Places and Faces June

JUNE 2013 ÂŁ2.95

THE Magazine for Norfolk & North Suffolk

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MEET THE TEAM WELCOME

mpresario 30 years he county hat didn’t une is the month of to be strawberries, of Wimbledon, of t End Tony Mallion Pimms – and, of course, being e a member England – of rain! But we must be Editor Potters, hopeful as there are so many great t a star! We tony@h2creativemedia.co.uk outdoor events and activities to endar Girl enjoy over the coming weeks. lingham Baker who Right at the heart of county life is the Royal one-man Norfolk Show on June 26 and 27 but we have

J

Emma Outten offering yet more suggestions for

s, Five summer events such as open air theatre shows, melia Thetford Forest gigs and more. book pagesAlso in our latest issue is a chat with the ever movie youthful Cliff Richard who, at 72, is back on the ox office road again, calling in at various stately homes, his own including Blickling Hall, to shake things up a ed house little!

–

David Wakefield

Other celebrities under the spotlight this providingmonth include ourMotors very own Olivia Colman lk-based who bagged two Baftas and is now something

s produced Very tasty

Editor’s Letter Sarah Hardy

sarah@h2creativemedia.co.uk

Sarah Hardy Assistant Editor of a national treasure. Plus there’s the suave Michael Praed who arrives in Norwich in the sarah@h2creativemedia.co.uk glorious musical High Society and man band (that’s opposed to boy band) Blue whose All Rise was an anthem for many.

Read about my trip to Westlegate Tower in Norwich where I felt almost giddy on the top floor. It is certainly an exciting development for the city, offering contemporary apartment living with great panoramic views!

And I really loved the summer exhibition at Holkham Hall where some haute couture fashions are on display while top celebrity chef RogerCooper Hickman can’t get enough of that very Tony Norfolk delicacy – asparagus.

Travel And lucky, lucky Kate Morfoot who spent 10 days sailing the Indian Ocean in the Seychelles

– jealousy is a terrible thing and I certainly felt it when I read about her adventures!

When asked, I always describe the magazine as a bit of a guilty pleasure. We simply like to entertain and inform you, whether it’s letting you know about a great Theatre Royal show in Norwich, introducing you to a new restaurant or suggesting somewhere to go on holiday.

Sarah Hardy Do continue to enjoy this latest edition and remember that you can subscribe to the magazine at www.placesandfaces.co.uk or by calling 01493 742088. Keep an eye on Twitter, @H2creativemedia and @H2creativesarah.

omments. a great read!

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Contents

Emma Outten previews the summer’s best outdoor gigs and shows, including the ever popular Thetford Forest concerts

Didn’t she do well? Find out more about award winning Norfolk actress Olivia Colman

86

18 Picture by Duncan Ireland

COVER STORY

Celebrities JUNE 2013 £2.95

10 Are you a true Blue? The boy band has

grown up, discovers Joff Hopkins THE Magazine for Norfolk & North Suffolk

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WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST

GLAMOUR & GOWNS AT HOLKHAM

20 He’s suave, sophisticated and he’s here –

Michael Praed arrives in Norwich 22 Tina May promises a hot night of jazz in Burnham Market

What’s On 38 Our regular monthly round up of the best

GO GREEN Enjoy the Asparagus Season

celebrities | food | travel | fashion | homes & gardens | theatre ISSUE 39 www.placesandfaces.co.uk

12 Cliff Richard is set to get

Blickling rocking and rolling

events and activities on offer in our region and beyond 43 Planet Jedward heads to the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft this autumn 49 Find out more about the mystery of the unknown woman at St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth 50 Sharpen those stilettos – it is time to do the Time Warp!

