KL Magazine November 2020

ISSN 2044–7965

ISSUE 119 NOVEMBER 2020 PRICELESS

magazine

WEST NORFOLK | NORTH NORFOLK | COASTAL

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welcome

M

oving towards the end of the year is the time when we start reflecting on the last 12 months, and to say 2020 has been rather unusual is something of an understatement. Back in December, James Wild was elected as the MP for North West Norfolk and his debut year in the House of Commons took an entirely unexpected direction within a few weeks.

In an exclusive interview in this month’s magazine, James talks about first year in Parliament and his passion for the local area. He’s also refreshingly optimistic about the coming year and believes west Norfolk has a great future ahead of it. You can read the whole interview on page 28.

That’s clear from all the people and

COVER IMAGE

places featured in the following pages.

Just opened on the outskirts of Watlington you’ll find Watatunga (see page 42), an astonishing 170-acre wildlife park that’s home to over 20 rare and endangered species - in addition to birds that went extinct in the UK almost 200 years ago. At the Alive Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn, the town is enjoying a brand new state-of-the-art cinema (page 18), and the Thornham Oyster Company is full of innovative ideas and ways to enjoy some of our most luxurious local delicacies. You can enjoy a taste of the north Norfolk coast on page 78. It’s even been a good year for West Norfolk Rugby Club (page 126), who’ve just enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in their 95-year history.

There’s so much to look forward to, but there’s also plenty worth looking

back at in terms of local history. In this month’s magazine you’ll find Norfolk’s airbase heritage, ancient Egyptian pharaohs, unique monuments in a beautiful local church - and even history that’s been hidden for hundreds of years.

Over at Oxburgh Hall, restoration work has uncovered a treasure trove of rare and valuable artefacts from WWII - from boxes of chocolates to 15thcentury illuminated manuscripts and the remains of high quality Elizabethan textiles. It’s an extraordinary discovery, and you can read more about it on page 6. Enjoy the magazine - and we hope this finds you and your family well.

Eric Secker EDITOR KL magazine

Great Massingham by Ian Ward

4

KLmagazine November 2020

contents

6 10 12 26

KLmagazine November 2020

A TRULY TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT The story of Appleton Water Tower THE PERFECT GIFT IDEAS Treat someone special to a KL Christmas UNCOVERING BURIED TREASURE...

An incredible discovery at Oxburgh Hall THE KL MAGAZINE QUIZ Famous people and fascinating facts

28 42 48

MEET YOUR LOCAL MP James Wild on his first year in office

51 54 58

YOU AND YOUR PETS With London Road Veterinary Centre

A LONG WALK ON THE WILD SIDE We visit a unique local nature reserve OUR HEDGEHOGS NEED YOUR HELP How you can protect the little animals

NOVEMBER IN THE GARDEN Expert advice with Wendy Warner FASHION Wrapping up warm in style

NOVEMBER 2020

70 78 90 100 106 112 118 122 126 130

FOOD & DRINK Our amazing local food offering FRESH FROM THE SEA The Thornham Oyster Company THE STORY OF WELLS HARBOUR How the port developed over time A LITTLE CHURCH OF WONDER Inside St. George at South Acre CARTER’S GREAT DISCOVERY But when did he find Tutankhamen?

NORFOLK’S AIRBASE HERITAGE A look at our historic RAF bases LOUISE STEBBING A profile of the local printmaker BOOK REVIEWS Great reads for the festive season A SEASON OF SUCCESS West Norfolk Rugby Club celebrates MICHAEL MIDDLETON With the world’s most famous pen

5

An iconic landmark and a towering achievement Today it’s a rather luxurious holiday let, but the water tower at Appleton was originally built for the health of the royal family...

I

n 1871 the Prince of Wales (the future king Edward VII) caught typhoid while staying on the Sandringham estate - a fate that also befell his eldest son three years later. Happily they both survived, but it was a stark reminder of the death of Prince Albert - who’d died of exactly the same disease ten years earlier while staying at Windsor Castle.

An investigation led by engineer Robert Rawlinson found the castle was supplied by several contaminated cesspools, which were almost certainly

the cause of the Prince Consort’s infection - and attention was then drawn to Sandringham. Tests on the area’s water showed it to be “unsatisfactory” and highlighted the need for a clean, reliable and healthy water supply for the whole estate.

The English civil engineer James Mansergh was appointed to oversee the project, and he decided to use a nearby chalk spring. Despite the fact the spring was about a mile from Sandringham and

royal family and their guests. Accessed by a separate staircase, it ensured they didn’t bump into the engineers and caretakers in charge of the pumping station.

As contemporary reports say, the Prince of Wales had provided the estate with “a pure and wholesome water supply in a condition of security possessed by few of the great country house of England.”

It served the estate well, and only became surplus to requirements a century later.

In 1976 (and having stood empty for three years) the building was leased to the Landmark Trust, a charity which specialises in rescuing buildings of historic and architectural importance.

They enlisted the help of Norwichbased architects Michael and Sheila Gooch and the building company Fisher & Sons at Fakenham - and the water tower at Appleton entered a new phase of life.

The outbuildings were demolished, leaving the tower freestanding in its clearing in the woods. The roof of the decayed water tank was replaced, the intricate details of the brickwork was repaired and repointed, new windows and doors were fitted, and thanks to an internal staircase the Appleton water tower became a fully-integrated dwelling for the first time in its history.

As a much-loved and rather eccentric holiday let, it received its very first guests exactly a century after the Princess of Wales laid the first foundation stone.

PICTURES: Designed by civil engineer James Mansergh (opposite), the Appleton Water Tower is now a luxurious holiday let - but it was originally built for a very practical purpose

over 20ft lower than the house itself (which necessitated the creation of a pumping station) Mansergh created a wonder of civil engineering.

The work started in the summer of 1877 with the Princess of Wales, her brother and two of the young princes all laying foundation stones - and the

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Appleton water tower was complete within 12 months.

It was an extraordinary project the fresh water ran through some 750 yards of stoneware pipes to the pumping station, which softened it and sent it a further 400 yards into the vast 32,000-gallon tank which topped the tower. A cleverly designed pipe system then sent the water to Sandringham House and the surrounding cottages on the estate.

Mansergh was more than aware of who he was working for. Realising the upper levels of the tower provided spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, he incorporated a ‘viewing room’ on the second floor for the

If you’d like to stay at the Appleton water tower or learn more about its history and restoration, please visit www.landmarktrust.org.uk for the latest prices and current availability.

The fabulous image on the previous pages can be purchased as a readyto-frame print (along with 49 other incredible local images) in a range of sizes from our online gallery at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2020

with gifts from...

125 norfolk street, king's lynn PE30 1AP 01553 770536 www.davidaukerjewellery.co.uk

The perfect gift ideas for Christmas T

reat your friends, family and loved ones to a KL Christmas with an exclusive range of ways to celebrate the very best that Norfolk has to offer. Every item has been produced to be easily and conveniently posted, so in addition to being delivered direct to your door they can also be sent to your loved ones still shielding, those living outside the area, or to those you’re unable to visit this year. There’s no better way to treat someone to a very local and very happy Christmas.

2021 CALENDAR £11.99 including P&P Enjoy the beauty of Norfolk for an entire year with stunning photographs of your local area from our acclaimed photographer Ian Ward. From coast to countryside and from famous buildings to notable landmarks it’s the perfect gift that changes every month and it’s the ideal way of celebrating your beautiful county throughout the seasons. The spiral-bound calendars are A4 in size (A3 when displayed) and come complete with a sturdy hard-backed envelope to keep them safe in the post. ine.co.uk

www.klmagaz

by KL magazine’s

er Ian Ward

Head Photograph

’s Lynn

Town Hall, King

HAPPY

KL CHRISTMAS CARDS £8.99 including P&P

HAPPY KL CHRISTMAS

www.klmagazine.

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by KL magazine’s

Head Photographer

s Lynn Custom House, King’ Ian Ward

ay, King’s

South Qu

Lynn

Send a local seasonal greeting with this unique set of 12 Christmas cards (with envelopes) featuring suitably festive photographs of four iconic buildings in King’s Lynn. This pack includes striking images of the Custom House, St Nicholas’ Chapel, the town hall and the popular south quay, and the message inside reads ‘Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New year’. The cards are A5 in size (148mm x 210mm) and are printed on high quality card stock. With their local flavour and breathtaking photographs, yours is certain to be the standout card on your loved one’s festive mantelpiece. apher Ian

d Photogr

azine’s Hea

by KL mag

Ward

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HAPP CHR Y KL ISTM AS HAPPY KL CHRISTMAS St Nic

by KL

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KLmagazine November 2020

DINING OUT IN NORFOLK £6.95 including P&P The comprehensive guide to your county’s incredible food offering.

The new edition of Dining Out in Norfolk includes 48 recipes from your county’s most talented and acclaimed chefs along with a full review of each of their respective restaurants. Packed with stunning and mouth-watering photography, exclusive recipes with top tips, and features on dedicated local producers and growers, it’s a must-read publication for everyone who enjoys a good meal. As a gift it’s perfect – it will be used time and time again as a Norfolk food bible, and you’ll be thought of every time the recipient of your gift enjoys a memorable meal.

LIMITED EDITION PRINTS Here’s your chance to display the wonder of west and north Norfolk in your own home with these limited edition prints of breathtaking images from our Head Photographer Ian Ward - one of the most acclaimed photographers in the county. Only 25 copies of each photograph are available, but there are 50 incredible pictures to choose from - available in a range of sizes from A5 to A0, printed on premium paper and ready to frame, they’re also carefully packaged and delivered in a rigid cardboard tube.

Prices vary depending on size, so please see www.klmagazine.co.uk for the full gallery and prices.

SUBSCRIPTIONS £26 for 6 editions and £49 for 12 editions Every edition of KL magazine is packed with fascinating features on every aspect of life in your area accompanied by superb photography.

From history and culture to innovative businesses and inspirational local people, a gift subscription to the complete guide to west and north Norfolk is perfect - especially for people who live outside the county and would like to stay connected to your local community. You can subscribe to 6 or 12 editions, and the magazines are delivered direct to the door.

To order your items online, please visit www.klmagazine.co.uk for more information, prices and postage details. If you don’t have access to the internet, please call our offices in the centre of King’s Lynn on 01553 601201. And have a very happy Christmas.

KLmagazine November 2020

11

The hidden secrets of Oxburgh Hall One of the National Trust’s most picturesque properties is giving up its secrets, as a major restoration project uncovers a wealth of surprises

O

xburgh Hall is one of the most beautiful properties under the care of the National Trust, and also one of the most interesting, with a fascinating history and some unique claims to fame. Currently undergoing a major £6million restoration project, the hall made international headlines in August when an archaeologist working in the hall’s attic rooms uncovered a genuine and unprecedented treasure trove.

Repair to the hall’s floor joists saw archaeologist Matt Champion lifting up floorboards and carrying out a fingertip search of what was under them, and what he found was quite extraordinary.

The old cigarette packets and (sadly empty) box of Terry’s chocolates from

the 1940s were rather mundane, but Matt also found a page from a rare 15th-century illuminated manuscript, fragments of late 16th century books, and the remains of high quality Elizabethan textiles.

It was a quite remarkable discovery, and one that may well shed a new light on Oxburgh Hall’s already vivid story, which started when the house was built

by Sir Edmund Bedingfeld in 1476.

“When the floorboards came up we could see a wave pattern in the debris which showed it had been undisturbed for centuries,” says National Trust curator Anna Forest, who’s overseeing the work. “The lime plaster had helped preserve the debris, so the value of this underfloor archaeology to our understanding of Oxburgh’s social

history is enormous.”

Without a doubt the star find was a 15th-century illuminated manuscript fragment on parchment, which spotted in the rubble by one of the on-site builders. Despite the passing of hundreds of years, the glimmer of gold leaf and bright blue of the illuminated initials was still vibrant.

“The text is distinct enough for us to identify it as part of the Latin Vulgate Psalm 39, and it probably came from a portable prayer book,” says Anna.

“The use of blue and gold tells us this would have been quite an expensive book to produce, and it’s tempting to think it belonged to Edmund Bedingfeld himself.”

The Bedingfeld family at Oxburgh Hall were rising stars of the royal court

14

of a devout Catholic family who retained their faith across the centuries This is obviously a building which only gives up its secrets slowly. We don’t know what else we might come across – or what might remain hidden for future generations to reveal.”

The current restoration project at Oxburgh Hall is supported by funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Wolfson Foundation, as well as the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the LEADER programme, the Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK, and The Constance Travis Charitable Trust, as well as ongoing support from National Trust members and donors.

More information is available on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/Oxburghhall The fabulous image on the previous pages can be purchased as a readyto-frame print (along with 49 other incredible local images) in a range of sizes from our online gallery at www.klmagazine.co.uk ©National Trust Images_Matt Champion

©National Trust Images_Mike Hodgson (right and below)

in Tudor times, but when Sir Henry Bedingfeld refused to sign the Act of Uniformity in 1559 it meant the devout Catholic family were ostracised and persecuted - leading to the famous secret priest hole at Oxburgh Hall, which was constructed to help shelter Catholic clergy.

The manuscript parchment and the other objects discovered may well have been used in illegal masses and hidden deliberately by the family.

Meanwhile, two ancient rats’ nests were found to contain over 200 individual fragments of high quality textiles including silk, velvet, satin, leather, wool and embroidered fabric, which have been dated to between the second half of the 16th century and the 18th century.

Highlights include a large piece of slashed brown silk shot through with gold (possibly from a sleeve), a woven

fabric embellished with delicate wool ‘blackwork’ embroidery, a two-tone basket-weave clothing fabric with metallic thread, and pieces of a felted woollen textile similar to known examples from Tudor caps and stockings.

The nests also contained scraps of handwritten music from the 16th century large enough to be identifiable as coming from a cantus or soprano part. An active musical life at Oxburgh is already known from a 1585 inventory of the house in which several musical instruments are listed.

Music is likely to have been part of the secret masses held at the house - and it’s long been suggested that the hall had a secret chapel during this period.

As work continues to protect and preserve Oxburgh Hall for future generations, so do the discoveries. The most recent (which was spotted in an attic void by a builder) is a complete book called the King’s Psalms and is dated to 1568. Complete with its gilded leather binding, it’s virtually intact – and research on it is now underway.

“During the work we’d originally hoped to do some paint analysis, wallpaper research and record some historic graffiti,” says Russell Clement, General Manager at Oxburgh Hall.

“But these discoveries are far beyond anything we expected to see - they contain so many clues which confirm the history of the house as the retreat

KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

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Always in your thoughts and Forever into Glass Keep your loved ones with you in a beautiful range of jewellery and memorials from the Forever in Glass collection by Langham Glass

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and pendant necklaces, cufflinks, f you’ve recently lost someone earrings, rings and charm bracelet special or a much-loved family beads. It also includes beautiful glass pet, it can be difficult coming to items such as the Eternal Flame bowl terms with your loss – and what (which houses candles and tealights), to do with their ashes might be paperweights and glass pebbles. something you’ll consider for months All are available in a range of colours or even years. But for those who feel including amethyst, emerald, gold, ready, memorial jewellery can be a ruby, sapphire and turquoise - and wonderful way to keep your loved ones personal engraving can also be close to heart. arranged on request.

It’s something that Langham Glass “One of the most has been doing since important things the company was Bracelet we did in putting founded by Master the Forever into Glassmaker Paul Glass collection Miller over 40 together was to make years ago, but an the individual pieces increase in demand as discreet as possible,” says and a growing reputation Langham Glass Managing Director for beautiful and sympathetic design Jonathan Miller. “They’re lovely works has led to the creation of Forever into of art in their own right, but only the Glass. people who order them will know what The collection requires a tiny amount they truly signify.” of the cremated remains, and includes Every piece is privately handmade sterling silver bracelets, cross, locket

by a team of expert glassmakers just outside Fakenham and is treated with a totally professional level of care and respect from start to finish - with the glass memorials being signed by the designer and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity.

“Many people find it comforting to watch their jewellery or memorial being made,” says Jonathan, “and we can arrange private viewings for them where one of our craftsmen will talk them through the whole process.”

Examples of the Forever into Glass range are available to view and touch at the Fakenham showroom, but you can also browse the complete collection online - and place your order via the website or over the telephone.

It’s the perfect way to remember your loved ones and to keep them close to you at all times. Always in your thoughts and Forever into Glass.

Langham Glass, Greenway Lane, Fakenham NR21 8ET | T: 01328 863500 W: www.foreverintoglass.co.uk | E: enquiries@langhamglass.co.uk KLmagazine November 2020

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“

“

This is a really exciting addition to the town’s cultural offering, and makes much greater use of this fantastic listed building...

- Philip Bayfield, Manager, Alive Corn Exchange

ABOVE: The revitalised ground floor of the Alive Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn - with a new kiosk, a refreshing new look for the bar area, and a newly-installed lift to the cinema itself

A new chapter for cinema in King’s Lynn After a major renovation and refurbishment project, the Alive Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn unveils an exciting new look - together with a fantastic new two-screen cinema

T

he history of cinema in King’s Lynn stretches back over 120 years, but the next chapter in the story is now being written with the recent opening of a new state-of-the-art 2-screen cinema at the iconic Alive Corn Exchange on the town’s Tuesday Market Place.

Its debut screenings on September 25th were the highly-acclaimed and sadly-overlooked British comedy The Man in the Hat and Armando Iannucci’s 2019 version of David Copperfield sections of which were filmed just a few hundred yards away. It may be a rather unusual choice of films, but it’s one that’s central to the new cinema’s ethos.

KLmagazine November 2020

“We’re working closely in conjunction with The Majestic to ensure we don’t clash on our screenings and complement each other’s programming,” says Alive Corn Exchange’s manager Philip Bayfield. “We’ll be showing less mainstream, more independent and a selection of classic and arthouse films. It’s a really exciting addition to the town’s cultural offering, and makes much greater use of this fantastic listed building.”

The project started back in 2019 as part of the government’s Future High Streets initiative, designed to renew and reshape

town centres in a way that drives growth, improves experience and ensures future sustainability.

Working with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk (who

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ABOVE: General Manager of the Alive Corn Exchange Philip Bayfield is really excited about the opening of the new two-screen cinema - and feedback from audiences has been totally positive

own the building), Alive West Norfolk planned the new cinema as part of a major renovation and refurbishment programme to revitalise the unused balcony/bar area, re-roofing the entire front of the building (which had suffered from leaks for the best part of two decades), replacing leadwork, guttering and exterior lighting, and

20

refreshing the famous facade.

“Given that the town already has one of the country’s most historic and architecturally-important cinemas, it was important that we worked closely with The Majestic to ensure we didn’t step on each other’s toes,” says Philip.

“Catering for all tastes and all audiences will mean we can negate the need for an out-of-town multiplex - which would only draw people away from the town centre.”

Following a comprehensive feasibility study, London-based McFarlane Latter were appointed as architects, interior designers and project managers based on the company’s 30+ years’ experience in cinema and theatre design.

“This was an extensive project involving a number of different disciplines and it was quite a challenge because of the building’s listed status,” says director and architect Ken McFarlane. “But even though work was seriously disrupted by coronavirus, we’re all delighted with the outcome - it’s exactly what we were all looking for.”

The two screens seat 58 and 52 people respectively, and feature industry-leading cinema projectors for astounding picture clarity, 7.1 Dolby surround sound (the most advanced system currently available), and luxurious faux leather seating by the French-based specialists Quinette Gallay.

“To be honest, we initially chose the seats based on the fact that they’re supercomfortable,” says Philip.

“Happily they’re also very easy to clean safely - which has now become and even more important criteria!”

Together with a revitalised foyer and box office, a new kiosk, refreshed bar area and specially-designed lift for disabled access, the new cinema benefits from a colour palette and design scheme inspired by the area’s location - with natural colours and coastal touches.

It’s also taking a 21st century approach to going to the cinema, with screenings beginning at 11am seven days a week. It includes Kids’ Club movies at the weekends (including screenings for autistic viewers), babyfriendly shows during the week for parents with young children, and Silver Screening matinees for the over 60s.

“We’re also screening special stage productions of classic musicals such as 42nd Street and The King and I on Thursdays,” says Philip. “In fact, The King and I was so popular we actually had to screen it twice.”

Things have changed a lot since an 18-year-old Philip worked in the projection room at the Princess Theatre, hand-splicing 35mm film - but the appeal of big screen entertainment remains the same.

