5839-6) that were introduced at the start of this year - changes to ensure our fire protection systems are as reliable and safe as possible, particularly in multiple occupancy, rental and holiday properties.

"Home detection technology has advanced enormously in recent years, and products with 10-year sealed batteries and wirelessly interlinked systems are now available," says Darren.

"They can form a valuable part of your overall home safety plan and they can give you vital minutes to escape if a fire starts." The new changes recommend the installation of at least one mainpowered smoke detector (with the back up of a 10-year lithium battery) linked

either wired or wirelessly to other detectors in the property's main escape routes and main habitable room. The essential point being that the batteries can no longer be tampered with or removed to stop them functioning.

"If anyone's worried about the condition of their smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, Bircham Electrical can carry out a full inspection check and test," says Darren. "If your current system is out of date or defective in any way, we can replace it with some of the most reliable and safest products on the market today."

For a totally reliable, completely safe, and fully guaranteed electrical service for your home or rental property, contact Bircham Electrical for more information and a free quotation.

4 Wymans Way, Industrial Estate, Fakenham NR21 8NT Tel: 01328 851824 Web: www.bircham-electrical.co.uk E-mail: admin@birchamelectrical.com KLmagazine November 2019

BIRCHAM ELECTRICAL

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ABOVE: Founded by Claire and Ed Croft nearly 15 years ago, the luxurious Abahna bathing and home fragrance collection is now available in hotels around the world and in prestigious stores such as Fortnum & Mason

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Taking the plunge with Abahna Luxury Bathing There’s nothing quite like a deep, relaxing bath, and a Norfolk couple are now taking that feeling to new heights with a specially-designed range of luxurious soaps, bath gels and fragrances...

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elaxing in the bath at the end of the day is surely one of life’s most pleasurable experiences. And if the products you’re using are made by Abahna, the senses and enjoyment are heightened even more.

For the soaps, bath gels and fragrances produced by the Norfolk-based company are made from flowers, fruits and essential oils designed to have a beneficial effect on your mood and induce a sense of wellbeing.

The award-winning Abahna bathing and home fragrance collection was founded by Claire and Ed Croft in 2005, inspired by the exotic bathing ceremonies and spas of India and the Far East.

KLmagazine November 2019

“I’ve always been totally obsessed with the bathing ritual and it’s where I usually get all my best ideas!” says Claire. “I’d started selling bath products in my own design shop in Ilkley, West Yorkshire and they were selling really well. They weren’t our products, but I realised that we could probably do better ourselves.”

It was an idea that Ed took to with equal enthusiasm.

“Claire had been playing around with some business ideas for a while,” he says, “and I’d decided the insurance industry wasn’t really for me, so we took the plunge and booked a stand at a trade show.”

It was at trade shows that Ed and Claire began selling their first bath

products, originally under the name Croft & Croft, and customers simply couldn’t get enough of them.

By using flowers and natural products and selling them in apothecary-style bottles, the products really started to take off. At the same time they were also designing ranges for companies such as Jigsaw, Oasis and Debenhams under their own labels, but finally decided to launch something slightly higher end for themselves.

“We had the experience and decided to build a brand for ourselves,” says Claire. “Until then, it was Croft & Croft, but we started to research the whole bathing ceremonies and rituals from around the world, particularly in Indonesia and the Far East, and came 97

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ABOVE: Abahna is currently looking at reducing its environmental impact, developing ceramic and glass containers and supplying hotels with refillable bottles

up with a lovely relaxing sounding word, Abahna which would reflect this.”

Abahna is derived from ‘nahana’ (Urdu for having a bath), the Russian ‘banya’ and the Portuguese ‘banho.’

By creating a name inspired and influenced by the world’s many and varied bathing rituals, their aim was to have their products welcomed and enjoyed from east to west, from Indonesia to the United States.

“Something we didn’t realise at first about the name Abahna is that we tend to be at the beginning of every brochure!” says Ed. “In a catalogue of 1,000 exhibitors, we’re at the front!”

Since its inception in 2005, the main focus of Abahna has been retail (Fortnum & Mason is currently their most well-known UK stockist), but it’s becoming more challenging, and although it’s still the basis of their business, Claire and Ed are now moving into hospitality and hotels. They were approached by the One&Only hotel group (which currently has eight luxury hotels worldwide) and they now design specific bespoke ranges for them.