Homes & gardens 72 Easy summer living with Jarrold’s 78 Roses grow on you – we look at the

beautiful blooms at Peckover House in Wisbech

Food, drink & dining out 54 Say cheese – Mark Dixon has a yummy lunch dish for us this month 57 Our French chef Franck Pontias offers up a fruity pud 58 It’s dining out with a view to savour Sarah Hardy heads for the Waterside on the Broads 60 Poppy Seymour discovers an unknown area of France where the wine is très jolie 64 Brit Spears – Roger Hickman can’t get enough of Norfolk asparagus

52

Haute couture at Holkham. Enjoy the gorgeous gowns now on show

68 A room with a view – sky high living in Norwich

FIVE MINUTES with

The Indian Ocean casts its spell over Kate Morfoot and friends as they charter a yacht to sail the sapphire seas

John Howard

FIVE M I N UTES W I TH . . .

88

Columnists 24 Ian Russell is chirpy over the RSPB’s new

nest 97 Richard Barr on the trials and tribulations

of local government 122 Putting the boot in – SJP heads to a car boot and you can guess the rest!

Fashion & Beauty 27 Flower power – floral frocks to have fun in this summer 31 How to create that perfect summer glow 35 Sexy high heels to lust over – the first in a new series dedicated to must have goodies!

Business 106 Meet Blair Ainslie, the man behind the

hugely successful Great Yarmouth company, Seajacks

Regulars 9 It’s musicals, cycling and, err, not reading

books for property giant John Howard as he answers our Q&A! 40 So does it live up to the hype? Benet Catty reviews the West End hit, The Book of Mormon 116 Our six High Society pages kick off with a customer evening at a Norwich opticians

Travel 92 James Spicer discovers there’s more to

Suffolk than Adnams – really?!

94 It’s a one-night stand for Sarah Hardy at

Potters – want to know more?

Motors 110 Vauxhall comes up with a rather glam

convertible 114 The Ford Fiesta becomes respectable

What’s your ideal day out in the area?

There are so many great things to do in Norfolk that it is hard to choose. But I did recently cycle 100 miles, finishing in Blakeney and staying the night at the wonderful hotel there. It wasn’t much fun after 70 miles but afterwards you realise what a great county we live in and going at 15mph means you can appreciate it even more.

Which iconic Norfolk characters do you most admire and why?

I think the person I admire most would be Logie Bruce Lockhart who was my headmaster at Gresham School in Holt. I've never forgot my first meeting with him and how he gave me the opportunity to join the school having only achieved half the pass rate. Not only was he an international rugby player, author and scholar, he had a special way of putting you at ease.

What’s your favourite pub in Norfolk and what do you like to drink there?

I'm not a great pub man as I'm teetotal but I have two friends, David and Richard Killan, who own the Dabbling Duck in Great Massingham, near Fakenham. It’s great to meet them there and catch up. We often go to Ireland together so always have lots of great stories to tell anybody who hasn't already heard them before. Great food, too!

Where do you like to eat out in Norfolk and why? And what do you order?

I love staying at the Victoria at Holkham. It’s a very special place, with the beach and the sea so close, and you work up a great appetite! Chicken is always a great favourite of mine and it can come in any form the wonderful chef at Victoria wants to do it!

Norfolk property guru John Howard reveals a love of musicals, how he frequents Norfolk’s pubs but isn’t a drinker and enjoys a day in the saddle!

What do you miss most when you leave the region?

I think Norfolk is unique and very independent of any of the other counties so that's what I miss most - its uniqueness!

What are you reading at the moment?

Well, I've been dreading this question!

I have to admit the last book I read completely was Great Expectations when I was 16 at school! I'm sure my old English master will be appalled but not surprised.

Would you prefer a day on the Broads or a day at Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach? Why? I think it would have to be the Broads.

The last time I went there was when I was about 17-years-old when four friends rented a boat for a few days.

I'm sure it wouldn't be as exciting as last time but it would be much more relaxing.

Opera, musical, drama or movie which would you prefer to watch? And what was the last show you saw?

I'm no opera fan that's for sure! We took all our Fine and Country staff to London to see The Jersey Boys which was fantastic. The last film I saw was Trance which Danny Boyle directed, it’s a great film and his girlfriend was very good in it, too!

Sum up Norfolk in three words...

