KL Magazine November/December 2021

ISSN 2044–7965

ISSUE 125 NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2021 PRICELESS

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WEST NORFOLK | NORTH NORFOLK | COASTAL

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Intervening prices may have applied. See in-store ticketing for details. Details correct at time of going to print.

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he publication of this edition of KL magazine coincides with the start of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, which will spend the best part of the next two weeks addressing the issue facing every single person on the planet - the impact of climate change. It may be a global issue, but it starts on our very own doorsteps. On page 110 you can read how the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk is making a very real difference to the local environment - an environment which is very precious and equally special.

For example, until the end of January north Norfolk will be the country’s biggest grey seal pupping site, and

COVER IMAGE

every year hundreds of thousands of birds travel from as far away as Siberia to spend the winter in west and north Norfolk. You can read more about our spectacular winter wildlife on page 52.

With the future firmly in everyone’s mind at the moment, it’s rather fitting that the younger generation feature several times in this edition of your magazine - from the talented students of the Sixth Form at Springwood in King’s Lynn to our inspirational local sea cadets. But this issue of your magazine isn’t all about the future.

King’s Lynn is home to the earliest surviving paper book in England, but the ‘Red Register’ isn’t the only remarkable book in the area. On page 130 you can read more about our local literary heritage and discover how several of these priceless books were miraculously

© LEIGH CAUDWELL

welcome

rescued and saved from being lost forever.

And as we approach Remembrance Day, it’s important we remember the local people who gave so much, including the ultimate sacrifice. Whether they were part of the crews taking off from RAF Downham Market, or the local schoolchildren spending hours collecting conkers, they all played their part in the war effort. And we should remember them.

Enjoy your magazine - and the whole team at KL magazine wishes you a very happy Christmas.

Eric Secker EDITOR KL magazine

Bank House, King’s Lynn by Ian Ward

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KLmagazine November 2021

contents

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6 6 6 7 KLmagazine November 2021

LIGHTING UP THE SKY The local links to Fireworks Night

D DR Recipes and recommendations

00 E R ER CE The story of Appleton’s church

E E 700 years of local cockles

E E E EC C R All aboard the Norfolk Night Express

B RD R E RE A look at the King’s Lynn Sea Cadets

RE C E E Norfolk isn’t as flat as you thought

E RE REE A global issue and local initiatives

C ER DC C From childhood game to national campaign

M E ERR R RE Watlington’s very own big bang

R The story of RAF Downham Market

ME E R How you can help the QEH survive

C M ME RC R M We look at our wild winter visitors

R C ER E ER King’s Lynn’s legacy of rare books

ER E RDE Expert advice from Wendy Warner

ER R C R Focus on the work of Terri Broughton

Seasonal styles from our local boutiques

E M E Time to test your festive knowledge

R DER Game management in the 21st century

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M C E M DD E Being on the grammatical warpath 5

ABOVE: The traditional firework display at the end of Cromer Pier to celebrate the start of the new year is only one of the several large-scale pyrotechnic spectaculars taking place across the area over the next couple of months, but it’s important to remember the origins of Fireworks Night in early November - and its local connections

A spectacle in the sky and a moment in history ey re s ectacular they re fun and they ve become o ular community events across the whole county - but why are we really lighting fires and watching firewor dis lays in early ovember

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tripped of its rather quaint 17th century trappings and modern association with joyful family celebrations, the story of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 could easily have appeared as one of the lead items on last night’s news bulletins.

Because essentially the authorities successfully foiled an attempt by a terrorist cell of around 13 religious fanatics to blow up the Houses of

KLmaga ine November 2021

Parliament, killing the ruling monarch and most of the country’s politicians in the process.

Everyone is aware of the popular refrain “remember, remember, the fifth of November” but few people realise just what a momentous (and potentially devastating) event this actually was.

The idea of Guy Fawkes being found in a cellar surrounded by 36 barrels of gunpowder and armed only with

a lantern and tinderbox has become almost mythical, the stuff of derring-do straight out the pages of Boy’s Own. But consider this. On the 400th anniversary of the plot’s failure it was estimated that those barrels of gunpowder would have contained some 2,500kg (almost two and a half tons) of explosive in total, and its power would have been increased by the small size of the cellar in which they were

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ABOVE: The fireworks display organised by the Downham Market Round Table is one of the longest-running in the area and is now held at the stunning Stradsett Hall and Country Park

hidden.

That’s almost exactly the same amount of explosive that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City, USA in April 1995, a blast that was heard 55 miles away and killed at least 168 people, injured more than 680 others, and destroyed or damaged some 324 other buildings in the immediate area.

Had Guy Fawkes managed to light the fuse, the Gunpowder Plot would have succeeded in blowing the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey to pieces (along with everyone in them) and the damage would have reached as far as the areas now occupied by Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Tate Gallery.

Following that, the plotters/ conspirators/terrorists (take your pick) hoped to kidnap King James I’s infant daughter and install her as Elizabeth II 8

while encouraging revolution across the country.

Of course it all came to nothing, and there’s a local connection to the plot’s failure since the man who caught Guy Fawkes red-handed and arrested him in the early hours of November 5th 1605 was Sir Thomas Knyvet - who’d been the MP for Thetford a few years previously.

There was also a local link to the aftermath, as the chief prosecutor in the trial of the eight surviving conspirators was the Attorney General, Sir Edward Coke - widely considered to be the greatest legal expert of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.

He’d been born in Mileham in 1552 and became a barrister aged 26. Thanks to his long life, astute land purchases, and two marriages to wealthy heiresses he established a huge estate which has since moved from Godwick to

Holkham. Less than three years after successfully prosecuting Sir Walter Raleigh for treason, it took him only two days to see all eight defendants in the Gunpowder Plot tried, condemned and sentenced to death.

And we’ve been celebrating ever since. In fact, the Observance of 5th November Act was passed even before the guilty parties were executed - marking it as an official day of thanksgiving and remembrance, and making attendance at church mandatory.

Over 400 years later, it’s a rather less sombre affair. Although the popular tradition of “Penny for the Guy” has now virtually died out and safety concerns have seen the demise of domestic bonfires, we’re still commemorating the event with large-scale public displays that usually involve funfairs, stalls and rides together with food stands and live music performances.

Some of the biggest include the everpopular Fawkes in the Walks organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk (now in its 13th year), the display organised by Downham Market Round Table (at its new home of Stradsett Hall and Country Park) and the Firework Extravaganza on the cliff tops at Hunstanton, which combines fireworks with laser shows and suitably atmospheric music.

From Brancaster to Happisburgh, the coast of north Norfolk is alight with explosive sound and colour in early November, but you’ll have to wait a little longer for one of the most spectacular displays in the area, the unmissable New Year’s Day fireworks in Cromer. And don’t worry about the impact of firing fireworks into the sea the organisers have ensured the display is carbon offset and that the only debris to fall into the sea is degradable and has no detrimental impact on the environment.

Just over a decade ago the historian Lewis Call said that Guy Fawkes is now “a major icon in modern political culture, a potentially powerful instrument for the articulation of postmodern anarchism.”

Whether he’d be so highly regarded today if he was arrested trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament is another story entirely.

The image of the fireworks at Cromer Pier on the previous page is just one of the 12 stunning photographs on your new KL magazine calendar for 2022. Order yours today by visiting our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2021

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CHRIS LEVINE AT HOUGHTON HALL October 22nd – December 23rd 2021 Open Thursday to Saturday 4.30pm - 9pm Tickets at www.houghtonhall.com Under 18s free and concessions for students

A CHRISTMAS PRESENT Find out more and book at holkham.co.uk FATHER CHRISTMAS IN RESIDENCE

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18th, 19th, 22nd & 23rd December He’s back, and moving into the hall for a few days this December.

18th & 25th November Late shopping with mulled wine, tastings and book signings.

1st, 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 13th, 15th & 22nd December From silversmithing to silk scarf printing, eco wreath making to willow weaving, our craft workshops will see you making all sorts of Christmas goodies.

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DECK THE HALLS Various dates With Candlelight Tours, Opera, Creators of Christmas, a Canine Carol Service and very special events with Lady Glenconner, there are so many ways to enjoy the hall in all its sparkly glory.

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WINTER WONDERLAND

CHRISTMAS TREE SHOP

2nd, 3rd, 7th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 16th, 17th & 21st December Wrap up for walks and trailer tours to explore our incredible landscapes and wildlife, as we rejoice in the wonders of wintertime.

Daily from 25th November Whether petite or tall, slim or bushy, you’re sure to find the perfect locally-grown tree at Holkham. New for this year, you can pre-order online.

KLmagazine November 2021

It’s the ideal time to visit our newly-expan ded showroo m

Bigger, brighter and even better than ever...

Core Technology Projects showroom has been transformed and is the perfect showcase for the future of home technology and automation

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ollowing a recent major refurbishment, the Core Technology Projects’ showroom is now almost four times bigger than before, offering the very best home entertainment experience in the area - with a dedicated cinema room, specially-designed furniture, and live demonstrations of everything from the very latest ideas in home security to next-generation gaming.

There’s no better way to discover the latest innovations in a very real sense - you can watch them, listen to them, play with them and see how easy it is to control all of them at the touch of a button.

And there’s no better time to do it either - because we spent a record £9 billion on home entertainment last year as streaming services boomed, sales

of digital and physical media rocketed, and next-generation consoles saw a huge increase in video games software.

In fact, overall spending on home entertainment soared by 17% in 2020 – the fastest annual rate since records began 25 years ago.

“People aren’t just demanding better pictures and better sound,” says Core Technology Projects managing director Jim Garrett. “They’re also looking for more comfort and more flexibility, and they’re looking for an expert local service to make sense of all the technical wizardry. And that’s where we come in.”

For several years Jim and his team have been designing and installing state-of-the-art technology systems into people’s homes, and have become the area’s leaders in bespoke cinema rooms. With full 4K UHD resolution,

crystal-clear screens up to 13ft wide, full Dolby ATMOS surround sound, completely automated and easy-touse controls, and luxurious bespoke seating, it’s everything you expect from the magic of the movies, but it’s all in the comfort of your own home.

“Don’t worry if you don’t have space for your own cinema,” says Jim, “because we can connect your existing television to a discreet and wireless sound system. The options are virtually endless and we’ll always design a system to meet a customer’s individual requirements.“ Contact Core Technology Projects today and start bringing the future into your home.

Tel: 01553 776413 | Web: www.coretp.uk | E-mail: enquiries@coretp.uk 1 APS House, Oldmedow Road, Hardwick Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn PE30 4JJ KLmagazine November 2021

@coretechnologyprojects 11

The very last traces of Appleton’s long history Sitting unobtrusively on the outskirts of Sandringham, the ruins of St. Mary the Virgin are all that remain of a church that once served local communities over the span of 00 years

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ravelling along the B1440 to Sandringham isn’t a particularly memorable route, apart from the stretching fields and the sprinkling of snowdrops we’re waiting to see again in the spring. In fact, you may not even know you’ve driven through Appleton the small sign for ‘Appleton Farm’ at the side of the quiet crossroads is easy to miss, after all.

But perhaps you’re able to spot a modest round tower through the trees, some 500 feet from the main road. Welcome to St. Mary’s church, which was once the beating heart of Appleton.

It’s likely the church was constructed in the 10th century, since the Domesday Book tells us that in 1086

Appleton was under the ownership of the Norman knight Roger Bigod, by which time the church was already built - in addition to a hall surrounded by a moat to the southeast. There was a population of 27 households, with 20 smallholders working the fields.

The foundation of St. Mary’s is actually quite unique. Parts of it were built with stone from Sandringham, also known as silver carrstone, which is rarer than the darker ‘gingerbread’ carrstone that can be seen in many towns like Downham Market, as well as in Hunstanton’s cliffs.

In 1571 Sir Clement Paston came into possession of the hall, a distinguished figure who Henry VIII called ‘his champion’ - and whose

family gave us the famous ‘Paston Letters’, an extraordinary collection of over 1,000 messages written between 1422-1509 that give us a detailed insight into what life was like in the Middle Ages. For the gentry at least.

The Pastons rose from peasantry to aristocracy within a few generations, and their personal and societal struggles were intimately recorded by various family members. Love letters between couples in arranged marriages, notes from Agnes Paston to her son complaining about their neighbours, several cases of imprisonment, and the oldest surviving Valentine’s Day greeting barely scratch the surface of the collection.

Sir Clement Paston was a Naval commander under three monarchs Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I. His reputation grew with every battle he fought in, and his loyalty earned him enough wealth to retire comfortably to the Norfolk countryside.

He enjoyed the quaint Appleton Hall with his wife Alice for some years, although he would later build the much larger Oxnead Hall north of Norwich, where he’d spend the remainder of his days until his death in 1598.

It was then, in the midst of the Elizabethan era, that Appleton Hall is thought to have served as a base for illicit activity.

Edward Paston, nephew to Clement,

had inherited the manor. The population within the farmsteads and households had already fallen over the centuries, which benefited Edward’s interests enormously.

He was godson to King Edward VI, grew up in the Tudor court and became a popular poet and amateur musician.

He was also Catholic - at a time when a Protestant-raised queen was on the throne.

Elizabeth I was initially tolerant of the opposing religion, only asking that Catholics worship in private and remain loyal to her. Tensions rose over the years, though, leading to revolts in the north of England and a Papal Bull being issued from Rome that criticised Elizabeth and called her wicked.

Alongside the ever-increasing threat from the Spanish, it all led to an Act of Parliament ordering that every Catholic priest in the country should be driven from the kingdom.

Future recusancy laws under James I ordered that the ‘recusant’ in question be fined £60 or forfeit two-thirds of their land if they remained loyal to the Pope and the Roman Catholic church.

All this political and religious upheaval

“It was then, in the midst of the Elizabeth era that Appleton Hall is thought to have served as a base for illicit activity...” meant that Edward Paston couldn’t profess his faith, so he did what other Catholic gentry were doing - keeping a ‘mass-centre’ in a house in the woods about a mile from Appleton Hall. When his niece came to live at Appleton at the start of the 17th century, she gave an account of what she saw: “It happened one day that the pursuivants came on a sudden and were kept in talk at the door sometime,” she wrote, “whilst the priest and church stuff were put up safe into the secret place, so that coming in they found nothing.”

The hall was a refuge for many like Edward, although they couldn’t use the Church of St. Mary for fear of being discovered. Even by this time, though, the church was in disrepair. The steeple is reported to have decayed, and there were no sufficient ornaments for services.

The reason there’s no trace of Appleton Hall today is thanks to a devastating fire that broke out in 1707.

It destroyed the Pastons’ home and they never returned - by that time Edward Paston had built a new hall in Barnigham, which can still be seen to this day.

Sadly, the church was left to decay, and it’s only thanks to conservation projects in 2008 and 2016 that we can appreciate what remains of a settlement that has been home to knights, naval captains, poets, and treasonous dissenters.

For more fascinating features on the history of west and north Norfolk, visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

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KLmagazine November 2021

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KLmagazine November 2021

The best of Christmas at Sandringham Living Heritage Events brings the festive spirit to the Sandringham Estate later this month, with beautiful handmade gifts, artisan foods, and entertainment for the children for an unmissable event

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he Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair is always a bright spot during a cold winter. Talented producers and artisans set up stalls on the royal estate that are brimming with a wide range of goods for the festive season. Not only that, but you’ll be thoroughly entertained throughout the three-day event with live demonstrations, performers and charming puppets ready to celebrate Christmas with you.

Enter the marquees that hold the craft stalls and you’ll be met with an exquisite variety of handmade gifts that include (but are by no means limited to) wood carvings, pottery, ceramics, jewellery, paintings, prints, and clothing.

Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind wooden cuckoo clock or some delicate glass decorations for the Christmas tree, you certainly won’t be going home empty handed.

And you’ll also have the opportunity to see the professionals doing what they do best.

Some of the most popular events are

KLmagazine November 2021

the live cooking demonstrations from some of the most highly-regarded chefs in the area - including Galton Blackiston, who’s held a Michelin star for over two decades.

Demonstrations around the Craft area of the Fair will be taking place regularly over the three days. Watch expert woodcarvers create charming reindeer from a single block of wood or take home a stunning painting created live at the show by a gifted artist.

The Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair is an exciting day out for the family, and when it’s time to start thinking about what to eat and drink, you’re spoiled for choice with over 70 food and drink specialists offering their delicious creations to tempt you.

Outside the two main food courts there will also be around 20 food and drink vendors where you can eat and relax to a wide range of music including everything from a German Oompah band and Caribbean steel band to an opera-singing Santa Claus .

And it’s not just you who’ll be feeling

merry and bright at Sandringham; Living Heritage Events have prepared a range of top-quality performers to entertain your children in between all your shopping. Your grandchildren, nieces and nephews will be thrilled by acts that include the tiny aerial acrobatics introduced in the Da Silva Marionette Circus Troupe and Dangerous Dave’s spectacular stunts - although he’s selfadmittedly more daft than dangerous.

The Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair is guaranteed to be an excellent day out for everyone in the family. Just be sure to bring enough bags to take everything home with you.

THE SANDRINGHAM CHRISTMAS CRAFT, FOOD AND GIFT FAIR WHEN: 19th to 21st November TICKETS: To book advanced tickets now, please visit www.livingheritagecraftshows.com or telephone 01283 820548.

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All aboard for a unique festive spectacular It’s the season to be jolly, and there’s no better way of celebrating Christmas and enjoying the best of the local coastline than by taking a seat on the North Norfolk Railway’s Norfolk Lights Express

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n 2018, General Manager of the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway Andrew Pooley devised a new attraction to complement the railway’s traditional seasonal services. It was called the Train of Lights and it proved immensely successful.

After leaving the P&DSR Andrew marketed his concept to other heritage railways, and the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) was one of the first to seize the opportunity.

Andrew worked closely with the NNR’s management team to produce an enchanting journey through a familiar landscape between Sheringham and Holt, but one that saw the

countryside in a whole new light.

Literally.

Andrew worked with the Bristolbased outdoor lighting and events specialists SLX to bring his ideas to life, and the Norfolk Lights Express was born, taking to the rails for the first time in November 2019.

Since then the NNR has established a close working relationship with the creative team which has resulted in the constant development of the hugelypopular event.

The start of the second season in 2020 was delayed by the November lockdown and then had to be curtailed on Christmas Eve when the country

was placed back into lockdown.

Although passengers were offered Covid-secure experiences in separate compartments, the smaller windows lost some of the atmosphere - but with the relaxation of restrictions this year, the 2021 Norfolk Lights Express will be the best ever.

The key part of the event is the train itself. When passengers arrive at Sheringham (the only boarding point) they’re greeted by the sight of the steam locomotive and its five coaches illuminated by thousands of tiny lights.

The outside of the train is wrapped in miles of light rope containing small LEDs of all colours.

© LEIGH CAUDWELL

© LEIGH CAUDWELL

It’s a mammoth task, since the light ropes are secured to the carriages by 64ft x 10ft nets. Under each coach the underframes have powerful spot lamps which are computer-controlled from inside the train - which itself is wired for sound.

The power for the train is provided by a massive generator (a standby ensures there’s no disruption to the experience) and the lineside dioramas are either battery-powered or supplied by generator sets.

An entertaining story introduces the journey and the festive music plays, and all are synchronised electronically.

At predetermined points along the way, the story, music and light show changes accordingly.

And when the train runs close to the A149 road west of Sheringham the lights automatically switch off - to ensure car drivers aren’t distracted by the bright lights appearing so close to the road.

As the train climbs away from Weybourne through the woodland of Kelling Heath and passes deeper into the woods on the approach to Holt, the lights transform the trees into a magical array of changing colours - it’s

© LEIGH CAUDWELL

a spectacular sight because the trees appear to be coated in white frost and snow.

Between Weybourne and Holt visitors can spot a number of colourfully-lit dioramas on the lineside and in the woodland on both sides thanks to the support of the owners of the Kelling Estate.

Between Sheringham and Weybourne most of the line runs through cutting or high embankments without the space to locate the dioramas, but that certainly doesn’t distract from the experience.

On arrival at Holt the train gets ready to return to Sheringham, and on the return journey the passengers can

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keep an eye out for the dioramas on the opposite side of the train.

Planning for the event begins in early November with the arrival of the SLX team from Bristol, and it takes a week of concentrated effort for the NNR team to install all the rope lights on the outside of the locomotives and coaches and for SLX to install the other train lights, sound system, computerised control system and the lineside displays.

It’s a glittering way to celebrate the festive season and a sparkling way to enjoy one of the the most beautiful areas of the county.

Norfolk Lights Express 15th November-3rd January 2022 Tickets: £18 per person. To book visit www.nnrailway.co.uk/2021the-norfolk-lights-express/ or call 01263 820800

KLmagazine November 2021

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Is this the time to re-engage face to face meetings?

Heacham Manor has the perfect new venue for meetings and events from 6 to 126.

“I am delighted to recommend Heacham Manor.

