Norwich Nights Magazine The Christmas Edition

Join Us For Our Official Relaunch Event Feb 3

We have teamed up with HER Business Revolution to host our Relaunch Event. Come along to hear why networking and magazines are the perfect combination and all about our plans for 2021.

Norwich Nights Address: 76 Longview Road, Swansea SA6 7HP Phone: 07882012717 Email: Norwich-nights-magazine@outlook.com

EDITORIAL Editor-In-Chief: Melissa Compton Senior Content Editor: Bethany Banks Lead Food Writer: Zena Leech Calton Contributor: Chris Sadler Gaming Writer: Dawn Boyd Design & Format: Melissa Compton Cover Photography: J S Studios Photography: Element5 Digital, Matthew Radar, Kraken Images, Dilyara Garifullina, Caroline Hermandez, P Roberto, Nickson Advertising: Melissa Compton Email Norwich-nights--magazine@outlook.com SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES To ensure you do not miss an issue, visit www.norwichnightsmagazine.com. To contact us about subscription orders, renewals, missing issues or other ordering queries, email: Norwich-nights-magazine@outlook.com

INTERMAGAZINES LTD Company Director Melissa Compton No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form in whole or part without prior permission from the publisher.

All published material is either the copyright of Intermagazines Ltd or the copyright of the producer (producers include photographers, writers etc). Intermagazines Ltd do not require our writers to surrender their copyright; we instead work closely with our writers and artists to ensure the content is original. We reserve the right to edit letters, copy or images submitted to the magazine.

The submission of material to Intermagazines Ltd unsolicited or requested is taken as permission to publish in the magazine. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, images or materials lost in the post. Whilst every effort is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage howsoever caused, resulting from use of the magazine.

Intermagazines Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales with company no 12739216. Registered address 76 Longview Road, Swansea, SA6 7HP.

Cook your Christmas Bliss with Zena’s top recipes and tips!

I am sharing some of my recipes for that big day – for me, it is all about the Christmas dinner. Its big and its filling packed with protein and carbs so I simply have a light breakfast on Crimbo morning. We also make Devils on Horseback (prunes wrapped in thick cut butcher’s bacon) as a canape up to an hour before instead of a starter.

Don’t panic - it’s just a glorified Sunday Roast , pre-make all the sauces, make a pudding, get the bird and potatoes ready the day before, while the others lay the table ready and you’ll be in for a smooth ride.

Chestnut, Apple and Sage Stuffing

(6-8 portions)

This basic stuffing mix can be varied to make a whole host of different flavours.

Basic Sausage Meat Stuffing 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 small onions - finely chopped or grated 2 cloves garlic - crushed 450 g / 1 lb sausage meat Seasoning

Flavouring Mix 1 apple - peeled cored and chopped or grated 3 - 4 sage leaves - chopped 60 g chestnut puree

•

Heat the oil in a frying pan and gently cook the onions for a minute to soften but without changing their colour.

•

Add the garlic, sage and apple, cooking gently for a further minute or two to soften.

•

Allow to cool slightly.

•

Add to the seasoned meat, mix and stuff.

•

Alternatively – press in to a tin, cover with foil and bake in the oven until cooked all the way through or roll in to balls and roast until golden and firm.

Some Christmas Variations - - Replace the flavouring mix with - Sage & Onion - just add extra sage in the flavouring mix.

Chestnut & Cranberry - use the chestnut puree with 1 heaped tablespoon cranberry sauce or use 30g dried cranberries.

Apricot & Sultana – Add 30-40g each chopped dried apricots and sultanas.

Parsley, Walnut & Pear – Add a handful of chopped flat parsley, 30g crushed walnuts and 1 grated firm pear.

Spiced – Try spicing the mix up by adding ½ teaspoon of fennel seeds, cumin

seeds, paprika and turmeric to the onions along with ¼ teaspoon mixed spice and a pinch of cayenne.

Braised Red Cabbage

(3 - 4)

1/2 red cabbage - shredded 2 heaped tablespoons any brown sugar 3 generous tablespoons white or red wine vinegar 30 g sultanas 1 apple – peeled, cored and sliced

•

Place all the ingredients, except the sultanas and apple, in a large saucepan with the lid on.