“Their flagship hotel is Le Saint Geran in Mauritius,” says Claire, “so naturally we had to go and visit them!”

It is still just the two of them running the business, with fragrances blended 98

to their own design brief by UK and European perfumers, with the end product being manufactured in Yorkshire. The products are then packaged and delivered by their “wonderful” team of staff at a busy warehouse in Fakenham.

Claire and Ed moved with their family to their Norfolk home in 2014 and have never looked back. They can combine their personal lives with running their business from a studio in the garden, overlooking tranquil fields and woods, something they now wish they’d done years ago.

For the future, Claire and Ed plan to continue their retail business and supplying worldwide hotels and stockists, but they’re not resting on their laurels.

With the increasing demand to use less packaging and more sustainable materials, they’re now producing a range of ceramic and glass containers and supplying refillable bottles. For hotels, they’re working on producing attractive ceramic bottles which can be topped up from larger containers rather than the small plastic bottles that historically have always been provided in hotel rooms.

It’s been quite a journey for Claire and Ed, but they are still excited about the future for Abahna. They feel they’ve found the right balance of life and

business in Norfolk, and plan to continue producing their beautiful soaps, shower gels, lotions and home fragrances.

From Mandarin and Sicilian Bergamot to Frangipani and Orange Blossom, these sublimely-scented products can’t fail to lift the spirits and make the bather feel utterly special.

Exclusively for KL magazine readers, Claire and Ed are offering a 25% discount online at www.abahna.co.uk (sale items excluded) using the promotional code ABA25KL until December 31st 2019.

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Until 20th December

A new bathroom that comes without the worry

T

If you’re thinking of a new bathroom, then let bathco’s fully-fitted service take all the strain...

he biggest worries when installing a new bathroom are getting the design right, finding installers you can trust, and purchasing the right materials at the right price. You can eliminate all these concerns in one stroke by choosing to have your bathroom fully fitted by bathco.

“Bathco can project-manage your new bathroom from start to finish,” says Stuart Marsden, General Manager.

“From the design right to our outstanding aftercare, we’re on hand through the whole process to take care of everything.”

The journey starts in one of bathco’s three showrooms where you can be inspired by their vast range of real room displays. However you want your bathroom to look, bathco can offer high quality products to suit every taste.

Talk over your ideas with a member of bathco’s friendly and expert design and

sales team, and they’ll identify how they can be best achieved.

Next, the bathco team will visit you to make a free, no obligation, home survey to record accurately the dimensions of your bathroom.

“If you’d find it more convenient, we can even arrange your home visit for an evening,” explains Stuart.

Once all the measurements have been made, bathco’s unique design service can bring your ideas to life.

“We can produce a design within minutes once we have your bathroom’s dimensions: our software can display your ideas as a 3D plan and as a virtual reality design,” says Stuart. “You can really get a feel for how the final result will look by exploring our many different options for finishes and fixtures. We can also calculate the costs of your project, including all the labour, so you have total clarity straight away about what you’ll pay. No other firm

can offer you this.”

And when it comes to installation, the bathco standard of service continues.

The installation team will give you a completion time and date, and your project manager will be available to answer any questions you may have.

“We’ll take care of every detail, including disposal of your old bathroom suite,” says Stuart. “Right down to securing any permit needed for a skip – we do it all.”

Bathco are so confident in the quality of their installations that they offer a one-year guarantee on their workmanship.

So if you’d like a worry-free way to your new ideal bathroom, try bathco’s fully-fitted service for a high quality and worry-free solution from start to finish.

Tel: 0330 1239 334 | Web: www.bathcoeu.com | E-mail: enquiries@bathcoeu.com

KING'S LYNN: Hardwick Industrial Estate PE30 4HG | DEREHAM: 35 Yaxham Road NR19 1HD | THETFORD: Unit 1, Station Lane IP24 1ND

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Bespoke cur c tain ns and d blinds fo or all you ur soft fu ur nishing gn needs

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Lettingbetter

Our monthly round up of the latest news and legislation concerning landlords and tenants in the private rented sector with Edmonton Estates Director

Damien Simone

Quickfact Scotland abolished no fault evictions (Section 21) in January last year, creating “endless tenancies” unless a serious breach of the terms occurs.

