Places and Faces - Norfolk - January 2014 - Issue 46

JANUARY 2014 | £2.95 WHERE SOLD

THE Magazine for Norfolk

& North Suffolk

WIN A New Look for the New Year With Jarrold’s

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Norfolk Actress

CLAIRE GOOSE G et Yo u r S kat e s

ON WITH

Robin Cousins Frosty Fa i r h av e n

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r e b e c c a celebrities | food | travel | fashion | homes & gardens | theatre ISSUE 46 www.placesandfaces.co.uk

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Welcome

Editor’s Letter Sarah Hardy

sarah@h2creativemedia.co.uk

First things first – a very happy New Year to all our readers.

And what are your resolutions? Here at the magazine we plan to carry on delivering a first class read, full of restaurant reports, celebrity interviews, West End reviews, travel suggestions, garden visits, recipes, fashion ideas and beauty treats. Plus, of course, the odd little surprising read as we like to keep you on your toes!

As is traditional at this time of year, we’re introducing a few new columns – and we have a couple more up our sleeve. We’re starting to showcase some of the truly outstanding photographers we have in our region and we start with Steve Dowcra and his stunning image of Cromer Pier as nature throws all it has at it!

We’ve a new financial writer, Carl Lamb, who will keep us up-todate with all that’s happening in the world of money and a new wine writer, Sam Matthews, who starts off his new series with a look at what’s going to be popular to quaff over the next 12 months. And there’s a new face at the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth to tempt

us with lots of recipes.

This edition also meets some lovely celebrities who are coming to our area, including diva Ruby Turner who calls in at Norwich Playhouse with her powerhouse voice! Emma, our assistant editor, was delighted to meet Robin Cousins and hear about the new ice dance show he’s bringing to our area this March – but possibly more excited by the fact he popped his gold medal around her neck!

I very much enjoyed catching up with West Norfolk actress Claire Goose who is starring in her first ever national tour and she’s expecting all her family to come and watch her when the play hits the city.

But my highlight was, I think, a wintry walk around Fairhaven Garden with head gardener Ian Guest. It is a beautiful place at all times of the year but has that magical, mysterious feel to it in the winter months.

It was lovely to meet many of you at the Assembly House’s Christmas Fair and to hear your views on the magazine. Don’t forget that Emma and I are always pleased to hear from you!

So, all that remains is for me to wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year and to remind you to enter our great competition, held in conjunction with our friends at Jarrold’s. I look forward to receiving your entries.

Have a great month and do follow me on Twitter @H2CreativeSarah

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EMMA OUTTEN Assistant Editor

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contents

46

Take a wintry walk around Fairhaven Garden in Broadland

Celebrities 10 The Ice Man Cometh – Robin Cousins on

his new ice dance show 12 West Norfolk actress Claire Goose stars in

38

Be bold in 2014 says our homes writer Hayley Philpot

her first ever national theatre tour 17 Soul diva Ruby Turner is ready to raise the

roof in Norwich 20 Crime writer Elly Griffiths uses Norfolk as the inspiration for her latest novel

Fashion & Beauty

Cuddly up with a woolly jumper – we select the best ones available

25 Beauty treats to ease you through the wintry

months 27 Look great when you visit the gym – with the help of our essential accessories 77 Enter our great Jarrold’s competition for a chance to win an exclusive fashion consultation and a new outfit

What’s On 31 Our regular monthly guide to the best events

and activities on offer in the region this January 34 The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft offers its usual diverse mix of acts this spring 36 Dancing Queen Sarah Hardy reviews – and sings along to – Mamma Mia! – this month’s West End review

23

32 Book those tickets – Emma Outten previews the big events of the year

64

Pippa LainSmith lets us in on a secret – a perfect bolt hole in Corfu

Homes & gardens 40 The gorgeous South Lopham Hall in south

Norfolk comes under the spotlight as our property of the month

Food & Drink 51 Meet our new wine writer, Sam Matthews 53 What will we all be drinking in 2014? Here

are some suggestions 54 The new-look restaurant at Norwich Theatre Royal, Kemp’s, is reviewed by Emma Outten 57 Our French chef Franck Pontais offers us a vegetable fix for January 58 Would you believe it? Haggis made in Norfolk? Andy Newman reveals all

Travel 62 Sarah Hardy spends a delightful weekend in

the Suffolk town of Aldeburgh

this month’s

Editor’s Choice Editor Sarah Hardy picks her choice of the latest happenings and openings in January…

1

2

48 Simon Wainwright from the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth serves up a naughty looking ginger cake

Best film Mandela: The Long Walk To Freedom tells the story of Nelson

Business 86 The boss of John Lewis in Norwich, Isabel

Macdonald, talks about the company’s 150th birthday this year

Motoring 94 Matt Joy reviews the Leon Sports Coupé 98 Iain Dooley reviews the Peugeot 308

Mandela from prisoner to president. Mandela is played by Idris Elba and Winnie is played by Naomie Harris – both Londoners! It is simply a must see. It opens on January 3.

Best theatre Sam Mendes directs Simon Russell Beale in King Lear, surely one of Shakespeare’s leading tragedies. It opens at the National Theatre in London on January 14 and tickets are going like hot cakes! Visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Regulars

Best giggle

92 Richard Barr recalls the power and lasting

Motormouth comic Russell Kane calls in at Norwich Theatre Royal

influence of John F Kennedy 102 Our six High Society pages kick off with the Remarkable People Awards 2013 108 What a picture! Enjoy our new feature – a celebration of our region’s great photographers 110 Spend five minutes with Diana Scott, owner of South Creake Abbey in north Norfolk

on January 13 with his new show, Smallness. Expect plenty of quirky observations about being British – and belonging to a small island!

Call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Best idea – or not?

Alcohol Concern is pushing Dry January – for obvious reasons, I guess! Apart from giving your liver a rest, giving up the booze does do wonders for your waistline, too! Visit www.dryjanuary.org.uk

Best event

COVER STORY

Kick up your heels at a Burns Supper at the Elveden Estate, near Thetford, on January 25. Described as a modern take on this

14 X Factor runner up Rebecca Ferguson

traditional event, a three course supper at the Courtyard Restaurant

talks about her long road to Freedom

is £32.95 and yes, haggis is on the menu. Call 01842 898068 for more.

Best TV There is simply no competition! Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Sherlock Holmes in a new three-parter of the hit series, Sherlock, on BBC1. The first episode is on New Year’s Eve and is required watching! For the record, Silent Witness returns in the New Year, too.

Best preview Aldeburgh Music Chief Executive Jonathan Reekie and Dan Whitfield, Head of Artistic Planning, preview the 67th Aldeburgh Festival at the Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, on January 27 at 6.30pm. This free event will highlight what is in store at the festival which runs from June 13-29.

Visit www.aldeburgh.co.uk

1. Sherlock on BBC1, New Year’s Eve; 2. Simon Russell Beale in King Lear

9

The Ice Man Cometh An Olympic champion and Dancing on Ice head judge brings his world premiere of Robin Cousins’ ICE to Norwich Theatre Royal in March.

Emma Outten went along to the press launch and almost came away wearing his gold medal!

10

Celebrity Interview

Robin Cousins

W

hen you’ve interviewed someone before, you kind of know what to expect. Don’t you?

Not necessarily so in the case of Olympic champion Robin Cousins.

One second you’re peering down at the gold medal he won at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, in its presentation box, and the next second you realise he has placed it around your neck as if recreating that podium scene!

What a year that was for Olympic sport. Robin promptly retired (and was awarded the MBE), and was soon setting up his own ice company and creating shows Electric Ice and Ice Majesty. His name then became synonymous with Holiday on Ice productions (he remembers the 60th anniversary show at the Norfolk Showground in 2003 very well).

In March the Dancing on Ice head judge will be bringing Robin Cousins’ ICE to Norwich Theatre Royal. ‘All that experience has come back full circle, as it were,’ he says, sitting in the theatre he last came to a couple of years ago, when he played Teen Angel in Grease.

ICE sounds like a whole new spin on the ice, for a new generation, a show with ‘bells and whistles’ with perhaps less of a ‘Holiday on Ice or a Dancing on Ice feel,’ says Robin, although he is mindful not to alienate the older generation.

‘I know what Holiday on Ice audiences want; I know what my audiences like. I know the type of people who watch Strictly or Dancing on Ice, and I need to be able to tick all those boxes, for them.’

Although he adds: ‘I don’t want everybody sitting in cosy blankets all night, that’s not fun for me.’

The theatre environ poses its own challenge, as it involves ‘short-handing choreography so as to use every millimetre of stage space.’

But he says of the Theatre Royal: ‘Here’s great because you’ve got a nice backstage area and a loading bay.’

Fortuitously, Robin is in the business of providing temporary ice rinks, under the auspices of Cousins Entertainment, with Ice Operations Manager Alan Abretti, who has also represented Great Britain on the ice. ‘He knows what he’s doing with ice. We do all the Dancing on Ice tours.’

Robin admits: ‘I couldn’t tell you how to do it, I haven’t got a clue! That’s not my job to know: they know. I’m the creative!’ Technology has moved on since the first Holiday on Ice show 70 years ago, although Robin jokes: ‘The principles are no different – it’s just like the back of your fridge!’

Space maybe at a premium, but at least he has more time to play with, compared to when he was competing. ‘When you compete you have to tick all these boxes, very quickly: you have to get ‘x’ number of jumps in, and those spins, and you’ve got four and half minutes in which to do it; if it’s Dancing on Ice you’ve got a minute and a half,’ adds Robin, before bringing things bang up to date with ICE: ‘All of a sudden I’ve got eight minutes.’ The upshot is that the ‘choreography doesn’t need to be shoehorned into a piece of music.’

ICE will feature a soundtrack of original music and reworked modern classics. ‘There will be Lady GaGa in there but it won’t have a thumping disco beat behind it!’

he says.

‘I suppose the hardest thing for me has been editing all these ideas,’ adds Robin, ‘in order to have a cohesive evening of 100 minutes of music and dance choreography that still has an ebb and a flow to it, in a way a play would.’

Then there are the professional skaters to consider: ‘I have 14 skaters whom I have to entrust with a show, who have to collaborate with me.’ One of the skaters is Jenna Smith, who has done Dancing on Ice. Robin adds cheekily: ‘I had her first – on Holiday on Ice, anyway!’

He has appeared as head judge on Dancing on Ice in each series since 2006. It’s already been announced by figureheads Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean that the ITV show will end this year. ‘This is number nine and the last one – for now,’ says Robin. So is it a case of never say never? ‘Who knows?’ he adds.

What’s his judgement of the celebrity skaters over the years? ‘The one for me was always Ray Quinn,’ says Robin.

‘If Ray had started skating at the time he started ballroom dancing, he could well have skated to a competitive level. I think Matt [Lapinskas] possibly last year as well. Suzanne Shaw was another one.’

The standard of skating on the show has taken them all by surprise, Robin admits. ‘I don’t think that was ever the expectation of Jayne and Chris, and myself, when it was first mooted.’

It has given ice skating some good exposure. ‘I know there will be kids coming to see this show here, that maybe watched skating for the first time with Dancing on Ice and that’s great.’

The New Year is about to get off to a busy start. ‘Dancing on Ice opens one week; this opens the next week and then the week after that I leave for the Olympics!’

‘It’s going to busy couple of months but I’m very happy with that. It could be worse – I could be sitting at home twiddling my thumbs waiting for a phone call,’ says doglover Robin, who lives in Brighton.

His role at this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi will be two-fold. ‘I’m wearing a BBC hat which is my normal commentary hat and then I’m also an ambassador for Team GB.’ He adds optimistically: ‘We’re probably going to have the strongest winter Olympic team we’ve had in many, many years.’

Will there be any downtime when the ICE tour finishes in May, in Bristol (his birthplace). ‘We shall see because we’ve got a lot of international interest with the show.’

He reiterates: ‘This is the world premiere season. If this works then a bigger, better version – who knows: ICE 2! – could be back at the Norwich Theatre Royal in the future.

Watch this space.’

Robin Cousins’ ICE comes to Norwich Theatre Royal from March 19 to 23.

Call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk The final series of Dancing on Ice will return this month on ITV.

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

11

Golden Goose

Norfolk actress Claire Goose comes to Norwich in a new stage adaptation of a classic Peter James thriller. She talks to Sarah Hardy about growing up in the county, about her own children and what it’s like to be on her first ever national tour The Perfect Murder comes to Norwich Theatre Royal on January 20 to 25.

Call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk for more.

12

H

claire goose | CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

appily married Claire Goose giggles over the subject matter of her latest show – a married couple, clearly fed up with each other, who plan to bump each other off!

‘Yes, I hope it doesn’t give anyone any ideas,’ she laughs.

Claire is best known for her television work which includes three years in the hit BBC1 series, Casualty, where she played staff nurse Tina Seabrook, and, more recently, she was in Waking The Dead, the gritty ‘cold case’ series which saw Trevor Eve and his cohorts investigate unsolved crimes – often with highly dodgy results!

She played DS Mel Silver for four years and says, despite the sometimes gory storylines, it was a very happy time. ‘Well, we filmed for up to nine months a year so everyone became like family members.’

But now Claire is taking to the stage in her first ever national tour in The Perfect Murder and admits to being ever so slightly terrified. ‘I will be fine once we get going,’ she says. ‘But I think that half hour before we start will be hard!’

Claire, now in her mid 30s, married TV producer Craig Woodrow in 2007 and they have two children, a daughter who is aged four, and a son who is just a year old. ‘It will be hard to leave them, I’m not sure how I will manage. But my husband has just finished a job so it does work in well – he will look after them.

‘I will come home when I can and there is a half term in February so they will all come and stay with me which will be lovely. And, of course, there is Skype!’

Claire has always enjoyed her work, saying: ‘I do like to work and I’m lucky that I have managed to combine it with having children – I’ve always tried to keep dipping my toes in the water.’

In this production, the first ever stage adaptation of one of Peter James’ books, she stars as Joan Smiley, wife of the rather grumpy Victor who is played by Les Dennis. ‘He has toured a lot so he’ll have to look after us all. And after doing so well in MasterChef, I’m hoping he is cook for us, too!’ Claire says.

‘It is quite dark piece and a challenging role for me – I guess that is why I went for it, I like to push myself.

‘But there are elements of fun, it is a real roller coaster of a journey. Fans of Peter’s books will really enjoy it and it does involve his best known character, Detective Roy Grace. This actual book doesn’t feature him but we have added him in – as a young man on one of his first murder cases.’

Rehearsals started just before Christmas, with a break for the big festivities and the production goes on tour from January 8 until April. ‘I know that I have to keep myself fit and well, to not get a cold,’ Claire adds.

She was born in Scotland but moved to Norfolk when she was aged three. She was brought up in a lovely village just outside King’s Lynn where he dad was a GP. ‘My parents are still there and yes, there will be a big party coming over from west Norfolk to see the show. It is always lovely when you have friends and family in the audience.

It makes it seem more special.’

She has an older sister, Caroline, who works as a nursery nurse while her brother, Duncan, is well known for his humanitarian company, One, which raises much needed cash for projects in Africa.

‘He is consumed by his work – he works day and night - but it is doing well, and Starbucks has just agreed to take the company’s water which is a great achievement,’ says Claire.

Claire looks back on her childhood in Norfolk with deep affection, and is keen for her own children to experience great days on the beach, too, and a real sense of freedom. Although based in London, she visits her parents often and is always happy to praise her home county. ‘I love coming back to Norfolk, we do as often as we can.’

She started her acting career, as many others, at Footlights Performing Arts, based in King’s Lynn, and then went on to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

Claire isn’t sure what she will do after the tour but reckons a holiday might be in order. ‘I think I’ll need a rest,’ she laughs.

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

13

CRY Freedom X Factor runner up Rebecca Ferguson is putting her troubles behind her to promote her new album. Sarah Hardy hears about her journey from nervy wannabe to glamorous soul sister

14

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

R Rebecca Ferguson'S new Single, I Hope, is out now.

Rebecca comes to Ipswich Regent on March 26. Visit www.ipswichregent.com or call 01493 433100.

Rebecca Ferguson | CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

ebecca Ferguson was the painfully shy young mum from Liverpool who could hardly stop shaking. Yet, when she sang, well, suddenly there was a diva in the building, with Rebecca’s soulful voice just a joy to listen to.

We all fell in love with Rebecca and her gorgeous voice in the 2010 series of the hit ITV show, X Factor, where she was mentored by Cheryl Cole and just pipped at the post to the title

by Matt Cardle – with those One Direction boys in third place.

‘It was a marvellous time,’ says Rebecca, and indeed her debut album, Heaven, sold a very respectable one million copies. One track, Nothing’s Real But Love, really showcased her rich voice and had people comparing her to her own heroine, Aretha Franklin.

Yet the transition from reality telly favourite to fully fledged pop star has been more than a little rocky, with Rebecca finding life in the fast lane very hard to balance with family commitments. She has two children, Lillie May, aged nine, and Karl, aged seven.

But many musicians would do, Rebecca has used her worries, more of which later, as inspiration for her new album, rather pointedly called Freedom.

Her ‘trials and tribulations’ as she calls them, involved a well publicised battle with her former management company, Modest, who also look after other X Factor graduates such as Little Mix and Olly Murs.

Rebecca took to Twitter to complain about her workload, feeling, she says, very much overworked and unable to see her children. In the summer, she tweeted that the company: ‘watched me collapse – gave me a can of Coke and said now go do your interview’.

And she added: ‘I need to see my children, you need to give me time off.’

Oops, you can feel the animosity between them so it was no surprise that both parties tried to sue each other and a settlement was reached in July – although Rebecca is banned from talking about it. ‘At all!’ she says.

But out of these tough times came material for Freedom, of which Rebecca is immensely proud. ‘It’s about growing up, maturing, getting through the bad times,’ she says. ‘The songs are all about overcoming fears and becoming a woman.

'They are about just getting on with things even when you're at your lowest, you have to pick yourself up and dust yourself off.'

She continues: ‘Since the release of Heaven, so much has changed in my life. I feel like I’ve learned more in the past two years than in the rest of my life put together and this is reflected in the music on this record. I’ve put my heart and soul into it. If it’s passionate, vulnerable, soulful and raw that’s because everything I’ve gone through when making the record has driven the music and lyrics.

‘I’m not someone who can just go into a studio at any time and just create – I need drama and passion. If the first album was a collection of great songs, this new album is more of a coherent statement.’

As with Heaven, Rebecca co-wrote the entirety of her new album, working mainly with new collaborators including Australian pop producer Jarrad Rogers, with whom she wrote five tracks. As well as Jarrad, she also worked with Mr Hudson, Matt Hales, Toby Gad and TMS, and regular collaborator Eg White.

The first single from the album, I Hope, and now available, is all about a bitter break up and hopefully moving on, and is a big production number with a near disco beat and a choir in there, for good measure! Yet Rebecca’s voice dominates and the single really shows her growing maturity and confidence.

Certainly Rebecca, now aged 27, is looking and sounding fantastic. She is, she says, more relaxed and determined to do things her way. For a start her children accompany her as much as possible – but only when school allows! And she has a man in her life, although she is keen to keep her private life just that - private! It is known, however, that it is someone she has known as a friend for several years, and that the romance is helping to bring a smile back to her face!

She is looking forward to touring this year, including a visit to East Anglia in March.

But it is a couple of gigs in her home town of Liverpool that will see her really fulfil her childhood dreams, with Rebecca saying that she sometimes has to pinch herself to check that everything is true. ‘Last year’s concerts in Liverpool were amazing and I can’t wait to see everyone dancing in the aisles.’

15

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Ruby Turner | Celebrity Interview

&

WHAT A

GEM * With her powerful, velvety voice, Ruby Turner breathes life and energy into whatever she sings. Sarah Hardy talks to her prior to her Norwich concert

You’ll know Ruby Turner from her appearances with Jools Holland, especially his ultra popular Hootenanny telly programme which is must watch for most of us on New Year’s Eve. She nearly always steals the show, with a voice that can handle any and every tune, from soul to gospel, R&B and, of course, jazz. And she’s performed with everyone from Bryan Ferry to UB40, Mick Jagger and Steve Winwood.

Now Ruby, who is in her mid 50s, is bringing her own show to Norwich this month and promises a lively mixture of songs. ‘Well, there are some numbers that people won’t let me leave the room without doing – It’s Gonna Be Alright and If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me).

‘But then I’ll be doing ones from my new album, too,’ she says.

Her new album, her first in three years, is due out later this spring and is looking like being called simply Ruby. ‘I like that – just Ruby, nothing too clever,’ she says with what you soon realise is her trademark down to earth attitude. There’s nothing of the diva about Ruby!

Ruby Turner performs at Norwich Playhouse on January 25. Call 01603 598598, or visit www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

She has been very busy recently, touring the country with Jools and also in the studio, recording her new album, and also filming the now legendary New Year’s Eve show.

‘Now I get to go on the road by myself. I really enjoy it – I love being part of the team with Jools, we’ve been friends since 1993, but then I like to be the front guy, too, in charge of my own show. It stretches you, keeps you fresh – all that and more.’

Ruby admits that, with such a full on schedule, she has to take care of her voice. ‘Yes, people don’t believe me when I say that I just shut down, I don’t speak. I have to be very disciplined.

‘But I have been very well trained. I know about hydration, steam – all that! And I do my exercises, I always warm up and cool down – you’ll hear me getting ready before every concert.’