Sowerbys regularly use the amazing facilities for meetings and conferences. The facilities themselves are first class with the latest technology available making our meetings and presentations so straightforward. Things are always well organised and communicated and nothing is too much trouble for the team. I have no hesitation in recommending Heacham Manor and look forward to our long association continuing” LLOYD SANDY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SOWERBYS

“The new Pavilion clubhouse, overlooking the fantastic greens, is simply stunning and a place where we can welcome our annual Charity Golf Day guests with the peace of mind we will be looked after by the Heacham Manor Team” “Due to the ever growing size of the Company we need a meeting room that caters for all employees and provides adequate technology for presentations and external speakers.

The Pavilion meeting rooms certainly offer this and provide us with an excellent menu choice” BEN ALLEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ALLEN THOMAS & CO FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT LTD

CALL US NOW TO ARRANGE A VIEWING Kirstie Wainwright on 01485 536030 or email kwainwright@heacham-manor.co.uk HEACHAM MANOR HOTEL, HUNSTANTON ROAD, HEACHAM, NORFOLK PE31 7JX

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Showcasing social value in the community Financial planning isn’t all about spreadsheets and percentages. Allen Tomas & Co continues to support local charities and sports teams...

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ocal independent financial and mortgage advisers Allen Tomas & Co Financial Management are passionate about committing to causes close to their hearts. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly important for consumers and colleagues, and Managing Director Ben Allen is enthusiastic about community involvement.

“We think it is important for small businesses to get involved with the community as much as possible,” he says.

Just recently the firm held its fourth Charity Golf Day at Heacham Manor Golf Club raising £4,500 for three charities; the Stroke Unit at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Cancer Research UK and Norfolk and Waveney Mind.

Directors and event organisers Ben Allen and Michael Crisp both have a personal connection to the chosen charities and know the funds will be used to help Norfolk residents.

“Our golf tournament allows us to not only promote more awareness for these charities,” says Director

Michael Crisp, “but it also gives us the opportunity for staff to have some fun and involve friends, families, clients and our professional connections.”

To date, the annual golf tournament has raised almost £10,000 for a variety of local charities, including The Norfolk Hospice and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, along with their 2021 chosen charities.

In addition they also have sponsorships with local grassroots sports, believing that all children should have the opportunity to participate in an outdoor activity, providing them with lessons in teamwork, rewards for input and valuable leadership opportunities, all fantastic skills to prepare them for adult life. Ben volunteers to manage his son’s hockey team and Michael is heavily involved in cricket promotion at his local club. Allen Tomas & Co currently sponsor Pelicans Juniors Hockey Club, Heacham Minors Football Club along with Mortgage Adviser Rachael Smith’s girls football team in Oundle. Adult team sponsorship comes in the form of Dersingham Football Club and North Runcton Cricket Club.

“The sponsorship allows kit to be purchased along with necessary equipment,” says Michael. “It’s very rewarding to see the teams progress.”

Within the company itself there is an emphasis on personal development, encouraging staff to further their qualifications and allowing them leave for study and exams. Three members of staff are working under the Skills Edge apprenticeship scheme, with one close to completion. Leah Bartlett our Client Relationship Manager joined us in a full-time capacity after completing the apprenticeship scheme with us in February 2020, after receiving the Skills Edge National Award for Recognition of Outstanding Achievement and Contributions to the Organisation and achieving a distinction in the End Point Assessment.

For further information please visit the Allen Tomas & Co Financial Management website at www.allentomasfinancial.co.uk

6 St Nicholas Court, Church Lane, Dersingham PE31 6GZ • Tel: 01485 541998 2 Oak Street, Fakenham NR21 9DY • Tel: 01328 854706 Website: www.allentomasfinancial.co.uk Email: info@allentomasfinancial.co.uk Follow us at: @allentomasfinancial AllenTomasCo AllenTomasCo 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 2021

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King’s Lynn gets into the festive spirit in style From great shopping destinations and fabulous food to live street entertainment, the centre of King’s Lynn has everything you and your family need to get in the festive spirit this year

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fter the somewhat lacklustre Christmas of 2020, everyone is looking forward to a festive season full of joy, frivolity, and togetherness in 2021. With this in mind, Discover King’s Lynn has plenty of suggestions on how to make the most of King’s Lynn this festive season, including a full line-up of events and entertainment, as well as suggestions on where to shop, eat, drink, and be merry. This really is the season to be jolly.

ILLUMINATIONS, DECORATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS! Let’s get straight to the good stuff – the events. First up is the annual Christmas light switch-on which takes place on Sunday 21st November. The event will feature all the usual fun and festivity, including live music, festive street entertainment, a family parade, and deliciously seasonal food and drink. It’s the perfect way to kick off your festive season.

As well as lights and illuminations to get King’s Lynn dressed for Christmas, many local businesses will be decorating their windows in an effort to win Discover King’s Lynn’s Window Decorating Competition.

The theme this year is “Go Big or Go Home” and we’re looking forward to seeing everything but the kitchen sink in this year’s displays to make up for the little time we had to admire them last year.

Discover King’s Lynn will be asking the public to help with the judging, so keep an eye on the various social media channels to get involved.

Finally, the annual King’s Lynn Christmas Market will take place on the 11th-12th December from 10am -3pm in an indoor town centre venue.

Expect to browse the best selection of local traders and stock up on all your Christmas essentials, from chocolate and chutneys to gins and jams. You can also start filling those stockings with some of the nicest, locally produced gifts around, including jewellery, body care, and crafts. For more details, keep an eye on Discover King’s Lynn’s social media and website.

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP As well as events to get you in the festive spirit, the centre of King’s Lynn also offers a comprehensive selection of retailers - both independent and national chains - to help you prepare for Christmas.

Gift giving is one of the season’s most time-honoured traditions, and this year people will be thinking longer KLmagazine November 2021

ABOVE: It’s the season to be jolly, and it’s also time to celebrate the very best that King’s Lynn has to offer over the coming weeks, with lots of street entertainment, plenty of independent retailers, and some fabulous food and drink 25

and harder about which gifts to buy and where to buy them from.

As ever, we encourage everyone to consider shopping locally to help support our high street and its very many independent business owners.

Our town centre has plenty to offer the Christmas shopper, including specialist independent jewellers, gifting stores, toy stores, clothing stores and antiques dealers, not to mention a great selection of popular chain retailers too.

We will soon be pulling together a Christmas Gift Guide with details of local items and stores that have caught our eye. Be sure to sign up to our newsletter and get a copy to help you shop!

Christmas isn’t all about presents though. It’s also about Christmas dinner. For your festive grocery needs, King’s Lynn has a great range of choices. Whether it’s M&S, Sainsbury’s or Lidl for your big shop, M&A Fruits & Vegetables for your Christmas dinner trimmings, or WhataHoot Distillery and Gin Saloon for your festive spirits, you’ll have no trouble filling your fridge this year - and it’s all on your doorstep.

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EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY Christmas comes but once a year, so why not indulge in all the delicious food and drink that the centre of King’s Lynn has to offer?

Over the last few years, the town’s food and drink scene has gone from strength to strength, and now boasts a great selection of chain and independent bars, restaurants, and pubs.

All of which are perfect venues for celebrating the festive season with a meal and perhaps tipple or two.

You can choose from quirky cocktail bars and classic pubs for drinks, while food menus on offer in town include Caribbean-fusion, Mediterranean, American-inspired, and classic British fayre.

So for a catch-up with friends, a celebration with family, or a preChristmas party with colleagues, head into town and join the celebrations.

And with the new year on the horizon, work parties and big family

DON’T MISS! CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON 21st November DISCOVER KING’S LYNN WINDOW DECORATING COMPETITION 1st December onwards CHRISTMAS MARKET 11th & 12th December celebrations are genuinely spoilt for choice. There are some excellent venues in town (most of which have private hire options) - including the Duke’s Head Hotel, Soul Café & Restaurant, Marriot’s Warehouse, and the Bank House.

STREET SCENE As well as all the festivities, the centre of King’s Lynn will also be visited by Christmas street performers throughout weekends in December to help get visitors into the festive mood.

Think brass bands, stilt walkers, cheeky elves and much more. There will also be opportunities for a Christmas selfie with some specially commissioned light installations – so keep your eyes peeled and your cameras at the ready.

This Christmas, why not stay local and enjoy all the joy and wonder that King’s Lynn can offer? Get into the festive spirit while supporting your town. For more information, please visit www.discoverkingslynn.com.

KLmagazine November 2021

PICTURES: Youngsters World in the centre of King’s Lynn has come a long way since it opened as The Match Box almost 30 years ago (right) - but it’s still a proudly independent and family-run business

A family tradition for future generations It’s now almost 30 years since Youngsters World opened in King’s Lynn and the family-run business is still offering an outstanding range of toys and nursery goods - with a first-class service to match

I

t’s hardly surprising that Youngsters World in King’s Lynn is concerned with the future generation, since it’s a family-run business that can trace its origins back to the 19th century with a range of shops from Fulham and Wiltshire to Sheffield and Hampshire.

“When my father retired from the RAF at the start of the 1980s he opened The Match Box in Wymondham, which concentrated on models, crafts and accessories,” says Liz Harrison, who now runs Youngsters World on Norfolk Street in King’s Lynn with her brother and her husband - who’s also been running the BJ Models and DIY Centre less than 100 yards away for the last 20 years. “We opened another shop in Dereham in 1983, and then took on a 28

shop in Boston specialising in baby goods and toys - and I think that’s probably where Youngster’s World was really born.”

Based in the premises previously occupied by the House of Holland, Youngsters World primarily concentrated on toys at the beginning, but has increasingly focused on baby and nurseryware over the years - and as it approaches its 30th anniversary can proudly claim to be one of the few truly independent retailers in the area.

Which goes a long way to explaining why so many people travel so far to buy their prams, cots and travel systems from Liz and her team.

“Obviously you can buy a pram online in a few minutes today, but it’s not quite as easy as that,” she says.

KLmagazine November 2021

ABOVE: Baby transport has changed enormously since Youngsters World first opened (left) but the store is still dedicated to expert help and advice - even to the point of sending helpful “how to” videos to customers in need of some advice

“There are very few places left where you can see and ‘test drive’ a pram, and when you’re considering spending upwards of £1,000 for the newest member of your family you need all the help and advice you can get. And that’s what we’re here for.”

In addition to offering in-store demonstrations, flexible payment plans and a free assembly service, Youngsters World also produces special videos to help individual customers having problems with installing or using nursery products.

The modern approach to baby transport is actually quite complex.

Your carry cot and pushchair seat is now likely to be integrated with the

KLmagazine November 2021

pram - and when it comes to car seats the various laws and regulations can be overwhelming.

“A lot of our customers compare buying a pram to buying a new car, and many expectant mothers and fathers actually spend more time on them in making their final choice,” says Liz. “It can be very complicated, but it’s very easy to sort out - all you have to do is ask us.”

With almost 30 world-famous and prestigious brands such as iCandy, Maxi Cosi, Babystyle and Silver Cross and a highly-trained and experienced team, Youngsters World has everything you (and your baby) needs - and with Christmas on the horizon, Liz and her team can also help you find the perfect present.

“Toys have changed enormously in the years since we first opened,” she says. “There’s been a definite shift away from plastic toys based on characters from Hollywood films and a move towards more traditional and wooden toys. They’re just as much fun - they’re just a bit more ethical.

And if it’s not in store, we’ll find it for you.”

Whether you’re waiting for the latest member of your family to arrive or are looking for the perfect gift for a grandchild, Youngsters World is a world of fun and imagination.

And a lot more besides.

Youngsters World 112 Norfolk Street King’s Lynn PE30 1AQ 01553 761666 www.youngstersworld.com sales@youngstersworld.com

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KLmagazine November 2021

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Reaching great heights for even greater sights With temperatures dropping as winter approaches, the highest points of Cromer Ridge in north Norfolk are a reminder of a time when two-thirds of the country was buried beneath thick ice sheets

A

sk anyone in the country for a fact about Norfolk and the chances are they’ll tell you it’s flat. According to the 1930 play Private Lives by Noel Coward, it is “very flat.” For those of us familiar with the county, however, we know it’s not strictly true. Although the west of the county borders the low-lying Fens, north Norfolk also boasts the highest point in the whole of East Anglia.

Beacon Hill rises 103m above sea level, offering beautiful views out to sea as the pinnacle of the 8.7-milelong Cromer Ridge. What we see today, however, wasn’t there during

the formation of the ridge – because at the time Norfolk was buried beneath a 3-mile-thick glacier.

Around 480,000 years ago Britain was in the midst of the Anglian ice age, the largest glaciation that affected the country in terms of size. Reaching across the west coast of Ireland and across the North Sea all the way up to Norway, the British Ice sheet also travelled south to Oxfordshire and Essex. It even diverted the River Thames – which originally flowed north to the Wash – to its current position in London.

“You can imagine the scene during the Anglian glaciation when north

Norfolk resembled the edge of the modern Greenland icesheet,” says Martin Warren, local geologist and excurator for Cromer’s and Walsingham’s museums. He’s devoted much time to studying the formation of Cromer Ridge, and the results of his research are compiled on his website at www. northfolk.org.uk.

“The glacier stretched away to the north and over the horizon,” he says, “a blanket of ice in place of the North Sea.” When the glacier began to melt, the sediment and till it was carrying was left behind. These deposits formed the bumps and hills that make up

Cromer Ridge, which is what we see along the north Norfolk coast today.

And the geography of the ridge is just as interesting now as it was during its formative years.

“It has a significant impact on the landscape and climate,” says Martin. “It consists of a lot of woodland, though formerly it was heathland. The trees provide a barrier from the sea air, so nearby coastal towns have different microclimates compared to those south of the ridge, having fewer frosts and less snow, but more fog and mist.”

The mix of woodland and heathland, along with the stretching vistas, are appealing sights for people trekking along the ridge. Various hills act as waypoints for visitors, including Beeston Bump just east of Sheringham, which has been described as looking like a cross-section of a hill, as its seaward side has completely eroded away.

The history around Beeston Bump extends as far back as Saxon times when Beeston Regis was used for iron works. The sites were excavated in the 1850s and contained debris from metal

working processes, including iron cinder and pottery sherds.

RAF aerial photography in 1946 gave experts a better indication of how far across Beeston Regis the pits extended, and since then even more sites have been unearthed. Along Cromer Ridge, you can still find bits of iron and limonite nodules, and even the viewpoint compass pillar on Beeston Bump has iron slag incorporated into the masonry.

Similarly, there’s more to Beacon Hill – located a gentle hike 2 miles further inland from Beeston Bump – than lovely views and the accolade of being the highest point in East Anglia.

Around the hill, evidence of earthworks tells us there was once a coastal signal station there, hence the name ‘Beacon’ Hill. A report in 1324 mentions a watch being kept there, and during the Spanish Armada through to 1608 regular repairs were made to the station. Records from the Norfolk Quarter Sessions have also been found detailing money being raised in the 1650s for maintenance of a beacon.

By the end of the 18th century, though, it appears the signal station was no longer in use. William Faden, Royal Geographer to King George III, published his Map of Norfolk in 1797, in which he calls Beacon Hill “The Old Beacon” or “Watchtower.”

At the turn of the 19th century, the hill was coined Roman Camp, although not because evidence of Roman occupation had been discovered. The earthworks left from the signal station inspired local cab drivers of horsedrawn carriages to refer to the area as Roman Camp, hoping the historical name would attract tourists and bring more fares to their businesses. Even now, we don’t know if the Romans set up a camp there, but regardless, the name has stuck.

The upcoming winter may not be an appealing time for some to want to walk through the wild heathland, lofty hills, and thick woodland around Cromer Ridge, but if the breathtaking views don’t lift your mood, consider this: at least you’re not hiking through a freezing polar desert with giant mammoths stepping over you.

The image of Cromer ridge on the previous page is available as a limited edition print from our gallery at www.klmagazine.co.uk, along with over 50 other stunning local landmarks and locations.

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KLmagazine November 2021

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Living

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

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

Bagthorpe

Brancaster Staithe

Happy new year, happy new home...

A

s our thoughts turn to decking the halls, ordering the turkey and the mounting anticipation and excitement of family members returning home for the holidays, it’s not surprising that the property market tends to slow a little in the first three weeks of December. Historically, those with spare time on their hands would more often prefer to spend it enjoying

Holme-next-the-Sea

Christmas parties with colleagues and friends or dashing amongst the fairy lights in the winter wonderland that every high street and shop creates at this special time of year, tracking down that illusive gift for the difficult person in everyone’s life!

However, come December 26th everything changes. Year on year, ever since the property portals became established, the volume of people looking on websites such as Rightmove and On the Market on Boxing Day has grown exponentially, and exactly the same can be said for January 1st.

The post-Christmas rush is most likely explained by an understandable requirement for time out from an overdose of family - and the second spike is caused by that human need for a fresh start that the dawning of a

new year always brings focus upon.

Either way, the online marketplace is an incredibly busy one for that last week of the year and the start of the next.

Locally, with the continued lack of available stock across the county, I can only see our seasonal activity being off the scale.

But how do you take advantage of this surge?

If you think you’re one of those people logging on to look for pastures new but need to sell your current home first then the last thing you should do is delay.

Make sure you’ve instructed your agent before your Christmas decorations go up so you don’t ‘time date’ your online footprint.

Secondly, it isn’t just the inside that’s important. Make sure the remains of all those autumn leaves are tidied away, not only to help with that all-important first impression but also to ensure your digital presence looks as fresh as possible. Even in the wintertime.

Thanks to Sowerbys’ dedicated marketing team we can discuss a ‘soft launch’ ahead of the rush, and our oneminute reels on our many social media sites are brilliant for offering potential buyers a teaser.

As such, when we launch you fully into that post-Christmas maelstrom, your home will be the property that all those potential buyers are drawn to as they nestle down in front of the fire and open the tablet’s browser, hoping that yours will be their next home.

Burnham Market | Dereham | Fakenham | Holt | Hunstanton | King’s Lynn Norwich | Watton | Wells-next-the-Sea www.sowerbys.com 36

KLmagazine November 2021

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

Darryl Simpson explains...

Non

Denby dining sets

It’s that time of the year to entertain...

W

e all know that when the clocks change the days get shorter, but what we tend to forget is that it means the evenings get longer. It’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to entertaining at home - particularly since there are so many reasons to invite your friends and family to your wing chair home.

We obviously missed out on socialising last year, so there’s a lot of catching up to be done. Whether it’s a Halloween party, fireworks night or an early step into the festive season, you and your home need

to be ready.

If you’re preparing a formal sit-down meal you’ll know that there never seems to be enough chairs, and it can be difficult to match the particular designs and styles you already have.

Why not contrast or coordinate with neutral fabrics or signature chairs?

When the party is over they can occupy another area on the house - ready to be re-employed on Christmas Day. Much the same goes for crockery and cutlery, because mixing and matching can offer a stylist twist to the dinner table. Make the most of your kitchen or put a table in your garden room or conservatory to offer mezze, nibbles or a buffet – your guests can help themselves, and you can enjoy being the host. We have some great entertaining crockery and

Ercol Ballatta drinks cabinet

tableware ranges available to set off your food choices.

You can always make sure everyone is comfortable by making use of occasional and signature easy seating.

Again, the emphasis is on creating a coordinating look rather than have everything matching. Those accent chairs can go back into a bedroom or hallway when your guest have left - and they’ll still look spectacular.

And don’t forget that the muchmaligned drinks cabinet is back in fashion. There’s no better way to showcase your selection of locallyproduced gins, vodkas and apéritifs in an unused corner of your room and create a focal point for your cocktailmaking skills.

For guests from further afield or for those that can’t (or shouldn’t) face the journey home after taking full advantage of your hospitality you can always offer to put them up.

In addition to looking fabulous, sofa beds are always useful, and their addition into a second reception room, home office, or study gives you the best of both worlds.

As the season for entertaining dawns, we have everything you need for a memorable night - and to make sure the next day is equally eye-catching.

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

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A local history of conkers and conquerors hen ritain s war effort started to falter in attention turned to the humble horse chestnut - and local school children layed their art collecting con ers for atriotism rather than laytime

W

hen Britain’s war effort was threatened by a shortage of shells in 1917, the government of the day urgently ordered the collection of horsechestnuts across the country. But how did the common conker help to get guns firing again, and why were they sent in their hundreds of thousands to King’s Lynn?

The Allied Forces faced a crisis in 1915, when the vast increase in munition production created an unprecedented demand for cordite, the smokeless powder used as a propellant in small arms and artillery.

Cordite had been used as the principal propellant for shells by the KLmaga ine November 2021

British Army since 1889 and it mainly consisted of the explosive mix of gun cotton, nitro-glycerine and acetone.

The problem was that acetone was made by distilling tons of birch, beech and maple - most of which was imported from the USA and Canada.

However, with German submarines restricting shipping across the Atlantic, Britain found itself needing a way of producing domestic acetone.

At the time, future Prime Minister David Lloyd George was Minister of Munitions, and he called on renowned Manchester University chemist Chaim Weizmann to find a solution.

Weizmann (who would later become the first president of Israel) got to work and came up with a new

anaerobic fermentation process that used a bacterium (now known as the Weizmann Organism) to produce acetone from various starchy foodstuffs including maize, grain and potatoes.