“One of the main drivers behind this project was to make greater use of this wonderful building and the spaces that were generally redundant during the day,” says Philip. “The fact that we’ve been able to do that in such a stylish and exciting way is incredible. We’ve got some great ideas for the future, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming audiences to this fantastic new venue.”

For current (and forthcoming) film listings, screenings, more information and a 360° tour of the new cinema, please visit the website at www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2020

Core Technology Projects’ demonstration cinema room in their expanding showroom

Can’t go to the cinema?

Bring it to your home There’s no better time to discover how Core Technology Projects can bring the movies to your home with your very own bespoke cinema

F

or many people it’s been a long time since we enjoyed the best the silver screen has to offer. Cinemas closed almost six months ago and are only now starting to reopen - with social distancing, full PPE for staff, staggered film times and compulsory face masks for the audience.

It’s a very different story for people who’ve already discovered Core Technology Projects and brought the magic of the movies into their own homes - with full 4K UHD resolution, crystal-clear screens up to 13ft wide, full Dolby ATMOS surround sound, completely automated and

easy-to-use controls, and luxurious bespoke seating.

“For obvious reasons people have spent more time at home than usual this year, and that’s really brought the importance of tehcnology home to them,” says managing director Jim Garrett. “That’s probably why we’ve just enjoyed our best ever month - because people have started working in virtual offices, staff have been training remotely, students have been learning online, and people have been bringing the total cinema experience into their own homes.”

In fact, Core Technology Projects are currently quadrupling the size of their King’s Lynn showroom, creating what will soon be the best home automation experience in the area.

“This has always been an impressive showroom but it’s soon going to be a lot more than that,” says Jim. “It will offer people the opportunity to get hands-on with the very latest technology - from security and CCTV to gaming and entertainment. The products we now have available are truly incredible - and people are always amazed when they see just what’s possible today.”

If you want to take your viewing pleasure to the next level or discover how the latest technology can benefit your home, visit the Core Technology Projects showroom in King’s Lynn today or contact Jim and his team using the details below and discover how easy it is to enjoy all the thrills of the cinema in the comfort of your own home.

1 APS House, Oldmedow Road, Hardwick Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn PE30 4JJ Tel: 01553 776413 Web: www.coretechnologyprojects.co.uk E-mail: enquiries@coretechnologyprojects.co.uk KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

Totally distinctive and perfectly safe...

As we’re spending more time at home and thinking about a new look for our floors, Metric Carpets has all the help and advice you need...

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rom the luxury of wool, the practicality of man-made fabrics or the elegance and durability of a hard floor, Metric Carpets have been (literally) covering the area for over 40 years, but it’s fair to say that Alistair Allen has never known a year quite like 2020.

“Everyone’s lives have been affected in some form or another and every business has felt an impact from the events of this year,” he says. “For us, we’ve seen the result of people spending a lot more time in their homes than usual. They’ve never paid so much attention to their carpets and they’ve never been so keen to change them.”

Alistair and his team of expert fitters have obviously had to change their working practices, but their outstanding levels of customer service remain the

same as they did back in the 1980s - always willing to go the extra mile, always willing to help, and always willing to care for you and your home.

With that in mind, Metric Carpets have produced a complete 10-point guide for customers to keep everyone as safe as possible in these unprecedented times.

From checking all members of staff on a daily basis for symptoms of COVID-19 to minimising the contact with your door handles, Metric Carpets ensures your new floor is fitted professionally, quickly and safely.

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36 Norfolk Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1AH | Tel: 01553 775203 Email: info@metriccarpets.co.uk | Web: www.metriccarpets.co.uk KLmagazine November 2020

looking for, the quality you want, and the service you expect.

“We even offer a complete 12-month guarantee on our fitting,” says Alistair, “and we’re always happy to help with any advice on carpet or flooring-related issues. That’s always been the case - and it always will be.”

If you’d like to discover how easy it is to enjoy the floor of your dreams from hallway and kitchen to bathroom and bedroom - contact Alistair and the team at Metric Carpets today.

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magazine

er Ian Ward

www.klmagazine.co.uk

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Head Photographer

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KLmagazine November 2020

Raynham Estate’s first-ever open air Christmas market

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charity for rural mental health support.

Part of the Townshend family for more than 500 years, the beautiful Raynham Estate near Fakenham includes a beef and arable farming enterprise, a fabulous glamping site and a fully-functional events venue.

“We’ve been asked why we’re launching such a new initiative at a time when so many other events are being cancelled,” says Tom Raynham, chief executive of Raynham Estate, “but felt very strongly that we should give people in Norfolk something to look forward to. The majority of our stallholders have been hit very hard by the pandemic, and we’re creating a new opportunity for them to reach customers in a safe and responsible way - and give people the chance to buy some fantastic Christmas gifts and goods from local independent businesses.”

The Raynham Open Air Christmas Market has capacity for over 70 stalls in the hall’s stunning walled garden, with plenty of safety measures and a large ABOVE: Tom Raynham, chief executive of the Raynham Estate is open space in the looking forward to hosting the estate’s first-ever Christmas market centre. taking place in the 18th century walled garden (above right) t the end of a rather difficult year, it’s time to start looking forward to Christmas - and the Raynham Estate in north Norfolk is about to host its first ever open air Christmas Market with a suitably-festive mix of local produce, gifts, crafts, street food, a bar and locally-grown Christmas trees.

The free-to-enter market will be open over the weekends of 28th-29th November and 5th-6th December from 10am to 3pm. Visitors must pre-book and pay for their car parking online to help organisers monitor and manage numbers safely. The parking fee is £3 per car. Revenue from the parking fees will be divided between local air cadets and You Are Not Alone (YANA) - the

KLmagazine November 2020

“We’re very fortunate to have enough space to create a layout which avoids bottlenecks,” says Lisa Wheeler, the estate’s event manager. “We’re working to a strict COVID-secure risk assessment to keep everyone safe, but we’ll also be decorating the walled garden to create a fantastic festive atmosphere.”

Apart from a covered seating area where people can eat and drink at socially-distanced tables, the market will be completely outside.

For more information and to book your parking in advance, visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ RaynhamNorfolk or website www.raynham.co.uk - and businesses interested in booking a pitch should contact lisa@raynhamfarm.co.uk

WHEN: 28th-29th November and 5th-6th December from 10am-12.30pm and 12.30pm-3pm WHERE: Raynham Estate, East Raynham, Fakenham NR21 7EE 25

Test your knowledge of your amazing county Norfolk has plenty of claims to fame, and thousands of fascinating facts and figures. Here are just 25 for you to discover - enjoy the quiz!

1 Which of these royals did NOT die at Sandringham? a. Queen Alexandra b. George V c. Queen Victoria d. George VI 2 King’s Lynn played a major role in the 1985 film Revolution, but who didn’t appear in it? a. Al Pacino b. Nastassja Kinski c. Donald Sutherland d. Angelina Jolie 3 Where can you find the only surviving town gasworks (now a museum) in the UK? a. King’s Lynn b. Dereham c. Fakenham d. Swaffham 4 On 17th November 1888, the police at Great Yarmouth received a letter

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from which mysterious figure? a. The Scarlet Pimpernel b. Jack the Ripper c. The Man in the Iron Mask d. Banksy

name? a. Michael Caine b. Robert Mitchum c. Alec Guinness d. Brian Blessed

5 Which ‘Great Train Robber’ arrived at Norwich Prison in 2007, 44 years after the robbery? a. Bruce Reynolds b. Charles Wilson c. Ronnie Biggs d. Gordon Goody

8 With what food product is the company founded by A J Caley most famous for? a. Mustard b. Coffee c. Bread d. Chocolate

6 The grandparents of the first mayor of New York City (Thomas Willet) came from which Norfolk town? a. Fakenham b. Dereham c. Swaffham d. Great Yarmouth

9 Which of these bands did NOT play at West Runton Pavilion, which was demolished in 1986? a. The Clash b. T Rex c. Duran Duran d. Little Mix

7 Maurice Micklewhite was evacuated to North Runcton during the Second World War, where he made his onstage debut. What’s his more familiar

10 What is odd about Norwich City FC’s famous chant “On the Ball, City”? a. It doesn’t rhyme b. It was written in Wales KLmagazine November 2020

c. It’s older than the football club itself d. It used to ‘belong’ to Ipswich Town 11 When Edward Coke of Holkham Hall requested a special hat made to protect his gamekeepers, which company put it into mass production? a. W C Trilby b. Fedora & Sons c. Deerstalker Ltd d. Bowler Brothers 12 Opened in 1844, the first railway in Norfolk was 20 miles long and connected which two places? a. Norwich and Great Yarmouth b. King’s Lynn and Hunstanton c. Swaffham and Dereham d. Downham Market and Northwold 13 The first building in Henry le Strange’s new Hunstanton was the Golden Lion Hotel. What was it originally called? a. The Trowel & Hammer b. The King’s Arms c. The New Inn d. The Plough 14 Which of these piers along the Norfolk coast doesn’t actually exist? a. Cromer Pier, Cromer b. Wellington Pier, Great Yarmouth c. Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth d. Nelson Pier, Heacham

15 Which famous writer gave a public reading before a huge audience in Norwich in March 1867? a. Charles Dickens b. William Shakespeare c. Stephen King d. Jilly Cooper 16 What was unusual about the jail in King’s Lynn in May 1853? a. All cells had telephones b. It was opened to the public c. It contained no prisoners d. No prisoner was over 15 years old 17 What event was held for the first time on June 15th, 1865? a. The (now Royal) Norfolk Show b. Festival Too c. The Sandringham Flower Festival d. The Cromer Carnival 18 What fell on the golf course at Hellesdon on 3rd October 1944? a. A four-ton hailstone b. A shower of small frogs c. Over two metres of snow d. A V2 rocket 19 Which world-famous sportsman opened the supermarket TW Downs in Norwich in 1971? a. Tiger Woods b. Muhammad Ali c. Lionel Messi d. Björn Borg 20 What is odd about the unique treasure known as King John’s Cup in King’s Lynn? a. It was made in China b. Its jewels are all made of plastic c. It features Egyptian hieroglyphs d. It never belonged to King John 21 About 2% of the whole country travels to work by bike - but what’s the percentage in King’s Lynn? a. 0.5% b. 14% c. 75% d. 100%

d. The electric blanket 23 Which of these stately homes is NOT located in Norfolk? a. Melford Hall b. Holkham Hall c. Houghton Hall d. Blickling Hall 24 Who wrote that Cromer was “the best of all the sea-bathing places” in 1815? a. George Orwell b. John Steinbeck c. Hilary Mantel d. Jane Austen 25 Which of these novels was NOT written by King’s Lynn born Fanny Burney? a. Evelina b. Cecilia c. Carrie d. Camilla ANSWERS The only way to receive the answers to this quiz is by joining Friends of KL magazine, so if you haven’t already registered (it’s free) please visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk for or call our team on 01553 601201

22 In the 1950s radio engineer Christopher Cockerell was running a boatyard on the Norfolk Broads. What did he invent? a. The internet b. The disposable razor c. The hovercraft KLmagazine November 2020

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Representing the best interests of west Norfolk It’s been one of the most extraordinary years of all time, but imagine if 2020 was your debut year as an MP. We speak to James Wild MP about a tumultuous 12 months and his vision for the area’s future...

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n 12th December last year James Wild was elected Member of Parliament for North West Norfolk with a majority of almost 20,000. And four days later the very first patients suffering from COVID-19 were admitted to hospital. The adage of ‘jumping in at the deep end’ may be somewhat trite, but it’s fair to say that as debut years go, 2020 has been something of a challenging initiation for our local MP. KL magazine: Becoming an MP isn’t a common career choice for most people, so how did you get there?

James Wild: I’m very committed to improving the QEII hospital in King’s Lynn and getting more investment for it - it’s a huge local employer and a vital part of the area. It was built about 40 years ago and times have obviously changed - it’s in real need of more funding. Beyond that, improving the infrastructure, road and rail links and connectivity in west Norfolk are all really high on my agenda.

KL magazine: Considering you were born in Norwich is it safe to assume you’re a fan of the Canaries?

James Wild: Yes, I’m a season ticket

holder at Carrow Road, and I’ve followed the team since my grandfather started taking me when I was four or five years old. I’m a big Linnets fan as well - promotion was really exciting for King’s Lynn, but the fortunes of Norwich City have been slightly less impressive recently. I’m currently in talks about relaxing the rules and getting fans back into grounds, because gate receipts are the lifeblood of the sport. I’m sure it can be done reasonably safely, and I’m confident it can be done reasonably quickly.

KL magazine: That sounds refreshingly optimistic…

James Wild: I certainly didn’t think about it when I was younger - I wanted to be either a footballer or a binman.

I grew up in Norfolk with quite a big family, and we’d discuss current affairs and have quite lively debates at the dinner table. Thanks to a really inspirational teacher I took a degree in politics at Queen Mary University in London and was lucky enough to found the ideal job, working in the Conservative research department on developing business policy.

KL magazine: And politics is still a bit of a family affair…

James Wild: Yes - my wife is Natalie Evans, and as Baroness Evans of Bowes Park she’s been Leader of the House of Lords since 2016. So effectively we work in the same place. She sit in the Cabinet with the Prime Minister, and her job is basically to get the government’s legislation through the House of Lords.

KL magazine: It’s been a rather extraordinary first year for an MP how have you found 2020?

James Wild: It’s been a complete baptism of fire. The first eight weeks were reasonably normal and then this pandemic hit and it’s had a horrible impact on people’s lives and jobs, on our culture and events, and on many people’s mental health. Most of my year has been spent helping people and businesses find grants, advising them on what the rules are, and working with the local health service. It’s been pretty full on.

KL magazine: Apart from the c-word, what do you consider the biggest issues currently facing North West Norfolk?

KLmagazine November 2020

ABOVE: James Wild MP is passionate about his constituency of North West Norfolk and frequently takes part in local events and community projects

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you read?

James Wild: I’m currently working my way through the Len Deighton Hook, Line and Sinker trilogy. I’ll confess to being a big James Bond fan and I really enjoy spy and detective thrillers. For me, a book has to have a good plot – and I like the challenge of working out what’s actually going on and who did it.

KL magazine: How do you relax when you’re not being an MP? James Wild: I love the coast, I enjoy cycling and I’m a keen runner (I’ve done the London Marathon twice) so I feel particularly lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country.

James Wild: I think we should be optimistic. Over the last few months we’ve seen people coming together and buying local and supporting local companies and communities - and if we can hold on to that as we come out of this situation it will have a really positive impact on the future of the area.

KL magazine: Who is your greatest inspiration?

James Wild: Although most people will tend to choose someone like Winston Churchill or Ghandi, I’d suggest Mr Bateman, who was my politics teacher at college - he saw my interest in current affairs and he genuinely inspired me to get to where I am today.

KL magazine: What was the last book

KL magazine: Especially with so many great restaurants around you – do you like eating out?

James Wild: Absolutely. We enjoy visiting The Ship in Brancaster, the Rose & Crown in Snettisham (and its namesake Harpley) and Bank House on the South Quay in King’s Lynn. To be honest we like to get out and about and support as many local businesses as we can, so we don’t have a particular favourite place to dine out.

James Wild: I get many letters from younger people, and they’re very concerned about the environment, which is good because if you’re not worried about it then I don’t think you’re paying attention. If you want to change things and take a stand, you need to channel that enthusiasm into the appropriate area by working with a charity or an NGO. That’s probably the easiest and most effective place for young people to start.

KL magazine: You’re our local MP, so I think it’s fair to ask for a message as we approach 2021.

James Wild: I think we all have to be realistic. We’re going to have to learn to live with this virus for a while - but if we follow the guidance we can still carry on with our lives. We have to be realistic, we have to be patient, and we have to keep being kind to each other - and that’s something that west Norfolk is very good at. I’m actually very optimistic about the future and I think all of us should be. There really is a great future ahead of us.

To contact James and to keep up to date with his current news and work, please visit www.jameswild.org.uk

KL magazine: If a youngster told you they wanted to be an MP when they grew up, what would you say?

PICTURES: From touring local heritage sites such as True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum (top) to visiting local schools, James Wild MP is fully engaged with the community he represents

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KLmagazine November 2020

Employmentissues Our monthly look at employment issues that concern you, with local HR experts Peter Lawrence & Rod Lee of Human Capital Department.

Kickstart – helping young people and local employers

T

The latest scheme to combat the effects of the pandemic could really help local employers and young people

he Kickstart Scheme is a new government program aimed at helping young people get back in to work. The government will pay trainees the National Minimum Wage, for 25 hours a week over 6 months. The placements might lead to an apprenticeship or another job with the employer or could be a steppingstone to a new company.

Larger employers wanting to recruit 30 or more trainees should apply directly to the DWP but employers wishing to take on less than 30 people are required to contact a kickstart ‘representative’ who will then collate the applications and make one application to the DWP. Lynn HR Firm, Human Capital Department, plan to become a

representative for the scheme. They already have expressions of interest from 30 local employers in King’s Lynn and west Norfolk interested in recruiting a Kickstart trainee(s) and so have submitted these expressions of interest, as part of their application to become a ‘representative’ for the scheme.

The scheme requires employers to provide a level of training, pastoral support and on-placement whilst trainees are on the scheme. Human Capital Department will also be providing this support to trainees and employers (which is funded under the scheme).

Any employers interested in recruiting trainees should contact Peter Lawrence at Human Capital

Department email peter.lawrence@ humancapitaldept.com or call us on 01553 401781.

t: 01553 401781 / 0800 246 5614 w: humancapitaldept.com • e: info@humancapitaldept.com KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

DOES THIS AFFECT ME NOW? If your business is VAT registered and has a taxable turnover above the £85,000 registration threshold you’re now required to maintain your accounts digitally - and submit your VAT returns to HMRC using functional compatible software.

Maintaining paper records will no longer meet the legal requirements, although you can apply to HMRC for an exemption if it’s not possible for you to use computers, software or the internet.

This requirement doesn’t currently apply to businesses who aren’t VAT registered or who have a taxable turnover below £85,000. Voluntarilyregistered businesses can opt into the scheme if they wish, and we’d recommend you consider this as best practice and forward planning for your business.

Making tax digital: it’s time for you to take control...

The new Making Tax Digital scheme is designed to make tax simpler and easier, and Stephenson Smart can help you make the most of it

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e’ve heard a lot about Making Tax Digital over the last few years, but it’s now time to start taking it seriously. It’s a government-led initiative to make tax administration more effective, more efficient and simpler for taxpayers - and if you’re in business you need to know what’s required and how we can help.

ARE YOU READY TO MAKE YOUR TAX DIGITAL? The government’s Making Tax Digital programme was first launched in 2019 and by 2023 there’ll be an expectation on most businesses and self-employed individuals to keep digital records and use software to submit their returns.

If you’re a small business and don’t already have an internal system to log your accounting records, you can use off-the-shelf software such as Xero or QuickBooks.

WHEN WILL IT AFFECT ME AND MY BUSINESS? VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover below £85,000 will be required to follow the Making Tax Digital rules for their first return, starting on or after April 2022. Self-employed businesses and landlords with an annual business or property income above £10,000 will need to follow the rules for Making Tax Digital for income rax from their next accounting period starting on (or after) 6th April 2023.

We’d recommend that as part of your forward-planning you look to start keeping digital records - and providing updates to HMRC electronically.

Across the Stephenson Smart offices we have accountants with specialist knowledge and accreditations to support our clients fulfilling their Making Tax Digital obligations.

Please get in touch with us at your nearest office (see below) and we’ll help you prepare for these new changes. Tax is never simple, but at Stephenson Smart we’re experienced in making it work for local people and local businesses.

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 2020

D E: CQ 33

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KLmagazine November 2020

Will your home be fit for the future?

It’s possibly your most valuable asset so how can you make sure your home provides for those you care about when you die?

P

roperty is often the most valuable asset in someone’s estate when they die - but it’s also a home, and it may need to remain so for a surviving partner, spouse, or children. That means it can be difficult to balance the need to provide a home for loved ones and dependants while ensuring your assets ultimately pass to those you wish to provide for.

TYPES OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP There are many different ways in which a property can be held - in sole name, jointly with others, or even as part of a trust. All property in joint names is held as either “joint tenants” or “tenants in common” - and if held as ‘joint tenants’ the property will pass to the surviving owner on death regardless of the terms of your will. The surviving owner of the property is then free to do as they wish with the property. However, if held as ‘tenants in common’ each owner has a separate and distinct share and

therefore their share can be left in accordance with the terms of their will.