•

Place on a simmering heat and cook for 40 – 45 minutes stirring occasionally and adding a little water if the mix dries out.

•

Add the apple and sultanas in the last 20 minutes of cooking with the lid off on a slightly higher heat. This will allow any liquid to evaporate and thicken.

Cranberry Sauce

(1 jar)

Cranberry sauce goes perfectly with Turkey or game. It’s fruity and slightly sharp which really zests up the Christmas roast. Left over Cranberry makes for a good leftover Turkey sarnie or toasties with brie.

Ingredients: 250g fresh cranberries 125g light brown sugar 1 orange or 2 clementine’s – zest and juice 5 tablespoons port or red wine touch of water 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 20g butter

•

In a saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, zest, juice, port and a splash of water, along with the ginger and cinnamon.

•

Bring to the boil and then a rapid simmer, mashing the cranberries, as they pop open with the heat.

•

Cook for approx. 5 minutes until all the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened in to a chutney like sauce.

•

Stir in the butter and then remove from the heat.

•

Spoon in to sterilized jars this will keep for a few months but can also be frozen.

USE UPS – Why not make a quick curry sauce to go with left over veggies or meat?

Malai Curry Sauce ( 4)

A mild creamy, coconut based curry sauce.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 onion – finely chopped ½ tsp each of ground fenugreek, chilli powder, turmeric ½ inch grated ginger 125 g coconut milk ½ pint of water ½ teaspoon caster sugar 100-150ml double / whipping cream

Finishing ingredients

¼ teaspoon garam masala ½ green chilli - thinly sliced

• • • • • •

Heat the oil and cook the onion to soften but not brown.

Add the fenugreek, chilli, turmeric, and ginger – cooking on low for a minute to release the flavours.

Add the chopped leftover turkey / meat / veggies.

Add the coconut, water, sugar and cream.

Cook for a few minutes to blend all the flavours together.

Finish off with the garam and chilli - - serve.

Parsnip Dumpling filled with Christmas Cheer (2) I’ve come up with the perfect vegetarian Christmas main course It’s perfect as you can make the day before and steam with no bother on the day. Plus, it works perfectly with the usual accompaniments of roasties and veggies. It’s filling and has the added bonus of a Christmas chutney filling to bring that festive taste.

Ingredients: 200g peeled potatoes 200g peeled parsnips 1 clove peeled garlic 25 g butter 45 – 50 g self-raising flour 1 small egg seasoning pinch nutmeg

Filling – •

Cranberry Chutney or sauce (see my cranberry sauce recipe) or choose an alternative chutney.

Dumplings •

For the Parsnip dumpling – Steam the potatoes and the parsnips together along with the garlic clove making sure the softer parsnips are cut bigger than the harder potatoes.

•

When cooked, put through a ricer or mash.

•

Beat in the butter and the sieved flour until just mixed—be careful not to overwork the flour or the potatoes as they will go glutinous.

•

Stir in the whole egg and season well, adding in the seasoning and the nutmeg.

•

Cool slightly, or refrigerate the mix until needed. This can be made the day before.

•

Divide the mix into two, placing each onto a square of muslin or equivalent lined with cling film.

•

Squash down so you can add a dessert spoon of cranberry sauce to each middle.

•

Gently pull the cling film together so the dumpling encases the cranberry sauce and the sides mold together to form a plump dumpling.

•

Fold over the muslin and tie with a piece of string.

•

Steam for 30 minutes and serve.

•

Serve with vegetarian gravy on Christmas day and all the usual veggies and sides.

Christmas Puddings Makes approx. 1 kilo / 2 lb. serves 6 – 8 – mulitpy as needed.

I make mine in October as this gives the pudding time to mature and develop its flavour, but I know you can make it any time and it still tastes great even the day before Crimbo.