Two new factories began producing around 90,000 gallons of acetone a year for the British armed forces - one at Poole in Dorset and the other by the dockside in King’s Lynn.

In 1916, the King’s Lynn factory was nationalised by the government and renamed ‘His Majesty’s Explosive Factory King’s Lynn.’

However, by 1917 increased German U-boat operations had caused grain supplies to run short and production using potatoes and rice ceased due to nationwide food shortages.

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ABOVE: The Custom House in King’s Lynn, which was once the centre of a major conker-collecting proejct by local children to help the war effort

Weizmann was called on yet again, and through multiple experiments he found that the starch found in the common conker could be used to produce acetone.

It was calculated that for every ton of horse chestnuts harvested, half a ton of grain would be saved for human consumption. The government swiftly issued an appeal for the collection of conkers - a task that was immediately taken up by hundreds of eager schoolchildren.

Headmasters were directed to send pupils out to collect conkers during the school day, and a notices appeared on the walls of classrooms and in newspapers: “Groups of scholars and boy scouts are being organised to collect conkers… this collection is invaluable war work and is very urgent, please encourage it.”

Hunting for conkers (and taking pride in using them to destroy any rivals) had been a playground staple since the early 19th century, but now there was

an added incentive - you may not have been old enough to enlist in the armed forces, but you could still play your part.

When not studying algebra or Latin, groups of enthusiastic boys ventured into the woods with bags and scoured their local communities, returning laden with shiny brown conkers. Even girls joined in, and often competed with the boys to see who could fill the largest number of sacks.

Spurred on by the War Office’s offer of 7s 6d (around 38p) for every hundredweight (roughly 50kg) of conkers collected, the country’s children dutifully spent most of their spare time searching, leaving no stone or leaf unturned.

The children’s excitement landed many of them in trouble, however, as police received numerous complaints of boys trespassing on forbidden grounds - and youngsters were injured falling from trees.

A veil of secrecy surrounded the

great conker collection, because the authorities didn’t want the Germans to know about their potential importance.

When questions were raised in the House of Commons, the response given was that they were needed for ‘certain purposes’ and they were ‘necessary for the production of an article of great importance in the prosecution of war.’

Thanks to the dedication of local children the collection of conkers was extremely successful, with about 3,000 tons collected in King’s Lynn alone and taken to the dockside factory.

In fact, it was more successful than the government had anticipated.

Around the country children had gathered so many conkers that transporting the vast number to either Poole or King’s Lynn was problematic - every newspaper in the land reported sacks of rotting conkers left on station platforms.

The manufacturing process turned out to be equally lacklustre. The factory in King’s Lynn began production in April 1918, but stopped after 12 weeks once it was discovered conkers didn’t actually produce the yield of acetone the government had hoped for.

But the tide had turned, and within a few months “the war to end all wars” was over.

Schoolchildren went back to their desks and conjugated verbs, and conkers returned to their traditional role - being baked in the oven, soaked in vinegar, threaded on to a piece of string, and forced into mortal combat.

For more fascinating features on the history of west and north Norfolk, visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

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KLmagazine November 2021

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KLmagazine November 2021

When was your coolant last checked?

For safe winter motoring, contact K Brown Auto Repairs today

D

on’t think that your car only needs antifreeze in the winter, because there’s a reason it’s also known as coolant. In addition to preventing the engine freezing in cold temperatures, it also protects it against boiling over in hot weather. Both events can be very costly and extremely inconvenient, which is why regular checks and changes are so important.

Leave it too long and your car can run into all sorts of problems. Over time coolant/antifreeze tends to become more acidic and loses its rust-inhibiting properties - causing unnecessary corrosion and damaging everything from your radiator and water pump to your thermostat and cooling system.

“All cars have different coolant changing intervals which depend on the manufacturer’s

recommendations, although some manufacturers don’t actually specify this,” says Keith Brown, who started K Brown Auto Repairs with his wife Tamsin over 25 years ago. “That’s why we always check the history of the coolant every time we service your car and advise you accordingly.”

It’s also important to use the right coolant/antifreeze for the make and model of your car, since the wrong type can also cause your car to overheat or freeze. It’s a relatively inexpensive procedure (certainly against the cost of a damaged engine) and can be carried out fairly quickly. If your car doesn’t need a service for some time or you’re unsure of the correct coolant change interval, please call the friendly reception team at K Brown Auto Repairs and they’ll give you all the help and advice you need. And please note that if you tow a caravan you’ll need to change your coolant more regularly.

As we do move into winter, don’t forget that K Brown Auto Repairs also

offers comprehensive winter motoring checks - which typically involve a fully-trained and qualified mechanic looking at everything from your tyres and brakes, to your battery, windscreen wipers, lights and oil.

With lower temperatures, poor visibility, snow, ice, and hazardous driving conditions it’s vital that your car is in top working order so it’s ready to tackle the worst the winter can throw at it. It’s better for your car, and it’s safer for you and other road users.

“We’ve always been open and honest with our customers, and we’ve never carried out any work without letting them know first,” says Keith’s wife Tamsin. “That’s why we’ve got customers who’ve been with us from day one and why we’re now looking after their children’s cars.”

To get your car ready for the winter, contact K Brown Auto Repairs today.

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 2021

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“

Having grown up in Norfolk I have a great love of the county, and from an architectural point of view it’s a wonderful canvas to work on. We’ve completed a wide range of different projects over the years, but our greatest passion is for designing and helping develop exciting and innovative new builds for people looking to create their dream home. When clients come to us with a grand design or a specific idea, it’s so rewarding for us to work with them and help bring that to life.

”

Chris Senior, Director We are operating in your area, please get in touch with us to discuss your ideas m 01223 361803 K www.PiParchitecture.co.uk D @PiParchitecture Q piparchitects

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8 Mill Road, Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen, King’s Lynn PE34 3BZ m 07921 910651 / 07817 941897 K www.rgrdevelopments.co.uk

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k info@rgrdevelopments.co.uk KLmagazine November 2021

Don’t leave it too late check your boiler today For over years Foreman & Son has been keeping people warm and safe with a -hour boiler care service that’s second to none

I

f your boiler breaks down you’ll be without hot water or heating, which can be a major problem at the best of times - but it can be particularly serious and even dangerous if it happens over winter at the coldest time of year.

Fortunately the Heacham-based team at Foreman & Son is only a phone call away and is available 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. In fact, over the last year the company has attended no less than 1,595 boiler breakdowns in the local area, helping thousands of families stay safe and warm.

The main causes of breakdowns is outdated, worn out or faulty boilers which should be serviced every year to remain working as efficiently as possible.

That’s why Foreman & Son introduced its comprehensive BoilerCare service, which is available in

01485 570578 32 High Street, Heacham PE31 7EP KLmagazine November 2021

a three-tiered range of packages to suit your specific needs and budget. They include everything from unlimited callouts and all replacement parts when necessary, to an annual boiler service, no excess charges, and £500 off the cost of a new boiler if your current one is beyond repair.

The BoilerCare service is also available to landlords (annual gas safety checks are actually required by law) and Foreman & Son offers discounts for five or more properties signed up to the Premium or Premium Plus packages.

In the event that your gas, oil or LPG boiler does need replacing, Foreman & Son’s engineers are fully-qualified, highly-experienced, and the company is G3 regulated, Gas Safe and OFTECregistered. In addition to being an approved installer of the marketleading Baxi and Ideal ranges of boilers, the team also offers general plumbing

and heating maintenance, underfloor heating and professional site work for multi-property developments.

The most important thing is not to leave your boiler servicing until it’s too late - professional maintenance doesn’t just save you money and inconvenience. It can also ensure you’re not left in the cold over winter.

Contact Foreman & Son today for more details and information.

www.foremanandsonltd.co.uk boilercare@foremanandsonltd.co.uk 45

ABOVE: One of the very last surviving buildings from RAF Downham Market, which played a vital part in the war effort even though it was only operational from the summer of 1942

Flying into the heritage of Downham Market...

During the Second World War Norfolk was home to over 0 RAF bases, and although few of them remain today they played a vital part in safeguarding our future - none so much as RAF Downham Market

A

bout a mile east of Downham Market and adjacent to the village of Bexwell is a small industrial estate surrounded by open fields and peaceful countryside.

It’s a perfectly natural and typically peaceful part of Norfolk, which makes it hard to believe that almost 80 years ago many valiant soldiers in huge four-engine bombers set off on daring missions from this spot.

RAF Downham Market opened in July 1942, initially to serve as a satellite station for nearby RAF Marham. Its construction began in 1941, filling the 46

quiet country roads between Downham and Bexwell with huge bulldozers and dozens of lorries, astounding those living nearby.

The base was built with three great concrete runways arranged in a triangular pattern. Each of them was 50 yards wide and the main runway was around 1,900 yards long - it’s estimated the base was built with enough concrete to make 10 miles of motorway. Concrete-framed workshops and offices were erected along with corrugated steel cylindrical Nissen huts, with accommodation for 1,719 men and 326 women.

KLmagazine November 2021

The airfield had its own bomb store situated in a wooded area away from the main camp, containing mainly 4lb incendiary devices, 2,000lb sea-mines, and explosives ranging from 1,000lb to 4,000lb. They were replenished from the main stores at RAF Barnham on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, and it’s reported that on one occasion a couple of 2,000lb bombs rolled off a lorry on their way to the base and landed near the church at Crimplesham - luckily no damage was caused and no one was injured.

It may have started out as an auxiliary base, but RAF Downham Market is notable for many reasons.

In 1943 it was the second of only 15 airfields in the country to be equipped with the lifesaving fog dispersal device known as FIDO (Fog Intensive Dispersal Operation) which consisted of two parallel pipelines fitted with burner jets at regular intervals running either side of the runway.

Petrol was pumped through the pipes and ignited, producing powerful flames that could evaporate and disperse thick fog in a matter of minutes. Once lit, FIDO burned 100,000 gallons of fuel an hour and it aided 161 airplanes on their return to Downham Market.

Another remarkable fact about this small station is it was the only airfield to have a Victoria Cross awarded to two personnel.

The first went to Flight Sergeant Arthur Aaron who tried to land a heavily-damaged aircraft in August 1943 whilst fatally wounded, and gave piloting instructions to his bombardier when he couldn’t continue.

The second Victoria Cross was awarded in August 1944 to Squadron Leader Ian Bazalgette, who completed his bombing mission despite his KLmagazine November 2021

Lancaster being set alight by heavy flak.

When his task was complete, Bazalgette ordered his crew to bail out, but two of his men were too severely wounded to do so. With no intention of leaving them he attempted to land the flaming aircraft himself, but it exploded on impact, instantly killing all three men.

At various times between 1942-1945 RAF Downham Market hosted no less than six bomber squadrons. Numbers 214, 218 and 623 were Main Force squadrons and 571, 608 and 635 were part of the RAF’s elite No.8 (Pathfinder) group. Squadron 635, founded in 1944, was undoubtedly the most famous and it elevated the airfield to full station status.

The squadron was equipped with 16 Avro Lancasters (the finest British heavy bombers of the time) and flew an incredible 2,099 operational sorties from Downham Market.

635 squadron was responsible for leading major raids by identifying and marking targets for the Main Force bombers to attack, and was detailed as Master Bomber for a remarkable 88 strategic operations.

It came with a price, however.

Between March 1944 and May 1945 the squadron lost 42 aircraft and 304 airmen.

When the war finally came to an end, the airfield was alive with singing, dancing and laughter as personnel celebrated the wonderful peace they’d helped achieve. Farewells were exchanged and the remaining squadrons were gradually disbanded.

The airfield’s concrete runways were dug up, crushed and used in the construction of the Downham Market bypass on the A10 - and the remaining land was returned to original owners or sold to manufacturing companies.

On the chancel wall of St Mary’s church in Bexwell sits a plaque commemorating the brave personnel that gave their lives whilst operating from the airfield, and on a lawn outside the churchyard stands a memorial to the two VC airmen.

Apart from a slab of concrete runway on display at the Discover Downham Heritage Centre, little else of the incredible airfield remains although its existence will forever be remembered. Next time you’re passing through Downham or Bexwell, try to imagine those huge Lancaster bombers climbing into a dusky sky and take a moment to appreciate the brave aircrew who flew straight into danger to give us the peace we enjoy today.

The centre is open from 10am4pm on Thursdays and Fridays and from 10am-1pm on Saturdays See www.discoverdownham.org. uk for more details or e-mail info@ discoverdownham.org.uk For more fascinating features on the history of west and north Norfolk, visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

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KLmagazine November 2021

Leaving a letter of wishes alongside your will Where there’s a will there’s a way, as Hayes + Storr explains...

M

aking a will is an important part of lifetime legal planning, but where should you set out your wishes for small sentimental gifts or for funeral arrangements? How will you explain the decisions you made in your will?

These are some of the questions we are asked when people want to make a will for the first time or wish to make provision for something out of the ordinary.

For your will to be legally binding, it must be worded using specific legal terminology which does not leave much scope for creativity or explanations.

Alongside your will, you can write a letter of wishes in which you can express yourself in a more personal way. While such a letter is not legally binding, it does place a strong moral obligation for those involved in your will to follow your guidance.

Uses for a letter of wishes: GIFTS

One of the most common ways a letter of wishes is used is to leave small items, such as personal belongings, to certain beneficiaries without having to include

specific gifts in your will. Provided your will references the separate letter of wishes, this is a perfectly acceptable and even a common way of leaving such items.

Your chosen beneficiaries will not be legally entitled to the items, but your executors should ensure that they receive them unless there is a very good reason why your wishes cannot be honoured.

children or a charity, a letter of wishes can enable you to explain the decision more fully which may prevent or reduce discord between the family after your death. It will also provide evidence of your views should a claim be made against your estate.

A letter of wishes can be changed as often as needed, without you having to review your will each time, saving you time and money.

FUNERAL WISHES

HOW WE CAN HELP

Another popular use for a letter of wishes is to outline funeral wishes.

A letter of wishes relating to your funeral can include preferences as to cremation or burial, instructions for your funeral service, or even who should be notified of your death and how they should be notified.

A letter of wishes is a useful aid in ensuring that your voice can continue to be heard after you have died, however it is important to remember that it will not be legally binding, and it is equally important to understand when a letter of wishes is and is not appropriate.

EXPLANATIONS As well as offering the opportunity to express your wishes in relation to certain circumstances or specific gifts, a letter of wishes can also be used to explain why you have chosen to structure your will in the way you have.

For example, if you have left a greater share of your estate to one of your

For further information, please contact Laura Weston on 01553 778900 or email laura.weston@hayes-storr.com

LAURA WESTON Chartered Legal Executive

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.

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

KLmagazine November 2021

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Prepayment Funeral Plans A local funeral plan A local price A local independent service Flexible payment options When the time comes, just one phone call to us is all that’s needed to activate your funeral plan.

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KLmagazine November 2021

Eternal ame bowl

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Remember your loved ones with a work of art

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With care and respect, the experts at Langham Glass can create a unique memorial for you and your family.

Forever Into Glass - and forever with you

or over 40 years Langham Glass has been one of Norfolk’s most popular tourist destinations, and has built a strong reputation for expertly-made and exquisitely-crafted decorative glassware.

It’s a much loved familyowned and family-run business, so it was perhaps only natural that about seven years ago the company launched Forever Into Glass - a strikingly beautiful and sensitive way of commemorating lost loved ones.

“These aren’t mass-produced products you can order and buy off the shelf,” says Jonathan Miller, whose parents founded Langham Glass towards the end of the 1970s. “Every

single piece is created with the utmost care and respect, and is delivered with a signed card by the glassmaker who created it.”

Using less than a teaspoon of cremated ashes, the core choices in the Forever Into Glass range includes everything from rings and earrings to bracelets, bowls and glass pebbles - and the extraordinary Spirit Paperweight, which is the most popular work in the collection. But you’re not confined to the standard range.

“We’re always happy to create something unusual and special, and customers are welcome to have a private viewing to see their piece being made,” says Jonathan’s wife Helen -

who’s played a role in the business for over 15 years. “We’ve recently worked the ashes of lost loved ones and family pets into everything from our delightful glass robins to the stem of a gin glass.”

Langham Glass even recently made a pair of cufflinks for a groom who wanted his parents to be with him at his wedding.

“We develop very close relationships with our customers, and they find the whole process and the products really comfortable,” says Jonathan.

Available in a choice of six colours and crafted by hand every step of the way, Forever Into Glass offers you the opportunity of creating a sensitive, personal and beautiful memorial of your loved one with you at all times.

Contact us today for more details.

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

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© NICK APPLETON PICTURES: Newborn grey seal pups lounging on the beach at Blakeney Point under the watchful eye of their mothers, and (above) a small skein of pink-footed geese flying over the NWT reserve at Cley Marshes - some 360,00 of which travel thousands of miles to spend their winter in northwest Norfolk every year

The many wonders of Norfolk’s winter wildlife

Norfolk is always attractive to visitors, but it’s particularly special at this time of year when countless animals and birds oc to the county having undertaken some of the longest journeys in the world...

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here’s nowhere quite like Norfolk to experience the wonders of the natural world. With its extensive coastline, diverse woodlands and abundance of nature reserves, the county is considered one of the most important places for wildlife in the UK. With winter on its way, let’s take a look at some of the incredible creatures that will soon be arriving in the area.

Norfolk is widely known for its diverse bird population, with a huge number making a return visit every year. One of the most distinctive bird species in northwest Norfolk over winter is the pink-footed goose, as around

KLmagazine November 2021

360,000 of them arrive annually from their breeding grounds in Iceland and Greenland - having made a journey of almost 2,000 miles.

Unique and intriguing, these compact and dark-headed birds have rosy pink bills, legs and feet and produce a medley of high pitched honking calls.

They fly inland to their feeding grounds in a characteristic V-shaped formation, creating a fantastic aerial display. The sight and sound of the immense flocks taking off from the beaches at Brancaster, Wells and Snettisham is one of Norfolk’s greatest natural spectaculars - and the sound can often be deafening.

These curious creatures can also be spotted further inland, particularly between Docking and Burnham Market, sneakily feasting on the tops of sugar beet and wheat crops in the arable farmland. They’re often joined by fabulous black Brent geese, which fly to Norfolk in loose flocks to flee the harsh winter in their arctic Russian breeding grounds.

These sweet little Brents are the UK’s smallest migratory geese, no bigger than a mallard duck and weighing little more than a bag of flour - but they manage to fly almost 3,000 miles to spend their winter in Norfolk.

Other birds to look out for locally at 53

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© NICK APPLETON © RAY DAVIE

this time of year are the majestic yellow and black-billed winter swans. In fact, the large and robust whooper swan undertakes the longest sea crossing of any swan species, leaving Iceland to travel 1,200 miles across the Atlantic with very few stops along the way.

They have longer necks than the orange-billed mute swans we’re more familiar with and they spend a lot of time in the water, where their legs don’t have to carry the burden of their great weight.

The perfect place to spot whooper swans is Welney Wetland Trust, where they’ve already begun to arrive. along with arctic Russian Bewick’s swans.

Bewick’s are cuter than whooper swans, with shorter bills and kindlooking faces, and they’re the smallest and rarest swan species to visit the UK, travelling 2,500 miles from Siberia.

Around 1,000 Bewick’s join 10,000 whooper swans at Welney each year and (much to the annoyance of local farmers) both species enjoy visiting fertile local fields to nibble potatoes and cereal crops.

The shore is equally magical on the North Norfolk coast, as that’s when the grey seals return from the North Sea for pupping, moulting, and breeding.

Norfolk holds claim to hosting the largest grey seal pupping site in England at Blakeney Point, with over 4,000 pups born there last winter.

From early November to the end of January, grey seals come ashore to give birth to their young. On arrival, the males compete for territory, furiously fighting to gain the best stretch of sand.

The oldest, biggest and most aggressive bulls are the most successful and often leave their opponents with deep scars on their necks.

The females will pick a defended territory where they give birth to

PICTURES: A group of small dark-bellied brent geese at NWT Cley Marshes (top) and a pair of large yellow-billed whooper swans (middle) enjoying a swim with a cygnet. Pictured below is a newborn seal pup relaxing on the rocks at Horsey, enjoying its cosy coat while it lasts

adorable pups with fluffy yellow coats, which turn white after a couple of days.

They weigh around 15kg at birth and feed roughly six times a day for the first three weeks for up to 10 minutes at a time.

Their mother’s milk contains about 60% fat, which allows the pups to gain up to 2kg of weight a day.

They’re weaned when they reach around 50kg and at this stage they’ll shed their luxurious white coats. The cows become fertile soon after weaning their pups and mate with the bull in charge of their chosen territory. Bull seals usually have around six to eight cows in

their pack, but if they’re particularly successful fighters they can have as many as 20.

Make sure you plan a trip to Blakeney Point or Horsey this season - you may be lucky enough to see a fluffy white seal pup snoozing on the sand.

If you decide to see the seals on foot, please keep your distance and never get between a seal and the sea. The youngsters may be adorable, but if you do come across one don’t think it’s been lost. The mother will be nearby, and if you or your dogs get too close she’ll abandon the pup and leave it to die.