Ruby is a true music lover but wasn’t one of those people who was singing as soon as she could talk. ‘No, I never really knew that I had this voice, I was much more into acting when I was younger – that was what I wanted to do.’

And indeed she trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama and has appeared in many shows and television programmes including Hotel Babylon, EastEnders and Doctors plus the movie, Love Actually.

But it wasn’t too long before her rich voice was discovered and the rest, as they say, is history. Music has always been a big part of her life; she grew up listening to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday and now says she loves just about everything and everyone – and is particularly keen on discovering new artists. ‘I like Passenger at the moment, and James Blake. But, hey, I listen to the lot. It can be anyone from Van Morrison to the Stones to Ellie Goulding.’

Away from work, Ruby is a keen cook. ‘I love cookery programmes on TV. I grew up with Keith Floyd who was great fun with his glass of red wine!’

And she tries to make time to visit Jamaica, where she was born before coming to Britain aged nine, in the late 1960s. ‘My dad, who is almost 80 years old, has a house there. I like to go in January. It is the perfect time of year and great to escape the British weather! But I’m touring this year so I’ll have to go later in the year.’

This year looks like being just as busy as ever for Ruby with her solo tour, a new album and she’s also touring again with Jools. ‘Keep an eye out for the dates, we’ll be everywhere – as usual,’ laughs Ruby.

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

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DO YOU HAVE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE? Do you have a background in Finance, Education, Health and Social Care or Engineering? Are you interested in voluntary work and are you prepared to invest your experience in inspiring the next generation?

Lowestoft College is currently looking to recruit Non Executive Board Members to be part of a team focussed on delivering excellence to students and employers alike.

College Non Executive Board Members are responsible for developing, reviewing and monitoring the College’s strategic planning and for ensuring that resources are used responsibly. In return for carrying out this voluntary role they gain the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping Lowestoft College deliver an excellent learning experience.

To find out more and explore what becoming a college Non Executive Board member might mean to you contact Charles Reynolds on 01502 525101 or e-mail c.reynolds@lowestoft.ac.uk Four years ago Alan Debenham signed up to become a member of Lowestoft College’s Non Executive Board.

Having taken early retirement from his job in Human Resources, he was considering voluntary work when he heard about the Board from a current member and decided to become involved.

The board is made up of people from a range of backgrounds, each with their area of specialism including finance, human resources, business and education. Although many of the members live in the local community, Alan lives outside of the Waveney area and has found that rather than being a barrier, it allows him to consider many of the issues from a different perspective.

Alan said: “I have found the last four years extremely enjoyable and rewarding. It is voluntary and offers a degree of flexibility as you are able to put in as much time as your other commitments will allow.

“Many members are still working and are able to fit the corporation around their work. If you are in full time employment and want to develop skills in a different arena this is an ideal opportunity and many of the current members are able to fit the role around their work. The role allows you to serve the community and use your skills and you also get to meet and work with different people.”

F Norfolk’s Crimewave!

Mark Nicholls speaks to crime writer Elly Griffiths about her latest Norfolkbased novel and her love of the county

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

or crime writer Elly Griffiths, Norfolk has an irresistible lure.

Ghostly, filled with the history and hidden mysteries of centuries past, she adores the landscape of the north Norfolk coastline and the waterways of The Broads.

While they hold fond memories from childhood holidays spent in the county staying with her aunt, they also form the backdrop to the murderous plots she weaves through the pages of her books.

As an author, Elly was quick to recognise the potential of Norfolk as a setting for her crime books with the latest - entitled The Outcast Dead and out next month - placing a gruesome tale of murder and intrigue against the backdrop of the great Norman tower of Norwich Castle.

Her leading character, forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway, has excavated a body from the grounds of the castle, a forbidding edifice that, despite its Norman origins, was a bleak prison in more recent times.

She believes the body may be that of infamous Victorian murderess Jemima Green. Called Mother Hook for her claw-like hand, Jemima was hanged in 1867 for the murder of five children in her care.

‘Norwich Castle is such a great setting,’ says Elly. ‘It has layers; it is like a Victorian cake on the outside but goes back to medieval times right down to the dark dungeons.

When you get inside you realise just how old it is and how it was used as a jail in the past, I love all that kind of thing.

‘I did a lot of research about the castle and people who were hanged in Norwich. In fact, there is even a book called Hanged in Norwich.’

In the book Dr Galloway’s collaborator, DCI Harry Nelson – a character who fans of Elly’s work will recognise as having more than a professional relationship with the forensic archaeologist - has no time for long-dead killers. He is immersed in the case of three infants found dead, one after the other, in their King’s Lynn home, and is convinced that a family member is responsible.

BOOK

Elly Griffiths

With The Outcast Dead I am really happy because I am back in Norfolk whereas the last book, Dying Fall, did take me up to the north-west of England.

The Outcast Dead is published in hardback back by Quercus in February at £16.99.

Then a child goes missing. With a suspicion that the abduction could be linked to the long-dead Mother Hook, Ruth is pulled into the case, and back towards Nelson.

The Outcast Dead is the sixth Dr Galloway book and underlines the author’s passion for Norfolk as the backdrop for her crime writing.

‘With The Outcast Dead I am really happy because I am back in Norfolk whereas the last book, Dying Fall, did take me up to the north-west of England.

‘There are so many connections in Norfolk, which means everything always seems to fit together. One example in this case is with Elizabeth Fry and prison reform. That is what I keep finding about Norfolk.

‘It is such an amazing place and wherever I go, I always seem to head back to Norfolk, I do not think I am ever going to run out of history and ideas there.’

Dr Galloway is a slightly unorthodox central character, admits Elly; she is shy, socially awkward and a little overweight but it is this lack of glamour that seems to enhance her appeal to a growing army of fans who have been drawn into Elly’s meticulous plots woven around her forensic archaeologist.

Most of Elly’s previous books have been set in Norfolk, locating London-born Dr Galloway as Head of Forensic Archaeology at the University of North Norfolk with the attraction of Seahenge and other archaeological sites close by.

Yet it was her husband Andy’s change of career that led Elly towards creating a character with an archaeological background. She had already published a series of books under her real name – Domenica de Rosa – when Andy decided to give up his City job and become an archaeologist, prompting a change of tack.

‘This meant spending more time in Norfolk because of its archaeology,’ recalls Elly. ‘There was one time, as we walked across Titchwell Marsh, that he told me that

prehistoric man saw marshland as a secret land between life and death, which is why they buried bodies and their treasure there.’

From that emerged The Crossing Places, set in a ‘fictitious’ village called Saltmarsh on the coast where Dr Galloway lives with her daughter, Kate, and their two cats.

‘Norfolk seemed perfect for my main character Ruth to live and work because there is so much archaeology,’ adds Elly, whose connections to the county stretch back to her own childhood.

‘I have always visited Norfolk. My aunt lives in Norwich and has a boat at Reedham, we spent summers there and it has always been a magical place to me.

‘There is also something about where you go as a child; it always seemed very special to me, very atmospheric. My aunt used to regale us with ghost stories as we sailed on the Broads; mysterious hands that turned the lock gates unseen and sails of windmills that turned on their own.

That stayed with me.

‘Norfolk is a perfect location for me because of its history and archaeology and there are so many layers to it, from the Bronze Age and Iron Age, the Roman Period, Civil War and Second World War but it is the beauty of the place too.’

As Dr Galloway’s character developed within the Norfolk setting, further books followed: The Janus Stone, The House at Sea’s End, and A Room Full of Bones.

Currently living near Brighton with her husband and 15-year-old twins Alex and Juliet, Elly’s favourite writers and inspirations include Val McDermid, Ian Rankin and Kate Atkinson along with writers from the Victorian era: Wilkie Collins, who also set some of his work in Norfolk, and the ghost stories of MR James.

And it seems admirers of Elly Griffiths and Dr Galloway are in for a treat. Not only are there further books planned but the BBC is developing her Dr Galloway series for TV. Elly is already working on book seven with a plot centred around the county’s ‘ghost fields’ - the old, deserted, RAF bases - while the book after features Walsingham and the shrine of Our Lady.

There is still much more to come from Elly – and Dr Galloway - and as always, there will be a twist in the tale.

21

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FASHION

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

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BEAUTY

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Winter Beauty Brrh – these winter months are hard on our skin and hair. Here are Sarah Hardy’s recommendations for a much needed winter beauty pick-me-up TREAT of the month 3

Hand Massage, Jo Malone, Jarrold’s, Norwich, tel 01603 660661 Everyone is in love with the new Jo Malone department in the city – and their complimentary hand massages are a treat. You don’t have to book and you simply tell one of the staff your favourite fragrance and they will use it. I adored the lime basil and mandarin fragrance which was uplifting and refreshing and after your little 10 minute treat – and a glass of fizz – you are ready for anything!

NEW PRODUCT of the month Absolue L’Extrait, Lancome, £250 This latest wonder cream harnesses the regenerating power of rose cells to produce a light yet effective moisturizer that should really help regain or indeed retain a youthful appearance. It is rumoured that the Duchess of Cambridge is a fan…

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1. 60 Second Fix For Hands, £24, Crabtree and Evelyn; 2. Restorative Shampoo, £21, Ojon; 3. Geranium and Orange Bath Oil, £14.75, Neal's Yard Remedies; 4. Emma Bridgewater Black Iris Bath Elixir, £20, Marks and Spencer; 5. Basil Lemon Shower Gel, £8, Korres; 6. Hydra Life BB Crème, £41, Dior

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

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Join a gym in fine style this January with these eye-catching gym accessories, says Emma Outten

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1. Adrenaline Galaxy Run Capris, £80, www.sweatybetty.com 2. Energetics Dumb Bells 0.5kg - 5kg, from £5, Jarrold’s 3. Sync Band Fitness Band, Black/Red, £100, John Lewis 4. Ultra Run Bra, £40, www.sweatybetty.com 5. Saucony Women's Kinvara 4 Running Shoes, Yellow/Black/Pink, £99.95, John Lewis 6. EA7 core backpack (black), £100, House of Fraser 7. Menu A/S Dumbbells (Magnetic), by Henriette Melchiorsen, £84.50, www.dreamicons.com, 08452 939391

27

pulse on the

Two years ago this month the Waterlane Leisure Centre in Lowestoft reopened following an extensive redevelopment programme. Emma Outten meets Fitness Manager David Fletcher to find out what’s on offer for would-be fitness fans this New Year

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

W

hen it comes to fitness there really should be no place to hide. If you don’t put in the effort in, how do you expect to reach your goals?

And this is where the redeveloped and revitalised gym at Waterlane Leisure Centre in Lowestoft comes into its own with its very interactive fitness equipment.

The air-conditioned fitness suite (with up to 100 stations) features an extensive range of the very latest, state-of-theart, Pulse equipment.

And, what’s more, as part of your gym membership you can benefit from your very own ‘virtual trainer’ SmartCard that helps to train, educate, motivate, communicate and ensure you get the very best out of your new active lifestyle.

Featuring a unique activity centre, the Smart technology even allows you to enter activities outside of the gym, providing you with a total fitness analysis. Plus qualified fitness instructors will be on hand to support and guide you, throughout your gym membership.

Fitness Manager David Fletcher demonstrates the system by inserting his own SmartCard into the ‘Smart Centre’ and then inserts the pre-programmed card into one of the cardiovascular machines. So far, so very hi-tech. ‘As far as I know we’re the only ones around here who have this,’ he notes.

He explains how the technology could be of benefit to new members. ‘For every new member it creates a report.

You can review and track how far you’ve run; how far

ADVERTISER'S ANNOUNCEMENT

Waterlane Leisure Centre

you’ve biked; the weights you’ve lifted and what machines you’ve used.’ (See what I mean about there being nowhere to hide?)

Some of David’s aims this year are to review, develop and improve the group fitness classes, and increase the number of fitness consultants on hand to help monitor new members, particularly during those all-important four to six weeks, post-induction.

The gym is one of Lowestoft’s longest established fitness facilities with more than 20 years of excellent service and value for money in the leisure industry – and that was even before the upgrade.

It is located on two floors, with cardiovascular machines upstairs and resistance machines downstairs.

In general, the Leisure Centre still looks very new, following an extensive £6.5m redevelopment programme in 2011.

There’s a 25m pool and 12m variable depth learner pool; a luxurious thermal spa featuring steam, sauna, experience shower and foot spa; both a group cycle studio offering high energy spin classes to suit all levels with friendly, experienced instructors and a dance studio offering a comprehensive range of workout classes (around 50 at the last count) to suit all ages and abilities; plus there’s a martial arts studio, a six-court sports hall, conference suite, squash courts and soft play centre.

David is primarily concerned with the fitness side of things, and has worked in gyms, in various cities, such as Norwich, Nottingham and London.

He is keen to change the ‘old school’ culture of fitness training in Lowestoft and embrace new fitness trends.

Ultimately, he wants to make fitness fun. ‘Like the fun we used to have in the playground,’ he says, and he believes that fitness training should be about being fit for life, not just about how many weights you can lift.

Of course, this time of year is traditionally the time for

attracting new gym members, and so David has been busy rearranging the equipment. ‘I’ve had a play around so we can handle the footfall and be ready,’ he says.

However, David has noticed a subtle change as to when people are joining the gym. ‘Everyone perceives January as being the month for getting back to the gym, but it’s now February when people start to think about fitness for the year.’

Last January there were 300 new members signing up.

‘I’d never seen anything like it,’ he says. He credits the new simplified membership package for that (which works out at £32.95 a month and includes membership of Bungay Pool and Gym, as Sentinel Leisure Trust operates both).

He is hoping this New Year could also attract a similar number of new members. Now entering its third year of operation, the much-modernised Waterlane Leisure Centre and Gym certainly has a lot to offer all fitness enthusiasts in the area.

But David is not resting on his laurels: ‘We’ve got a gym that’s got good equipment, but we’ve got room to grow and room to change.’

CONTACT Waterlane Leisure Centre, Water Lane, Lowestoft NR32 2NH. Call 01502 569116 or visit www.waterlaneleisure.co.uk.

Waterlane also has a Free Sports Centre App.

29

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Monday 20 - Saturday 25 January Eves 7.30pm Mats Wed & Sat 2.30pm Tickets: £6.50 - £25 Box Office: (01603) 63 00 00 Book Online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

What’s On

Monthly Round-up

What’s On New Year means a whole new sequence of events to look forward to.

Take a look at these…

Garden Bird Walk Take a walk with guides and learn about the many species of birds found in the gardens and woodland of Oxburgh Hall on January 12. You never know, you may even be inspired to take part in the RSPB’s January Big Garden Birdwatch! Call 01366 327242 (booking essential).

Parkrun Sheringham Park Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at 9am from January 4.

The Parkrun is a free and friendly 5K run, plus the route is marshalled and timed by local volunteers. Supervised children and dogs on leads are welcome to run. You can download your barcode to get your time registered from www.parkrun.org.uk/sheringham An Audience With Jonathan Miller There’s a chance to have An Audience With Jonathan Miller – one of our most renowned theatre and opera directors – on January 17 at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds. Despite training as a doctor in the late 1950s, Miller came to public prominence as part of the comedy revue Beyond the Fringe with Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Alan Bennett. Visit www.theatreroyal.org or call 01284 769505.

An Audience With Helen Fraser Helen Fraser, a professional actress for more than 50 years and known for many iconic roles in film and theatre including Sylvia (Bodybag) in Bad Girls and Barbara in the film Billy Liar, comes to the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds on January 30.

The An Audience With evening is devised and performed by Helen and she is accompanied by Keith Monk. Visit www.theatreroyal.org or call 01284 769505.

Wedding Fair Norfolk Brides, the Norwich-based online wedding directory, is hosting its first Great Yarmouth Wedding Fair in the Town Hall on January 26, with around 50 trade stands.

The first 250 brides to register will receive a goody bag from Palmers Department store, and all couples will be entered in a competition to win a free wedding room hire at the Town Hall, worth £1000. Visit www.norfolkweddingevents.co.uk.

British Blues Described as British Blues ‘royalty’, BBC Radio 2 R ’n’ B presenter Paul Jones and Europe’s leading bluesman Dave Kelly come to St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth on January 9. Founder members of The Blues Band, they also perform the work of the greats, including Howling’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson. Call 01493 331484 or visit www.stgeorgestheatre.com.

Concert Boogie Nights, an all-hits reunion starring Chic La Freak, Heatwave and Phil Fearon’s Galaxy, comes to King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on January 18. Chic La Freak are a re-creation of Nile Rogers’ Chic, who not only perform Chic’s hits but other songs written by Nile Rogers for 80s acts; whereas legendary band Heatwave still features original lead singer Keith Wilder. Call 01553 764864 or visit www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk.

Pantomime There’s still time to catch spectacular pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Pavilion Theatre in Gorleston. Starring TV and radio personality Helen McDermott, West End and Broadway’s Desmond Barrit, and the June Glennie School of Dance, the Ohyesitiz Production runs until January 4. Call 01493 662832 or visit www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk.

Local Tale Boudicca: The Pantomime comes to Norwich Arts Centre from January 14 to 18 and the famous local tale promises to be told like you’ve never seen before. In a merry mix of song, slapstick and historical fact, a rabble will be roused and the Romans will be ransacked. The show comes courtesy of theatre collective The Common Lot in association with Crude Apache. Call 01603 660352 or visit www.norwichartscentre.co.uk.

Burns Night Enjoy a traditional Burns Night at the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich on January 25. The fun themed evening begins with whisky tasting and a three-course Scottish meal, followed

by Scottish bag piping to bless the haggis. Call 01603 209955 or visit www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk.

Paul Jones and Dave Kelly

Ice Hockey by Paul Cleden

Exhibition Banish those January blues with a delicious lunch that won’t flummox the finances! Throughout January The Assembly House in Norwich is offering a tasty twocourse Market Menu for only £10 per person. Available Monday to Saturday, bookings advised. Also, an art exhibition called ‘Winter’ will take place from January 16 to March 1 in The Noverre Gallery. Call 01603 626402 or visit www.assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk.

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W h at ’ s O n

201 4 Preview Want to know what we are looking forward to most this year?

Emma Outten provides a sneak preview of the highlights for 2014

F

irst things first and all eyes will be on the city of Sochi in Russia when the 2014 Winter Olympics, officially called the XXII Olympic Winter Games, or the 22nd Winter Olympics, between February 7 and 23. Visit www.olympic.org.

Then the football world will be ‘all in one rhythm’ between June 12 and July 13, when the 2014 FIFA World Cup 1 kicks off in Brazil. The 32 qualifying national sides include England, under the management of Roy Hodgson, and that’s all that matters! Visit www.fifa.com.

It really is shaping up to be a big year for sport as the XX Commonwealth Games takes place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3. It will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in Scotland. www.glasgow2014.com.

The Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament, the biggest tennis tournament in Britain, takes place from August 17 to 23. The 38-court grass court event just gets bigger and better every year. Visit www.hunstantonltt.co.uk.

2014 FIFA World Cup

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Fakenham Races is an essential part of the county calendar, and notable dates for 2014 include the West Norfolk Point-to-Point on May 18, Ladies Day on June 1 (plus the Arabian Horse Racing date is to be confirmed). Visit www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk.

This year marks 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War, with Imperial War Museums leading the First World War Centenary Partnership. Events for the global commemoration include a World War One Centenary Concert 2 at Norwich Cathedral – the world premiere of Cavell Commission by Patrick Hawes – on July 12. Visit www.1914.org.

West End stage sensation Singin’ In The Rain is heading to Norwich Theatre Royal from June 4 to 14, headed by Maxwell Caulfield as studio boss RF Simpson. Public booking by post, fax, and online takes place from January 7 with public booking in person and by phone from January 20. Plus recordbreaking Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats is coming, from April 2 to 12! Visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk.

Norfolk’s largest annual event, the Royal Norfolk Show 3 , takes place on June 25 and 26. The country’s largest two-day agricultural show (and one of the only six Royal county shows held in the UK), plays host to an average of around 90,000 people over the two days.

Tickets go on sale early this year. Visit www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk.

Also held at the Norfolk Showground will be the East Anglian Game and Country Fair, on April 26 and 27. The annual two-day, family event is shaping up to be the best yet! www.ukgamefair.co.uk.

Then it’s back to the Showground for this year’s Sundown Festival, from August 29 to 31. Last year Example and Jessie J headlined. Who will be the headliners this year? Visit www.sundownfestival.co.uk.

Irish indie rockers Two Door Cinema Club has been confirmed as Latitude’s 4 first headliners. Winner of Line-Up of the Year at the recent UK Festival Awards, the multi-arts festival returns for its ninth edition, taking place from July 17 to 20 in the stunning grounds of Henham Park. www.latitudefestival.co.uk.

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What’s On

2014 Preview

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Norwich & Norfolk Festival

Royal Norfolk Show

The Norfolk & Norwich Festival 5 (May 9 to 24) has announced its first six highlights for 2014: including international jazz superstars Hugh Masekela and Madeleine Peyroux; dance iconoclasts Michael Clark Company; and the UK premiere of the new show from Australian new circus pioneers Circa. The full line up will be revealed in late February. Visit www.nnfestival.co.uk.

East Coast Live 6 , the UK’s biggest pop festival, is coming to Ipswich Chantry Park on June 28. The line-up includes chart topper Jessie J, Rizzle Kicks, The Saturdays, The Vamps and Union J. Alongside them Jason Derulo will be jetting in from the States and will be playing his only outdoor UK tour dates for 2014. More artists are to be announced in the New Year. Visit www.uklive.co.uk.