Indgredients: 110 g chopped stoned prunes (14 no) 180 g Plain flour 1/2-teaspoon cinnamon 1/2-teaspoon nutmeg 80 g breadcrumbs 60g suet (beef or vegetarian) 80 g dark brown sugar 1/4 or 2 strips of grated or finely chopped lemon 100 ml / 2 fl oz local Stout or Guinness 1 egg – medium or large 60 g currants 110 g raisins 110 g sultanas Touch of salt

•

Mix all the ingredients together by wooden spoon or clean hands in a large bowl.

•

Spoon into a lined 1-kilo pudding bowl – I line mine with cling film, allowing some over lay to fold in to the pudding.

•

For best results refrigerate overnight to allow the flavours to develop (OPTIONAL).

•

Make sure the pudding is covered with a lid or tin foil and steam for 2 hours. (Keeping the water topped up).

•

Cool in the pudding bowl.

•

Rewrap in a piece of greaseproof paper and cloth or cling film.

•

Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas Day and just as you’re serving the turkey, simply microwave for several minutes or steam until warm.

Ten Top Tips for a Smooth Christmas 

Write a shopping list and shop well before the Christmas Eve panic!



Don’t worry about a starter, Christmas dinner is filling enough. Just do a few bites an hour before.



Get your turkey tray-ed up and ready to go the night before, along with the bacon wrapped sausages and stuffing. With a Christmas pudding as dessert, all you need to do on Christmas day is the vegetables.



Make the bread sauce up to 2 days before, the brandy sauce the day before and the cranberry sauce can be made up to a month before. (refrigerate all).



Put extra wine, water or stock, along with onions, garlic, celery and carrot - under your bird to produce and flavour the perfect gravy.



Boxing Day – Cold Turkey, home-made chips and pickles. Make sure you stock up on potatoes.



Christmas Calories don’t count – get some good chocolate and enjoy.



Try a Cocktail on Christmas morning, how about a snowball?



Who cooks the dinner – Doesn’t do the washing up! Who enjoys the dinner does - extra pudding for helpers.



Waste not want not – a turkey is 1/3 waste and 2 portions to the lb/450g thereafter. SO a 6lb bird is 4lb meat = 8 portions but get a little extra for Boxing day.

Happy Christmas – any questions, just drop me a message.

by Zena Leech-Calton © Cookery tutor and food writer www.lovenorfolkfood.co.uk Instgram @love_norwich_food Twitter @NorwichFood U tube – Dyslexic Chef

Mel’s Roast Potatoes!

Ingredients: 2.5 Kg of Potatoes 1 Jar of Schwartz All Season ( paprika and pepper) 1 small jar of Goose Fat

•

Pre-heat oven to 180c (fan oven).

•

Peel and chop the potatoes into medium size chunks

•

Cook for 10 mins in a pan with water on a medium heat

•

Transfer to a roasting dish,

•

Sprinkle a moderate amount of seasons over the potatoes

•

Top with a generous amount of goose fat

•

Cook in the oven until golden brown, check by inserting a fork in - there should be no resistance to the fork going into the potato.

For a variation, add a shallow bed of Chicken Stock before adding potatoes to roasting dish.

The Black Forest Trifle

Ingredients: 2 Chocolate Swiss Roll sliced 1 tin of Black Cherry Pie Filling 1 Tin of Squirty Cream 2-3 Cadbury Flakes 40-60cl Medium Sherry (I just buy a bottle, save worrying if I have enough)

•

Cover your dish with sliced swiss roll,

•

Then soak swiss roll in the Sherry,

•

Add a layer of Cherry pie filling (you can also use fruit)

•

Then add a final layer of swiss roll, soaked in Sherry once more,

•

Then cover in squirty cream, and crumble the flake over the top.

Best eaten immediately, but store in fridge if not but, WARNING: the Sherry gets stronger the longer you leave it and the cream will absorb into the swiss roll.

Gaming over Christmas

By Dawn Boyd

The Pandemic Christmas Thank the Goddess, this year is finally coming to an end! 2020 has been one heck of a test.

We have battled on expert mode and sadly taken a heavy loss from this awful virus.