We’re incredibly fortunate to live in Norfolk with so much amazing and important wildlife on our doorstep.

You might be tempted to think that summer is the best time to visit our fantastic coastline, but the truth is that for lovers of wildlife the winter months are even more spectacular - and even more rewarding.

KLmagazine November 2021

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KLmagazine November 2021

Animalmatters

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

Stacy

Why we love your pets, and why they love the vets

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he practice at London Road in King’s Lynn was established in the 1920s and was one of the first custom built veterinary centres in the whole of the UK. And some 100 years later it’s now one of the most trusted, with a highly-trained and experienced team of vets, registered veterinary nurses and patient care assistants.

And no one exemplifies the ethos of the practice more than Nurse Manager Stacy Brook, who oversees a team of some ten veterinary nurses and patient care assistants. She joined London Road in 2004 after a successful five years at the famous Wood Green Animal Shelter (now known as Wood Green, the Animals Charity) in Huntingdon, and she’s never looked back.

“I grew up surrounded by animals and I’ve always loved them,” she says.

“I think one of the most outstanding things about our practice is that we

treat every patient as an individual.

We don’t process our patients - we constantly assess them and watch their body language, and do everything we can to make their journey through the practice as stress-free as possible.”

Part of that is the recent introduction of the Fear Free programme, which is specially designed to make your pet feel comfortable, relaxed and happy to be treated by one of Stacy’s team - using everything from treats and gentle handling to clinically-developed pheromones and mats containing peanut butter.

“How to handle animals is crucial, because they can be really challenging and can get stressed very easily,” says Stacy. “There are plenty of clues in the way they sit, whether their tails are up or down, and how their ears look. We keep a constant eye on our patients and assess how we approach the situation on an individual basis.”

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

KLmagazine November 2021

If anyone knows how to deal with animals, it’s Stacy. She regularly competes in dog sports and her three dogs are stars in their own right. One is almost certainly one of the fastest flyball dogs in the country, while another is championship-grade in the realms of agility.

“Because every animal is an individual, you can’t have a generic approach to handling or a generic approach to medicine,” she says. “I think that’s what makes us different. We tailor our care to every single patient. They might be frightened, they might be aggressive and they might be stressed - but we’ll make their stay with us as relaxing as possible. Successful outcomes for patients and owners is probably the best part of the job. I love it, and I wouldn’t consider doing anything else.”

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

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KLmagazine November 2021

Philip Whitehall, King’s Lynn

“I’m probably % better than how I was before...”

At Free Your Body Therapy Jane Cole and Terry Connolly are using revolutionary treatments to free people from years of chronic pain

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

“I’ve always been very active with cycling, walking, football and squash but wear and tear eventually led to me having an operation on my left knee 25 years ago,” he says. “Over the following years I gradually developed a problem with my right leg, which then led to me having the cartilage removed from it.”

Philip originally visited Free Your Body Therapy on the recommendation of his daughter. He was in a lot of pain, he was limping, and his right leg would often give way - even on a short walk. But he’d finally found the way to manage his pain and continue enjoying his various activities.

At Free Your Body Therapy in the centre of King’s Lynn, Terry Connolly and Jane Cole are using amazing new (and equally effective) techniques from

acupuncture and sports massage to medical grade shockwave therapy, P-DTR and ‘Anatomy in Motion’ gait therapy to help people with pain management and encourage the healing process.

Together they’ll revolutionise the way you’ll think about pain - and they’ll certainly change the way you experience it.

“I’d say that I’m probably 95% better than how I was before,” says Philip.

“I walked here today, and I certainly couldn’t have done that before I came to see Terry and Jane. I’m cycling again and I’ve even started running again.”

Although Philip sees Jane on a regular basis for maintenance treatments such as acupuncture, shockwave therapy and sports massage, Terry Connolly undertook the initial diagnosis, and soon came to the root of Philip’s main problem.

“It’s crucial to keep your body in balance, and Philip is a case in point,” he says. “Because of his original knee operation, one of his legs was

doing all the work which resulted in him suffering even more pain and discomfort in the other. All we’re doing is resetting the body, introducing correct movements, and developing a programme of regular exercises to break that compensation pattern.”

And Philip feels like a new man.

“The results are quite hard to believe and most of my pain is gone now thanks to Free Your Body Therapy,” he says. “It’s made a huge difference to my life and thanks to Terry and Jane I can still do the things I love best.”

There’s no need to suffer from chronic aches and pains any more contact Free Your Body Therapy and book your appointment with Jane or Terry today.

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

KLmagazine November 2021

Jane & Terry 59

How to plant your very own microclimate You don’t need a huge garden, specialist skills or a large space to enjoy the many rewards of gardening. Wendy Warner of a ters arden entre e lains the basics of creating a terrarium

O

ver recent years there’s been an upsurge in the popularity of houseplants.

For those wanting to be a little more imaginative than simply growing plants in decorative pots, why not create a mini-microclimate on your very own windowsill in the form of a terrarium?

It’s a wonderful idea for students at university, people with only a small space or for those who live in an environment that’s not conducive to growing conventional houseplants.

Once planted, terrariums require very low maintenance and need little attention, but they’re great fun to watch.

To start, you can pick whatever container suits your décor or style, and the choice is virtually limitless. You can use a vase, a sweet jar, a large brandy glass, an old goldfish bowl, a Kilner jar or even a glass teapot. If you don’t have any of them to hand, you can always buy a purpose-made terrarium.

Depending on whether your container has a lid or not will determine the type of plants you can grow.

Succulents and cacti require some air, so you’ll defintiely need something with a wide open top - and open sides if possible, such as a stained-glass geometric style terrarium. Most other plants can be grown in either open or lidded containers.

KLmagazine November 2021

If you do choose a vase without a lid, you can place a glass dish or saucer on the top to create a closed environment where humidity is increased and the plants are mainly self-watered.

For closed-top terrariums, the plants should be compact, slowgrowing, humidity-loving and low-light compatible.

Good choices are mosses and ferns, as well as orchids, bromeliads and many other easy-to-find houseplants.

Ferns are particularly good for closed containers which will be placed in

relatively dark positions.

If you imagine a tropical jungle environment, that’s exactly what you’re creating on a small scale - your very own miniature Eden Project.

For any terrarium, you’ll need to choose plants with different structures - including a tall, narrow palm, a bushy fern or a low spreader such as the rather rudely-named Mind Your Own Business.

Also consider adding a variety of foliage colour such as Fittonia with its veined red, pink or white leaves,

61

Crotons with yellow or orange flecks, Begonia Rex, dark-leaved Peperomias or variegated ivies. Flowering plants can also be used but will need to be changed or left for just their leaves after they’ve flowered.

For an alternative open container, carnivorous plants can be used along with mosses. They require a moist compost (preferably one specifically for carnivorous plants) and you’ll need to make sure that flies and insects can easily enter the container - otherwise the plants will starve.

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When working in a small space with limited access, it helps to have tools that are just the right size for the job.

Specialist terrarium tools are available, but other household items are also useful. Try a long-handled latte spoon as a mini trowel, grab some BBQ skewers or knitting needles for moving things about or place a cork on the end of them for tamping the soil down, use your narrow tongs for positioning, and use a paintbrush for cleaning soil off the side of the glass after planting.

I’d always suggest planning the layout of your plants on the table before you start planting, and don’t forget that you can use small stones, rocks or even crystals to give added interest - especially if the container is going to be viewed from all directions.

Add grit or small pebbles for the base layer for drainage, and top with a thin layer of charcoal to absorb excess moisture and reduce bacteria and unpleasant odours.

The planting medium will depend on your plant choice, but generally a houseplant mix is suitable for everything except cacti and succulents.

Make sure all the roots of your plants are covered with compost and water very lightly after planting. Moss or decorative gravel can be used to top dress the compost to finish it off.

Make sure you place your terrarium in indirect light, because direct sunlight can cause the glass to become very warm and scorch leaves - and even cook the contents.

Once planted, your terrarium will require very little maintenance - just remember to remove dead or wilted leaves promptly to keep your little ecosystem healthy.

For lidded containers, give the terrarium a little fresh air every 10 days or so, opening the lid for half a day before closing it up again. If no condensation appears after closing, add a very small amount of water.

For an even more low maintenance display, use small cacti and succulents.

There’s an amazing choice available, children love them, and many of them will flower after a few years. Make sure the compost is very free draining by using a specialist cacti compost and top dress your finished arrangement with sand or fine grit. These fascinating plants require very little water and you’ll just need to treat them to a cacti feed every couple of months.

The beauty of terrariums is that they can be created at any time of the year and make wonderful Christmas presents, especially if you choose a special or meaningful container.

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

KLmagazine November 2021

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FIND US AT: School Road, West Walton, Wisbech PE14 7DS | Tel: 01945 664520 | www.rachaelsplantoutlet.co.uk KLmagazine November 2021

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Making the menopause more manageable...

Discover how Alice Moore is taking a completely new, completely fresh, and completely natural approach to health and wellbeing

G

enerally (but not exclusively) affecting women between the ages of 40-58, the menopause can be an extremely debilitating experience - with the symptoms ranging from extreme mood swings and sudden hot flushes to anxiety and depression. And these symptoms can last for several years.

The menopause is a perfectly normal transition but it can have profound physical and mental changes, most of which are usually treated by hormone therapy, prescription pills, creams and low-dose anti-depressants - but there is another way. A more natural way. The Kyūshi way.

Alice Moore spent some ten years in the film industry as a hair and make-up artist, but a case of perioral dermatitis (a skin condition she describes as “like having acne, dermatitis and eczema all in one go”) led her to gain certification in Organic Skincare Formulation, and

to create Kyūshi face oils - not just to help manage her condition but to help boost her energy, alleviate stress levels and encourage a deep, restorative sleep pattern.

Alice gradually developed a complete range of techniques and treatments that take a totally natural and holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

“It’s so important to treat the body as a whole rather than just concentrating on a few symptoms,” she says. “I trained as a health coach, studied to become a facialist, learned to do breath work and Reiki, and started practicing sound healing - which is becoming increasingly popular.”

Alice is now launching a special face oil containing a complex blend of essential oils she’s designed specifically for women experiencing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.

“A lot of treatments are available for this fundamental life change, but

they often cause women to suffer a lot more symptoms than they should do,” says Alice. “My new face oil works systematically within the body to tap into the endocrine system and various other parts of the body to bring about an overall balance. It treats the body as a whole - and it’s very different from buying an off-the-shelf product and hoping for the best.”

From her beautifully-relaxing studio in Gayton (adjacent to the wellness clinic run by her partner Peter Dugmore - see opposite) Alice offers everything from holistic facials and sound baths to skin health coaching, and the clue is in the name. A Japanese word that essentially means ‘to pause’, Kyūshi invites you to take a moment out of your life, focus and reconnect with yourself. It’s a new way of living - and it’s a perfectly natural one. To discover how Alice can help you through the menopause, please e-mail alice@ kyushi.co.uk or call 07968 404767

The Kyushi Clinic & Studio: Acrefield House, Winch Road, Gayton, King’s Lynn PE32 1QP

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KLmagazine November 2021

Say goodbye to IBS and say hello to the new you eter ugmore has a very different way of loo ing at our overall hysical and mental health but it s a way that ma es sense nd wor s

A

ccording to recent research

by The IBS Network almost 30% of people in the UK say they suffer from IBS which means that around 20 million people of all ages in the country are currently suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. And there’s probably only one person in the country who treats the condition in a quite unique way, combining a wealth of experience and in-depth learning with a comprehensive programme of scientific-based treatments.

“Conventional approaches tend to look at the body as a collection of individual parts, but it doesn’t work like that,” says Peter Dugmore of Kyūshi Wellness. “Your body is a complete ecosystem, and there’s no way you can change one thing without affecting every other part of the system.”

Now a functional medicine practitioner, Peter originally trained as a physiotherapist and worked with the

military and sportspeople before setting up his own practice and spending a decade in the film industry. He’s studied medical science, quantum physics, nutrition, genetics and cellular biology - and takes a refreshingly-new and naturally-effective approach to conditions such as IBS. “Trying to ‘treat’ IBS is never going to be a long-term solution because it involves one of the very last parts of the digestive system,” he says. “It means at some point your body is out of balance.

I’ll look at your oral health, your diet, your lifestyle, your stomach and liver functions, your pancreas and gall bladder - and the answer will be there somewhere. Essentially, if you don’t have a healthy system you’re not going to have a healthy outcome.”

One of the most fascinating aspects of Peter’s approach is addressing how two people with exactly the same problem (such as stress or a certain food intolerance) can experience

completely different symptoms and experiences.

It may be caused by their genetics, their environment, their lifestyle, their sleep patterns or their diet. For Peter, every individual client is exactly that and needs to be treated in that way. “I never say that I treat anything, because I’m never treating anything specific,” he says. “Everything is preventative. It’s simply a case of re-balancing the body.”

It’s extraordinary to think that if you don’t have a fully-functioning and healthy digestive system you’re on your first steps to chronic disease – everything from arthritis to Alzheimer’s – but Peter’s multi-disciplinary approach to physical and mental health can put you back on the path to recovery. Back to being the unique individual you should be.

If you’re suffering from IBS and would like more information about a perfectly natural solution, please e-mail peter@ kyushi.co.uk or call 07817 504094

For enquires: hello@kyushi.co.uk | www.kyushi.co.uk KLmaga ine November 2021

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Book a consultation at our Doctor-run clinic: 01553 696886 Gayton Road Health & Surgical Centre King’s Lynn info@dermavida.co.uk www.dermavida.co.uk

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KLmagazine November 2021

Putting the magic back into Christmas From a unique corner of Holt, Follyology enters the festive season with an ethically produced range of fashion collections and lifestyle gifts

H

olt is one of Norfolk’s most charming locations.

Bursting with an array of independent shops, cafes and dreamy back streets, there are hidden gems tucked away in every corner. One such gem is Hoppers Yard, an enchanting utopia of local art, natural home fragrances and a tranquil spot for afternoon tea.

But it’s at the heart of the yard where you’ll find the true magic, Follyology.

Founded and owned by Judith West in November 2019, Follyology is a homeware, lifestyle and clothing store like no other. With a strong focus on the Follyology ethos of ethically and sustainably sourced products, Judith

unique style + sustainability in a magical space KLmagazine November 2021

has put together an inspiring selection of sustainable clothing brands to create unique clothing collections for every season.

Tribe and Fable, a clothing and jewellery brand that’s one of the newest additions to Follyology truly captures that ethos. Each and every Tribe and Fable piece stocked at Follyology has its own unique back story from cast recycled padlocks made in the Negong Hills to hand knotted tassel jewellery pieces from Balinese ladies. Even the packaging is made by a group in Kenya which focuses on giving work and support to the women of the Nairobi slums. One piece in particular is the Ethiopian Promise Ring, created by Maasai craftsmen from a recycled antique piece.

“This piece is really unique and special” says Judith, “the idea is that the ring is given from woman to

woman as a present to symbolise their commitment to support and look after each other throughout their lives. We love that message of empowerment and the unity of women.”

Alongside the festive season’s arrivals and with the shop now fully stocked with home and garden accessories, jewellery and clothing, Follyology is getting ready to renew our belief in the magic of Christmas once again.

“People are the heart of Follyology, as they come in and experience us and enjoy the shop,” explains Judith. “We’re here to welcome you, we want to help you, guide you and we want to share with you. We can help you find that unique gift you’re looking for.”

With Christmas being one of the most poignant times of the year to focus on each other, it’s the perfect opportunity for Follyology to guide us all on an ethical journey and may just show us all the true meaning and the true magic of Christmas.

www.follyology.co.uk | 01263 711455 Hoppers Yard, Bull Street, Holt NR25 6LN 67

e days are growing colder and the nights are getting dar er but that s no reason to sto you going out in style hether it s a hristmas arty or a winter wal with friends and family our favourite local bouti ues rovide the very best when it comes to ee ing warm and loo ing great Caractère jumper & skirt

SHEILA TILLER Long Sutton

Alan Paine Combrook tweed coat, Dunsdale shirt in brown check & Ripon silk tie in rust

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KLmagazine November 2021

69

Marble paprika/black sweater

ALLEZ CHIC Castle Rising

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KLmagazine November 2021

Chic and affordable fashion for all ages

EASY DOES IT Discover laidback style that’s perfect for celebrating this season, now at Allez Chic t: 01553 631915 The Old School, Castle Rising, King’s Lynn PE31 6AG

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KLmagazine November 2021

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Women’s Ariat Burford insulated zip wellingtons in olive (

THE HAYLOFT at BEARTS Stowbridge

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KLmagazine November 2021

You’re Invited...

to our new shop premises FIND US AT OUR NEW ADDRESS: 1 London Street, Swaffham PE37 7DD Autumn/Winter collections arriving in-store & online OPEN: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm Watch our online fashion shows on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArtichokeGirls

01760 724948 | sales@artichokecollection.co.uk | www.artichokecollection.co.uk

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

KLmagazine November 2021

73

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

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

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

The Fent Shop sarahjane.reflexologist@gmail.com

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Largest stock selection in West Norfolk with new stock arriving most weeks.

Two floors of everything for your next sewing project. We look forward to your visit.

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Dress Fabrics Curtain Fabrics Craft Fabrics Net Curtains Knitting Wool Haberdashery Christmas Fabrics 41 Broad Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1DP | T: 01553 768613 | W: www.thefentshopkingslynn.co.uk 74

KLmagazine November 2021

In Heacham, oa a

T

he Sunday Express described it as “a spiritual facial treatment unlike any other” and the famous beauty journalist Sarah Vine thought it was a contender for the very best facial treatment in the whole country.

Welcome to the Zone Face Lift which has been developed by Ziggie

a

e e oo y

Bergman through the combination of traditional reflexology with native American techniques and Asian body mapping and healing herbs.

“It’s a treatment that will leave you feeling blissed out and with a relaxed, less tense face that can help make you look younger,” says Sarah Jane Ward of Coastal Calm Reflexology.

Contact Sarah: 07595455001 | sarahjane.reflexologist@gmail.com Web: www.coastalcalmreflexology.co.uk KLmagazine November 2021

“For men and women it offers a natural alternative to dermal fillers, and it eliminates the need for botox - it’s a treatment that lifts your face, mind and spirit all at the same time.”

It’s also totally unlike any treatment you’ve ever had before.

For starters, it’s not a clinic. This is a home from home treatment experience, and Sarah welcomes you with open (and socially-distanced) arms. Within a few minutes you’re already feeling relaxed. And that’s before the treatment has even started.

Using a combination of essential oils, quartz crystals, industry-leading products and her own skills, Sarah’s clients report they feel relaxed and notice a difference in their skin tone.

It’s incredibly relaxing, it’s extremely enjoyable, and the results are simply astonishing.

If you do manage to stay awake (Sarah’s treatments are so relaxing you’ll find it almost impossible not to fall asleep) you’ll be amazed when you get the chance to look at yourself in the mirror. The results are clearly visible, and the feeling is a revelation. You feel and look like a new person.

Sarah can provide a blend of reflexology treatments to meet your wellbeing requirements.

While the Zone Face Lift uses face massage techniques to enhance the appearance of your face, reflexology is a holistic treatment that can help reduce tension, increase relaxation, improve your mood, enhance your sleep and generally improve your wellbeing “With only one treatment my clients report back they can already feel and see a difference,” says Sarah. “It releases tension and improves relaxation to give you a perfectly natural facelift. There really is nothing like it.”

And if anyone knows about health and wellbeing it’s Sarah. Her 35-year nursing career has involved the care of people of all genders and ages (she spent several years at Great Ormond Street) and she’s been a fully-qualified reflexologist for over nine years.

She’s also a member of the Association of Reflexologists - which means she’s met the strictest standards of professionalism as well as being committed to an ongoing development of skills and knowledge.

To book your first appointment or for an initial consultation, please contact Sarah and say hello to the new you.

Coastal Calm Reflexology 75

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49 Hunstanton Road, Dersingham, King’s Lynn PE31 6NA Tel: 01485 541514 | Web: thaxters.co.uk 76

Garden Centre & Coffee Shop KLmagazine November 2021

Exclusively British and made exclusively for you ey re some of the most ama ing and innovative cars in the country and they re com lemented by an e ually stylish range of clothing

B

ritain has an extraordinary motoring heritage, and one of the country’s most recent and exciting) independent manufacturers is the Swaffham-based Iceni Motor Company.

Founded in 2018 by the visionary Phil Bevan and part of Bevan Davidson International, it brings something very different to the automotive landscape.

With no ties to large corporate management structures or international directives, its identity is based on extraordinary aesthetics and groundbreaking engineering.

The breathtaking Trident Iceni Magna (pictured above) is a case in point. This is a supercar in every sense of the word, combining cutting-edge design with innovative technology and exquisite styling. Going from 0-60mph in as little as 2.9 seconds and with a top speed of 190mph, the Magna has a chassis

www.bevandavidson.com www.britishvintagebrands.com KLmaga ine November 2021

of folded 4003 grade stainless steel (which is guaranteed for a lifetime) and a body made from unstressed composite.