Further festivals include Holt Festival, from July 19 to 26 July. The 2014 event is still being programmed but early confirmations include virtuoso singer/ songwriter/pianist Joe Stilgoe, The Orchestra of the Swan, and art critic and raconteur Brian Sewell.

Thetford Forest hosts Forest Live concerts in East Anglia from June 12 to 14 and then from July 10 to 12. Last year we enjoyed the likes of James, Paloma Faith, and Blondie – can’t wait to find out who is coming this year! www.forestry.gov.uk.

After a year off, nearby Voewood Festival returns in 2014 (from August 14 to 16) with an eclectic blend of literature, art, music and excellent food and drink. A true boutique festival held at the magnificent Arts and Crafts Voewood House with its landscaped gardens, this year’s line-up is still under wraps. Visit www.voewood.com.

This year’s Greater Yarmouth Maritime Festival will be on September 6 and 7.

Expect tall ships, sea and river cruises, as well as shanty music on three stages, all sorts of maritime crafts and skills on display and plenty of fun activities to entertain the whole family. Visit www.great-yarmouth.co.uk.

A new arts festival comes to Southwold this year: The Southwold Arts Festival takes place from June 28 to July 5. Emma Freud OBE has accepted the invitation to become Patron, and Adnams is lead sponsor, so it sure to be a success. Visit www.southwoldartsfestival.co.uk.

Following on from that, zany comedy, circus and street performance will transform Great Yarmouth’s St George’s Park and surrounding streets and venues as the Out There Festival welcomes artists from across the world for its bumper seventh edition from September 19 to 21.

Visit www.seachangearts.co.uk.

In celebration of Shakespeare’s 450th anniversary in 2014, Norwich Cathedral is planning to hold its biggest and best Shakespeare Festival yet in its six year history, from July 16 to 19, with Romeo and Juliet performed by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men and King Lear performed by Shakespeare’s Globe.

The 133rd Sandringham Flower Show takes place, as always, on the last Wednesday in July (30). There will be over 200 trade stands, including displays by some of the leading nurseries and designers in the region, and display gardens of Chelsea standards. There is also a craft marquee and a food and drink marquee showcasing small producers and craftspeople. Visit www.sandringhamflowershow.org.uk.

The Wayland Show is said to be one of the longest running traditional agricultural shows in the UK. Now in its 141st year, this one-day event on August 3 will educate, inform and entertain the young and old alike with country crafts, rural adventures, livestock, shopping and food and drink.

Look out for its August date. Visit www.waylandshow.com.

Two Door Cinema Club

4

The Holkham Country Fair returns to Norfolk’s Holkham Estate on July 26 and 27, promising some of the finest agricultural traditions with an exhilarating line up of entertainment. Now an annual event, the Fair famously boasts an action packed Grand Ring timetable, delicious fine food stalls, ‘have a go’ games and some of the countryside’s best-loved traditions. Visit www.holkhamcountryfair.com.

Last but by no means least, the Christmas Spectacular at the Thursford Collection will run from November 8 to December 23.

The Thursford Show is Great Britain’s most popular and largest Christmas Show! Visit www.thursford.com.

2. Courtesy of Imperial War Museums 5. Copyright Rocky Schenck

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WAR HORSE

MAKES A CHARGE TO THE MARINA Lowestoft theatre fans can enjoy the National Theatre’s original stage production of War Horse in February. And that’s not all, says Emma Outten

W

ar Horse has become an international smash hit, capturing the imagination of four million people around the world, since its performance at the National Theatre in 2007.

And now it can be enjoyed in Lowestoft, on February 27, after the Marina Theatre announced that it will be broadcasting the National Theatre’s War Horse live from London’s West End. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel, and adapted for the stage

by Nick Stafford, War Horse takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War in France. At its heart are astonishing life-size puppets by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company (and notably Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones, who I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing before now!), who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.

War Horse is the latest addition to the Marina's Live and Encore Screening programme that promises to bring some of the world’s most critically acclaimed theatre, opera and ballet direct from The Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House and the Bolshoi Ballet to the Marina's big screen.

For more information on any of the Marina Theatre Live and Encore Screenings, please visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk or to book seats contact the box office on 01502 533200.

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

Other Live Screenings include Giselle from the Royal Opera House on January 27, plus further screenings in 2014 include Coriolanus, Don Giovanni, The Sleeping Beauty and A Winter’s Tale.

Marketing Manager Ian Clarke says: ‘Following substantial investment in our digital cinema technology, the Marina Theatre is now able to present some of the most spectacular live events from across the world.

‘Having one of the largest screens in the region enables our audiences to enjoy these superb productions combined with the very best cinematic experience.

‘Since commencing these presentations in September, audiences continue to rise with advanced sales far exceeding our initial expectations.’

As well as War Horse in February, we have the following live shows to look forward to: The ‘Fabulous’ Johnny Cash Roadshow, on February 9, is the only show to be recognised and endorsed by the Cash family.

Described as the UK’s number one tribute, the show is fronted by respected singer/songwriter Clive John, with The Spirit Band.

On February 13, Saltmine Theatre Company returns with a premiere tour of their new national theatre production, Amazing Grace. Told through word, folk song, and physical theatre, John Newton’s remarkable life will be laid out before you.

Then, it’s Sid’s Show! Join Sid from Cbeebies on stage in a fantastic, fun-filled adventure that’ll knock your socks off, on February 19.

Perfect for families with children aged three to seven, Sid is the hugely popular, original star of the CBeebies channel.

On February 23, it’s time for Motown’s Greatest Hits, with How Sweet It is. Now in its 12th successive year, this stunning live show combines first class music together with the slickest choreography, and an amazing band, to deliver truly outstanding performances for the best Motown experience you will ever have!

This show will have you Dancing On The Ceiling, featuring songs from legendary artists such as Lionel Ritchie, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson Five, The Isley Brothers, Edwin Starr and many, many more.

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSICAL

Dancing Queen Sarah Hardy thoroughly enjoys the feelgood musical Mamma Mia!

t was a decidedly excited mother and daughter that sat in the stalls as a medley of Abba hits blared out, heralding the start of two and a half hours of pure self indulgence!

Mamma Mia! has been a worldwide hit since it first opened in 1999, with audiences lapping up the sheer vitality of this show which mixes hit after hit with a couple of delicious love stories – and masses of near slapstick humour.

The show, playing at the rather elaborate Novello Theatre in the heart of London’s Theatreland, offers plain old fashioned entertainment – and yes, you will leave the theatre with a great, big beaming smile – and is none the worse for it.

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

Sarah Hardy travelled to London with Greater Anglia, visit www.greateranglia.co.uk

Mamma Mia! | West end review

You’ll also have slightly sore feet as there’s no way you’ll stay The three possible dads, Harry (Stephen McGlynn), Sam in your seat – dancing in the aisles is almost compulsory!

(Richard Trinder) and Bill (James Gaddas), work well together Women in particular love this show as it celebrates ladies of and, again, it is great to see men of a certain age celebrated, too. a certain age (and yes, I am one) and deals with thorny issues This is a high octane show, with everything from Chiquitita such as being a single parent, marriage (good or bad idea) and to Honey, Honey, The Name of the Game and One of Us the whole concept of getting a second stab at life. included. The costumes, especially in the scenes where Donna And, of course, it has a not bad soundtrack to accompany it. and her chums recreate their youthful days from the 70s, are Don’t for a minute imagine that Abba tunes are just bubble gum spectacular! Bring on silver Lycra and platform boots! nonsense. They are highly technical, very full on and require My highlight of the whole show is the scene with the ‘boys’ great skill to reach all those top notes! If you’ve ever tackled in wetsuits, helping Sky celebrate his stag night. They perform a Voulez Vous at karaoke, you’ll understand. sort of flipper ballet, if you like, all set to Lay All Your Love Me. So, what of that storyline – something that can so often be Great stuff – and totally daft! lacking in musicals? Well, there is a refreshingly perky one.

My almost teenage daughter, who has watched the DVD Young Sophie Sheridan, beautifully played of the movie version with Meryl Streep and

by Emma Crossley, is in a pickle. She has, Pierce Brosnan numerous times, was just as Mamma Mia! plays at the Novello naughty girl, read her mother’s diary and pleased with the show and was singing many discovered alarming details about her of the numbers on the train journey home – Theatre, Aldwych, London, visit possible dad – a man she has never known. much to the annoyance of the ‘suits’ in our www.mamma-mia.com He could be one of three people! So, rashly, carriage! she invites them all to her wedding, in the Many of us are terrific Abba fans without hope of ‘recognising’ her actual one! even particularly realising it. The Swedish quartet provided the As you’d guess, various problems ensue. Her mother, Donna, music to my formative years – I was about eight years old when played on the day that I saw the show by the understudy Claire they parachuted themselves into the Eurovision Song Contest Poyzer who was simply terrific, isn’t at all keen to see her old and impressed us all with that anthem, Waterloo. flames – although we do find out that there is some unfinished And, as one of the world’s first super groups, we enjoyed a business with one of them … decade of hit after hit - and all those costumes. I wanted, of Sky, the young buck planning to marry Sophie, is played by course, to be the icy blonde, Agnetha, while my best friend, Oliver Tilney who is all youthful good looks and passion, while herself a brunette, saw herself as Anni. Much like many today, his army of friends provide the ‘wow’ factor with lots of bare we loved to sing (and dance) to numerous Abba hits, using, as chests and rippling muscles. you do, a hairbrush as a microphone!

Glamorous cougar Tanya, played with a real glint in her Perhaps this is the show’s ultimate success. It makes you eye by the long limbed Kim Ismay, and Rosie, played by Jane recall your younger years, when life was usually considerably Milligan, are great as Donna’s old friends and both have less complicated. And, as the music swells and you find yourself powerful voices that are just right for blasting out those tricky singing along to all those well known numbers, life is sweet and Abba numbers. your cares fade away.

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2

Graphic Details

5

Taking its lead from one of the hottest trends on the catwalk, block colours and bold graphic prints are set to be big news for interiors this year. It’s easy to incorporate this ultra-stylish look into your home with some carefully chosen accessories.

Be bold in 2014, says Hayley Philpot as she seeks out her favourite graphic prints for your home

Bring geometric design to the table with smart and stylish ceramics. The striking designs of these cups look great mixed up with plain white china or add some warmth with bold block colours; the jewelled tones of the Jansen range would make the perfect partner.

Ferm Living 1. Geometry cups available in assorted designs, £12.95 each Jansen & Co 2. Tableware, from £5.50

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1

Cushions and throws are the easiest way to update and refresh a room or to dip your toe in the water when trying out a new interior trend. These bright and beautiful cushions from Raine and Humble look great mixed up and interspersed with blocks of plain colour.

Meanwhile a vibrant throw will give an instant lift and warmth to neutral soft furnishings.

For an unashamed touch of luxury, Pappelina’s Vera design takes on an indulgent twist with a beautiful range of French velvet cushions.

Raine and Humble 3. Herringbone print cushions, £30; 4. Block colour cushions, £20 Artek 5. Siena blankets in 100 per cent Merino wool, £190 Pappelina 6. Vera French velvet cushions, £80 each

prints | INTERIORS Add a bold statement with a contemporary rug. With so many fresh and exciting designs to choose from, it’s easy to break from the traditional and opt for something completely different. Swedish brand Pappelina offers a really innovative approach with its unique and modern range of rugs made from plastic. The company uses traditional weaving methods and simple designs to create a contemporary rug collection that suits all areas of the home; they are very easy to care for as they can be machine washed - so are particularly suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. The Vera, with its bold spot design, is one of their most popular and has the advantage of being reversible.

The Plantation Rug Company uses graphic prints while displaying inspiration from the African wildlife in its cool and contemporary Serengeti range, manufactured from 100 per cent wool.

Pappelina 7. Vera rug in black and vanilla 70 x 225cm, £132, other sizes available 8. Vera Small One rug in red 70 x 90cm, £57

7 8

Plantation Rug Company Serengeti rug: 120 x 170 cm, £100, other sizes available

Jarrold 1-11 London Street, Norwich NR2 1JF www.jarrold.co.uk

6

Hayley is the Gift and Homewares Buyer at Jarrold's and The Granary 4

All items available from The Granary, 5 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.thegranary.co.uk 3

39

An Aesthetic Move

A house designed by one of the least understood Aesthetic Movement figures in England? Sounds intriguing! Emma Outten develops a deeper understanding of South Lopham Hall

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

outh Lopham Hall in south Norfolk is a most attractive country house. And so it should be - it was designed by the renowned Victorian architect Thomas Jeckyll.

Born in 1827, Jeckyll ranks among the least understood - and most tragic - Aesthetic Movement figures in England.

Primarily active in East Anglia, Jeckyll began his career as a Gothic Revival architect, designing rectories and schools, restoring churches and historic houses, and building and upgrading farms and agricultural edifices.

He then became among the first to experiment with three of the major design idioms of the 1860s and 70s namely Old English, Anglo-Japanese, and Queen Anne.

Tragically, Jeckyll’s career was curtailed in 1876 by mental illness. He spent his last five years confined to asylums in Norwich, his outstanding contributions to 19th-century architecture and design all but forgotten.

However, the publication of a book, in 2003, to tie in with an exhibition in New York, went some way to reviving interest in Jeckyll.

In Thomas Jeckyll: Architect and Designer, authors Susan Weber Soros and Catherine Arbuthnott examined his most important architectural commissions, and they were certain to include estate buildings such as South Lopham Hall (as well as the interiors he went on to design and the remarkable furniture and metalwork designs for which he is best-known today, including the ‘Four Seasons Gates’ that were exhibited in Paris and Vienna).

Arguably, Jeckyll’s most important architectural commission was the extravagant five-story Cambridge town house, Rance’s Folly, but our particular focus is South Lopham Hall, built by the Duke of Norfolk, who owned the surrounding estate, for his personal secretary, in 1862.

ESTATE AGENTS Savills Norwich,

Call: 01603 229229, visit: www.savills.co.uk

South Lopham Hall | PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

The property was sold by the estate in the 1970s and was acquired by the current owners in 2004.

First things first: the hall retains much period detail – always a good thing - and benefits from large and well proportioned rooms with a particularly fine reception hall which has an elegant staircase.

On the ground floor you will also find a drawing room, sitting room, dining room, garden room, a kitchen, breakfast room (with that all-important Aga), a cloakroom/shower room, utility room and office. In other words, all the hallmarks you would expect from such a country house. Upstairs, South Lopham Hall can count seven bedrooms and three bathrooms.

As well as the peerless design credentials, there is another selling point for South Lopham Hall. The gardens and grounds are a particularly attractive feature of the property and have been well laid out and landscaped and contain a great variety of unusual shrubs and trees.

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ1. 45m

Factfile 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, range of outhouses and traditional outbuildings including a former coach house/stable block with open fronted garaging, mature gardens and grounds, meadowland, 6.2 acres

For example, to the south of the house there is a large expanse of formal lawned garden, well hedged along the boundaries with a variety of mixed shrub and herbaceous borders and very fine ornamental trees including fern leaf beech, Persian ironwood (parrotia persica) and silver birch as well as mature oak, ash and pink flowering horse chestnut.

Situated in the garden is a heated swimming pool, bordered

by Yorkstone paving. However, this has not been used in recent years and will require re-commissioning! On the plus side, there is a most attractive pool room/summer house overlooking the pool with Gothic French windows, and plenty of cupboards.

There is also a good range of traditional outbuildings, including a former coach house and stable block with tack room together with an open fronted garage for two cars.

Beyond all this, are outstanding views to the rear of the house over meadowland and surrounding countryside, and there are also fine views over St Andrews church and its famous central Norman tower.

It is worth noting that the village of South Lopham still retains a pub and there is a village school nearby, in North Lopham.

Diss ( just five miles away) has excellent shopping, banking and transport facilities as well as a mainline railway station with regular trains to London Liverpool Street - and a journey time of about 90 minutes.

This part of Norfolk is very accessible to the rest of the country - the A11 at Thetford is 10 miles away, providing easy access to London, Cambridge and The Midlands, plus Norwich is about 23 miles away.

As well as appealing to those who want to get out and about in East Anglia, a move to South Lopham Hall should appeal to the aesthete in all of us.

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property news | HELP TO BUY

Oliver Hurren YOUR MOVE OLIVER JAMES 01493 600005 | www.your-move.co.uk

WHO WILL BUY? In a new column, Oliver Hurren, director of Your Move Oliver James, looks at how a new initiative is helping boost the property market

he property market is flowing nicely and moving forward once again. The newest support to the market, which maybe fuelling this, is the government-backed initiative named Help to Buy, made up of the two schemes - Equity Loan and Mortgage Guarantee - and is the current hot topic of conservation!

The Equity Loan scheme, which was launched in April, is available only on new build properties up until March 31 2016.

It applies to new builds from approved house builders only, so be sure to check before you fall in love with your new home.

The scheme allows you to borrow 20 per cent of the value of the property from the government on purchasers under £600,000, whether a first time buyer of not. You then provide the five per cent deposit and secure the remaining 75 per cent mortgage loan from a mortgage leader. The 20 per cent government loan is interest free for the first five years; in the sixth year you will be charged a fee of 1.75 per cent of the loan’s value so be prepared for this.

For example, on a £200,000 property, your deposit could be £10,000 at five per cent; the equity loan of 20 per cent would be £40,000, so your mortgage would be £150,000.

For advice on first time buying and climbing the property ladder contact Your Move Oliver James on 01493 600005 or 01502 534998.

The house would be in your name, which means you can sell it at anytime. If you sold the £200,000 purchased house for £210,000, you would get £168,000 - being 80 per cent - and with this then pay the mortgage off. The loan at 20 per cent would mean you would have to pay back £42,000.

The other scheme to help even more buyers is the Mortgage Guarantee, which allows buyers to purchase a new or second hand home with a five per cent deposit.

Once again you provide the five per cent deposit, but this time the remaining 95 per cent is provided by a mortgage from an approved lender with 15 per cent of this guaranteed by the government for seven years. This means that if the property is subsequently repossessed and the full loan is unable to be recovered from the sale of the property, the government will cover the loss to the lender.

I expect the mortgage process not to feel any different to normal, although I expect the documentation to increase due to affordability and income verification guidelines which is to make sure the appliances can pay the monthly repayments.

This will hopefully stop the irresponsible leading which we saw in the last boom. We should expect the scheme to be around for about three years and is not available for buyers to purchase a second home or buy to lets to rent out before some of you start getting excited.

All the big players, such as Natwest, HSBC and Halifax, are using the scheme with smaller leaders to follow as well as building societies. HSBC has a two year fixed rate of 4.79 per cent and a five year at 4.99 per cent. Natwest has a two year fixed rate of 4.99 per cent and a five year at 5.49 per cent with no product fee. These are relatively competitive compared with prices outside Help to Buy, although there is no doubt borrowers are likely to get a better deal if you save up longer for a larger deposit.

These 95 per cent mortgages had all but disappeared from the market since the start of the financial crisis and, as it looks like the supply of mortgage funding is improving, this will inevitably lead to an increase demand for property. This could lead to an increase in house prices over the next two to three years so my advice is to get on the property ladder as soon as possible to benefit.

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

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Fairhaven Garden, in the heart of The Broads, welcomes visitors all year round. Sarah Hardy wraps up warm and enjoys a walk around this watery woodland with head gardener Ian Guest

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

Gardens

fairhaven

airhaven Garden offers the chance to explore a little bit of The Broads and all that its rich and varied landscape has to offer. Open every day of the year except Christmas Day, the 130-acre site allows visitors the chance to learn more about its sensitive ecology and the wildlife that inhabits it. And it is, of course, a perfect place to simply stroll and enjoy masses of fresh air!

The garden was created by Major Henry Broughton, who bought the South Walsham Estate in 1946 which included a hall (now a private home), ancient woodland, water garden and an inner broad.

The house and formal gardens had been used as a convalescence home and the woodland and water garden as a training ground for the home guard during the Second World War. Pleasure boats were sunk in the inner broad, which was also covered with barbed wire, to prevent flying boat landings. Tanks were hidden in the garden, and some of the tank bays can be seen in the garden today. The house had fallen into disrepair and the garden had become a jungle.

Initially efforts were concentrated on restoring the house, with the family finally moving into the hall in 1947. But Major Broughton was an active and enthusiastic gardener and designed the garden himself, with the help of seven gardeners and two woodmen.

Over 15 years, he gradually introduced shade and water loving plants, the most spectacular being Candelabra Primula. Thousands of these colourful plants flower during May and early June. Other plants were imported from around the world, such as the Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton Americanus) from North America and Camellias and Rhododendrons from the Himalayas.

Many of the trees were grown in a dedicated tree nursery and huge greenhouses meant that more than 90 per cent of the plants could be grown from seed.

In 1963 Major Broughton became the 2nd Lord Fairhaven, receiving the title as his elder brother had no heirs. He died in 1973, requesting that the garden be left in Trust for the public to enjoy. The title of Lord Fairhaven passed onto his son Ailwyn, the 3rd Lord Fairhaven who is chairman of the Fairhaven Garden Trust. The garden opened to the public in 1975.