It would be remiss to be so blasĂŠ about Covid19, but right now we need to look ahead and, as gamers, we have that advantage of escaping. The mains offerings right now being in the form of the PS5 and the new Xbox Series X and Series S. I don't know if it's just me but it feels like these have been hit upon so suddenly that even game developers have hit a wall. A lot of the games currently out for these consoles are not big brand new releases. Sure, there are a couple of new names in the mix but lets look at the bigger picture here and break it all down. When talking to a learned friend of mine, he believes it is a marketing strategy because stock levels are not reaching those demands for the consoles, and for marital reasons, I am inclined to believe him.

Both consoles are almost fictitious in their existence due to stock levels not meeting demand. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed because I would give so much to have a new Xbox but alas, we were just not quick enough. I have, however, seen friends of mine all over the world queuing outside various shops to make sure they had their consoles.

There doesn't seem be much in the way of releases other than Cyberpunk that can be played on these consoles but also it is going to be available on all consoles, including current gen; so it's still not the big exclusive that is selling the PS5. It has Demon Souls but otherwise nil.

And currently, no big sell for the Xbox either.

So, if we’re lucky enough to get one, what do we have to look forward to? It looks like not only will the stock be more readily available next year so will several big exclusives. Cyberpunk has been delayed so, really, there is nothing new to look towards just yet, and this can calm our panic a little.

Let’s look forward to what people are looking forward to over Christmas and let’s start with Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The continued adventures across Europe now makes its way to your character becoming a Viking. These games are very in-depth stories that are all too easy for people to become submerged in, flipping between the past and the present.

Next let’s go for some light gameplay. With that in mind, let’s talk about some Mario Kart Live! Who doesn't love the flying shells and twisting tracks of Mario Kart? With your Nintendo Switch bring your Mario Kart into your own house. Great for all the family but also good for a quick game or two.

For some more light-hearted fun, there’s always Crash Bandicoot. I don't know how to leave my childhood behind so I purchased a PS4 a few years ago solely with the purpose of playing the Crash Bandicoot trilogy. My excitement for the franchise now lies in a good old game of Crash Bandicoot 4 It's About Time.

My final idea for full on immersion and escapism goes back to further nostalgia in the Final Fantasy VII remake. While it’s a game I never personally enjoyed but used as a decoy to try and talk to my now husband for a time. He doesn't remember it, but I do and that is a story for another day. The game itself highlights the memories the game and its history for so many.

There is pretty much nothing to look forward in the way of big new releases on the PC either unless you are going to want to play Cyberpunk on there as well As per my last article we also have the latest release from Activision Blizzard in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. Technically already out as of 24th of November 2020, and if you read my last article, you would know how hyped I am for this. We won't talk about the fact that I may have booked near two weeks off work whilst forgetting to pre-order the game and having no funds left but hey, let’s hear it for first world problems.

My enjoyment of games goes mostly towards the PC adventures and a good bit of simulation and fantasy, so I was extremely happy to see the latest installation of Sims 4, Snowy Escapes. For those of us with a God complex or simply out of control, this game gives a chance to dive into the simulation world and completely lose ourselves to our imagination.

With the lack of releases and a possible need for escapism in mind, we may have to look at alternatives to entertain ourselves over the festivities by thinking outside of the box or may be inside it. Depending on your situation, there is the possibility of board games and when I opened that can of worms. I was mind blown at just how much there is in the market. On our own Norwich doorstep, we have Zatu games which are fast rising with their board game distribution with video games being a recent release.

Depending on tiers, maybe Smyth's is somewhere to keep on eye on whilst also looking into their offers regarding those consoles. The social media pages of all of these are a good source of recommendations and there really is so much out there that can cater for so many different niches. It definitely depends on your tastes, whether you are a fan of the long winded games like Monopoly or a quick giggle with the likes of Wet Head, the game where you all take it in turns to put on a helmet filled with water, then one by one you remove a lever until someone gets wet. Simple and fun.

The main factor being that there is an almost guaranteed outlook at games for all ages and all genres for pretty much most niches. And if you don't find one, do a little research because you never know what you are going to find and what gems are out there.