Unique, relaxing, special Sum up yourself in three words...

Gregarious, energetic, hardworking

www.johnhowardpropertyadvice.co.uk | www.fineandcountry.com

Blue is the Colour 13 is clearly a lucky number for the boys from Blue. 13 years since they first signed their record deal, they’re back with a new album (with 13 tracks) and are going back on tour as a group for the first time in eight years. They’ve been chatting with Joff Hopkins

13

years is a long time in pop music, there are plenty of songs that were in the charts in 2000 that I don’t play on my radio show any more – but tracks by Blue seem to be the exception! What’s the secret to your longevity?

Duncan James: I think it’s because we’ve always prided ourselves on making classic melodies. Some people don’t know that we wrote most of our big hits ourselves – like One Love, All Rise and Fly By. We’ve been quite aware of melody, song content and lyrical ideas to make it ‘classic’ – that’s what we’ve always done, and I think that’s why our songs are still being played today.

You performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 – given the competition’s reputation in the UK, did you worry that it could be the end of the band if you received nil points?

DJ: I think a lot of people in the UK thought it was career suicide to do it! Everybody looks at Eurovision in this country and shuns it – but in Europe, it’s a really big deal! And because of that, and the fact we wanted to get back together again, we used the Eurovision Song Contest as a massive platform to let people know that we were back as a band.

We’d been apart for so many years, and it was a nice way to showcase ourselves around Europe and the Eastern bloc. Since then, we’ve been really lucky to be signed to Universal Records in Germany, we’ve been going out to lots of the former USSR

10

countries doing lots of gigs, and the album’s already been out in Germany and the surrounding countries for a few months now.

We’ve been really busy, and that’s mainly thanks to Eurovision!

When you look back to 2000, it was a time when there was no Facebook or Twitter, and some of you were still teenagers when your first songs were released! How different does it feel this time around?

Simon Webbe: The music industry has evolved so much – there’s a lot to get your head around! We took ourselves to business school straight after Eurovision – and six months after that, we decided to start making the new album. We called it Roulette, because of the 13 – there are 13 tracks on the album, and it’s been a massive gamble to do it ourselves, instead of going down the normal route that everyone else does [through a major record label]. We believed in ourselves, we believed in each other, we believed in our ability to write songs, but we just needed to brush up on our business sides. We’re learning every day, and we’ve got a great team that’s helping us. We just hope we can reconnect with all the fans, especially with Hurt Lovers as our first single. Onwards and upwards!

We’ve seen you on ITV as part of The Big Reunion with Atomic Kitten, B*Witched and other pop groups from the last 15 years or so… but this album has been in the works for a while now, hasn’t it?

celebrity interview

Blue

Blue’s fourth album Roulette is out now. Tickets are on sale now for their gig at UEA Norwich on October 14. Call 01603 508050, visit www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk

SW: It’s taken us a couple of years to make this album. We signed up to The Big Reunion last year, in December, so we had to keep it a big secret – we couldn’t let the other bands know we were going to be a part of it. We’re ready this time, the album has been done – by Eurovision, we didn’t have the product to release, we needed to go away and make it, and that’s why it’s taken us a couple of years. It’s our best album yet!

Listening to the album makes me feel like you’ve never been away… the songs capture the current mood so well, just like you were doing 12 or 13 years ago. What was it like being back together as a group, in that studio?

DJ: We always had an idea that we wanted to make the album as a ‘classic Blue album’ – songs like If You Come Back, they’re still being played now. It’s got beautiful melodies, and we didn’t want to go too far away from that. There are real soul roots that come into Blue and our song-writing.

You’re back on tour this year, including a date in Norwich – and you’re doing two Big Reunion tours… were you surprised by the demand to see you in concert?

DJ: For us, we were the latecomers to the Big Reunion – we gate-crashed the party! ITV had us in last year to talk about it, and we’re really excited to be a part of it, and I think it added to great TV. It put everyone on their toes, and made it a great show. We were lucky to be a part of it, but as we came in late, we couldn’t do

the whole tour as we have commitments in Europe. We’ve got such a busy schedule!