BLENDED FAMILIES If you own a property with a partner and have children from a previous relationship, you may want your children to benefit from your assets but wouldn’t want your partner to be made homeless in the event of your death. Your will can be structured to create a trust on your death, ensuring your partner can remain living in the property for a specified period or for the rest of their life. When that right ends (or on your partner’s death) your share of the property passes to the beneficiaries named in your will.

This arrangement can be beneficial should your partner need care after your death, as only their share of the property is available to fund the care fees - with your share protected for your beneficiaries. Careful thought needs to be given to how payment of outgoings, mortgages and Inheritance

Tax are to be funded.

LIFETIME GIFTING Gifting a property during your lifetime to an individual or into a trust may seem appealing for both Inheritance Tax and care fee planning, but it also means relinquishing control of your assets and can risk your security.

The law in relation to gifting property, property Trusts, Inheritance Tax and care fees is extremely complex and depends on your individual circumstances. Professional advice is therefore strongly recommended to ensure your wishes are achieved effectively, taking into account your individual circumstances.

If you would like further advice on this matter call 01553 778900 or email law@hayes-storr.com.

EMMA LANGLEY 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 2020

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ABOVE: From the team at Bircham Windmill (left) to the staff of Lynx Bus (top right) and The Crossings Veterinary Centre in Downham Market (bottom right), these are just a few of the Love West Norfolk Heroes who’ve gone the extra mile in helping the community get through the year

West Norfolk celebrates its heroes for 2020 As an extraordinary year draws to a close, Love West Norfolk recognises the local people who’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty in supporting the community

H

opefully if 2020 is remembered for anything, it will be remembered as a year of heroes. We’re all familiar with Captain Tom and Marcus Rashford, but in early October over 30% of the Queen’s birthday honours list comprised unsung heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic - from nurses in London to restaurant owners in Glasgow.

Closer to home a scheme which celebrates west Norfolk’s community efforts during the pandemic includes

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a chef who cooked meals for the NHS, a 17-year-old singer who lifted the spirits of her neighbours during lockdown, and the chief executive of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The Love West Norfolk Heroes programme is recognising some 60 individuals, teams and organisations who’ve been making a real difference for others at the most difficult of times.

All these local heroes were nominated by members of the public and each have received a certificate, badges and a letter from the Mayor

of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Councillor Geoff Hipperson and Love West Norfolk Ambassador James Bagge. The heroes’ names will also be added to a roll of honour both online and in the borough council’s offices.

In addition, ten heroes have been selected (at random) to receive a video call from either the Mayor or James Bagge. And when it’s safe to do so, a reception is planned to take place to recognise their inspirational efforts.

“We had an incredible response to the Love West Norfolk heroes

KLmagazine November 2020

“West Norfolk is such a special place with so many amazing people doing great things for each other” - James Bagge Love West Norfolk Ambassador scheme,” says the Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Councillor Geoff Hipperson, “and the nominations make clear the extent of the fantastic efforts people have been making to support others during the pandemic.

It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to recognise these heroes and we’re very grateful to them for everything they’ve done. They truly make us proud of West Norfolk.”

It’s a sentiment that Love West Norfolk Ambassador James Bagge is more than happy to share.

“People have really gone above and beyond to help each other out over the last few months,” he says. “The sense of community and desire to support others is very evident in the nominations we received. West Norfolk is such a special place with so many amazing people doing great things for each other. Our Love West Norfolk heroes underline this.”

Recently, James Wild MP for North West Norfolk met three of Hunstanton’s Love West Norfolk heroes – Mr Bun the Baker, Richard’s Butchers and Kemp’s Fruit and Veg and congratulated them all on their awards.

“During Covid-19 so many people across West Norfolk have stepped up to help others who are vulnerable,” he says. “That strong sense of community underpins our area, and it’s great to see those tremendous efforts reflected through the Love West Norfolk heroes awards.”

The Love West Norfolk campaign together with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is currently announcing the heroes, and here are just some of the heroes who have been recognised so far:

KLmagazine November 2020

Caroline was nominated for her strong leadership at the Hospital which gave the community a sense of confidence in their local hospital.

I am absolutely honoured and thrilled to have been selected as a Love West Norfolk Hero. I’m really passionate about improving care for our local community, and it’s amazing that people have recognised this.

CAROLINE SHAW Chief Executive of the QEH

Nurse Christine was nominated because of her support for a friend’s father who sadly passed away from Covid-19 earlier this year.

I was totally surprised when I received my award and I’d like to dedicate my award to all my colleagues and friends who work at the QEH. Especially those working in the Covid areas, those who were redeployed, or those whose job roles changed beyond recognition.

CHRISTINE BLAKE Nurse

Ben Handley from The Duck Inn was nominated for cooking and delivering hot meals to the NHS over the period of lockdown.

The pandemic has been truly awful for so many people. But it’s also brought a lot of us closer together and it’s taught us the real value of this special corner of Norfolk.

BEN HANDLEY Owner of The Duck Inn

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RICHARD’S BUTCHERS

KEMP’S FRUIT AND VEG All three companies were named as Love West Norfolk heroes in a nomination which highlighted how the three Hunstanton-based businesses had been delivering to those shielded and vulnerable people in our area and beyond. Part of the nomination read that:

We’re so lucky to have this high level of service in our community and would like them to know how much we appreciate everything they have done.

MR BUN THE B

AKER

Mick Ennis was nominated for helping to keep other residents at Lavender Court at Gaywood fit during the pandemic.

ERIN TASKER Erin was nominated for posting her songs on her community Facebook page during lockdown and was described as uplifting, inspiring and a real talent at just 17 years old.

I am so, so grateful to receive the West Norfolk Heroes award.

It was such a surprise!

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l pride myself in keeping fit, even though I’m 78 years old. When we were told to stay at home as much as we could for 12 weeks, my 82-year-old neighbour asked if l could organise some keep fit sessions for them.

MICK ENNIS

You can meet all the Love West Norfolk heroes by following Love West Norfolk on Twitter: @LoveWestNorfolk on Facebook Love West Norfolk, and on Instagram: love_west_norfolk KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

Ben Allen Managing Director

Michael Crisp Director

Officially some of the best advice in the world As one of the area’s most qualified chartered financial advisers, Allen Tomas & Co can help you make the most of your money At the offices of Allen Tomas in Dersingham and Fakenham, there’s a justifiable sense of celebration as director Ben Allen becomes a Fellow of the Personal Financial Society (FPFS) joining co-director Michael Crisp as one of less than 3,500 Fellows in the whole world.

It’s the very highest designation awarded by the Personal Finance Society, which is part of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) - the world’s largest professional body for insurance and financial services.

Fellowship is only available to those who demonstrate exceptional ability. It’s a major achievement in the financial industry and demonstrates the acquisition of skills and knowledge at the very highest levels. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is hugely important to Allen Tomas, and ensures the company’s skills and

knowledge are totally up-to-date.

In fact CPD is a common requirement for qualified members of professional bodies. It reflects the fact that in today’s fast-changing world knowledge gained through qualifications quickly dates – and to remain competent it’s essential to continue developing.

Equally, member qualification designations aren’t simply an indicator of completed studies – they’re also a real commitment to keeping the knowledge current and adhering to a code of ethics. At Allen Tomas we believe it’s essential to be part of this CPD programme and even go beyond in studying CII modules because it allows us to:

relevant training and development - Be more productive and efficient by reflecting on learning, experience and planning action accordingly - Keep up to date with legislation changes and industry developments We’ve also recently welcomed new staff members Nadine Scoles (Financial Administrator) and Marc Ward (trainee Independent Financial Adviser) - both of whom are superb additions to the team and will help improve the service we offer our clients.

Allen Tomas is a particularly local firm – exceptionally qualified, highly professional and extremely proud to serve west and north Norfolk. Please contact us to make an appointment.

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Allen Tomas & Co Financial Management Ltd is registered in England and Wales with number 8864562 and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with Financial Services Register number 630427 KLmagazine November 2020

41

Taking a local walk on the wild side In the middle of west Norfolk, Ed and Anna Pope have created a wildlife reserve to protect and conserve some of our most endangered animals, offering a truly unique experience.

Welcome to Watatunga

ABOVE: The rangers at Watatunga are your expert guides around the new 170-acre nature reserve at Watlington, was was created from a disused quarry and is home to a wide range of rare and endangered species (opposite and below)

W

hen you think of Watlington you tend to think of a quiet, sleepy, pretty Norfolk village blessed by a good rail link to Cambridge and London. You might reasonably expect to see some wildlife in the fields and hedgerows leading into the village and surrounding the village green - some barn owls, voles, shrews, squirrels, and maybe even a deer or two.

What you may not expect is for the village to be host to a wildlife reserve that’s probably one of the most important centres for rare antelope and deer breeding and conservation in the entire world.

Watatunga is a nature reserve created in 170 acres of disused quarry, substandard agricultural land, woodland and grassland. There are lakes where there used to be diggers, and there are open fields with swathes of wild flowers and grasses where there used to be monoculture crops such as sugar beet and barley.

“They’re over there!” shouts Ed Pope, the architect of the Watatunga Wildlife Reserve. He can hardly contain his delight as he points at some large animals about 20 metres from our vehicle. “Look, that’s a group of three Roan Antelope.” Sure enough, the KLmagazine November 2020

majestic antelope are grazing quietly on the edge of a lake.

Ed’s wife Anna is equally enthusiastic as she points out a much smaller Fallow Deer that’s adopted the three antelope as its family.

“That little fellow knows they’re the tough guys,” she says, “so he likes hanging out with them.”

Watatunga, which is a linguistic mash-up of Watlington and sitatunga (a type of African antelope) has been a lifetime in the making.

Ed Pope has been a conservationist at heart since he was a small boy.

“I used to spend hours with my dad

in bird hides watching the wild ducks,” he says. “Later, family visits to Africa further whet my appetite for working with endangered species and within the wider realms of conservation.”

Ed’s self-admitted obsession with the relationship between wildlife and conservation began with Water Buffalo.

These were brought onto the family farm to help manage waterways and wetland areas - and learning to rear and care for these majestic beasts was the warm-up for a much wider range of deer, antelope and birdlife.

Although planning for the creation of Watatunga has consumed many years

43

(and involved several amendments to the original plans) the last two years have seen Ed and Anna’s plans turn from dreams to reality.

More than 20 types of ungulate (animals with hooves) and rare bird species have been given a safe haven at the reserve in which to flourish.

Among the new residents are Malayan Sambar, Barasingha, Hog deer and the almost extinct Père David’s Deer. It’s an extraordinary undertaking.

Ed and Anna also harbour hopes of reintroducing the Great Bustard to roam naturally in Norfolk, nearly 200 years after the very last one in the UK was shot in 1832.

Incredibly, we saw a rather fearsome male of the species wandering the reserve during our tour in an electricpowered buggy.

And that’s how Watatunga works.

Although the reserve is primarily a conservation and breeding centre, it’s now open to the public with both on-site accommodation and day visits complete with electric buggies. There’s a variety of accommodation including Major’s Lodge - a neat wooden safari lodge positioned so guests can enjoy awe-inspiring views across the reserve.

The team comprises Ed and Anna with deer conservationist and ungulate expert Julian Stoyel, deer management expert Dee Dyer, and park warden Hope Flower.

Between them, they run the reserve, manage the breeding programmes, work with other conservation groups and breeding specialists, organise the guided tours, and supervise the holiday accommodation.

A further four local people help out on the site, and a number of local contractors have been heavily involved 44

in the creation and development of the reserve.

Watatunga opened its doors to the public in July, just as the grip of COVID-19 began to slightly loosen.

Although the launch took place under obviously different circumstances than those first envisaged by Ed and Anna, it wasn’t the lockdown victim it could have been.

“In many ways, the coronavirus situation was a good thing for the animals ,” says Anna. “Financially it wasn’t great, of course. We haven’t been able to attract the number of visitors as we’d have liked, but the subdued opening meant that the grasses had time to grow, and the animals had more time to settle. We’ve been able to get things moving at a steady pace - and that can only be good for the animals.”

Trailer tours are currently not available due to social distancing restrictions, but the excitement of driving an electric-powered four-seater buggy through a wildlife reserve has proved wildly popular with visitors.

Within the vehicle is a satnav system to help visitors stay on track.

An on-board screen offers additional information, pointing out where certain species maybe seen or where a barn owl may be nesting.

You may only be six miles from the centre of King’s Lynn, but driving through the nature reserve it’s very easy to imagine yourself in the African savanna.

From some long brown-red grass the long horns of a Scimitar-horned oryx can be spotted, and wallowing in the nearby lake among the reeds is a pair of Water Buffalo. The haunting sound of oystercatchers played out as we simply sat watching the wonderful scene before us.

As we left the park, a few Vietnamese Sika Deer watched us with curiosity.

And if we’d stopped and listened for long enough we might have heard the elusive sound of turtle dove cooing.

Ed and Anna have created a wildlife paradise in the middle of west Norfolk.

It’s not just an incredible achievement, it’s also an inspirational project that will help save these beautiful animals for future generations. And it’s astonishing to think that it’s within half a mile of the A10.

With rules regarding social distancing changing on a regular basis, please check the reserve’s current opening times and the availability of wildlife tours and accommodation on the website at www.watatunga.co.uk which also has details of the reserve’s gift vouchers.

ABOVE: Watatunga is much more than an amazing tourist attraction - it’s also one of the most important centres for rare antelope and deer breeding and conservation in the entire world KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

Making your grand design even grander...

Individually designed and expertly crafted in Norfolk it’s time to discover the Rudd Joinery range of windows, doors and conservatories

I

f you’re looking for new windows and doors, a new conservatory, a bespoke staircase or a luxurious garden room you’ve probably already made a wishlist of your most important criteria. You’ll be looking for the perfect combination of high quality and genuine value for money. You’ll want the highest standards of craftsmanship and you’ll probably want the option of having the frames coloured to match your home.

Given current contemporary concerns you’ll almost certainly be expecting the very latest levels of security, and will prefer the products made as locally and as environmentally friendly as possible.

It may seem like a tall order, but Rudd Joinery can tick every single box on that wishlist. And a few more besides.

Established over 20 years ago, the family-run business produces an incredible range of expertly-crafted joinery from responsibly-sourced and FSC-certified timber - all from their workshop and showroom just outside

KLmagazine November 2020

Fakenham.

“Because we manufacture everything to order, we can tailor our products to suit an individual clients’ requirements,” says Jamie Rudd. “That means you’re not tied to a particular design or a small choice of finishes - you can have pretty much anything and everything you want. It’s your home after all, and we’re here to help you make the most of it.”

From small-scale home improvements and refurbishments to ambitious new build projects and heritage restorations, Rudd Joinery has worked on a huge number of properties over the years - and every single one has received the same level of care, the same attention to detail and the same standards of technical excellence.

“At the moment we’re one of the only companies in the area currently offering products that have passed the PAS24 standard for enhanced security,” says Jamie, “and we’re a long-standing member of The British Woodworking Federation, which is the UK’s most important trade association for the joinery industry.”

But one of the most attractive features of Rudd Joinery’s timber collections is the advantages they have over the more common plastic or aluminium alternatives.

They’re ultimately more costeffective too because timber requires minimal maintenance, is a natural insulator, lasts much longer, and has a tiny carbon footprint compared to plastic and aluminium.

For a totally new look at your windows, doors and conservatories, and to tick everything off your wishlist contact Jamie and his team to talk through your ideas - and discover how to make your grand designs even grander.

47

Why our hedgehogs need your help There are half as many hedgehogs as there were in 2000, but cars aren’t the greatest threat facing them. As their natural habit dwindles, these charming animals are in need of help - especially at this time of year

R

emember the hedgehog?

The delightful little mammal (erinaceus europaeusis if you want to be precise) is easily recognisable with its many spines, long dark snout, short tail and small ears - and it’s one of our favourite wild animals. But it’s becoming increasingly elusive.

It’s estimated that hedgehog numbers have fallen by about 50% over the last 20 years, especially in rural areas like Norfolk - and the biggest culprit doesn’t have four wheels. In fact, according to research the number of hedgehogs being killed on our roads has fallen by around 40% over the last few years.

By far the greatest challenge to our hedgehogs is the loss of hedgerows and field margins due to intensive

farming.

“The decline of our rural hedgehog population is now really concerning,” says Emily Wilson, Hedgehog Officer for the campaign group Hedgehog Street, highlighting that the loss of hedges and copses has resulted in fewer nesting sites and less protection for hedgehogs.

“This kind of barren one-crop landscape hasn’t just removed the amount of area that hedgehogs can live in,” she says. “The large-scale use of pesticides has also reduced the amount of food for them to eat. Simply put, there are fewer invertebrates for them to feed on.”

Hedgehogs can travel over a mile every night to feed, so leaving gaps in fences really improves their local habitat - as do undisturbed areas

of gardens, allowing the animals to find shelter amongst leaves and long grass. You can even create your own hibernation spots with a box or a log pile - hedgehogs love the warmth of compost heaps, and they’re a good source of food too.

While we’re on the subject of food, it’s amazing it learn that the average hedgehog will munch its way through over 100 invertebrates every night - but if you want to help supplement their diet, try to avoid milk, bread, and fishflavoured cat meat.

Winter is a particularly unforgiving time for hedgehogs, and not just because they have a habit of finding a comfortable home in bonfires. They’ll have litters as late as September, and unless the babies (they’re actually called hoglets) can reach 450g quickly they’ll be unlikely to survive.

The smaller ones, which are roughly the size of a tennis ball, are particularly vulnerable.

In fact these little creatures can quickly die of hypothermia, so if you do find one and you want to help you’ll need to take action straight away.

Place the hedgehog in a high-sided box or small animal carrier, and add a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. A warm room isn’t enough (direct heat is essential to stop hypothermia) and give it access to a small amount of meatbased (not fish) cat or dog food and fresh water.

Ultimately, the safest refuge will be your nearest animal sanctuary and you’d be amazed at how many there are in Norfolk specifically dedicated to hedgehogs - from Sally’s Hedgehog Rescue in Norwich to Hedgehog Haven in North Walsham and Suzanne’s Hedgehog Rescue in Walpole St Peter.

In fact, earlier this year a dedicated service called Charlie’s Helpline for Hedgehogs was established to ensure everyone who finds an injured animal can find a reputable local rescuer.

It’s great news for people like Tracy Jenkins, who lives in south Norfolk and decided she wanted to become a hedgehog rescuer in 2018 - without realising she’d soon be caring for over 40 of the animals.

“The idea behind Charlie’s Helpline for Hedgehogs is that if you find a hedgehog in Norfolk you can easily be directed to your nearest first aider and rescuer,” she says. “It’s brilliant because it means we don’t have to do as much at home and it relieves some of the huge pressure we’re under - especially as we approach the winter.”

This time last year the Norfolk Wildlife Centre at East Winch was staggered at the amount of hedgehogs the staff were caring for - who managed to get through 100 cans of dog food a day.

“Since 1992 we’ve cared for over 23,000 hedgehogs and they’re probably the number one species admitted to the centre,” says manager Alison Charles. “Top of our hopes for Christmas is for people to pick up a few tins of dog food during their shopping and donate them to us or visit our Amazon wishlist.”

With a recent report suggesting up to 35% of Britain’s native mammal species are at risk of extinction, there’s never been a better time to keep an eye out for our local hedgehogs and give them all the help they so desperately need.

If you can’t find a local hedgehog sanctuary close to home you can always call the RSPCA for advice on 03001 234999.

50

“It’s estimated that hedgehog numbers have fallen by about 50% over the last 20 years”

ABOVE: Baby hedgehogs can be born as late as September, so winter can be a particularly unforgiving time for them. Happily there are several things you can to help them survive.

KLmagazine November 2020

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

Clinical Director

Sarah Colegrave

Smallbites

Overcoming the fear of fireworks

Y

our pets have no sense of history, so they don’t understand who Guy Fawkes was, what Bonfire Night is all about or what fireworks are - which can make matters worse. With their sudden flashing lights and deafening sounds, fireworks can cause stress, anxiety, and even aggression in pets for some it can lead to severe trauma, and for (especially small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs) it can be fatal.

There are lots of simple things you can do to help your pet deal with fireworks, and by preparing in advance you can help your pet cope with the startling noises.