It really has been a difficult time recently and our thoughts continue to go out to those who have been affected by this terrible virus. With all the lows and negativity, we need to get creative with how we cut loose and just enjoy ourselves. I hope that this will help you all in finding ways to do that. but don't feel like it is just you. Look to your online communities and your families where possible to reach out and don't fight it alone. Utilise Zoom, WhatsApp, or Facetime to truly bond and support each other. It has been tough on all of us, but we all stand together, and we wish you a very happy holiday season and new year.

Rise of the board games!

Who doesn’t love a good board game?

Usually, they grace our shelves, coffee table or cupboards waiting patiently for a rainy day.

Now more than ever, it seems like more and more of us have been investing in board games over the year and we try to deal with the extra time at home granted by the lockdown periods and working from home.

Many of the people I have spoken to are choosing to do is to concentrate on quality time. For families, I think the focus of home schooling created this effect. The board game hobbyist has been restricted to remote games. Hobbyists stores often have events for players to come together and enjoy games of their choice, but the pandemic’s lockdowns have interrupted this for the time being. However, this hasn’t impacted in their being a boom in board games.

Chantal Verlinden from Lazy Horse Games Comments: ‘One of our most popular games is called Pandemic (strangely enough). In general, in the world of board games, this game is incredibly popular and is called a "gateway game[…] Pandemic is a cooperative game and as a group you play against the board itself trying to eradicate the world of 4 global diseases. It's very immersive, great for people who haven't got a strong competitive edge…”

Whether it’s the additional time we save from the lack of traveling and outdoor activities or the focus on entertaining our children (who would usually be in school playing outside) or the need to reduce screen time, it seems not only are we playing board games but we’re choosing gateway games to find our way into this non-screen world of entertainment. An additional factor could be internet reception, I’ve heard so many comments about trouble with connection over the year, in Norwich and wales alike.

This is not the first time the board game world has seen a sudden increase in interest though, as stated in The Rise of Board Games in Today’s Tech-dominated Culture by Pittwire, “Horton said there was a huge boom in board games due to an economic boom.

“People had more disposable income, and they were looking for family pastimes. Manufacturing was on the rise, and it was inexpensive to produce colorful, nice board games.” Horton added that this marked the release of still-popular games like Clue and Risk.” (Pittwire,2020) They were referring to a boom which happened in 20th Century post – World War 2.

There have been a few increases in board games over the year normally combined with increase in creatively with new games being developed, it is not therefore surprising that there should be an increase in a time where businesses and the general public alike are needing to be creative and innovative in their approach to life in general.

Lazy Horse Games are a game rental service. You can purchase gift cards or take out a subscription — each subscription comes with a certain amount of credits and each game is worth a number of credits you simply choose the game/s you wish to borrow and they send them out with a return delivery box. Please see their website for details.

Links: Lazy Horse Games: www.lazyhorsegames.com Pittwire: https://www.pittwire.pitt.edu/news/rise-board-games-today-s-techdominated-culture

One for the ladies!

Organic yoni steam herbs.

A wonderful blend of 7 organic herbs including Yarrow, Motherwort and Raspberry leaf.

The moving and drawing qualities of this elevating blend, are beneficial to anyone suffering from stagnating energy of the reproductive system, creating a relaxing and balancing effect to balance support you back to your best self while releasing patterns that hold you back The ultimate in feminine self care.

An ancient practice for modern women.

Price:

ÂŁ12 per packet, each on containing enough herbal formula for at least 6 steams.

Available from:

Can be purchased directly from The Wombon Wellness Studio, NR24 2DG or the website. Also check out our other steam herb packs on our website.

www.yonisteam.co.uk

The Consequence of Loyalty

by Trey Stone.

When Agent Greer is rushed to his office in the middle of the night, he has no idea what's expecting him.

His boss has been shot, but why is Greer being brought in for questioning? Do they need his help to catch the gunman, to start a manhunt through Columbus?

Greer is ready to take on the case, preparing himself to chase a hardened criminal. But the shooter is already caught, the shooter surrendered immediately. All Greer needs to do is figure out why his best friend and coworker would do this.