A moving story

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t Edmonton Estates over the course of a year we help someone move house on average every 2 days. That soon adds up and we will be celebrating the signing of our two thousandth tenancy agreement in the not too distant future. I think that is quite respectable for a company that was founded from nothing less than 7 years ago, and I hope this shows that we are continually meeting our customers expectations.

With this wealth of knowledge and experience from close to two decades of organising other peoples home moves you would expect that when I came to do it for myself it would flow in an enviously smooth fashion. An unstrained concerto of effortless results born from prior planning and priority treatment from the company’s maintenance contractors. Returning to reality, I’ve been so busy arranging other peoples house moves that more

than a week after moving myself most of the rooms in my new house look like an Ikea warehouse. The old saying about the cobbler’s wife comes to mind as I clear a space to write this now overdue article and ponder how other people cope with moving as often as they do.

Despite a quiet period from mid-April to the end of August most local agents have been reporting an exceptionally high level of tenants moving this year.

This has been exactly the same at Edmonton Estates and whilst we have had no difficulties letting properties again as they have come vacant the number of tenants that have decided to move, particularly since the fee ban came into effect on 1st June, has been staggering.

For me it raises the question of whether there is a genuine need for longer more secure tenancies as has been frequently called for by protenant activist groups for several years

Edmonton Estates Ltd, Nelson House, Bergen Way, King's Lynn PE30 2DE 01553 660615 www.edmontonestates.co.uk info@edmontonestates.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2019

now. The UK has the shortest tenancy durations in the whole of Europe which organisations such as Shelter like to attribute to (blame) landlords. The reality of this, certainly locally at least, is that it’s tenants who are the protagonists for moving in the majority of cases.

I read an interesting article on Shelter’s website which suggested that residential tenancies should provide a minimum of 3 to 5 years security of tenure whilst still allowing the tenants a one-sided option to exit the contract following 2 months’ notice. A better example of being able to have your cake and eat it I have yet to see! I can’t really see the Buy-To-Let mortgage lenders being big fans of it either, but time will tell.

Independent Lettings & Property Management Specialists

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ABOVE: On December 12th, the Vancouver Quarter will be treating shoppers to a feast of festive music thanks to the King’s Lynn town band and a number of local choirs – helping the town centre get into the Christmas spirit

Festive cheer and charity at the Vancouver Quarter From late night shopping to a magical grotto for children, it’s set to be a fabulous and festive few weeks at the Vancouver Quarter, packed with excitement for all the family in the run-up to Christmas...

S

ince it first opened almost 15 years ago, the Vancouver Quarter has become an integral part of the beautiful market town of King's Lynn and has become one of the area's premier shopping destinations, with over 50 stores to choose from covering everything from jewellery and entertainment to food and home furnishings.

As if to underline that fact, the start of November will see the opening of a flagship H&M store, showcasing a fabulous choice of men's, ladies' and children's fashions across 1,500m2 spread over two floors - confirming the bright prospects for the town's retail offering.

But it's not all about shopping. For the

KLmagazine November 2019

last two years, the Vancouver Quarter has been supporting the amazing work of the East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH), helping raise money through a number of different fundraising events, most recently the successful ‘Bubble Rush’ held on The Walks back in June with hundreds of people determined to raise more than 2018's total of £30,000.

It's part of an ongoing campaign by EACH to complete the building of The Nook, a new local hospice for children in palliative care. The Nook will be set in a fantastic five-acre woodland setting, providing a peaceful and beautiful place for children in need of support to come and spend quality time with their families. To date EACH has raised an incredible £9,300,000, and with only £700,000 left to raise to reach the

target, the Vancouver Quarter has decided to give one final big push toward reaching it this Christmas.

The ever-popular Vancouver Quarter's Christmas Grotto returns to the centre on 30th November (opening at 10am), and all the proceeds from the £3 entry tickets will be going to EACH meaning that every child who visits Father Christmas will also be supporting a very worthy local cause.

This year, a professional photographer will be on hand in the Christmas Grotto to capture all those magical moments, and the free-of-charge pictures will be ready to collect as soon as your children had said their goodbyes to Santa – and picked up a special gift from the centre's friendly elves.