The band has been taking a break recently, with each of you doing your own thing – solo careers, stage work, TV presenting – were these easy transitions to make?

Antony Costa: Yes, some of us have done acting in the past; going into the theatre and TV – I thrived on that. It’s easy to become ‘the guy from Blue’, ‘you sang All Rise’ – you want to find your own self, and when Blue split all those years ago, I decided to take it upon myself to do some acting, and become ‘Antony Costa’ rather than ‘Antony from Blue’. Now I’m back being ‘Antony from Blue’ again!

Is it nice to be able to dip in and out like that?

SW: For us to go away and carve out our own identities, it’s only made us stronger. When we signed our first record deal back in 2000, it was easy to write about stuff you hadn’t got – like a convertible car, with a roof down… this time, we went away, we grew up, had relationships and heartbreak, and when we came back together we had so much to say, so much truth that people can relate to. Risk It All, to me, is a tearjerker, in that if you listen to it, and you’ve been through trials and tribulations in your life, that is the one. If girls want to know what guys think when they’ve broken up, get the album and listen to Break My Heart!

SW: Broken for me – the first opening chords of the piano, it sounds a bit like Coldplay or Counting Crows… it’s really beautiful!

Joff Hopkins, presenter on Norwich 99.9, The Beach and North Norfolk Radio

11

12

Picture by ALAN OLLEY

celebrity interview

Cliff Richard

Cliff is ready to Rock Known as the Peter Pan of Pop, Cliff Richard brings his summer tour to Norfolk this month. He tells us to get ready to party!

Cliff brings his Midsummer Nights Still Reelin' and a-Rockin' tour, supported by The Military Wives, to Blickling Hall on June 6. Call 0871 2200260

If you hadn’t gone into a career in singing what could you see yourself doing?

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I can’t really see myself doing anything else. Had I not been as successful as I was, I think I would have still found a way to be involved in the industry, whether that was writing or producing. It just doesn't seem possible to smother a passion and a desire to do what you love for a career.

Apart from Elvis is there anyone else you wish you had met?

Bill Haley played a huge part in my childhood. I remember skipping school to queue at the box office for tickets when he was playing locally. Someone 'snitched' and my friends and I got caught - we paid the price, but it was worth it. His music at the time was the most exciting party music.

Do you regret not having children?

Being completely honest, it's never bothered me. My three sisters have children, and it’s been wonderful to watch them grow up, get married and start families of their own. I’ve made sure I’ve always played a part in their lives. So while I think I would have been a good father, I’ve given myself to my family and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My 'freedom' allows me to continue my career. Had I been married and with children I wouldn't be able to do what I do now - I wouldn't want to do what I do now.

Are there any words of advice that you were given early on that have stayed relevant throughout your career?

Yes, it was wise and sensible advice from my dad that I remember to this day. ‘If you don't make it,’ he said when we were in danger of being carried away by all the initial madness, ‘there's still a life to be lived.’ That was such timely, sound ‘feet on the ground’ advice. Just a little later came his other timeless wisdom. ‘If you really want this,’ he said soon after our success with Move It, ‘then give it your all.’ I've been doing that ever since!

How big of a role does faith play in your life?

It’s very much shaped who I am today. My faith has kept me sensible and shielded me from a lot of problems that someone with my 'fame' could have encountered. Not only that, it’s having that something extra in my life that drives me to keep physically and mentally fit.

Do you think your faith has helped you avoid drugs and drink which other stars can fall victim to?

Growing up in the 50s, the world was a very different place.

Drugs weren’t as commonplace as they are now, but they were still around. I just didn't know what they were and now when I think back, I realise that the smell backstage wasn't HERBAL cigarette! After 10 years in that environment, I started to think ‘Is this how I’m going to end up?’ and I certainly didn’t want anything to cut my life short. I was having a fantastic time performing. I’d have been devastated if anything had stopped me living my dream.