This book is highly entertaining with great pacing, making it a book you don't want to put down. There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot to make reading to the end a priority, as you discover what is going on along with the characters in perfect time. Writing is simply and beautifully done allowing the author’s unique sense of humour to shine through.

Available From: Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk Price: £10.65

A State of Despair

by Trey Stone.

A simple drug bust. It goes horribly wrong when shots are fired, an explosion goes off, and a fire breaks out. Chaos erupts and the unit is left shocked when the dust settles.

One agent is dead.

Two hospitalized.

One missing.

How far would you go to save a friend?

Would you risk losing another in the process?

A strange case of cat and mouse is launched as the hunt for the missing FBI agent begins. Friends and enemies alike go toe-to-toe in this psychological thriller. Friendships are put on the line and lines are crossed.

Release Date: 01 December 2020 Available From: Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk Price: £10.65

Make a statement with these Tee’s from Star Leisurewear We love all T-shirts. Why not make a real statement with one of these tee’s from Star Leisure Wear? Great quality, affordable price, bright, and positive just what you need for leisurewear this Christmas 2020.

In uk sizes from S (8/10) to 3XL (26) These high quality T-shirts are just what you need to bring some Christmas cheer to your wardrobe.

Available From: https://www.starleisurewear.com/ Price: £12.00

Tispy Jar UK Our cocktail jars come pre-mixed but never pre-shaken (we leave the fun part to you).

We provide everything except cocktail, garnish and ice, our jars which double as your cocktail shaker.

Our mixologist has had years experience creating menus and running popular bars and pubs in Norwich, which translates into our bespoke menu. Every recipe has been carefully designed for Tipsy Jar and cuts out the need for any additional equipment.

We use as much home-grown Norfolk produce as we can, from home grown rhubarb to our homemade raspberry and port syrup.

Available From: www.lamixology.co.uk Price From: £12.00

My Cactus Adventure We just adore this cute little cactus, made by Sarah Ellis: head horticultural yarnologist at My Cactus Adventure.

Available From: Little Smith's in Saint Augustines Street, Norwich and Ragged Robin, 38 Barnham Broom Road, Wymondham.

Online at: www.esty.com/shop/ mycactusadventure Price From: ÂŁ6.00

The Blindside Memoirs

By Arun Kapur.

The Blindside Memoirs is a collection of poems based around the subjects of mental health stigmas , wellbeing, and self identity.

Welcome to a world you are too afraid to explore.

Within the confinements this book, you will come across of a variety of short poems, all which are the voiceless words from all walks of life.

Each poem is based upon a situation that I myself have found myself in. Each poem is raw and straight from the soul, with each poetry having something that all walks of life can relate to.

Enjoy the rawness and be prepared to awaken the soul.

Available From: Amazon.co.uk Price: ÂŁ5.00

The Norfolk Creative Box Brand new for 2020, The Norfolk Creative Box launched this month by Carol and Kerri.

These 2 women have come together to bring you a unique gift experience.

Handmade, Locally Sourced, Affordable Products – put in an easy online gift box to send to your friends and family – which we will send direct to the recipient, all gift wrapped and ready to be opened - saving time for the shopper.

Available from: https:// www.thenorfolkcreativebox.com/ Price From: £10.00

There are four boxes on offer: Small, Medium, Large, and Deluxe. The medium box is pictured above. All products are locally sourced, and affordable; supporting local small businesses is something the duo are passionate about. The products in the boxes are handmade.

If you’re looking for a box gift that’s handmade, unique with the added bonus of knowing you’re supporting small business and creatives within Norfolk, we suggest that these boxes are idea gifts. www.thenorfolkcreativebox.com has images of the contents of the other boxes ranging from £10.00— £40.00

Love Legacies by Melissa Compton

It’s all about what you leave behind!

Available From: www.melissacompton.co.uk Price: ÂŁ7.99

Fabulous Miss K Store: We’re loving Vintage with a twist!

One of a Kind

One of a Kind

is a contemporary jewellery brand aimed to

inspire confidence and celebrate individuality through fun statement pieces that make an impact. Each item is designed, handcrafted or curated by Carol Robinson, who after a long career in advertising has finally settled on turning her love for jewellery into her living.