But that's not the only reason to visit

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“The Vancouver Quarter is the go-to destination for Christmas...� the Vancouver Quarter this Christmas, however. On Thursday 12th December, the centre will be full of festive cheer from 3pm thanks to the sounds of local choirs, the town band, and a delicious selection of sweet treats for the children - although adults will undoubtedly enjoy the freshly-roasted almonds as well!

It's set to be an enjoyable and traditional Christmas shopping experience for all the family, and one with plenty of excitement too, as the Vancouver Quarter will be presenting a number of golden envelopes containing shopping voucher prizes to 10 lucky customers. A week later, on Thursday 19th December, the Vancouver Quarter will be celebrating the last late-night shopping day of 2019 with an evening of entertainment and activities - in the company of some very special guests. The princesses Elsa and Anna (hopefully not frozen!) will be found on Broad Street, while Father Christmas will be touring the centre of town with Galaxy the Unicorn Queen.

The evening will also feature a series of Christmas-themed craft workshops and plenty of edible festive treats.

With over 50 stores to choose from and a packed calendar of events over the next few weeks, the Vancouver Quarter has everything you need for a fantastic Christmas - and you can support a vital local charity at the same time.

Happy Christmas from the Vancouver Quarter - the shopping centre that's always a happy experience!

For full details, opening times, and further information, please visit the website at www.vancouverquarter.com NOTE: Late night shopping at the Vancouver Quarter starts on Thursday November 28th, with many stores remaining open until 8pm on every Thursday until 19th December

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ABOVE: In the run-up to Christmas, the Vancouver Quarter will feature everything from late-night shopping to exciting entertainment and activities for both children and adults

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Behind every good carpet is a good underlay...

How Metric Carpets can help you choose the right underlay to prolong the life, looks and performance of your new carpets and flooring...

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hen it comes to buying a new carpet or flooring, many people see underlay as a largely unnecessary hidden extra, but there are several reasons why you should be paying it just as much attention – even though you'll never see it.

“The right choice of underlay can actually make an average carpet better,” says Alistair Allen of Metric Carpets in King’s Lynn, “and the opposite is true as well – you can spend as much time (and money) as you like choosing the very best carpet, but you can ruin it

with a poor choice of underlay.”

Alistair and his team of fullyemployed fitters have been fitting carpets for over 40 years now, and Metric Carpets offers a choice of underlays that have been specially developed for individual rooms and specific purposes – the award-winning Cloud 9 range by Ball & Young, for example, includes no less than 25 varieties of underlay, all of which have been developed for different uses.

Some offer increased sound absorption for areas of high foot traffic, while others have increased insulation properties and improved ‘bounce-back’ retention for more softness underfoot.

Some underlays have been designed to cope with constantly-moving heavy furniture (such as in a home office) while others have been specially designed to work with underfloor

heating. Some carpets have even been produced with a built-in underlay-type backing, making them ideal for rental or holiday properties.

“It may be out of your sight, but underlay should never be far from your mind,” says Alistair. “Choosing the correct underlay will prolong the good looks of your new carpet, improve its performance – and can even extend its life for up to 10 years!”

When you’re looking for a new carpet or flooring, Metric Carpets can assess the condition of your existing underlay (if any) and recommend the best solution to keep your floors looking their very best for years to come!

floors designed for life

36 Norfolk Street, King's Lynn PE30 1AH | TEL: 01553 775203 Email: info@metriccarpets.co.uk | Web: www.metriccarpets.co.uk KLmagazine November 2019

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KLmagazine November 2019

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Insuranceinsights

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

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Toptips

Add a parent with driving experience on the policy to further reduce the premium Take a limited mileage policy to make savings if you can commit to driving less than 5,000 miles a year Visit Adrian Flux’s Learner Driver Hub for more information about Black Box Insurance

Are you a young driver with nightmares over insurance?

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With Adrian Flux’s Black Box policies helping improve safety and reducing premiums, cover doesn’t have to be scary

he L plates have been ripped up and it’s time to take to the open road. As a recentlypassed new young driver it’s one of the most enthralling moments.