The current head gardener Ian Guest has worked at Fairhaven for 12 years, taking over from the charismatic

George Debbage who retired after some 40-odd years. Ian regards the preservation of the Trust and the maintainence of the garden in its original form as his key objectives. ‘That is very much at the forefront of my mind’ he says. ‘We need to safeguard the garden for future generations. We try to keep very much to Lord Fairhaven’s original plans and ideas – we just add a little here and there!’

Now there are about three miles of paths to seek out, with little bridges taking you across the watery channels, there are boat trips around the broad to enjoy and two bird hides where you look out for the 90 different types of birdlife – from kingfishers to marsh harriers – who make Fairhaven their home.

Pine, ash and oak trees form the core of the garden, which now has just two full time and two part time gardeners to care for it – plus a few dedicated volunteers. Ian adds that organic methods are followed – as started by the 2nd Lord Fairhaven.

Be sure to see the King Oak which is about 950 years old and beautifully gnarled, and during these wintry months, snowdrops, hellebores, viburnum, and mahonia all give vital shots of colour.

Ian continues: ‘We keep it looking natural – some areas we don’t touch at all. But there is always a lot to do. From January through to Easter, we clear the dykes to keep them clean and the water flowing – and we will be hazel coppicing soon, too. We sell it for fencing and thatching as we are always looking at ways to make money – and anything we earn goes straight back into the garden.’

The garden welcomes between 30,000 and 35,000 visitors a year and works closely with local schools to provide a vital educational resource for the area’s students. It also has links with Easton College and its horticultural department, offering, for example, work placement schemes. It is wheelchair friendly and dogs are allowed on their leads.

Various events are planned in the gardens throughout the year such as an Easter egg trail, a spring plant festival, a green festival and a fun dog day. Various concerts and drama performances are also scheduled and Ian stages regular guided walks.

It is also a popular venue for wedding receptions.

There is also a great tearoom with all your favourites on offer such as hearty soups, sandwiches, ploughman’s and very naughty sounding puds like jam roly poly!

For my money, Fairhaven is a charming place. It isn’t over developed and never feels over crowded, with plenty of space for all. It appeals to different types of people – garden enthusiasts will get plenty of ideas, especially those with boggy, watery sections to their gardens, wildlife lovers can look out for all manner of birds, deer, butterflies and the like while families can just let their little ones charge about in all that space!

Fairhaven Garden, School Road, South Walsham, tel 01603 270449, visit www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

47

Picture by PAUL SHREEVE

Let Them Eat Cake Ginger Sponge Cake, Roasted English Plums and Stem Ginger Ice Cream For the sponge cake 1. Mix the flour, sugar, ginger and bicarbonate of soda together in a bowl.

Using your fingers rub the margarine in the until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the beaten egg, syrup and hot water and mix well with a wooden spoon until combined.

2. Line a 28cm x 18cm baking tin with greaseproof paper and pour the mixture in. Bake in the middle shelf of oven on 1800C for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown, with the top springy to touch.

3. For the plums, cut each in half and remove the stones, place in roasting tin and rub each plum with butter and sprinkle with sugar and thyme. Roast in

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

the oven on 1800C for 15 minutes or until soft.

For the stem ginger ice cream 1. Put the milk and clotted cream into a non stick pan, scrape out the seeds from the vanilla pod, add the pod and seeds to the milk and cream, bring to the boil and set aside for 20 minutes.

2. Next, cream the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl. Bring the milk and cream back to the boil, remove the vanilla pod then pour the mixture onto the egg yolks, stirring all the time.

3. Strain the mixture back into the pan and cook over a gentle heat, stirring constantly until the mixture has thickened

and lightly coats the back of a wooden spoon. Do not let the mixture boil or it will curdle. Pour back into the bowl and leave to cool, then cover and chill overnight.

4. The next day, churn in an ice-cream machine, stirring the stem ginger and syrup into the mixture. If you don’t have an ice cream machine you can pour the mixture into a shallow container, cover and freeze until firm but not rock hard, then whizz in a food processor until smooth.

5. Re-freeze and repeat the process twice more.

6. To serve, cut a square piece of sponge, warm some of the plums and place on top with a scoop of ice cream to the side.

imperial hotel | RECIPE

In his first column for Places&Faces®, Simon Wainwright, executive chef at the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth, tempts us with a slice or two of cake

Serves 6 Ingredients

*

For the sponge 210g self raising flour 210g sugar 1 tsp ground ginger 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 60g margarine, plus extra for greasing 1 free range egg 2tbsp golden syrup 9fl oz hot water

W INE CHOICE

2007 Klein Constantia, Vin De Constance, South Africa

For the stem ginger ice cream

Nick Mobbs, director and wine expert at the Imperial Hotel, says:

600ml full fat milk 225g clotted cream 1 vanilla pod 6 medium egg yolks 85g caster sugar 100g stem ginger, finely chopped 6 tbsp syrup from the jar

Plums 1kg plums 1 ⁄2 cup brown sugar 60g butter 1tbsp freshly chopped thyme

Ginger sponge with plums and ice cream is a dish with a lot of flavour and sweetness, of which the predominant one is ginger. It requires a dessert wine which has the power to stand up to the ginger, and a similar sweetness ratio and acidity to help cut through the richness of the dessert. So I have picked this classic dessert wine from South Africa.

It has been made in South Africa for more than 300 years and was the preferred dessert wine of much of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, until the onset of the vine disease grape phylloxera, which wiped out much of the wine production in South Africa in the late 1800s.

The wine was revived in the 1980s by Klein Constantia and has subsequently been voted as one of the best dessert wines from the region. The grape type is the muscat which is famed for making dessert wine.

The colour is burnished copper, and there are abundant aromas of dried mangos, apricots and honey. The palate is unctuously full bodied and intensely flavoured with a thick viscous consistency pared by pithy astringency and a fresh mouth watering finish.

• A team of brilliant chefs • 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

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

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www.theinghamswan.co.uk

info@theinghamswan.co.uk

menus Lunch du Jour Menu – 2 Courses & Coffee £13.95 Seasonal daily changing dishes, 2 courses & coffee £13.95 or 3 courses & coffee £17.95 Lunch du Jour Monday to Saturday 12pm to 2pm service – *excluding special calendar dates and bank holidays Dinner du Jour Menu – 2 Courses £19.95 Seasonal daily changing dishes, 2 courses £19.95 or 3 courses £24.95 DInner du Jour Sunday to Thursday 6pm to 9pm service – *excluding special calendar dates and bank holidays A La Carte Menu & Fixed Price £28 Menu Our A La Carte menu is offered at every service. A £28 fixed price 3 course menu is available for Friday & Saturday evening services only – Seasonal daily changing dishes Thursday Steak Night at The Ingham Swan £40 for Two 28 day dry aged Sirloin Steak with Garlic Baked Field Mushrooms with local Ingham Chips and includes a carefully selected bottle of Shiraz or Sauvignon Blanc Sunday Lunch – 2 Courses £19.95 Featuring “Roast Fillet of Beef” as a main course Service from 12 to 3pm The Ingham Swan is one of only two restaurants in the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand for value for money

County Inn & Fine Dining

@inghamswan

Book now for Valentine’s Day Our rooms are being renovated from 6th January to 20th February 2014 HOW TO FIND US: The Ingham Swan, Sea Palling Road, Ingham, NR12 9AB (Turn at Tesco Stalham on A149 and follow signs for Ingham).

Michelin Bib Gourmand 2013

The Ingham Swan

WINE

INTRODUCING SAM MATTHEWS

RAISING A GLASS After almost a decade in the trade, Sam

Matthews

knows a thing or two about wine. Our new wine writer talks to Carolyn Bowden and reveals a rather unusual hobby

hile some people collect stamps, toy cars or autographs, Sam Matthews has a rather different kind of hobby.

The Assembly House’s busy Food and Beverage Manager ‘collects’ memories of fine dining experiences and his ambition is to visit as many of the world’s top restaurants as time and money will allow.

Given his job at the impressive Georgian building in Norwich, Sam’s pastime is somewhat less surprising; he’s been exposed to fine food and wine since he started out in the hospitality trade at 15 and has loved them ever since. As Sam explains, his role is incredibly varied, with no two days the same: ‘The Assembly House is the most diverse of hospitality businesses and the only venue that comes close to offering the same range of events would be a large hotel.’

Sam’s enthusiasm for his job extends into his personal life and, while many people happily close the office door at the end of the working day, Sam likes to visit other fine dining venues to see what they have to offer, including some which have to be booked months in advance. Together with a group of like-minded friends (fellow ex-City College Norwich students), Sam sets off to see what the world’s best chefs and sommeliers have to offer.

‘I still rate Alinea in Chicago as my best dining experience to date,’ confides Sam. ‘It was part of a six-day trip to the States with four outstanding restaurants in four nights. This was the last one and it did not disappoint. They only do a tasting menu which we were more than happy to take on with the matching wines. Every mouthful of the 20 or so courses was fantastic and better than the one before. I remember the sommelier looking like Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons and he was brilliant entertainment backed up with interesting wine knowledge. Not once did he mention the soil variety or the climate; he told you stories that led into the next course.

‘After a recent trip to Spain which exhausted the credit card (again), I am now looking to tick off a few restaurants closer to home. L’Enclume in Cartmel in the Lake District is top of the list - I love the look of Simon Rogan’s food. Another is Le Gavroche in London, a place I have wanted to go to from the moment I became interested in food. Both have very different styles, but both are supposed to be superb!’

However, Sam’s pursuit of Michelin-starred menus doesn’t always take him away from East Anglia, as he explains: ‘I still want to get to Alimentum in Cambridge. The menu looks great and I have heard exciting things. Closer to home, Norwich has a fantastic dining scene; I don’t see the city as a fine dining capital, but it does have great cafes, bars, takeaways and small restaurants.

I was recently very impressed with the Dray Yard Smokehouse on Exchange Street, while the menu at the Flat House on St Benedict’s is brilliant. And I don’t know who the guys behind The Grosvenor Fish Bar in the Lanes are, but they have made a chippy exciting!’

Sam’s career began with washing up at The Lavender House in Brundall, near Norwich, on a Friday and Saturday night after school. Although he went on to train as a chef (and was Head Chef at the Maltsters Pub in Ranworth for a year), he prefers working Front of House and worked full-time at The Lavender House for five years (including a brief spell at Anna Sewell House in Great Yarmouth) before joining the team at The Assembly House around four years ago.

Unsurprisingly, this near-decade in the industry has improved his knowledge of food and wine enormously, as Sam acknowledges: ‘I was exposed to fine wines and drinks from an early age, and read up on the subject at every opportunity. It is always important to be able to answer customers’ questions, and so at The Lavender House my wine knowledge needed to be good.

I remember placing my first wine orders with suppliers, some well into four figures, before my 18th birthday (looking back, I’m not sure that was even allowed!). I have a Level 2 WSET [Wine & Spirit Education Trust] qualification that I did some years back and really enjoyed. I was lucky as my tutor was Jonathan Pedley, who travelled the world with Keith Floyd filming ‘Floyd Uncorked’. His knowledge was outstanding and he had some merry stories to tell; he wasn’t shy with his measures, either!’

So what does Sam like to drink? ‘It completely depends on the occasion. If I’m off to Carrow Road to see my team lose, I like a cold lager; if I’ve had a long day at work, it’s a cold glass of dry white; if I’ve bought a nice bit of beef or lamb, it’s a glass of warming red. I always try and drink something new or different when going out and ask the advice of the place I am dining in.’

And if money were no object? ‘I would be very merry, a lot of the time!’ laughs Sam. ‘I’m very in to my Rieslings at the moment, especially the dryer styles from Alsace and Germany. The better ones are not cheap and certainly not every day drinking. Every meal would start with a glass of vintage champagne and end with a fine dessert wine, anything by my favourite sweet wine-maker, Willi Opitz from Austria.’

Although still only 24, Sam has got a world of wine knowledge under his belt and looks set to expand it even further.

For sam's wine predictions for the year ahead, turn to page 53

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

51

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Our gaming floor has something to offer for everybody, whether it’s to grab a drink from the bar, the classic Roulette and Blackjack or to try our £4000 Jackpot slot machines with all the latest games – it’s all available here. With hosts also available throughout your visit to give you an interactive session on how to play – we will give you a great understanding before you try it out! All your questions will be answered!

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WINE Review

2014 predictions

Stock Taking Sam Matthews takes a look at the wines we’ll be drinking this year

A

fter the excesses of Christmas

been serving this grape for a number of years now, both at The

and New Year, January is a

Lavender House and The Assembly House, and the reaction is

great time to slow down,

always fantastic. This particular grape variety can have quite

reflect and take stock, both

high acidity (its name means lip stinger after all), but during

literally and metaphorically.

the wine-making process it produces a rounded, full-bodied

The hospitality trade’s

white wine with subtle, lemony flavours and a stunning green-

busiest period is followed by

gold colour in the glass.

a few weeks of calm, when customers stay off the booze

Normally from the Languedoc region of Southern France (the single biggest wine-producing region in the world), there are

for a bit in an effort to diet and detox, allowing those of us

also some Spanish versions of the Picpoul grape variety, and I

in the restaurant business to reflect on what worked in the

expect those to make an appearance on UK wine lists this year.

previous 12 months and what we’ve got to look forward to

I was in Barcelona last year and was very excited to stumble

this year. Just like clothes, music and food, wine is subject to

across a fantastic, slightly acidic, refreshing, rounded Picapoll.

the vagaries of fashion, and predicting what will be in vogue

The wine merchant beside the famous Boqueria food market

in 2014 is a tricky business, as it’s also a question of personal

off Las Ramblas was quick to pop open a perfectly chilled

taste.

bottle for a taster and I left buying three! I will continue to fight

One of my own wine trend predictions for this year is that Muscadet will return to wine lists - often Muscadet is referred to as the grape variety but it’s actually Melon de Bourgogne.

to serve this fantastic grape in the restaurants, and please look out for it on the supermarket shelves.

The third contender for the next 12 months is Primitivo – I’ve

Muscadet is appellation-controlled to the Loire region of

recently squeezed this back on to our wine list and it’s gone

France which is also famous for the Sauvignon grape in the

down extremely well. The Primitivo grape (in Italy) or Zinfandel

form of well-known labels such as Sancerre or Pouilly Fume.

(in California) produces rich, robust red wines, perfect for the

The reasons for its rise in popularity are the very mellow

cold months ahead and for all those hearty meat dishes. Mainly

characteristics of the grape – it’s very dry,

from the Puglia region in the heel of Italy, Primitivo often offers

crisp and refreshing, usually with a low

better value for money in supermarkets than the Californian

ABV of below 12 per cent. This also makes

Zinfandel. Some Italian wine-producers have experimented,

it a good food-matching wine, as it will not

ageing Primitivo in American oak, like some of the big hitting

overpower any flavours. Muscadet goes well

Zins, but I think they need to stay away from this, as it mellows

with all types of seafood or white fish, and I

and rounds the flavour; the wine stands alone and should be a

have seen it described as the perfect oyster

rustic, hard-hitting red.

wine pairing.

Although New World wines continue to boom and will

Picpoul, another grape on the rise, hit

probably overtake Old World wines in popularity in the long-

some wine lists during 2013 but has not

term, for 2014 my personal selections are these two French

yet seen its popularity soar. I have

wines and the very old grape variety from Southern Italy.

Somehow, I thought that, having grown up when Chile and Australia were the top of the house wine selections in nine out of 10 restaurants, my predictions would be different, but let’s see what happens, shall we?

Perhaps the resurgence of Old World wines is down to their vintners using more modern techniques, their marketing wising up to a global population or a case of new generations of Italian and French wine-makers coming on to the scene?

As our palates and knowledge grow, we require more excitement and variety in what we are quaffing. I believe the Old World wine-makers have noticed this at the right time and are now presenting us with some cracking liquids.

Sam Matthews is Food and Beverage Manager at The Assembly House, Norwich (www.assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk)

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

53

a main course before

the main act Dinner followed by a show could be perfect ingredients for a perfect night out. And Kemp’s Restaurant at Norwich Theatre Royal makes food the star attraction before curtain call, as Emma Outten discovered Kemp's Restaurant, TheatrE RoyAL, NORWICH Call: 01603 598577 www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

54

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

I

f you’ve booked tickets to see a show at East Anglia’s premier theatre, then you may as well make a meal of things first - in for a penny, in for a pound, I say.

Kemp’s Restaurant at Norwich Theatre Royal really comes into its own a couple of hours before curtain up, whether at lunch or dinner. In the evenings it opens at 5pm, from Monday to Saturday, when it is ready to welcome theatregoers of all descriptions.

The night my daughter and I went for dinner, Priscilla Queen of the Desert had rolled up, and so there was a whiff of West End excitement in the restaurant beforehand.

The canny restaurant staff had got hold of the Priscilla soundtrack from the merchandise stand in the foyer, so we were treated to songs such as Hot Stuff as we sat down to order our food. This is a neat move as it really gets diners in the mood for the main act a little later on.

I like a good theme and so must the restaurant staff, as the menu changes frequently to reflect the shows and different audiences.

We were only there for dinner (I’ve seen Priscilla in the West End plus the show is only suitable for the 15-plus brigade due to the outrageous language and content!). It would be fair to say that the addition of my daughter brought the average age in the restaurant down quite considerably, but it really does all depend on the show.

There’s a special menu - at a discounted price - available

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Kemp's Restaurant for children, and high-chairs are available, so I imagine the dining demographic will be very different during pantomime season (are you taking your little princes and princesses to see Cinderella before January 19?).

As far as restaurant meals go, Kemp’s offers a wide range of options and all food is prepared and cooked at the theatre by the team of chefs, headed by Nick Faghy, using the best of local and seasonal produce.

The Theatre Royal has a good relationship with Adnams (there’s the Adnams Circle Bar for a start) and so it comes as no surprise that Adnams wine buyers have selected the list exclusively for the theatre. If you fancy Champagne before a show it will set you back £40 for a bottle, although I had the Pinot Grigio, Amanti Del Vino (£7 for a 250ml glass), as it – quite rightly - promised to be ‘amazingly quaffable’.

My daughter, on the other hand, was more interested in the food. For starters, she went for the marinated olives (£2.95), and declared that she liked the green ones more than the black, whereas I opted for the soup of the day - carrot - accompanied by organic bread and priced at £5.25. The soup was simple, but effective on the taste buds. Other starters were priced slightly higher at £5.95.

The first thing that struck me about the main courses was the plentiful vegetarian options: starting with a warm roasted squash and wild mushroom salad at £10.25 (it’s always good to know that there’s more than a token vegetarian offer). My daughter, a carnivore to the core, went for the hand-made burger at £11.25. It consisted an organic seeded bun, burger

sauce, 100 per cent beef burger, beef tomato, cheese, streaky bacon, cos lettuce, coleslaw and hand-cut chips. The hand-cut chips were the first to be devoured (what can I say? She’s an eight-year-old and there’s definitely a pecking order when it comes to her plate!), and the bun and burger combo was, quite frankly, demolished.

I had the pan-fried cod fillet (£14.95) on petit pois à la française, prosciutto crisp and new potatoes – it was filling and I liked the French twist.

There are side orders available: from a £1.95 side salad to £2.50 for garlic bread with cheese (I’m surprised my daughter didn’t spot that one on the menu).

Then it was on to desserts. By this time the first curtain call announcement came over the tannoy and we noticed that we were fast becoming the only ones left dining in Kemp’s.

Desserts are £5.25 and mine was a fruity flute of blackberries, toasted nuts, oats, dark chocolate, honey and Glayva whipped cream.

Alternatively, we could have shared a selection of local cheeses (£14.50). And, had I been feeling that way inclined, I could’ve added a glass of Cockburn’s port to the cheese board for an extra £3.

The eight-year-old had to have three scoops of ice cream, of course, and, luckily for her, that particular day’s selection involved that Neapolitan classic combination of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, meaning one happy little girl.

We were the last to leave the restaurant, as theatregoers were busy taking their seats, and Restaurant and Functions Manager Linda Gargiulo explained that when you book a table for a pre-performance evening meal, they will reserve it for you throughout your visit so you can return at the interval for dessert, drinks or coffee. What a great interlude to the night and I could just imagine a liqueur coffee - £4.30 with a 35ml measure of whatever takes my fancy – the next time I make a proper night of it.

55

F o o d G a ll e r y : R estaurants & F ood produce

Albatros

Dabs n Crabs

The Parlour Tea Rooms

The Albatros, which is moored at Wells-nextthe-Sea, is a 100-year-old Dutch clipper, built in Rotterdam. The beautiful vessel was built for Johannes Muller from Middelhanis, Holland, where she remained until being sold to a Danish owner, believed to be Captain Ramussen, who used her as a cargo ship to export grain from Scandanavia. In 1983 Ton Brouwer bought and fully restored her. The Albatros is a Dutch-style café bar and restaurant serving sweet and savoury pancakes and other Dutch specialities. Have your meal alfresco on the main deck and enjoy the views of the harbour. Fully licensed bar, real ales, live music and bed & breakfast.

Private and corporate parties welcome.

Dabs n Crabs is located in Scratby, on the main road, between Caister-on-Sea and Hemsby. The shop stocks a large range of fresh fish, smoked fish and shellfish.

It also has a selection of frozen seafood.

All products are locally sourced wherever possible, with the added advantage of Tracey’s father being a local fisherman, so his catch can be delivered directly from his boat to the shop. Dabs n Crabs can supply local cod, skate, herring, mussels and much much more, including luxurious sides of hot smoked salmon and all varieties of shellfish and smoked fish.