Do you have any vices?

Well, none that I'd tell you about! Seriously, if enjoying a glass of champagne or red wine most nights is a vice, then I must hold my hand up. Of course, Vida Nova, which is produced at my vineyard in Portugal, is my favourite, and they do say that red wine is good for your heart.

Can you ever see yourself retiring/stopping performing?

I think I’d only ever consider it if my voice was to give up on me. Performing puts a lot of pressure on the vocal chords, so if I ever thought I couldn’t give my fans the show they deserved, I’d stop singing.

You have chosen some interesting historic venues for your Midsummer Nights tour. Did the idea of doing something different with these concerts appeal to you?

Yes definitely. With every show I like to add a little something different to keep it exciting and fresh. Britain is steeped in so much history and many of the places I am performing at are treasure houses of England. >> 13

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celebrity interview

Cliff Richard "I’m very fortunate to have good health. I lead a very active lifestyle and I think that’s the key to being happy within yourself."

>> You spent your early years in India, have you been back? Are you influenced by your roots to the country?

Living in India was a brilliant foundation. My sisters and I had a traditional upbringing while we were there but aside from a few schoolyard memories, I can only really remember living in England. I would say my parents’ good influence has been far more significant than where we lived.

What is your fondest memory from your career so far?

Without a doubt, receiving a knighthood for services to music and charity. At first when I got the letter I couldn’t believe what it was saying. I think I ended up laughing for a good while out of sheer shock! But then, when I read it again, I realised it was actually happening.

And what an honour. It gives me that added incentive to keep going for my fans (as I'm sure it was they who lobbied for me) which is why this summer will be a great time to get the dancing shoes back on!

In a house fire what item would you save first?

My knighthood medal comes to mind and a black and white photo of my mum and dad.

What one thing would improve your quality of life?

I’m very fortunate to have good health. I lead a very active lifestyle and I think that’s the key to being happy within yourself.

Out of all of your hits do you have a favourite? If so which one?

I don’t necessarily have a favourite as I love performing all those classic hits. It’s the reason my summer concerts will be all the good-time songs from the past six decades. If I was pushed, I’d say I’ll always have a soft spot for Summer Holiday. It’s a song that’s survived the decades and really encapsulates a forgotten era of the classic summer holiday.

It was wonderful to film, we had so much fun.

But then of course there was Devil Woman and We Don't Talk Anymore not to mention Living Doll, Miss you Nights, when you have been given so many wonderful songs to sing it really is hard to pick just one!

You also had a very successful film career. If you were to appear in films again are there any directors or actors you would love to work with?

The director I would love to work with is Ridley Scott and just about any actor.

You let the then Prime Minister Tony Blair stay at your home in Barbados. Did he enjoy his stay? Who else have you let stay there?

I invited Tony to stay there out of concern for his wellbeing. He was a terrorist target at the time, so I think he enjoyed the chance to forget about things for a while and relax safely and in private. I have a lot of friends and family who visit. Cilla Black comes round for dinner. She has her own place not far away, and of course Gloria and Stephen Way/Hunniford visit. It really is a fab place to entertain.

You have some of the most loyal fans in the world who have been with you for more than 50 years. Do you have a message for them?

I never dreamed that I'd be around this long, and I have a very loyal fan base to thank for that. They have been, and still are amazingly supportive and always so generous towards the various charitable projects I'm involved with.

Many of the core fans seem to have merged into a giant international family and Still Reelin' and a-Rockin' will be a great reunion!