The sense of freedom it creates is that huge that it even overpowers the financial fear that looms around every corner. But insurance for young drivers is actually nothing to be scared about if you act as sensibly as you should behind the wheel.

We’ve all heard horror stories about eye-watering premiums for people aged 17 to 19. Yet companies like Adrian Flux have created policies, with the benefit of technological support, which mean drivers do not need to pay the penalty for their age.

For starters, purchasing a first car that wouldn’t compete against Lewis Hamilton in a race is a sensible start.

Vehicles like the Vauxhall Corsa Design CDTI (90) with a 1.2-litre engine are among the top 10 best cars for new

drivers and teens - flagged up in Flux’s extremely helpful series of blog posts.

Yet it’s the introduction of a Black Box (also known as telematics) which can save up to 65% off a young driver’s next renewal and offer immediate protection in terms of safety.

They also may come in handy in the unfortunate case of needing to make a claim. Data recorded can be used to back up an account of what happened in cases of dispute, saving a costly atfault claim.

Flux’s app that is connected to the Black Box, Flux Score, also removes the concerns about a new driver getting behind the wheel. It allows parents to access the app and view past journeys in more detail so they can be absolutely certain of safe driving.

The latest industry figures, presented in 2017, show that while there are three million more vehicles on the road than in 2011, there are 16% less casualties.

When analysed even further, there have

been more than a third less accidents involving 17-19 year-olds - the most significant age-range user of Black Box type schemes. Put simply, while telematics enabled policies are on the rise, the number of casualties are on the decrease - and that’s a trend worth getting on board with.

Adrian Flux Insurance Services, which has more than 40 years’ experience, is based in King’s Lynn. Their best deals are available over the telephone. Call them now for a free, no-obligation quote.

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

KLmagazine November 2019

EDQ

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An artistic view of the rivers of Norfolk When local artist Tor Falcon recorded her walk along Peddar’s Way, she had little idea it would lead to a fascinating project focusing on some of Norfolk’s best-loved rivers – and a major exhibition of her work

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Nar in West Acre Woods May 2016

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PICTURES: A small selection of local artist Tor Falcon’s remarkable project documenting the rivers of Norfolk – which involved four years and over 200 atmospheric works of art

t’s summer, and as I walk down by my local river I’ll frequently see families with children playing happily in the ford. The ford is wide and not too deep; the water is cool and crystal clear. It’s a perfect environment for play as the sun fractures on the disturbance of water.

In parts, the river hurries through, and in others its stillness belies its progress.

Fished by otter and passing osprey, this is the River Nar. The Norfolk artist Tor Falcon made a drawing of this river as part of a project in 2015 to record her walk along the Peddars Way. The resulting drawings and collection of writings were self-

KLmagazine November 2019

published as Peddars Way: A Walk with Chalk and Tor returned to the Nar at West Acre in May 2016 on a new and bigger mission to record the rivers of Norfolk.

The inspiration for the project arose from a commission to draw the rivers Nar and Stiffkey, which led to a dawning awareness of the many magical and unique river treasures of Norfolk.

“Having spent a few days in the company of the Nar, drawing its pristine, meandering middle reaches, I had an overwhelming urge to follow it downstream, to see how it and the landscape changed as it flowed towards the Great Ouse,” says Tor. “Curiosity got the better of me and I had to draw every other river.”

And that meant all 38 of them.

Over a period of almost four years she produced over 200 drawings, and 110 of these have been selected for an exhibition which is currently showing in the Colman Project Space at the

Chet at Sisland, January 2018

Scarrow Beck at Felbrigg Hall September 2018

Yare under Trowse flyover January 2017 109

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Thurne at Martham Ferry October 2016

Breydon Water from Runham December 2017

Gaywood at Derby Fen, Gorse April 2018

Mun at Gimingham, September 2018

Hun at Hunstanton Park May 2018 110

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery. Here, Tor’s work can be seen alongside those of the Norwich School of painters.

Having studied Fine Art at Norwich School of Art, tor is conscious of the legacy of these and other major figures who sought inspiration from the local landscape and the life of the Norfolk Broads and rivers, and of her place in continuing this tradition. The large number of works has been split into two exhibitions – and the second part closes on January 12th 2020.

All the drawings are uniform in size, and in Tor’s favoured medium, pastels.

