Places & Faces 104 November 2018

CELEBRITIES / FOOD / TRAVEL / FASHION / HOMES & GARDENS / THEATRE

Festive

COCKTAILS

Books

our best reads

THIS SEASONS ENTERTAINMENT

Rooftop THE

GAR DENS

WIN a signed copy from SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

CLARE Mackintosh

WIN

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d a e h A of the Game ALL TIED UP!!

N ovember

2018

Nor folk & Suf folk

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WELCOME

TO NOVEMBER’S PLACES&FACES® THIS month we have a round-up of some fantastic reads and three great ‘bookworm’

prizes up for grabs! We chatted with the incredibly talented bestelling author Clare Mackintosh and we have five signed copies of her latest book to give-away! As well as another chance to win the fabuloue cookbook ‘Suffolk Feast: One County, Twenty Chefs cookbook and food lovers’ guide’ and a bundle of latest releases from Mirror Books!!

Plenty to keep you well read over the cold evenings.

Ahead of her debut Suffolk performance Thea Gilmore caught up with Places&Faces® to discuss her music. Thea’s poetic lyrics have a spikey 21st century undercurrent, delivered in a spine-tingling, pure-toned voice. Complimented by superb musicianship from her band, the achingly-beautiful delivery will leave you moved, exhilarated and spellbound.

We also got the naked truth from Full Monty actor Gary Lucy. Best-known as Luke Morgan from Hollyoaks and PC Will Fletcher in The Bill, Gary has starred in almost every Monty tour to-date over the past four years and knows just how readily people fall for this funny, poignant bittersweet story. Having toured twice before to Norwich, the show returns to the Theatre Royal with an all-star cast from November 26 to December 1.

There is a wealth of architectural history in Norwich, so in this issue our resident columnist Melanie Cook from visit Norwich tells us more about two famous architects that changed the look of the city.

In this issue we also bring you the first of our Christmas Gift ideas which we hope you will find useful in inspiring you to buy from our local independent retailers.

There is also plenty of entertainment and things to do across the region in our regular What’s On Guide. With the release of his hard hitting, blockbuster autobiography in early 2017, a 50 date UK tour to celebrate 30 years of the iconic Hearsay album, Soul Sensation Alexander O’Neal is back in Norwich. In last month’s What’s On section we announced Diversity were performing their new show Ignite in the region and what a show it was.

This month it is the turn of Flawless, Britain’s Got Talent and two-time winners of the World Dance Championships, who will be performing their new Chase the Dream show.

Pantomime is thriving and we know how much our readers love a good panto... “Oh yes you do!” Inside you will find a roundup of some of the regions much loved pantomimes.

Love it or loathe it, the pantomime is thriving and the next few weeks is the prime time to go to see your local performance.

Wrap up warm as the darker, colder nights draw in and we hope you enjoy our November issue.

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CONTRIBUTORS Benet Catt y, Carl Lamb, Hayley Philpott, Ian Clarke, Jennifer Dwyer, John Bultitude, Judy Foster, Julie Handforth Doidge, Katja Bainbridge, Kayla Dunne, Mark Nicholls, Melanie Cook, Nick Mobbs, Pete Goodrum, Pete Waters, Peter Clarke, Richard Bainbridge, Scott Birch, Tessa Allingham DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING Joe Marritt E: joe.marritt@micropress.co.uk PUBLISHER Colin Huggins E: colin@H2creativemedia.co.uk FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR Donna Titcombe E: Donna@H2creativemedia.co.uk

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CONTENTS

44

30

26 13 WHAT’S ON 09 11 13

Photographer: DEEN VAN MEER ©DISNEY

15 23 26 27 30 34

Aladin Thea Gilmore The Naked Truth with Gary Lucy What’s on Mel Cook: Visit Norwich Clare Mackintosh Book Club Christmas Entertainmnet Festive Fayres and markets

50

37 COMPETITION 29

3 chances to win!!

FEATURES 37 38 56 82

Gifts for him Gifts for her Barbers - crave the shave Five minutes with...

FASHION, BEAUTY & HEALTH 41

61 63

Ladies Fashion: Sung & stylish Hand care Spire Hospital: Overactive bladder

HOMES AND GARDENS 70 73

Winter wonder lounge JHD Interior Design Tips

FOOD & DRINK 42 44 46 50 52 55

Spirits galore The Rooftop Gardens Good feather...

Richard Bainbridge Imperial Hotel Benedicts Peartini

TRAVEL 65 69

Staycations Our Travel Time round-up

11 07

The all-new A-Class. Just like you.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class features an interior that redefines the concept of modern luxury in the compact class. Demonstrated

by MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) the touch-screen control, an innovative voice control system and augmented reality navigation revolutionises the way drivers can interact with the A-Class as your car learns who you are and intuitively updates your preferences.

As standard, the 7.0-inch dual wide-screen cockpit displays driver related information to the instrument cluster along with navigation and entertainment information to the touch-screen to allow for a more immersive driving experience.

Representative example A 180d SE 48 monthly payments of*(Term of agreement)

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Retailer deposit contribution Optional final payment†

£0 £10,075

Total amount of credit

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£10 6.1% 5.95%

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the A-Class range: urban 26.2(10.8)-51.4(5.5), extra urban 40.9(6.9)-60.1(4.7), combined 34.0(8.3)-56.5(5.0). CO2 emissions 189-129 g/km. Prices, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions correct at time of production. Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. Whilst this offer is only available through

Mercedes-Benz Finance, we do arrange finance behalf of other finance companies as well. Model featured is a Mercedes-Benz A 180 d SE at £24,200 on-the-road (on-the-road price includes VAT, delivery, 12 months’ Road Fund Licence, number plates, fist registration fee and fuel). Specification imagery may show optional features. Content relating to finance is promoted by Mercedes- Benz Finance. Your Retailer may offer finance on behalf of other companies. *Finance offer based on an A 180 d SE on a Mercedes-Benz Agility Agreement, on 10,000 miles per annum. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges apply. †Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. ††Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and Retailer deposit contribution. Orders/credit approvals on selected A-Class models, between 1 October and 31 December 2018, registered by 31 March 2019. Guarantees may be required. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Credit provided subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA. Prices, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions correct at time of production.

The best or nothing.

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Aladdin

What’s on see, What to do, what to

Disney’s animated classic comes to the Prince Edward Theatre

Photo: DEEN VAN MEER ©DISNEY

ALADDIN was one of the classic animated

films that Disney produced in the 1990s which got it back on the map after a few years off its game. Starting with A Little Mermaid in 1990, then Beauty and the Beast in 1991, Aladdin in 1992, The Lion King in 1994 and The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1998, Disney had a run of hits which remain amongst the best since the studio was formed with Snow White in 1939. All of these musical films have since become stage shows, although so far only Beauty and the Beast and the all-conquering The Lion King has been seen in London (where it will celebrate its 20th birthday next autumn).

Aladdin’s greatest strength (in the story and on screen) was Robin Williams’ performance as the genie, perhaps the greatest characterization of any animated character in film history.

Likewise, the stage musical’s biggest plus is Trevor Dion Nicholas, the Broadway originator who has been playing the role in London since it opened last year. Huge of frame, bigger in personality, Nicholas is funny, easy-going, big hearted and big voiced.

Unfortunately, the rest of the show is a good deal less shiny. The new songs by Alan Menken, written to augment the original score (including the Oscar-winning A Whole New World) are largely pleasant written-by-numbers songs which fall short of the original seven numbers. Proud of Your Boy, Aladdin’s touching torch song about making his mother proud (although it’s unclear why she wouldn’t be) is the one number that one could imagine being in the original film.

While the greatness

of The Lion King lies in its re-conception of the cartoon to a three dimensional world, this production by Casey Nicolaw ticks the boxes rather than adding anything particular to its theatrical ambitions. As with Book of Mormon, which he also directed, he brings efficiency to the proceedings rather than inspiration.

Likewise, Bob Crowley’s attractive but so-so stage design gives none of the dazzle that we’ve come to expect from him. And it’s orange, surely the least attractive colour to base a design on.

The cast, though, are well drilled. Matthew Croke as Aladdin is funny, unsentimental and charismatic. Jade Ewen (famous for singing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ghastly My Time for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010) sings well enough. Jafar played by Don Gallagher (recently replaced by Fred Johanson) was genuinely villainous with just the right amount of pantomime camp. The cast hoof well in the various extended dance numbers that Nikolaw

(who also choreographs) gives them. These are themselves a shortcoming of the production, though, lacking the invention to be worthy of the time. The big number Never Had A Friend Like Me is a great song but extending it to eight minutes with a rising staircase and some lighting effects demonstrates the limitations of extending a number with insufficient dramatic justification. The young children sitting around me seemed less entertained than Nikolaw is aiming for, and seemed to be treating it as something of an ad break.

The 15-piece orchestra under the baton of Alan Williams is one of the best in London, and the Prince Edward Theatre remains one of London’s gleaming jewels. Aladdin passes the evening pleasantly enough but compared to the many other brilliant long-runners that have played at this address over the last twenty years it’s a bit of a damp squib.

One of those long-runners, Mary Poppins – which Cameron Mackintosh produced with Disney – is to return to its original home next autumn when Aladdin polishes his lamp for the last time. Good. Mary Poppins, directed

by Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne, really shows how to give a family audience a good time. Aladdin, you might say, is all polish and no genie.

09

where to go

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C ECI L A MEY

Looking Good!

f o c i s u M extraordinary beauty, honesty & insight

Since releasing her debut album as a teenager nearly 20 years ago, Thea Gilmore has gained global acclaim for making music of extraordinary beauty, honesty and insight. Places&Faces spent time chatting with Thea ahead of her debut performance in Suffolk.

HEAVILY INFLUENCED by her

father’s record collection - Dylan, The Beatles, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell - her debut album ‘Burning Dorothy’ was released in 1998, when she was just 18 years old. Her breakthrough came in 2003, when she entered the UK charts for the first time with her 4th album ‘Avalanche’ and the hit singles ‘Juliet’ and ‘Mainstream’. However, she refused to ‘play the fame game’ or sign to a major record label. She explains, “when I got absorbed into the industry and saw first-hand how it could chew up artists and spit them out again, it was a bit of a shock. It made me angry. I decided that I had to have a different type of career, one more like all those artists I’d admired.”

Whilst remaining fiercely independent, Thea has managed to carve out a home from the solid rock of the music business. In 2012 her single ‘London’ was used extensively in the BBC TV coverage of the Olympic Games and she is a regularly playlisted artist on BBC Radio 2. These days she is as likely to produce an intelligent, witty pop anthem as a dark twisted folk epic and her razor-sharp lyrics, melodic flair and honey-toned voice have been much admired.

Still just 39, Thea believes: “In the current musical climate of pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap, people think that careers like mine can’t happen. The idea of an artist releasing 14 albums over 17 years and selling more with every record is an anathema to most of the industry”.

However, she admits “I didn’t set out to make so many albums... there was no master plan, I just had things to say so I found a way to say them.”

Thea’s latest album, ‘The Counterweight’ is as beautiful as it is thought provoking, and one she describes as ‘Avalanche’s “more mature older sister”. Although never entirely losing her voice of protest, after ‘Avalanche’, Thea turned inward, singing about the depression she had been diagnosed with, love songs and songs shaped by parenthood. “My lyrics became increasingly personal,” explains Thea. “I went through depression, which informed a lot of my subject matter.” However, 15 years on and “a songwriter’s job is to get people thinking, not make them so despondent they don’t act. You may as well stick your head in the oven right now if you can’t see a crack of light in dark times.”

Taking a look at how we’ve changed since 2003, she finds for the most part, things haven’t improved: “I remember thinking that we were heading down a rabbit hole. I wrote about how technology was dominating our lives, but little did I know... We’re now its slaves, not its masters. Our attention spans have become so tiny that unless you confine yourself

What’s on see, What to do, what to

where to go

to 140 characters, no one listens. Tackle politics like that and you end up with Trump and an unelected Tory leader.

You can’t pick your way through important debates in sound bites, but that’s what we’re doing. I’m not anti-technology, but you have to use it right.”

Talking of technology, for ‘The Counterweight’, Thea abandoned her trusty guitar in favour of an iPad and a piano. “I’m not someone who plans albums in advance,” says Thea. “But I knew I needed a change.

I didn’t want to write another acoustic guitar album. I’d done that enough already.”

Claiming that she can’t play the piano, she adds, “Using an instrument you can’t really play imposes limits. If something sounded right, I kept it, but a proper pianist might be horrified!”

The spirit of protest is still alive and kicking though, “I find the best way to ram a point home is to mask what you’re doing by making people sing along,” she says. “It’s like subliminal advertising. People don’t realise you’re shouting at them if you’re singing a sunny tune.”

Back in 2009 Thea released ‘Strange Communion’ an acclaimed collection of seasonal songs ranging from joyful to meditative, and from introspective to darkly humorous. The album contained ‘That’ll Be Christmas’ which became the most played festive song on BBC Radio 2 that year and was described by Chris Evans as “the best Christmas song in years”. Her 2018 acoustic Christmas Party UK tour, which calls in at The Apex on 3 December, will feature material from ‘Strange Communion’ laced liberally with the occasional, highly individual version of a Christmas classic.

Thea’s poetic lyrics have a spikey 21st century undercurrent, delivered in a spinetingling, pure-toned voice. Complimented by superb musicianship from her band, the achingly-beautiful delivery will leave you moved, exhilarated and spellbound.

Whilst perhaps still not a household name, Thea has crept up on us as a quiet icon.

__ Thea Gilmore is at The Apex on Monday 3 December. www.theapex.co.uk 11

Let's Make CHRISTMAS

For the past 10 months we have been busy behind the scenes making Christmas as special as it can be for you.

Our buyers have been selecting the gifts you and all the family would like for Christmas, our colleagues have been planning our iconic Christmas windows, practising their hamper making skills and perfecting their gift wrapping, and our restaurant kitchens are full of the smell of Christmas fare. It’s a team effort that has, hopefully, made Christmas gift buying as easy for you as possible.

Let’s make Christmas at Jarrold.

LONDON STREET, NORWICH 01603 660661 JARROLD.CO.UK

What’s on see, What to do, what to

aked N

Truth

The

Having toured twice before to Norwich, the show returns to the Theatre Royal with an all-star cast from November 26 to December 1, and Judy Foster caught up with actor Gary Lucy, who plays the show’s lead character Gaz. Best-known as Luke Morgan from Hollyoaks and PC Will Fletcher in The Bill, Gary has starred in almost every Monty tour to-date over the past four years and knows just how readily people fall for this funny, poignant bittersweet story.

TWENTY-ONE YEARS ago a film about a group of unemployed Sheffield steelworkers became an unexpected box office hit and created one of cinema’s most iconic moments.

The award-winning The Full Monty was the highest grossing film the UK had ever seen until it was surpassed by Titanic.

Its heart-warming tale of six unemployed steelworkers, who form a male striptease act in order to make some cash, has also been adapted into a highly successful stage show, complete with the movie’s memorable and much-copied dole queue scene played out to Donna Summer’s disco anthem Hot Stuff, and the finale striptease where the characters go ‘the full monty’.

“It’s a fantastic show, a juggernaut of a show, a monster really and it just keeps going.

Everybody absolutely loves it. It sells out pretty much everywhere we go and it’s a laugh-aminute on stage for us and for everyone in the audience. We really feel that,” he says.

The character of Gaz was played by Robert Carlyle in the film - “so no pressure there, no big shoes to fill or anything”, Gary jokes. He describes the role as “an absolute gift”. It shows him as an out-of-work father struggling to pay child maintenance for his son Nathan.

Gary is joined on stage by cast members from the previous tour - Andrew Dunn (bestknown as Tony in Dinnerladies and for his regular appearances playing Alistair Campbell in Bremner, Bird and Fortune), Louis Emerick (Mike Thornberry in Coronation Street and

Mick Johnson in Brookside) and Kai Owens (Rhys in Torchwood and Pete in Hollyoaks), while Joe Gill (Finn Barton in Emmerdale) and James Redmond (Finn in Hollyoaks and Abs Denham in Casualty) are new to the show.

Rupert Hill, who was in the first tour playing the role of Guy, has returned as tour director and has brought some fresh ideas. “Having been on it before, I think it really helped him to know what was working and what could maybe do with tweaking. We’ve got some new cast members, we’ve changed up the set, we’ve changed up the routines, we’ve got some new music in there,” Gary says.