“I’ve been designing and visualising cars and motorcycles and other products for most of my life, and I’ve worked with Phil for over 40 years now,” says Head of Design Steve Kirk.

“This is a unique environment and it’s a unique job. Phil Bevan is a true visionary and never fails to come up with amazing ideas. It’s my job to bring them to life.”

And if even if you’re not in the market for a supercar at the moment you can join this celebration of the best of British engineering with a collection of bespoke flying jackets, trench coats, bags and holdalls, all totally handmade in the UK and paying tribute to some of the most distinctive and historic brands in the country - including Connaught, Sopwith Aviation, Trident, Levis Motorcycle Company, Supermarine Spitfire, ABC Motorcycles, Villiers, and Boulton & Paul, which was founded in Norfolk over 200 years ago.

Best of all, these are made exclusively for you - your style, your colour, and your choice of brand - and you can even have your own name professionally embroidered on the product of your choice.

It’s stylish. It’s patriotic. And it’s putting the ‘great’ back into Great Britain.

The Complex, Norwich Road, Swaffham PE37 8DD | 01760 724833 77

e natural wonders of Houghton Hall e white fallow deer at oughton all are one of the most distinctive sights in orfol but they re only art of a forward-thin ing and sustainable a roach to res onsible game management

I

n 2016, the celebrated English sculptor and land artist Richard Long (the only artist to have been shortlisted four times for the Turner Prize) brought the artwork White Deer Circle to the grand setting of Houghton Hall. An installation of 16 enormous tree stumps with their roots turned towards the sky it’s a main attraction for the thousands of people who visit every year - but the famous white deer at Houghton have also taken it to heart and often relax there in the summer, in a place they’d never shown much interest in before.

There’s always been a deer park at Houghton Hall, and the original was laid out by the innovative landscaper

Charles Bridgeman in the early 18th century. Gone was the formality of patterned parterres and preciselyangled avenues, and in came a more natural approach and informal style that incorporated elements from the surrounding wilderness.

Small wonder that he was also responsible for (re)designing the royal gardens at Windsor, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court, St. James’s Park and Hyde Park and spent 10 years as the Royal Gardener for Queen Anne.

Some of the trees he planted at Houghton Hall can still be seen today, and the deer love them almost as much as Head Gamekeeper and Deer Park Manager Robert Hall - who passes

them all the time on his daily inspection of the park.

“Our white deer are really famous and many people think they’re albinos, but they’re really not that unusual,” he says. “White is quite common within the spectrum of fallow deer, and we now have the biggest herd in the UK.” Originally bred by the 5th Marquess of Cholmondeley at the end of the 19th century, the deer were something of a Victorian vanity (possibly to reflect Houghton’s white cottages) but they now play an important part in the overall environment of Houghton Hall.

“I like to think of them as ornamental lawnmowers,” says Robert. “They’re brilliant at keeping the park grazed

and they keep the trees to a certain height. They’re pretty low-maintenance to be honest. We’ll give them some supplementary food during the winter - all of which is grown on the estate but apart from that they’re pretty much self-sufficient.”

But there’s more to the deer park at Houghton than the 500 white fallow does, a figure which generally doubles annually. The organically-managed estate is also home to around 70 Japanese Sika deer, 150 elite red deer hinds, and a small herd of Père David deer - a rare species that’s native to China but only exists today thanks to zoos and estates such as Houghton.

“We’ve also got some Chinese Water Deer on the estate, but I’ve no idea how many of them there are,” says Robert.

“They’re pretty elusive and they tend to keep to themselves, but I have 30 in the park at the moment.”

Originally from Woodbridge in Suffolk,

Robert Hall 80

gamekeeping is the only job Robert ever considered - and after a spell at Slane Castle in the Republic of Ireland and a number of estates in Suffolk he’s been on the Houghton estate for the last 25 years.

“I came here because it was a great opportunity and a really interesting challenge,” he says. “I’m totally in step with the ethos, passion, vision and direction of Lord Cholmondeley towards conservation and game management, and the deer park is part of a very sustainable and diverse farming enterprise.”

And although venison tends to get more than its fair share of bad press, it’s actually an extremely responsibly reared and produced (and woefullyoverlooked) meat - being very high in protein, containing very little fat, and being incredibly lean. It comes as no surprise to learn that venison from the Houghton estate finds its way to some of the very best restaurants in London.

“People think that venison is elitist or that it’s difficult to cook, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” says Robert. “It’s really not that different from beef or lamb - the only real difference is that our products

ABOVE: Over 1,300 deer roam the estate at Houghton, with 12 different species living together across the 450-acre park. A recent conservation initiative has seen the introduction of rare species from around the world, including the Sambar and Baasingha deer from India

haven’t come from halfway across the world.”

We’re currently coming to the end of the rutting season and it’s one of Robert’s favourite times of the year.

“I live on the estate and it’s fantastic to hear the deer at night,” he says. “The reds roar, the fallow deer grunt, and the Sika deer whistle. Even wild deer are attracted to Houghton during the rutting season. There’s no place they’d rather be. And neither would I.”

KLmagazine November 2021

Lings Country Goods for all your country pursuits

Dubarry | Schoffel | Seeland | Ridgeline | Musto | Alan Paine | Meindl MacWet | Dents | Le Chameau | House of Cheviot Also stocking guns, ammunition & shooting accessories Heath Farm, Great Massingham PE32 2HJ www.lingscountrygoods.co.uk Tel: 01485 520828

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OPENING TIMES Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm, Saturday 8am-4pm TEL: 01366 388151 | WEB: www.bearts.co.uk | Brighton Mill, Stow Bridge, King’s Lynn PE34 3PD

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Putting the sparkle back into Christmas...

With the country’s biggest selection of beers, the area’s best antiques and collectors centre a vast range of teiff teddies and a fantastic new bar and restaurant, there’s plenty to celebrate at Beers of Europe

W

hen Derek Clark and his family opened Beers of Europe at Setchey just over 20 years ago, they started with a relatively modest selection of 100 beers from Germany, Belgium and the UK - and could hardly expect it would grow into a major tourist attraction.

In addition to almost 2,000 of the world’s most delicious beers and 1,000 malt whiskeys, spirits and liquors, it also now houses the Steiff Shop, which has the largest collection of Steiff teddy bears and animals in East Anglia - and the area’s largest and finest antiques and collectables centre. And let’s not 82

forget the best secondhand bookshop in Norfolk.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Warehouse Taproom bar and restaurant opened last year to give visitors a literal taste of everything this magical place has to offer. Don’t

think this is a simple café or generic bar, however. Behind the modern glass entrance is a genuine taproom with 16 taps and a restaurant that’s already making a name for itself for a fresh seasonal menu and fantastic signature dishes - such as the Proper Ploughman’s (pictured opposite) which includes local delights such as Bramblebee gammon ham, smoked Lincolnshire Poacher cheese, and an extraordinary onion sourdough bread.

If anything’s true about this very special place in west Norfolk it’s that it’s constantly changing, and you’re always sure to find something new to discover.

Despite being in its debut year the KLmagazine November 2021

Warehouse Taproom has already evolved, and offers a wide range of options depending on the size of your party and the nature of the occasion in question.

“It’s all been very carefully thought out and designed, and the feedback we’ve received has been consistently fantastic,” says General Manager Mark Sweetman. “Whether you want a great meal out with your family, a drink with your friends or work colleagues, or want to host a special celebration or party this is a unique venue and a very special place to be.”

Although the onset of winter means we’ll have to wait a few months before making the most of the fabulous beer garden (which can seat up to 200 people on 100% recycled plastic chairs and benches) the Warehouse Taproom bar and restaurant has three distinct areas to choose from.

For afternoon tea and casual dining, the Taproom Corner and Piemonte Corner are relaxing and informal - but for a grander event the recentlyopened Breweriana Room is perfect, whether your guests are looking for a formal meal, a fun BBQ or a relaxing buffet.

And the food is extraordinary. As we approach Christmas, Head Chef Bruce Ingle has given the menu a festive feel with punchy flavours, amazing quality and a pure use of fresh ingredients.

“People obviously like a taste of the traditional at Christmas, but that doesn’t mean the food has to be ordinary,” he says. “Our turkey is basted

in butter and cooked sous vide for a fantasticallymoist meat. Our Christmas pudding has been matured for 18 months, and our sea bass dish uses preserved lemon to amplify the flavour of the fish.

Even our sandwiches are a cut above the rest.”

Much the same could be said of the fabulous cakes that come courtesy of talented pastry chef Morgan Masterson.

“Over the next couple of months I’ll be using festive flavours such as gingerbread, chocolate orange, spiced apple and cinnamon,” she says. “We’ll always have the Victoria Sponge and coffee and walnut cake available, because many people make a point of coming in just to try them - and that’s really rewarding.”

And as we enter the festive season it’s the perfect time to enjoy the 12 Beers of Christmas - a specially-selected pack of the UK’s finest seasonal brews, from Milestone’s ‘Donner and Blitzed’ to the delicious ‘Santa Paws’ from the Wolf Brewery.

“This is a unique business and it offers every member of the family a unique experience,” says Mark Sweetman.

“We’ve got some really exciting plans for the future, but although they’re already in progress we’ll be keeping them under wraps for the time being.

I think that’s one of the secrets to our success - every time you visit you always find something new to enjoy.”

PICTURES: Head Chef Bruce Ingle and pastry chef Morgan Masterson are responsible for the fabulous food at The Warehouse & Taproom - and the adjacent Beers of Europe has recently announced its famous ‘12 Beers of Christmas’ selection (below)

The Warehouse & Taproom Garage Lane, Setchey, King’s Lynn PE33 0BE | 01553 812000 www.thewarehousetaproom.co.uk | bookings@thewarehousetaproom.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2021

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Beef Wellington INGREDIENTS

METHOD

(Serves 1 or cut in half for 2) 6oz fillet steak at room temp 300g chestnut mushrooms 3 cloves garlic 25ml dry sherry Block puff pastry 5 slices Parma ham 6 sprigs thyme 2 eggs Salt and pepper to taste 1 tbsp veg oil 25g butter 1 banana shallot

1. Finely dice the chestnut mushrooms, garlic and shallot.

2. In a non-stick pan, add the shallot with a dash of vegetable oil over a med heat until soft. Add garlic and mushrooms and fry until soft, drop to a med/low heat, add the sherry and three sprigs of thyme and cook down until all liquid has been absorbed. This mix should hold its shape when done. Check seasoning, remove thyme sprigs, allow to cool.

3. While the mushroom duxelle is cooking, heat a non-stick pan with a little vegetable oil on a med/high, add the seasoned fillet steak and cook to your liking. After turning first time add three sprigs of thyme and the butter and baste the fillet (don’t forget to sear all the edges of the fillet steak). Allow to cool.

4. Lay out two slices of Parma ham on cling film, layer on the half of the mushroom duxelle mix, add fillet steak in centre then top with the rest of the duxelle mix, top with two more slices of Parma ham, using the fifth Parma ham to seal any holes showing. Use the cling film to help wrap into a Parma ham parcel, set aside.

5. Roll pastry out to approx 4mm thick. Lay the parcel on the pastry and bring the pastry up to seal on top. Trim off excess pastry, open and egg wash the edges and seal on top by pulling up around parcel and nipping together. (Make sure the pastry is not too thick on this seal). Turn over and shape into the wellington shape (see picture).

6. Roll out another piece of pastry and cut thin strips to make the lattice effect, or use a lattice pastry cutter. Lay this over and cut at the base of the wellington (not going underneath).

7. Chill for a least 30 minutes or overnight, using an egg yolk and a little water brush on the lattice. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 180°c until pastry is golden brown. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

8. Serve with a red wine jus and truffle mash for an indulgent little treat.

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

KLmagazine November 2021

Elsegood Family Butchers A taste of Norfolk’s finest meats for 100 years Serving customers across west Norfolk

since 1921

QUALITY MEATS Beef, Pork, Lamb & Poultry, all prepared and cut to your own requirements. Sausages and Burgers all made to our own family recipes.

DELI Homemade pies, pasties & sausage rolls and a variety of cheeses.

Plus “Aunt Aggie’s Pork Cheese” CHRISTMAS ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN (order early to avoid disappointment)

Turkeys • Poultry • Sausage Rolls • Mince Pies & all your festive food needs!

We deliver five days a week From Tuesday to Saturday across west Norfolk Cliffe-en-Howe Road, Pott Row, King’s Lynn PE32 1BY Website: elsegoodfamilybutchers.co.uk | Tel: 01485 600222

Christmas at The Heron

Celebrate Christmas with us at our cosy riverside pub Dine with us on Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Reserve your table now to avoid disappointment.

Christmas party nights are back!

Every lunch and dinner Tuesdays to Saturdays from the end of November through to Christmas Eve. With music on the 3rd,10th and 17th December. Disco night on the 11th December.

All pre booking essential. Christmas party menu available online.

Join us other days of the week (open 6 days, closed Mondays) and enjoy the festive spirit 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 2021

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The sweet taste of Maldon Chocolates is just one of the many businesses welcoming customers to the recently-opened oppy e d e a ar in Snettisham - bringing a deliciously luxurious taste to west Norfolk

T

here are very few things that Mike Simons hasn’t done. Born in London’s East End he left school aged 15 and enjoyed a successful career as a bookmaker, owning a couple of betting shops and working at several golf events and racecourses - he actually became one of the last independent bookmakers in the UK. He’s also been a croupier, a musician, and for good measure also takes part in the World Quiz Championships.

Some six years ago Mike went from bookie to chocolatier, setting up Maldon Chocolates with an ambitious plan to create a unique range of deliciously-handmade artisan treats.

“Even though I’m diabetic and knew next to nothing about chocolate I’d always been interested in it and I’ve always loved cooking and creating things,” he says. “I experimented a lot, talked to every expert in the field and taught myself 86

the rest - and then completed a specialist course at the prestigious Callebaut Academy. And now I’m giving in-store demonstrations and teaching other people about making chocolates.”

Mike’s very first chocolate was the Maldon Red Stripe, a delicious combination of raspberry and coconut that he still gets enquiries about.

In addition to his exquisite and mouthwatering loose chocolates,

Mike Simons

Mike also makes bars of chocolate in six different flavours, and Maldon Chocolates has grown from strength to strength. In addition to selling carefully-sourced diabetic and vegan chocolates, Mike supplies his indulgent creations to the RHS gardens at Wisley and Hyde Hall and the world-famous jam and preserve makers Wilkin & Sons of Tiptree. And he’s now bringing them to west Norfolk with a new shop at Poppyfields Retail Park in Snettisham.

“I’ve always loved Norfolk, and Poppyfields was ideal for us,” he says. “When we brought Maldon Chocolates up here from Essex we looked at Burnham Market, Holt and Hunstanton, but we needed somewhere that had a residential population, could serve as a distribution centre, and had plenty of parking for customers who wanted to stay a little longer and watch an in-store demonstration.

Poppyfields ticks all those boxes and we’re really excited to be here.”

KLmagazine November 2021

ABOVE: From the luxurious performance cars at Norfolk Automative and the design skills of ACS Architectural, to the stunning designs of Christyana Fabrics & Blinds and the prestigious fashion brands at McAllisters Boutique, Poppyfields Retail Park at Snettisham features a unique collection of independent local retailers.

There’s no real secret to the success of Maldon Chocolates. Mike simply creates his very own recipes, uses the best ingredients he can find, and makes everything by hand. It obviously works - despite being forced to close for almost a year, Mike entered his delicious Peanut Butter Fudge into this year’s Great Taste Awards and won his third award.

Maldon Chocolates (together with his fabulous artisan creations) is the latest arrival at Poppyfields Retail Park, which is the perfect example of combining business with pleasure.

If you’re looking for inspiration to finish your interior design or are looking for a fresh new look for your home, the new Christyana Fabrics & Blinds showroom at Poppyfields already has some delightful new season colours and pattern in stock, and even more will be arriving soon.

At ACS Architectural, Nick Borrmann and his team has continued to expand its acclaimed family-run practice following the unprecedented demand of last year - which culminated in a move to a brand new (and suitably well designed) office suite at Poppyfields Retail Park back in May. A few doors down you’ll find McAllisters Boutique, where owner Steve McAllister is currently welcoming the new Seasalt collection to complement the Lily & Me range for ladies and this year’s autumn/winter season. It’s an ever-

growing range of luxurious clothing which features gilets, fleeces and wax jackets for both men and women and a selection of classic Marc Darcy blazers, waistcoats, trousers and suits.

The beautiful and stylish Le Kiera hair salon is already wishing new and existing customers a happy Christmas, and is looking forward to another successful year at Poppyfields - as is the team at Norfolk Automative.

They’re really pleased with the response the business has received so far from the local community. It’s been an incredibly challenging period with the fuel shortage recently and the ongoing national shortage of preowned vehicles, but despite that they’re continuing to grow and are looking forward to the future at Poppyfields.

At Gem Software, Emma Murtagh is excited to be in a space that finally allows for the company to expand into website builds and support desk services for small businesses. The innovative technology specialists believe that Poppyfields is the ideal location for their forward-thinking work.

At the centre of Poppyfields is Poppylicious - a cafe which has been welcoming a growing number of regular visitors since opening in July, and sees new faces every week. The cafe offers a full menu of home-cooked food, breakfasts, cakes, desserts, sandwiches and much

more. There are plenty of glutenfree and vegetarian options on the menu, and the 200 Degrees coffee is fabulous. Poppylicious is rapidly becoming a central hub for local people, holidaymakers and businesses who’ve found the cafe to be a warm and welcoming place for lunch, relaxed business meetings, afternoon teas, coffee and cake.

Last but certainly not least is the Poppyfields Hub, a range of virtual offices that offer the presence and facilities of a much larger business with the convenience of a local base.

It’s a perfect working environment for entrepreneurs, local start-ups and established businesses. Interested companies should visit www. poppyfieldshub.co.uk for more details and information.

Poppyfields Drive, Snettisham, ipjopjojojj King’s Lynn PE31 7FR www.poppyfieldsretailpark.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2021

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Lemon Polenta (gluten free) INGREDIENTS

METHOD

FOR THE CAKE 200g unsalted butter 200g caster sugar 200g ground almonds 100g fine polenta 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3 large eggs Zest of 2 lemons FOR THE SYRUP Juice of 2 lemons 125g icing sugar

1. Line and lightly grease a 9 inch square cake tin, and preheat the oven to 160°c.

5. Make the syrup by boiling together the lemon juice and icing sugar.

2. Beat the butter and and sugar until pale and creamy.

6. While the cake is hot prick it all over and pour over the warm syrup. Leave to cool before taking out of the tin.

3. Mix together the almonds, polenta and baking powder, and beat some of this into the butter-sugar mix, followed by one egg, then alternate dry ingredients and eggs, beat all the while.

4. Finally, beat in the lemon zest and spoon the mixture into your prepared tin and bake in the oven for bout 40 minutes.

Recipe by The Cartshed Tearoom Church Lane, Great Massingham, King’s Lynn PE32 2HY 01485 520272 | www.thecartshedtearoom.co.uk 88

KLmagazine November 2021

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

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

EMPORIUM BAR

BISTRO

Created & Owned by Howard Carter’s Great-Neice

ART GALLERY

DISCOVER OUR NEW TAPAS STYLE MENU Mediterranean seafood dishes | Vegan & vegetarian dishes | Large array of gins | Atmospheric setting Egyptian memorabilia, books & paintings | Themed events - keep up to date on our Facebook

Open: Wed & Thurs 10am-5pm, Fri 1& Sat 10am-10:30pm, Sun 11am-3pm, Mon & Tue closed

46 Market Place, Swaffham PE37 7QH Tel: 01760 751592

KLmagazine November 2021

@tutankhamunsemporium

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th A sh e sh voi op o d lo rtag ca e l!

butchery

Farms Shop

Christmas is coming!

It’s time to order now • Free range Norfolk turkeys • Free range chickens, geese, ducks and cockerels

• Gammons, cooked hams, ribs of beef and prime steaks • Pigs in blankets, stuffing and sausage meat • Fresh fruit and vegetables • Meat hampers available to get the best value!

fruit & veg

Orders taken from 1st November – 12th December.

In store collection, UK wide 24hr chilled postal or local delivery available.

Walsingham

Guild Street NR22 6BU t: 01328 821877

deli

Norwich Market

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

www.walsingham.co

ORIENTAL PALACE

CHINESE RESTAURANT Peking Szechuan & Cantonese Cuisine

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

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

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KLmagazine November 2021

Flavour of the month

Friends, family and fantastic food is the secret of Deepdale Café...

D

alegate Market in Burnham Deepdale is one of the most popular destinations along the north Norfolk coast. In addition to the award-winning and eco-friendly campsite and organic Deepdale Farm, it features several independent retailers who are genuinely proud of Norfolk. And now it has a fittingly-suitable place to stop, eat drink and relax with friends and family.

Friends and family are at the very heart of the Deepdale Café, which was taken over by a very close-knit group of family and lifelong friends earlier in July this year. And despite their lack of experience in hospitality (electricians, mechanics, salespeople and office workers) they’ve made a simply stunning arrival.