Tor’s style is realist in observation, but economical in detail and confident in execution. The chalky pastels lend themselves to subtle colour combinations which can be achieved whilst working en plein air. Complex relationships are transformed into bold shapes; graphic marks suggest detail and pattern.

The whole becomes seductive, yet for all the strength in Tor’s approach to recording her observations, there’s a delicacy in her compositions, an underlying sensitivity to the delicate relationship between her subject matter, the river, and the pressures of our relationships with them.

In the splendid book Rivers of Norfolk (below) which accompanies the exhibition, Tor writes of the many ways we mistreat these precious resources, and how nature responds and reacts.

“I have been to quiet, out-of-the-way places and I have fallen in love with stretches of rivers many times,” she says. “It has shown me the best of Norfolk and it has also, repetitively, shown me our failure to cherish the natural world.”

Writing is an important part of the process for Tor. While the drawing is an immediate response and usually not subject to change, the written response to the same location is a mixture of the immediate and later reflection.

She started writing a blog at a time

when her husband was ill, and this developed into a regular drawing and writing combination. Her prose is, like the drawings themselves, wonderfully descriptive. But it’s also informative.

Take this piece about the river Stiffkey, for example.

“The chalky camp was looking its summery best, cloaked in wildflowers,” she writes. “Once common plants are now confined to the old earthworks in a double-ditched distillation of floral chalkland bliss. A section of the east side of the inner bank was bristling with magenta dwarf thistles, while the west side was a carpet of pyramidal orchids...

The waters of the Stiffkey help create one of the great salt marshes of north Norfolk. Important for breeding colonies of terns and gulls in the summer, its sheltered, nutrient-rich waters are nurseries for young fish. In the winter it provides food and refuge for waders and geese. Rivers don’t just end at the seawall; they ease into salt by degrees, bringing into existence a whole new world.”

So what’s next for Tor? Well, first there’ll be a holiday in Cumbria before a commission to do a painting in north Yorkshire.

“Rivers are all well and good, but I want some hills!” she says in conclusion.

You can see more examples of Tor’s work and information on her current projects on her website at www.torfalcon.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2019

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Readers’Letters

Readers’ feedback and thoughts on recent issues of KL magazine...

lthough your feature on Snettisham pier in October's magazine was fascinating, it may interest your readers to learn that is should really be referred to as Dersingham pier.

My husband was born in Dersingham, and from 1948-52 many courting hours were spent on the beach there, swimming in the pools left by the dredging of the shingle.

At that time the pier was right down to the beach, and some of the central walkway was still intact. The beach was reached via a walking area through two pools of sea water – where lots of youngsters gathered in good weather.

There was a concrete road going the whole length from the railway station to the the beach, and there were strawberry fields partway there.

During the Second World War, my husband (who was then around 13 years old) was playing on the beach with a few of his schoolfriends when an

American airplane crashed on the beach. The pilot survived and ran over to the boys, pulling them down to the ground and saying "Keep down - she's going to blow!" Sure enough, the plane blew up and probably destroyed part of the pier in the process. The boys walked back to the police station in

Dersingham to report the event.

The pier should definitely be referred to as 'Dersingham' pier – just as part of the 'Snettisham' bird reserve actually lies within the Dersingham area.

n the October issue of KL magazine, you printed a feature on Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, which was of great interest to me as my late father was an architect in the 1960s and visited Norfolk on many occasions.

I can remember visiting Hunstanton with my parents as a child, and I do recall my father making a special trip to take some photographs of the school – although none of those seem to have

survived. I do, however, still have a number of my father’s books and journals – one of which is a copy of The Architectural Review dated 19th August 1954, and which contains a 16page article on Smithdon High School by an American architect called Philip Johnson. I am sending a scan of part of the feature [see picture left] which goes into painstaking detail of the building’s construction – much of which is above my head! I must admit that I was somewhat sceptical about your grand claims for the school at first, but on reading this review from the 1950s I have to accept the views of the experts. Philip Johnson opens his review with the following: “This is an extraordinary group

of buildings. To an American architect like myself, and especially to a Mies van der Rohe follower such as I have been, it seems probably more extraordinary than to an Englishman or a Frank Lloyd Wright boy. And for many reasons.”