Writer of both the screenplay and the stage script, Simon Beaufoy is also the talent behind The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Slumdog Millionaire. “Simon Beaufoy has adapted it for stage brilliantly. It’s very clever, very funny and you can just feel the energy and hear everyone as they are leaving that they have had a great night, so it is a great buzz to do.”

The buzz is what brings Gary back to the show again and again. “It’s like my best friend.

It’s just great. I thoroughly enjoy doing it and hanging out with my pals. It’s been a great experience. It’s different every night and the audiences are different every night. On a Saturday in Blackpool they are all hen nights and screaming and shouting and whooping and it’s a mad audience to deal with, a kind of rollercoaster, and then you go to Cambridge on a Monday where they are all clapping and enjoying the play. We can’t wait to come back to the Theatre Royal. We love Norwich. It’s a

(L to R) Joe Gill, James Redmond, Kai Owen, Gary Lucy, Louis Emerick & Andrew Dunn

great city, lovely people, great audiences and it really feels like they love the whole journey the characters go on. I think that’s what keeps it fresh and alive.”

Getting his kit off on stage every night might have sent him into the gym to tone up a little, but he says the whole cast can “get away with it because we are all supposed to to be steelworkers, so we can go on and fudge it.” He has done it so many times now that he doesn’t really think about it, plus the show is so physical that while on tour he can get away with eating whatever he likes.

The characters in the show form a strong bond and it seems this is replicated with the cast. “We are pals and it’s really good and I think that shows on stage. It is ’come and join the party’ – that’s what it feels like.”

“It was an iconic film at the time and we still have those iconic moments in the play - the dole queue, the music, obviously the strip, and I think that the issues are topical still and relevant today with social media and how men and women are so conscious of themselves.

You can watch it and think ‘he’s like my mate’ or ‘I know a guy like that’. You really feel for these characters and are willing them on to feel comfortable in their own skins, so I think it resonates today as much as it did back then.

“I think, to be honest, the show is for women and guys – young and old, male and female, if you want a good night out then you can’t go wrong with this one. You can escape for two hours from all the nonsense that goes on in everyday life and you can come and let it all go, forget about it and have a great time because that’s what we do. We have a great time on stage and trust me, the audience has a great time as well.”

__ The Full Monty at The Norwich Theatre Royal, Mon 26 Nov - Sat 1 Dec. www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk 13

where to go

CHRISTMAS AT w w w.

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19 November Cambridge Corn Exchange 22 November UEA Norwich

What’s on see, What to do, what to

where to go

OYSTERBAND 40TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 12 November The Apex Bury St Edmunds The multi-award winning Oysterband enter their 40th year and continue to show they are as important as ever with their continuously growing depth and sensitivity of their song-writing, a must for all music lovers!! www.rnaa.org.uk/harfest

8TH NORWICH FILM FESTIVAL

The English singer songwriter heads to East Anglia with two dates which are part of her international tour promoting her new album R.O.S.E. The new album was released as four EPs titled; Realisations, Obsessions, Sex, and Empowerment, creating an acronym for “R.O.S.E.”. The album moved away from the pop sound heard in much of her past music, instead taking on an R&B style. The former Voice UK judge will be sure to entertain in her own energetic style before her tour continues throughout the UK.. www.gigsandtours.com

7 - 17 November The Norwich Film Festival will be returning from the 7th – 17th November and we have a host of incredible independent Feature and Short Films that you won’t see anywhere else. Also adding to the line-up will include a variety of talks and panels from those in the Film business. We can’t wait to see you at this year’s Festival. www.norwichfilmfestival.co.uk

THE LONDON AFRICAN GOSPEL CHOIR performing PAUL SIMON’S GRACELAND

2 November - The Waterfront Norwich 30 years after its release, the 19 members of the London African Gospel Choir, together with their amazing band, perform their own powerful twist on Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’, from start to finish. After coming across a bootleg cassette of South African township music in the early 80s, Paul Simon was totally smitten by the infectious & irresistible rhythms…

He travelled to Johannesburg, spending two weeks there, recording with the absolute cream of South African musicians. www.thewaterfront.ticketabc.com

15

What’s on see, where to go What to do, what to

ROSIE EMERSON PHANTOMS ART EXHIBITION

26 October - 24 November Fairhurst Gallery, Norwich Rosie, who works almost exclusively on representing the female form, draws reference for her figures from archetype’s old and new, from Artemis to the modern-day super model. www.galllery.fairhurstgallery.co.uk

ART OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

ALL SAINTS 1 December - UEA, Norwich All Saints (Melanie Blatt, Shaznay Lewis, Natalie & Nicole Appleton) became one of the most successful pop groups of the 1990s, with two multi-platinum albums and record sales in excess of 12 million worldwide.

The band embarked on the ‘Red Flag Tour, their first tour in over 15 years and 2017 saw the band join Take That as special guests on their ‘Wonderland UK Arena and Stadium Tour’.

All Saints brand-new 2018 album ‘Testament’ saw the band reunite with producer William Orbit and was preceded by the singles ‘Love Lasts Forever’ and ‘After All’. The band embark on their UK ‘Testament’ tour which arrives in Norwich in December. www.gigsandtours.com

SOUL II SOUL 30th Anniversary Tour

6 November, The Corn Hall Diss This one hour talk will be looking at British art and artists during WW1 and will include Paul Nash, Percy Wyndham Lewis, William Orpen and John Singer Sargent, among others. It will be richly illustrated and examine biography, socio-political and cultural factors as well as artistic style. www.thecornhall.co.uk

ART FAIR EAST 2018

30 November - 2 December St Andrews Hall, Norwich The region’s largest and liveliest contemporary art fair returns to St Andrews Hall in Norwich showcasing the work of over 200 carefully selected artists. www.artfaireast.com

2 November, Corn Exchange, Cambridge Best known for their 1989 UK chart topping hit “Back to Life (However do you want me)” and “Keep on Monin” the multi award winning group, who won two Grammy Awards, and have been nominated for five Brit Awards (twice for Best British Group) are continuing their UK 30th Anniversary Tour arriving in Cambridge 2 November.

Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler will once again delight fans with their distinctive sound. www.soul2soul.co.uk

17

17

F R I D AY 1 6 T H N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Love Island’s cheeky voiceover guy Iain Stirling will grace the stage at Carrow Road with supporting acts...

Supporting

MC

Act

Iain Stirling

James Loveridge “His jokes and asides are self-depricating and sharp”

“Bugeja has an eye for original comic detail that’s all his own”

GQ

EdFringe Review

The Guardian

“One of the best joke writers on the circuit”

Steve Bugeja

Tickets start from £18 Please visit our website for more details.

To book your tickets: Call: 01603 218724 Visit: deliascanarycatering.co.uk *Standard ticket only, limited availability. T&Cs apply. See website for details.

10% OFF for Season Ticket Holders*

Miles

KANE

What’s on see, where to go What to do, what to

TOTALLY TINA

8 November, Ipswich Regent www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk 10 November, Princess Theatre Hunstanton www.thelittleboxoffice.com Simply the best, better than all the rest...

It’s been the UK’s official number one Tina Turner tribute for the past five years!! It enjoys rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, with plenty of dancing in the aisles and standing ovations everywhere it goes.

THE STYLISTICS

26 November - UEA, Norwich The solo artist and the co-frontman of the Last Shadow Puppets brings his pure look of rock’n’roll to Norwich.

His latest solo album, Coup De Grace, released in August this year, and described by Kane as “Punky but croonery”, is an upbeat rock’n’roll album with punk songs, glam songs and a couple of lovey-dovey ballads.

The album name is taken from a signature move of WWE wrestler Finn Bálor! With collaborations with Jamie T and Lana Del Rey on one song the sound tantalises and enthrals. Couple this with his confident style and front-man prowess the visit to the UEA is sure to be a winner. www.mileskane.com

SEAN LOCK

8 November, The Apex, Bury St edmunds One of the UK’s most highly acclaimed, original and best loved comedians offers up a unique mix of new and tried and tested material in his own inimitable style. Lock’s offerings of the absurd mixed with his observations of everyday life blend seamlessly in to an engaging stand-up show long to be remembered.

The British Comedy Award winner for Best Stand Up is probably best known as team captain on Channel 4’s ‘9 out of 10 cats does Countdown’ and for his seminal BBC sitcom, ‘15 Storeys High’, a genuine cult classic. The is a rare chance to experience his genius first hand, up close and personal at an intimate venue. www.theapex.co.uk

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11 November Princess Theatre Hunstanton The Stylistics are known instantly for their recognisable hits such as the Grammy nominated ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ and remain the real deal, fabulously entertaining and musically breath-taking. It’s a show not to be missed! www.thelittleboxoffice.com

FELICITY WARD BUSTING A NUT! 22 November Norwich Arts Centre Following a fantastic Fringe this year which culminated in an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination, and now with her very own Netflix special and her own Radio 4 series Appisodes , the regular co-host of the popular The Guilty Feminist Podcast brings her 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated, critically acclaimed Fringe show to Norwich in November. Felicity has also just filmed BBC’s Live at the Apollo, to air later this year!

What’s on What to do, what to see, where to go

Soul Sensation ALEXANDER O’NEAL is back!

19 December, The Waterfront Norwich Securing his name in the R&B history books, Alexander O’Neal is one of the genres most iconic names. With chart smash ‘Criticize’ lighting up dance floors across the world thirty years after its release, his sound has transcended generations.

Alexander recently released his first original studio album for 15 years, and fans are in for a treat when they hear how one of the greatest voices of all time has matured into a sensational soul and blues sound.

With the release of his hard hitting, blockbuster autobiography in early 2017, a 50 date UK tour to celebrate 30 years of the iconic Hearsay album, it’s safe to say that fans still can’t get enough of the man from Minneapolis! www.thewaterfront.ticketabc.com

19 November The Open Norwich, age 14+ It was 1973 when Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford first formed the band that would see them dubbed ‘The New Lennon and McCartney’. Fourty Five years later they continue to tour in Squeeze, together as a duo, or as solo performers as he sets out on the road again for a string of solo shows that will see him perform at The Open, Norwich www.opennorwich.org.uk

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C BO

23 November, Norwich Playhouse, Age 16 + The second best reviewed show of Edinburgh Festival 2017 from award winning star of the West End hit ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’.

Trump. Your wrong. Brexit. Your wrong.

Facebook. Your wrong. Tinder. Your wrong.

Religion. Your wrong. Fashion. Your wrong.

Grammar. Your wrong!

We are being watched. Whether it’s the grammar Nazis on the internet, the court of public opinion in the media, the government through our smart phones, the aliens from deep in the crust of the moons of Jupiter, or

by God himself, we are being monitored. The pressure to “get it right” is tremendous! Right?

Your Wrong questions the nature of understanding and explores our modern day need to be right about everything. www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

N OR

YOUR WRONG

GLEN TILBROOK – THE VOICE AND FACE OF SQUEEZE

ON

PHIL NICHOL

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FLAWLESS CHASE THE DREAM

6 November, Norwich Theatre Royal better than all the rest...

Stars of Street Dance 3D 1 & 2, Britain’s Got Talent and two-time winners of the World Dance Championships are back and performing even bigger and jaw-dropping routines! A feel good family show following the journey of 10 Big Dreamers seeking the opportunity to live their ultimate dance fantasy on board the “Intergalactic Dream Ship”. www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

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VISIT NORWICH

y v I

THE

Architecture

& e h T

Architectural history is a huge story in Norwich, as is food, so why not combine both this Autumn says Melanie Cook of VisitNorwich.

Two very different architects were

working on Norwich buildings in the late 19th century. The first was Edward Boardman, whose work between 1860 and 1900 gave Norwich commercial and ecclesiastical structures: hospitals, factories, offices and chapels. These buildings are still in use today for us to see - if not to visit, such as the old Norfolk & Norwich Hospital (now residential), the impressive Flemish style Royal Hotel on Castle Meadow – (now offices), and terraced housing and villas which were built for the late Henry Trevor, owner of Plantation Garden and Plantation House on Earlham Road.

The second architect, spanning Victorian and Edwardian eras, was George Skipper (1856 – 1948); Boardman’s rival. Like Boardman, Skipper’s work appeared all over Norwich, however in my view Skipper’s buildings are some of our city’s best historical hidden gems and places to visit. Examples are The Royal Arcade between Gentleman’s Walk and Back of the Inns, the Aviva building in Surrey Street with emphasis of the glorious Marble Hall, and some of the

Jarrold building in London Street, to name just three.

In a world where we rush from one place to another it’s not often we stop to look up, to consider where we are exactly, and for anyone newly visiting this city their focus will more than likely be fixed at eye level. Luckily, a new walking tour of Norwich by local guide and historian Paul Dickson puts that right. Paul’s tour - simply named Boardman and Skipper - takes you around Norwich in 90 minutes, celebrating the legacy of these two kings of architecture and tickets are only £6.

Skipper was described by the late poet laureate, John Betjeman, as the Gaudi of Norwich due to his exuberant architectural style. And this is seen none more so than at the newly opened and renovated Ivy Norwich Brasserie on London Street located in the Norwich Lanes.

The Ivy Norwich Brasserie building began life in 1907 as a branch of the London and Provincial Bank, and is an impressive example of Skipper’s signature style. Just before you enter, look up to see the architect in full flow, with the symmetry of the first three bays broken by a wonderfully curved

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window above the main entrance. It could have been even more dramatic, as Skipper had wanted to add a dome to the top of the entrance bay, but his plan was turned down thanks to a right of light dispute with the building’s neighbours.

Now, as one of Norwich’s newest restaurants I’d love to know what Skipper would have made of the building. In my view the interior is every bit as beautiful as the exterior and I’m delighted to see that the building has been lovingly brought back to life, allowing us to now see previously hidden elements such as the staircase and third floor.

It seems no expense has been spared and whilst the interior design is not reflective of the era it was built in, it certainly doesn’t jar having an Edwardian build with an Art Deco look.

It’s clever, a mix of smaller tables for two or four, larger tables for six or more plus leather banquettes. Upstairs there’s a glorious oval table for six which jumps out as being the table to be sat at!

It’s a very inspiring, decadent offering; glamorous and inviting without being pretentious. Open all day from 8am to 12.30am (last orders at 10.30pm) the delightful, bright decor makes it a fabulous location for breakfast, whilst remaining an intimate and luxurious restaurant for a candlelit dinner. In between you can have brunch, weekend brunch and afternoon tea. Note also that for the ever-growing number of vegetarians and vegans amongst us, the menu caters for all tastes.

The décor is a mix of dark greens and reds, with pops of bright yellow and green velvet upholstery, and punctuated by cushions of colourful botanicals.

There are lots of mirrors and art in highly polished glass and gold frames and plenty of greenery, sourced locally.

The art also reflects Norwich and Norfolk; etchings and prints of the area 24

can be spotted all around. Downstairs, the elegant bar is the perfect place for a cocktail or glass of champagne before you sit down. And the chandeliers?

Glittering in the ambient light!

I guess this begs the question: is the food and service every bit as good as the surrounds? The answer is yes. I felt I was dining in Paris, London and Norwich rolled into one and it was a

very good experience. The service was exemplary – on hand when needed, subtle when not. And I loved the little touches, the lemon in a white muslin coat so you don’t get pips in your meal – all beautifully presented much like the tables themselves. It felt special without being intimidating and it was good to see families alongside couples and groups of friends.

And their portions are generous, presented beautifully and tasted great.

Our starters comprised of oak smoked salmon with rye bread, scallops with grilled chorizo and roasted butternut squash and Wasabi prawns with salt and pepper squid.

The main courses included The Ivy Hamburger - chargrilled in a potato bun with mayonnaise, horseradish, ketchup and thick cut chips – it was huge. We also ordered Crab pasta and courgette linguine with chilli, smoked garlic, lemon and rocket which to my delight came with two tasty plump and meaty crab claws. Desserts were equally impressive: Rum Baba and a Chocolate melting bombe with a vanilla ice cream and honeycomb centre with hot salted caramel sauce. Need I say more?

Norwich is the city of stories.

Dining in historic buildings, especially where the décor is sympathetic to the environment, adds much more to the experience. So next time you are looking for somewhere to dine, have a think about where you are eating as well as what you are eating.

Thanks to Paul Dickson for the history of the London and Provincial.