The Parlour Tea Rooms in the historic Corn Exchange has now opened its huge doors! This exquisite 1940s tea room, a sister to Loddon Mill Tea Rooms, will offer tasty tea time treats, cakes from vintage recipes, a selection of Tea-Pigs teas, home-made scones with clotted cream and various other goodies. Housed in the magnificent setting of the Corn Exchange in Harleston with its lovely fountain, antiques, collectables and vintage street scene - it has an ambiance not to be missed.

Open: 12 noon until late A: Quayside, Wells-next-Sea, NR23 1AT T: 07979 087228 W: www.albatros.eu.com

Open: Every day except Mondays.

A: Hemsby Road, Scratby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk T: 01493 731305

Open: Seven days a week, 10am-5pm closing at 4pm on a Sunday A: 5 Exchange Street, Harleston IP20 9AB

Courtyard Café

Orchard Farm Shop

Wine Cellar

Situated within Pensthorpe Wildlife & Gardens, the renowned Courtyard Café offers a wide variety of high quality, locally sourced meals. Even if you do not have time to explore the wonders of the Pensthorpe reserve, the fully licensed Courtyard Café is well-stocked with a great variety of teas, cakes and pastries; making it a perfect place to stop for delicious home-cooked food or a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

We look forward to you visiting us at Orchard Farm Shop. We now stock beef as well as the pork reared on the farm which is butchered in our shop, along with local lamb. Gluten-free sausages as well as pork burgers, and low fat sausages are also available. Our free-range eggs are collected daily and we stock a lovely selection of local jams, chutneys, honey, rape seed oil and juices. We also have a new range of gluten-free jams and pickles from Orchard Fruits. Low food miles and friendly service.

The Wine Cellar is a piece of gourmet heaven born from an ethos of gorgeous wine, great food, and generous service. Tucked away in the heart of Norwich, just a few steps away from the vibrant Market Place, a beautiful courtyard steeped in history is the setting for this charming hidden gem that has so much more to offer than just fantastic fine dining.

Ambient and chilled, The Wine Cellar is the perfect place to mingle and socialise. Ideal for a sophisticated, lazy lunch or a wallet friendly supper.

Find us on the A146 five miles south of Norwich.

Open: Monday 11am-10pm, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-midnight, Sunday 10.30am-3.30pm A: The Wine Cellar, Guildhall Hill, 8 Woburn Court, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1JG T: 01603 886100 E: admin@winecellarnorwich.co.uk W: www.winecellarnorwich.co.uk

Open: Every day from 9am-5pm (food served 12-2.30pm) A: Pensthorpe Wildlife & Gardens, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0LN T: 01328 851465 W: www.pensthorpe.com

Open: Thursday 10am-6.30pm; Friday 9am-6.30pm; Saturday 9am-4pm A: Orchard Farm Shop, Holverston, Norwich NR14 7PH T: 01508 480369 W: www.orchardfarmshop.com

pictures ANDREW FLORIDES, www.andrewflorides.co.uk | words FRANCK PONTAIS, WWW.FRANCKPONTAIS.COm

RECIPE

FRANCK PONTAIS

Cauliflower and Shiso with a Croute de Sel (Salt Crust)

This month our French chef Franck Pontais offers us a healthy vegetarian dish for our New Year detox!

VEGGIE MIGHT

Method for the baked cauliflower 1. To make the dough crust – mix together the flour, egg whites and rock salt.

SERVES 4

2. Rest for one hour in the fridge.

3. Roll to 5mm thickness.

4. Cut the whole cauliflower into four

Ingredients for the baked cauliflower 1 cauliflower 1 bunch of purple shiso or rosemary 500g of plain flour 50g of rock salt 8 egg whites

wedges and wrap each quarter in the dough with some purple shiso or rosemary and insert in a mould, ramekin or a little casserole dish. Brush with egg.

5. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes at 160°c. Then cover with tin foil, and cook for a further 30 minutes.

6. Once cooked, slice the top of the crust

Ingredients for the cumin sauce 2 egg yolks 3tbsp of white wine 1tsp of white wine vinegar 2tbsp of finely chopped shallots 150g of unsalted butter 1 /4 tsp of ground cumin

and serve with cumin sauce.

Method for the cumin sauce 1. Simmer the white wine, white wine vinegar, shallots and cumin in a saucepan.

2. Reduce the mixture by half. Remove from the heat.

3. Put the egg yolks in a mixing bowl on a Bain Marie. Whisk for 20 seconds.

4. Add the reduced wine and slowly incorporate the melted butter. Season to

Let our French chef cook for your private dinner parties,

taste and serve.

and for those who really enjoy cooking, he also offers master classes, for all abilities, in your own home. More information is available at www.franckpontais.com

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

57

RABBIE BURNS:

THE NORFOLK CONNECTION This month, food writer Andy Newman discovers a surprising provenance for the centrepiece of Burns Night, while top Norfolk chef Roger Hickman shows how haggis can grace even the finest dining table Pictures by ANDY NEWMAN ASSOCIATES, NORWICH

T

he howling January wind swirls around the bleak hills of the Hebridean Isle of Jura, disturbing the kilts of the men who have come to honour their literary hero.

The wail of the bagpipes is heard, and the procession moves towards the tables, led by a lone piper in full regalia, who precedes the proud waiter bearing the magnificent centrepiece of the meal.

He sets it on the tables, and another kilted character, as rugged as the landscape, steps forward to intone the 200-year old poem, chock-full of impenetrable dialect in honour of that ‘Great Chieftain of the Pudding Race’. The assembled throng are served, and finally tuck in to the delicacy that has come to their table from… Norfolk.

Fanciful? Would the proud Scots ever sit down on their own turf to celebrate that most Caledonian of occasions, Burns Night on January 25, with a Sassenach haggis? Well, yes it seems!

Perhaps it’s appropriate that the Scottish national dish should be a robust concoction of offal and oats, reflecting a nation which has endured its fair share of hardship over the

58

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

years. What is surprising is the increase in popularity of the dish south of the border over recent years – as witnessed by the appearance of haggises (or should that be haggii?) in supermarkets, especially at this time of the year. If the delicate palates of the English have taken to the dish, what has changed?

Us or the haggis?

Certainly the sanitised supermarket product is a pale reflection of the original dish, which was essentially a way of using up those parts of a pig or sheep which were left over once all the butchery had been done.

Poor Scottish crofters would take the liver, lungs and heart of either a sheep or a pig, boil them to try and tenderise them, and then mince them along with onions, oatmeal, spices and seasoning. This would then be stuffed into ‘a properly cleaned sheep’s stomach’, which was then sewn up and boiled still further.

Only the most die-hard fan of nose-to-tail eating would want to eat that, and fortunately nowadays the process is slightly less stomach-wrenching. Generally the meat content is lamb, and the more gory elements are toned down. But the biggest

HAGGIS INGREDIENTS

Mike and james Rutland

NORFOLK PRODUCE

HAGGIS

change is that the sheep’s stomach is no longer used, jettisoned in favour of beef bung (intestine) or, more commonly and prosaically, plastic sleeves, which as well as being less offputting, have the advantage of never splitting during cooking.

M&M Rutland of Melton Constable, near Holt, is a real family affair. A busy, bustling place, behind the counter are Marion Rutland, who founded the business 41 years ago, her husband Mike, their three daughters, their son James and their daughter-in-law.

So how did this most Norfolk of businesses end up supplying Scotland’s national dish to the very furthest-flung parts of its homeland, some 550 miles away from rural Norfolk?

‘A friend of my dad got the recipe from a butcher in Lanarkshire, and he started making haggis in 1991,’ explains James. ‘A local family was going to visit family in Scotland for Burns Night, and decided to take one of our haggises up there, and it went down well. The next thing we knew we were getting more orders, helped by the fact that Jura doesn’t have a butcher’s shop.’

Rutland’s has even supplied haggis to the Royal Highland Regiment (Black Watch) for a Burns Night Supper – something which has ruffled a few feathers north of the border. Despite the bluster, business is still brisk from Scotland, with orders coming via the internet for the traditional Scottish celebrations of St Andrew’s Day, Hogmanay and especially Burns Night.

James is at pains to point out that a Rutland haggis does not pretend to be anything other than English, and is proudly labelled Norfolk Haggis. ‘The Scots have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of our haggis. We use only free-range lamb reared in Bungay, and we don’t use heart and lungs, just best lambs’ liver.’

Notwithstanding the ‘export’ trade, the majority of Rutland’s haggises end up on plates in their home county, so clearly the English taste for this distinctive dish is growing.

‘There was no great demand when we first started making it 22 years ago,’ admits James. ‘But once people started to try it, they kept coming back for more. It helps that as well as being delicious, it’s very reasonably priced: a haggis costing in the region of £5 will feed two to three people.’

A real haggis enthusiast, James is at pains to point out the versatility of the dish. ‘As well as the traditional way of serving it, haggis makes a great stuffing for chicken, it’s delicious in a cottage pie, and haggis lasagne has to be tried.’ The family even has haggis and English whisky, and curried haggis sausages amongst their award-winning range of 32 bangers.

M&M Rutland can be found at 13 Briston Road, Melton Constable, NR24 2DG; tel: 01263 860562. Their website (www.rutland-butchers. co.uk) has a whole page devoted to haggis. As well as selling them in-store, Rutland supply their haggis mail-order; or they are available in Budgens in Holt and Aylsham all year round.

RE C I P E

Roger Hickman’s Roast Haggis with Neeps (Three Ways), Tatties, Cavalo Nero an English whisky sauce serves FOUR

IN G REDIENTS One fairly large Norfolk haggis, 125g butter, 1 dessertspoon sugar, 12 baby turnips, 3 normal turnips, 50ml cream, plus a splash of milk, 1 cavalo nero, leaves picked, 2 floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper, rapeseed oil, 100ml English whisky, 4 tbsp chicken or veal stock

Place the haggis in a roasting pan with water coming approx half way up, and roast in the oven at 1800C for an hour to 75 minutes, depending on its size. Slice the haggis into 1/2 cm thick slices.

Peel or scrub the baby turnips. Put in a pan and just cover with water. Add 50g of butter and a pinch of salt, and bring to the boil. Simmer until the turnips are soft.

Peel the full-sized turnips, and wrap in tin foil. Bake in the oven at 180°C for about 45 minutes, until soft. When cooled, cut two of the turnips into eight pieces each, and roast these in a frying pan with 25g of butter until they are coloured.

Take the remaining turnip, chop it into small pieces, and put it in a food processor with a splash of cream and a splash of milk. Blitz, then pass through a sieve to make a smooth puree.

Bring 100ml of water to the boil in a pan with 50g butter.

Put in the cavalo nero leaves and blanch for about 30 seconds, until wilted.

Dice the potatoes into pea-sized pieces, and roast these in a frying pan with some rapeseed oil until golden, turning regularly. Because the pieces are so small, there is no need to blanch the potatoes first.

For the sauce, reduce the whisky in a pan by about half, then add the stock and cream. Bring back to the boil, and serve.

Roger Hickman is chef-proprietor at Roger Hickman's Restaurant in Upper St Giles, Norwich. More details at www.rogerhickmansrestaurant.com

59

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H

Aldeburgh, reckons Sarah

Hardy,

is nigh on perfect for a weekend break – at any time of the year

Aldeburgh For All For more information The White Lion Hotel, Market Cross Place, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, tel 01728 452720, visit www.whitelion.co.uk.

re you a Southwold or Aldeburgh person?

Do you prefer Cromer or Sheringham? To many of us, asking this sort of question is a bit like asking someone which is their favourite child!

But, if pushed, I’d have to say that Aldeburgh ticks just about every box for me. Sorry, Southwold!

Where to start? Well, the seaside gem is world famous for its Benjamin Britten connections – the composer was inspired by the area, lived in the town for a period of time and is buried in the parish church and, of course, his Snape Maltings concert hall, which attracts leading names from the musical world, is just up the road. The Aldeburgh Festival every June and The Snape Proms every August are on many people’s must do lists.

But the town, on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, has much more to offer weekenders like me looking for relaxation and stimulation! For a start there is the pristine shingle beach, made all the more, dare I say, quaint, by the presence of several wooden fishing huts where you can buy the catch of the day – and the necessary fishing boats, too, all a mass of nets, ropes and pots.

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Travel

Aldeburgh

Look out for the Come White Back offer from January 2 to March 31 which offers a room, afternoon tea and evening meal for £149 for two.

It does not include February 15 to 22

Naturally it immediately draws visitors, although the wind will take your breath away at this time of year! Try to stride out between two focal points the somewhat controversial stainless steel Scallop sculpture by Maggi Hambling on the north side of the town and the imposing Martello Tower, built as a defence against Napoleon, on the south side. It is a blustery walk and, on your way back, you can call in at all those fabulous shops on the thriving High Street – boy has Aldeburgh got retail right!

It mixes up ritzy little boutiques such as Fleur with the impressive Aldeburgh Bookshop where you can easily pass a good hour simply browsing among the thousands of titles!

Add in art galleries, High Street favourites such as Joules and Fat Face and foodie delights like Lawson’s deli, which always seems to be in the national papers, and you have a shoppers’ paradise.

And, of course, you cannot ignore all those great cafes, restaurants and hotels. Yes, Aldeburgh is a haven for foodies – the Food Festival in the autumn is well worth a visit if you’re forward planning!

Munchies is one of those fun cafes where you can tuck into anything from posh mushrooms on toast to a slice of decadent cake, while Aldeburgh Market combines a fishmonger’s, deli, green grocer’s and café in one stylish stop. Restaurant lovers are well catered for with the iconic Regatta standing proud on the High Street, like a ship setting sail, and the Lighthouse has a tremendous reputation.

You simply cannot ignore the town’s famous fish and chip shops – the queues have to be seen to be believed! Come rain or shine, people sit on the seawall and tuck into their fish supper – and, if you’re a fan, the mushy peas are pretty darn good.

One of my favourite places is the White Lion Hotel.

It has a laid back atmosphere, a contemporary vibe and a really well positioned buzzy restaurant. The menu reflects the sea’s proximity and don’t miss the puddings which are seriously good.

There are just over 30 bedrooms, and do go for one with a view out to sea as they are definitely worth that bit extra. All are very comfy, with plenty of little

extras, which make for an ultra relaxing stay. It is also surprisingly quiet; I was worried about being woken up far too early on my lazy weekend away, but, hey, this is civilised Aldeburgh!

I think the town works on many different levels.

We had a great week there one summer when our children were little – they loved simply pottering on the beach and the town’s boating lake is an institution!

There is a well equipped park and the ice cream shop is a hit with all ages.

Cosy romantics will adore the great food and stylish accommodation, there is much for history buffs – castles at nearby Orford and Framlingham are impressive - music fans are obviously in their element and there are several first class golf courses in the area for future Tiger Woods.

Lovers of fresh air have many walks on the doorstep.

One of my favourites is the three-mile or so hike to Thorpeness, a charming ‘purpose built’ holiday village, created in 1910 by a wealthy Scottish barrister called Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie. Based around a boating lake, it has a terrific pub, the Dolphin, a golf course and masses of quirky buildings, all of differing architectural styles. It is a delight and certainly worth a visit – look out for the House in the Clouds, too, a most unusual building which I’ll leave you to discover for yourself if you don’t already know it.

63

A Greek Odyssey The Greek Islands have a hold for many of us, especially Pippa Lain-Smith who has found a real gem of a bolt hole on Corfu

I’ve been lucky enough to travel abroad a fair bit in my life, but that all came to a stop when my little boy – Fletcher – was born in 2009. Exotic trips were swapped for family-friendly cottages and well-equipped lodges, and long haul flights were exchanged for long car journeys, with the family estate packed to the roof with all the essentials that a toddler needs.

But in 2012 Richard, my then partner, and I knew the time had come to spread our travel wings once more; this time, with threeyear-old Fletcher in tow. And that’s when it became clear: unless you’re a particularly laid back individual, travelling with a small child is a whole different ball game.

Richard and I have always loved the Greek islands. They’ve historically been an affordable holiday option with a great choice of self-catering accommodation to suit all budgets. And, to be honest, when you’re planning an adult-only holiday, your room is often not a huge priority. In our pre-Fletcher days we were happy to book fairly basic accommodation because we knew we’d spend most of

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

our time exploring the island, chilling out by the pool or enjoying the local hospitality.

But planning our first family ‘hot holiday’ involved a whole different set of criteria. We’d be spending a fair amount of time in our room so it needed to be nice and, most of all, we wanted to make sure that Fletcher had a great time. After days of searching online we came across the Delfino Blu Hotel in San Stefanos, Corfu.

San Stefanos – or Agios Stefanos – is a small-ish, quiet-ish resort in the north west of Corfu. Originally a fishing village consisting of a few houses, a small church and a harbour, the resort now consists of a wonderful mix of locally-run tavernas, bars, small shops and hotels. The majority of businesses are run by local families and the busy new harbour is testament to the fact that the traditional way of life has not been completely superseded by tourism. The village still feels very Greek which is a big part of its appeal. It certainly doesn’t feel like a bit of Britain abroad, as do so many Mediterranean resorts.

To us, one of the biggest appeals of San Stefanos is its stunning beach. Clustered around a sweeping, shallow bay, many of the hotels and guest houses are within seconds of the clear blue water and the pale sand.

Delfino Blu, which is owned and run by Kostas Papanikolaou and his family, is situated on the north side of the bay. Although not a Corfiot by birth, Kostas has called San Stefanos home since 2004 when he opened Delfino Blu. Despite never having worked in the hospitality industry before, Kostas travelled extensively in his previous job and visited many hotels all over the world.

He was captivated by the beauty of Corfu and the sunset in San Stefanos and decided to build his own hotel to bring a little luxury experience to the island he’d fallen in love with; also enabling him and his family to live there full time.

The Delfino Blu ‘experience’ starts from the moment you arrive.

We took a taxi from Corfu Airport which Georgia (the lovely hotel reservations manager) had booked for us. We were greeted at the hotel gate by Silviu who grabbed our bags and walked us through to reception. After checking in, Kostas came to say hello

TRAVEL

Corfu

and offered us a drink. We sat on the terrace sipping rosé (or apple juice in Fletcher’s case), looking out at the sea and felt the inevitable travel tension seep away.

The hotel has 15 beautiful rooms which manage to feel very traditional but with a stylish ‘wow’ factor. From comfortable studios to two bedroom apartments, there really is accommodation to suit everyone. Each has its own kitchenette, seating area, lovely bathroom and private balcony. Unlike some hotels, every view is spectacular: whether you’re looking out over the bay or inland towards the lush hillside. We stayed in the honeymoon suite (despite not being married) which really was stunning, with a double cabana on the balcony and panoramic views of the town and bay.

I have to admit that I’m a sucker for the little extras you get in really good hotels and Delfino Blu does not disappoint. When we first arrived our fridge was stocked with juice, water and beer with a bowl of fruit and bottle of wine on the table, alongside a vase of roses. Two minutes later and our new friend Silviu knocked on the door. He presented us with Mimosas and a platter of fruit and icecream. Yummy.

A few steps down from the hotel’s restaurant is the stunning pool area and al fresco bar. With a range of comfortable loungers, cabanas and deckchairs, it’s the kind of place that anyone would be happy to while away a couple of hours with a Mojito (and Delfino Blu Mojitos are officially the best in San Stefanos). There’s also a well-equipped gym and sauna.

A few more steps down and you’re on the beach. We spent most days honing our sandcastle building skills – our speedboat was the talk of the beach – enjoying the clear water and taking regular trips to the Mango beach bar.

Food is something that Kostas takes very seriously. The power buffet breakfast is the kind of spread that has to be seen to be believed. The truly international fare has something to appeal to guests who come from all over the world to stay at Delfino Blu. The Kohili restaurant is largely acknowledged as the finest dining in San Stefanos with an evening menu of five beautifully prepared courses.

To be honest, I never thought I would be the kind of person who returns to the same holiday destination year after year, but Delfino Blu may have changed all that. It was my birthday whilst were on holiday and Richard proposed to me on the honeymoon suite balcony overlooking the sea. Needless to say, I said yes! We returned to Delfino Blu for our honeymoon in May last year, taking some of our family with us. And because our second visit to San Stefanos was even better than the first, we will be returning in May for our one year anniversary. Now that’s a recommendation.

Travel information Contact Delfino Blu direct to find out prices and availability by visiting www.corfudelfinoblu.com.

Easy Jet has a great range of flights from Luton to Corfu. RyanAir flies to Corfu from Stansted.

For more information about San Stefanos and the range of accommodation available visit www.san-stefano.gr Pippa is the managing director of Plain Speaking PR in Norwich – and congratulations from everyone at Places&Faces®!

lucy IMage courtesy of phy connell photogra

– – LOVE THE FOOD OF

W

One of the most important considerations when it comes to planning a wedding is the catering.

But modern day nuptials aren’t all about the formal three-course wedding breakfast.

Emma Outten gets the lowdown

e all love a good wedding, don’t

at the wedding fairs and new businesses popping up, is that

we? It’s the ultimate chance to raise

it’s very much alternative catering options.’

a glass to the happy couple, and feast in fine style.

And yet those styles are a-changing. As lovely as formal sit down wedding breakfasts are,

like to do some sort of BBQ, or finger buffet - even fish and chips are becoming very popular.’