Pictures by MICHELLE KLOBOUCNIK

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JUNE BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00 Tues 28 May – Sat 1 June SLEEPING BEAUTY ON ICE Imperial Ice Stars in classic fairytale set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious music £6.50 - £29.50 Sun 2 June THREE PHANTOMS Musical theatre stars £6.50 - £28.50 Mon 3 – Sat 8 June THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW The world’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll musical – 40th anniversary party production £6.50 - £33.50

Mon 24 – Wed 26 June BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Spectacular tribute to Queen £6.50 - £28

Sun 23 June MARC ALMOND & HEATHER PEACE A night of song, dance and comedy in aid of the Peter Tatchell Foundation £6.50 - £26

Thur 27 June SING-A-LONG-A GREASE Fully interactive screening of the classic film musical £5.50 - £15 Fri 28 June A GALA NIGHT OF MAGICAL DREAMS Presented by Norwich School £5.50 - £14 Sat 29 June AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE All tease, no sleaze – Britain’s biggest burlesque spectacular £5.50 - £23 Sun 30 June CHRIS & PUI ROADSHOW CBeebies’ favourite double act £5.50 - £12

The Rocky Horror Show

Sun 9 June DANCES WITH OUTLAWS Talented local students from the Michala Jane School of Dance £5.50 - £15

Mon 17 – Sat 22 June RISING DAMP Brand new adaptation of hit ITV comedy £5.50 - £22.50

Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk THEATRE STREET, NORWICH NR2 1RL

Norfolk actress Olivia Colman is being heralded as the next Helen Mirren or Judi Dench after her recent Bafta success. She tells us about post-Bafta wobbles, and the next series of Broadchurch

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ou just can’t get away from Olivia Colman at the moment. She is literally everywhere from the covers of glossy magazines to television chat shows.

Olivia was born in south east Norfolk in 1974, was nicknamed Colly at primary school, and then attended Norwich High School for Girls before attending Gresham’s School in Holt for the sixth form – her first experience of the stage came when she took the title part, aged 16, in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.

She went on to study at Homerton College, in Cambridge – then a teacher training college – and there she applied to the Footlights, the university revue society, where she went on to meet not only Peep Show’s David Mitchell and Robert Webb, but her husband Ed Sinclair, when she was 20, in a production of an Alan Ayckbourn farce. At the time he was studying law. They would go on to have two sons: Hal, seven, and Finn, five.

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Broadchurch is being seen as Olivia's big breakthrough

The Olivia Awards

celebrity interview

Olivia Colman

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, ITV

The family bases itself in London but often return to Norfolk where they have family, including a brother in Norwich. Her dad was a charter surveyor and her mum was a nurse.

Olivia left Cambridge without finishing teacher training and went to Bristol Old Vic drama school. Actors union Equity insisted she change her name to avoid a clash with another actress, so, although christened Sarah, she picked one of her middle names.

In the past, she has done comedy and drama: she is one of those rare actresses who can switch between the two while being tremendous in both.

She has one of those faces instantly familiar to TV viewers, but her ability to disappear into a role and cast makes it hard to pin down her work.

She has appeared in, among others, Peep Show and Green Wing. The 39-year-old actress also won a new fan-base as Alex Smallbone, the saucy vicar’s wife in the comedy drama Rev and — surely this is everyone’s favourite — as Hugh Bonneville’s love-struck PA, Sally Owens, in the hit BBC2 comedy series Twenty Twelve.

Despite winning a host of movie awards for Tyrannosaur (Paddy Considine’s 2011 film) and critical acclaim for her role as Carol Thatcher to Meryl Streep’s Margaret, complete with a blonde wig, in The Iron Lady, her role as a policewoman investigating a boy’s death in Broadchurch is being seen as her big breakthrough.

Some believe it might do for her what playing a similar type of detective in Prime Suspect did for Helen Mirren — pave the way for a Hollywood career (she recently played the Queen Mother alongside Bill Murray in Hyde Park on Hudson).

Plus hard working Olivia has been back on our television screens with another new series: The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, in which she plays a wealthy woman, Susan Spencer, searching for her missing niece.

She won two awards at the Baftas. One for best supporting actress for her role as mother of a murdered son in the gritty BBC drama Accused. She then went on to scoop a second award - best female in a comedy - for her role in BBC Olympics satire Twenty Twelve.

Places&Faces® quickly catches up with Olivia Two Bafta awards Olivia - how are you feeling?

I don’t know, a bit wobbly.