Paul’s tours can be booked by calling 07801 103737. For more information go to www.pauldicksontours.co.uk For events, shopping, things to do, eating out and staying in and around Norwich go to visitnorwich.co.uk

Now taking Bookings for our Christmas festivities www.aclebridge.co.uk

Exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery 20 October 2018 – 6 January 2019

www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk @norwichcastle @castle_art facebook.com/NorwichCastleMuseum

hed by Olive Edis. © Cromer

Hubbard wedding, photograp

Museum, Norfolk Museums

Service

Development Foundation

Faces & Places (190mm x 136mm).indd 1

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s t o h n i k c a M

Clare

Places&Faces® cathes up with number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh, author of ‘I LET YOU GO’, ‘I SEE YOU’ and her latest stunning, twisty new psychological thriller ‘LET ME LIE’.

How did you make the move from the police to published author?

In 2011 I was a police inspector, preparing for the move to chief inspector. I was working long hours and putting everything into my career, but I also had three very young children at home. We’d been through a very difficult time, including losing one of our children when he was just a few weeks old, and everything suddenly came to a head when I had an appraisal that gave glowing feedback from my colleagues about how positive, encouraging and cheerful I was. My husband laughed when he read the report. ‘Who’s this woman?’ he said. ‘I don’t think I’ve met her.’ I realised I was giving my family the left overs, so I took a career break. I started writing copy for businesses, and pitching features to magazines and newspapers. Gradually I started making a living as a writer, and at the same time I wrote my debut novel, I Let You Go. Now I’m a full-time novelist and I couldn’t be happier.

the creative fields, so it simply didn’t present as a viable career choice. I wrote for myself, all the way through university, and while I was in the police, but it wasn’t until I had children that I started taking it seriously. I wrote a popular parenting blog, and the feedback I received from all over the world was a real confidence boost.

Did you always want to be a writer?

I always loved writing, but as a child I didn’t know anyone who worked in

Who is your favourite character from one of your books and who would you want to play them in a film?

My most recent novel, Let Me Lie, is about an investigation into an apparent double suicide. Retired police detective Murray Mackenzie takes on the case, and I loved writing his character. He’s married to Sarah, who has borderline

What next?

I’ve published three novels now - I Let You Go, I See You, and Let Me Lie - and I have a non-fiction book coming out in February. It’s called A Cotswold Family Life, and it’s part memoir, part observations on family life in the country. The book weaves together columns I’ve written for a regional magazine for many years, and I’ve really enjoyed revisiting them. I’ve also been putting the final touches to my fourth novel, which comes out in June 2019.

It’s called After the End, and it’s about a couple forced to make an impossible choice.

personality disorder, and he’s a very sensitive, gentle man. When I was in the police I worked with lots of Murrays people who had thirty years detective on murder squads, and who were back working as civilians - and I had so much respect for their experience and skill.

I’d love to see Let Me Lie on TV with Martin Clunes in the role - I think he’d be brilliant.

What are your interests away from work?

I live in North Wales, in a Welsh speaking town, and have been learning the language for about eighteen months.

It’s tough going, but I did my first radio interview in Welsh recently, and am gradually picking up more vocabulary.

I’m also a keen wild swimmer, and go as often as I can, whatever the weather.

Swimming in an icy lake is incredibly invigorating!

Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t know.

When I was nineteen and working as a waitress at a very posh golf club in Surrey, I sweet-talked my way onto the guest list of an event happening the following month at 10 Downing Street.

My boyfriend at the time was very exciting, but wildly inappropriate, so I borrowed a plus one from a friend, and we had a marvellous time.

One year ago, Caroline Johnson

chose to end her life brutally: a shocking suicide planned to match that of her husband just months before. Their daughter, Anna, has struggled to come to terms with their loss ever since.

Now with a young baby of her own, Anna misses her mother more than ever and starts to ask questions about her parents’ deaths. But by digging up the past, is she putting her future in danger?

Sometimes it’s safer to let things lie...

Let Me Lie is available in all great book shops and online.

www.claremackintosh.com

Book club A TALE OF TWO KITTIES: Two cats, one man and a great big life-changing adventure Nick Harding

Told in his inimitably humorous style, this big-hearted story follows the confirmed dog-loving, cat-hating, feline-allergy-suffering writer as he becomes a passionate pussy aficionado… courtesy of two of the world’s most mischievous moggies, Alvin and Barry.

A Tale of Two Kitties charts Nick’s unlikely trajectory from cat-hater to reluctant cat-owner and finally to cat-lover, via an investigation of the weirdly fascinating domestic cat world.

Along the way, his life is turned upside down, thanks to the havoc wreaked by his two new companions.

It’s a memoir, an escapade, an anthology and a social, natural and cultural history that takes the reader on a romp through our cat planet.

MOVE TO MURDER Antony M. Brown

The puzzling murder of Julia Wallace in Liverpool in 1931.

A telephone message is left at a chess club, instructing one of its members, insurance agent William Wallace, to meet a Mr Qualtrough. But the address given by the mystery caller does not exist, and Wallace returns home to find his wife Julia bludgeoned to death.

The case turns on the telephone call. Who made it? The police thought it was Wallace, creating an alibi that might have come from an Agatha Christie thriller. Others believe Wallace innocent, but disagree on the identity of the murderer. Antony M. Brown invites you to explore the evidence in one of the most perplexing cold cases of all time.

ALL THAT FOLLOWED Emma Campbell

An uplifting true story of female friendship, losing love, finding love, cancer, laughter, triplets, the kindness of strangers… and the fear of leaving it all too soon.

With four children (including triplets!), a tiny flat ‘at the top of a million stairs’ (with no lift), a relationship breakdown and no money to contend with, some things get a little lost in the mix. Like symptoms.

Emma Campbell bravely and honestly offers heartfelt thoughts on what happens when cancer becomes an unwelcome guest at an already crowded party.

With the seemingly insurmountable demands of a single mum of four and cancer treatment laid out in front of her, her friends and neighbours rallied. They divided the tasks, fed her, cleaned up for her – and eventually brought in Peter Andre and the 60 Minute Makeover Team, who left her with new carpets and a new man…

All available to buy on Amazon, in all good bookshops and at www.mirrorbooks.co.uk or call 01256 302 699

Christmas party BOOK YOUR

THE WHITE HART

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Lunchtimes and evenings throughout November, December and January.

Full menus available to view online.

Contact

01953 850473 www.whitehartnorfolk.co.uk 3, Market Place, Hingham, Norfolk, NR9 4AF

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COME AND TRY OUR AUTUMN MENU

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We are taking festive bookings Christmas Day lunch £79.95 New Year’s Eve Party £85 Festive menus throughout December from £19.95

Buy 2 light lunches & get 2 drinks on us!

Midweek stays - 30% off in November & Up to 50% off in December & January (Exc 24 Dec-2 Jan)

Room offers available now including upto 50% off in December and January

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01485 512236 www.lifeboatinnthornham.com Ship Lane, Thornham, Norfolk PE36 6LT

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fantastic chances to WIN

123 This month you can stock up on your Christmas reads with an amazing selection of books up for grabs

WIN

a signed copy of Suffolk Feast: One County, Twenty Chefs cookbook and food lovers’ guide

We have three signed copies of this fabulous new cookbook to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question:

What is the most popular feathered game on the Weeping Willow menu?

Title your answers ‘SUFFOLK FEAST’ and send your answer and contact details by email to competitions@h2creativemedia.co.uk or enter by post at Places & Faces Magazine, H2 Creative Media, Micropress Printers Ltd, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Suffolk IP18 6DH. Competition closes 30th November 2018.

See page 5 for full terms & conditions.

Suffolk Feast is available to buy from all 20 chefs featured, as well as Aldeburgh Bookshop, Jarrold, and Waterstones.

WIN

a copy of each of our featured titles from Mirror Books

This month we have teamed up with Mirror Books and one lucky reader has the chance to win one copy of each of our featured titles; Move to Murder, A Tale of two kitties and All that followed. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question:

What are the names of Nick Harding’s two cats?

All are available to buy from Amazon, in all good bookshops or order at mirrorbooks.co.uk

ers’ guide & food lov cookbook edition second

ngham Tessa Alli

Dettori

by Frankie Foreword

a signed copy of Clare Mackintosh’s bestseller Let Me Lie

We have five signed copies of this fabulous twisty new psychological thriller from number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question:

What did Clare Mackintosh do for a job before becoming an author?

Title your answers ‘MIRROR BOOKS’ and send your answer and contact details by email to competitions@h2creativemedia.co.uk or enter by post at Places & Faces Magazine, H2 Creative Media, Micropress Printers Ltd, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Suffolk IP18 6DH. Competition closes 30th November 2018. See page 5 for full terms & conditions.

st SUe FcoFunOtyL, Ktwenfetyachefs on

WIN

Title your answers ‘LET ME LIE’ and send your answer and contact details by email to competitions@h2creativemedia.co.uk or enter by post at Places & Faces Magazine, H2 Creative Media, Micropress Printers Ltd, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Suffolk IP18 6DH. Competition closes 30th November 2018. See page 5 for full terms & conditions.

& Let Me Lie is available to buy online at claremackintosh.com from all good book shops and Amazon.

SUBSCRIBE

12 ISSUES for only £36

Suffolk le magazine for Norfolk and You can have THE lifesty the first to get your hands on the delivered to your door. Be where to go, where to stay, fantastic content includingsee, as well as travel, interiors, where to eat and what to mouth watering recipes. excellent competitions and

CAL L Robyn Berriman on 01502 725800

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i Chr s mas t entertainment step into

We asked Visit Suffolk and Visit Norfolk for a Christmas round-up of

what to do, where to go and what to see to keep us all entertained this festive season!

Noël, Nativity, Xmas, Yule or simply

Christmas… whatever you call it, it’s coming down the line with speed of a Santa Special steam railway. And we can’t wait, particularly as here in Suffolk and Norfolk there are so many fabulous events and activities to enjoy.

CHRISTMAS FAIRS Lavenham is quite possibly the most Christmassy village of them all. The half-timbered buildings lend themselves to creating a magical scene worthy of a Victorian Christmas card. Glimpse inside the houses at the roaring log fires, decorated trees and holly-laden mantelpieces and you can almost smell the mince pies and mulled wine.

The medieval village plays host to the annual Lavenham Christmas Fair and this year it takes place on Friday, 1st December to Sunday, 3rd December. There will be all sorts of live music, bird of prey displays, a craft fair and food stalls and of course, Father Christmas will be there. A highlight of the weekend is the Christmas Lantern

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Walk Around Lavenham with a blue badge guide talking about its fascinating history.

The walk finishes at The Swan Hotel with mince pies and a glass of mulled wine.

The seaside town of Aldeburgh will be a-buzz on Saturday, 2nd December as the Christmas celebrations begin. A craft fair, town trail for children, a funfair and other events will keep visitors busy and entertained all day, and well-fed too with plenty of seasonal food on offer.

The pretty town will be lit up as the Christmas lights are switched on in the afternoon, with carol singing to add plenty of festive cheer.

Hear the bells jingle in Ipswich at the annual Christmas market in the town’s centre. There will be dozens of stalls to buy food, drink and gifts; a funfair for the young and young at heart; plenty of live entertainment and a children’s craft fair.

The event takes place from Friday, 8th to Sunday, 10th December and the promise from organisers is that there will be ‘more cheer and surprises than a cracker full of Brussels sprouts!’ Who can resist?

On Saturday, 9th December, Father Christmas will be at The Stables Cafe at Holywells Park in Ipswich, where visitors are invited to have a cooked English breakfast with him while he tells stories and hands out presents from 9am – 10.45am.

Stay on for the Community Christmas Fayre which begins at 11am and browse the art and craft stalls, and admire the reindeer and a snowy owl as they accompany Father Christmas to his grotto. Seasonal refreshments will be available and a choir will provide festive entertainment.

Father Christmas will dispense with his sleigh in favour of a river barge to travel to the Christmas event at Snape Maltings on the Suffolk coast. The weekend of 15th-17th December will be packed with festive activities and concerts for both children and adults. The programme includes seasonal favourites by Vaughan Williams and Vivaldi; The Snowman and Paddington Bear’s First Concert with a live orchestra; choral music and carol singing; storytelling and workshops.

If you prefer a more traditional market, head for the Christmas Market at Halesworth on Saturday, 9th December. It’s very atmospheric with plenty of food and drink to sample and buy.

And if you enjoy a good, old-fashioned sing-a-long, pop along to The Red House in Aldeburgh on Tuesday, 19th December.

Once the home of Benjamin Britten

and his partner Peter Pears, this musical house is the perfect place to sing Christmas carols and enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie or two.

The 10th annual Deepdale Christmas Market takes place on Friday 30th November, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December at Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast. More than 130 artisans and producers join the permanent shops and cafe to create one of East Anglia’s best festive markets.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVALS With over 350 Christmas trees on display from 23rd November to 5th January, the Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival is thought to be the largest in the country, earning the town its seasonal designation of ‘Suffolk’s Christmas Tree Town’.

Now in its 13th year, the festive event is spread over three venues in the town centre: the large parish church is packed full of trees, all individually decorated by local residents; Abbot’s Hall in the grounds of the Museum of East Anglian Life will be decked out in a gold theme, to celebrate the Museum’s 50th anniversary of being open to the public; and Stowmarket Library is also part of the festival, with themed trees based on Clement Clarke Moore’s poem A Visit From St Nicholas 1822 (‘Twas the night before Christmas...) on display throughout the library. Please visit the festival website to check opening times.

Other Christmas tree festivals to visit include The Grand Christmas Tree Festival (30th November - 6th December) in St Mary-le-Tower Church in Tower Street, Ipswich; and Sudbury Christmas Tree Festival (5th - 9th December) in St Peter’s Church, Sudbury.

OLD HALL HOTEL High Street, Caister On Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 5Jl

call to book 01493 720400

www.branfords.co.uk

CHRISTMAS MENU available 1st-24th December View menu on our website

2 Courses £22 3 Courses £26

ALL INCLUSIVE

NEW YEAR’S PARTY Tickets £50 Limited availability

KENTWELL HALL

STEP BACK IN TIME...

To step back in time and enter the world of a Dickensian Christmas, pay a visit to Kentwell Hall in Long Melford on the weekend of 7th - 9th or 15th - 16th December.

Famous for hosting period re-enactments, the folks at Kentwell really know how to bring history alive. Wander through the rooms of the elegant Tudor hall and smell the mix of Christmas scents: log fires, mulled wine and spiced oranges, and watch as the Victorian household goes about its day. Listen to the gossip of the cooks and servants in the kitchen; join in the carol singing in the drawing room in front of the enormous Christmas tree; and buy roasted chestnuts from the jolly

Chef ’s luxury buffet, live entertainment with DJ. All standards spirits, house wines, all beers and ciders on tap.

THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

villager outside, as he warms himself by his little fire and engages in all sorts of cheeky banter – Victorian style! Don’t miss the show at the music hall, with songs, magic tricks and a reading by Mr Dickens himself.

Take the children to visit Father Christmas in Crachit’s Cottage and say ‘hello’ to the donkeys and reindeers while you are there. It’s a truly magical and atmospheric experience for the entire family.

Owned by the National Trust, the Georgian Italianate palace Ickworth House near Bury St Edmunds, with its distinctive rotunda, is a fantastic and atmospheric place to enjoy the festive season. Children are invited to listen to Christmas stories told by Father Christmas, sing songs and receive a gift.

After that, explore the 1930s kitchen (which smells of sweet ginger biscuits and clove-studded oranges) and do a bit of biscuit-decorating yourself. There will also be a Christmas play: A Downton Christmas at Ickworth on 5th and 6th December, starting at 7.30pm. It’s a drama about the hustle and bustle of a 1930’s country house preparing for a party; there will be music and plenty of festive merriment!

There’s also a Dickensian Christmas event at the Long Shop Museum in Leiston near the Suffolk coast on 8th - 10th and 15th - 17th December with costumed characters and lots of family activities.

activities, including a ‘Newmarket’s Got Talent’ competition and fairground rides and stalls.

Pop into the National Heritage Centre and enjoy this fabulous awardwinning visitor attraction. Browse the museum and art gallery and join in a craft session making Christmas wreaths and other festive decorations (craft activities are included in the general admission price).

Also look out for Christmas at Landguard Fort, Felixstowe where you can enjoy live music and all sorts of seasonal treats, including a snow machine, storytelling, a Christmas quiz around the fort, and craft and gift stalls.

IT’S NOT PANTO SEASON! OH YES IT IS! Many of Suffolk’s theatres will be putting on a panto over the Christmas/New Year period. Highlights include the Red Riding Hood Rock n’ Roll Panto at the New Wolsey Theatre and Jack and the Beanstalk at The Regent Theatre (both in Ipswich); Aladdin at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft and at The Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe and Dick Whittington at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds.