As any owner knows, cats have lightning-fast reflexes, and the sudden loud noise and flash of fireworks can cause them to bolt for safety - in any direction. As firework displays tend to go on for some time, cats can become totally terrified and disorientated by the time quiet returns.

Many animal sanctuaries report a larger number of strays handed in at this time of year as a result of scared cats running away from home.

If your cat isn’t microchipped already, now’s the time to do it - and the best thing you can do is keep your cat indoors after sunset with the curtains drawn and the TV on. Your cat may not thank you, but it really is in their best interests. Even if you don’t normally use a litter tray indoors, this is a time when it’s worth doing so - and remember to keep the cat flap locked.

Make sure you provide plenty of hiding places in your home, and don’t try to force your cat out of their sanctuary - you may think the fireworks are over, but a cat’s hearing is much better than ours. Simply wait for your cat to emerge of their own accord and make sure there’s plenty of food and water available.

Dogs are similarly affected by fireworks. Walk them during daylight hours to avoid the times when fireworks are likely to be set off, and close your windows and curtains to muffle the sounds. It’s a good idea to put on some music or the television (especially if the sounds and noises are familiar to your dog) to mask the fireworks.

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

KLmagazine November 2020

More and more people are signing up to our Pet Health Club, which provides essential routine care and helps you become a responsible pet owner. It doesn’t just mean you can save money on the cost of treatments and services to keep your pets healthy and happy. It also allows you to budget and spread the cost of pet care across the year by paying with Direct Debit.

It’s good news for your pets and good news for you - with the chance to save up to £190 a year on routine healthcare.

Create a quiet space where your dog can feel in control, and create some hiding places around your home.

Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs are particularly vulnerable when fireworks are going off - and can often suffer heart attacks. If you can’t bring their cages or hutches indoors, partly cover them with blankets for some soundproofing, but leave a space for the animals to look out. It’s a good idea to provide some extra bedding, because their natural tendency in times of danger is to burrow in.

Although it’s distressing, upsetting and can have long-lasting consequences, firework phobia in pets is a treatable condition, and your animals don’t have to suffer such misery every year. We’re always here with all the help and advice you need, and our behaviourial counsellor Simonne can offer some practical tips on how you can lessen the effects and impact of fireworks.

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

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51

Winter Wonderland Now open daily

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52

Garden Centre & Coffee Shop

KLmagazine November 2020

Happiness at home with personalised live-in care Taking care to a new level, Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk is helping people remain independent and happy in their own home...

R

esearch shows that 71% of people would rather grow old in their own homes, which is partly why Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk has recently extended its services to include live-in care.

Already the UK’s leading provider of care in the home, Home Instead Senior Care can help you stay connected to your family, friends and local community in a cost-effective way that has your best interests at heart.

And your family can be reassured that all your needs are being taken care of while you continue to live in familiar surroundings - together with your most treasured possessions and memories.

“Our live-in care arrangements are

totally flexible and are built around the individual needs of our clients,” says Tom McEwan of Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk. “It’s a totally personal approach. You decide how many hours practical assistance you need, and one of our CAREgivers will be carefully chosen to be your live-in companion, helping you carry out the tasks you need assistance with - and being both a friendly face and a regular source of company.”

It’s the perfect solution for people with long-term conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, and it’s invaluable for people who’ve been recently bereaved - a situation which can have huge consequences for anyone suddenly finding themselves having to cope alone.

Family has always been at the very

heart of Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk (it was founded after personal experience of poor levels of care) and Tom has ensured the company’s ethos of individual, personal and customerfocused attention is shared by everyone in the office and all its CAREGivers.

“Unlike many care providers, we keep in touch with our clients on a regular basis to make sure they’re satisfied with the service we’re providing and asking if we can help in any other way,” he says. “It’s an incredible testament to our staff and CAREgivers that 100% of our clients have told us they’d recommend Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk to a friend.”

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

HOLT KING’S LYNN DEREHAM 01263 650983 01553 387967 01362 357974 www.homeinstead.co.uk/westnorfolk KLmagazine November 2020

53

Why topiary is the shape of things to come...

Part gardening and part artwork, topiary is an eye-catching way to add architectural interest to your garden all year round. And it’s not as hard as it might seem, as Wendy Warner explains

I

f you want something in the garden that looks good all year round, topiary almost certainly fits the bill. It’s a great backdrop to more colourful plants in the summer, it provides structure and form in spring and autumn when other plants are just shooting (or being cut back) and it can become the star of the show in winter, creating total theatre and taking centre stage.

Basically, topiary is the art of training plants into intricate or stylised shapes and forms to create architectural features, and although generally formal, it can fit into virtually all gardens – both natural and contemporary. In its simplest form it can be a sphere, cube or pyramid, but with a little patience and skill it can become a standard (or lollipop), a spiral, and represent clouds, animals and birds. The close planting and clipping of multiple plants to create parterres, knot gardens and mazes is also a form of topiary, but we’ll be concentrating on individual specimens.

Although traditionally box (or buxus) many shrubs can be clipped into topiary forms - the main requirement is an evergreen with small leaves and a dense form. Yew or other conifers such as Thuja can be used. Other smaller leaved shrubs including lonicera nitida, evergreen privet (ligustrum delavayanum), cotoneaster, pittosporum or myrtle are all suitable.

Bay or holly can also be used, although their larger leaves mean you’ll have to prune with secateurs to avoid the leaves looking brown and messy.

These also work better on larger and less intricate forms such as pyramids.

The plants are usually purchased as established and ready-trained specimens. If they’re growing in pots, ensure the container is large enough and start with a good-quality compost such as John Innes No.3 with some added slow-release fertiliser for shrubs. The plant is going to be in this container for some time, so don’t skimp on the pot as this is a long term investment and you’re going to be looking at it every day - especially if it’s by your front door!

Regular watering is very important, especially if the container is positioned in a rain shadow under the eaves of the house. Over winter, evergreens won’t show any signs they’re lacking water but they’ll often suffer the following spring and summer if they haven’t received enough water over those colder months.

Growmore or a specific buxus feed can be applied in spring and an allKLmagazine November 2020

55

purpose liquid feed can be given in the growing season to give it a tonic, especially if the plant has been very warm - constant watering tends to leach nutrients from the soil. If possible, try to rotate your plant throughout the year if it’s near a wall so it enjoys light from all sides and doesn’t start growing in one direction.

Any form of topiary can be grown in the ground, and the same rules apply.

Try to give them their own space - and be rigorous with weeding around the base so other plants don’t take all the water and goodness from the soil.

Ultimately, the success of topiary relies on the trimming and shaping.

Always use good quality sharp tools so the stems are cut cleanly and not crushed - which could result in them turning brown. Depending on the size of the plant use secateurs, scissors or single-handed shears.

Box is best trimmed in late spring to encourage the development of sideshoots which will give a denser form. These new shoots can then be cut and shaped in midsummer and will create even more sideshoots, and a final shaping can be carried out in early autumn. Regular pruning is essential, so only cut back the new season’s shoots which will be a lighter green - avoid cutting into the darker, older growth.

56

Most other evergreens will require clipping in much the same way, although may not produce a second flush of growth so quickly. With intricate shaping it’s always best to trim over the form twice rather than take too much off and then regret it. In many ways it’s just like a haircut!

If you’re feeling adventurous, ‘cloud’ pruning can look amazing. This is where foliage is stripped away from the main stems, leaving them bare with tufts of foliage at the tips which can then be shaped. Animals or birds can be created either by purchasing ready-made shapes or using a topiary frames. Place the wire frame over your young plants and start trimming as the new shoots grow out through the framework – this won’t be instant, but it can be a hugely rewarding project.

Invest in some topiary and stand it outside your front door, wrapped with battery-operated (or even better, solarpowered) lights.

These architectural plants will cheer you

up when you arrive home in the dark, and let’s face it - we all need something to cheer us up this winter!

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

Friends of KL magazine can download a full year’s gardening calendar written

by Wendy. You can register for free now at www.klmagazine.co.uk and join your ever-growing community of loyal readers.

KLmagazine November 2020

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Winter warmers It’s that time of year when we start having to wrap up warm - but you don’t have to cut down on the stlye for the sake of comfort. Here are some great local ideas for looking great over the winter...

Coat by Pomodoro

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KLmagazine November 2020

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Coat by Dolcezza

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Barbour Waxed Jacket £199, Barbour Knit Jumper £89.95 & Levi’s Jeans £90

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KLmagazine November 2020

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Autumn & Winter Collections Now Available Sizes 10 -26 | Open 9a 9am - 5pm Closed Wednesdays & Sundays If you would prefer a private appointment please telephone 01406 350961 Follow us on Facebook to watch our twice weekly videos, and you can bring our fashion updates into your own home.

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KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

63

The Wish

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

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

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

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KLmagazine November 2020

The idyllic view from the salon window looking out to the Castle Rising castle

Jacqui (middle left) and her dedicated team

The new face of beauty in the heart of Castle Rising With a beautiful location and a range of specialist treatments, Contours Beauty is proving beauty is a lot more than skin deep

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astle Rising is one of the most beautiful villages in the whole of Norfolk, so it’s a fitting home for Contours Beauty, a salon which has offered a wide range of advanced beauty and holistic treatments for over 20 years.

It’s also a fittingly attractive space, with three private treatment rooms, separate manicure and pedicure stations, six highly-qualified therapists, plenty of parking right outside the door - and fantastic views of the castle from the inside. And even though the beauty industry has always been safetyconscious because of its close-contact work, Contours Beauty is now totally COVID-secure - with safety screens, hand sanitising facilities, and a hygienefirst approach to appointments.

“We’ve always been a salon that takes skincare very seriously,” says owner Jacqui Guy. “If this year has taught us anything, it’s that it’s never been more

important to look after yourself. Having a massage or a facial or getting your nails done shouldn’t be seen as an indulgence - it really does help balance your body and it’s very important for your overall wellbeing and mental health.”

In addition to standard services such as massages, nails, body wraps and make-up, Contours Beauty also offers very specialist treatments such as microblading, advanced electrolysis and plasma skin tightness treatment.

The salon recently introduced PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT) - a treatment that uses high-density LED light waves to stimulate and energise the natural function of the skin, triggering rejuvenation and healing and offering instant and progressive results. It is, in fact, one of the very few salons in the area currently offering the service.

“We use OPI nail products because they’re the world leaders in professional

C ON T OU R S B E A UT Y & Skincare Specialists

KLmagazine November 2020

nail care,” says Jacqui, “and we offer Katherine Daniels skincare products - who have over 65 years’ experience and have called on the expertise of some of the world’s best cosmetic scientists. We’re not just another beauty salon - we genuinely care for our clients’ health. You can’t overestimate the importance of professional treatments to your self-confidence, your general health and your mental wellbeing.”

If you want to become the best you can be (both inside and outside) call Jacqui and her team at Contours Beauty today and book your appointment. Beauty isn’t skin deep it’s a way of life.

Exclusive to KL mag

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azine readers to all new customers for your first treatment

T: 01553 631611 W: www.contoursbeautysalon.co.uk E: salon@contoursbeautysalon.co.uk Contours beauty castle rising The Old Stables, Castle Rising, King’s Lynn PE31 6AG

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KLmagazine November 2020

Saumya Sharma, Dentist

Why healthy gums are crucial for a healthy life Even if you have no symptoms, chances are that you’re suffering some form of gum disease, as The Priestgate Clinic explains...

W

hat connects Buckingham Palace, a Grand Fir, a longlasting relationship and a healthy set of teeth?

The simple answer is that they all have a strong foundation - and as far as our teeth are concerned it means carefully maintaining supporting structures such as gums and the underlying bone.

It’s rather sobering to realise that 8 out 10 people in the UK suffer from gum or periodontal disease - and because the symptoms surface much later than those of tooth decay and cavities most of us aren’t even aware of it.

The Priestgate Clinic offers patientspecific, meticulous and all-inclusive periodontal care, involving a definitive diagnosis along with preventive, therapeutic and supportive treatment.

“Looking after the health of your gums is absolutely imperative,” says dentist Saumya Sharma, who brings over 14 years surgical experience to the clinic and has a special interest in

periodontology and implants. “Our teeth help us chew and digest food, they help our smiles, they help us talk and speak clearly, and they maintain the shape of our faces - which is a detail that isn’t emphasized enough.”

Even fewer people realise that unhealthy gums can adversely impact your general health. Periodontal disease can have a wide range of effects. Studies have shown it can influence sugar control in diabetics, affect cardiovascular disease and cause pre-term low birth weight in babies. It has been shown to have a correlation with obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive lung disease.

“I believe oral health is a mirror to our general health,” says Saumya. “Investing in your oral health can ensure longterm benefits to our overall health, social lives, careers and relationships.”

Understandably, many people are reluctant to seek periodontal treatment due to their fear of dentists or a sheer unawareness of the implications of the disease. At the Priestgate Clinic we guarantee you a warm, amicable

and evidence-based approach to periodontal care with an emphasis on educating and supporting you.

“The patient always comes first,” says Saumya. “Each patient has a history that’s completely unique to them.

Tailoring a periodontal health program that’s easy to comprehend and follow for lifelong benefit has to be our ultimate goal.”

Achieving oral health is a matter of teamwork. Working alongside two consultant specialists, two experienced dentists, a fully qualified hygienist, and a lovely support team, Saumya is fully committed to helping you achieve your oral health goals.

THE PRIESTGATE CLINIC

26 Priestgate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 1WG Tel: 01733 865000 • Web: www.priestgateclinic.co.uk • Email: reception@priestgateclinic.co.uk KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

“Jane and Terry are fantastic and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough...”

- Arthur Sargeant, Long Sutton

“It’s incredibly effective and it worked first time” Discover how Free Your Body uses a revolutionary forms of therapy to help free you from a life of chronic aches and pains

A

t Free Your Body Therapy in the centre of King’s Lynn, Terry Connolly and Jane Cole offer a range of amazing treatment techniques to free people from a life of aches and pains; such as Arthur Sargeant of Long Sutton - who recently experienced significant discomfort in his lower back.

“I’m a member of the Three Counties Running Club in Wisbech and I’m very keen on Ironman-standard triathlons, which is considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world,” he says. “When you follow a two and a half mile swim with a 112-mile bike ride and then a full marathon you expect some toll on your muscles, but the sudden tightness in my back was rather unusual.”

Arthur was already aware of Free Your Body Therapy thanks to fellow members of his running club who were so impressed with the effectiveness of the treatments they starting referring to ‘Voodoo Terry’ because the almostinstant results for neck and shoulder

problems bordered on the magical.

“I’d heard so many positive things about Free Your Body that I thought it must be worth giving it a try,” says Arthur. “The most frustrating thing was having to wait so long for an appointment - but to me the fact that Terry is so busy is a good sign.”

While Jane offers a range of treatments from acupuncture to professional sports massage, Terry is one of the very few people in the world practising P-DTR, combining that with Anatomy in Motion gait therapy, a cutting-edge method of rehabilitating past injuries and relieving pain.

For Arthur, the effects were every bit as successful (and as fast) as he’d been led to believe.

“The strange thing is that it doesn’t seem as though Terry is doing very much at all,” he says, “but it worked first time. It’s incredibly effective and it’s helped me keep to the level at which I want to perform.”

Stemming from a torn calf muscle, Arthur’s pain was essentially being caused by a ligament that travels

through the pelvis and connects to the hamstrings - and his back was then overcompensating and literally taking the strain.

“We’re not magicians so a lot of responsibility is on yourself, especially if you’re a keen sportsperson,” says Jane.

“People don’t think twice about having their car serviced, but it’s a different matter when it comes to their bodies.”

Arthur still sees Jane on a monthly basis for a massage, and he’s already looking forward to his next challenge.

“I’ll be doing a lot more Ironman events and although it’s a long way off I’m planning on taking part in the Word Championships on my 80th birthday,” he says. “Jane and Terry are fantastic and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.”

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

KLmagazine November 2020

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ABOVE: This striking mural outside The Wellington in Feltwell celebrates the heroic actions of James Ward, who flew Wellington bombers from the village’s airbase during the Second World War and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his outstanding bravery

A proud heritage and a taste of liquid history It’s a local pub with a range of exclusive ales, but The Wellington in Feltwell also pays tribute to an inspirational local hero

T

he Wellington in Feltwell approaches wartime remembrance in a very different way, but there’s no doubt it’s at the heart of this lovely pub. On entering you’re immediately surrounded by military artifacts, artwork and stories. Colandlords Chris Grandison and Chris Samuels studied history at university together and that passion shines through their business – from the display cases and numerous works of art to the striking Wellington Wall Memorial Mural. Remembrance at the Wellington isn’t reserved for a single Sunday in November.

The pub is named in honor of the iconic Wellington bomber designed

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by Barnes Wallace of ’bouncing bomb’ and The Dambusters fame – which was built by Vickers and made its maiden flight in July 1936. Its groundbreaking design provided it with great strength and durability, which saw the aircraft serve with distinction for the RAF, Coastal Command and Commonwealth Air Forces throughout the Second World War - and it remained in service until 1954, spending its final years as a testing ground for new jet engines.

The Wellington pub’s historic collection is curated by Stuart Samuels (father of landlord Chris Samuels) and his passion and enthusiasm for history is clear – when we visited we were fortunate enough to be treated to a guided tour with him.

KLmagazine November 2020

“The core aim of our collection is to ensure the bravery and sacrifice made by the thousands of men who flew with Bomber Command is never forgotten,” says Stuart. “We’re especially keen to share the history of our local

KLmagazine November 2020

airbase at RAF Feltwell and the story of James Ward VC. He was born in New Zealand, but he flew Wellingtons from Feltwell and is the only recipient to be awarded the Victoria Cross for action in a Wellington bomber.”

Landlords Chris and Chris have taken this mission a little further and in a very pub-friendly direction. In collaboration with John Nash of Two Rivers Brewery at Denver, they’ve brewed three exclusive real ales with remembrance in mind. ‘’We have three very special beers in total,” says co-landlord Chris Samuels.

“Feltwellington Golden Ale tells the story of our pub, Over Here recounts the story of RAF Feltwell from the Second World War to the present day, and our signature brew Almost Home pays tribute to James Ward’s courageous action for which he was awarded his Victoria Cross.”

In July 1941 Ward was co-piloting a Wellington over Northern Germany when it was attacked, causing a fire on the wing of the bomber. Incredibly, Ward voluntarily climbed out of the aircraft, clambered down the fuselage and made his way across the wing before using an engine cowling to stop the flames spreading.

His actions saved the crew and the bomber managed to limp home, eventually landing at RAF Newmarket - better known today as Rowley Mile

Racecourse.

It’s an amazing story, and Almost Home is an equally amazing beer, with every element contributing to the story. It contains the British hop Endeavor, representing the British-built Wellington bomber and the bravery of James Ward. Added depth comes from the New Zealand hop Green Bullet, a fitting tribute to Ward’s nationality. It includes a smoked German red malt (a reminder of the fire Ward extinguished) and two Norfolk malts to reflect the local airfield from which his Wellington took off.

“The deep auburn colour of the beer represents the dawn as the bomber lumbered back to Britain,” says Chris.

“The flavour is a bold hit of fruit that really bounces off the palate, followed by a gentle smoky aftertaste. It’s the bomber flying over you – and as it passes, all that’s left is the trail of smoke left by the burning wing.’’

It sounds rather extreme to put so much into a single beer, but after tasting it you’ll be very impressed indeed. This is something extremely special, and it’s a fitting tribute to a true local hero. In fact it’s liquid history.

The Wellington can be visited seven days a week from 12noon.

You’ll always receive a friendly welcome from the landlords, and you can take a fascinating look into our wartime past. Cheers!

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Greg Anderson and the recipe for success He’s been the Head Chef at Morston Hall for the last five years, and although he was born in Scotland, Greg Anderson has a genuine passion for Norfolk’s unique food offering

M

orston Hall hardly needs an introduction. It’s one of only two restaurants in Norfolk to hold a Michelin star (and has done so for over 20 years), it’s been awarded four AA rosettes, and has been voted one of the top 100 places to eat in the UK and one of the best 1,000 restaurants in the entire world.

Although chef patron Galton Blackiston tends to take centre stage thanks to his frequent appearances on James Martin’s popular Saturday Morning TV programme, he doesn’t run the kitchen at Morston Hall entirely single-handedly - for the last five years he’s been assisted by an extraordinarily talented Head Chef who was born in Scotland and is now making a name for himself in Norfolk. It’s time to meet Greg Anderson.