Take James Havers for example who spends much of his time selling nuts and bolts and engineering supplies. His eldest sister Donna manages the café, his brother

KLmagazine November 2021

Alexander works there, and his partner Nicola was helping with the major refurbishment two days before she gave birth. Even the couple’s adorable daughter Indie has a part to play judging by the number of enquiries, she’s almost as popular as the menu. In fact, when her grandparents pop in to babysit there are three generations of the family in the café - which only adds to the friendly atmosphere.

And in charge of the menu is James’ mother Louise, a highly-trained and very accomplished chef who spent 20 years in an office before returning to a commercial kitchen. She’s now at her happiest, and her ideas are as innovative as they are delicious.

Deepdale Café has a very real sense of place. The sea blue colours dominating the new signage and the re-styled interior has a distinct coastal feel and the food and drink reflects the ‘friends and family’ approach, with a refreshingly-strong bias towards local suppliers - many of whom are also close and long-term friends.

The coffee is roasted in King’s Lynn and the gin comes from the town’s famous WhataHoot distillery. The apple juice is produced on the Sandringham estate, and the meat comes from two of the most respected butchers in Norfolk - JE Howard of West Newton and Arthur Howell less than three miles away in Burnham Market. Even the ice

cream is made in Norfolk.

There’s always something to look forward to at Deepdale Café. First thing in the morning you can enjoy a fantastic full English breakfast (the vegan equivalent is actually one of the most popular things on the entire menu), but the continental alternative is equally impressive.

And when was the last time you saw four different scones on the menu? It’s very hard to pick the best (you’ve got plain, cheese, cherry, and sultana to choose from) but the cherry scones are simply amazing.

There’s a huge amount of homemade cakes and baked goodies to tempt you, and don’t overlook the sausage rolls - which may well be the best ones in Norfolk.

Pop in for lunch and you can enjoy everything from a burger (beef, vegan or chicken) or macaroni cheese, to chicken and chips and ‘posh’ fish fingers - which more than live up to their name.

Yes, this is very much café food but it’s done to an extraordinarily high standard. The amount of vegetarian and vegan options is particularly impressive.

The café is already looking at offering pre-booked picnics and premium hampers, and may well be making its own bread in the next few months - so despite what the weather throws at us over the winter it’s undoubtedly going to be bright and cheerful (and very tasty) at Deepdale Café.

It’s a fantastic place to be, and to be honest you’ll miss it at your peril. If only all cafés could be like this.

DEEPDALE CAFÉ 3 Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale Norfolk PE31 8FB Tel: 01485 210200 Open: 7.30am-5pm seven days a week all year apart from Christmas Day 91

Working the Wash until the cockles come home e isher leet has been a constant in King’s Lynn for over 00 years, a proud part of the town’s maritime heritage. Today the boats that trawl the waters remind us of the im ortance of maintaining tradition

PICTURES: At John Lake Shellfish Ltd, fishermen use their boat’s propellers to wash the cockles into a ridge, and then they sort through them with hand rakes at low tide. Up to 2 tonnes of cockles are picked per day by local hand-work fisheries.

I

t’s well-known that King’s Lynn was a vital trading port for Britain, establishing links with the Hanseatic League across Europe and providing a steady income to the local economy. The unique figures of ‘lionfish’ on the coat of arms for King’s Lynn and west Norfolk make reference to that maritime history, with the body of the lions representing the Royal Coat of Arms and their fish tails symbolising the borough’s links to the sea.

The importance of the Fisher Fleet throughout Lynn’s history is probably best illustrated by the words of Queen Elizabeth I, who granted local fishermen “free and uninterrupted use of the Fisher Fleet for ever and ever,”

acknowledging the value of the fleet to England at the time, particularly since seafood was an important dietary staple in urban areas.

The Fleet was once the estuary of the Gaywood river, which met the Great Ouse in the north of the town. After construction on the larger Alexandra dock began in 1869, however, it began to lose its prominence. As the years passed and industrialisation swept across the country, the local fisherfolk were struggling to make a profit.

Despite a report in 1914 noting that the Fisher Fleet comprised 180 boats and 400 men, the Fleet had already been truncated (this time to make way for the Bentick dock) in the face of strong opposition from the North End

community.

But while the size of the Fisher Fleet today has diminished within the port of King’s Lynn, the vessels that moor there are still essential in providing us with delicious and fresh catches.

Neil Lake, Director of John Lake Shellfish, has grown up around the Fisher Fleet, learning the ways of the fishing industry since he was young.

“My grandfather was a fisherman in King’s Lynn,” he says. “He was a Rake, and you can find the family history in True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum.

They were a fixed part of the fishing KLmagazine November 2021

93

the technique involves towing a beam trawl along the bottom of the seabed in shallow depths to collect the shrimp. Unavoidable variables such as the weather, however, can affect the daily haul at this time of the year.

“When there’s snow and ice, cold freshwater ends up funnelling into the rivers, which causes the shrimp to stay beneath the bed and we can’t catch them,” says Neil.

“A particularly cold winter makes it more difficult than it needs to be.”

Each season brings its own challenges, but a constant that the businesses around Lynn must manage is being able to fish whilst maintaining the conservation of the Wash.

PICTURES: 12-hour days are the norm when it comes According to the RSPB, the to farming shellfish. Once collected, they are then processed in the facilities at King’s Lynn’s port (bottom Wash is “the most significant left) and afterwards are distributed to local businesses inter-tidal wetland site in the and the open market.

UK” and provides feeding grounds for at least 16 species of birds. community, and 40 years ago my Conserving the area whilst maintaining father started John Lake Shellfish, and the economic importance of the it’s been a family-run business ever fisheries can be a bit of a headache for since.” all involved, but Neil Lake couldn’t think Like many businesses that make use of anything else he’d rather be doing. of the Fisher Fleet, Neil specialises in “Fishing is more than a job,” he says. shellfish. The Wash has been home “It’s our life, and you have to like it. to various species of shellfish for You could be working 12-hour days, hundreds of years, including whelks, sometimes in unforgiving weather and mussels, and brown shrimp. Over the dangerous conditions. It’s certainly past few months it’s been the season not for everyone. But there’s nothing for collecting cockles, which is now like being out at sea all day. My son coming to an end as waters get colder. and daughter are now involved in the “There are a couple of ways to collect business too, and I’m confident we’ll cockles,” says Neil. “The traditional still be fishing for many years to come.” method involves going through the Demand for locally sourced, fresh sand with a hand rake and collecting seafood is unlikely to dissipate any time what you see. That’s quite common on soon, which is encouraging news for the west coast. The public fishery here the future of the historic Fisher Fleet. operates differently, however. We use the propellers of our boats to wash the cockles into a ridge and then we rake them up at low tide.”

Come October and November, many of the boats in Lynn switch to beam trawling for brown shrimp.

Attaching a large, light mesh netting to the vessel, 94

KLmagazine November 2021

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

Fish-mas is upon us!

Brancaster mussels NOW IN STOCK

XMAS OPENING TIMES Tue st 7-4 Wed nd 7-4 Thur rd 7-4 Christmas Eve 7-4 CLOSED Christmas Day - Wed th Dec RE E (with limited supply) Thur th Dec 9-1 & New Years Eve 9-1 CLOSED st - th Jan RE E Wed th Jan We would like to wish old and new customers a very merry Christmas and a healthy New Year

Fresh pies, quiche, smokies & curries - making Xmas easy!

Ide for a f al es cheesetive board

Cheeses - local & from afar

D NALDS NS A fresh taste of the sea

Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel:

We’ve made our restaurant a safe place to sit in by following government guidelines

77

Follow us on Facebook for weekly specials

Crawfish Inn Authentic Thai Restaurant Keep up to date with us by liking us on Facebook

• Finest ingredients from Thailand

• Local cask ales to a popular range of draughts beers & extensive wine list • Takeaway service available

Tel: 01328 878313 Holt Road, Thursford, Norfolk NR21 0BJ www.crawfishinn.com Open: Tue to Sun from 6pm (open on all Bank Holidays)

KLmagazine November 2021

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KLmagazine November 2021

Your dream bathroom made easy with MKM...

With everything you need under one roof, MKM has all your bathroom needs covered - from exciting new designs to plumbing supplies

Y

ou already know that as part of the UK’s largest independent merchants MKM in King’s Lynn offers a complete one-stop shop for all your building supplies, but it also has a recently-opened showroom dedicated to kitchens and bathrooms together with a specialist plumbing and heating department.

“People change their bathrooms much more often than they used to,” says branch director Damian Roach.

“Some simply want to replace their taps with new contemporary monobloc mixers or re-configure their shower, while others want a completely matching full suite. That’s why we offer something to suit all tastes, all homes,

KLmagazine November 2021

and all budgets.”

And if you find the choice available somewhat overwhelming (with over 40 different baths and over 100 different taps for example) a team of in-store specialists can give you all the help and advice you need.

They’ll help you with the design, and guide you step-by-step through every stage of the process from concept to delivery. And when it comes to fitting, they can even recommend a number of reputable local installers.

“At MKM we always pride ourselves on helping our customers find exactly the right products to put together their ideal bathroom, just the way they want it,” says Damian. “Whether you want to convert your shower into a wetroom or replace your existing bath with a traditional standalone tub, we’ve got everything you need - and a lot more besides.”

Make your dream bathroom become a reality and discover the MKM difference - with everything your project needs under one roof, local knowledge, high quality products, efficient deliveries and a friendly service.

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Training to be shipshape and ready for anything Life isn’t always plain sailing, particularly when you’re young and trying to find your lace in the world t the King’s Lynn Sea Cadets, though, children are given the opportunity to thrive

PICTURES: During the summer, cadets spend the evenings on the River Ouse, learning to sail, windsurf and paddle board, but these are just a few of the activities and courses they participate in

I

t wasn’t long after the Crimean War (which ended in 1856) that a clergyman in Whitstable became so concerned at the number of orphans left homeless from the conflict that he established an orphanage to take the children off the streets and train them in valuable nautical skills.

Sailors were enlisted to help train the orphans and the charity soon rose in popularity, with institutions opening in Whitby, Brixham and Deptford. This was the birth of the Sea Cadets Corp (SCC), which was established in 1860.

Despite the humble beginnings, SCC units opened across the country. Initially, they trained young people to aid in World War II but when the war ended the SCC changed their aims and focused on providing young people with essential skills like self-reliance, leadership, and responsibility through a range of courses and stimulating activities.

This is the charity we know today, and at King’s Lynn Sea Cadets it continues to incorporate the values and KLmagazine November 2021

traditions of the Royal Navy, passing on important skills to children and giving them the exciting experiences they may not get at home.

Located in a historic Grade II listed building, the ‘Training Ship Vancouver’ sits at the end of St. Margaret’s Lane and has been home to the King’s Lynn unit since 1948, although they were actually established ten years before that.

The group is constantly expanding and looking for new recruits as cadets or members of staff, and Petty Officer Kurt Massen is responsible for running and managing the unit.

He’s been involved with the Sea Cadets from a young age.

“I joined the unit in Norwich as a cadet when I was 12 and stayed until I was 18,” he says. “It was fantastic, because while I was getting qualifications in first-aid, drill, and seamanship, I also learned to go boating and windsurfing, and even did a course in mountain biking.

When I left, I joined as a member of staff almost straight away. I wanted to give other cadets the same opportunities as me.”

Cadets are split into two categories - juniors (aged 10-12) and seniors (aged 12-18) and thanks to the time

given them by adult volunteers, they can earn qualifications such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as awards from the Royal Yachting Association and the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade - and can even earn BTEC qualifications in a wide range of subjects.

And the courses on offer aren’t the only means of educating cadets. From sailing, canoeing and paddleboarding to rock climbing and camping, the cadets are encouraged to take risks in a safe environment and try things they’ve never done before.

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PICTURES: P.O. Kurt Massen (back row, left) transferred to King’s Lynn in December 2019, and since then he’s been working hard with staff to give children aged 10-18 the best Sea Cadet experience possible.

Tibby, aged 12, has only been part of the King’s Lynn unit for a few months, but she’s already enjoying herself.

“I want to be in the Royal Navy and the Sea Cadets has helped me learn what that would be like,” she says. “I love boating and going out on the water, and I really like how the Sea Cadets manages to make education fun.”

Connor is a Junior Cadet and believes everyone can benefit from joining.

“Everyone is looked after and the staff always check up on us,” he says.

“Going out in public and representing the Sea Cadets in parades and drill competitions is something that I’m

100

really proud of.”

But it’s not just more cadets the unit is hoping to recruit; they’re also in need of more staff.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our charity, and without them the Cadets simply wouldn’t exist,” says Kurt.

“They’re employed as either ranked officers or non-uniform staff, and anyone can apply for either. You don’t need previous experience, because Sea Cadets provides all the training.”

Having volunteered for eight years, Kurt has seen how rewarding it is first hand.

“You can really see how much the Sea Cadets benefits the children,” he says. “The fundraisers we hold and the donations we receive all go towards enriching their time here.

Those donations pay for their courses, and for taking them out on trips. The last thing we want is for them to feel bored.”

Unit Chairperson Jo Davis has volunteered for the SCC for seven years, although the

e children create lifelong friendshi s and get to do things they wouldn t usually be able to and thin that s really very s ecial Sea Cadets has been a part of her life for a long time before that.

“My sons were cadets and they grew in confidence so much that I really wanted to give something back, so I signed up as a volunteer,” she says. “The children create lifelong friendships and get to do things they wouldn’t usually be able to, and I think that’s really very special.”

Resuming face-to-face meetings since April, everyone has been excited to get back to the unit, and now they’re ready to open their doors to new faces, young and old.

“For adults and children, the Sea Cadets is a great way to meet new people and learn a variety of skills that will set them up for life,” Jo says. “In addition to the courses and activities open to cadets, it means they have a brilliant time. In fact, we all do.”

If you’re interested in becoming an adult volunteer or think your child would thrive as a Sea Cadet, email unit@kingslynnseacadets.org.uk

KLmagazine November 2021

KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • TILES • BEDROOMS • PLUMBING SUPPLIES

A warm welcome awaits you in OUR SHOWROOM

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

THE QUAY CENTRE OFFERS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE...

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

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KLmagazine November 2021

YOUR SAFETY MATTERS!

At Xtraclean we always use professional anti-bacterial cleaning and finishing agents to keep you, your family and your home as safe as possible!

ith a totally safe and first-class service Xtraclean can treat your stone and tiled oors to a genuinely good as new loo

O

ver the next few months your beautiful stone and tiled floors can look forward to some pretty rough treatment.

All the friends and family you invite to your home won’t just be bringing festive greetings into your house they’ll also be arriving with plenty of unwelcome dirt, mud, dead leaves, various allergens and a number of other contaminants.

Which means it’s time to call on the professional cleaning services of Martin King and his Swaffham-based team at Xtraclean. Using the latest technology and high-quality anti-bacterial cleaning agents, Xtraclean will bring your floors back to their best and give them an ‘as good as new’ look. And they’ll usually do it in less than a day.

“If your stone or tiled floors were

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

“Our powerful turbo ‘clean and capture’ system pressure cleans the floor using its own water supply,” says Martin, “and it even reclaims all the waste in the process – so you have no mess, no fuss, and no worries. And fantastic looking floors.”

Xtraclean never uses harmful chemicals or damaging procedures such as grinding and resurfacing and

the results are truly spectacular.

“Stone and tiled floors aren’t the easiest surfaces to clean,” says Martin, “but our powerful system and highgrade products can bring even the dirtiest floors back to their very best.”

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

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

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

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

Unit 3, Jack Boddy Way, Swaffham PE37 7HJ Tel: 01760 337762 Web: www.xtraclean.co.uk E-mail: sales@xtraclean.co.uk KLmaga ine November 2021

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Big enough to challenge.

Small enough to care.

With a growing reputation for academic excellence, life-changing experiences and outstanding pastoral care, Springwood Sixth Form in ing s Lynn is now the first choice for students in west orfol

ABOVE: Director of Sixth Form Studies and Deputy Head Teacher at Springwood Jamie Warner-Lynn with members of his inspirational team who are constantly encouraged and motivated to achieve more and reach their ultimate ambition

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here’s a very good reason why Springwood is one of the very best sixth forms in the area. Actually, that’s not true - there are several very good reasons. As part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust it has access to a huge amount of shared resources and teaching expertise. It offers a huge range of courses and specialist subjects. It has fantastic facilities - and is soon to open some more. And it provides students with a high-value enrichment programme designed to enhance life experiences and enable students to achieve their dreams.

“We take a very proactive and purposeful approach to each and every student, and we’ve built an atmosphere that’s full of desire and ambition,” says the inspirational Jamie Warner-Lynn, Director of Sixth Form Studies and Deputy Head Teacher. “We combine all the structured benefits of school with all the freedoms of college, and we’re exceptionally good at helping students reach their first-choice destinations.

We’re even better at helping them identify those destinations in the first place.”

The choice of courses at Springwood sixth form is truly extraordinary. In addition to traditional subjects such as KLmagazine November 2021

biology, maths and English, the options include criminology, psychology and music technology.

This is an educational environment that’s always pushing boundaries and always building key skills such as confidence, awareness and resilience.

“Springwood’s courses were really interesting and they helped me redirect my career focus, and I have to thank the incredible staff for helping

me become the person I am today,” says former Head Student Holly. “It’s not just about academic studies. I built fantastic relationships with my teachers, I enjoyed a rewarding social environment, and I have several friends for a lifetime. I couldn’t recommend Springwood Sixth Form enough.”

Much of that is down to the staff, which includes the recently-appointed Academic Mentor Nicky Thompson

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(who comes from a wide-ranging business background), dedicated careers advisor Christine Walton, Head of Art (and acclaimed artist) Lee Eveson, and the two Heads of Year - the youthful and dynamic Jessica Cuss and Luke Rawling.

“It’s also important not to overlook the importance of our Head of Pastoral Lynne Franklin and her assistant Sandra Williams,” says Jamie. “They play an absolutely crucial role in what we do here, and work tirelessly to provide an enriching and supportive environment for our students.”

The facilities at Springwood Sixth Form are no less impressive - with drama and dance studios, a hair and beauty salon, and dedicated suites for art, photography, science and construction. They’ll be even more impressive early next year with the completion of a state-of-the-art café.

“It’s always been our aim to ensure that every single student is developed and reaches their full potential,” says Jamie Warner-Lynn. “Naturally we push academic excellence, but we also work very hard to provide our students with an exceptional extra-curricular programme.”

A case in point is the group of 20 students who’ll be travelling to Peru at Easter and the 20 who’ll be visiting Cambodia in the summer. These trips don’t just help build the idea of global citizenship - they also give local students life-changing experiences.

“Sixth Form enabled me to become super-independent and take control of my own learning,” says former Year 13 student Georgia. “It allowed me to grow academically and personally, taught me to be resilient, and to understand the importance of hard work.”

For students who decide not to continue their education in top-end universities, Springwood Sixth Form has increasingly strong links with the local (and national) business community - and many former students are currently enjoying rewarding apprenticeships in a wide range of industries.

“We offer lots of challenge, we offer a huge curriculum, and we provide a very diverse experience,” says Jamie Warner-Lynn. “We’re really proud of the fact we’re now the first-choice sixth form for the area, but that doesn’t mean we’re resting on our laurels. We’ve got a lot of exciting things planned for the future, and to be honest I’m rather envious that I can’t look forward to joining Springwood sixth form as a student.”

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“It taught me to be resilient, and to understand the importance of hard work...”

E R

RMER E R 1

DE

Queensway, King’s Lynn PE30 4AW | 01553 779407 www.springwoodhighschool.co.uk sixthformoffice@springwooodhighschool.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2021

We’ll bring your carpets back to life in less than a day With the most advanced cleaning system currently available we can make your carpets look better, smell better, last longer and be much safer for you and your family.

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Insuranceinsights

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

Learner driver insurance from just 7 p a day

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earner drivers often face crippling additional premiums when being added to their parents’ motor insurance policy, and when they’re added they immediately put the policyholder at risk of losing their no claims bonus in the event of an accident.

But for just 75 pence a day learner drivers can take out their own insurance and cover can be taken out on a month-by-month basis, so learners only pay for the cover they need before passing their test.

How Adrian Flux Provisional Licence Insurance works: • If the learner driver is a car owner, or wants to drive their parents’ or friend’s car, cover can be taken out for both long and short term.

• Policy lengths available for 1, 2, 3, 6 or 12 months cover.

• All postcodes in the UK are eligible with premiums starting at £50 for one

month’s cover.

• Any claim will be settled on the learner driver’s insurance policy, and will not affect the no claims bonus of the vehicle owner’s insurance.

• If you want to drive both of your parents’ vehicles you can get a 50% discount on the second policy.

• Cover automatically stops when the policyholder passes their driving test, but they can set up regular insurance cover with one quick phone call.