Also, don’t miss the Woody’s Christmas Spectacular at Pleasurewood Hills Family Theme Park near Lowestoft. Not a panto, but a magical musical theatre and entertainment show featuring Woody Bear and his festive friends. The show is on various dates between Monday, 18th and

Sunday, 24th December.

There are new Christmas events being added to the visitsuffolk.com website all the time so keep an eye on their What’s On page.

FESTIVE SHOWS IN NORFOLK

Thursford Christmas Spectacular Thursford’s Christmas Spectacular has attracted over 5.4 million visitors to date and is the largest Christmas show in the country. It is set in the magical surroundings of mechanical organs and fairground carousels, with a cast of 130 professional singers, dancers and musicians – many of whom are West End performers. The three hour performance delivers an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It’s a fast-moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year-round favourites, with famous and much-loved chart toppers being performed alongside traditional carols.

Word of this amazing show has spread and it is now generally recognised as being the largest show of its kind in the country, if not Europe. Up to fifty coaches per day travel from all over the country and many of our patrons have visited year on year, turning the trip into a mini holiday staying in the county’s hotels, guest houses and holiday cottages. From November 6-December 23.

ENTER A WINTER WONDERLAND The Winter Wonderland magic in Newmarket takes places on Saturday and Sunday, 9th and 10th of December.

Meet Father Christmas in his grotto; take part in the late afternoon lantern parade from the town centre to the Memorial Hall and Gardens, meeting Christmas characters as you go. There will be plenty of live music, family entertainment and 33

Norwich Theatre Royal – Aladdin A mystical magic-carpet ride this Christmas for our popular family pantomime Aladdin. Steven Roberts (Hollyoaks, The History Boys) takes on the title role aiming to outwit the evil Abanazar, played by Emmerdale and Casualty star Rik Makarem.

Joining them will be Milkshake favourite Kiera-Nicole Brennan as the Genie, Theatre Royal panto stalwart Richard Gauntlett as Widow Twankey, and Norfolk-based comedy entertainer Ben Langley as WisheeWashee, plus further casting to be announced. Written and directed once again by Richard Gauntlett, the show is set in the Far East and promises dazzling costumes, a stunning set, mischievous fun, and entertainment for all the family. From December 12-January 13.

Cromer Pier Christmas Show Following a record breaking year in 2017 The Cromer Pier Christmas Show returns for its 14th year and is now considered to be one of the best family Christmas shows in Norfolk, strengthening the county’s fantastic festive entertainment offering.

Featuring good old Norfolk boy, all round entertainer and jolly nice chap Olly Day. Olly returns for his landmark tenth year.

From November 24-December 30.

HIPPODROME CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR CIRCUS AND WATER SHOW

Gorleston Pavilion – Sleeping Beauty Ohyesitiz Productions present the traditional family pantomime starring Helen McDermott. From December 5.

Great Yarmouth – Hippodrome Christmas Spectacular Circus and Water Show A fast moving alternative to the family visit to a pantomime, the amazing Water Spectacle at Great Yarmouth Hippodrome has all the Christmas spirit you need set in the unique atmosphere of the Edwardian Hippodrome. From December 8-January 6.

Great Yarmouth St George’s Theatre – The Wizard of Oz Dorothy, a Kansas farm girl, and her faithful yet cheeky dog Toto dream of leaving Aunty Em and having adventures in a far-away place over the rainbow. Watch in amazement as they are carried away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. The show runs from December 15-30.

Hunstanton Princess Theatre – Snow White “Mirror Mirror on the wall which is the best panto of them all?” Not to be dwarfed by 2017’s panto, 2018’s extravaganza really is set to be the fairest of them all. From December 1 to January 1.

King’s Lynn Corn Exchange – Sleeping Beauty The Princess is searching for happiness, Evil Carabosse is searching for revenge, Chester the Jester is searching for someone to laugh at his terrible jokes and Dame Nellie Night Nurse is searching for a man… in the two front rows! After scaling new heights with Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty promises to be even bigger and better! It’s sure to leave audiences spellbound as we spin the great adventure of a very lengthy snooOOOOoooze! Don’t miss this little beauty of a panto that’s set to hit King’s Lynn! From December 7-31.

Norwich Maddermarket – James and the Giant Peach Roald Dahl’s extraordinary adventure of a little boy and a GIANT peach! James lives with Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, the most revolting Aunts in England. They make him work and slave and never let him play with other children. Then one day he meets a mystical old man who gives him a bag that contains the strongest magic the world has ever known. When James accidentally spills the bag near an old peach tree, the most incredible things start to happen… David Wood is the foremost adapter of Roald Dahl’s stories for the stage. His faithful, fun-filled versions are enjoyed by all ages. From December 15-31.

Sheringham Little Theatre – The Beauty & The Beast After the hugely successful Wizard of Oz last year, the team return with their magical pantomime Beauty and the Beast.

Packed full of modern songs, dances, hilarious characters, mayhem and stunning effects join them as they take on a special journey of enchantment in one of the best loved fairy tales of all time. The perfect festive treat for all the family. From December 8-January 1.

There are many other festive events and shows going on such as a Festive Food Fair at Holkham Hall, Christmas at Banham Zoo and Pensthorpe and a Winter Festival at Great Yarmouth Market Place from November 20-December 23. Check out the What’s On page on visitnorfolk.co.uk or visitsuffolk.co.uk for the latest details.

NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL – ALADDIN

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S3302 Places and Faces KHH v1.qxp_Layout 1 11/03/2018 19:48 Page 1

Great Diamonds Great Value Great Yarmouth Relax in the country near the North Norfolk coast

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Snug&Stylish Kick off your winter wardrobe with the first big buy of the season selected by Donna Titcombe 01.

04.

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Karen Millen Belted Trench Coat £375 Wallis Monochrome Textured Jacquard Coat £60

Lipsy Red Rope Coat £85 Oasis Check Longline Coat £100

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Betty Barclay Wool Jacket £230 Pure Wool Scarf £45

04.

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Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

02.

3

visited 70cl 40% abv £24.99

as we build up towards the festive season why not pay a visit to these three spirits... enjoy neat or in a ‘scroogy’ cocktail!

50cl 26.5% abv £28.50

by

spirits 50cl 45% abv £50.00

East Coast Nelson’s Gold The Norfolk Single Malt Vodka Caramelised Vodka Farmers Whisky Whilst there is a belief that vodka has no flavour or aroma, that certainly is not the case with Adnams East Coast Single Malt Vodka. Made with 100% East Anglian malted Barley, the same used in Adnams beer. Adnams East Coast Single Malt Vodka is crisp and pure with a smooth, soft finish, great over ice or mixed in your favourite way.

Deliciously decadent, Nelson’s Gold, premium Wild Knight English Vodka blended with caramel. Only the finest Norfolk barley grains are distilled into this precious spirit, then delicately blended with caramel made from local sugar beet and the result is an ultra-smooth, deliciously full-bodied caramelised vodka, celebrating Norfolk’s finest hero.

Ghost of Christmas Past

• 50ml Nelson’s Gold • 15ml Cherry Heering • 25ml orange juice • 25ml pomegranate juice • Sage bitters • Soda to finish • 10ml burnt sugar syrup*

Start the evening off with the first of three cocktails paying homage to Charles Dickens classic novel.

• 50ml vodka • 25ml fresh lemon juice • 15ml velvet falernum liqueur • dash of ginger liqueur • 2 dashes citrus bitters Add all of the ingredients to your cocktail shaker and then add ice and shake for 2030 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Then whilst sipping this delightful cocktail you can reminisce on your festive past and enjoy!

Ghost of Christmas Present

Add all of the ingredients to your cocktail shaker and then add ice and shake for 20-30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Top with soda. *BURNT SUGAR SYRUP: Heat 480ml brown sugar over a low heat until melted; don’t stir it too much, but be careful not to let it burn! Remove from heat and slowly add 240ml hot water (it will spit a little but will calm down as the water goes in). Stir together well. Return the pan and continue cooking for another five minutes over low heat.

Syrup will be thin when hot and thickens as it cools.

A very unique and special whisky, made from 8 different grains, The Norfolk - Farmers Single Grain Whisky from the English Whisky Company is officially known as a Single Grain Whisky. Rich and dry with cocoa and coffee. Spicy and oaky with notes of buttery popcorn. The plums and dark cherries come through on the palate. Slightly leathery with a long dry, spicy finish. The Norfolk carries a bowler hat as it’s main image on the label, this is because the bowler hat was invented in Norfolk!

Ghost of Christmas Future

• 50ml whiskey • 25ml fresh lemon juice • 15ml simple syrup • sugar for garnishing • ginger slices & watercress to muddle Rub some simple syrup around the outside of a cocktail glass and then roll the sides of the glass in the sugar. Muddle the watercress and ginger slices with the simple syrup in the bottom of your cocktail shaker.

Add the remaining ingredients along with ice and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds.

Strain into the decorated cocktail glass.

Enjoy and think on the festive future!

Let the fun

be‘gin’

50cl 40% abv £30.00

with so many fabulous gins on the market these days, here are two we recommend you must try...

70cl 39% abv £42.00

Perfect with...

Waterford Gin Journeys Aras Balloon Glasses Set of 2, 550ml, Clear, £140 www.johnlewis.com

Mediterranean Tonic Water

By blending the essential oils from the flowers, fruits and herbs gathered from around the Mediterranean shores with highest-quality quinine from the ‘fever trees’ of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they have created a delicate, floral tonic water.

Boadicea Gin

Norfolk Gin

Made in Norfolk this gin is perfect sipped over an ice cube, but also makes the star ingredient in many cocktails. A uniquely smooth gin created using the finest Norfolk barley, the spirit is then infused with the finest botanicals, including juniper, citrus and with a nod to the iceni-nettle. This captures delicate flavours to create a fine London dry gin that pairs beautifully with elderflower tonic.

Hand crafted and bottled in the fine city of Norwich. This uniquely flavoured Norfolk Gin is hand crafted in small batches infusing carefully selected botanicals. This fine artisan gin is then bottled, labelled and sealed by hand in its distinctive stone jars, each marked with its batch and bottle number.

Elderflower Collins

A fresh and fruity cocktail where you can use your own homemadde elderflower cordial, or if you fancy an easier life, you can buy it from most big supermarkets!

• 50ml gin • 20ml lemon • 10ml sugar syrup • Soda to finish • 10ml elderflower cordial In your trusty cocktail shaker shake up the gin with the lemon, sugar and elderflower cordial. Add plenty of ice to a tall glass and pour over your mixture. Top up with soda to taste and decorate with spring of mint. If you are feeling really decadent top with your favourite prosecco to make an Elderflower Royale.

Mince Pie Martini

Get in the festive mood early with this party cocktail with a nod to everyone’s favourite Christmas treat.

• 100ml gin • 20ml dark rum • 4 tbsp caster sugar • 4 tsp mixed spice • 50g mincemeat & 4 tsp to muddle • 100ml sweet red vermouth • 100g golden caster sugar Make a mincemeat syrup mixing 100ml water, the golden caster sugar and mincemeat in a pan and bring to the boil. Once cool strain though a fine sieve. Separately, mix the caster sugar and mixed spice, dampen the rims of four martini glasses then dip in the sugar and spice mixture. Making in two batches muddle the mincemeat in a cocktail shaker then add the gin, sweet red vermouth, dark rum, 80ml mincemeat syrup and ice. Shake well and strain into your prepared glass.

Rocket Cocktail Shaker

Stainless Steel, 700ml £30 www.johnlewis.com

43

Rooftop GARD E NS

Mark Nicholls heads six floors up for Sunday lunch in Norwich

S

ix floors up

and with a clear blue autumn sky, the panorama across Norwich is impressive.

It is the view you’d get from the spire of Norwich Cathedral, the battlements of Norwich Castle or any of the taller office blocks in the centre of the city.

But today, we’re not sightseeing but dining: eating out at one of the city’s most popular restaurants and undeniably the one with the best view!

Comfortably seated at our table at the Rooftop Gardens restaurant, it is Sunday lunchtime and our eyeline is occupied with the skyline.

We gaze out across rooftops towards an impressive view of the cathedral, the Norman bastion of the castle keep and in a different direction towards the heights of Mousehold Heath.

With entrance through the Union

44

Building on Rose Lane, the lift sweeps us up to the sixth floor and the bright and airy bar and restaurant with the large expanse of glass drawing in the natural light and offering broad vistas over the city.

We are blessed.

It is late October, yet the Indian summer we enjoyed after one of the hottest summers on record was still in full swing, albeit chilled a little by the hint of autumn, and with a sky that remained clear and blue and the view was uninterrupted.

So warm was it, that some diners were enjoying their lunch al fresco on the Rooftop Gardens terrace.

With a glass of rose and a refreshing elderflower presse, we managed to at last take our eye off the view, to peruse the excellent menu.

What struck me was its diversity.

As it was Sunday, the roast was a popular choice but for those wanting something different there were choices from a main menu such as a rack of lamb served with vanilla bean mash (£18.50) or Thai red curry (£12.50), while the chargrill menu offered steaks to order (12oz sirloin at £24), burgers at £14 or a whole rack of BBQ glazed ribs at £18.Impressive, tempting and a great choice.

But as it was Sunday and with the Rooftop Gardens having updated and evolved the Sunday lunch menu, my wife Sharon stayed with tradition and went for the roast.

Roast sirloin of beef, loin of pork, or honey and mustard glazed gammon sit at the heart of the menu as the three choices at £16 each, or a slice of all three for £18.50.

PROMOTION

Cooked to perfection and served with – as you would expect - a grand looking Yorkshire pudding, there was a good helping of roast potatoes, carrot puree, cabbage and pancetta, plus a side dish of crisp vegetables: carrots, peas, courgette and green beans. A slice of stuffing and parsnips were accompanied by a pot of individual gravy on the side and horseradish or apple sauce as required.

Having started with pork belly with black pudding bon bon (£7.50), I wanted something lighter for my main course and went for the pan-fried sea bass with coconut rice and a dhal sauce. It was a perfectly delicious blend, which I very much enjoyed. I also tried some of my wifes delicious dish of red and white beetroot which accompanied the roast.

Sharon selected from the nibbles menu and the wonderful baked focaccia bread to dip into a generous pot of caramelised onion hummus (£3.50).

The picante chorizo served with a fried duck egg was also tempting at £5 from the nibbles choice while other starters included seared scallops (£9) or spiced chicken and mango samosas with a sweet and sour cucumber salad (£7.50).

There are also salad and sharers, deli menu, and children’s menus, supported by a drinks selection that is equally varied with a strong range of wines, beers soft drinks and cocktails.

For dessert Sharon chose the New York-style white chocolate cheesecake (£6.50), while I often like to try the cheese board whenever I eat out. I was not disappointed with my selection of three Norfolk cheeses, celery, grapes, biscuits and a bottomless pot of ginger

and apricot chutney (£8). There’s also, among others, the chocolate and hazelnut brownie or sticky toffee pudding (both £6.50).

With menus that are shaped around local ingredients but with a contemporary twist, the atmosphere at the Rooftop Gardens is warm, welcoming and friendly and caters for all ages and parties – from couples sharing a quiet Sunday lunch together to larger groups celebrating a birthday or anniversary.

As Norwich’s first and only rooftop restaurant and bar, with 360-degree panoramic views of famous landmarks, it is open seven days a week and with so much to choose from, the Rooftop Gardens is a delight for diners with innovative and diverse menus to suit all

tastes and occasions.

And I mustn’t forget to mention the Afternoon Tea menu (Mon-Sat 12noon4pm) at £24.95, or the forthcoming Christmas menu.

But while we were there for the excellent food – six floors up, it is also the view which helps create the unique ambience and takes city centre dining to a new level.

Rooftop Gardens, Union Building, 51-59 Rose Lane Norwich, NR1 1BY. Open every day from 11am-midnight with food served from 12 noon until 9.30pm. For more information calls 01603 971268 or visit www.rooftopgardens.co.uk

d oo G Feather Harvested responsibly and cooked with care, feathered game is a sustainable source of delicious seasonal food. By Tessa Allingham For the hungry game-lover, the

November window displays at Arthur Howell’s butcher shops in Wells-next-theSea and Burnham Market are something to behold. At that time of year, when it’s properly crisp and cold, the birds hang in the feather along the window frames, braces of locally shot partridge, wildfowl, pigeon and glossy pheasant tempting with the promise of a delicious meal.