“Wearing jewellery is a bit like putting your make-up on. It forms part of that image we want to show the world. I create interesting items in vivid shapes and colours with the aim of helping women express their unique style and personality, so they can go about their lives with extra confidence. Just to put on and feel special even if they’re having a bad day.”

Prices range from £5-£30 plus postage.

Available at www.oneofakindclub.com

A Touch of Colour

by Hazel.

Inspired by the world around us!

All items are original hand-printed lino-cut pieces inspired by and embracing the natural world. Hazel Beasley creates incredible pieces of art the following above are a few of her current offerings, but hurry her Christmas cards have already sold out.

Hazel has recently began selling her art and is enjoying working with lino-cut her passion and creatively shine through her work and we are sure she is going to extremely successful.

Prices: £10.00— £45.00

Available from: https://www.hazelbesley.com/

Hey Norwich, As the pandemic continues to grip the world, theatre has gone online and, as long as it doesn’t stay there permanently, in seems like a good move. Norwich has lots of online offering this month from The Garage’s online interactive Panto to Dawn French by live stream courtesy of Norwich Theatre and even Intellectual Hooligans have an online offering on 5 December.

Website links will be below as normal. At this point like most people I miss physical theatre, but these are different times than we’re used to, and everyone must adapt, I guess. Here’s hoping 2021 see’s a safe return to traditional theatre, meanwhile there are plenty of online offerings. Theatre has become more diversified than anyone dreamed off in 2020, we’ve had and continue to have online classes from The Garage, seen live streams take centre stage, even ballets have been live streamed, not to mention the highly successful outdoor performancesI believe this is a testimony of the amount of incredible talent of Uk’s theatre industry as a whole. But I won’t lie the theatre withdrawal symptoms have me in there grips and I can’t wait to be able to get out there are overdose on theatre’s performances so here’s hoping the words cancelled and postponed are banned in 2021.

Much Love for now Melissa xx

THE SOUTH WALES CONNECTION.

DECEMBER 2020

By Melissa Compton

Croeso Wales!

Shw Mae? Well what a time, so we all did our bit and the lockdown seems to be having a positive effect, now lets get on with Christmas – we’re having a low key Christmas here at the magazine – so much planned for next it will be nice to gather my energies and just enjoy some down time.

I can’t wait to go visit the Gower, Cardiff, Narberth. At the beginning of the pandemic, many Welsh theatres announced they wouldn’t re-open till 2021. While we miss them very much, this was a smart move in hindsight. They haven’t been idle though Sherman Theatre are running their Heart of Cardiff series and have made excellent use of their online platforms over the year, we have also had other offerings online or digital platforms have become buzz words this year, A huge happy 2nd Birthday to The Arcade Vaults in Cardiff – the non-for profit community venue for gaming, in the city.

Food J&R Catering in Swansea have been hosting some fabulous events, and meals recently.

The Foodie Room is going from strength to strength and has the new addition of a salad bar coming soon, which reminds us need to order one of there amazing cheesecakes check out their Facebook account for videos, photos, and latest deals.

Sad to say I haven’t been to Cardiff for food in a little while, It’s on my list where would you like me to check out – send me a email at the-south-wales-connection@outlook.com. I do like The Coconut Tree and Haks Fish Bar is my favourite because they do the best Cheese salad and chips – I eat there so much when I was reviewing for Cardiff Times, the best way to end a night.

Can’t write this without a Well Done to all the boys in the Welsh Rugby team, (yes, I am huge Rugby fan, used to play in fact – it never leaves you!)

News Time!

If you follow our social media channels, you’ll be up to date, but just in case, I have decided a short section doesn’t do the Welsh food, theatre, or gaming industries justice and I want to better serve my oh so loyal audience (love you all). So, February 2021 will see the first issue of The Wales Connection Magazine, initially it will be limited to 20 pages and we’ll see how it goes, the magazine will be launched as part of our Relaunch Event and please not we have changed the name of the LTD company that produces the magazine to Intermagazine Ltd as we move forward in our expansion, this first issue will be released February 3.

That’s all for now!