KL magazine: Judging by your accent, it’s probably safe to assume you weren’t born in Norfolk...

Greg Anderson: I actually come from the town of Hawick in the Scottish Borders, which is 300 miles away from Norfolk and I grew up on my father’s farm. I did initially think about working there after school, but I ended up at catering college instead.

KL magazine: And then you started moving south...

Greg Anderson: Yes. It took a lot of hard work and determination, but after I finished my college course I worked in a number of fine dining restaurants in and around Edinburgh before moving to Simon Rogan’s famous L’Enclume in the Lake District, which has two Michelin stars. From there I came south,

working as Sous Chef at the Michelinstarred Gravetye Manor before finally coming to Morston Hall to work with Galton Blackiston in 2015.

you’re well on the road to making a delicious plate of food. In fact, if you do that you’ll find that most of the hard work is already done.

KL magazine: What brought you to Norfolk - and why choose Morston Hall?

KL magazine: There’s a definite move towards vegetarian and vegan food at the moment. From a chef’s point of view is that a restriction or an opportunity?

Greg Anderson: By that time I really wanted to step up to a role as Head Chef and I had lots of interviews all the way from Invervess to Jersey. But as soon as I arrived at Morston, I knew it was where I wanted to work. I loved the set-up and the way the restaurant approached food.

KL magazine: How did that fit in with your own approach?

Greg Anderson: For me, the most important thing has always been about buying the very best ingredients you can (both in terms of quality and sustainability) and showing them the utmost respect. If you can do that, KLmagazine November 2020

Greg Anderson: It’s certainly not restrictive, and I actually eat a lot of vegetarian dishes at home. It can be very frustrating to spend four or five hours designing and cooking a vegan dish for someone who’s then perfectly happy to tuck into a cheese board, but that’s something you learn to accept as a chef. The person eating your food always has to come first.

KL magazine: Where do you get your inspiration from?

Greg Anderson: Lots of chefs will consult their bookshelves or look 73

the help of our gardener Lucy at Morston Hall on an allotment we took on at the start of the year, and that’s been a great experience.

I think we’re beginning to learn that the more we understand where our food comes from and the closer we get to it, the more we’ll enjoy and appreciate it.

KL magazine: When you do go out for a meal, where do you prefer to go - and what do you order?

Greg Anderson: I really miss Dan and Holly at the North Street Bistro in Burnham Market, which closed at the end of last year. He always cooked the kind of food I love to eat. I’ve had a couple of amazing meals at Moor ABOVE: Greg Anderson (centre) with the rest of the talented and award-winning kitchen team at Morston Hall in Aughton, Lancashire Hall - including chef patron Galton Blackiston (far left) - chef patron Mark Birchall online for ideas, but for me the most used to be the Head Chef at As far as I’m concerned, whether it’s inspiring things are the ingredients you L’Enclume when I was working there meat, fish, vegetables, pasta or dessert have to hand. If you have a selection of and I’m sure he’ll get three Michelin it’s never quite right. There’s always fresh seasonal ingredients the recipe stars sooner or later. His food is something that can be improved, and often writes itself. incredible.

I think that’s how all chefs should Speaking to growers, producers, approach their food. If you think it’s farmers and fishermen is also very KL magazine: For anyone interested in 100% perfect, then you’re probably inspirational as they’re even closer to taking up a career as a chef, what single doing something wrong. the food’s origins. piece of advice would you give them?

I must admit that I’m always looking KL magazine: There must be something for ideas when I’m travelling - I’m really Greg Anderson: It’s very, very simple you really don’t enjoy cooking? looking forward to returning to France you just need to work hard. in the near future and visiting Lyon.

Greg Anderson: To be perfectly honest, There are lots of restaurants in the area To enjoy a taste of Greg’s food, call I find it very hard to get excited about I want to visit, and I always enjoy seeing kidneys. I love working with most offal, 01263 741041 or e-mail Morston Hall how things I’ve discovered abroad at reception@morstonhall.com. The and will always use the whole animal could work on the north Norfolk coast. seven-course tasting menu changes on from top to bottom - there are some a daily basis, but you can get a flavour incredible flavours that many chefs KL magazine: Resisting the natural at www.morstonhall.com/dinner simply ignore, and they can add so temptation to name Galton Blackiston, much depth to a dish. But I’d rather who’s your favourite ‘celebrity’ chef avoid kidneys if I had the choice - I and why? think it may be the smell.

Greg Anderson: I don’t really have a favourite celebrity chef, but some of my favourite chefs are Marc Wilkinson of Fraiche in Birkenhead, Kevin Mangeolles at The Neptune over at Old Hunstanton, and Simon Bonwick at The Crown at Burchett’s Green in Berkshire.

All these chefs are purely driven by the love of their craft - and they’ve all been awarded Michelin stars by cooking solo in their own kitchens. I’ve always found that really inspirational.

KL magazine: If you could only have one utensil or appliance in your kitchen, what would it be?

Greg Anderson: A really good quality and sharp knife is essential for a chef, and you should never underestimate the importance of a heavy-bottomed pan with a good surface area - it makes cooking so much easier and it will last a lifetime.

KL magazine: What do you enjoy cooking the most?

KL magazine: What do you do when you’re not cooking or designing new dishes?

Greg Anderson: It’s not a single ingredient - I simply love cooking.

Greg Anderson: Eating, mainly. I’ve been growing a lot of vegetables with

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Morston Hall is one of almost 50 local restaurants featured in the new edition of Dining Out in Norfolk. You can purchase your personal copy by visiting www.klmagazine.co.uk KLmagazine November 2020

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C

hristmas – a time for festive cheer, heaps of

great food and celebrations with loved ones. Within the heart of historic King’s Lynn, we have put together an exclusive 2 or 3

night package crafted with festive magic that will be sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Christmas packages from £249.50pp Call today for more information and to collect this years brochure

01553 774996 Or why not simply join us for a special Christmas Day lunch! Menu available online £79.95pp The Dukes Head Hotel, 5-6 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn PE30 1JS E: reception@dukesheadhotel.com W: www.dukesheadhotel.com thedukesheadhotel dukesheadhotelkingslynn

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KLmagazine November 2020

Enjoy a Nordic night in north Norfolk this winter Some of the best food in the area and one of the most unique locations in north Norfolk - say hello to the The Lifeboat Inn at Thornham

F

or over 500 years The Lifeboat Inn has been providing shelter and welcoming visitors to the stunning North Norfolk coast.

For centuries it’s offered great local beers, wonderful food, and a warm shelter from a rough and stormy sea. It may not have experienced a sea quite as stormy as the past year, but The Lifeboat Inn has typically risen to the challenge.

Over the summer the popular pub, restaurant and hotel opened a COVID-secure opensided stretch tent to treat customers (many of whom travel many miles for the experience) to The Lifeboat Inn’s classic dishes - from the Norfolk Brewhouse battered fish and chips to the incredible Lifeboat Burger.

“It was a huge success and people

really appreciated the fact we’d done something completely different for the area,” says Chef Patron Lee Bye. “It seemed a shame to stop that atmosphere once summer was over and the cold weather came in, so we decided to take it a step further.”

It’s fair to say that Lee and his team have taken several steps forward.

Welcome to the TIPI - a stunning Nordic-style outdoor dining venue that features a beautiful (and very warming) firepit, rare breed sheepskins, attractive autumnal garlands, and a totally safe seating arrangement.

It’s actually quite breathtaking and the perfect place to enjoy The Lifeboat’s enormous burgers.

“You could happily live in the TIPI because it’s so comfortable,” says Lee. “There’s nothing quite like it on the entire north Norfolk coast, and I’m pleased to say that the food is equally impressive - but you’ll need to book

now because it’s selling very fast.”

The Lifeboat Inn is celebrating the very best Norfolk mussels while they’re in season (when there’s an ‘r’ in the month) and the cider and bacon ones are simply outstanding. Visit as part of a group - no more than six people obviously - and you can enjoy one of head chef David Mead’s extraordinary sharing pies. A fabulous peppered steak pie with IPA gravy, seasonal vegetables and a rich creamed mash - it’s the perfect way to end a day walking along one of the most picturesque coastlines in the entire country.

Open seven days a week from noon9pm, The Lifeboat Inn offers a quite unique dining experience – it’s totally local, totally delicious and totally Norfolk.

The Lifeboat Inn, Ship Lane, Thornham, Norfolk PE36 6LT • Tel: 01485 512236 Web: www.lifeboatinnthornham.com • E-mail: info@lifeboatinnthornham.com

KLmagazine November 2020

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PICTURES: Josh Cooper, Max Inkson and Jack Rushton of the Thornham Oyster Company (above), which is treating people to a very special taste of Norfolk with a selection of luxurious and locally-sourced hampers (opposite) © Tim Clarke

Fresh from the sea and direct to your door

The north Norfolk coast produces some of the finest seafood in the country, and the Thornham Oyster Company is bringing it to a whole new audience - with a host of other local delicacies...

T

ake three friends from Norfolk with a passion for local seafood and a vision to share it with the rest of the world and you’ve got the beginnings of the Thornham Oyster Company. Co-founder Max Inkson is sitting in the corner of a north Norfolk pub, surrounded by tar-soaked Tudor beams, looking out at the salt marshes and enjoying a pint of orange juice but his thoughts are (as always) on his favourite bivalve molluscs.

“The primary aim of the Thornham Oyster Company is to change people’s attitudes through education, conversation and accessibility,” he says.

“Oysters are an exquisite delicacy, but over the last 200 years they’ve become a luxurious delight that only the few enjoy. And that’s what we want to change.”

KLmagazine November 2020

Thanks to the waters in which it grows, the Norfolk oyster is a true gastronomic wonder, and by selecting the finest and combining them with traditional flavours and modern techniques, the Thornham Oyster Company is challenging expectations and introducing new customers to one of the coast’s most exciting (and delicious) foods.

“It’s surprising just how many ‘oyster virgins’ there are out there but we’re doing our best to change that,” says Max. “Our regular food and drink popups, street food festivals, wedding catering, private dinner parties and other local collaborations were proving hugely popular – until everything changed in March. Covid certainly crashed our party!”

Max and his fellow co-founders Jack Rushton and Josh Cooper cancelled

11 wedding bookings and were unable to go ahead with a host of planned private functions and special events – but they came up with a brilliant and mouthwatering idea.

“We had a lengthy brainstorming

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“It’s surprising just how many ‘oyster virgins’ there are out there but we’re doing our best to change that” - Max Inkson Co-founder Zoom session to find a way of getting oysters back to our clients and supporting our suppliers,” says Max, “and we came up with the idea of the oyster hamper. It’s very simple, but it’s a real showstopper.”

It’s hard to disagree. Delivered direct to your door, the fresh oysters are accompanied by personally-selected local treats such as lobster, crab, Dublin Bay Prawns, local smoked shrimp, English caviar, samphire and champagne.

Equally refreshing is the Thornham Oyster Company’s commitment to sustainability and conservation. Few people realise how important oysters are, with each one able to process up to 50 gallons of water a day, rejuvenating dirty water and filtering out the sediment and nitrogen that cause such devastation in our coastal waters. When farmed, they’re a truly

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sustainable food source – with no deforestation, no greenhouse gases.

“We’re all aware that the planet needs our help and we’re huge advocates of this, minimizing impact while maximising the oyster experience,” says Max. “For example, the walls of our hampers are made from upcycled crates we collect from local independent greengrocers – our basic ethos is recycle, reuse, and rejuvenate.”

When he’s not involved with the business, Max can usually be found exploring north Norfolk’s creeks and salt marshes, foraging for wild mussels, cockles, samphire and delicate sea herbs. It’s something he first experienced as a young boy before his career took him elsewhere.

“As a young boy my siblings and I used to squeal with joy as we dived down the banks of the creeks splashing and swimming in their shallow warm water,” he says. “Learning to sail where Nelson once navigated cutting through the waves, the same salt spray lashing at our faces - it’s a fantastic place to grow up and it’s an equally fantastic place in which to live and work.”

The Thornham Oyster Company works closely with other local suppliers and artisan producers, offering the very finest pairings to their wonderful oysters – from outstanding wine from Flint Vineyards in Earsham to the delicious hot sauces from RocketShip Sauces in Coltishall.

“We love working closely with local partners and building strong relationships with them,” says Max. “We have an amazing amount of incredible produce in Norfolk, and everyone involved in the food industry has a real passion and understanding for what they’re creating!”

Despite a rather challenging year, the future is looking particularly bright for the Thornham Oyster Company, which has just launched a trio of phenomenal hampers perfectly designed to add an extra touch of sparkle to Christmas Day and the New Year celebrations.

“It’s really encouraging to see our 2021 calendar filling up fast,” says Max. “With weddings, events and our new Oyster Masterclass sessions, we can’t wait to be shucking with our loyal supporters again in the next few months. We obviously love oysters, but we love bringing them to a wider audience just as much.”

The Thornham Oyster Company’s new website has just launched at www.thornhamoysterco.co.uk if you’d like to see what Max and the team are up to at the moment or would like details of the oyster hampers and how to order them. It will also be the first place to learn about the exciting projects the company is currently working on – but for the time being Max isn’t giving anything away.

Apart from his boundless enthusiasm for one of Norfolk’s tastiest foods.

For more details and information you can follow the Thornham Oyster Company on Facebook and Instagram @TheThornhamOysterCo

KLmagazine November 2020

From Thornham With Love...

As we approach the festive season The Chequers Inn offers a unique dining experience - and delivers a taste of Norfolk direct to your door

T

he Chequers Inn at Thornham (named after the tree in its courtyard rather than the traditional pub game) dates back to the 16th century, which means it’s been offering a very special form of hospitality for around 500 years.

From the large open fireplace to the original wooden beams it’s a pub steeped in history, but along with the rest of us it’s now entering a new era - with the focus firmly on customer safety and outstanding dining.

In addition to the traditional (and very well-stocked) bar and bistro-styled restaurant, The Chequers Inn now features four cedar-wood pavilions offering a brilliant al fresco experience all year round.

“They’re heated, they’re fully lit, and they have really comfortable interiors,” says Chef Patron Lee Bye. “Our pavilions are the ideal place to dine out this winter - cosy, candlelit and serving with the finest produce in north Norfolk

on our menus. They’re also very private for the perfect date night.”

And although Lee and his team would love to welcome you to The Chequers Inn, they’re about to give you a special taste of the pub in the comfort of your own home with the launch of From Thornham With Love.

Just in time for Christmas, it’s a brilliant idea that offers speciallyprepared food boxes containing the Chequers’ own Buck’s Fizz, the pub’s delicious homemade bread and its superb Christmas pudding, beautiful smoked salmon from the nearby Staithe Smokehouse, artisan crackers, a carefully-selected wine pairing and a Norfolk Bronze turkey - although you can always choose to have rare breed sirloin or pork if you’d prefer.

“We’ll even be giving people the method to take all the stress away and leave you with all the enjoyment,” says Lee. “Everything’s prepared for you and all you have to do is finish it - and you can either pick your box up at The

The Chequers Inn 82

Chequers or have it delivered to your door.”

The New Year food box is possibly even more tempting, containing a preprepared 3-course meal of Norfolk quail followed by an Angus ribeye steak with Mrs Temple’s baked onions, and finishing with a suitably indulgent sticky toffee pudding.

The Chequers Inn has brought a whole new dimension to dining out in north Norfolk - but it’s about to make dining at home just as enjoyable.

From Thornham With Love - to coin a phrase, it does exactly what it says on the tin.

High Street, Thornham PE36 6LY • T: 01485 512229 W: www.chequersinnthornham.com • E: info@chequersinnthornham.com

KLmagazine November 2020

The Chequers Inn christmas & new years food boxes FROM THORNHAM WITH LOVE Tie your apron, pour a glass of fizz and cook with us this Christmas.

With uncertain times amongst us we are determined to bring a luxury, Chequers Christmas experience to you in your very own home this Christmas.

ÂŁ130

Christmas food box

new years food box

Chequers Bucks Fizz & Christmas crackers

Nyetimber English sparkling wine or Chequers cocktail mixers

TO START Staithe smoked salmon, rye bread, poacher butter Wine Pairing- Picpoul de Pinet CHRISTMAS LUNCH The choice of the following meats with all the traditional Christmas trimmings.

Norfolk Bronze turkey, Rare Breed sirloin of beef Honey glazed gammon or Blythburgh pork loin Wine pairing- Malbec Pascual Toso Mendoza TO FINISH The Chequers own Christmas pudding, lemon curd ice cream, Remy Martin custard Wine pairing- Pontiac, Sauternes Based on two people sharing.

The Christmas boxes will be able to collect or be delivered on the 23rd or the 24th December.

ÂŁ110

TO START Chequers Focaccia and Norfolk oils & Norfolk quail, soy, English pak choi, hazelnuts Wine pairing- Vino Bouchard Pere Fils Fleurie AOC 2016 THE MAIN EVENT 35 day aged Angus rib eye steak Marrow bone butter, green peppercorn and madeira sauce, beef dripping chips, watercress & white onion vinaigrette & Mrs. Temples blue baked onions Wine pairing- Carmanere Gran Reserva, Envero TO FINISH Sticky toffee pudding, clotted cream, smoked salt toffee Wine pairing- 2006 Banyuls Grand Cru, Etoile Chequers signature coffee and petit fours Based on two people sharing.

Pick up from Chequers on 30th and the morning of the 31st December. We can also deliver in the local area.

All of the above comes prepared by our own chefs and with full 1,2,3 steps to ensure you can prepare a Chequers Christmas from your very own kitchen at home where you are the head chef on such a special day in the year.

Call 01485 512229 or email info@chequersinnthornham.com for more details and to order your box We can adapt to allergy and dietary requests. Food boxes will be packed in thermal packaging.

Please specify which meat you would like for the Christmas box.

Sweet and sour battered chicken & egg fried rice 1

Serves: 4

Butterfly chicken breast in half to approx 1.5cm thick then slice into 2.5cm chunks, add to beaten egg.

INGREDIENTS For the chicken 2 chicken breasts Handful plain flour Handful corn flour Salt and pepper 1 egg beaten For the sauce 100g tomato puree 250g light brown sugar 200ml rice wine vinegar (can use white wine vinegar) 2 tbsp dark soy 250ml pineapple juice 2 tbsp corn flour mixed with cold water 100g peppers cut into strips 100g red onion (less harsh flavor) 100g pineapple chunks For the rice 500g long grain rice cooked a day before 200g garden peas 3 eggs beaten 2 tbsp dark soy Pinch cracked black pepper

2

Mix plain flour, corn flour, salt and pepper, add the raw chicken, dripping off the excess egg, and coat each piece till well coated.

3 4

Deep fry for 3 minutes at 150°C set aside while you make sauce.

In a pan add all ingredients for the sauce except peppers, pineapple, onion and corn flour mix. Bring to boil, thicken with corn flour mix until sauce is thickened enough for you. (you can add more pineapple juice if you over thicken it) then add peppers, onion and pineapple and take off heat.

of pan add rest of ingredients, move the egg on top of the rice until rice is hot(so as not to overcook egg) then slowly break egg throughout the rice and mix the soy sauce well.

7 8

Add chicken to sauce stir so well coated.

Check sauce add little more sugar if too sour, or more rice vinegar if too sweet.

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

5

Deep fry chicken at 190°C until cooked and crispy approx 3-4 minutes, drain excess oil, meanwhile make the rice.

6

Nonstick pan lightly oiled, high heat scramble eggs, move to side

Recipe by David Plumb, Head Chef at The Heron The Causeway, Stowbridge PE34 3PP 01366 384040 www.theheronstowbridge.com 84

KLmagazine November 2020

ORIENTAL PALACE

CHINESE RESTAURANT Peking Szechuan & Cantonese Cuisine

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

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

Christmas at The Heron

Celebrate Christmas with us at our cosy riverside pub

We are FULLY BOOKED for Christmas Day but we still have spaces for our pre-order menu on Boxing Day. Reserve your table now to avoid disappointment!

This year we will not be holding our Christmas party nights (due to Covid restrictions) but instead we will be offering a special Christmas themed menu throughout the whole month of December (pre-booking is recommended). Come any day of the week and enjoy the spirit of Christmas with us at The Heron!

Tracey & Stuart x

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

01366 384040 | www.theheronstowbridge.com | The Heron Stowbridge, The Causeway, Stowbridge PE34 3PP KLmagazine November 2020

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

Fresh fish perfect for cosy Autumn evenings BRANCASTER MUSSELS

• Take away dinners including fish pies, quiches, sandwiches, salads, scotch eggs, fishcakes and NEW spring rolls.