“We want it to look like a traditional butcher’s shop,” says the man himself, Arthur Howell. “And in the run-up to Christmas it draws people in, they love it.”

Arthur and his team (like other good butchers around the region) are on hand with oven-ready cuts, or more elaborate prepped dishes – and plenty of cooking tips. “We’ve got whole pheasants ready to roast, and our partridge crown, just the breast on the bone, is very popular. But our pheasant Wellington surpasses everything… plump breast meat wrapped in pastry with a mushroom sauce is delicious!”

If you’re minded to eat out, then dip into any number of good restaurants in East Anglia for local, fresh game prepped, cooked and served by the pros. “It’s healthy, seasonal food,” says Nick Claxton-Webb, head chef at the Weeping Willow pub, Barrow.

“Pheasants and partridge are everywhere at this time of year, living outside naturally. You can be sure that they haven’t been raised in a barn with thousands of other birds!”

Head further east in Suffolk to The

46

Froize, Chillesford, for the food of one of the county’s legendary game cooks, David Grimwood. “I was out this morning on our 40 acres of heaven!” says David. He’s talking about flight ponds on the marshes around Orford, the place where he and a few friends will spend early mornings or a few hours at dusk. He has no truck with commercial shoots “but if you harvest just what you need, and really enjoy it, then game is very sustainable”. He might simply pan-fry seasoned mallard breasts in plenty of foaming butter and oil, there and then in the wildfowlers’ hut, or cook it just an eighth of an inch in and chill it before cutting thinly and serving as a carpaccio. Back at the Froize, pan-fried and roasted partridge breasts might be served with their perfect partner, parsnips, while their sinewy legs will be cooked long and slow to become a popular finger lickin’ snack with a chilli dipping sauce (see recipe).

At the Duck Inn, Stanhoe, Ben Handley ensures tenderness and texture by brining his game – submerging the meat in a salt solution overnight – and then cooking it gently in a waterbath before finishing in the pan with plenty of butter. Ben buys game from Arthur Howell, including the pigeon for the delicious dish featured in the Norfolk Table cookbook (see recipe). “All the ingredients for that dish happened to arrive on the same day – the pigeon from Arthur, local celeriac, and then Matt [Cockin] turned up from Fruit Pig with his incredible black

pudding. The best recipes evolve like this, just three good seasonal ingredients that go perfectly.”

Pigeon is a regular on Nick’s menu at The Weeping Willow, but it’s pheasant that tops the popularity stakes. “I tend to go with less hung pheasant so it’s less gamey,” says Nick, “and I’ll take whatever Malcolm [Payne, who runs a ‘friends and family’ shoot in nearby Horringer] has. If he has 50 birds, we get 50 birds and we adapt our menu accordingly.”

Nick’s pheasant dish (see recipe) is a masterclass in generosity – of flavour, butter, portion – and the smells that fill the kitchen as he pan-fries the breasts and mixes the shredded confit leg meat with gnocchi and a creamy fricassée of wild mushrooms are tantalising.

“There’s a wonderful association between all the ingredients available now – the game, pumpkins, butternut squash, mushrooms, chestnuts,” says Nick. “For any cook, this is a fantastic time of year.”

David Grimwood, The Froize, Chillesford, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Partridge

Finger lickin’

Ben Handley, The Duck Inn, Stanhoe, King’s Lynn, Norfolk

n o e g i p d oo W asts bre

Seared local

serves

4

as a starter

YOU CAN’T just remove the legs from a partridge, coat them and deep fry – you’d be chewing for hours! We cook them sous vide, a Froize homage to modern techniques, putting orange zest, rosemary, peppercorns, and garlic into a vac-bag with the legs, sealing, and cooking them at 65c for three hours. You can buy domestic sous vide equipment quite easily, or simply follow the instructions below.

We make our own chilli jam to dip them in, but you can use a good quality shop-bought one.

• 12-16 whole partridge legs • Flavourings to suit • Seasoned flour • Beaten egg

• Panko bread crumbs

METHOD Place the legs in a pan that accommodates them comfortably. Add your flavourings and cover with water. Poach very gently for a few hours on the lowest heat until completely cooked and tender (you may prefer to slow braise them foil-covered in a low oven). Allow legs to cool completely in the liquor. Drain and pat dry. Pre-heat the deep fryer to 180c. Dip each leg alternately in separate bowls of flour, egg and crumbs (pressing the latter on well).

Deep fry until golden and heated through.

serves

4

celeriac purée & Norfolk black pudding

I LOVE that an unwelcome pest for farmers which feasts on their fields, ends up unsurprisingly tasting so good. Here at The Duck Inn, we brine our pigeon for extra tenderness and flavour and then serve this recipe with crispy black pudding bonbons, pickled celeriac and a rich gamey jus.

• 1 head celeriac, peeled and roughly chopped

• 400ml double cream

• 1 bay leaf

• Rapeseed oil

• 150g unsalted butter • 1 tsp celery salt

• 100ml boiling water • White pepper

• Lemon juice to taste 4 woodpigeon breasts • 150g good black pudding in 1cm dice (we use The Fruit Pig Co.’s excellent one)

• More butter for frying

METHOD Cook celeriac in a large, saucepan over a low-medium heat in the melted butter with the bay and celery salt, for a few minutes.

Carefully pour in the water with a little salt and white pepper.

Cover and gently simmer for 1 hour until soft. Add in the cream and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and carefully blend to a purée and then sieve. Season and add lemon juice to taste, mix again before covering and keeping warm.

In a heavy sauté pan over a medium-high heat, heat up a few tablespoons of oil. Place the seasoned pigeon breasts skin-side down and fry for about 2 minutes until nicely browned, turn them over and lower the heat. Add a good knob of butter and when foaming, spoon the butter over the breasts carefully while cooking for 2 more minutes. Remove from the pan and rest somewhere warm for 5-10 minutes.

Put the pan back on a high heat and sauté the black pudding until lightly crisp and cooked through. To serve, spoon the purée onto plates. Slice the pigeon breasts in half lengthways and arrange on top. Scatter with the black pudding.

47

Nationally revered Fresh Blood Black Pudding from an award winning butchery here in East Anglia.

CHRISTMA

PARTY BOOKINSGS

now being taken thro November & Decem ugh ber

0845 548 0046

w w w. f r u i t p i g .c o. u k @fruitpigcompany

@fruitpigcompany

Nick Claxton-Webb, The Weeping Willow, Barrow, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Roastaedsant Phe serves

4

chestnut gnocchi & truffle-scented wild mushroom fricassée

GNOCCHI • 1kg unpeeled starchy potatoes • 250g tipo 00 pasta flour • 70g chestnut flour

• 2 small eggs, lightly beaten

• 50g rock salt

Simmer the whole potatoes for 45-60 minutes until soft. Peel the potatoes and pass through a ricer. Combine the flours and add two-thirds to the potato with the egg and a good pinch of salt.

If necessary, add more flour to produce a soft but not sticky dough. Divide into four pieces and roll each out into a cylinder on a floured board. Cut into 1.5cm pieces and squeeze into pillow shapes. Place untouching on a lightly floured tray.

Prepare a large bowl of iced water.

Bring a stockpot of salted water to the boil, scatter in the gnocchi carefully and keeping on a high heat, cook until they float. Remove with a slotted spoon and drop into the iced water. Once cooled, remove, drain and set aside.

• 2 or 3 cloves of crushed garlic

FRICASSÉE • 100g dried wild mushrooms

AN ITALIAN inspired earthy, autumnal main course, which would also work well with other feathered wild game or even guinea fowl. Source a good selection of fungi for this dish to bring a variety of shades and textures. Serve with wilted greens or sea vegetables.

PHEASANT LEGS • 2 young cock pheasants • 2 or 3 sprigs of thyme • 2 or 3 juniper berries

• 2 or 3 peelings of orange zest • 500g duck or goose fat

Separate the pheasants into crowns (both breasts attached to the rib cage) and legs.

Combine the next 5 ingredients into a cure and rub well into the legs before refrigerating for 2 hours. Wash off the marinade and dry with a clean cloth.

Carefully simmer the duck fat and use to cook the legs gently for 1 to 2 hours until soft and tender. Allow the legs to cool in the fat, then remove and shred off the meat before refrigerating.

• 200g fresh wild mushrooms, bite-sized • 1 large white onion, diced

• Good pinch of baby lilliput capers

• Few sprigs of thyme, leaves chopped • 2 cloves of garlic

water, cover again and leave until softened.

Drain and tear into bite-sized pieces.

Gently soften the onions, capers, thyme and garlic in the butter. Add the fresh and rehydrated mushrooms and cook until tender. Add the wine and stock, boiling hard to reduce by two thirds. Add the cream and reduce by one third. Set aside.

PHEASANT BREASTS • Pheasant crowns

• 2 crushed garlic cloves • Sprig of thyme • Rapeseed oil

• Unsalted butter

• Drizzle of white truffle oil • Lemon half

Pre-heat the oven to 180c. Oil a hot, heavy, ovenproof pan and seal off the crowns until browned on both sides, add the garlic and thyme sprig before roasting for 4 minutes, turn over and cook for 4 more minutes.

Remove from the pan and allow to rest for 10 minutes somewhere warm. Carve off the breasts and keep warm.

To serve, fry the gnocchi in a hot pan of foaming oil and butter until golden, allowing 7 per person. Add the gnocchi and the leg meat to the fricassée and warm until heated through. Stir through truffle oil and a squeeze of lemon. Spoon into hot soup plates and top with the carved breasts.

• 30g unsalted butter • 50ml white wine

• 300ml chicken stock

• 300ml double cream

Pour boiling water onto the dried mushrooms, cover and allow to swell for 20 minutes. Drain and replace the boiling

WIN: OLK feastfs SUFF county, twenty che one

lovers’ guide cookbook & food second edition

We have three signed copies of this fabulous new cookbook to give away, see page 29.

Tessa Allingham

Frankie Foreword by

Dettori

49

Richard Bainbridge

is the chef proprietor of Benedicts Restaurant in Norwich www.restaurantbenedicts.com

November, the central heating is most definitely

on, the fire is being lit we have just had our chimney swept in preparation for the winter fires. Cold Sunday walks on the marshes is a real Autumnal activity in our family which we love to do. I think our coastline really comes to life as it gets colder, the mussels and oysters plump up because they have to work harder so they get richer. We love to go for a long walk and finish off with a pub lunch and a pint of beer.

For me there is nothing more warming to the soul than a pint of East Anglian beer and a big bowl of mussels with some crunchy warm wholemeal bread.

As I’ve said in previous articles East Anglia really has so much bounty in the county and I think that mussels really signify the East Anglian coastline. We have amazing crab, glorious fish that swim past us.

I often think the North Sea, especially around our coastline, is a bit like the M25 because the fish all pass us to go on to the English Channel and out into the Atlantic. We are very lucky to have the few that stick around like razor clams, the fantastic oysters and the dabs that come about here however, for me it is the plump and delicious mussels that steal the show.

There is a real kind of heritage which comes from the East Anglian coastline and especially North Norfolk, from Brancaster and Thornham all the way down to Blakeney, Morston and Stiffkey the mussels run all the way down the coast. Very simply cooked with shallots as you would do when you go into a pub with the white wine, double cream and root vegetables all we’re doing is switching out the white wine for a delicious Norfolk beer, its just perfect.

50

MY TOP TIPS FOR MUSSELS:

Make sure they are fresh, if you pick them up and they are slightly open, give them a tap you should be able to see them slowly bring themselves together which means they are still alive and fresh as you can possibly get.

When you do get them home either leave them under cold running water for at least an hour or alternatively, I remember being told an old wives tale which is to put your mussels into a bucket fill it up with cold water, sprinkle any type of flour in the bucket.

What this does is when the mussels are breathing they breathe in the flour and when they blow it out all the impurities and the grit gets blown out with the flour. There is nothing worse than having mussels and chewing down on grit so making sure they are thoroughly washed is paramount.

Once you’ve cooked them you will need to de-beard them, this is the scraggy ‘beard’ which hangs off the curve on the inside of the shell. It is where they have connected themselves to either the rope or the shoreline.

Chefs calls this ‘de-bearding’. You just give it a little wiggle and a tug to pull off the beard.

METHOD Place a large pot on a high heat, once the pot has become really hot add the mussels and shake well. Then add the beer plus all the vegetables and herbs, shake well and cover. Continue to cook covered for another 4 minutes until the mussels have opened then remove the lid and add the cream. Bring to the boil, once boiling remove from the heat.

Serve in the middle of the table with warm bread and a bottle of your chosen cooking beer, settle down by the fire and dig in!

When it comes to cooking, an open mussel is a good mussel. It should only take 2-3 minutes to cook them so if there are any that haven’t opened or are only open a small amount during the cooking process discard them as they will make you unwell. Make sure they are open nice and wide and they are looking juicy and plump inside before serving.

Some of the best mussels you can buy in Norfolk are on the roadsides around Blakeney and Morston Quay, if you get the opportunity and are driving by then pick some up and drive straight home with them and cook them up for your tea and there truly is nothing better!

Photography by KATJA BAINBRIDGE

INGREDIENTS • 500g-1kg Norfolk Mussels • 1 Bottle of your favourite local beer plus 1 for serving (I love the Amber Ale from Malt Coast Brewery in Wells-next-the-Sea) • 50g Double Cream • 1 Shallot (Finely Sliced) • 1 Carrot (Finely Sliced) • 1 Garlic Clove (Finely Sliced) • Sprig of Thyme • 1 Bay Leaf • Sprig of Parsley

OUR NEW CHRISTMAS MENU HAS ARRIVED

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d e t s a o R loin b m a L Photography by MALCOLM HIRST

with crispy shoulder, carrot puree, wilted greens & lamb jus

52

METHOD Start by taking 500g of carrots, the celery, onion, garlic, thyme and rosemary. Roughly chop and start browning it in a hot pan big enough to take your boned and rolled lamb shoulder. Heavily caramelise your vegetables in the pan and then add your lamb shoulder followed by your stock which has been brought to the boil. Foil it and place in an oven preheated to 160ยบc and braise till really soft (4-5 hours depending on your oven. Take out of the oven and let it cool for half an hour, take a little of the cooking liqueur and reduce down to a glaze, meanwhile pull the meat away from the fat and sinew and mix with salt and pepper the reduced cooking liqueur. Push this into a tray that has been lined with Clingfilm and that is at least an inch deep to achieve a nice deep set.

Cover and place in the fridge for 24 hours.

Reserve the cooking liqueur for tomorrow.

Turn your lamb shoulder press out and cut into a rectangle roughly 2 by 4 cm in length, and flour egg and breadcrumb it, reserve in the fridge for later. Place your cooking liqueur that has been strained into a saucepan minus the fat that has settled on the top of the pot and reduce down by three quarters, add the red wine and this time reduce to a glaze. Add the veal jus and bring to the boil and reserve to one side to heat up later. Collate your greens in a bowl and make sure they have been washed sufficiently. Place your carrots in a pan of salted water, boil till they are really soft and add them to the food processer, take 175g of the butter and melt it and drip it in to the food processer until a puree consistency

is achieved, season generously and to your taste with salt and pepper and reserve somewhere warm.

Next put a pan on large enough for your lamb, season on all sides and put in a warm pan and bring the pan up to temperature with the lamb in, this will render the fat of the lamb sufficiently, add a knob of butter and turn the lamb, nappe the butter over the lamb and oven roast it for 10-12 minutes for pink lamb and longer for well done.

Pop a pan of boiling water on the hob, Next deep fry the lamb shoulder that has been panko bread crumbed, meanwhile add a pan onto the gas and add the remaining butter, blanch the greens in the water for 1 to 2 minutes and add to the buttered pan with a generous season of salt and pepper, fry until cooked.