And after all his talk of steel fabrication, angles and measurements, he concludes in this way: “It should be clear that this is not merely a surface aesthetic of untrimmed edges and exposed services, but a radical philosophy reaching back to the first conception of the building. In this sense this is probably the most truly modern building in England, fully accepting the moral load which the Modern Movement lays upon the architect's shoulders.”

I hope your readers find this information as interesting as your original feature!

I

DOREEN DAVISON Snettisham

MARTIN ROCKLEY Leicester

We’re always interested in hearing from readers, so please send your letters and any photographs to Bishop’s Lynn House, 18 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn PE30 1JW KLmagazine November 2019

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Michael Middleton’s

WildWestNorfolk

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lthough few of us can honestly claim to have read John Milton's epic 12-book Paradise Lost (which was written when Milton was totally blind and in his late 50s by the way) we'll be more than familiar with the first line of his much earlier poem In Quintum Novembris, composed when Milton was a student at Cambridge.

Remember, remember the 5th November...

A few days ago I recited that to one of my young nephews (we'd been having a family reunion on a scale that would have put the Waltons to shame) and they asked what on earth I was talking about. Remember 5th November? Why? Was it someone's birthday? Were they being taken to McDonalds?

When I was growing up, Guy Fawkes Night (which is what November 5th used to be called in those days) was THE big event of the autumn. My brothers and sister and a group of neighbourhood children would spend weeks trawling our estate gathering bits of wood (of which there seemed to be an inexhaustable supply) and start building a bonfire - which would never increase in size thanks to it being used as a convenient source of wood for rival bonfires.

Our mothers would help us make a 'guy' out of some old clothes and newspapers and a few bits of string, and we'd carry the vaguely sinister figure around the streets asking any passerby for a 'penny for the guy' - a largely successful endeavour, although

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whatever happened to all the donations is anyone's guess.

On the night of November 5th itself, the men of the neighbourhood would come home from work armed with enough fireworks to start a third Gulf War - and while they got together to discuss the best way of lighting the bonfire, we'd start putting on about four jumpers and the thickest gloves we could find. November was actually cold back then.

Then we'd watch in amazement as the bonfire took hold, cheer as the unfortunate 'guy' went up in flames, and feast ourselves senseless on baked potatoes and toffee apples.

What's more, we knew why we were doing it - because a ruffian called Guy Fawkes had tried to burn down the Houses of Parliament in something called the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.

He'd been caught in the act, however, and we could all sleep safely in our beds - which was more than enough cause for celebration. Happy days!

My young nephews know none of this. I don't expect them to have an understanding of the complex relations between British Protestants and Catholics in the 17th century, and I do respect their aversion to perfectly good fruit being coated in two inches of molten sugar hardened to a toothcracking degree - but I can't help feeling that this very British tradition is now entering its final days.

I had to take four of my nephews into King's Lynn a couple of weeks ago, not to scavenge odd bits of wood or pack threadbare jumpers with newspapers,

but to buy outfits for them to dress up as vampires, zombies, werewolves and someone/something called Eleven.

They'd never heard of Guy Fawkes or Bonfire Night, and although the idea of 'Fireworks Night' seemed somewhat familiar to them, it didn't have any relevance. All they were excited about was the imminent approach of Halloween.

It was relentless, and not just for them. Under the dictates of Mrs Middleton (revelling in her role as Wicked Witch of the West, into which she jumped with alarming enthusiasm) I had to set up tables, lend a hand in the creation of spooky cupcakes, and carve a veritable mountain of pumpkins for the children's Halloween party. And the logistics involved in the village Trick-orTreat outing (better known as the Neighbourhood Pestering tour) probably rivalled the planning for the Normandy Landings.

In addition to the indignities Guy Fawkes suffered in his final days, his legacy seems to have disappeared under the juggernaut that is Halloween, which now represents the fourth biggest consumer binge after Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day. As far as retailers are concerned it’s the fastest-growing event in Britain. And until the inlfux of American film and TV in the 1970/80s (especially Steven Spielberg's ET) most of us had never hear of trick or treating.

Guy Fawkes Night is (or at least was) a uniquely British tradition, and it’s a shame to see it going out with a whimper rather than a bang.

KLmagazine November 2019

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