All freshly made on the premises • Fresh winkles • Local shellfish • Tuna & Swordfish • Jumbo raw prawns • Wide range of fresh & smoked fish • Free range eggs & local honey • Deli counter with quality local cheeses and olives

HOMEMADE DINNERS

Orders are now being taken for Christmas!

D NALDS NS A fresh taste of the sea

Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel: 01553 772241 86

KLmagazine November 2020

Why the horizon is bright for The Rathskeller...

As a central part of the vibrant social scene on the south quay in King’s Lynn The Rathskeller is looking to the future with plenty of fresh ideas

I

t’s not a stretch of the imagination to describe The Rathskeller in King’s Lynn as unique - there’s nowhere else in the entire country where you can enjoy a great evening and a memorable meal in a Hanseatic warehouse. It may have 500 years of history behind it, but The Rathskeller is definitely looking to the future.

“We’ve obviously been affected by the events of this year, but we’re all feeling positive,” says front of house manager Michelle Anderson. “In fact, this year we had our busiest-ever August.

Part of that success is undoubtedly due to the arrival of experienced head chef James Lawrence-Stayte, who’s brought a fresh contemporary flavour to the popular riverside bar and restaurant’s menu.

His mouthwatering Street Food Nights

(usually held on the last Friday of every month) feature such delights as crispy pork bonbons, sticky King Prawns with a fantastic chilli glaze, Texas Buzzard Breath chilli beef (which is so good it won first prize at the Chilli Appreciation Society International Cookoff), an amazing Buffalo cauliflower burger, and some delicious spiced lamb Merguez sausages. Because the menu changes every month, you may not be able to enjoy all of these dishes but you can certainly look forward to something new to discover.

“James has definitely taken The Rathskeller’s food to another level with some really innovative flavour combinations,” says co-owner Alex Havers.

“Although we’re now in venison season, he recently suggested a rabbit dish which we were all a bit sceptical about - but it proved to be the most popular dish

on the menu!”

But it’s not all about the food (fantastic though it is) at The Rathskeller, which has long been a central part of the riverside’s vibrant social scene.

“Our monthly pub quiz was always hugely popular and we’ve been holding virtual events over the last few months,” says Michelle. “We’re hoping to be hosting them again very soon, together with live music events indoors and outside - and we’re currently planning a big whisky and rum festival for next summer which will feature some really talented local producers.”

And following the massive success of the ‘Bottomless Brunch’ earlier this year, The Rathskeller is looking forward to serving a Christmas-themed version as we enter the festive season.

It’s never looked better, it’s never been more welcoming, it’s never been such a wonderful venue to enjoy a meal and the food’s never been better.

Welcome to The Rathskeller - and please visit the website (below) to keep up to date.

1 Hanse House, South Quay, King’s Lynn PE30 5GN | Tel: 01553 773713 Web: www.therathskeller.co.uk | E-mail: info@therathskeller.co.uk KLmagazine November 2020

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Roast Norfolk quail with parsnip, shallot & potato rosti and black pudding fritters INGREDIENTS (Serves 2) 2 quail 2 medium potatoes 1 parsnip 1 shallot finely sliced 100g black pudding

1

Grate parsnip and potatoes into a clean tea towel and wring out as much water as possible. Add sliced shallots and seasoning, mix well.

2

Fry potato mix in a hot pan with 1 tablespoon of oil. Press the potato into an egg ring to help keep its shape. Cook over a low heat until golden brown and turn over cook about 5-6 minutes either side.

3

Rub oil over the quails, season with salt and pepper. Sit on the sliced onion in a roasting tray and cook in oven at 200°C for 8-10 minues. Then rest for 5 minutes.

1 small onion 2 tbsp plain flour 1 tsp cornflour 1 tsp baking powder 200ml water

and then batter. Fry in hot oil for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

5 6

To serve carve the breasts away from the carcass.

Place the rosti in the middle of the plate, top with some wilted greens, arrange the quail on top and garnish with black pudding fritters and apple sauce.

The Crown Hotel is one of almost 50 local restaurants featured in the new edition of Dining Out in Norfolk.

You can purchase your personal copy by visiting www.klmagazine.co.uk

4

Roll the black pudding into 6 balls about the size of a large marble. Put flour, cornflour and baking powder into a bowl, whisk in the water to make a batter, add seasoning. Coat the black pudding in seasoned flour

Recipe by Nikki Merchant, Head Chef at The Crown Hotel The Buttlands, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1EX 01328 710209 www.crownatwells.co.uk 88

KLmagazine November 2020

Your kind of kitchen and our kind of service

O

As MKM in King’s Lynn opens its new kitchen showroom, customers are enjoying a new world of high quality

ver the last few months, MKM in King’s Lynn has evolved from a traditional builder’s merchant into a complete retail-friendly environment with a brand new showroom offering a superb range of kitchens and bathrooms, a wealth of design expertise, over 10 years of professional experience and a service that’s simply second to none.

It still has absolutely everything the building trade could want, but it’s also a welcoming and attractive space for the general public.

“We’ve doubled the footprint of the showroom, we’ve completely refurbished the offices, and we’ve employed new staff to help you design the kitchen you’re looking for,” says Branch Director Damian Roach. “It’s been a significant investment, but the

KLmagazine November 2020

results are amazing - in fact there’s nothing quite like it in the whole area.”

The new showroom features an outstanding range of kitchens, and showcases a number of collections from leading British manufacturers.

“One of the most important things for us was to offer something for every taste and budget,” says Damian. “We’ve got a number of beautiful traditional designs and we’ve got plenty of exciting modern ideas - whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got a kitchen to perfectly match your needs. And your budget.”

From vintage-styled taps and innovative layouts to hand-painted finishes and state-of-the-art worktops, MKM King’s Lynn offers expert guidance and advice from dedicated in-branch designers - and they’ll help you every step of the way from your first ideas and 3D walkthroughs all the

way through to organising your free delivery.

And though it’s part of a nationwide group with over 70 branches across the country, MKM King’s Lynn is still very much a local business run and staffed by local people. MKM has always had everything your home is looking for and now it’s got even more!

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An iconic location and a rich maritime history At one time the harbour of Wells-next-the-Sea was one of the most important ports in the country, and it’s still one of the most beautiful

T

oday Wells-next-the-Sea is one of the most popular and beautiful locations on the coast of north Norfolk, and thousands of people visit it throughout the year for its stunning beauty, exceptional restaurants and friendly atmosphere.

Few of those visitors realise just how important the town was as a seaport - or that it started supplying grain to London as early as the 14th century.

Within a few years the town was also supplying the miners of the northeast (in return for coal) and by 1580 Wells was the major port in the area, being home to 19 ships of over 16 tons.

Malt was another major product and at one time Wells could boast no less than 12 maltings - in 1750 the town was responsible for over 30% of the entire country’s malt exports.

Given the riches and quality of the coast’s natural produce, Wells also

became a significant fishing port as early as 1337 it was operating 13 fishing boats, bringing seafood and fish (particularly cod and herring) into the town.

The famous quayside so popular with visitors today is the result of a major rebuild in 1845 as part of attempts to improve the town to satisfy the growing tourist trade - which only grew when the railway

ABOVE: The beautiful harbour at Wells-next-the-Sea looks stunning at ground level - and it may be even more picturesque from the air

arrived some 10 years later.

Despite that, Wells was still building ships until the late nineteenth century and the port underwent something of a revival during the late 1970s with ships of up to 300 tons unloading on the quay. As late as 1982 there were still 258 ship movements into (and out of) the harbour.

In fact commercial trade in the town probably only ended in the late 1990s with the last shipments of grain brought from Europe by the Dutch sailing ketch Albatros, which was thought to be the last commercial trading vessel under sail in Europe. Today the beautiful ship (it’s now one of the oldest sailing ships still afloat) is permanently moored on the quayside and is a hugely-popular bar, restaurant, B&B and music venue.

Don’t think that Wells is resting on its 600-year-old laurels, however. The town retains a vibrant fishing fleet, with the domestic boats joined by fishing vessels from all over the UK and Europe - and the harbour has become even busier in recent years with various vessels engaged in survey, crew transfer and safety boat operations for the Sheringham Shoal offshore windfarm.

Officially opened in September 2012, it generated enough electricity in its first 12 months (1.2TWh) to power the whole of the London Underground for an entire year.

In addition, the harbour at Wells increasingly caters for leisure activities, offering sea angling trips, hosting a thriving sailing and water ski club,

92

and being one of the popular spots in Norfolk for the long-established tradition of ‘gillying’ - better known as crabbing.

Wells has also operated a lifeboat for almost 200 years, and the old lifeboat house is now home to the harbour offices. The planned replacement of the current boat next year will require a much larger station, and the fate of the station at the harbour entrance is uncertain.

The distinctive memorial adjacent to the harbour offices commemorates the lifeboat disaster of October 1880, when 11 of the 13 crew drowned while assisting the 171 ton Ocean Queen - a tragedy that left 10 widows and made 27 children fatherless. The only survivors were William Bell, who managed to stay with the lifeboat until it righted itself, and Thomas Kew, was washed ashore alive.

If you’re interested in taking a deeper and fascinating look at the history of Wells harbour and its future, look no further than Crossing the Bar - the brilliant book written by long-serving harbour master Robert

Smith MBE and Zoe Dunford from the Wells-based Coastal Exploration Company.

Containing a wealth of historical detail and colourful events from smuggling to secret wartime experiments, it was described by The Guardian as “a hymn to the most beautiful coastline in the world.”

The harbour at Wells has got a rich and fascinating history - but it has an even more exciting future.

For the latest news including tide times, mooring availability and details of the Wells Harbour Maritime Trust, please visit www.portofwells.co.uk The fabulous image on the previous pages can be purchased as a readyto-frame print (along with 49 other incredible local images) in a range of sizes from our online gallery at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2020

Beautiful Eco-friendly Wooden Toys

Perfect for Christmas Ele and Me is an independent, family-run toy shop in Wells-next-the-sea. We specialise in traditional wooden toys, organic cotton clothing, sensory and educational toys and Eco home and Eco life products.

Pop in and say hello, we’d love to meet you!

Stocking filler mystery box Let us know the age of your little one and how much you’d like to spend and we’ll put together a mystery Christmas stocking filler for you!

Ele and Me, 1 Bolts Close, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1JP OPEN Mon-Sat 10am-5pm & Sunday 10am-4pm WEBSITE www.eleandme.com

LED LIGHTING • LIGHT FITTINGS • ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

WE ARE NOW OPEN!

Please call us on 01328 855028 to find out our current opening times

THE LIGHTING SPECIALISTS A family-run business with over 60 years experience in the supply of light bulbs and lighting to homes and businesses.

Get in touch or visit our store to find out more...

est 1958

OLIVER LAMPS KLmagazine November 2020

Visit our website: www.oliverlamps.com For quick delivery on hundreds of quality lights and fixtures A 26/28 Oak Street, Fakenham NR21 9DY E sales@oliverlamps.com

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ABOVE: The stunning re-development of Water Hall in Wighton is just one of the many award-winning projects completed by Fakenham-based Grocott & Murfit, which range from the traditional to the contemporary (opposite)

Building Norfolk and investing in communities For over a decade Grocott & Murfit has been creating award-winning developments - and is now building strong community links with their ‘Building Norfolk’ programme

S

ince Daniel Grocott and Jody Murfit founded their company 13 years ago, Grocott & Murfit has built (in a very literal sense) a highly-specialist and talented team of expert architects, project managers and quantity surveyors – and every single one plays a part in the continued success of one of the most exciting and progressive building companies in Norfolk.

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The company has recently been named as County Winners in the prestigious UK Property Awards for one of their latest residential projects in north Norfolk and next month will compete for regional recognition at a virtual red carpet ceremony. Managing Directors Daniel Grocott and Jody Murfit are both particularly proud of this

given the challenging circumstances of 2020, and believe winning such a high profile award will help underpin the specialist team ethos the company has worked so hard to develop.

The UK Property Award for Residential Build (Norfolk) adds to the already rich library of accolades the company has achieved over the last few years, including having twice

KLmagazine November 2020

taken the overall Gold Award at the Mayor’s Design Awards organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk.

With a combination of architectural excellence and a passion for building, Grocott & Murfit pride themselves on their unique culture, which is based on the very real and genuine purpose of engaging with and supporting local communities across the county - a common interest shared by all the company’s employees.

It’s also an approach that led to the creation of the ‘Building Norfolk’ community support programme at the start of this year. The programme has developed from a passion for the

KLmagazine November 2020

county and the unique community spirit that exists in many of the towns and villages Grocott & Murfit build homes in. They want to protect this for future generations, with the company committing a percentage of their profits to community projects each year.

Grocott & Murfit build exceptional properties across Norfolk and have a stunning portfolio - however Daniel Grocott explains that it’s not all about bricks and mortar. It’s also about enhancing the local area, supporting the local community by working together, and ensuring Norfolk

remains an attractive and opportune place to call home.

The programme is based on four operational pillars - Environment, Education, Wellbeing and Growth. On the environmental side, it’s focused on supporting local community programmes according to individual need, delivering or participating in events to bring a community together, or empowering employees to get involved in fundraising initiatives.

Education supports local schools and colleges, providing mentoring and work placement opportunities, and motivating the younger generation to gain knowledge and experience to inspire them for the future.

The third pillar, Wellbeing, is part of Grocott & Murfit’s commitment to ensuring everyone has access to exercise and healthy nutrition without restriction – and without regard for age, gender, ethnicity, ability or financial strength.

The company is actively promoting mental health awareness and regularly advocates for wellbeing at school and work programmes.

Finally, Building Norfolk is founded on the idea of growth - providing budding Norfolkbased entrepreneurs with the necessary support networks to kickstart their ideas and realise their ambitions without relocating.

Naturally, an initiative that started in February 2020 was inevitably hit hard by the impact of COVID-19, but with its commitment to supporting local communities Building Norfolk came into its own and rose to the occasion.

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Within three days of the announcement of the national lockdown in March, Grocott & Murfit had established a hot meal outreach service and over the course of the next 12 weeks delivered no less than 50 hot meals every single day to vulnerable people in and around Fakenham. It’s something Daniel Grocott said was a true team effort and one which really helped highlight the core purpose of the programme, making a tangible difference to the community when they needed it most. Not just in regard to providing nutritious meals, but by supporting other local businesses and providing someone to speak to at the end of the phone or friendly face at the window when the meals were delivered - all of which helped break through the feelings of isolation during that time.

More recently the programme has also supported the development of an outside wellbeing area for Y1 at Fakenham Infant School, pledging funds raised through a workplace challenge where employees of the firm

completed a collective 100,000 pressups.

Building Norfolk is currently actively involved in the development of a further two projects that focus on wellbeing and education, bringing the total this year alone to four.

‘Despite an already impressive workload, Grocott & Murfit are also undertaking the renovation/ refurbishment of the muchloved village pub in South Creake, popularly known as The Ostrich, which has been officially designated an Asset of Community Value. The redeveloped village hub (with enhanced accommodation and an improved restaurant offering) will focus on a menu rich in ingredients of local provenance and is due to open in May 2021.

Managing Director Teresa Haughey and Executive Chef Jes Paskins are excited to be welcoming local residents back into what Teresa calls ‘their pub’ - a community feature which has clearly been very much missed since its closure.

“It’s fantastic to work so closely with

a building company that really understands the importance of community,” says Teresa, “especially as that’s such an integral feature of what we’re trying to achieve as we bring back The Ostrich.

An innovative and highly motivated local business, Grocott & Murfit is going from strength to strength, not least because of its positive, communityminded attitude - embodied by the Building Norfolk programme. The company’s ambition to both preserve the special essence of north Norfolk, while helping it to thrive as a county for the next generation, could not be in better hands.

Heath Barn, Norwich Road, Fakenham NR21 8LZ Tel: 01328 851420 Web: www.grocottandmurfit.co.uk E-mail: info@grocottandmurfit.co.uk

ABOVE: Since Daniel Grocott (left) and Jody Murfit (right) established their company 13 years ago, Grocott & Murfit’s work has enhanced some of the most beautiful locations in north Norfolk - and they’re now doing more for local communities with their Building Norfolk initiative 96

KLmagazine November 2020

NOR FOL K R ECLAIM

Norfolk Bricks • Pantiles • Pamments • Floor Bricks Doors • Ironmongery • Stone Paving • Fireplaces Basins • Garden Statuary • and much more KLmagazine November 2020

Reclaimed Building Materials & Architectural Salvage tel: 01328 864743

Helhoughton Road, Hempton, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 7DY www.norfolkreclaim.co.uk E D

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Windows Doors Conservatories Orangeries Roofline Guttering Fascias Flat roofing Garage doors Carports Porches Double, triple and secondary glazing

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

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

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KLmagazine November 2020

A healthy breath of fresh air from the 4 Way Group Today’s energy-efficient and highly-insulated homes still need clean air: and state-of-the-art MVHR systems from the 4 Way Group

O

n average our homes are more than twice as wellinsulated and airtight as they were 20 years ago, but the drive for increased energy efficiency and better insulation has also resulted in a less-welcome side effect.

A recent study has shown that without the natural ventilation provided by open fireplaces and fabrics such as lime render, our indoor air quality is now alarmingly poor - and as we’re spending more of our time indoors, that long-term exposure to polluted and oxygen-depleted air is likely to have negative health implications.

The simple solution to this dilemma (energy efficient homes versus natural air) is a Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) system from the 4 Way Group.

“MVHR is the only form of ventilation that cuts out almost all heat losses which make up to 30% of the heating

demand of a property,” says Steve Simpson of the 4 Way Group. “In fact, no other ventilation system is as consistent in providing the correct amount of fresh air into each room - as well as extracting stale and polluted air where needed.”

The 4 Way Group’s MVHR systems use very little energy and go hand-inhand with the ‘fabric first’ approach to building design - and have the greatest impact of any other renewable technology in terms of heating costs and CO2 footprints.

“Essentially, our MVHR systems supply fresh air to all habitable rooms, removing the moist stale air and reusing the heat to warm the fresh air entering your property,” says Steve. “We can design the system from scratch using the architect’s plans, and it’s best to do that as early as possible because ideally it needs to be incorporated into the build.”

One of the great attractions of MVHR is that it feels like you’re enjoying fresh air from open windows, even though your windows are closed! The system operates in the background and adjusts temperature and airflow accordingly.

Even better, the automatic all-year settings mean you won’t have to make any manual adjustments - unless you’re on holiday or have more a lot more people than usual in the property.

“Our MVHR systems run almost silently and only need the filters changing every six months or so,” says Steve, “but I think most developers and builders are attracted by the running costs - it’s the equivalent of a single low energy lightbulb, which is only about 10p a day.”

With all the help and advice you need and a 24-hour support service, the 4 Way Group are leading the way in energy efficient, fully sustainable and refreshingly healthy technology.

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

KLmagazine November 2020

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ABOVE: The church of St. George in South Acre has a charming exterior - but it houses some quite extraordinary treasures (opposite)

A small village church that’s full of wonders From the outside, the church of St George at South Acre is rather humble - but the interior is one of the most spectacular in Norfolk

A

s a village, South Acre has almost disappeared now - in the 2001 census it reported a population of only 32 people in a mere 13 households. South Acre does however have a quite extraordinary church, whose size is out of all proportion to the incredible treasures it contains.

The first thing that strikes you about the church of St George is that it seems to straddle two completely different design aesthetics.

The north side (facing the road) has all the grandeur and beauty you’d expect from a 14th century church, but the south side is noticeably more

KLmagazine November 2020

genteel and subdued - thanks largely to a restoration that took place around 500 years later.

It’s a fascinating contrast, but once through the doors you’ll find a lovely, peaceful and architecturally-perfect space. And off to the east you’ll discover an arcade that leads to one of the most amazing features of any church in Norfolk.

The astonishing Barkham mausoleum marks the final resting place of Sir Edward Barkham and his wife Penelope, and was made the delightfully-named Christmas Brothers in the 17th century.

A former Lord Mayor of London, Sir Edward Barkham died in 1623, and

although very little is known about his wife their exquisite alabaster figures speak volumes for the life and times of the period.