Place to one side to h Blanch the carrots in refresh once cooked,

FOOD & WINE

white pol Breas t of Norfo lk phea sant, Conf it leg, Pinot a 2015 black berri es , hazle nuts and a black berry jus

This is a w back to th pepper salt and • Thyme, duck fat,RECIPE Dut Cape • 4 pheasant breasts and 4 pheasant legs which da Oil • • 3 blackberries each The curre cut • 3 heritage carrots peeledinand s 2006 Breast of Norfolk pheasant, Confit leg, white polenta, • 40g roasted hazelnut slant into lozenges. un the of blackberries , hazlenuts andflour( a blackberry jus expert at the quick cook) • 6 oz polenta s vineyard sieved and pureed ne chef ries d wi blackber hea 12 • d utive anctor and wine exec e head chef of the executiv dinrector dire L ideal clima TE1tbsp • 2.5 oz of grated parmesa HO of water AL RI of the SERVES SIX PE IM L HOTEL INGREDIENTS IMPERIA the expert at of premium g to 1/2 a • 1.5 pints of water IMPERIAL HOTEL • 2 pint beef stock reduced HOTEL IMPE • Thyme, duck fat, saltRIAL and pepper • 4 pheasant breasts and 4 pheasant legs The Pinotage i in Great Yarmouth • Half a pint of •milk • 25g pea shoots only grown in S Oil • 3 blackberries each a b e rn e t being a cross b C te a st E er butt oz 4 • n o peeled and cut • 3 heritage on the • 40g roasted hazelnuts N e lscarrots 10 Cinsault. The 0 2 t o rl e slant S into v ig n o n /M a ulozenges. but very f • 6 oz polenta flour( quick cook) METHOD a not the h Afric utNext Paarl So • 12 blackberries pureed and with put a trying pan on cap thesieved in a d in place te and thyme ua sit • 2.5 oz of grated parmesan e Take the duck fate and ar n’swater Nelsoof Th 1tbsp and add 1 pheasant breasts lk. the simmer and place a rolling saucepan bring to ha osen ve chthe ms in North Norfoheatsh • 1.5 pints of water r I ha rn te t bre pheasan Pe Bu place m and fro Until lowest the on di • 2 pint beef stock reduced to 1/2 a pint pheasant legs into it,cook the Lamb from brown both s endgolden company t bl To ac until fry 3on/Merlo about • Half a pint of milk take willrn this ign through, uv Sa tender and cooked et s • 25g pea shoots e wine l Cabe stove gas for thoven erfu heated to 18 in a apes to wond grplace thishave on the been hours. Once they similar blend of • 4 oz butter on which islkaand ign a in the phe uv pink of ric dash a Sa for Af et h some rn ut be water,mi So the take Ca hours .

2 and a half rdeaux of Bobring er nk th ba t done ge well for lef to linger e minutes ng th to iri n, on pa saucepa e a and place in mad salt and pepper METHOD nation of combi classic daatrying reewarm. somewhe ha ar boil the to ich bring b hasput flour wh polenta lam bs Next pan on capable if taking 4 Take the duck fat and thyme and place in aand add the boil andthe lam e th withtoo dgets sta ich ux. if it as rte careful rdea be wh and uries pheasant breasts and add 1 tbsp oil,Bo heat up saucepan bring to a rolling simmer and placeallthe thefotime whisking e in r cent rondof e Gi of thbreast es sh ar m FINISH cooked TO lt has this once Sa and place the pheasant skin side down pheasant legs into it,cook on the lowest heat Until pan, e the of of a and t hot it will spit out ou 87 19 reared on th in s e fa d thesboth leg into the oven t n rm the irebrown Place parmesa until golden sides, add the carrots tender and cooked through, this willfor take about 3at boilingfry the point, acqu 2 minutes gly lsonadd vin en lo Alan Ne beskin havefor ey185.c , thbeen Reheat the pol en in a Si oven heated to 2-3 minutes hours. Once they have been on the stove gas forbutter andplace to crisp. has it th until in e this whisk nc and cheese te. ta dedicated ofand pt es amplace bankrufor their te d on to a dash of pink in the pheasant breast 2 2 and a half hours take the water,milk and some an quenelle a ily re. and m somewhe warm fa this n Reserve ted. lso incorpora Ne 50 to rest d by thelinger ately im for well done juicy finish.

Leave salt and pepper and place in a saucepan, bring to restoreminutes prox up to b back ap and the sauce 94 heat reduced been has d 19 an Take the beef stock outs.that 87 e 19 ey n ul ee hf tw tc Be e wa ries and hazeln warm. the boil and add the polenta flour bring to the boil workersomewhere r thblackber the placed undethe place in a clean saucepan, addvin were rery esblackber ble th no whisking all the time and be careful as if it gets too hectares of oldare pe wi Caand up against the e place the th 3 with happy in s nt at a time until you bit a ta puree ul ns co re z; the carro ltu hot it will spit out of the pan, once this has cooked ira icu TO FINISH Sh vit flavour ; Mertoloitt;and then the bestto taste the beefrn ignonnext you shouldofbecame taste et Sauv for 2 minutes at boiling point, add the parmesan Cabe Place the leg into the oven to heat to through and the ng . di on ill clu the sau m in Spoon , Se breast. !! rs it the th d va undernea ry an lti BlackBer ay it is boiling hot the andcu stock of the ardonnso Ch cheese and butter and whisk this in until it has been skin to uv crisp.

Reheat the polenta Blanc; ru.co.u www.cafec ignon mea the llaitrcovers that Sa so leg ; ce ge later ne up ta heat to wi side no t one to Pi Place ar e th incorporated. Reserve this warm somewhere. and place adquenelle ontetoofthe plate at the top, t !! a sta 1995, and enjoy an and gis shoots lo 93 water salted 19 no boiling n in oe carrots ee g the Blanch ur and add Take the beef stock out that has been reduced and Betw heat the sauce back up toof boiling point Elsenb the help withand minutes.

6 ed ct around once cooked, nstru place in a clean saucepan, add the refresh blackberry the blackberries hazelnuts. Cut the breast into was co 250g of leeks, • 100g panko . The Zyl. up against the polenta, puree a bit at a time until you are happy with the add the leg 1995 vanplace Euge3neand washed and sliced breadcrumbs ced in earnest in pile next men comthe taste you should became to taste the beef flavour tionthen next and carrots in a uniform odituc Best e e prto th r in fo W d ar in semi circles aw an over the breast and won 300ml red wine of the stock and•the BlackBerry underneath it !! to the sauce Estatethe ar, theSpoon next yebreast. the same year very leg s in 250g of kale, Place to one side• to heat up later and wa so that it covers the and garnish with pea ricameat 5pts poultry or Af h ut So in ay nn do picked, washed Producer in the ar e Ch in Blanch the carrots lamb in boiling salted water and W shoots and enjoy stock am!!pion Private Ch e ed th and de stalked as d ne refresh once cooked, around 6 minutes. crow te has never look • 1pt of veal jus 59nce then the Esta dd 94_P&F_N&S_Final.in n. Si own as by ferme kn 250g spinach lly na io Boland regio at or equivalent rn made The wine is WINE me inte ul s becodates This is a wonderf washed and picked tate hawhich d the Esestate n family back. The1700s Stainless steel on inan al e Nelsograpes tradition with after th back to the late Cr ed m na It over of k, ee 250g of savoy te. ta Es n’s e th lso h pump Ne regular ug and ro of th way Cape Dutch style buildings nds its cabbage2015 washed Pinotage Rheboksloof wisome at el. th m lab ea rt pa str Vineyards South Africa and flavour ocolour all tw settlers. uniqueextract date back to the early which sm and sliced into bite depicted on the to in 60% new r aged d and is then io was Pr s. inspire es bought the estate owners en size pieces.

The current full rip cked atge pi e e ar barrels th oak es old year m 2 ap 40% gr fro e advanta ed Th taken mov in 2006 and This is a wonderful estate which dates The have wine is made by the 1 egg juice was re thefermenting 30% of of nStainless months. the on their flavour. tatio d climate en micro an unique the rm of ur fe lo grapes in steel skins back to the late 1700s with traditional co of ion 50g plain flour extract wine e thegiving wonderf A ich it shows the hanc valley en Paarl s in toregular Cape Dutch style buildings some ofvineyardsk and pump over of the cap toC sthe duringulwh in -30° at 25 and wine ucted The fruit nd dark , director co complex s growing wa the ic flavou for s n ol condition which date back to the early settlers. extract colour and flavour. wine tio oh climatic ideal Afterofalc Fermenta ace.notes ok pland s tooak the owners bought the of blackberry, prune rt at over expe m was then aged inp60% new The current estate pu grapes t premium en on qu t lef fre e d tim d an hints of soft oak spice TOtaken FINISH esseand pr14 EL have HOTand es werefor in 2006 advantage 2 year oak apbarrels IMPERIAL which grbasically a grape is 40% theis The Pinotage fe n. nold entatio entatio rm ferm Once the lamb is of the lacticThe fill the palate tannins alo of the unique micro climate months.

M t grape hybrid ou A Africa. hug only grown in South ro th w s Ne lee t 0% as 10 ye e in s thA wonderful rested, carve 3 pieces of dried fruit flav vineyards in the Paarl valley giving the wineNoir it shows nuances and the Pinot for 18 month ed a cross between being en agflavours s thfruit ne wa wi e ideal for the growing The complex, dark with ertaste an aft Th the on linger per climatic portion, conditions heat the carrot Africa South grape thrivesrrinels Cinsault. k ba in .theprunes oaplaces of premium notes blackberry, chof the enother really well with Fr world. puree and jus grapes up till full heat and d flavour an but very few nt The Pinotage is a grape which is basically and hints of soft oak spices. th blackcurra start to plate. Lay a swipe of carrot puree very aromatic wi Pheasant dish.

INGREDIENTS

SERVES SIX

bbss Moobb N ickk M Nic

e arkke Peter Clar r Cl Pete

Peter Clarke executive head chef of the IMPERIAL HOTEL in Great Yarmouth

Ingredients - SERVES SIX • 1 lamb loin, boned so you have layer of fat over the eye of the meat • 1 small lamb shoulder, boned and rolled • Salt and pepper • Vegetable oil • 1.5kg carrots peeled, and sliced finely • 1 onion • Handful of thyme and rosemary • 4 garlic cloves • 2 celery stalks • A 250 block of butter

• • • •

• •

Nick Mobbs director and wine expert at the IMPERIAL HOTEL

2015 Pinot age Rheb okslo of Vineyards South Afr

Nick Mobbs

only grown in South Africa. A hybrid grape

across the plate and a another going thethe opposite being cross between Pinot Noir and direction, add the green through the swipe and place in the Cinsault.

The grape thrives South Africa but very fewthe other places in the world. crispy lamb shoulder across the opposite direction.

Place lamb on the wilted greens and sauce the lamb and then in and around the garnish. Enjoy.

is the palate and is wine fill th smoky Thtannins The complimented wi noseflavours thefruit nuances ofon dried ed wine di ackberry bl bo llfu a is . It work aracters chertaste linger and boxaft arthe ring ge d cigon lin an d long tanninsofanthe really well with ppleflavours suthe elegant . th te la wi pa e th Pheasant dish. hint on spicy t chefs brillian with a of te team aftert•asA

• A team of brilliant chefs • Superb wine list • Laid-back atmosphere

• Superb wine list • Laid-back atmosphere

The perfect restaurant for dinner or Sunday lunch. At the Imperial Hotel, North Drive, Gt Yarmouth, NR30 1EQ. To book call 01493 842000

www.cafecru.co.uk

Sunday 12.30 - 2pm www.cafec Monday - Saturday 6.30 ru.co.uk - 10pm The Terrace is open daily. For opening times & menu go to imperialhotel.co.uk

The perfect restaurant for dinner or Sunday lunch. At the Imperial Hotel, North Drive, Gt Yarmouth, NR30 1EQ. To book call 01493 842000 Sunday 12.30 - 2pm Monday - Saturday 6.30 - 10pm The Terrace is open daily. For opening times & menu go to imperialhotel.co.uk

59

December Christmas Menu

Christmas Dinner Dance

Christmas Day Luncheon

Melon Platter Classic prawn cocktail Cream of tomato soup with herb croutons

Entertainment by Tocatta

Hog roast pork, apple & sage pate with chestnut marmalade & crispbread Scottish smoked salmon, king prawn & crayfish platter with lime & paprika mayo Melon & parma ham platter Spicy roasted parsnip soup with crispy leek & bacon croutons

Melon Platter Classic prawn cocktail Cream of tomato soup with herb croutons

***** Roast Norfolk turkey breast with pigs in blankets, lemon parsley stuffing & chicken gravy Vegetable strudel (v) All served with market day vegetables ***** Homemade Christmas pudding Tuille basket with mixed berry compote & blueberry ice-cream Milk chocolate profiteroles with dairy cream & dark chocolate nibbles Selection of English cheese & biscuits ***** Coffee, mince pies & festive chocolates

£21 two courses with coffee £24 three courses with coffee

Saturday 15th December

***** Grilled seabass fillet with crayfish mash & spinach cream sauce Roast Norfolk turkey breast with pigs in blankets, lemon parsley stuffing & chicken gravy Vegetable strudel (v) All served with market day vegetables ***** Homemade Christmas pudding Tuille basket with mixed berry compote & blueberry ice-cream Milk chocolate profiteroles with dairy cream & dark chocolate nibbles Selection of English cheese & biscuits ***** Coffee, mince pies & festive chocolates

£30 per person Dinner Dance £66 per person with Bed & Breakfast

***** Roast Norfolk turkey breast with pigs in blankets, onion & herb terrine, rich gravy & cranberry sauce Grilled seabass fillet with a lemon & paprika crust Roast sirloin of English beef with Yorkshire pudding, horseradish sauce & red wine sauce Oven baked Gressingham duck breast with roasted sweet potato & sour cherry sauce Lentil, cranberry, beetroot & vegetable loaf (v) All served with market day vegetables ***** Traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce Milk chocolate profiteroles with coconut ice-cream & dark chocolate nibbles Tuille basket with berries & blueberry ice-cream ***** Selection of English cheese & biscuits ***** Coffee, mints & mince pies

£62 Per adult £32 per child (under 12) £22 per child (under 5)

North Drive, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1EG

www.palmcourt.co.uk

01493 844568

s t c i d e n e B

COCKTAIL

Photography by KATJA BAINBRIDGE

Peartini

ng If you’re hosti mething a little a dinner

t so party and wan not kick it off why bit different to us io ic el simple yet d try our super ge id tr fect with a Par ‘Peartini’, per napé!

Scotch Egg ca

INGREDIENTS For the ‘Peartini’

• 25ml Vodka (Your Preferred Choice)

• 50ml Homemade Pear Syrup

• 10ml Lemon Juice

For the Pear Syrup

• Litre of Cold Water

Nico le

Cach Resta Bene d ao www. icts Restaurant Man resta uranturant in Nager at o bene dicts.rwich com

• 400g Granulated Sugar • 5 Pears (Deseeded)

METHOD For the Pear Syrup

Put all the ingredients for the pear syrup into a sauce pan on a medium heat and bring it to a simmer until it thickens to a syrup consistency. Take off the heat and allow to cool, this will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

For the Garnish

Lay a piece of baking parchment onto a flat baking tray. Using a knife, very thinly slice a pear, lay the slices onto the baking parchment.

Pop it into the oven on it’s lowest setting or if you have one, use your airing cupboard and leave them in for 12-24 hours or until they are crisp.

TO MIX

Once you are ready to make your ‘Peartini’ put the Vodka, Pear Syrup and Lemon Juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake together for roughly 10 seconds to combine the ingredients then strain into a glass of your choice, at Benedicts we use a Coupe glass. Garnish with the pear crisp on the rim of the glass. You can double up on the ingredients however, don’t put too much in your shaker at one time as the ingredients may not combine properly.

55

Men have a very personal history with the shaving experience and putting that process into the hands of a blade-wielding stranger is a mental hurdle for many. But you really must.

shave

crave the

Scott Birch looks at the resurgence of the barber and the growing trend of the beard, Movember and the importance of well groomed face furniture

L

ook

around you this month and you’ll is holding you back, it’s a hurdle worth tackling. likely spot gentlemen with some eyeImagine the scene. It’s my first barbershop catching face furniture that was last in shave experience in a swanky new fashion when you could still smoke on airplanes, establishment in Dubai. While waiting my turn, two thirds of Brits voted to remain in the EU (or relaxing with my complimentary drink, there EEC as it was then), and petrol was 17 pence a litre. is a film playing on the TV, some macho prison Sadly, like so many great things from the 1970s, drama. Then one of the actors produces the manly moustache fell out of fashion favour a knife, and proceeds to wreak havoc on and, ironic tributes aside, has failed to his fellow inmates. I gulp loudly. When return. That is apart from one month a year you’re about to put your neck on the line, when 5 million men around the world allow literally, it’s the last thing a nervous novice their upper lip to sprout as nature intended wants to see. in the name of raising awareness of men’s Men have a very personal history with health issues – including prostate the shaving experience and putting cancer, testicular cancer and that process into the hands of a mental health. blade-wielding stranger is a mental Movember started out in 2003 hurdle for many. But you really with a group of 30 Australian must. If you enjoy having your buddies and is now a participation haircut, the occasional massage, charity event around the world or even a manicure, a wet shave each November. For everyone is the ultimate, affordable taking part, we salute you, and indulgence. what better way to cut a dash The traditional shave process with your ‘tache than with does vary from barber to barber, the help of one of the region’s with each having their own brilliant barbershops (and also take on method and grooming the best places to go when it’s essentials, but this is what you can time to revert to the clean shave). expect on your first visit.