Have a wonderful Christmas Stay Safe and well

Love Melissa xx

Story Corner:

A Story for Christmas by Chris Sadler.

It was early December last year we met at ‘Beans’, a retro-themed coffee shop in Norwich where they’d gone in for Brown in a big way. A row of distressed reproduction gas mantles along the wall cast a mournful orange glow across the hissing coffee machines as I crossed the mocha-stained threshold. Diesel, already perched on a leatherette stool at the bar, briefly ceased teasing his grizzled stubble and waved a half-hearted greeting in my direction.

‘Orright, Dave?’ he muttered distractedly. I squeaked up onto the stool next to him and nodded a reply. Deirdre, our glamorous server, stubbed out her fag in the stores room and wandered over with what served as a smile on her gaunt features. ‘'Ello, Dave,’ she said with a rasp, ‘whacherwant?’

‘Cap, please, love.’ I said attempting a grin.

She nodded and glided unsteadily off to the gently steaming cappuccino machine.

‘So,’ I turned to Diesel, ‘wassup?’

‘Nothing much, just thinking about Christmas… By the way, what’s that fella doing Out There?’ he said, pointing out the window at a workman clambering up a lamppost outside in the Lanes with an electric cable clamped between his teeth.

‘That’s Eric, from the council putting up the Christmas lights.’

‘Oh yeah,’ Diesel said. ‘When’s the big turn on?’

‘In a couple of weeks,’ I said, ‘they got that local celebrity, you know, The therapist off that phone-in show on Radio Wensum.’

‘What? ‘Go-To Glissander'?’ he said. ‘Glissander Pumpatrix off the radio?’

‘That’s her,’ I said.

‘I know, I know. You know me an’ her don’t get along.’

‘Why was that again?’

‘She couldn’t help me with my… er… little trouble.’

‘Ah, yes.’

‘Couldn’t get the powdered yak horn apparently,’ he said. ‘Tibet was sold out.’

Deirdre interrupted our chat with a well-worn grimace and a clatter of cup and saucer on the bar. ‘One cappuccino. On the slate, I suppose?’

I smiled weakly. ’Thanks Deirdre. Would you?’

Deirdre acquiesced with a slight growl, and stalked off to rasp her nails.

‘I been thinking about Christmas too,’ I said.

‘What about it?’ he said.

‘Well, what’s your favourite memory?’

‘Hmmf, that’s a tough one,’ he said.

‘Don’t panic,’ I reassured. ‘It’s not a quiz.’

‘Ah,’ his face lit up, ‘remember those boxing gloves I got one year?’

‘Yes, you punched me in the face,’ I said.

‘Yes,’ he drawled with a smile, ‘I did, didn’t I.’ In the background, I heard Dierdre gleefully fail to suppress a snort.

‘So that was your favourite memory?’ I asked, ignoring Dierdre’s clearly shaking shoulders as she pretended to look in the fridge.

‘No,’ he said. ‘It’s in the top three, but not the best.’

‘Well?’ I said.

‘Well, number two would have been that year I got that toy car? It was a doozy, you could sit in it and everything. I loved that. Red it was…’ Diesel looked wistfully at the ceiling. He rubbed his chin with his hand again. ‘But number one,’ he continued, ‘that must have been… been when…’

He was serious for a moment. Time seemed to slow in the artificial gas mantle flicker.

‘Yes?’ I said.

‘Must have… must have been when mum came out of hospital. You know, for the last time.

When she came home to… well… you know… for Christmas. I remember her looking right into my eyes… she wasn’t well then, her skin was grey, and her eyes were so so sad. And when she looked into my eyes and gave me the weakest of hugs...' his voice trembled, 'I’ll always remember she brushed my chin gently with her hand… Always remember that. Then she looked into my eyes... told me she loved me... and would always be with me...’

He looked up. ‘And that,’ he said, a tear rolling down his cheek, ‘was the best Christmas present I ever had.’

He brushed his chin with his hand one last time.

He didn’t say anything else.

He didn’t need to.

We shared a glance for a moment. Just a moment. Then we drained our cups and prepared to leave.

The End