Laying side by side and dressed in the appropriate clothes of the day, the couple are surrounded by fascinating details; a young girl representing ‘life’, a distinctly-unnerving skeleton representing ‘death’, a winged hourglass symbolising ‘time’ and charming representations of the couple’s five children. Even these are unusual. Despite being knelt in prayer, the children seem somewhat distracted - they’re peering around corners as though they’d rather be elsewhere.

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far more mentions of another local family.

A few steps away lays a large brass dedicated to John Harsick and his wife. The life-size portrait is remarkable, because although Harsick’s left hand is covered by a readyfor-action gauntlet, his right is tenderly holding his wife’s hand.

Another member of this prominent family can be found on a coffin slab in the aisle, which features the figure of Sir Eudo Harsick, who died in 1292 and fought in the later Crusades it’s obvious from the sculpture that he was clearly a member of the Catholic military order the Knights Templar.

One of Eudo’s descendants was ABOVE: The interior of the church of St. George in South Acre is a peaceful home to some fascinating features - from involved in a particularly exquisite carvings to important works of religious art (opposite) interesting incident in 1441 when a group of local workers blocked It’s one of the most beautiful the main road through South Acre and memorials in any church in Norfolk. tried to kill Sir Geoffrey Harsick while As for Sir Edward, it’s unclear when singing “we are Robynhodsmen - war, he was born, but we do know that for war, war!” The legend of Robyn Hod four years (1605-09) he was Master of (the legendary figure we now call Robin the Leathersellers Company and he was Hood) was quite popular in Norfolk at knighted in 1622. And his great-greatthe time, and events such as this would grandson was a certain Robert Walpole, help shape the later printed versions of who would go on to build Houghton the tale.

Hall and become Britain’s first Prime The wooden effigy of Sir Geoffrey Minister. On the opposite wall you can is badly worn, but is rather startling see a facsimile of Sir Edward’s own and now rests in a tomb recess on the helmet, which was given to the church south side of the chancel. in 1956 by the Tower of London in On the floor nearby you’ll find the return for the permanent loan of the interesting brass figure of Thomas original.

Leman (the church rector who died in Naturally the Barkhams’ astonishing 1534) and don’t miss the engraved brass memorial tends to steal the show, but of the Virgin and Child - it’s extremely within the walls of St George you’ll find rare and only two other examples are known in the whole of East Anglia.

This is a church that was obviously much-loved.

A memorial in the chancel wall details how Rev William Brocklebank paved the area with stone out of his own pocket in August 1725 102

- also cleaning and straightening the gravestones, and removing any that were un-inscribed.

And the carved bench ends in the choir stalls (probably dating from the early 20th century) are simply charming, featuring animals such as snails, frogs, otters and fishes.

The church of St George has been Grade I listed since June 1960, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a beautiful building - packed with unique features, fascinating details, and plenty of historic interest. Norfolk may have the greatest concentration of churches in the world, but there are few that can compare to this one.

If you’d like to visit the church of St George you’ll find it a short distance south of Castle Acre priory at PE32 2AD, and it’s usually open every day.

KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

The bathroom of your dreams - with 50% off Expertly designed and professionally installed, your new bathroom is ready at bathco today - together with all the help and advice you need

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here’s never been a better time to enjoy a personallydesigned and fully fitted bathroom as bathco are currently offering 50% off all brochure prices on some of the most stylish and finely-crafted bathrooms currently available.

For almost 20 years, bathco has been designing and installing high quality bathrooms including a range of popular features such as dual head showers and freestanding baths, and contemporary touches like designer towel rails and mirrors with built-in Bluetooth audio.

Starting with a free no-obligation home design and quotation and a fullydetailed pre-installation survey, your new bathroom will be in the hands of dedicated project management and an expert installation team from day one.

By using 3D modelling, virtual reality software and (with your permission) photographs of your current bathroom, the bathco design team can show you exactly what your new project will look like - and make any changes or refinements before work begins.

“It’s fair to say that we take care of everything,” says general manager Stuart Marsden. “We’ll handle all the tiling, all the electrics, all the plumbing and all the heating - and we’ll even safely remove the fixtures and fittings of your old bathroom.”

But the bathco service doesn’t end there - because your new bathroom is totally covered by a full 12-month installation warranty, professional product guarantees that can often last a lifetime, and an aftercare service that’s always at the end of the phone for help

and advice.

“At the heart of everything bathco does is close and regular communication with our customers,” says Stuart. “That starts on day one when you first visit our showroom, and it never really ends because we’ll always be here in the future if you need us.”

For the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of and the service you’ve always wanted, contact bathco today for your free design appointment or visit one of the company’s showrooms in King’s Lynn, Dereham and Thetford.

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KLmagazine November 2020

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ABOVE: Howard Carter carefully examines the extraordinary coffin of Tutankhamen in the tomb he discovered in 1922 - or did he?

Howard Carter: should we be celebrating now?

The discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922 ranks as one of the most astonishing discoveries of all time, but there’s a very real chance that we should already be celebrating Howard Carter’s amazing find...

I

n two years’ time we’ll be awash in ‘Cartermania’ as we celebrate the centenary of Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen in November 1922 - an incredible journey that started in Swaffham and ended in spectacular fashion in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.

However, it’s more than possible (in fact it’s extremely likely) that the real centenary of Carter’s discovery should actually take place this month - two years before it’s supposed to.

Although his official biography at britannica.com gives Swaffham as his birthplace, Howard Carter was born in Kensington in 1874, the 11th and youngest child of the artist and illustrator Samuel Carter. Young 106

Howard spent much of his childhood in Swaffham (both his parents had been born in the town) and his father was a frequent visitor to the Amherst family at nearby Didlington Hall, painting animals (dead or alive) on the estate.

Samuel passed his artistic skills on to his equally-gifted son, but the teenager was less interested in game shooting than in the Amherst’s extraordinary collection of Egyptian statues and antiquities. In fact, Lady Amherst was so impressed with the boy’s drawings that she arranged for young Howard to join an exploration in Egypt, where - despite the fact he was only 17 at the time - he introduced several innovations to the conventional methods of copying tomb decorations.

The following year saw Carter working for Flinders Petrie (often described as the father of Egyptology) at a remote and desolate site called Armana, which had once been the capital city founded by the controversial pharaoh Akhenaten whose only known son was a virtually unknown king called Tutankhamen.

As Carter’s career progressed, so did our understanding of who Tutankhamen was. By the end of 1907 a series of momentous discoveries in the Valley of the Kings (which included the tomb of his great grandparents) revealed that Tutankhamen had ruled for at least eight years and was almost certainly mummified and buried in the valley - which meant that his tomb was KLmagazine November 2020

“The centenary of the greatest discovery in the history of archaeology deserves to be celebrated...” probably still waiting to be discovered.

Carter had a brilliant, incisive and analytic mind, and through a very careful examination of maps and the locations of known tombs (and when they’d been built) Carter calculated that if Tutankhamen’s tomb did exist it would have been built very close to the entrance to the much-visited and longopen tomb of Rameses VI, which had been constructed around 200 years after Tutankhamen’s death.

Howard Carter started digging in the area and towards the end of 1920 discovered the remains of the huts used by the workmen building the later tomb. This was an extremely significant find, because it meant that anything under the huts had been there for at least 3,000 years, and if he dug any deeper (thus moving further back in time) he would soon arrive at the ‘time’ of Tutankhamen’s death.

It was exactly what he’d been looking for, and he undoubtedly felt a keen sense of excitement that he was now literally in undiscovered territory.

Virtually his entire life and career had led Carter to this very spot, and his precise calculations and deductions appeared to be totally correct. If Tutankhamen’s tomb existed at all, it was beneath his feet.

So, did Carter take a couple of deep breaths, give himself a pat on the back and pick up a spade?

Well, no. Far from it, in fact - he covered up the remains of the huts and moved on to do some much less interesting work elsewhere in the Valley of the Kings. It seems an extraordinary, mystifying and totally inexplicable thing to have done, especially as he spent the remainder of 1920 building a largely superfluous 12-ft high retaining wall outside the entrance to the tomb of

KLmagazine November 2020

ABOVE: Howard Carter excavates the tomb of Tutankhamen - suspiciously framed by a wall he built two years before the official discovery

Rameses VI. But this wall with its oddly-placed right angles may well be the smoking gun of the whole affair, because in 24 months’ time it would perfectly frame and protect the entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamen - which no one had seen for 3,000 years and many professionals thought didn’t exist.

The wall is so exactly positioned it’s hard to escape the conclusion that Carter had

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continued digging under the workers’ huts in November 1920 and had uncovered at least a few of the steps leading downwards to the sealed doorway of a tomb. But why on earth would he then cover it up and temporarily abandon the site?

The answer may well lie in the state of his relationship with Lord Carnarvon at the time. The latter had financed Crater’s work for years and was becoming dissillusioned with having poured considerable amounts of money into excavations that produced little more than fragments of pots and the odd piece of wood.

Along with the rest of the family, the aristocrat was also becoming concerned about the friendship between his 20-year-old daughter (then one of the country’s most famous debutantes) and the 48-year-old archaeologist from Swaffham.

The writing was on the wall, and Carter certainly wasn’t stupid - he would have known that (much like the ailing Carnarvon) the money wasn’t going to last forever. He was certainly astute enough to have kept something up his sleeve for when the inevitable happened.

Which it duly did in October 1922, when Carter was summoned to the Carnavon family home at Highclere Castle (instantly familiar as the real Downton Abbey) and was told that the funding was being withdrawn. Lord Carnavon had simply had enough.

Carter’s reaction is revealing.

Instead of accepting the perfectly understandable decision (and confirming the general view that the Valley of the Kings had given up all its secrets) he asked, pleaded, implored and virtually begged Carnavon for just one more season’s work. He was convinced it was worth it. He was sure they’d find something worthwhile.

Carter even said he’d pay for the work himself as long as he was reimbursed if he did find anything.

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ABOVE: The death mask of Tutankhamen is one of the greatest treasures in the world, discovered by Howard Carter and Lord Carnavon - whose family home was Highclere Castle (below), instantly recognisable to fans of the television series as the ‘real’ Downton Abbey

Carnarvon eventually agreed, and a couple of weeks later Carter returned to Egypt - immediately (and rather oddly) setting to work on the very spot under the workers’ huts he’d abandoned back in 1920.

For many years a number of archeologists (inclduing Carter himself) had been painstakingly searching in vain for the slightest clues to the tomb of Tutankhamen, but on November 3rd Howard Carter suddenly found it after only two days of digging and with the entrance conveniently and rather suspiciously protected by the wall he’d built two years earlier.

Despite what you may have gathered from characters such as Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, archaeology simply doesn’t work like that - it takes years of detailed research, meticulous study, careful analysis and excruciatingly slow progress.

Howard Carter himself is a case in point. Tutankhamen’s tomb was found to be extremely small (a mere four rooms) but Carter’s professional approach and commitment to precision and accuracy meant it would take him the best part of 10 years to remove the tomb’s 5,000 separate items - every single one being carefully recorded, photographed, assessed and

catalogued before its removal.

And soon after the last object was removed and the tomb swept clear for tourists Howard Carter left Egypt and never returned.

It was almost certainly the greatest discovery in the history of archaeology and its centenary deserves to be celebrated - whenever that is!

At Swaffham Museum the Carter Connection gallery is one of its most popular attractions (it may well be the only museum in the country that does the story justice) and staff have been working on plans to celebrate the centenary for the best part of two years.

“We’re planning to refurbish the Carter Connection, create a permanent reminder in the town centre and hold a series of special events, talks and films,” says Sue Gattuso, volunteer manager at Swaffham Museum. “Our plans had to be put on hold due to coronavirus, but they’re now really taking shape.”

For Sue, the story of Howard Carter is just as exciting as all the gold and treasures.

“His story is one of determination, hard work, talent, support and a fair amount of luck,” she says. “They combined to turn an ill-educated, ordinary, sleepy young man of yeoman stock from Swaffham into one of the most famous archaeologists of all time.

And that’s lesson for us all, really.”

To keep up to date with the museum’s plans for the latest information on opening times, please visit the website at www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

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ou won’t need reminding that we’ve spent a lot more time at home than usual over the last few months, and all that extra activity and foot traffic has inevitably take its toll on our floors. Hard floors, ceramic tiles and natural stone have a natural tendency to attract dust and debris at the best of times, and it has an annoying and unsightly tendency to work its way into the floors’ contours and grout lines.

That’s when it’s time to call on the amazing cleaning services of Martin King and his Swaffham-based team at Xtraclean. The good news is that following the latest safety guidelines, Martin can bring your floors back to their very best and give them an ‘as new’ look - usually in less than a day!

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

equally expert approach to cleaning,” says Martin. “For over 25 years we’ve been restoring floors all over Norfolk – using the most advanced and powerful cleaning system currently available in the UK.” Xtraclean’s highly 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 of your floor they’ll get to work – breaking down ingrained dirt and loosening surface soiling.

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

Xtraclean doesn’t use harmful chemicals or procedures such as grinding and resurfacing (which can

actually damage the floor) - but does use professional anti-bacterial cleaning agents for to keep you and your family safe. The results are truly spectacular.

“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!”

Xtraclean can even help you ‘lock in’ those good looks specialist sealing products and keep them for even longer.

“You’ll have to see the results to believe them,” says Martin. “Just ask our customers – they can hardly believe it’s the same floor!”

For totally clean floors and a totally safe approach, contact Xtraclean using the details below for extra-professional cleaning and customer service that really is second to none.

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The lasting legacy of a proud military tradition At one time Norfolk was home to over 50 airbases, but although they’re now living new lives, the vital part they played in our history lives on

PICTURES: The past and present of Norfolk’s airbase heritage - from the operational base at RAF Marham (above and below) to the former RAF Sculthorpe (centre) - which was once the biggest atomic bomber base in Europe

W

hen the First World War started in 1914 there were only seven aerodromes in the whole country, but within four years that number would increase to over 300 - over 10% of which were in Norfolk.

Some were large stations with several aircraft, while others were simple landing grounds featuring little more than a telephone and a storage shed.

Norfolk’s relative flatness and its proximity to Europe (just over 100 miles from Great Yarmouth to Holland) made it perfect for aviation sites, and on the outbreak of the Second World War it’s fair to say the county went airbase crazy.

In just six years, now fewer than 444 airfields were constructed in Britain at a cost of over £200 million - at the peak of construction in 1942 a new airfield was being opened every three days.

And the scale of this building work is hard to imagine. The creation of RAF Rackheath just outside Norwich in 1943, for example, required over half a million cubic yards of concrete.

KLmagazine November 2020

The end of the war saw this massive construction programme come to an end, and many of the airfields were gradually closed down and sold off.

Today they range from Bircham Newton which is almost unique in having most of its buildings pretty much intact - to Matlaske (south of Cromer) which has almost completely disappeared apart from a few traces of the perimeter track.

At one time Norfolk had over 50 RAF bases, and this heritage is still very much with us today - albeit in slightly different ways.

Only three miles from the coast, RAF Langham was in operation for 18 years and played a key role in both the Second World War and the Cold War eventually bought by Bernard Matthews, the runways soon featured turkey sheds rather than aircraft.

Thanks to the North Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund and The Friends of Langham Dome, its iconic ‘dome’ is now a brilliant visitor centre that tells the story of the station. A groundbreaking training facility when it was built, it’s reported to be the youngest Scheduled Ancient Monument in the whole of the UK. As for RAF Hethel (used by the US Army Air Force as a bomber squadron base) it was closed in 1948 - but instead of reverting to its former life as agricultural land it was bought by Lotus Cars in 1966 and is now a test track for the company’s latest models.

RAF North Creake was once north Norfolk’s secret weapon and the bomber base was once home to over 3,000 people, but today little remains apart from the control tower, which has been transformed into a unique vegetarian bed and breakfast.

Even bigger was RAF Sculthorpe, north Norfolk’s only US Air Force atomic base - in fact, at its height it was the biggest atomic bomber base in Europe, with over 10,000 personnel.

Three miles from Fakenham, it was the atomic deterrent against the Soviet Union for over a decade until its closure in 1992 - and five years later the Ministry of Defence sold the entire technical, domestic and administrative site to The Welbeck Estate Group.

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ABOVE: Some of the surviving buildings at the former RAF Bexwell, which contain reminders of their previous life (below left). At the bottom of the page is the distinctive dome at RAF Langham, now transformed into a fascinating and interactive learning and resource centre

Although the airfield itself was retained by the MoD to form part of the Defence Training Estate, other parts of the base became a business park and a housing estate named Wicken Green - the only military buildings that now remain are the control tower, the neighbouring fire station and a small concrete shelter, which is used by a local farmer for machinery and equipment storage.

Last August the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre opened in Wicken Green and celebrates the history and importance of the site, featuring items such as the J71 jet engine from a RB-66 Destroyer - which is the only known surviving example in the whole country.

In the south of the county, RAF Snetterton Heath once included three concrete runways, over 50 hard standings and two hangers - and was the base for over 300 missions before the US 96th Bomb Group left for home at the end of 1945. Bought privately in 1952, the airbase was developed into a race circuit, and now host hundred of events such as the British Touring Car Championships and British Super Bikes.

Perhaps the most interesting former airbase is RAF Neatishead, located close to the village of Horning - not least because in 1982 Group Captain Joan Hopkins became the first female RAF officer to take command of an

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operational station.

Today it’s home to the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum, which covers the fascinating history of air defence in the UK, and includes a complete Operations Room from the Cold War era.

Apart from their historic importance, all these airbases has a profound effect on Norfolk - during the Second World War there were 50,000 US personnel stationed within a 30-mile radius of Norwich, and they had an enormous cultural impact on the county. We were introduced to things such as peanut butter, popcorn and Coca Cola, and came face-to-face with segregation - Diss was reserved exclusively for black servicemen, and Harleston had alternate ‘black’ and ‘white’ days.

It became known as the Friendly Invasion for very good reason. At the end of the war around 40,000 women went to the United States - and two cruise liners had to be requisitioned for them.

Norfolk’s airborne heritage isn’t all relegated to history books, however. Opened in 1916 (two years before the creation of the Royal Air Force) RAF Marham is still very much operational - one of the service’s Main Operating Bases, it’s home to the fifth generation Lockheed Martin

F-35B Lightning operated by No. 617 (The Dambusters) Squadron. It also welcomed Queen Elizabeth II in February this year on her first official royal engagement of the new decade.

Most of Norfolk’s airbases may now be long gone or are living new lives, but their importance and their heritage lives on.

KLmagazine November 2020

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

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By their very nature, learner drivers are a risk to insure due to their lack of experience on the road. Yet Adrian Flux Insurance Services can make the process, and cost, considerably less scary than it appears.

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If you want to get extra experience behind the wheel of another vehicle, policies can be arranged on either your own car or a policy in your name on a parent or friend’s car.

That means if anything did happen while driving someone else’s vehicle it wouldn’t affect their no claims bonus.

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Not only do Adrian Flux have a panel of 30 insurers to go to, saving you the hassle of having to shop around, the period you spent with learner driver insurance can contribute towards your no claims discount.

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KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

The complete solution to safe winter motoring A winter service from K Brown Auto Repairs is the perfect way to ensure your car is ready for winter - whatever the weather has in store

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he days are getting shorter, the afternoons are getting darker, the roads are getting wetter - and we’ll soon have icy conditions to deal with as well. Driving over the winter months can be particularly dangerous, which is why it’s so important to maintain our cars properly and ensure they’re fully prepared for the wintry challenge ahead.

And by far the best way of preparing your car for the winter is to treat it to a winter service with K Brown Auto Repairs in King’s Lynn and Hunstanton.

“It’s surprising how few people realise that in addition to all our MOTs, servicing, diagnostics and fault finding we also offer a complete tyre replacement service and a free tyre check,” says Tamsin Brown, who launched K Brown Auto Repairs with her husband Keith 25 years ago.

“Your tyres are very important at this time of year, because although 1.6mm of tread is the legal minimum it’s best to have about twice that much depth for wet and icy conditions.”

K Brown Auto Repairs even service new cars still under warranty using genuine parts - and the cars are still covered under the official warranty.

Breaking down is inconvenient at the best of times, and if it happens on a dark, cold and rainy day it’s even worse - but the expert mechanics at K Brown Auto Repairs can check everything from your lights and wiper blades to your antifreeze levels and brakes.

“Antifreeze has to be at precise strengths that are normally specified by the manufacturer,” says Tamsin. “It’s just one of the things people overlook at this time of year - although it could lead to serious problems for you and

your car.”

The good news is that K Brown Auto Repairs always check for scheduled anti-freeze changes during every service.