Adrian Flux has all manner of helpful add-ons for its learner driver policies, even short term ones, including: • Excess protection: young drivers are a higher risk to insurers, meaning your excess is usually a lot higher than your parents’.That’s why we offer excess protection for learners so, even in the event you need to make a claim, you won’t need to fork out the money to cover your excess. Perfect if your excess is in the hundreds.

• Breakdown cover: as a learner driver there is nothing more worrying than breaking down, even if this happens while you’re out practising with a family member. Getting breakdown cover will give you peace of mind that help is just a quick phone call away. It’s ideal if you’re learning in your own car or your guardian has personal breakdown cover, which won’t cover you in the event you break down.

• Personal accident cover: if you’ve been injured in a car accident personal accident cover can help to provide compensation to you and your family.

If you want learner driver insurance cover that you can afford and extra benefits call Adrian Flux on 0800 369 8590 for a great deal — 79.5% of all customers receiving an online quote in July 2020 could have obtained a cheaper quote over the phone, based on the information they provided.

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KLmagazine November 2021

EDQ 109

ABOVE: Solar-powered waste bins in Hunstanton are just one of the green initiatives being introduced across the area by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, led by the council’s first portfolio holder for climate change Councillor Paul Kunes. It also includes the visually stunning project The Intergalactic Hanseatic League (opposite), a time-travel experience taking place in King’s Lynn town centre and online designed and produced by the art and technology organisation Collusion

West Norfolk commits to tackle climate change

t s an issue that affects every erson on the lanet and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk is now ma ing significant efforts to minimise the im act of climate change on our doorste

T

his autumn climate change is high on the global agenda with the significant milestone of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. Countries around the world are affirming their commitment to tackling this enormous challenge and accelerating action.

Here in west Norfolk, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk shares this commitment - and made the declaration of a climate change emergency this summer.

“We announced a climate change emergency with a robust climate change strategy and action plan in place,” says Councillor Stuart Dark MBE,

KLmaga ine November 2021

leader of the council. “In addition to this motion, we’ve also brought our net zero target forward to 2035 from 2050 - and we are committed to reviewing whether we could bring it forward even further to 2030. We’re serious about tackling climate change and we’re putting the foundations in place to take decisive, meaningful, and robust action to mitigate and minimise the impact in our district.”

This includes adopting a corporate climate change policy, a climate change strategy and action plan, as well as incorporating a climate change policy into the council’s local plan. The borough has also made a significant financial investment - provision has

been put forward for £1 million as a climate change budget over the next four financial years.

The work is being led by the council’s first portfolio holder for climate change Councillor Paul Kunes.

“A key priority for us is getting our own house in order and we’re taking steps to make our own buildings, interventions, and activities more environmentally friendly and reduce our carbon footprint,” he says. “As well as my role, we’ve also appointed a full-time climate change officer to work with other staff on this important issue. We’ve paved the way to deliver significant actions for a greener future in west Norfolk.”

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EXEMPLAR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

This includes making the council’s buildings more environmentally friendly - and earlier this year, the borough received a grant of £3.8 million through the public sector decarbonisation scheme to help decarbonise heat from its buildings. This is in addition to adding solar panels and improving the energy efficiency of a number of its buildings.

The council has also carried out £1.3 million worth of energy efficiency refit projects, and is set to invest £600,000 to improve the energy efficiency of street lighting across west Norfolk.

And waste and recycling lorries are now greener as they require 20% less diesel; they also use electric server technology for tail lifts. As a result, emissions from refuse collection are expected to reduce by 38%.

Whilst Councillor Kunes says there is more to do (such as making further changes in the council’s energy consumption) it’s already seeing some positive shifts. Having implemented the changes the council has seen a reduction of 59% in corporate emissions from 2009-10.

PICTURES: The environmentally-friendly initiatives currently being introduced by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk include Parkway (below) one of the greenest housing developments the area has ever seen

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More recently, it was announced the Parkway scheme – that will bring 226 much-needed new homes to Gaywood – will be of the greenest developments west Norfolk has ever seen.

“We’re putting additional infrastructure into the Parkway development to support environmentally-friendly measures at an additional cost of £1.7 million,” Councillor Kunes explained. “As a result, the Parkway development will be an exemplar scheme which links firmly to our carbon reduction commitment.

Our fabric-first approach will see each new home on this development being built with air source heat pumps and underfloor heating to maximise their efficiency and minimise their impact on the environment. Homes where roofs are aligned with the sun will have photo voltaic panels installed. Parking spaces will be electric charging ready, with ducts and draw strings laid, and garages will have electric vehicle charging points installed.”

This eco-friendly approach also extends to the surrounding area.

“The design of the scheme means that we are removing as few trees as possible,” says Councillor Kunes, “and for every tree that’s removed a further three will be planted.”

Work on the Parkway scheme is due to start next year.

EVERYONE CAN PLAY THEIR PART “We are starting to make progress but we know that to truly make a difference, we all need to work together,” says the borough council’s leader Councillor Stuart Dark. “Our chief executive leads the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership which includes local authorities and other agencies collaborating to find ways to tackle climate change - not just in our area but across west Norfolk as a whole.

“Every single one of us can do our bit, and in the coming years, we will

WHAT CAN I DO? Some ideas for reducing your carbon footprint...

• If you live within 5 miles or so from your work, then try walking or cycling to get to work. Even if initially you only do so a few days a week, ultimately these small actions add up.

• Roughly 46% of carbon on the road comes from journeys that last between 5 and 35 miles. An option to reduce your transport within this mileage range would be to explore the public transport options in your area.

• Consider composting your food waste. You can find more information about composting on the council’s composting page.

• The electricity we use can also be generated renewably. Solar photovoltaic panels (solar pv) are a common source of renewable electricity that can be mounted to your home.

• No matter the size of your garden, you can always consider tree planting. Whether that be in pots or in the ground, or planting species that mature to relatively low heights. Whatever form of tree planting you do, it can help contribute to the absorption of CO2 emissions. work with businesses and the public to understand how they can play their part to reduce emissions in west Norfolk.

We need everyone to get involved and through our website we’ve highlighted some initial ways for the public to consider their carbon footprint and start to mitigate their pathway to net zero.

“We want to secure a sustainable future for west Norfolk and we’re committed to achieving this through the actions of the council but also by working together to make the difference for all of us.”

KLmagazine November 2021

Exceptional Projects Deserve Exceptional Builders

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Norfolk Bricks • Pantiles • Pamments • Floor Bricks Doors • Ironmongery • Stone Paving • Fireplaces Basins • Garden Statuary • and much more 114

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KLmagazine November 2021

Welcome to the future of green energy...

From solar panels and battery storage to EV chargers and air source heating, the Way Group leads the way in energy-saving technology

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e all understand the importance of generating energy from sustainable sources such as solar power, and we’re all aware of our move towards electric vehicles. With the advent of domestic batteries it’s now possible to combine them into a totally self-sufficient energy solution - enabling you to generate your own electricity, store it, use it, and even get paid for it.

“Many people fit solar panels because they’re interested in the long term fuel savings, but they don’t consider they can get paid for every kilowatt they export when on a SEG energy tariff,” says director Stuart Olley of the 4 Way Group in King’s Lynn. “With a

fully-integrated system you can store the electricity your home is producing while you’re at work, you can charge your car when you get back, and you can still be paid for the energy you’ve exported.”

And even fewer people realise that you don’t even need the sun for your solar panels to work - all you need is daylight. Even on a cloudy day you can still pay for your standing charge, reducing your reliance on the National Grid and lowering your costs from your energy provider.

The 4 Way Group is leading the way in the design and installation of the very latest energy-saving technologies, and can ultimately enable you to run your home at nearly zero on grid-supplied

fuel costs.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in the demand for solar panels, electric vehicle chargers and storage batteries recently,” says Stuart. “And many people are now using solar panels to power air source heating from the 4 Way Group as well - which offers even more cost and energy savings.”

If you already have solar panels the 4 Way Group can help you store your energy in domestic batteries, only use it when you need it - and help you get paid for it. If you have an electric or hybrid vehicle, they can install the world’s first solar-compatible EV charger for you. Welcome to the future.

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

KLmagazine November 2021

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SERVICING THE COMMU NITY FOR OVER

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BARRY L HAWKINS Independent Auctioneer and Land Agent The Estate Office, 15 Lynn Road, Downham Market PE38 9NL 01366 387180 | info@barryhawkins.co.uk

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KLmagazine November 2021

How the move to electric can help your business

I

As Chris Goad from Stephenson Smart explains, electric vehicles can hel you financially as well as hel ing the lanet

n only nine years’ time (2030) the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned. Many people are worried and concerned, but in addition to helping the planet, not having to spend ages queuing at pumps, and ending our reliance on fuel deliveries there are significant financial benefits to driving electric.

In 2019 Chris Goad, partner at Stephenson Smart’s Wisbech, March and Downham Market offices, made the decision to switch his company vehicle to a Tesla.

“It’s certainly the best decision I’ve made in terms of my business travel, but also my family travel,” he says. “I think there are a lot of misconceptions around the expense of running an electric car, the concern over the number of charging points and the mileage ranges.”

TAX BENEFITS In April 2020 the government announced it had introduced a zero Benefit In Kind tax rate for pure electric company cars, which is set to remain low for electric company cars until

March 2025, with the rate increasing to 1% during 2021/22 and by 2% in 2022/2023, staying that way until 2025.

Companies and unincorporated businesses are also eligible for enhanced capital allowances when buying a new zero emission car for business use. This means 100% of the cost of the car will be written off against the taxable income of the period in which it was purchased.

RANGE Mileage ranges have increased considerably, with many new models offering a range approaching around 300 miles per charge, putting any fears of not having enough fuel in the tank to bed. With the steady rise of charging points (there’s now well over 42,000 in the UK and many of them are free to use), many electric vehicle users are also choosing to install their own charging points at home. After initial installation, it’s proving to be the cheapest time to recharge, and the most convenient.

“I never worry about charging my car because I have a charging point

in my garage at home,” says Chris. “If we’re going on holiday I can easily find somewhere to charge using the Zap Map app, which is really easy to navigate. As we move towards a greener future there are so many advantages to businesses making this type of investment. I certainly wouldn’t go back to diesel or petrol now.”

For guidance on how switching to electric company vehicles can help the environment and your balance sheet, please get in touch with us today.

Chris Goad BFP FCA Partner

Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors

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

KLmaga ine November 2021

D E: CQ 117

ABOVE: The railway station at Watlington may be peaceful today, but it was once rocked by such an enormous explosion that staff and local residents initially thought was an earthquake

A simple mistake and a massive explosion atlington will be resounding to the bangs and crac s of firewor s this November, but years ago it witnessed a very different ind of pyrotechnics in one of Norfolk’s most shocking agricultural accidents

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he morning of Tuesday 19th March 1867 began as a regular working day for the villagers of Watlington, and in a field owned by local farmer Mr Easter an agricultural steam engine was employed in threshing wheat.

Its crew of 12 men and boys and three women started work at 8am and made excellent progress, boasting that their engine had never worked so

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well and was outdoing the one in the adjoining field.

Little did they know that in a matter of hours that very engine would be broken beyond repair and would make the front pages.

Shortly before noon the workers decided to take a well-deserved dinner break, and since it was a bitterly cold and windy day they crowded around the engine for warmth and shelter.

The men huddled together near the water tub, taking their share in the beer sent down by Mr Easter - while the women sat chatting around the other side of the engine. Everything was perfectly normal.

However, driver Samuel Miller had forgotten something crucial, and his fatal mistake was to have devastating consequences.

The engine in question was a

KLmagazine November 2021

PICTURES: The church of St Peter and St Paul at Watlington was rather sombre over Easter in 1867, following the devastating explosion of a portable steam engine (below) only a few hundred metres away that caused the deaths of eight people and injured several others

7-horsepower portable built in 1856 by Clayton and Shuttleworth of Lincoln.

It was bought new from the makers

by Watlington farmer John Bishop and sold in the winter of 1866 to a local publican named John Chilvers.

It had been in constant use in the area ever since, and Samuel Miller had been driving the engine for almost 10 years. He was considered a steady and competent man by both the past and present owners.

But that morning Miller and his coworkers had been eager to get a large amount of work done, so he made the fateful decision to tie down the safety valve.

A crucial part of a steam engine, its primary function was to relieve pressure - but it was a common practice for drivers to tie it down in an effort to make an old engine do as much work as a new one.

While Miller and his fellow coworkers enjoyed their lunch, steam began to accumulate, the pressure started to soar, and the engine’s boiler suddenly exploded.

Five men were killed instantly (many of them were still holding their lunch) and the remains of the flaming boiler were thrown about 40 yards into a road before bouncing a further 17 yards into an adjoining field.

Tubes, pipes, pieces of machinery and metal fragments were thrown in every direction, the carriage of the engine was doubled up and was

KLmagazine November 2021

pushed into the front of the threshing machine, and the flywheel was torn apart with the spokes and axle landing in one place and the tyre in another.

For almost 100ft in all directions the ground was blackened with fuel, water, and smoke.

The explosion was heard several miles away and the rail station at Watlington (some 200 yards away) was “shaken as by an earthquake.”

A curious crowd began to gather at the spot and the unfortunate Miller and another man were immediately rushed to the hospital in King’s Lynn - although they’d both suffered fatal injuries and died less than 24 hours after the incident. Arthur Chilvers (the son of the engine’s owner) passed away a few weeks later, taking the death toll up to eight and plunging the village into a heavy gloom.

The women (who were furthest away from the boiler) had lucky escapes, with only one of them slightly scalded.

Two local inquests into the tragedy were held - one at the Angel Inn in Watlington on the same evening and the other at Lynn hospital the next day.

Evidence from a variety of experts determined that the engine was “of very good quality indeed” and perfectly safe with proper treatment.

Locomotive foreman Sir William Wood deposed that “it was most decidedly dangerous in the extreme to tie that lever down, and to leave it fastened when the engine was stopped

was neither more or less suicide.”

The jury spent little time in returning a verdict that judged the deceased were accidently killed by the explosion of an engine boiler, caused by improperly tying down the safety valve.

They made a note of adding that they hoped this would be a caution to all persons in charge of steam engines against the extreme danger of such a practice.

Happily it was a note that was taken to heart, as the explosion at Watlington remains the deadliest industrial accident the area has ever experienced.

For more fascinating features on the history of west and north Norfolk, visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

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KLmagazine November 2021

The future of heating from the Way Group If you’re looking for the very latest in domestic heating and air conditioning, look no further than the Way Group in King’s Lynn

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n addition to becoming the very first company in the UK to install Fujitsu’s new WaterStage™ airto-water (ATW) central heating system, the 4 Way Group has recently qualified as an Elite Infinity Partner - meaning customers can enjoy a full seven-year warranty in addition to some of the most environmentallyfriendly and cost-effective air source heating solutions currently available.

“For almost 20 years we’ve been leading the way in home heating technology,” says director Steve Simpson, “and this new accreditation underlines the quality of the service we offer to architects, self-builders, developers, and multi-property projects. New builds need new

approaches, and air source heating really is the way of the future.”

The new systems available from the 4 Way Group aren’t just incredibly energy efficient, they’re also very environmentally friendly producing significantly less carbon dioxide than traditional heating systems, emitting fewer pollutants and costing much less to run.

“The systems are available in 8kW and 16kW versions with a choice of water cylinders,” says Steve. “Fujitsu is one of the best companies in the world for using ‘clean’ energy to deliver heating and hot water to every room of the house - reliably, comfortably and cost-effectively.”

Easy and quick to install, air source heating is discreet and visually

unobtrusive - and can be powered by an integrated array of solar panels designed and installed by 4 Way Electrical.

“The real beauty of air source heating is its simplicity,” says Steve.

“There’s less to go wrong, which makes maintenance a lot easier - and it’s far less complicated for the homeowner to operate. It’s pretty much a ‘fit and forget’ solution.”

With a team of expert technicians, full product warranties, all the help and advice you need, and a 24-hour support service, the 4 Way Group is continuing to lead the way in fully sustainable technology.

So before your next building project starts getting off the ground, contact Steve and his team today for a free estimate and discover the future of home heating.

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

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Celebrating 30 years • • • • • •

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KLmagazine November 2021

Why the best quality is always worth waiting for With more choice, better performance and strong green credentials, Rudd Joinery is leading the way in superior home improvements

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his year an estimated three million households in the UK will be investing in ‘green’ home improvements, and the majority of those will involve new or replacement windows, doors and conservatories.

But it’s important to resist the temptation to take the ‘order today, delivery tomorrow ‘ route.

“We recently worked with a project manager on a local development who’d ordered products online because he needed them quickly, but when they arrived he was very disapppointed with the quality,” says Jamie Rudd of Rudd Joinery. “That’s just one the reasons that makes us different. We’ll never put anything into production until we’re completely happy with it.”

Just outside Fakenham, Jamie and his team are producing a superior range of high quality handcrafted timber products expertly designed and produced at the

KLmagazine November 2021

company’s very own manufacturing facility.

“We’d always rather produce our products to a standard rather than a price,” says Jamie. “It may mean you have slightly longer to wait, but they’re worth waiting for - and can even save you time and money in the long run.”

Even better, whereas UPVC products are generally mass-produced, Rudd Joinery’s performance windows, doors and conservatories are all completely bespoke from responsibly-sourced timber. And a wide range of styles, colours, and ironmongery can be custom-designed to suit your particular property.

“Our farmed timber is endorsed by Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund as the greenest choice for windows, doors and conservatories,” says Jamie. “It’s a fully recyclable material and it’s better for the atmosphere too - because UPVC creates around 200,000 tonnes of waste a year and contains almost 50%

of the 15 most hazardous chemicals listed by European standards.”

Part of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Rudd Joinery works to the very highest standards - combining the beauty of the past with technology of the present and exceptional craftsmanship skills to create outstanding high-performance products.

For a totally new view of windows, doors and conservatories, visit Rudd Joinery’s showroom near Fakenham today and chat to a member of Jamie’s team about your next project.

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ABOVE: As we enter the festive season, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn is in urgent need of some Christmas cheer and needs plenty of local support in order to be able to continue its vital services

Why our hospital needs life-saving treatment...

For four decades the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn has been one of the most important buildings in the county, but it’s now over a decade past its expected lifespan and is in desperate need of attention

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he Queen Elizabeth Hospital is a 515-bed general hospital on the outskirts of King’s Lynn, covering a catchment area of some 9,000 square miles and serving a population of around 331,000 people across three counties. In addition to crucial healthcare and support, the hospital provides everything from employment to training and volunteering opportunities - but it’s now in need of emergency treatment itself.

The QEH opened in 1980 as one of a clutch of ‘Best Buy’ hospitals around the country, along with the West Suffolk in Bury and the James Paget in Gorleston. To cut costs and hasten the modernisation of the NHS, they

KLmagazine November 2021

were constructed using prefabricated concrete components - and were only expected to last for 30 years.

The QEH has now been fully operational for 41 years.

The reason for the short shelf life lay in the the material used to construct the hospitals’ roofs. At the time the use of Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete (RAAC) planks seemed like a good idea.

They may have been lightweight and relatively inexpensive, but they were considerably less robust than traditional concrete and were prone to weakening, cracking and leaking. Over time water inevitably got into the cracks, changing the concrete’s structure and making it less able to support the weight of

the building and its contents. Since nearly 80% of the QEH’s estate was constructed using RAAC, it’s now well past the anticipated end of its life and is in a truly desperate state.

The roof is currently being held up by over 210 steel support posts in 46 areas, probably making the QEH the most propped-up hospital in the country. And to make matters worse the roof also contains asbestos.

Concerns about the structural performance of RAAC prompted an inspection of the hospital earlier this year, and on March 10th engineers identified ‘immediate’ risks to the roof of the critical care unit.

It resulted in seriously-ill patients being moved out of the area with 125

ABOVE: MP for North West Norfolk James Wild inspects the roof at the QEH on a recent visit, a roof which is currently being held up by over 210 steel support posts. The hospital is in urgent need of attention - and the best solution may well be a completely new hospital

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sustainable solution, but the QEH submitted both bids to have the best chance of securing the funding it so desperately needs.

After the severity of the hospital’s situation made headlines back in March, the ‘Save Our Queen Elizabeth Hospital’ campaign was launched, driven by dedicated locals and NHS workers.

It aims to highlight the urgent need for a new hospital in the area. It holds demonstrations outside the hospital every Wednesday at 4pm, organises regular rallies in the town centre, and has representatives handing out leaflets and talking to anyone prepared to listen.

They’ve also printed thousands of postcards for the public to sign, which are sent to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (currently Sajid Javid) to illustrate the urgent need for action.

In addition to this, many local people, businesses and companies have created online petitions to help encourage support for a rebuild.

“So many of us have needed the QEH in the past or will need it in the future,” says the determined Gordon Taylor, dedicated NHS worker and one of the driving forces of the QEH campaign. “We need to tell politicians how important a new hospital is to us.

I’m not sure how much of a difference

we can make, but we can’t sit back and do nothing.”

Our hospital needs help ugently, and everyone can play a part. Sign one of the campaign postcards, follow the progress on Facebook, write a letter to your local MP, or sign one of the online petitions.

Add your voice to the calls for the new hospital our area needs, because together we can make a difference.