A traditional shave with a Most barbers will start by straight edged razor used to be the applying a pre-shave cream only way gentleman stayed looking Ipswich-born, Oscar-winning actor Ralph containing menthol which helps to sharp before the advent of the Fiennes may have made his name as a cleanopen up the pores. This is followed DIY razor, patented in 1847. Over cut leading man but has also succumbed to by the application of a hot towel the years, the regular (often daily) the way of the beard. In his role as Gustave for a few minutes which softens shave ritual performed by a skilled in the excellent The Grand Budapest the bristles and also relaxes face barber almost disappeared.

Hotel, he also sports a fine moustache. And muscles (essential for nervous However, in recent years Framlingham’s finest, singer songwriter novices especially). traditional barbers have been Ed Sheeran is also no stranger to the ginger If visiting a better barber, you can making a comeback, boosted by the face warmer. then expect an exfoliator to remove ongoing boom in male grooming If you haven’t had a wet shave from a any dead skin and properly prepare and return to favour of the beard. barber, you’re missing out on a treat. If fear for the application of the more 57

Christmas Party Nights At Yarmouth Stadium

December at the Raceview Restaurant

Christmas Parties!

On scheduled Christmas Party Nights, after the track lights dim, guests enjoying an evening in the Raceview Restaurant or Private Lounges can stay and party with our DJ until 1am.

The dancefloor in the restaurant is near our late licenced bar!

Date

Price Offer

Sat 1st

£25.99 Starter, Main Course (No Disco)

The Festive 5!

Thurs 13th £25.99 ABBA Tribute Night - Main Course Only

Yarmouth Road, Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk NR30 5TE 01493 720343 www.yarmouthstadium.co.uk

£14.99 Main Course Only (No Disco)

For pre-booked parties of 5 or more adults, our Festive 5 includes: Fast-track entry Tote betting Drink Hot Dog and a Racecard.

Fri 14th

£11 per person (not available Boxing Day)

Fri 21st Sat 22nd Mon 24th Wed 26th

Thurs 20th £14.99 Main Course Only (No Disco) £31.99 Starter, Main Course, Dessert & Disco after Racing £34.99 Starter, Main Course, Dessert & Disco after Racing CLOSED £26.99 Boxing Day Brunch

Thurs 27th £14.99 Main Course Only Festive Special - Complementary Bottle of wine per table of 4 Adults.

Call us now to guarantee your seats!

Boxing Day Brunch!

£31.99 Starter, Main Course, Dessert & Disco after Racing

Sat 15th £34.99 Starter, Main Course, Dessert & Disco after Racing Mon 17th £14.99 Main Course Only (No Disco)

On Thursday 27th December we are offering our popular Festive Special, a complementary bottle of wine per table of 4 adults!

Book Now! 01493 720343

£14.99 Main Course Only (No Disco)

Thurs 6th

Sat 8th £34.99 Starter, Main Course, Dessert & Disco after Racing Mon 10th £14.99 Main Course Only (No Disco)

Festive Special

After the fun of the racing, the track lights dim, Guests can enjoy an evening, In our Raceview Restaurant, Or Executive Lounge, Stay and party with our DJ, ‘Til 1 am!

Mon 3rd

Sat 29th

£25.99 Starter, Main Course (No Disco)

Mon 31st

CLOSED

You will need to book early for one of our most popular events of the year.

Gates open at 10am, with the first race at 11am. Price includes admission, parking, racecard and our fantastic Brunch. A great way to spend Boxing Day - only £26.99 each!

Enjoy the festivities in our Party Lounges!

“Christmas Executive Package”

Party in our Lounges!

Book Now! 01493 720343

Includes admission, racecard, our Christmas Executive Package and disco til 1am.

1 Lounge (Min 20 people, Max. 30) 2 Lounges (Min 45 people, Max. 60) 3 Lounges (Min 75 people, Max. 90) Call us to discuss package upgrades!

THE

SNOW BALL WITH THE RAGROOF PLAYERS & THE 78RPM DANCE BAND Saturday 15 December at The Drill House

Monday & Thursday - £28.00pp (No Disco) Friday & Saturday - £39.99pp

Yarmouth Road, Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk NR30 5TE 01493 720343 www.yarmouthstadium.co.uk

FEATURING

RAGROOF’S DJ s

PLAYING AUTH ENTIC MUSIC FROM THE 20 s TO 50s

the 78rpm

dance ba

nd WITH SWING, DANC FROM THE GO E AND JAZZ LDEN ERA GET IN THE SP

IRIT AND

DRESS TO IMPRESS!

PUT ON YOUR GLAD RAGS, DIG OUT YOUR DANCING SHOES... & SWING INTO CHRISTMAS! Enjoy timeless dance classics as The Ragroof Players and 78rpm Dance Band combine to bring you an evening of delightful vintage atmosphere, sophisticated sounds, Instant Dance Classes and a delicious two-course meal... the perfect Christmas treat!

£29.99 further info & booking:

seachangearts.org.uk 01493 745458

The Drill House | York Road | Great Yarmouth | NR30 2LZ

The cut throat razor - let’s call it a straight edge for obvious reasons - is put to work in the skilled and steady hand of the barber, its super-sharp blade making short and purposeful strokes to gently remove even the most stubborn of stubble.

familiar shaving foam. This simply must be applied with a badger hair brush – and even these vary in quality, from Pure to Silvertip, depending on which area of the badger’s hair is used. Note, horse hair brushes are also available, but they tend to be of lesser quality and coarser. The use of a shaving brush, no matter the hair, is to apply the shaving foam and hold the bristles upright, making for a smoother shave.

And so, to business. The cut throat razor – let’s call it a straight edge for obvious reasons – is put to work in the skilled and steady hand of the barber, its super-sharp blade making short and purposeful strokes to gently remove even the most stubborn of stubble. You can expect your face to be pulled and pinched by the barber as he stretches the skin in the best direction for a smooth and clean shave.

Some barbers may well perform a second shave – using the first to remove the majority of the hair and the second to ensure a closer,

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smarter finish. A great shave is not to be rushed.

Once the barber is happy with his work, it’s time to properly protect the newly-exposed skin, starting with a post-shave cream and a cold towel, helping to close the pores and prevent rashes or razor burn. This is especially important for anyone claiming to have sensitive skin – although reports suggest more men believe they have sensitive skin than actually do, mainly due to a poor shaving ritual.

And the fun’s not over yet. It’s time now for a face massage and moisturiser before slapping on a quality cologne. Don’t fret. This shouldn’t sting a bit, or not as much as you may expect, thanks to the ground work that has gone into your perfect shave.

As mentioned earlier, the above is not standard, and many barbers will have their own variations and extras added into the mix.

Visit a traditional Turkish barber, for instance, and you can expect additional grooming delights including singeing hairs from ears with a lit wand. Your ears will never have been so silky smooth. Eyebrows may also receive a trim or pluck.

And the more hirsute gent may also be offered a nasal wax to remove unsightly hairs. While this looks excruciating, and will no doubt induce a few tears, we are assured that the process is not as painful as one might expect. Remember, beauty is pain.

Many barbers offer gift vouchers for the wet shave experience, so they are a great way to treat the Movember hero in your life once his moustache month is up. And with so many great barbers across the region, now is the perfect time to add this resurgent service to your regular haircut routine.

Tel: 01493 652 774

Gorleston High Street Gorleston On Sea Norfolk

Retro clothing for him or her from the 40S 50S and 60S

CHERS U O V T GIF BLE AVA I L A R E I N S TO

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For a beautiful way to indulge yourself… Beach Clinic is the place for Botox Injection. Dermal Filler Injections, Lips, Cheekbones, Cheek volume restoration and chin reshaping.

Rejuvenating Facials and Chemical peels.

Skin Tag and Thread vein removal.

Laser Lipo fat reduction and Laser stretchmarks treatment.

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S3302 Places and Faces LSA v1.qxp_Layout 1 11/03/2018 19:49 Page 1

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Le Strange Brasserie Dinner, Sunday Lunch

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Real ales, good pub food, outside seating

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Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

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HEALTH

DON’T SUFFER IN

Silence Debbie Thorpe of Spire Norwich Hospital discusses with

Consultant Gynaecologist, Mr Sam Mukhopadhyay

how an overactive bladder can be controlled with the right tools and know-how.

H

ave

you found yourself sitting in a meeting and have a sudden urge to go to the toilet? Or you’re frequently waking at night to empty your bladder. Maybe you have to plan your trips out, even popping to the local shop, depending on where the nearest toilets are as you’re afraid you won’t make it in time! If you’re having to run to the toilet or find your bladder habits embarrassing, don’t suffer in silence, help is available.

An overactive bladder is not a disease but often a treatable condition, distinguished by passing urine frequently, more than eight times in 24 hours and more than one time at night, sudden urges to empty the bladder, and for some women incontinence. I caught up with Mr Sam Mukhopadhyay, Consultant Gynaecologist at Spire Norwich Hospital to learn a little more about this problem.

Mr Mukhopadhyay explains; ‘To understand an overactive bladder you first have to understand how the bladder works. The bladder has elastic muscular walls that stretch easily as it fills with urine. The urine is held inside the bladder by a valve which stays closed until it’s time to “go” and the pelvic floor muscles below the bladder help to stop any leaks by tensing up during coughing or sneezing. Usually you would get some warning as the bladder becomes full allowing you to “hold on”. When it’s time to “go” the brain tells the bladder muscle to contract and this squeezes out the urine, at the same time the valve and pelvic floor muscles relax.

‘An overactive bladder is caused by an overactive bladder muscle; it tenses up without warning even when you don’t want it to, even when the bladder isn’t full, leading to a sudden desperate urge to “go” sometimes resulting in not getting to the toilet quickly enough. Other symptoms include having to “go” many times in the day and night even if you haven’t had much to drink. It can occur at any age in women especially those who have had previous pelvic operations’ ‘Although an overactive bladder may not be curable, with the right tools and know-how, an overactive bladder can be controlled. Many people who have an overactive bladder don’t realise there are selfhelp measures they can undertake and should do differently. Did you know that caffeine either in coffee, tea or even some herbal and green teas can make the symptoms worse. In addition, cutting down on fizzy drinks, alcohol and acidic fruit juices can help.

‘It may also be a good idea to keep a diary making a note of the times you pass urine, and the amount that you pass each time, in addition to the liquid you’re drinking; when you drink, what you’re drinking and how much. Also make a note of any times that you

leak urine. Keep an old measuring jug by the toilet so that you can measure the amount of urine you pass each time you go to the toilet.

Your diary will be a great tool for your family doctor and other healthcare providers.

‘If simple self-help measures don’t alleviate your symptoms arrange an appointment with you family doctor who may be able to refer you for physiotherapy and pelvic floor exercises. It’s worth mentioning that in 40% of cases physiotherapy is all that is needed to control an overactive bladder. Should physiotherapy prove unhelpful further help is available. Your GP may try medication to help by making the bladder muscle less likely to tense up and research suggests that medication can work in 60% of people.’

Mr Mukhopadhyay continues; ‘for patients where the above have not eased the symptoms of an overactive bladder alternative options are available, following appropriate investigation, including botulinum toxin A (botox®).

‘Many people may have heard of botox® being used in the cosmetic industry, but it has been used medically for over 20 years in the treatment of muscle spasticity. Only recently has it been used to relax the bladder wall muscle and it works very well when other treatments have failed.

‘The treatment involves injecting botulinum toxin A into the sides of your bladder. This treatment has an effect of damping down the abnormal contractions of the bladder and one injection can last up to eight months.

‘If you are a woman and plan to have children, this will affect your decision, because the physical strain of pregnancy and childbirth can sometimes cause surgical treatments to fail. Therefore, you may wish to wait until you no longer want to have any more children before considering surgery.’

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on bladder over activity or to make a private appointment with Mr Sam Mukhopadhyay please contact one of the team on 01603 255 614.

Further details regarding Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Sam Mukhopadhyay can be found on his consultant profile at www.spirenorwich.com.

All surgery carries an element of risk and the content of this page is provided for general information only. It should not be treated as a substitute for the professional medical advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional. www.facebook.com/spirenorwichhospital/

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Staycation

Breaks

A winter getaway can recharge the grey cells ahead of the busy festive season. Our selection of superb hotels and self-catering cottages have something for everyone...

The Lime Wood Hotel, New Forest This New Forest manor was originally a mediaeval hunting lodge way back in the 13th century. The Duke of Clarence reclaimed it for royalty in the 1740s and since then has undergone another extravagant makeover, giving this stately pile a serious air of perfection, with primly landscaped grounds, devotedly designed interiors, a super spa and a tantalising restaurant to prove it.

The restaurant, Hartnett Holder & Co, is run by Angela Hartnett and Lime Wood’s Luke Holder, with their team, and they create locally sourced Italian dishes with a respectful nod to the seasons. Stylish and comfortable, full of character and unpretentious the restaurant and the much loved Italian approach to eating, where sharing and provenance is everything, adds a culinary delight to your stay. www.limewoodhotel.co.uk

www.norfolkcottages.co.uk

The Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Windermere All 25 bedrooms have beautiful Lakeland views, most leading directly onto the gardens. Six of the rooms have their own cedarwood hot tubs.

With the new addition of five fabulous detached Spa Lodges, each with their own ensuite spa (rainmaker showers and steam rooms inside, hydrotherapy hot tubs and saunas outside) ensure a very special, private experience.

Alternatively you can invite family and friends to stay with you at the Gilpin Lake House (a mile away on a separate estate), a sanctuary where just 12 guests can enjoy 100 acres of private grounds, with its own lake, boat house, hot tubs, saunas, and swimming pool. The Lake House has the feel of a country house with all the services of a hotel.

Breakfast is served at the Lake House, but the hotels complimentary chauffeur will take you to dine at one of the other hotels fabulous restaurants. www.thegilpin.co.uk

Staycation

Breaks

Bedford Lodge Hotel, Newmarket Set in three acres of secluded gardens and adjacent to some of the most famous paddocks and training stables in the world, Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa epitomises the finest in contemporary style. Each one of the stylish guest rooms and suites is chic and comfortable and comes equipped with the latest technology.

This luxury hotel provides the perfect blend of old and new in a beautiful country setting, so if you are looking to stay close to Cambridge or Bury St Edmunds

S P ON SO RE D BY

www.norfolkcottages.co.uk

Seaforth, Cromer (Self-catering) In an impressive location overlooking the sandy beach and sea this great coastal holiday house is in an ideal spot for beach days, surfing and fun with friends and family. The sitting room and two of the bedrooms have sea views and there is a small terrace with seating, to the front of the house, for listening to the gulls and watching the world go by. Beautifully presented over three floors, there is plenty of accommodation for everyone to enjoy. A superb year-round retreat, snuggle in during cooler months, light the fire and curl up with a sea faring book! Restaurants, pubs, shops and the local cinema are all within easy reach, as is the iconic Pier with year round family shows to relish. A stay here is one not easily forgotten in a hurry. The accommodation includes a sitting room on the ground floor with plenty of comfortable seating, SmartTV with FreeSat and access to Amazon & Netflix, open fire, sea views and doorway through to Kitchen/ Dining Room with gas cooker, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, dining table, seating benches and chairs.

On the first floor there are 2 bedrooms and a family bathroom with a further 3 bedrooms and a shower room on the second floor. www.norfolkcottages.co.uk

then look no further than Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa. The 2 AA rosette Squires restaurant provides a fine dining experience in an artistic décor making for a charismatic ambience. Whilst using the finest seasonal ingredients and wherever possible, sourcing all of the produce locally. This helps the local community and reduces the distance from field to fork helping Bedford Lodge become a greener hotel. www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk Seckford Hall, Woodbridge, Suffolk This luxury country house hotel and spa has fantastic accommodation, a 2 AA Rosette restaurant and leisure and beauty facilities for both business and personal use. During your stay you can relax in the fantastic spa which features a large swimming pool, steam room, gym and a wide range of beauty treatments. If you fancy a round or two of golf then you can take advantage of playing at Seckford Golf Centre adjacent to the Hotel. Guests will enjoy the comfortable rooms and some also feature stunning fourposter beds.