As we approach Christmas, it’s worth noting that K Brown Auto Repairs offers gift vouchers that can be redeemed against any service.

“Younger drivers find the costs of maintaining their car hard to meet,” says Tamsin.

“Our gift vouchers are a great way to help them, and they make a really practical gift. Give one to your son or daughter and you’ll also be buying yourself peace of mind - because we’ll ensure they’re driving safely at all times throughout the year.”

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 2020

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© KAREN HARVEY

ABOVE: Tulips in Norfolk by local printmaker Louise Stebbings (opposite © Karen Harvey). Over the last four decades Louise hads developed a distinct style and created a beautiful body of work inspired by her love of the great outdoors

When art becomes a literally pressing matter Over the last 40 years, Louise Stebbing has become one of the country’s most distinctive and acclaimed printmakers, producing a large body of work that’s both technically impressive and visually stunning

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ouise Stebbing never imagined she’d be an artist for most of her life, even though she admits she was always drawing and painting as a child. Looking back on a 40-year career as one of the most highlyacclaimed printmakers in the area, she’s justifiably proud of what she’s achieved - from having work featured at the Royal Academy and winning the WNAA’s prestigious Inga Miller Award to featuring in the new edition of David Buckman’s book Artists in Britain Since 1945.

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But from her home and studio in the Norfolk countryside, Louise says that she originally came to printmaking almost by default.

“I was doing a arts foundation course in Cambridge which required you to pick three disciplines,” says Louise, who was born in Tydd Gote just over the border in Cambridgeshire. “I chose graphics, ceramics and printmaking, but I didn’t really like graphics and the ceramics tutor didn’t like my work.

Happily I became totally engrossed in printmaking.”

Although printmaking takes many

forms with many different techniques, Louise specialises in etchings and linocuts - the creation of which involve contrasting approaches.

Etching is part of the intaglio method of creating art and involves taking a plate of metal (Louise uses zinc) and drawing the design with a pointed etching needle through a covering of wax. The whole thing is then dropped into acid, which ‘bites’ into the exposed metal, leaving the design etched onto the plate ready for printing.

“Linocuts are rather different because you’re printing the surface of the block 119

rather than the incised design,” says Louise. “It means multicoloured designs have to cut and printed in different layers as you gradually cut the image away - which is why linocuts are always produced in limited editions. Because you can’t replace the material you’ve cut away.”

It sounds far more technical than using a brush and a set of oil paints, but for Louise that’s all part of the appeal and the fascination.

“Because of all the stages involved in printmaking there are so many things that can go wrong, but that’s what makes it interesting. The possibilities are endless - I’ve been printmaking for 40 years and I haven’t stopped learning yet,” she says. “But although you have to understand what you’re doing technically the design is still the most important element.”

Louise takes inspiration for her beautiful prints from her frequent walks, bike and motorcycle rides around the countryside, always armed with her sketchbook and camera and always noticing the same landscape in a different light and at different times of the year.

Artistically, she cites printmakers such as the late Edward Bawden and London-based Normam Ackroyd as major influences - although one of her favourite works of art is the painting Mornington Crescent, Early Morning (1991) by Frank Albach.

“I saw it at Tate Britain and kept going back to see it,” she says. “It’s truly

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PICTURES: Louise Stebbing’s vibrant prints and linocuts reflect the area in which she lives - and the different processes behind their creation are fascinating

amazing, with fantastic colours and incredible textures that I don’t think I’d be able to recreate myself. Sadly, it wasn’t for sale.”

Of her own work, she’s particularly proud of a work featuring an orchard just off the A47 and which has subsequently been cut down. The print itself, however, was one of two of Louise’s works which were exhibited at the Royal Academy in London.

Exhibitions are just one of the things she missed during 2020.

“I taught a lot of art classes before lockdown which were cancelled together with a few exhibitions I was taking part in,” she says, “although the Derby Print Open went ahead on a virtual basis and I managed to win two prizes in it.”

Spending far more time than usual in the studio than normal over the last few months has had some benefits, however, and Louise has produced a series of massive and time-consuming linocuts of some local woodlands.

She’s also been able to reflect on her work and think about what direction it should take in the future.

“I’m currently working on something totally different which is very exciting,” she says. “I’m being very tight-lipped about it at the moment because it could all go horribly wrong.”

Another casualty of 2020 was a major retrospective of Louise’s work in Cambridge, which was due to take place in August. The coffee table and visually stunning book and guide accompanying the exhibition (which features over 80 images of her work) was published regardless, and was written by Louise’s sister Sheila Kempsey.

“She’s always wanted to be a writer, so I ‘encouraged’ her into doing it,” says Louise. “I’m really happy with it,

and it’s received a number of glowing reviews in some important printmaking magazines, so hopefully she’ll continue writing.”

As for the retrospective itself, Louise is hoping it will still take place sometime next year.

“It’s been a difficult year for everyone of course, and artists are no different, with galleries closed, exhibitions cancelled and art events such as Norfolk Open Studios unable to take place,” she says. “I’m quite optimistic about the future, however.

There’ll always be a need for art - and especially at times like this.”

Louise is hoping to take part in next year’s Norfolk Open Studios and Art Fair East, but people interested in seeing more of her work can follow her on Instagram or visit her website at www.louisestebbingprintmaker.com from which you can also order copies of her retrospective book.

KLmagazine November 2020

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KLmagazine November 2020

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TheBigRead Few things are better than a good book - especially if they’re this good!

TROY Stephen Fry

Having already captivated readers with his formidable books Mythos and Heroes, Stephen Fry now turns his attention to one of the greatest (and oldest) stories ever told - a gripping account of heroism, love, despair and revenge. Although we think we know the story of Helen of Troy and the trials of Paris, Hector and Achilles, this is a wonderful new immersion into an ancient world. Even better, it has everything you’d expect from one of the country’s favourite actors, comedians, presenters and writers.

From the very first page it’s brilliant, funny, erudite, inventive, surprising and enthralling - full of tragic heroes, intoxicating love stories, and the unstoppable force of fate.

A PROMISED LAND Barack Obama

When Barak Obama was elected President of the United States in November 2008 he became the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office. For people around the world he was the ultimate modern statesman, and he brings all the dignity and eloquence he displayed in the White House to this much anticipated first part of his two-volume memoir. Here, Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency - a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.

THE FENS Francis Pryor

Affectionate, richly informative and deftly executed, Francis Pryor weaves together strands of archaeology, history and personal experience into a satisfying narrative portrait of a complex and threatened landscape The Fens is one of the most distinctive, neglected and extraordinary regions of England, and for the last 40 years the author has literally dug deeper into its history, making ground-breaking discoveries that chart the story from Iron Age hillforts to the rise of towns such as King’s Lynn and Ely, and the ambitious drainage projects that created the Old and New Bedford Rivers. It’s simply fascinating.

REALLY SAYING SOMETHING Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward

In the early 1980s best friends Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward arrived at the YWCA in London with their sights set on careers in journalism and the media but it didn’t turn out that way. Instead they formed two-thirds of the pop group Bananarama, and found themselves in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest number of chart entries by an all-female group in the world. This is a sparkling, funny and sincere story of lifelong friendship and a journey through popular music. From home-made clothes to Andy Warhol, this is a celebration of determination and a lifelong friendship - and it has an unbeatable soundtrack.

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KLmagazine November 2020

TOMORROW WILL BE A GOOD DAY Captain Tom Moore

At the end of March this year, 99-yearold Tom Moore decided to walk laps of his garden to help raise money for the NHS - despite using a walking frame and having been recently treated for cancer and a broken hip. He hoped to raise £1,000 by his 100th birthday on April 30th - but by the time the traditional telegram from the Queen arrived, he’d managed to raise over £30 million. This is the story of how a modest and charming man became the most inspirational figure of 2020 - from the battlefields of Burma in the Second World War to competitive motorbike racing and the heights of the Himalayas.

This is the truly extraordinary story of a self-admittedly very ordinary man.

A LIFE ON OUR PLANET David Attenborough

Although he dosn’t like the term, David Attenborough is one of our national treasures, and has been described as the greatest broadcaster of our time. At 94 he’s decided to take a look back at his career and take a heartbreakingly honest look at the current state of the natural world he’s spent six decades bringing to our television screens. The facts and figures are truly shocking, and the future for our world is uncompromisingly bleak but Sir David somehow manages to close with a fair degree of optimism. Describing the book as his witness statement and his vision for the future, he says we have one final chance to restore the world that we inherited, and details what we can do to repair the colossal damage we’re still causing. Absolutely essential reading.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Charles Dickens

It’s fair to say that Charles Dickens invented the popular idea of Christmas with this short novel about personal transformation and the results of greed. Everyone seems to know the story, but fewer people have ever enjoyed the original. Which is a shame, because for almost 200 years the book has become a Christmas tradition in itself, and this edition is by far the best currently available.

Distinguished Dickens scholar Michael Slater’s introduction helps put the book in context, it contains the original illustrations by ‘Phiz’ and John Leech, discusses Dickens’ use of The Arabian Nights, and includes his other Christmas stories and writings.

THE POSTSCRIPT MURDERS Elly Griffiths

One of our most compelling and intelligent contemporary crime writers, Elly Griffiths is probably best known for her novels featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway, who lives in a remote seaside cottage near King’s Lynn. This new book is a perfect example of just how clever a writer Griffiths is - centred as it is around the mysterious death of a woman who plotted murders for crime writers.

It’s sharp, it’s haunting, and it’s a truly enjoyable literary whodunnit that will appeal to everyone who’s ever wondered just how authors think up such realistic crimes.

You can always rely on Griffiths to write with a great elegance and mesmerising detail, and this certainly disappoint. Oh, and by the way - trust no one.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP

For almost 40 years, Waterstones has been championing the joy of the written word, the pleasure of the printed book, and the value of the local bookshop. We’ve really enjoyed sharing some of our favourite reads with you this month, and we’ll have some more personal recommendations for you next time. We love books and we love nothing better than introducing the best ones to new readers. Please come see us at 137-138 Norfolk Street in King’s Lynn or follow us on Facebook (Waterstones King’s Lynn) or Instagram @WaterstonesKingsLynn

KLmagazine November 2020

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Superb new homes on the edge of King’s Lynn With decades of experience, a commitment to energy efficiencies, and a stylish approach to new homes, Trundley launches an exclusive range of 14 architect-designed homes on the outskirts of King’s Lynn

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or almost 30 years Trundley has been one of the leading names in the local building industy, and this genuinely family-run business (three generations of the same family currently work for the company) is now launching an exclusive range of 14 architect designed 3 & 4 bedroom family homes in the lovely village of Clenchwarton on the outskirts of King’s Lynn.

Working in association with Buildwise, this development partnership have created Laurel Farm Meadow using a combination of expert local building trades, the most energyefficient materials available and high quality fixtures and finishes - and have developed a varied range of stylish and contemporary homes to suit a variety of budgets.

It’s the perfect time for you to specify the finishes, fixtures and fittings that suit you and your lifestyle.

“Reserving new homes off-plan is very common now, and it’s a golden opportunity for prospective buyers

to work with us to create the home of their dreams,” says Ian Trundley, Managing Director of Trundley Properties. “They’re even more attractive when you consider the current incentives available (including the government’s Help to Buy scheme) which are helping prospective homebuyers in today’s competitive housing market.”

The first homes at Laurel Farm Meadow are expected to be completed by the spring of 2021 and prospective buyers can already reserve theirs offplan. But you’ll have to be quick.

“We’re really keen to encourage local homebuyers and people from further afield to come forward if they’re looking for high specification, energyefficient family homes in a pleasant village setting,” says Ian. “We only have 14 homes available in the entire development and we’ve already had a huge amount of interest, so I’d urge people to

contact us as soon as possible.”

All the new homes at Laurel Farm Meadow enjoy south-facing rear gardens over open farmland, and the trend toward ‘home working’ has been factored into the layouts, with many of the homes having a study and all benefitting from broadband connection.

Just three miles from the centre of King’s Lynn, Laurel Farm Meadow has easy access to a wide range of facilities and main transport links to London, the south and the Midlands.

With a vibrant dining out scene and an excellent educational offering, it’s a wonderful place to live - and thanks to Trundley and Buildwise your home can be just as attractive as its location.

Tel: 01553 617700 E-mail: info@trundley.com Web: www.trundley.com Salgate Barn, Islington Road, Tilney All Saints, King’s Lynn PE34 4RY E C Q 124

KLmagazine November 2020

ABOVE: Max Rust is just one of the players at the West Norfolk Rugby Club who helped the various adult and junior teams enjoy a hugely success season - despite it being a particularly challenging one 126

KLmagazine November 2020

Sporting success in the face of adversity...

The 2019-20 season was very strange for all teams and sportspeople, but for West Norfolk Rugby Club it was also an extremely successful one - and was very nearly a record-breaker

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ased at North Wootton in King’s Lynn the West Norfolk Rugby Club has a proud 95year history and currently runs a number of teams including the under 7s, the under 19s, a girl’s and ladies team and two men’s sides - and there are even plans to add a third social side this year. The ladies play in the National Challenge I Midlands League, whilst the men are newly promoted into the London & North East II league.

Like every other team in every other sport it’s been a rather unusual year for West Norfolk RUFC, but the club still

KLmagazine November 2020

managed to produce some of its finest results.

“We’ve actually enjoyed one of our most successful seasons ever, culminating in a famous win in the regional senior vase competition against Reeds Weybridge,” says club chairman Graham Woodcock. “Special thanks should go to all our members who work in the emergency services and the NHS or as key workers. It’s been an extremely challenging time for all of us, but they’re been truly outstanding - on and off the field!”

After a change of coach and captain at the beginning of the season, head

coach Darren Clarke aided by Tom Jones, Reg Dunne and Olly Denton quickly began to have a positive impact on the men’s senior section led by 1st team captain Henry Rust and 2nd team co-captains Kevin Foley & Martin Bridgeland. Improving last year’s top four finish and aiming for promotion was the ideal - but coaches and players were well aware that a place at the top of London North-East 3 Eastern Counties has to be well and truly earned.

By some strange twist of fate West Norfolk met their promotion rivals Cantabrigian in the first fixture of the 127

season, and the latter team led until the final kick when West Norfolk fly half Sam Moses calmly kicked over for the win. Following big wins against Beccles, Ipswich YM and Crusaders, West Norfolk continued their unbeaten run with a win over Thetford in the 1st round of the RFU Senior vase followed by wins against Fakenham, Thurston and Wisbech.

The development side maintained their own unbeaten run until midNovember and finished off 2019 with an unbelievable 111 v 14 win over Breckland Barbarians - securing their promotion into the Green King Eastern Counties 2 North league for the 2nd half of the season.

West Norfolk’s winning run continued in 2020, and beat Hitchin 57-17 in the RFU Senior vase semi-final in February to reach the RFU Senior Vase final for the first time in the competition’s history. Their opponents Reeds Weybridge were on a 54-game unbeaten streak, but West Norfolk’s steely resolve and gritty determination saw them win the RFU Senior Vase London & SE regional competition in what turned out to be the final game of a curtailed season.

West Norfolk was drawn against Gloucester’s Chosen Hill Former Pupils for the semi-final of the national competition, but at the time of writing it’s a fixture that remains on hold.

“Despite the impact of coronavirus we had a cracking season and it was a great team effort - helped by terrific support from enthusiastic crowds,” says 1st XV Captain Henry Rust.

“We’re still hoping that we’ll be able to complete the remainder of the Senior Vase competition - and the chance of playing at Twickenham in the final!”

Fixtures on hold was a fate that also befell West Norfolk’s remaining four matches - so we’ll never know if the team could do the double over their arch rivals Cantabrigian or if they could complete an unbeaten season.

It wasn’t a totally disappointing end to the year, however.

West Norfolk were crowned champions of London NE 3 Eastern Counties and enjoyed promotion along with the development team.

Much of the credit must go to the hard work and determination of the entire club - including the players, coaches, volunteers and spectators together with the ladies, youth and junior teams.

“Although it ended rather unusually, 2019/20 was a hugely successful year for us,” says Head Coach Darren Clarke. “The logistics of the new season are still unclear, but whatever happens we’re really looking forward to the challenges of a higher league and renewing some old rivalries.”

The even better news is that all adult sides have now restarted training in accordance with the health guidance provided by the RFU. The club welcomes all new players regardless of age or experience, with men training Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm, and women training on Wednesday evenings from 7pm.

Further information about the club and the latest news can be found on the club social media pages - West Norfolk Rugby Club on Facebook, @WestNorfolk_RFC on Twitter and @westnorfolkrufc on Instagram. More general club information can be found on the official website at www.westnorfolkrugby.com

ABOVE: Everyone involved with West Norfolk Rugby Club is now looking forward to the 2020-21 season, hoping to build on the success the club enjoyed last year

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Michael Middleton’s

WildWestNorfolk

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few weeks ago Mrs Middleton started giving me a list of a few things that needed picking up from the local supermarket, and when the number of items on the list exceeded the amount of fingers I had available I decided I’d better start making a list.

While She Who Must Be Obeyed considered whether arborio, maratelli or carnaroli rice was most suited to her extraordinary courgette and potato risotto (and then resorted to Google for the answer) I somewhat aimlessly examined the pen in my hand.

Wherever you are, there’s probably one of these within 20ft of you right now. You’ll recognise it as soon as you see it - it’s got a distinctive hexagonal profile, a small hole in the middle, and (if you put your glasses on) a small logo featuring a tiny figure with an unfeasibly large head hiding an equally oversized pen behind his/her back.

Hello and welcome to the Bic Cristal, 57 of which are sold every single second of every single day - which means that by the time you’ve finished reading this, another 34,000 will have been sold.

It’s been estimated that since its launch just after the Second World War over 100 billion of the things have been sold (which means every single person on earth could easily have a dozen or more) and if they were laid end to end they’d stretch all the way to the moon.

And back. More than 40 times over.

As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the greatest inventions of all time. Each one can write some 45,000 words 130

before running out of ink - so Charles Dickens could have bought a pack of 100 and written all his 15 major novels with 20 pens to spare.

Actually, it was around the time when Dickens was creating abstract art with a fountain pen (if you want proof of his terrible handwriting just take a look at the original manuscript of Great Expectations next time you visit Wisbech Museum) that people started looking for a better solution.

Enter American inventor John Loud, who I’m pleased to say came from Norfolk County in Massachusetts and in 1888 took out a patent for a pen that featured a rotating steel ball in a socket that was fed by ink and was designed for writing on rough surfaces such as wood and leather.

Sadly it was no good for writing letters, and the idea came to nothing for 50 years - until Hungarian journalist László Bíró took it up and enlisted the help of his chemist brother György in developing a thinner and more convenient ink.

For reasons totally unconnected with their business acumen, the Bíró brothers had to flee Europe from the Nazis and eventually found themselves in Argentina - and managed to supply some of their new pens to the RAF towards the end of the war.

The iconic pen we all know and love today was the work of Italianborn Marcel Bich, who bought a small factory outside Paris, purchased the ‘ball point pen’ patent from the Bíró brothers for the best part of £2 million, and shortened his surname to Bic. And the rest as they say is history -

despite the total failure of his ideas for disposable underwear and a Bicbranded perfume.

To date, no one has managed to improve on Bic/Bich’s version of the ‘biro’ which has managed to (literally) write its place into literary history.

Perhaps not quite as elegant as the Montblanc (Winston Churchill), the Pelikan 100N (Albert Einstein) or the Parker DuoFold (Arthur Conan Doyle) the Bic Cristal was the favourite pen of Jack Kerouac. It perfectly suited his style of writing, which involved producing thousands of words without stopping or editing - so its durability and disposability were ideal.

I was rather swiftly brought out of this pen-related reverie by the sound of Mrs Middleton asking if I’d ‘got it’ - and had the distinct impression that it wasn’t the first time she’d asked the question.

While Jack Kerouac used his Bic Cristal in 1957 to write the defining work of the postwar generation, I’m using mine to write a far less ambitious work. His was called On the Road. For obvious reasons, mine has the working title of In the Doghouse.

As always, it’s been a genuine pleasure to talk to you this year, and it’s been exciting to write some exclusive columns that will never appear in print specially for our friends of KL magazine.

To hear more insights into the strange workings of the Middleton household you can join me and your fellow friends by easily registering online for free in a few seconds at www.klmagazine.co.uk.

Which means you won’t even need a pen!

KLmagazine November 2020

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