If you love west Norfolk and would like to support the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, please sign the petition today at https://petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/590390

© GA CHUN YAU PHOTOGRAPHY

only 30 minutes’ notice, causing a considerable amount of confusion and alarm. The hospital’s own risk register stated that “there is a direct risk to life and safety of patients, visitors and staff due to the potential of catastrophic failure of the roof structure because of structural deficiencies.”

Despite this rather dire situation, the QEH wasn’t selected as one of the 40 hospitals included in a £3.7 billion building package announced by the government last autumn.

Both the James Paget and West Suffolk hospitals have been awarded funding for rebuilding, but the QEH received nothing. Next spring a further eight hospitals will be added to the building programme, and the QEH submitted two desperate ‘Expressions of Interest’ in September.

The first (and best) bid was for a single-phase complete new build, although due to restraints of national capital budgets the QEH also applied for a multi-phase development.

This would involve individual parts of the hospital being demolished and rebuilt, and it’s not the ideal solution since it would take much longer, cost more in the long term, and patients could well need to be transferred to other hospitals whilst the building work is taking place.

In truth a new hospital is the only

KLmagazine November 2021

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Enjoy the gold standard in local skincare In the centre of King’s Lynn, Sutha Aesthetics ta es a very different approach for men and women - proving it’s more than skin deep

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t the start of October, Sutha Bausbacher opened her new clinic - which is bigger and better, more luxurious , and is the perfect way to celebrate Sutha Aesthetics’ second birthday. In fact, it brings the complete Harley Street experience to the centre of King’s Lynn, which is rather fitting since Sutha’s 25 years’ worth of nursing experience includes several years working at the world’s most famous location for patient-centred healthcare.

“As a medical professional I’ve always looked at aesthetics in a different way,” she says. “It’s not about popping in for 30 minutes and having a standard offthe-shelf procedure. It involves beauty, art, trust, psychology, understanding and expertise - and treating people as individuals rather than customers.”

Sutha Aesthetics may offer a wide range of medicalbased facial and skincare treatments, but

it goes a lot further than that.

“The power of aesthetics can be truly life-changing,” says Sutha. “So many of my clients have told me that their experience has made a huge and positive impact on their lives.”

Sutha offers a wide range of treatments from dermal fillers and micro-needling to groundbreaking procedures such as Dermalux Flex light therapy and the revolutionary Venus Freeze, which has been described as “the facelift without the knife.”

She also supplies a specially chosen collection of quality skincare products from world famous brands such as AlumierMD (who have over 100 years of skincare experience), DIBI Milano, and CellDerma whose products are developed in leading labs from

Sutha Aesthetics KLmagazine November 2021

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“I’m very proud of raising my two children and building a successful business on my own,” she says. “I want to help men and women of all ages to discover just how beautiful they really are.”

St Ann’s House, St Ann’s Street, King’s Lynn Norfolk PE30 1LT Telephone: 07506 133091 • E-mail: admin@suthaaesthetics.co.uk Website: www.suthaaesthetics.co.uk

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ABOVE: An extraordinary page from the St Margaret’s library donors’ book, now held safely in the archives of the town library in King’s Lynn (opposite). It reveals that several books were unusually donated by a woman - Mistress Alice Wasselby (listed bottom left on the left-hand page) whose generous gift of books is even recorded on her gravestone which can still be seen in the churchyard of King’s Lynn Minster

Saving the lost books of Lynn’s past

Stored in the library of King’s Lynn is a collection of rare books that survived for hundreds of years and only narrowly escaped destruction. o ord turns back the pages of this little-known history...

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t may seem extraordinary in any age that books are destroyed.

There’s something about books that makes us reluctant to consign even the cheapest paperback to the bin, so it’s with shock we learn of the devastation of the great libraries of England during Henry VIII’s dissolution of monasteries, priories, friaries and nunneries during the late 1530s to rid the country of any taint in writing of the superiority of the Pope.

Often during those years, books “were dog cheap and whole libraries could be had for an inconsiderable nothing” as thousands of volumes were torn from religious libraries and used as KLmagazine November 2021

scrap - or simply thrown away.

What happened to the early libraries of the friaries of Lynn we don’t know, and evidence of their existence is very scarce - although intriguingly in 1437 the Norwich friar John Fornsets recorded in his accounts “carriage of cloaths and books at our first coming to Lenn with 2 brother monks – 10/1d”.

That John Capgrave (1393-1464) and other monastic scholars of the town must have had their own libraries of Greek and Roman classical texts is evident from their surviving written works, but the contents have been lost.

Therefore we learn with pleasure that safely stored in the Central

Library of King’s Lynn are 1,500 early books gathered from the libraries of St Nicholas Chapel and St Margaret’s Church.

All are printed, but some have handcrafted embellishments, illustrations and original leather-tooled bindings.

Records that a church library had been gathered together by 1617 appear in the famous Corporation Hall Books (England’s first book to use paper rather than vellum) when the mayor and church wardens received £8 from Gabriel Barker - who’d won the money in a lottery and given it to the mayor to be used for good causes. The £8 was duly added to £4 they already had to 131

PICTURES: The spectacular title page of the St Margaret’s library donors’ book features the arms of King’s Lynn, a rather fanciful drawing of the town’s East Gate (see above left for a more accurate representation) and a reminder of the town’s maritime heritage. Below is a copy of Actes and Monuments (1632) by John Foxe - in 1571, the Church of England ordered copies of Foxe’s book should be kept chained in every cathedral in the country, as well as in many churches.

buy books for the library at St Nicholas Chapel.

In August 1632 we learn about St Margaret’s Library for the first time.

Recorded in the Hall Books is the note that “the porch on the north is fitting out to be a Library loft for Ye p’ish” but only 16 years later another note records an “inquiry to be made for diverse books missing and lost out of the library over the Church porch.”

The Mayor, the town Recorder and three Alderman had the powers to purchase books with £53 from the Corporation and two £10 private donations, which enabled 217 books to be bought.

We do know that two of these are a copy of a ‘Sarum Missal’ (1462) which remains in St Margaret’s, and a copy of the famous Nuremburg Chronicles

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from 1493 which is now in the town library. No doubt the majority of the library collection was made up over the years by donations. Especially large donations were made by local clergy, gentry families such as the Le Stranges of Hunstanton and two Members of Parliament, Horatio Walpole and Sir John Turner, who gave donations of £25 each.

Over the next centuries the libraries started on a series of moves around the town which saw them gradually deteriorate until finally in 1961 a local youth group wheel-barrowed the books into a disused attic at 46 Queen Street (now the Registrars).

Luckily in 1965 the newly-appointed Borough Librarian Ray Wilson was alerted to the books shortly before they were thrown out as rubbish. They’d been dumped on the floor and were covered in mildew and rat poison.

Ray immediately saw they were rare and valuable early books and the long work of restoration and rebinding began. Now 1,500 of them are safely stored in custom-made bookcases in the Central Library.

In 1641 the Rev. John Arrowsmith started an illustrated book recording donations to the St Margaret’s library and it’s this and other similarly

wonderful books you can now access in the new online digital archive Discover Historic Books, which was created as part of the ‘Unlocking the Archive’ project. Using high-definition photographs, the books’ pages turn with the tap of a mouse.

You can find them here: discoverhistoricbooks. unlockingthearchive.co.uk/3-kingslynn-public-library/ Academics from the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia brought together archivists, photographers, printmakers and librarians to make this extensive digital resource which showcases books from the Blickling Estate, Norfolk Library and Information Service, and Northumberland Libraries and Archives. You can discover not only the Lynn library but other early books from around East Anglia. It shows how these books were made, the ideas within them and who owned them.

Through potential fire, flood, war, religious upheaval and human carelessness these books have miraculously survived and have come down to us to be safeguarded.

They also speak volumes (literally) about the skill, ingenuity and the human spirit of book makers and collectors from our not-so-distant past.

For more fascinating features on the history of west and north Norfolk, visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine November 2021

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KLmagazine November 2021

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If you love this photo, you’ll love having it in your home The ideal Christmas gift - an exclusive range of limited edition prints now available from KL magazine

For over a decade KL magazine has been celebrating why west and north Norfolk is one of the most wonderful corners of the country.

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These prestigious prints are the perfect gift for Christmas - which is hardly surprising since this is the perfect place to live.

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ABOVE: Fakenham-based artist Terri Broughton in her studio - her work is always thought-provoking and often controversial, but it’s increasingly in demand from collectors around the world.

Exploring the art of the personal experience Two years ago her work was banned from a local exhibition, but Norfolk artist Terri Broughton is now in demand around the world and is about to have a solo exhibition in London...

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erri Broughton had an inauspicious start in life following the death of both of her parents, but she went on to becoming a head teacher at King’s Lynn Academy, a highly qualified life coach and a successful educational consultant before finding her current home as a highly sought-after artist.

She was awarded a Tate Modern prize for her Masters Degree ‘The Identity Project’, in which she pioneered the questioning and challenging of first year A-level art students on how their self-beliefs and values tended to inhibit their creative potential. It was a project that turned art education on its head, and has since been incorporated into the National Curriculum for all year KLmagazine November 2021

groups.

“For 30 years I wrestled with two opposing forces - a deep yearning to paint and the belief that I wasn’t a painter, which I’d been told as a child,” she says. “When I finally did start painting after all those years it was like throwing open the windows of an old, dark house and filling it with light and revitalising air.”

During the tumultuous last two years Terri has been working tirelessly creating an extensive body of work which, while often narrative, explores the psychological behaviours of people.

“I’ve always been fascinated by people, and as an oil painter I try to bring their stories to life,” she says.

“Many of them are my own and several are very personal. I love to evoke

emotion through my work, using allegory, symbolism and metaphor. I don’t want to paint replicas - I want to capture the psychology of a person or a situation.”

It’s an approach that’s being extraordinarily well received around the world. Following an exhibition in Japan, Terri’s paintings ‘Three Little Birds’ and ‘Resonance’ were chosen to appear on Covid-19 facemasks for Asian markets.

At the prestigious Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, her painting sold before the show had even opened.

Her work has been presented at the international UNESCO & Meadows exhibition, as well as being selected to exhibit at both the Florence and Bangladesh Biennales. Terri was 139

PICTURES: Terri Broughton’s artwork is extraordinary, and will be featured in a major solo exhibition in London at the end of this year. The Norfolk artist can be seen here (top right) working in her studio on the recent commission Thinking Outside the Box, together with some of her most striking paintings, including The Avoider (centre) and The Judge (bottom)

invited to give a presentation of her work to staff at Tate Modern and she’s been invited to take part in a show in Anchorage, Alaska next year.

Only last month, her work was seen at the renowned Salon d’Automne on the Champs-Élysées in Paris - an illustrious event which can boast Gauguin, Renoir, Picasso, Modigliani, Braque and Chagall among past exhibitors.

As she prepares for her solo exhibition in London’s Brick Lane Gallery next month (a prestigious gallery which specialises in contemporary and street art) Terri can’t help feeling some sense of irony when she remembers her first solo exhibition in Norfolk.

“It was banned for being too psychologically harrowing for sensitive viewers and too challenging for general consumption,” she says, “but those issues are exactly what’s attracting galleries and collectors from around the world. It’s extremely rewarding for an artist to know there are people who understand what you’re trying to do.”

Terri’s new exhibition ‘Inside Out’ is deeply personal and reflects a traumatic childhood. She was only seven years old when both her parents died, and she was separated from her sisters - the girls being placed with a succession of foster families, some of whom were considerably less than caring. The sisters were only reunited in adulthood.

The exhibition is the living 140

embodiment of Terri’s tortuous route to becoming a painter, posing deep psychological questions about the memories which inform our selfperceptions and inviting us to engage and explore the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our lives.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the human condition and experience, and I’m intrigued by the way our internal narratives often inhibit our true potential,” she says. “My paintings of children wearing gas masks were finished long before we appreciated what a ‘pandemic’ really meant, but they’re a case in point. The masks provide protection from the toxic world outside, but they can also be seen as a personal isolation unit, preventing the children from truly engaging in the real world.”

As with much of Terri’s work, it’s for the viewer to decide. She’s had an extraordinary journey, and her work is equally unique - especially for someone who only started painting three years ago.

“I’ve loved every second of it, including the times I’ve been well out of my comfort zone,” she says. “There have been several ups and downs, many tears and lots of laughter but it’s all been worth it. I’ve realised that the only thing that will ever prevent you achieving your dreams is the way you think about the things you want to achieve.”

INSIDE OUT: A solo exhibition by Terri Broughton 7th-13th December 2021 Brick Lane Gallery, London E1 6SA www.terribroughtonartist.com

KLmagazine November 2021

It’s time to test your festive knowledge...

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but how well do you really know Christmas? Grab a mince pie and and a glass of eggnog and find out in this s ecial advent edition of L aga ine s ui 1 Which Christmas tradition originated in a London confectioner’s in 1847 and grew to become one of Norwich’s most famous exports? a. Candy canes b. Christmas crackers c, Mince pies d. Advent calendars 2 The Queen gave her first Christmas broadcast in 1952, but where was it actually broadcast from? a. Sandringham Estate b. Balmoral Castle c. Buckingham Palace d. Windsor Castle

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We all know ‘Noel’ is French for Christmas, but what was its original meaning in Latin? a. Peace b. Joy c. Prayer d. Birth How many ghosts appear in Charles Dickens’ book A Christmas Carol? a. Two b. Three c. Four d. Five 5 Reaching a whopping 124ft, which town holds the record for the world’s tallest snowman? a. Jerusalem, Arkansas, USA

b. Donnersbachwald, Austria c. Jericho, Switzerland d. Blackpool, UK What was the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ originally called? a. A Visit from St. Nicholas b. Dash Away, Dash Away All c. Merriment on Christmas Eve d. To All a Good Night Traditionally the Royal Family spends Christmas at Sandringham, but when did construction on the estate begin? a. 1870 b. 1890 c. 1910 d. 1920

KLmaga ine November 2021

1 Which American president supposedly banned Christmas trees in The White House? a. Theodore Roosevelt b. Donald Trump c. Harry Truman d. Ulysses S. Grant 1 Which country has a tradition of a witch dropping gifts for children down the chimney at Christmas? a. Sweden b. Italy c. Spain d. Russia

In which country are children given gifts by St. Basil on January 1st instead of Santa on December 25th? a. Cyprus b. Italy c. Russia d. Greece How many gifts in total are given in the festive song ‘The Twelve Days Of Christmas’? a. 144 b. 240 c. 290 d. 364 10 Which Christmas song has been covered some 137,000 times since its composition in 1818? a. White Christmas b. Silent Night c. Jingle Bells d. The Christmas Song

1 What is the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time? a. Holiday Inn b. It’s a Wonderful Life c. The Muppets Christmas Carol d. Home Alone 15 Which famous scientist was born on Christmas Day? a. Isaac Newton b. Alexander Fleming c. Marie Curie d. Rosalind Franklin 1 What is the most popular Christmas dessert in New Zealand? a. Trifle b. Sticky toffee pudding c. Pavlova d. Yule log

1 Which Hollywood actor played six different roles in the 2004 film The Polar Express? a. Liam Neeson b. George Clooney c. Tom Hanks d. Robert Downey Jr. 20 What unsettling image was a common sight on Victorian Christmas cards? a. Cats with no tails b. Blind mice c. Ear-less rabbits d. Dead birds 21 Robert L. May was the man who introduced the world to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, but in what year was the children’s story first published? a. 1818 b. 1885 c. 1939 d. 1952

11 Since 1960, how many times has the Met Office officially declared a White Christmas? a. Two b. Four c. Six d. Eight 12 The tallest Christmas tree was put up in 1950 in Seattle, Washington, but what height did it reach? a. 144 feet b. 221 feet c. 277 feet d. 311 feet 1 What country is the Poinsettia native to? a. Chile b. Cuba c. Mexico d. Argentina

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22 How long does it take for a tree to reach its ideal ‘Christmas tree’ height? a. 5 years b. 10 years c. 15 years d. 20 years 2 Every place has its own traditions, but in which country are city streets cordoned off on Christmas Eve so people can rollerskate? a. Jamaica b. Venezuela c. Austria d. Norway

2 What star sign would you be if you were born on Christmas Day? a. Scorpio b. Sagittarius c. Capricorn d. Aquarius 25 In which century was the first printed reference to a Christmas tree? a. 15th b. 16th c. 17th d. 18th 2 Which of the following was NOT one of the three wise men? a. Balthasar b. Melchior c. Gaspar d. Voltaire 2 Which fearsome animal is said to roam Iceland at Christmas, leading people to invest in new clothes? a. The Festive Fox b. The Yule Cat c. The Christmas Crocodile d. The Advent Alligator

2 Almost 50% of people in Sweden sit down at 3pm on Christmas Day to watch who on television? a. The Queen b. ABBA c. Donald Duck d. The current prime minister 2 What percentage of families in the UK attend church on Christmas Day? a. 95% b. 13% c. 4% d. 64% 0 Thanks to the crew of Gemini 6A in 1965, what was the first song played in space? a. Jingle Bells b. Do They Know It’s Christmas? c. Fairytale of New York d. Happy Xmas (War is Over)

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

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KLmagazine November 2021

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Michael Middleton’s

WildWestNorfolk

I

was writing something a few weeks ago when my computer decided to suggest that instead of wanting to visit Swaffham at the weekend I was intending to take a trip to Swampy, despite the fact that nowhere in the country goes by that name. Or anywhere in the world as far as I’m aware - although I believe there’s a Swampy Lake in Canada.

I’m not sure if computers are about to take over the world (it seems to me that ‘artificial intelligence’ is neither of the two) but I watched a news report recently with a graphic running along the bottom of the screen that read “Report suggests school is two easy for children.”

That’s open to debate, but it certainly seems that rudimentary elements such as spelling is rather difficult for experienced researchers and journalists working on mainsteam television channels. I know language tends to change over time, and I know we generally accept the odd mistake or two, but it’s something that never fails to infuriate me.

My mobile phone still contains a photograph from 2018 which was taken at the end of a delicious Chinese meal in Fakenham just after I’d opened the obligatory fortune cookie.

“You will shortly win admiration from your pears,” it said. I wish the same could be said for the tomatoes I’ve been trying to grow all year.

Back in the mid 1990s I saved a newspaper advertisement for a local language school (I’ve got it in front of me as I type this) with the bold headline “Shamed By You English?”

I won’t reveal the name of the school in question in the unlikely event it still exists. Actually, that should probably be

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in the unlucky event it still exists.

I once met a woman at a dinner party in Hunstanton who had a prominent tattoo on her shoulder that read “no regerts” - and to this day I’m not sure if she was the victim of a Friday afternoon appointment or had an admirable sense of irony.

Mrs Middleton and I went to Kew Gardens some four years ago and saw a sign that said that the “exorcising of dogs” wasn’t allowed in the area.

Since our wire fox terrier Angus wasn’t possessed by Satan at the time we happily continued on our walk.

I know this is all making me sound like a 21st century Victor Meldrew, but I’m not the only one being driven to distraction by such things.

I have a friend who lives in the USA just outside Chicago, and she recently sent me a photograph of the sign outside a local restaurant close to her home. It’s called Rocco’s and was established in 1940 if you’re interested.

The sign read “To hot to cook? Let us cook for you!” and my friend pointed out the rather obvious error. They very graciously called her back a week later and said they’d amended the sign, and they had indeed. Now, the sign read “To hot too cook? Let us cook for you!”

I’ve seen signs saying “No smoking aloud” (which wasn’t a huge problem since I generally tend to smoke rather quietly) and when I visited an old university friend in Skye three years ago I passed a sign from the Highways Agency somewhere around Carlisle that said work was starting on January 5th and was expected to take 147 years.

Without the slightest hint of humour, the last line read ‘delays possible.’

There’s a “taning studio” less than 250 yards from where I’m sitting at the

moment, and I’ve lost count of how many restaurants I’ve seen offering ‘lasagna’ on the menu. Although you’d think this doesn’t really matter (order the ‘lasagna’ and you know what’s likely to appear on your plate) not paying attention to the finer details can make a world of difference.

Take the four examples of the letter ‘s’ in this sentence for example. There they are, and you’re welcome to measure them if you like. So who’d have thought such a small thing could cause a 125-year-old family business to collapse within seven weeks, leaving 250 employees out of work and the government facing a £17 million legal bill?

Well, that’s exactly what happened back in 2015 when it was announced

by Companies House that the longestablished engineering business of Taylor & Sons was being liquidated.

The only problem was that it wasn’t.

The bankrupt business in question was actually Taylor & Son (whose only experience of engineering to date had been the replacement of a plug on a pizza oven) but before someone noticed the mistake three days later the damage had already been done.

If you think this is much ado about nothing, consider this - Google earns around £500 million a year in advertising revenue from people who make slight typographical mistakes when entering the addresses of websites. Perhaps the final word should go to Tyler Moore and Ben Edelman at Harvard University, who discovered this alarming fact.

“We’re not doing it for the money,” said Edelman, “we’re doing it because it’s impotent.”

I rest my case.

KLmagazine November 2021

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