And handmade crepes have even made a star turn at a

many of us will have been to a wedding where a hog roast

recent wedding, she notes. Eschewing traditional desserts,

has been the main attraction at mealtime, or the traditional

ice cream vans have become a growing trend for summer

three-tier wedding cake has been replaced by layer upon layer of cute cupcakes.

There’s a definite sense of modern couples wanting to do it their own way, and that is certainly true of the food and drink on offer to guests.

The last wedding I went to was on a glorious autumn day in a hay-barn deep in the Suffolk countryside. My friend Richard reflects: ‘We wanted a very informal, relaxed feel for our wedding dinner - it really suited the barn setting.

‘We opted for rows of trestle tables for the layout, and had no top table, so it felt like more of an inclusive 'feast for all'.

‘Food-wise, we had a slap-up BBQ, including locally sourced organic beef, fish and salads. For drinks, we bought our own wine for the table, and rammed a huge fridge full or more wine and beer with a 'help yourself' policy.’

It didn’t end there. Richard continues: ‘After the main meal, we both donned aprons and served up scoops of Suffolkmade ice-cream to each of our guests, so they could wander around for a chat with cone in hand. The cake was made by a local bakery and we also had a brilliant selection of other cakes that had been made and brought by our lovely guests.’

Another friend opted for bangers and mash for his nuptials, and this emerging taste for good old-fashioned, informal food doesn’t surprise the likes of Norfolk wedding specialist Dalia Courridge, Dalia, who plans wedding shows under the guise of Norfolk Brides, says: ‘What I have noticed, in terms of trends

66

The traditional roast still has its place, of course, but, particularly in the summer months, Dalia has noticed: ‘People

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

ADVERTISING Feature

WEDDINGS

weddings, as have popcorn stalls. ‘It’s all about

Beyond the meal, there’s the cutting of that

the presentation,’ says Dalia. ‘Newspaper’ cones

all-important cake. And, at this point in the

with chips or potato wedges are all the rage,

proceedings, some traditions remain steadfast.

apparently.

Dalia agrees: ‘With cakes I think there’s still an

‘In my view people like to do something different,’ says Dalia. Of course, it’s all dependent on the season. ‘In the winter a nice, big threecourse meal is still appropriate; in the summer people are looking at lighter options.’

Dalia is a fan of the wood-fired pizza oven,

element of having a traditional cake.’

Although there are new trends: ‘It’s very much cupcakes, cake pops, things like that,’ she notes.

Some couples even opt for a cake made out of cheese – quite literally a ‘cheesecake’! Dalia recalls one recently where different types of chees were

for example, where pizzas are ‘cooked to your

laid one on top of the other, complemented with

specification right in front of you - the taste is

grapes and crackers on the side.

fantastic.’

It’s all about ‘offering something quite different to the norm.’ After all, the happy couple want their day to be one which no-one will forget, particularly when it comes to the catering.

Every niche market needs to be catered for

‘I thought it was absolutely fantastic. For somebody who has got a sweet tooth, it’s a great alternative.’

And then there’s the drink to consider.

Traditionally, weddings are awash with red and white wine and something suitably sparkling for

these days. Dalia has noticed that catering for

toasting the happy couple, although, yet again,

guests with food intolerances, such as gluten

there are new trends. ‘Cocktails are becoming

intolerance, is another growing trend.

more popular,’ says Dalia. Guests drinking

And she adds: ‘Afternoon tea parties are very popular, especially with the vintage trend.’

A florist friend of mine saw a lot of village

Finger buffets

•

Fish and chip vans

• BBQs •

Hog roasts

•

Wood-fire pizzas

•

Vintage tea parties

•

Popcorn stands

•

Ice cream vans

•

Cream teas

•

Cheese cakes

• Cupcakes •

Cake pops

It sounds as though recent film The Great

crockery, cucumber sandwiches and scones with

the bride and groom hiring fabulous cocktail bars

strawberry jam.

for their big day.

Dalia emphasises: ‘It’s more about how you

like to go for alternative, bohemian weddings and

display the drink, not necessarily what you are

the food choices reflect that as well. I’ve spoken to

drinking.’

hear that they are looking at different options.’

•

weddings with a homespun, outdoorsy theme!

Gatsby has been an inspiration in this regard, with

several brides who share the same view. It’s nice to

• Cocktails

cocktails out of jam jars have been known at

fete style weddings, with vintage, ‘mismatched’

Dalia would probably agree with that. ‘People

HOW TO CATER FOR A MODERN WEDDING

Presentation is everything, it seems. And that goes for food and drink, as much as the bridal dress.

67

Hoveton Hall Gardens closed at the end of September last year. They will no longer be run as a visitor attraction but will open on a reduced basis for 30 days a year, from mid May to mid June. The tearoom will run during this period and a series of events is planned - with details to follow!

A Romantic Reception Hoveton Hall Estate is undergoing a renaissance as new custodians, Rachel and Harry Buxton, reveal their plans for their period home 68

ADVERTISER'S ANNOUNCEMENT

Hoveton Hall Estate

M

Any of us Know Hoveton Hall,

near Wroxham, because of its beautiful gardens which have opened to the public for several years.

The hall, which dates back to the Regency 500 people and I tell people they are only limited by their period, has been home to the Buxton imagination and budget!’ family since the 1940s, with Andrew and Rachel and her office administrator Nakita Harden are on hand Barbara Buxton mainly responsible for developing the gardens to help couples plan their special day, with Rachel saying: ‘We and parkland. Late last year, they handed over the running of the have many contacts, many suppliers we know and trust and are estate to their son, Harry, and his wife Rachel, and their four young happy to share them. We can help as much or as little as couples children, Samuel, William, Charlotte and Juliet. want.’

And, as Rachel, explains, she and her husband are really relishing The hall has played host to several weddings already and what making the hall their home - but also making the estate ‘pay its way’. wonderful photographs have been taken. ‘We had one bride ‘We see ourselves as the custodians of it all,’ says Rachel, who met who had a midsummer night’s dream theme, another arrived in her husband when they were both at university in Gloucestershire. a camper van and someone organised a treasure hunt for their ‘We need to safeguard its future for the generations to come.’ guests in the grounds!’

Key to their future plans, of which there are plenty and more of The couple is also offering luxury accommodation for wedding them later, is to offer the hall’s stunning grounds as a venue for guests, in the hall’s west wing. Approached through the hall’s wedding receptions – and what a backdrop! gracious main entrance and up a very ornate staircase, is the The hall has 15 acres of gardens including the well known Spider Buxton Suite which offers two bedrooms, one with an imposing Garden, named after the wrought-iron spider’s wooden sleigh super king size bed, and one web design gate made in 1936 by Eric Stevenson of with twin or triple beds, plus a very large For more information, Wroxham, and the Old Kitchen Garden, a one-acre bathroom with both a bath and a double Visit the estate’s new website at former Victorian walled kitchen garden which www.hovetonhallestate.co.uk shower enclosure. ‘We think it is perfect for now also includes lawns and herbaceous borders families and groups of friends,’ says Rachel. while still providing fruit, vegetables and herbs for the house.

There is also the South West room, with a wooden super king There is also a clematis walk, an orchard, a woodland walk, a size bed and en suite, which has simply spectacular views over magnolia garden, two lakes, an arboretum and a grade two listed the surrounding parkland from its tall windows. glasshouse.

‘People do want a bit of luxury,’ says Rachel. ‘So guests can So there are obviously many different locations around the estate, expect cosy bathrobes, a selection of magazines, fresh flowers with couples able to choose their favourite spot. and lovely toiletries.’

Rachel, who has a background in marketing, says: ‘What we are Guests take their breakfast in The Library, an oak-panelled offering people is the freedom to choose exactly what they want. room oozing character. ‘We offer everything from porridge to And that starts with where they want to site their marquee. They fresh fruit to the classic Full English. We have a great butcher, might like to put it in the arboretum and have a drinks reception in Massingham’s in Hoveton, and I will make the most of all our the walled garden which is gorgeous in July and August, or nearer local suppliers.’ the hall, which offers a more formal setting – the choice is theirs.

‘And then they can choose their own caterers, their own menus, Next month – we take a look at the holiday accommodation on their themes – they have all of the gardens for the whole day – and offer at the estate and also discover more about Rachel’s and exclusive use, of course.’

Harry’s plans for themed weekends, special events, filming She believes that the key season will be from April to October opportunities – and more. and says that there are few restraints. ‘We can cater for up to placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

69

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W

ith countless couples getting engaged over Christmas, it is no wonder that this time of year is traditionally a busy one for the Wedding Coordinator at Sprowston Manor, Sarah Hyde. Her job involves handling initial enquiries for weddings, especially from couples keen to get the New Year off to an organised start!

This year will be no different, and some couples will be planning ahead to 2015 and 2016, although Sarah points out that she has coordinated a wedding with less than a month’s notice before now (this is worth noting if you are planning your wedding while it’s still winter!). ‘It’s all about being organised,’

72

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

says Sarah, who has been in the role for five years.

Whatever the timescale, Sarah is on hand to help couples.

‘It’s the journey you go on with the couple,’ she says. ‘You go from seeing them in their ‘scruffs’, to seeing them on their big day.’

That journey could even include having your hen or stag party at Sprowston Manor: you could enjoy your pre-wedding break in style what with the La Fontana Spa, or the 18-hole championship golf course.

Sprowston Manor certainly offers an elegant and romantic setting for a fairytale wedding. Set in 170 acres of mature parkland, it is the perfect English country house. And, with parts dating back 450 years, the hotel offers a wealth of character and charm, which is complemented by modern facilities.

Last year, Sarah coordinated 70 weddings, and so liaised with many happy couples, at the Marriott Hotel and Country Club near Norwich.

Senior Event Manager Caroline Allen is keen to emphasise that a wedding at Sprowston may not be as pricey as you might imagine. For example, wedding package prices start from £68 per head for winter weddings. And that price not only includes

ADVERTISER'S ANNOUNCEMENT

SPROWSTON MANOR WEDDINGS

the services of Sarah, as dedicated certified wedding planner: there’s also a complimentary menu tasting with the Head Chef prior to the wedding day, plus the services of a professional Toastmaster and the Banqueting Manager on the day itself.

Sprowston Manor can offer the option of civil marriage wedding ceremonies and civil partnership ceremonies in the beautiful banqueting suites, making it easy to mark your big day in one refined location (do check out the website for ceremony room hire only prices).

Wedding exclusivity can be guaranteed at the hotel – again, do check the website. However, if more than one wedding is taking place at the hotel on any given day, they tend to be at least two hours apart, to give more of an exclusive feel.

Not only does the hotel revere the sanctity of vows taken between two people, it respects cultural differences and proudly hosts all manner of marriage celebrations.

As a result, it offers innovative catering for weddings. Sarah and Caroline point out that the extensive range of menus can offer anything from traditional cuisine to dishes that satisfy ethnic tastes.

There are three suitable suites at Sprowston Manor. You could host your wedding breakfast in the Norfolk Suite, a modern, permanent ‘Losberger’ marquee. Accommodating up to 300 guests for a wedding breakfast and 400 for an evening reception, the suite is tastefully lined and features a bar, stage and dance floor. This suite can be a good option for couples who have got married abroad and require an evening reception package to re-live their special day with family and friends.

Sarah also shows me the popular Suffolk Suite, which holds up to 100 guests for a wedding breakfast and 130 guests for a buffet reception.

With its oak panelling and high ceilings, Sarah quite rightly points out: ‘It’s got the ‘manor charm’!’

Then there’s the Somerleyton Room, which has a traditionally English feel, and space for 50 guests for a wedding breakfast or 70 guests for an evening or informal reception.

‘We do pride ourselves on smaller weddings,’ comments Caroline, before adding: ‘Renewal of vows is one of the reasons couples might have a smaller wedding.’

As for the accommodation, this is a 94-bedroom hotel and so, depending on the size of your wedding party and what day of the week you are getting married, you could book up to 25 deluxe double rooms for £99 per room.

After the reception, it’s all about your wedding night, of course! You could choose the luxury of a four-poster, super king-size bed, dressed with plush Egyptian cotton bedding (Sarah showed me the Spencer Suite, but there are six rooms with four-posters in total). She points out that some couples even request staying an extra night so that they can properly enjoy a relaxing soak in a duo tub!

Finally, there’s the Gurney Suite, ‘a bit like the presidential suite’, comments Sarah. ‘You can be the lord and lady of the manor!’

Caroline sums up what makes a wedding at Sprowston Manor special: ‘It’s the standard of service and the dedication of Sarah,’ she says, simply.

Sprowston Manor, a Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Sprowston Park, Wroxham Road, Norwich, NR7 8RP. Visit www.marriottsprowstonmanor.co.uk To enquire about having your wedding at Sprowston Manor in 2014 (and beyond), please call Sarah Hyde, Wedding Coordinator, on 01603 254293.

The Sprowston Manor Wedding Show takes place on February 2.

73

The perfect location for your perfect day…

The Maids Head Hotel is the oldest hotel in Great Britain and offers a unique setting for the perfect wedding. It is in the heart of historical and cultural centre of Tombland, adjacent to Norwich Cathedral.

• Options to have an all inclusive wedding package or to have a bespoke wedding • • Excellent photo opportunities in Cathedral close • • Menus and packages to suit your budget • • Special Hotel rates for visiting friends and family • • Ample on-site parking •

Last minute available on some 2014 dates – please call our wedding planner to discuss To book an appointment call our events team on 01603 272008 or email us on weddings@maidsheadhotel.co.uk

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Andrew Florides award winning wedding photographer

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BECAUSE YOUR BIG DAY IS ALL ABOUT THE SMALL DETAILS.

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At Sprowston Manor, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club you can be confident your wedding will be just the way you imagined it. Picture perfect.

Packages from £68.00 per person. Dates still available for

2014.

Contact Sarah Hyde, Wedding Co-ordinator on 01603 254 293 for more information or to arrange a showround.

SPROWSTON MANOR, A MARRIOTT HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 8RP Rates inclusive of VAT. 10% discount on Friday & Sundays excluding Bank Holidays. Rates subject to availability at time of booking.

How would you like to celebrate your wedding in pure style?

See the February issue of to find out how to make your wedding really special in our Grade II listed manor house

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Jarrold’s | Competition

Noa Noa Outfit

NEW

LOOKS It’s the traditional time of year to revamp your wardrobe, says Sarah Hardy, as she invites you to enter our great competition with Jarrold’s

Fancy a new look for the New Year? We have teamed up with one of our favourite department stores, Jarrold's in Norwich, to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an exclusive one-to-one appointment with the store's personal stylist Lucy Hurrell - and then £200 to spend on a new outfit! The store has some of the best labels around from Barbour and White Stuff to Weekend Max Mara and LK Bennett so whatever your style, there will be a great new outfit with your name on it!

And with Lucy on hand to help, our winner will certainly be tempted to try something new and a bit different. After all, we all get a bit set in our ways and it is great to have someone as enthusiastic as Lucy to get you trying on new colours and styles.

To enter, write a letter to Places&Faces® editor Sarah Hardy and tell her, in no more than 300 words, why you think you deserve a treat. Maybe you've got a new job and need a new outfit, maybe you're recovering from an illness, maybe you've simply had a tough year! Remember to include your name, address and a daytime contact number. Good luck!

RRELL LUCY HU

Normal Places&Faces® rules apply and the editor's decision is final. The closing date is January 31 2014.

77

G HIN WEIG

OPTIONS

R U UP YO

It’s that time of year, when our not-so-little darlings have to make their first potentially life-changing decisions. We discuss the educational milestone that is ‘options’

Why choose Paston?

Outstanding academic results

Excellent guidance and support

Expert teaching in historic surroundings

Good transport links

£1.5 million investment in Science facilities

Specialist support for University

Exciting enrichment programme

and Oxbridge entrants

Paston6FCollege PastonSixthFormCollege

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

ADVERTISING FEATURE

OPTIONS

ecisions, decisions: they don’t come much harder for a teenager than options – that time when they choose their GCSE or A Level subjects. After all, what they choose to study at either level can alter the course of their career and, therefore, their life.

There is no doubt that choosing options is a crucial time in a child’s life, and can be both an exciting and a nerve-wracking time, so you will need to be on hand to guide them through the experience.

During Year 9 (ages 13 to 14) your child will choose which subjects to study at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 to 11; ages 14 to 16). These will be the subjects they will take for GCSE exams.

The school will give your child information about GCSE choices, but it will also be helpful if you discuss their choices with them.

Some subjects are compulsory at GCSE level (English, Maths, and Science) but options widen when it comes to other subjects. Essentially, your child must be offered at least one course in each of four groups of subjects, called ‘entitlement areas’: Arts (including art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts); Design and Technology; Humanities (history and geography); and Modern Foreign Languages.

The key to GCSE selection is depth and breadth as it is likely that students will be allowed to choose between five and 12 subjects to study.

If your child has a clue as to what career they want to pursue at the tender age of 13, it may make life easier.

He or she may already know they would like a career in medicine, for example, or finance, law or engineering. But if they don’t know what they want to do in the future, they are best to keep their options open and choose a wide variety of subjects.

Then there’s GCE A level selection. The key is making choices which will allow further study at university or a specialist centre – music college or drama school, for example.

Some subjects naturally complement each other, like chemistry and biology, and the GCE A level system certainly helps to focus academic study in a particular direction.

Then there’s the issue of ‘hard’ and ‘soft subjects. For example, if he or she has dreams of Oxbridge, would it be wise to opt for media studies over mathematics?

And how many should you choose to study is another consideration. Three A Levels and one AS Level is generally considered to be the norm.

Also, does your teenager know which degree they would like to study at university? If not, it may be best to play to academic strengths or study the subjects that interest most.

So what to choose? Ultimately, the choice is up to your child, but this probably isn’t the time to let them have too many soft options!

While everyone wants their child to be happy and fulfilled, employers are, more than ever, looking at academic results to select their preferred candidate. So choosing the right subjects for further study is the first step into that very grown up world of the workplace!

79

sixth form

THE PLACE TO START YOUR CAREER Lowestoft College offers full and part time courses and apprenticeships and is your passport to a wide range of exciting and rewarding job opportunities including:-

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We also offer a range of apprenticeships. If your chosen career is not listed here please contact us to find out how we can help you reach your career goal.

REASONS TO JOIN LOWESTOFT COLLEGE Our success rates are in the top 30% in England Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a route to university Lecturers have experience of the industry they teach in Links with employers may lead to site visits, training sessions or industry talks A large choice of full and part-time courses and apprenticeships Continuing investment in the facilities and campus Opportunities to progress Degree levels available through UCS For more information ring 0800 854695, email info@lowestoft.ac.uk or visit www.lowestoft.ac.uk

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Norwich School enjoys local character, beautiful surroundings and a remarkable history. Staff and

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S329 Almary Green Faces and Places Monthly Ad ARTWORK.pdf

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financial planning | Business Survival

Carl Lamb Almary Green Independent Financial Advisers 01603 706740 | www.almarygreen.com

En s u r i n g B u s i n e ss S u rvival CARL LAMB LOOKS AT HOW TO KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON IN BUSINESS If you are an owner or manager of a small business, you may struggle to find the time and resources to spend on the management process. However it is important, at least once in a while, to take a step back and review the bigger picture.

Business continuity planning ensures that the business can survive in the event of a crisis and sets out the arrangements put in place to allow the business to be transferred to new owners or shareholders.

In most businesses there are a small number of key people on whom the successful running of the business relies. This could include the managing director, a technical expert or someone with important client contacts. The loss of that key person through critical illness or death would be catastrophic for the business. Indeed, a recent survey by Scottish Widows (September 2013) found that 55 per cent of the business owners who responded believed that the business would not survive the loss of a key person.

Key Person Insurance is available to protect the business against the loss – either temporary or permanent – of a person whose presence is business-critical. It provides a monetary sum to carry the business over until new measures can be put into place.

It’s interesting that whilst most business owners won’t hesitate to insure their property, equipment and vehicles, there seems still to be a reluctance to insure their key people.

However, the cost of replacing someone with a core role in the

Almary Green is a firm of Independent Financial Advisers based in Norwich. For help with your Business Continuity Planning, call us on 01603 706740.

business is likely to be substantial and to have a more significant impact on the bottom line.

Another important issue to remember is that if the director of a business has made a loan to the business – a Director’s Loan Account – then this must be repaid to the Director’s estate on death. Business borrowing can be covered under a Business Loan Protection plan, if desired, or the Director concerned can be covered by Key Person Insurance. According to a survey by Legal & General commissioned in January 2013, 51 per cent of businesses have some kind of business borrowing, with 20 per cent having Directors’ Loans Accounts.

The loss of a business owner or shareholder is another risk for the successful continuance of the business. Issues about control of the business can destabilise the day-to-day management and impair customer confidence. Good shareholder or partnership agreements are critical: these will determine the arrangements that apply on the death of a business owner ensuring that both the business and the partner/shareholder’s heirs’ interests are protected. Shareholder agreements need to be aligned with the rules set out in the company’s articles of association so that there is no conflict when it comes to transferring the shares. Shareholder protection plans are available to provide a cash sum on the death of a shareholder to enable the surviving shareholders to purchase the deceased’s shares.

The East of England has a great many family businesses whose future may be at risk each time a key family member dies and the reins are passed to the next generation. Accountants KPMG report that an estimated 70 per cent of family businesses will not survive into the second generation but with proper succession planning and appropriate business protection insurance, it is possible to minimise the effect on business profits.