The ‘1530’ restaurant is classical in nature with a warm interior. Stunning statement lighting and an eclectic mix of colours, mirroring the Tudor charm of the hotel.

The talented team of chefs turn local produce into seasonal mouth-watering dishes for you to enjoy.

www.seckford.co.uk

H O M E FO R AT G L A S S W E L L S

Bury St. Edmunds t: 01284 752804 | Ipswich t: 01473 253164 | glasswells.co.uk

Recharge your batteries with a well earned winter break

Bahia Del Duque Hotel Tenerife You are certain to be seduced by the elegant decor, tranquillity and exceptional service, all set to the beautiful backdrop of the intense blue of the Atlantic Ocean. Located in one of the most prestigious areas of the island of Tenerife; Costa Adeje, the Bahia del Duque Hotel will ensure that you can recharge under the all year round sun.

Packed with amenities including a wellness centre, five swimming pools, nine

Hotel Stary, Krakow Winner of the renowned Paris Prix Villégiature competition “the most beautiful hotel interior in Europe” the hotel perfectly harmonizes with modernity in its stunning atmosphere, elegance and style of the building. The Hotel Stary has created spacious and refined rooms with unique arrangements and unique style.

As well as a beautiful terrace, offering unique views of St. Mary’s church and the Cloth hall on the main market square, the hotel has a sky bar and summer restaurant.

The summer restaurant has a unique panorama of Cracow’s historic towers and rooftops which is not to be missed! www.stary.hotel.com

Travel

time

restaurants and 13 bars and lounges you will certainly not get bored. For the more energetic guests you can even work-up a sweat in the well equipped 24 hour gym or on the squash and tennis courts. For slightly less lively activity the hotel has it’s own pitch and putt, as well as breath-taking views of El Duque Beach and the the hotel’s exotic gardens. www.thetaishotels.com/bahia-del-duque

Le Palais Art Hotel, Prague An elegant hotel situated near the Park Folimanka is a striking example of Belle Époque architecture. The historic ornamental stucco and magnificent wall paintings help to create an unforgettable sense of luxury and with only 72 rooms the guests can expect a personal approach to their stay.

The hotel has a focus on wellness, with

a heath club and spa which offers many luxurious treatments to relax even the most stressed of guests. Once relaxed a visit to the restaurant is a must, which is renowned throughout Prague for its Czech and international haute cuisine. Visitors can then enjoy their meal looking out on spectacular views of the city! www.lepalaishotel.eu 69

r e t n i WWonder e g n u o L Broste Kroll cotton cushion cover, £50

Broste Chevron cushion cover, £35

Monterosso large sideboard £799 (RRP £1339) Save 40%

Parlane faux fur Husky throw, £75

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All available from The Granary, Bedford Street, www.jarrold.co.uk

Hayley & Jennifer are homeware buyers

Jarrold, 1-11 London Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.jarrold.co.uk The Granary, 5 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.thegranary.co.uk

Soft velvets, cool cottons and a stripped back style is the new take on cosy winter interiors, says Jarrold home buyers Hayley Philpot and Jennifer Dwyer

Remember that Hygge trend from a few years back?

The Scandinavian style of turning your home into a warm and relaxing abode over the winter months has never really gone away. Many of us still crave cosy home interiors that will turn a room in your house into a place to hibernate for the colder months while still creating a modern and stylish feel.

This year this cosy comfort look takes inspiration from the Hygge or the Lagom looks from the past few winter seasons.

Pale wooden furniture, grey, beige and cream and tactile texture all play a part in this style that will create a tranquil and cosy space.

Here are just a few pieces that can help you transform your home to a place of comfort and relaxation this winter.

ASTRID LARGE CORNER SOFA in ‘a’ range fabrics £2,199 (RRP £2,971) and large stool £339 (RRP £459) Save 25% (other sizes and options available)

Three of the best lighting solutions

Light up this autumn and winter with one of these new lights.

Broste Clarise glass table lamp, £135 Fatboy Candyofnie (configure your light, your way with different configurations, shapes and colours), from £99.95 Parlane gold Architect pendant light, £225

Your Granary Edit magazine packed full of home inspiration is available instore and online now!

Pick up your copy at The Granary or read at www.jarrold.co.uk/edit

AUTUMN OFFERS

The Number One Choice for Beds & Advice Massive savings & big brand special offers Choose from a superb selection of divan-sets & mattresses, fabric upholstered bases & headboards, wooden & metal bedframes all from classic traditional to the latest contemporary styles Disposal service available and free delivery Come and visit the bed experts today at: Curtis Road, Norwich NR6 6RB Tel: 01603 483636 22 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EJ Tel: 01603 768260 Cowper Road, Dereham, Norfolk NR19 2DA Tel: 01362 690498 Osier Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1TA Tel: 01284 700846 Greyfriars Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 7DX Tel: 01284 723723 Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3SP Tel: 01284 247090

PROMOTION

Shaken or Stirred!

Wi t h t h e f e s t i v e s e a s o n f a s t approaching you might want to impress your guests.

Our resident interior design expert Julie Handforth-Doidge suggests serving your drinks from a drinks trolley or bar cart.

UNTIL recently a drinks trolley or bar cart

was considered to be a quaint relic of a bygone era but since 2016 they have been making a comeback and with some of the major furniture manufactures noticing this increase in popularity it looks like they are here to stay.

At the peak of their popularity from the 1920’s to the 1970’s nearly every home had a drinks cart from which to serve drinks and with many of us now favouring staying in and entertaining rather than eating out it will come as no surprise these little beauties are back in trend once again.

At a recent dinner party our guests wheeled up a beautiful brass vintage style drinks trolley laden with a choice of 8 different gins, a range of different flavoured tonics and small ice bucket from which we all served our own gin and tonic. I must say it was very impressive and a real talking point throughout the evening.

These retro relics are both functional and beautiful and made in a range of materials from shiny chrome to ornate brass and will blend into any home decor from the ultra-modern to the more classic interior. They are even available in bamboo, copper and glass –the choice is endless.

When buying a drinks trolley make sure you go for quality

checking the castors are up for the task, remember these trolleys can carry significant weight if they are loaded with bottles of alcohol, glasses and ice. I wouldn’t recommend loading the trolley to the hilt with alcoholic beverages in this climate of responsible drinking but they do make a great showpiece and add a wow factor to any party.

If you would prefer a genuine vintage drinks trolley then it is well worth going to one of the regions many auction houses where they can still be snapped up for not a lot of money.

Like me you will probably remember a cocktail shaker in your home when you were a kid and mixing up soft drinks, not really knowing what you were doing but what a great idea for the kids to have fun as well! Oh and that sip of that ever famous Advokat snowball, what a treat at Christmas!

One thing is for sure, a carefully stocked and well-presented drinks cart or trolley makes a statement with your guests, and don’t forget that final touch... that good old fashioned soda syphon!

Bottoms up and enjoy!

If you would like some expert advice on designing your lounge or living room you could always pop down to see the JHD Interiors showroom.

Julie Handforth Doidge

Proprietor / Interior designer at JHD Interiors in Norwich 01603 722 385 www.jhd-interiors.co.uk 73

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Thursday 20 September: Continuing the RAF’s centenary celebrations, the unique event presented by The Ivy Norwich Brasserie, featured a two-course meal with wine, a glass of Champagne on arrival, and talk by Group Captain Townsend, Station Commander at RAF Marham. The evening concluded with a raffle and auction featuring experiences donated by The Ivy Collection, with all proceeds donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

#TheIvyNorwichBrasserie

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Friday 23rd - Monday 26th November 2018

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e n e c S l a i c o S

#Centre - Deb Amiss in her winning outfit and runners ups left Jo Oldman and right Laura Cogman

DEB’S OUTFIT IS FIRST PAST THE POST Best Dressed winner, Great Yarmouth Races Ladies’ Day Great Yarmouth racecourse was awash with vibrant colours, headturning hats and fabulous frocks on Thursday 20 September as the racecourse hosted Ladies’ Day, part of its three-day Eastern Festival of Racing. For the second year running, intu Chapelfield shopping centre sponsored the Best Dressed contest, picking out ten ladies as Best dressed finalists, before the judges had the tough job of crowning one winner and two runners up.

First past the post was Deb Amiss from Taverham, winning an intu Chapelfield gift card loaded with £500 to spend at any of the centre’s stores, cafes or restaurants. While runnersup, Jo Oldman and Laura Cogman, returned home with a £250 intu Chapelfield gift card each.

The finalists were picked out of the stylish crowd by intu Chapelfield’s team of style spotters, including the centre’s marketing manager, Sheridan Smith and a trio of local fashion and lifestyle bloggers, Shelley Hazlewood, Laura Ellen-Wright and Laura Stafford-Smith.

#Deb Amiss is the Best Dressed winner

WINNER: Deb Amiss, won £500 intu Chapelfield gift card. Dress from Phase Eight, available at House of Fraser in intu Chapelfield.

RUNNER UP: Jo Oldman, won £250 intu Chapelfield gift card. Dress from Donatella’s boutique in Oulton Broad.

RUNNER UP: Laura Cogman, won £250 intu Chapelfield gift card. Outfit from Karen Millen, available at House of Fraser in intu Chapelfield.

#The 10 Best Dressed finalists at Great Yarmouth Races Ladies Day 20 September 2018

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Wednesday 19 September: Shoreline Bathrooms Ltd held a presentation evening showcasing their revamped showroom on Morton Peto Road, Harfreys Industrial Estate in Great Yarmouth. Great fun was had by all and included a raffle to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Photography by MALCOLM HIRST

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Later Life Planning: A DELICATE BALANCE When we talk to clients about later life planning, there are a range of factors to consider to get the most out of your wealth for you and your chosen heirs. Carl Lamb explains.

AVERAGE LIFE expectancies have been going up for some years now and many of us can expect to live well into our 90s. Even with the rise in the State Pension Age affecting new retirees, large numbers of those in or near retirement will need to provide for around thirty non-earning years: it’s a prospect that requires careful planning.

As clients approach their retirement years, there are three fundamental questions that tend to prey on their minds.

The most immediate concern is usually what retirement income they can enjoy with the pension savings they have built up while working. We’ve discussed pension income options in earlier columns here in Places & Faces. There are a range of ways to access your pension savings, including securing a guaranteed income with an annuity, but for all those in defined contribution pension schemes, the most popular route is flexible drawdown. This involves taking withdrawals directly from your pension pot, leaving the remaining pot invested for further growth.

This gives the retiree greater flexibility but does necessitate ongoing management of your pension investments to ensure that they can continue to deliver the income you need for as long as you need it.

The next pressing concern is often how you and your family will cope if a family member needs long term care. Care fees can make major inroads into family wealth. Healthcare market specialists Laing Buisson reported in March 2018 that residential care in the UK costs between £623 and £726 per week. Clearly, planning can be critical to ensure an estate isn’t totally depleted. We use lifetime cashflow modelling to show the impact of paying care fees on your finances, allowing us to demonstrate how your strategy can be adapted if and when the need arises.

For example, there are fee plans available providing a

top-up to income for life that will ringfence the portion of an estate that will be eroded by care fees.

Estate planning remains a concern for those with significant assets such as property or investments.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) may be payable for those with assets over the appropriate Nil Rate Band (NRB) – the threshold above which you pay IHT – and the level of NRB that applies to you will depend on a number of factors. Firstly, it will depend on whether or not you have a spouse or civil partner: any unused NRB can be passed on to spouses or civil partners (but not to cohabitees). Secondly, it will depend on your family home: if you own your family home and pass it on to your direct descendants, you can take advantage of an additional slice of NRB known as the Residence Nil Rate Band.

The value of this will depend on when death occurs and the value of the property involved.

There are a range of measures you can adopt, such as lifetime gifts and the use of certain trusts, which may help you manage a future potential IHT liability.

However, it’s important to understand the rules around the reliefs and allowances that are available.

Getting independent financial advice both as you approach retirement and as you pass through your later years can give you peace of mind. It will ensure your strategy continues to maintain the income you need, have the ability to cover additional costs such as care fees and ultimately be a tax-efficient pot to pass on to your heirs.

The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested. The tax treatment of investments depends on individual circumstances and is subject to change.

For independent advice about investing, contact Almary Green on 01603 706740 or email enquiries@ almarygreen.com. Please remember that the guidance here is generic and we recommend that you get individual personalised advice.

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I first met Shane about four years ago when I interviewed him for the Stiff Records book.

I’m now spending time going over to Ireland to see Shane and his family. Shane is great to be around and easy company. He’s not the greatest conversationalist and you can‘t sit him down and ask questions. But he loves spending time with people, watching television and sharing a drink. I always look forward to seeing him.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. I remember talking to a careers adviser at school about becoming a reporter. Lots of people never have a vocation or know what they really want to do, so in that way I feel lucky.

. .. h it w s e t u five min

Richard Balls was a news journalist for

more than 20 years, including nine in Dublin, and worked at Archant Norfolk before moving into communications. He lives in Norwich, is a member of the PR team at TMS Media in Great Yarmouth and is also a published author. He has written books on Ian Dury, Stiff Records and is currently working on an authorised biography of Pogues’ frontman Shane MacGowan.

Tell us about your career progression in journalism.

After leaving journalism college, I worked for a local newspaper group in north London.

I then moved to Dublin where I spent most of the Nineties freelancing for national papers, including The Irish Times, frequently writing about crime. In 1999, I moved back to Norwich after being appointed public affairs correspondent of the Eastern Daily Press. I went on to be crime correspondent and then news editor of the Norwich Evening News, before moving into communications.

What is one of the most memorable news stories you have worked on?

A woman, her young son and a priest were abducted and shot dead by the same man in a remote village in the south of Ireland. I covered the story and his trial. During one hearing the accused launched an attack on those guarding

82

him in the middle of the courtroom. As a journalist, I covered a lot of murder cases, but this was immensely tragic and dramatic, so it has stayed with me.

How did you make the move from news reporter to published author?

Music has always been my greatest passion and I had ambitions to write a book for a while.

I saw Ian Dury perform a couple of times in Dublin and I did a phone interview with him for a feature about Stiff Records. I think that sowed the seed for the biography.

Ian Dury and Shane MacGowan are two household names. What has the experience been like working with them both?

My biography of Ian Dury was not an official one. I was introduced to him backstage before a gig in London when I was just starting research and he completely blanked me. But he didn’t get in the way of what I was doing and I was able to speak to his band, The Blockheads, and a host of other people he knew. I put Ian back in touch with a childhood friend he had not spoken to for years, and I was invited to his house in Hampstead. I was apprehensive because Ian could be very abrasive and was increasingly ill with cancer. But after interrogating me, he was fine and even gave me his blessing – or rather ordered me - to speak to his elderly aunt. So in the end, he was really helpful.

You used to write a column about Norwich City. Tell us about that.

When I joined the EDP, they could see I had strong opinions about Norwich City and I was asked to write a one-off opinion piece. That led to a weekly column which appeared for about 11 years, latterly in the Norwich Evening News.

I always told it how I saw it, and I think it was loved and hated in equal measure!

Can you describe your new role at TMS Media?

I work on the PR side, writing press releases and website and social media content for clients. I love that I can use the skills I have developed both in the media and communications. I enjoy working with clients and building relationships with them.

You have also made a foray into film and television.

Yes! A friend gets a lot of work as a film extra, so I decided to give it a go. The first job I got was on the sequel to Fantastic Beasts, shot at Warner Studios, where I played a New York docker. That was an amazing experience. Since then I’ve appeared in the BBC1 drama The Bodyguard and an American true crime series, and I took part in the recent BBC filming on Cromer Pier. There is a lot of waiting around, early starts and late finishes. But I love it.

What are your interests away from work?

Supporting Norwich City, going to gigs, record collecting and playing guitar.

Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t know.

I am mad about animals. We have a dog called Manny and we recently took on Basil, a rescue cat, from an animal sanctuary.

Sum up yourself in five words.

Passionate, determined, loyal, no-nonsense.

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(or, in cases of vehicles with WLTP type approval, are the NEDC figures provided pursuant to Government guidance until further notice). These figures facilitate direct comparison between different models from different manufacturers, but may not represent the actual fuel consumption achieved in ‘real world’ driving conditions. More information is available at beta.audi.co.uk/wltp Choice of wheels and other options may affect fuel consumption and emissions data. Standard EU figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

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