No-one likes to talk about the possibility of death or critical illness, but those who have responsibility for a business should acknowledge that business continuity is a serious matter and put measures in place to make sure that the business they have spent a lifetime building won’t fall apart as soon as someone else takes the helm.

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

85

Head Girl

This year John Lewis celebrates 150 years in business, so the New Year seems the perfect time to catch up with the Norwich Head of Branch.

Emma Outten meets Isabel Macdonald

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

Y

isabel macdonald | BUSINESS PROFILE

ou might assume that the Head of Branch at John Lewis Norwich would have her own office at the premier department store in All Saints’ Green.

However, when meeting Isabel Macdonald (or Issy as she is known), it becomes immediately apparent that she would dispense with a desk entirely, if she could have her way!

Issy concurs: ‘My style is to be out of my own office, certainly with my team, and certainly much closer to the shop floor. I’m a shopkeeper, that’s what I love – I don’t love sitting at my desk.’

She has been in the role for two years in March, although Issy adds: ‘I’ve managed to fit in having a baby in the middle of that as well.’ After becoming mum to Eleanor, Issy returned from maternity leave, in June of last year.

After joining John Lewis as a graduate trainee, back in 2002, Issy worked her way to the Norwich branch via Peter Jones, Reading, Solihull and the new John Lewis at home, in Tamworth.

She loves the retail business in general, and the John Lewis way of doing things in particular. ‘What specifically attracted me to John Lewis was the fact that we are a bit unique: our culture and the way that everyone who works here is a Partner.’

The Norwich branch, for example, has 550 Partners and the Bonus this year was 17 per cent.

Issy continues: ‘That model of operating a business, and that model of ownership, just fits with me and feels absolutely right, and that was certainly something that really drew me to John Lewis.’

The Norwich department store (one of 30 across the country) is a successful branch within this successful business framework.

Latest figures show that John Lewis Norwich sales are up three per cent (whereas sales for John Lewis Division like-forlike shops are up one per cent, and John Lewis sales overall – which include on-line sales - are up six per cent). But Issy says: ‘There’s no time to be complacent in retail.’

When the opportunity to come to Norwich arose, Issy broke the news to husband Euan, conscious of the fact they were living three hours away at that time, but she adds: ‘He knows that I love what I do and he was really supportive and upped sticks and moved with me.’ Euan has become a project manager at Aviva. Plus, Issy points out: ‘And now we’ve had a baby here, so it very much feels like home.’

She adds: ‘I do think that Norwich, specifically, is a great branch.’ There is certainly something special about it.

‘Geographically we’ve got one of the biggest catchment areas in the country,’ explains Issy. ‘Customers from all across Norfolk and Suffolk do get drawn to this shop.’

Formerly known as Bonds, the Norwich store has been part of the John Lewis Partnership since 1982, even though the shop didn’t adopt the name John Lewis until 2001.

Issy says: ‘Customers in the area still know it as Bonds, and that heritage is absolutely key - and crucially part and parcel - of the branch.’

The branch, which spans four-floors, has very much been part of John Lewis's long term growth strategy of investing in existing department stores, and has benefitted from a £7m refurbishment project, in 2011/12. Issy arrived soon after.

The fashion department particularly benefitted from the investment. ‘We’ve got a number of new brands,’ says Issy.

These include the design-led Alice Temperley range, exclusive to John Lewis, and, most recently, White Stuff.

The electrical and home technology department is performing particularly well, and Issy is also noticing that more and more people are shopping online (she’s keen to point out that there’s an hour’s free parking for Click & collect customers!).

Was there any more investment in the pipeline? ‘Not on the immediate horizon, no, but what that investment does signify is our commitment to Norwich.’

She has become a fan of the Fine City: ‘I love Norwich – it’s got all of the big names and the big brands that you would expect but it’s got a really strong independent retail culture as well.’

John Lewis is one of the key city centre retailers behind the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID), established in November 2012.

Issy says: ‘I am absolutely of the opinion that if we work together to make Norwich the very best destination it can be, then all of us will benefit.’

And, she adds: ‘In terms of quality of life, Norwich is a great place to be and, certainly with a young family now, I just wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’

Eleanor is now one, and happy at nursery while Issy works full time. ‘The fact I’m able to do a job that I love and be a mum, and have that kind of support from Euan and the nursery, is fantastic.’ And when she’s not working, she adds: ‘It’s just great to have a bit of time with Eleanor.’

In retail, Christmas is a crucial time (who loved John Lewis’s The Bear and The Hare Christmas TV advert?). Issy agrees: ‘It’s very difficult to have a good year in retail if you don’t have a good Christmas, so by the time your readers see this in the New Year, the story will have been told as to who has made the right calls.’

This year heralds 150 years since John Lewis first opened a draper’s shop on Oxford Street – the flagship store - in 1864.

Add to that the fact the first Waitrose shop opened in 1904, and it’s a big year for the Partnership which incorporates both.

Issy, who turns 34 this month, says: ‘There will be all sorts of events: events for our customers and our Partners to join in with; product launches which will really celebrate the heritage of our business, so I think watch this space on that.’

Does the Partnership permeate her life? ‘I couldn’t imagine leaving to go to another retailer. If I was ever to leave it would be to do something really different.’

And she shops in Waitrose, of course. ‘Particularly when they’ve got 25 per cent off Waitrose wines!’ laughs Issy.

So what’s her ultimate ambition within the John Lewis Partnership? The answer is simple: ‘To just be the very best shopkeeper that I can.’

Almary Green Investments Ltd

Advising clients throughout East Anglia Tel: 01603 706740

www.almarygreen.com

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT NUMBERS

An innovative and forward thinking firm of chartered accountants, who have been helping families preserve and grow their wealth for over 150 years.

For a free consultation contact: Kevin Bunting | 01493 335100 | k.bunting@lovewell-blake.co.uk

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televising court proceedings | LEGAL

JULIAN GIBBONS NORTON PESKETT SOLICITORS 01493 849200 | www.NORTONPESKETT.CO.UK

What’s On The Box? Julian Gibbons argues in favour of filming court proceedings

At the end of October, cameras were allowed into the English Court of Appeal for the first time. The event generated a considerable amount of press coverage and comment from lawyers expressing points of view on both sides.

In fact, this is not the first time English judicial proceedings have been filmed. When the House of Lords was the supreme appellate body for the United Kingdom, the delivery of judgments were sometimes shown, since technically the House was not a court. It tended to comprise five Law Lords reading their judgements in an otherwise empty chamber whilst counsel, in full bottomed wigs, stood at the bar of the House. More recently, the Supreme Court has allowed its proceedings to be televised and the delivery of judgments is freely available on YouTube.

Scotland, being a separate legal jurisdiction with its own distinct courts system, has allowed the filming of court proceedings since 1992 and indeed this formed the subject of a programme series several years ago, when cases in both the Sheriff Court (the intermediate tier of criminal court) and the High Court of Justiciary were filmed. Much more recently, in 2012, the sentencing in the High Court in Edinburgh of David Gilroy for murdering ex-girlfriend Suzanne Pilley was filmed, though it was limited to showing the trial judge Lord Bracadale and did not show anyone else in court, especially not the defendant.

Rather refreshingly, the Supreme Court justices under their last President, Lord Phillips, has tried to pursue more openness in relation to their proceedings by encouraging counsel appearing before the court to do as the justices themselves do and appear without wigs and robes, in ordinary business attire. Robes will, however, remain in the Court of Appeal and filming will not show parties, victims or witnesses. Where dealing with criminal cases, broadcasts will be delayed both to protect any reporting

restrictions in place and to preserve the integrity of any re-trial which may result from an appeal. To preserve the dignity of the judicial process, there will be restrictions on the use to which footage can be put, so there will be no excerpts on Have I got News for You?!

One of the country’s leading jurists, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, has gone on record as saying that this development could undermine respect for the judicial system. Far be it for me to disagree with such an eminent lawyer, but I do. Viewing the proceedings of the Supreme Court, a number of things strike me.

First, the absence of pomp in no way detracts from the importance and dignity of the proceedings. Second, the filmed extracts serve to emphasis the massive intellectual rigour at play, both from the justices, who sit at the top of the legal hierarchy, and from the senior counsel who appear before them. The Supreme Court displays a very workman-like approach to its proceedings and to the cases before it and indeed their judgments are delivered in a clear and understandable style. This to my mind can only enhance the public perception of how courts work.

Finally, what seems to me very obvious, is that most Supreme Court proceedings appear fairly unexciting and uninteresting to anyone other than a lawyer and, of course, the parties themselves, though the implications of a judgement can and often do have a profound effect on many individuals and sometimes on government policy. Save though for a few exceptional cases – the arguments in the appeal of Julian Assange against a deportation order to Sweden was quite stimulating to watch – most cases can in no way be described as entertaining. Even the televising of Scottish criminal trials in the 1990s showed that most cases are fairly mundane, with argument and even cross examination falling far short of the excitement of the fictional portrayals we are used to seeing on TV. Lawyers will tell you that that is indeed the case, which is not to say that the work is boring or uninteresting for the lawyers. It is just that it is for the most part routine, which when one thinks about it is the way most people’s jobs are. You can only watch so much of anything, whether it is a court case, a surgical operation or something about the lives of motorway cops.

So, I think that Baroness Kennedy need have no fear for English justice. It will do the law no harm for the public to see how it works and in particular to see that most judges deal with the cases before them competently and with enormous skill.

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

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Wealth management | shares

Kevin Bunting LOVEWELL BLAKE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 01493 335100 | www.lovewell-blake.co.uk

Learning to Share Kevin Bunting looks at a new initiative where employees are offered shares in their company ome readers may have heard, or read, about an initiative introduced on September 1 2013.

Essentially it allows employers to offer shares in the company to employees in return for the employee giving up some of their employment rights.

There hasn’t been much public press about the initiative but in the right circumstances it can be a very lucrative incentive for both the employer and employee. I wouldn’t want to get carried away and suggest all employers should be thinking about this option but where this type of award is suitable there can be very good working and tax benefits to be had.

What is it?

• Request study or training • Request flexible working • Not to be unfairly dismissed • Redundancy pay In addition, the period of notice required for the return from maternity/paternity leave is increased to 16 weeks (from eight and six respectively).

It should also be noted the shares offered do not need to be ordinary fully voting shares. They could be a special class of share carrying different rights to vote/distributions or shares which carry restrictions. Flexibility to meet the business requirements can therefore be achieved.

Tax advantages The first £2000 of value given to each employee is outside of income tax and national insurance. The employee is also not expected to fund any of the £2000 value. Any value in excess of £2000 either has to be funded by the employee or income tax (and possibly NI) will be due on the excess.

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

On the assumption not more than £50,000 is awarded to the employee they will benefit from a complete exemption from Capital Gains Tax when selling the shares. It does not matter how valuable the shares become, the employee will benefit from the exemption on all the proceeds they receive.

For corporation tax purposes the company will qualify for tax relief on any value given to the employee in excess of £2000.

Who should it interest?

In my opinion the target audience for this type of incentive should be the growing small and medium sized business. Often such businesses have key employees but limited cash resource to permit higher salaries or bonuses to be paid as the business grows. Offering a share incentive (in a tax free structure) can be hugely rewarding and links employee effort to the ultimate reward they get – salary and bonus are short term measures of success.

Whilst no business ever commences with failure in mind, the current economic recovery and development in new higher risk enterprise creates the potential for that perfect storm to occur.

Removing employee rights to unfair dismissal and redundancy could mean such businesses think more favourably about taking on new employees because the risk to the business is reduced. They can also offer rewards linked to the performance of the business and reduce direct salary costs.

I can see businesses with temporary or fixed term contract personnel seeing the benefits of this arrangement. In most cases these employees are taken on a temporary basis because of the ‘red tape’ of employment law.

It could also act as a good incentive to businesses who want to offer something different to employees.

Anyone interested in this initiative must take advice because this article has not covered all the requirements of the arrangement.

There are also traps which need to be discussed, and navigated, to ensure the reward delivers as the business intends.

financial planning | Investments

DENISE LITTLEWOOD Denise Littlewood Financial Adviser 01493 384255 | www.deniselittlewoodfinancialadviser.co.uk

Take It To The Max Denise Littlewood discusses how to maximize your income through your investments

I

ncome is important. It’s an obvious statement. The difficulty is that, in an uncertain world, investment income is hard to find right now.

Investors looking for income have faced an increasing challenge ever since the financial crisis broke in 2008.

Prudence and vigilance became the order of the day as financial institutions across the globe took extreme measures to protect themselves from global meltdown.

Dividends came under pressure, Bond markets were unnerved and commercial property fell from grace. In short, there were – and have been since – few places for income-seekers to turn.

Central governments across the world also reacted strongly, tightening monetary policy and forcing interest rates to record lows. Five years on and interest rates in the UK remain almost non-existent. Consequently, investors wanting to secure an income stream have realised that they must accept some risk by looking beyond traditional cash deposits.

History shows that investing in equities, or shares, has provided investors with a better chance of outpacing inflation over the long term versus other asset classes, particularly if the companies are able to increase the dividend payments year after year.

With dividend payouts on the turn, the outlook for equity income funds could also be on the up.

Equity income funds have a strong track record for delivering

To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management, Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning contact Denise Littlewood Financial Adviser on 01493 384255 or email denise.littlewood@sjpp.co.uk

attractive, sustainable income and steady returns over the long term, but they were inevitably impacted by the global banking crisis of recent times.

These funds have had time to adjust to the post-financial crisis world but it is worth remembering that not all equity income funds are the same. Some are better for income, while others provide better prospects for total return investors through the reinvestment of dividends. So if it’s income you are after make sure you research and understand the individual fund fully.

Corporate bond funds, income producers by nature, remain popular, particularly with cautious investors. But the decision on which bond fund to choose is less than clear-cut and those considering the asset class should consider the contrast between the different types.

Commercial property, another income producing asset, is also beginning to attract attention again. The real estate sector felt the full effects of the credit crunch and the fall in property values left many investors nursing significant losses. Never had the sector suffered such a sharp decline but history suggests that commercial property has a place in a portfolio for income investors. Its long-term track record is strong, returning 8.51 per cent annual compound growth over the previous 20 years and it offers important diversification from shares (source: FE Analytics, IPD Index, data to April 30 2013).

Those investing for income need to remember that no one asset class is the panacea. With interest rates likely to remain low for some time to come, a well diversified, well-managed portfolio which blends different forms of investment remains the most suitable strategy for investors taking a longer-term view of their income needs.

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

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PLACES & FACES celebrities - food - travel - fashion - homes & gardens - theatre THE Newspaper for Norfolk & North Suffolk

ISSUE 46

EST - 2009

Our Richard recalls a significant moment in history which still resonates with him today

ne of the perils of having an eccentric father is that his legacy lives on, long after his death.

He was one of these people who would dominate a roomful of people. He did not suffer fools gladly and he wrote all his letters in a purple felt tipped pen.

He would also attract famous people into our lives. For him it started early: as a young boy he was chased by Rudyard Kipling who found him fishing on his patch of water.

He lived before the days of Facebook, Twitter or emails (or at least he refused to acknowledge their existence). He corresponded with politicians, film stars, assorted people with titles and numerous writers (he was a writer himself and he contributed the middle page article to the Eastern Daily Press for many years). He exchanged letters with the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Joyce Grenfell, David Frost, Lady Di’s mother and JFK (about whom more in a moment).

When Clement Freud was MP for Isle of Ely he would be an occasional visitor to our house. I remember one evening he came to supper. He sat throughout the evening with a long face and looked like a beagle with indigestion.

When we had all flown the nest, the entire family was staying in a hotel in Devon. My father suddenly turned up with ‘this nice young American couple’. They were a Mr and Mrs Bush.

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

Richard Barr | LOOK AT LIFE

This was the time of the first George Bush’s Presidency.

‘Are you anything to do with the President?’ I asked.

‘Oh yes, he’s my brother’. It turned out that he was Jonathan Bush, the brother of the first President Bush. My parents stayed in touch with them for some considerable time afterwards but then they never did actually meet the president, though it was on the cards apparently.

Nor did we meet President John F Kennedy, the 50th anniversary of whose death was marked in November. However, we all felt that we knew him.

My mother was American and, true to form, my father wrote to Kennedy telling him that he wanted to start an election campaign in Cambridgeshire (confident, no doubt, that that would make all the difference). My parents had taken against his opponent Richard Nixon – and how right they turned out to be!

Kennedy wrote that it was good to learn ‘that I already have at least some small pockets of support in the British Isles. I am asking my staff to send you, under separate cover, some campaign materials so that my campaign can move ahead at once in Cambridgeshire.’

For several weeks the family went around wearing Kennedy for President buttons and my parents’ cars were festooned with bumper stickers.

Our efforts obviously made all the difference because John F Kennedy then became the country’s youngest elected president.

I was 12 at the time and sent him a congratulatory letter (also telling him how to run the country). In due course, I too, received a reply which thanked me for the ‘very friendly message you sent to me after my election to the presidency’.

In his powerful inaugural address Kennedy set out his agenda for the following four years. His words ‘ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country’ are as relevant now as they were 53 years ago.

We then watched his progress over the next three years developing a fondness for the man as he grappled with the difficulties of the Cuban missile crisis and civil rights problems and set America on course for putting a man on the moon.

Then on November 22 1963 I was sitting at home doing my homework. We lived in Elm. My parents were in the village hall listening to a talk by the then MP for the Isle of Ely, Harry Legge-Bourke. My brother was watching a film at the Empire Cinema in Wisbech.

A friend came to our house and asked: ‘Have you heard the news? Kennedy’s been shot!’

I raced to the village hall to break the news to my parents.

At the Empire Cinema a notice was flashed on the screen and my brother bicycled home. The whole family was in tears and we all felt that we had suffered a personal tragedy and that the great hope that we held for the future had been snuffed out.

50 years after the assassination I spoke on local radio about that experience and found, even then, that I was beginning to choke up with tears.

The world, of course, did not end and we will never know whether Kennedy would have been a wonderful president or would have been consigned to the history books. What I do know is that his assassination had a huge impact on our family and in a sense life was never quite the same again.

93

King of Leon

Matt Joy test drives the new L eon Sports Coupé

It’s not just about the looks though, as the Leon SC has more substance to its sporty credentials. For starters it is as much as 20kg lighter than the five-door equivalent, which is a saving worth making. As this is a high-output model it also gets the independent rear suspension not used on lower-powered models, and in FR guise the suspension is also 15mm lower

There’s a new Leon on the scene, and it’s got

with stiffer springs and dampers. It also gets the clever XDS

performance at its heart. Complementing the Leon five-door

electronic differential system for better traction.

hatchback comes the Leon SC, short for Sports Coupé which

room on the inside. This is still a car that will accommodate five

sportiest take on the Leon theme, and in 2.0 TDI 184 form it’s

adults, even though three of them will need to climb into the

also the most powerful Leon you can buy at present.

rear seats. That’s not hard work though, as the front seats tilt

The Leon SC takes the standard five-door hatchback as a

and slide a long way forward and the roofline isn’t excessively

starting point, but the changes are numerous and substantial.

low. Those in the rear aren’t left short of light either, and can

From the A-pillar rearwards the Leon SC has different bodywork

relax in comfort with a good amount of space.

bar the obvious change of two fewer doors. The wheel arches

It’s the driving experience that defines the Leon SC, however.

are more flared, the tailgate is redesigned and has a more

This FR TDI 184PS version has the indicated amount of power

steeply-raked screen and it’s 35mm shorter overall.

but, more importantly, a massive 280lb ft of torque, available

But does that earn it the right to be called a coupé?

from just 1750rpm. As you can imagine, that makes getting

Undoubtedly. Finished in this spectacular Alor Blue, the Leon

on the move a complete cinch; as long as there is 1000rpm

SC is unquestionably an attractive car. It’s a distinctive shape,

showing on the rev counter the Leon SC will get along with

but not just by being radical; it’s a tasteful piece of design that

ease. The 2.0-litre unit is respectably refined too, and at a cruise

keeps a visual link to the five-door but has an appealing sporty

it fades away into the background.

edge. You can specify black wheels too, which totally changes the look if you contrast it with the body colour.

94

It also manages to avoid the classic coupé compromise of no

should tell you all you need to know. This is currently the

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

But it’s even more impressive when you start to work the engine a little. There’s no need to rev it very hard because of

Motoring

Seat Leon SC FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Seat Leon SC FR TDI 184 Price: £22,255 Engine: 2.0-litre diesel unit producing 179bhp and 280lb.ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 142mph, 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds Economy: 67.3mpg combined

Prices correct at the time of going to press

Emissions: 109g/km of CO2

ride quality. Yet when pressed hard it is composed and secure, with the steering providing good feedback about what the front that vast amount of torque, but the acceleration is deliciously elastic; it almost feels faster when you accelerate in a higher

wheels are up to.

The Leon SC is a pretty, modern compact car that is cheaper

gear because it just pushes on and on until you run out of road.

than its five-door sibling and great to drive. The FR 184 version is

And yet the economy and emissions figures are spectacular; it

simply more of the same, and is an enjoyable and highly capable

seems like an impossible combination to have the capability of

hot hatch – few cars at this price have such a breadth of ability.

142mph and 67 miles per gallon.

There’s also a deeply impressive blend of ride and handling

Dealer Details

that is hardly surprising given the quality of the underpinnings.

Castlegate Seat Jupiter Road, Mile Cross Lane, Norwich

Despite running on large alloy wheels it rides very well indeed,

Call: 01603 480200

in fact it’s easy to forget it’s the sporty model at all, such is the

www.castlegateseat.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

95

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Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). Vauxhall range (excl. Ampera): Urban: 14.4 (19.6) - 76.3 (3.7), Extra-urban: 27.4 (10.3) - 91.1 (3.1), Combined: 20.6 (13.7) - 85.6 (3.3). CO2 emissions: 324 - 88g/km.#

Offers are available for registrations between 06.12.13 and 01.01.14 subject to availability and are available to private individuals and small businesses 1-24 (purchase only). Savings shown against list price at time of publication. All other sales categories are excluded; cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offers may not apply to all retailer stocks. UK-supplied vehicles only. Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty covers lifetime ownership of first registered keeper, 100,000 mile limit. Terms and conditions apply. Official Government Test Environmental Data. #Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other nontechnical factors.

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Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 EcoBoost (182PS): urban 35.8 (7.9), extra urban 58.9 (4.8), combined 47.9 (5.9). Official C02 emissions 138g/km. Vehicle shown is the Ford Fiesta ST 2 in Molten Orange with ST Style Pack (colour and Pack available at additional cost).

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The above fuel consumption figures are based on an EU test for comparative purposes only and may not reflect real driving results. *Model shown: SX4 S-Cross 1.6 SZ5 available from £19,749. SX4 S-Cross range - SX4 S-Cross 1.6 SZ3 Manual available at £14,999 to SX4 S-Cross 1.6 DDiS SZ5 ALLGRIP Manual available at £23,549. The features referred to in this advertisement and all specifications and equipment may vary depending on engine, transmission and model grade. All prices and specifications correct at time of going to print. On the road price valid from 1st September 2013 to 31st December 2013. Model shown - SX4 S-Cross 1.6 SZ5 Manual (metallic paint £430). ¹ALL GRIP 4-wheel Drive only available on 1.6 petrol SZ5 and DDiS SZ-T & SZ5 models.

Iain Dooley test drives the new Peugeot 308 D ea l e r D etai l s George Ermini and his family of Sidegate Motors, Gapton Hall Road in Great Yarmouth are celebrating 30 years as a Peugeot dealer, making them the UK’s longest serving Peugeot dealership.

Many congratulations!

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placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

Peugeot hasn’t had the best of luck in recent years. The family hatch market is a fiercely competitive one, and the French car maker’s offerings have sometimes been overshadowed by its rivals.

However, with the RCZ sports coupe and 208 supermini, Peugeot appears to have turned a corner. And where the previous 307 and 308 models were lacking in certain areas, this latest 308 promises to continue the upward trend set in motion by the RCZ and 208.

Visually this latest generation 308 looks convincing.

Noticeably more streamlined than previous models, along with the absence of flab is the disappearance of any conservatism in the styling department. A bold grille and equally bold profile set a pleasingly positive tone. Shades of the 208 are evident when viewed from the rear, with taught lines and a wide stance banishing any thoughts of this 308 being a visual pushover.

This bold approach from Peugeot’s designers has been emulated by the firm’s engineers. Gone is the ultra conservative approach of old that resulted in an uncharacteristically uninspiring driving experience, with bold claims now being made of a return to a time when Peugeots were fun.

The good news for fans of the brand is that, for once, the reality does indeed match the hype. The combination of a new approach to car set up, the retention of a familiar engine lineup boasting low CO2 plus high levels of refinement all combine to deliver a level of competence and driver involvement that was lacking in the previous cars.

With agility in spades, direct steering and a sorted suspension, this 308 is closer to Peugeot’s cars of old than anything we’ve seen recently. For instance, the fluid ride and punchy characteristics of the 156 horsepower turbo petrol model demonstrate that it’s possible to have fun and keep your fillings even on the roughest of urban roads.

Motoring

Peugeot 308 You might be surprised to learn that key to the 308’s appeal is not just the car’s ability to engage and please keen drivers, but also the considerable work that’s been done to lift the cabin ambience to a level that should have Peugeot’s German rivals worried.

Yes there’s a considerable amount of stereotypical black plastic, but it’s all done in the best possible taste.

Furthermore, the car’s plush seats, quality switchgear and clear instrumentation are a world away from the cabin ambience of only a generation ago.

Space in the cabin is also good, and while it will never challenge the versatility of a genuine MPV, there’s enough room for a growing family plus a decent level of oddment storage. Business users will no doubt like the spacious door pockets and convenient spaces for mobile phones and drinks.

Company car drivers will also like the emphasis on low CO2 diesels complete with stop-start technology and a headlinegrabbing 93g/km for the 92 horsepower oil-burner. Petrol power remains key to appeal to private buyers, with a walletfriendly 1.2-litre unit partnering a more powerful 1.6-litre unit in various states of tune.

As you’d expect, manual and auto gearboxes are offered depending on engine choice, and this generosity is also reflected in the 308’s general specification. Four trim levels are available (Access, Active, Allure, Feline), with even the entrylevel Access gaining DAB radio, Bluetooth and cruise control.

Alloy wheels, a large colour touchscreen incorporating satnav and electric parking brake are highlights of the Active trim level, while full LED headlamps and all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera come standard on Allure spec cars.

Move up to the flagship Feline spec and you gain keyless entry and ignition, panoramic glass roof, active cruise control and sports front seats.

Producing one good car (RCZ) after a creative slump could be viewed as a fluke. Producing a second (208) was proof that Peugeot was back to what it did best. The 308 is evidence that the firm famous for gems such as the 205 and 306 is very much on a roll.

With a typical flourish of French flair, Peugeot has shown that, despite some challenging circumstances of late, it’s capable of digging deep and producing a car to rival the best in the family hatch sector. If the safe, conservative options don’t appeal, Peugeot’s stylish and engaging 308 might just do the trick.

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Peugeot 308 1.6 THP 156 Feline, from £14,495.

Engine: 1.6-litre petrol unit developing 156bhp.

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels.

Performance: Maximum speed 132mph, 0-62mph 8.4 seconds.

Economy: 48.7mpg.

CO2 Rating: 134g/km.

PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

99

MOTOR CLASSIFIEDS

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MOTs only £38 FREE RE-TEST WITHIN TEN DAYS All work carried out by qualified mechanics Tel 01502 471900 Unit 3 George Westwood Way, Beccles, NR34 9EJ

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NEW PEUGEOT 2008 CROSSOVER - SEE THE CITY IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT NEW PEUGEOT 20 08 THE INspacious, A DIFFERENT LIGHT The new Peugeot 2008 blends SUV styling with aCROSSOVER compact body that’s perfect-forSEE the city streets.CITY Surprisingly it’s loaded with features like a

colour multifunction touchscreen, with USB, alloy wheels and air conditioning. it’s Surprisingly available with 3 years’it’s comprehensive insurance† The new Peugeot 2008 blends SUVBluetooth styling with a compact body that’s perfect for the city Plus, streets. spacious, loaded with features likeand a all yourmultifunction major motoring costs covered with Just Add Fuel.

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Plus, available with years’ comprehensive insurance† and all your major motoring costs covered with Just Add Fuel. Contact us to arrange a test drive and you’ll see the city in a different light.

MOTION & EMOTION MOTION & EMOTION

M R KING & SONS M RHill, KING & SONS Horn LOWESTOFT, NR33 0PX

Tel: 01502 573955 Horn Hill, LOWESTOFT, NR33 0PX Tel: 01502 573955 www.mrking.co.uk www.mrking.co.uk The official fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 2008 range are: Urban 36.7-68.9 (7.7-4.1), Extra Urban 58.9-78.5 (4.8-3.6), Combined 47.9-74.3 (5.9-3.8) CO2 135-98. and official The fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 2008 range are: Urban 36.7-68.9 (7.7-4.1), Extra Urban 58.9-78.5 (4.8-3.6), Combined 47.9-74.3 (5.9-3.8) MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions.

CO 2 135-98. and # Terms and conditions apply, participating dealers only or visit www.peugeot.co.uk. To finance your [lease/purchase] we may introduce you to a limited number of lenders. *The first year Road Fund Licence (RFL) is included in the

MPG are achieved under test conditions, intended as a guidetofor comparative purposes only, may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. on thefigures road price.

The Dealer willofficial provideEU customers with a cheque equivalent twice the current RFL cost.

Theand customer must apply for years 2 & 3 RFL. Just Add Fuel (JAF) is subject to status. †Minimum age 25 or 30 on selected # Terms and conditions participating dealers or visit www.peugeot.co.uk. finance your [lease/purchase] we may introduce you to a limitedminimum number of lenders. first yeardriving Road Fund Licence (RFL) is included in the models, maximum ageapply, 75. Policyholder must haveonly a minimum of 2 years NCD to useToon the vehicle.

All drivers must meet eligibility criteria including 2 years’ full*The UK licence, convictions/claims limits.

Excesses on the road price.

The Dealer will provide customers with a cheque equivalent to twice the current RFL cost.

The customer must apply for years 2 & 3 RFL. Just Add Fuel is subject to status. †Minimum age 25 or 30 on selected apply. 3 years motor insurance is provided and underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the(JAF) Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation models, maximum age 75.

Policyholder must have a minimum of 2 years NCD to use on the vehicle.

All drivers must meet eligibility criteria including minimum 2 years’ full UK into licence, driving convictions/claims limits.

Excesses Authority. A guarantee may be required. Written quotations available from Peugeot Financial Services, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. JAF is incorporated a Personal Lease contract. 2008 Active 1.2VTi apply.rental 3 years motoroptional insurance is provided and underwritten

by U K Insurance Limited, which is authorised by the Prudential Authority regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority the Prudential Regulation initial £1,917, final rental £6,282, 35 monthly rentals.

If you choose to pay off the optional final rental, you canRegulation pay an annual rentaland equivalent to one of your monthly rentals but will and not own the car. Ownership is Authority.

A guarantee mayask be your required.

Written quotations available from Peugeot Financial Services, QuadranttoHouse, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. JAF is incorporated intoapply. a Personal Lease contract.

2008only.

Active 1.2VTi possible with JAF Passport, Dealer for details.

Rentals quoted for a typical customer & will vary according age, post code and annual mileage.

Excess mileage charges may Routine servicing included Excludes initial rentalThis £1,917, optional final rental £6,282, 35 monthly rentals.

If youonchoose to pay off optionalby final rental, you can pay an annual rental equivalent to one of your monthly rentals but will not own the car. Ownership is wear parts. offer is not available in Northern Ireland.

Offer available cars ordered andthe registered 31st December 2013. possible with JAF Passport, ask your Dealer for details. Rentals quoted for a typical customer & will vary according to age, post code and annual mileage. Excess mileage charges may apply. Routine servicing included only. Excludes wear parts. This offer is not available in Northern Ireland. Offer available on cars ordered and registered by 31st December 2013.

A FORDABLE CARS 2 YEARS FREE SERVICING ON ALL USED CARS ra Urban 58.9-78.5 (4.8-3.6), Combined 47.9-74.3 (5.9-3.8) £22,995

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ng conditions. mber of lenders. *The first year Road Fund Licence (RFL) is included in the st Add Fuel (JAF) is subject to status. †Minimum age 25 or 30 on selected mum 2 years’ full UK licence, driving convictions/claims limits. Excesses £9,995 £6,995 lated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation JAF is incorporated into a Personal Lease contract. 2008 Active 1.2VTi nt to one of your monthly rentals but will not own the car. Ownership is ss mileage charges may apply. Routine servicing included only. Excludes 11 Mercedes-Benz E350 3.0 CDI 36K miles, automatic, diesel, leather interior, E/W, E/M, E/S, parking sensors, CD, alloys

07 Mercedes-Benz 200 1.8 SLK 33K miles, automatic, leather interior, electric roof, E/S, E/M, E/W, C/L, CD, alloys

55 Mercedes-Benz 220 CLK 46K miles, manual, diesel, leather seats, E/W, E/M, C/L, CD, alloys

60 Audi A3 1.6 SE Technick 18K miles, manual, E/W, E/M, rear parking sensors, CD, alloys

08 Mercedes-Benz C180 1.8 SE Kompressor 65K miles, manual, E/S, E/M, E/W, CD, alloys

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James Paget University Hospital’s Remarkable People Awards 2013 The Remarkable People Awards 2013 were held at Zest, Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton, near Lowestoft. 180 guests enjoyed a three course meal, a raffle and a disco.

The evening was a celebration of staff and teams who really make a difference and go the extra mile for patients, visitors and colleagues. The winners of the 10 categories were announced – each presented with a glass trophy and framed certificate. The awards were presented

by Christine Allen and David Wright.

Pictures by

Jason Tisdale

A Remarkable People award

Christine Allen, Terry Rymer, Jon Dack, Ann Filby, Jane Harvey, Sheila Howett, Stephanie McKenna, David Wright, Hugh Sturzaker

Windsor Suite, Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service

Mortuary Team, Team of the Year

Pain Clinic, Department of the Year

Dr Willy Notcutt, Sir James Paget Award for Innovation

Sarah Stannard, Non-Clinical Individual of the Year

Ward 17, Ward of the Year

Dr Ulrike Dernedde, Clinical Individual of the Year

Kevin Mason, Employee of the Year

page sponsored by

high society

Lovewell Blake Office Reception, Lowestoft Accountants Lovewell Blake celebrated the opening of their brand new Lowestoft office with a reception and wine tasting for dignitaries and guests, conducted by local wine merchants Harper Wells. Around 40 staff and partners moved into the new Quay View Business Park office last month. The new ÂŁ1 million building was built by Wellington Construction for Oldman Properties, both located on Quay View Business Park, and is the final building to be constructed at the Park, where more than 350 people now work.

Pictures by

Ron Bagley, Newman Associates PR

Stuart Williams and Rachel Chiarotti Craig Knights, James Denny, Liz Ley, Paul Ollington, Vince Douglas, Paul Pitcher

Amanda Briddon, Mike Guyton and Bridget Chipperfield Paul Briddon and Peter Aldous MP

Philip Oldman and Russell Leggett

Richard Sullivan and Stephen Knight

Wendy Haylett and Amanda Briddon

Bianca Mortimer and Jenny Hayman

Murray Graham and Simon Harper

Derek Needham and Trevor Cooke

Rachel Flatt and Nigel Gilham

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Keys Fine Art Auctioneers 60th Anniversary, Aylsham Around 200 people gathered at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers’ salerooms in Aylsham to celebrate the firm’s 60th anniversary, and to enjoy a private preview of the third annual East Anglian Art Sale, which saw works by Seago, Stannard and Archibald Mellon go under the hammer, as well as a work

by Norfolk’s own ‘mini-Monet’, Kieron Williamson. The event was also attended

by Mary Key, widow of Geoffrey Key, who founded the auction house in 1953.

Pictures and words by

Newman Associates PR

David Gould, Tony and Sue Bond and Charlie Penrose

John Faircloth and Roy Murphy

Roy Murphy and Kevin Lines

Kerry and Matt Harbord

Rodney and Janet Mixer and Guy Gowing

Brian Barrett, Phil Cooper and Richard Burr

Phil Barker, Billy and Vanessa Wright

Jan and Patrick Plumpton

Sarah Prior and Paul Goodley

Mary Key, widow of Keys’ founder Geoffrey Key

John Garner and Gordon Hayes

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Dipple & Conway Whisky Tasting, Norwich Dipple & Conway independent opticians held a whisky tasting evening at their Norwich practice on Castle Street. Five whiskies from across the world were tasted, each introduced by awardwinning whisky writer Dominic Roskrow. Guests also viewed the autumn collection of designer frames from Paul Smith, Orgreen, Lunor and Oliver Peoples.

Amanda SandlandTaylor, Newsmakers PR

Words and pictures by

Barbara and David Bowman

Ros Godfrey, Damian Conway and Sarah Godfrey

Henry and Ann Bradshaw

Robert Conway, Dominic Roskrow and Laurence Conway

James Conway, Pat Perry and Chris Beatley

Gerald Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hagan, Justine Conway and Suzanne Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hagan

Ben Conway and Maciek Dudkiewicz

Ted Burton and Roger Holden

Richard and Valerie Mann

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Norfolk Bowls Awards, Holiday Inn Norwich North Hansells Solicitors & Financial Advisers celebrated 10 years of sponsorship of the Norfolk Bowls Association at its annual awards lunch at the Holiday Inn Norwich North.

Men’s president Peter Cottee congratulated everyone on their personal and team triumphs and thanked Hansells for their decade of continuing support. Roger Holden, Hansells managing partner, presented the Hansells Cup to this year’s winners, Martham Bowls Club.

Runners-up were Honingham Bowls Club.

Amanda SandlandTaylor, Newsmakers PR

Words and pictures by

David Naunton and Denise Findlay

Mark Riches, Wayne and Jake Willgress

George Tubby and Julia Parsley

Roger Holden, Vera and John Ottaway

Christine Webb and Angel Woodhouse

Peter Bird, Norfolk Bowls, hon sec (men’s), Margaret and Tony Dunton

Gino Gallant and Dawn Towns

Hugh Lansdell, Linda and George Hunter

John George and Lou Cheal

Susan Ealden and Peter Cottee

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high society

Festival of Architecture in Norwich & Norfolk, The Forum, Norwich The Festival of Architecture in Norwich & Norwich (FANN13) was launched at The Forum, Norwich. The event was opened by the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Cllr Keith Driver, with Philip Bodie, President of Norfolk Association of Architects and partner at Feilden+Mawson.

The month-long festival featured a series of design talks and an art and architecture trail around Norwich.

Amanda SandlandTaylor, Newsmakers PR

Words and pictures by

Jonathan Secker

Robert Todd, Cllr Keith Driver and Philip Bodie

Reenie Elliott and John Last

James Benedict Brown and Lawrence Bradby

David Drew, David Kean, David Farrow and Gavin McFarlane

Tim Boucher and Saul Humphrey

Christine and Chris Garner

David Luckhurst and Emily Barnston

Opening the FANN13 Festival, Cllr Keith Driver and Philip Bodie

Trevor Terrington and John Youngs

Paul Dickson and Matt Wood

108

Caught On Camera

Norfolk Views

Caught On CAMERA This new series plans to feature simply terrific shots of our region by some of our talented photographers.

Here Steve Dowcra captures Cromer Pier during the tidal surge in December. All we can say is wow!

Steve Dowcra, visit www.stevedowcra.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk | january 2014

109

5 minutes with

Diana Scott Diana Scott runs the beautiful Creake Abbey, now home to a café, numerous shops and food hall. Find out more about her favourite pub, who she admires and the words she uses to describe herself!

Describe your job to us I am the owner and creator of Creake Abbey as a rural retail destination. This is both challenging and highly rewarding. I seek out new tenants to fill the gaps we perceive we have and help market the whole site both locally and nationally - with help from essential experts!

Where we were you born and what brought you to Norfolk?

I was brought up in rural Suffolk but fell in love with north Norfolk and the marshes when I was in my early 20s. A boyfriend had parents at Wiveton and I spent many a happy summer boating around Cley and enjoying the broad Norfolk skies. When my husband and I wanted to move out of London to start a family, I spotted Creake Abbey for sale in Country Life. It was way over our budget but was love at first sight and we busted a gut to scrape together the funds needed to purchase the farm and the house.

What’s your ideal day out in the area?

To get together a picnic and walk out to the beach from Burnham Overy Staithe, along the thin and winding coastal path. The sight that greets you after 30 minutes is sheer beauty in all its unspoilt perfectness. There is a high dune from which you get a 360 degree view of the best of north Norfolk, from the sea to the farm lands of Holkham Hall. It is a divine place to spend the day and the children love to roll down the dunes.

Which iconic Norfolk characters do you most admire and why?

Nelson – what a naval strategist and defender of the Empire!

Arthur Howell – for sheer butchery magnificence and staying power.

Annie Lambert – of Home by Annie Lambert based at Creake Abbey, for her exquisite taste when choosing antiques and fabulous home décor for the shop and for her clients around Norfolk.

What’s your favourite pub in Norfolk and what do you like to drink there?

The Ship at Brancaster is my favourite pub, although I go there to eat and drink. I have never been a great pub person in terms of drink only!

Where do you like to eat out in Norfolk and why?

And what do you order?

Morston Hall is always a huge treat and for more day to day dining we like to patronise our own café which is run by our tenant, Stephen Harrison with Ali Yetman, as head cook. The food rarely disappoints and often delights!

What do you miss most when you leave the region?

The sky! You have to travel to Iceland for a bigger sky.

What are you reading at the moment?

I am re-reading Daughter of the Desert – The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell. She is my heroine. Our wonderful old 70s Land Rover is affectionately named Gertie after her. She was more famous than Lawrence of Arabia in her day and a true pioneer amongst women.

Would you prefer a day on the Broads or a day at Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach? Why? I would prefer a day on the Broads as I am a biologist and interested in all things natural including how the Broads are affected by climate change, and the impact on its flora and fauna.

Opera, musical, drama or movie - which would you prefer to watch? And what was the last production/show you saw?

The last production I saw was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with my children in London.

Sheer bliss, but my true love is classical ballet at the Royal Opera House. I need to see more of what the Norwich Theatre Royal has to offer. I should try to work less and get out more when I am at home!

Sum up Norfolk in three words Sky, dine, thrive.

Sum up yourself in three words Just getting going!

Creake Abbey, North Creake, Fakenham, visit www.creakeabbey.com

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