These two roles are completely the opposite end of the spectrum?

Yes – they certainly are.

You are massively intense in Accused and very funny in Twenty Twelve – do you enjoy that you can do different types of shows?

Oh, I’m just thrilled because I’m allowed to!

Fair enough. It’s not often that someone wins two Baftas in one night – which one means more to you?

The one for playing drama or the one for a comedy role?

Oh I couldn’t choose between them. The one I thought I might be in with a chance was the Accused because it’s such a beautiful script. Comedy I didn’t think, against those girls, that I’d have a chance and I can’t quite believe it. It will take a long time to sink in!

You are so popular with men and especially with women – you seem like a real girl’s girl. Is that true?

I’m safe. I’m not going to take anyone’s husband. I like both. I’ve got a lot of male and female friends.

You’re the new Judi Dench, the new Helen Mirren – that is what is being said?

Well I hope they’re right! That would be nice. They do very good work. That would be lovely. We’ll see.

Obviously you’ve been acting for a while but since Tyrannosaur there have been calls for you to win an award - are you delighted to be finally recognised?

Well, Tyrannosaur won, I think, 30-something awards worldwide in different festivals and it was really appreciated by a lot of people - and they meant so much to us.

But people thought you should have won for that though?

Yes, this does feel really nice. Tyrannosaur, I mean, if nobody had ever seen it, I’ve said this before I’m so boring, it will remain the thing I’m most proud of until I die. So even if no-one had seen it, it would mean a lot to me.

With so much success in Britain – has Hollywood been calling you?

No, so many people have asked me that! Unless they’ve got a digit wrong or something. But no, noone has called.

Would you want to work in Hollywood if you got the call?

Well of course it’s warm and I think they pay better! I don’t think I could live there, all my family and friends are here – but who wouldn’t go? If I got a couple of years there it would be lovely. A real experience.

Everyone is predicting you will be back here next year for Broadchurch – any hints or clues about the next series?

It will be really good. Sorry, I’m so worried that I’m going to be the one that screws it up for everybody.

I don’t think I’m allowed to tell you anything. I think Chris Chibnall (the writer) has given you some clues.

Did you know when you first read the script that the series was going to capture everyone’s imagination?

No! Well I knew it was good and it was a script I wanted to do. And, you know, scripts that good aren’t that common. And I hoped people would like it but I had no idea it would be quite so nuts.

Finally, what does it mean to be clutching not just one but two Baftas?

I have no idea how to put it into words. I can’t believe it. I keep thinking it’s wrong.

Places&Faces速 | JUNE 2013

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PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Michael Praed

Yo u ' r e S e n s at i o n a l !

He’s suave, stylish and oh so sophisticated – both on stage and off! Sarah Hardy chats to Michael Praed about his role in High Society which arrives in Norwich next month

O

hh, High Society is simply a most charming show with a winning mixture of superlative songs, snazzy dance routines, beautiful fashions, and a topsy-turvy love story at its centre.

And one of its stars, Michael Praed, is just as delightful as he reveals a very special story about why he loves this classic musical so very much.

‘I remember my mother dressing up to watch it on television with her friends. I remember that they loved it and had such fun whenever it was shown,’ he says.

High Society was a hit movie in the 1950s, starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, with Michael taking on Bing’s role. It is famous for its wonderful songs which include Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Well, Did You Evah! You’re Sensational and I love You, Samantha.

Michael, now in his mid 50s, shot to fame back in the 80s as Robin of Loxley in the hit BBC series, Robin of Sherwood.

At the time, not many girls’ bedrooms were without a picture of him in his tight forest garb, looking what today’s younger generation would describe as ‘well buff’!

He gained yet more worldwide appeal as Prince Michael of Moldavia in the hit US series, Dynasty, which also starred the legendary Joan Collins in the shoulder pads, money, sex and sequins show which was beloved by millions.

Unlike many stars, Michael pays tribute to the roles that made him a household name, saying: ‘They were wonderful days, Joan Collins worked incredibly hard and we were a very happy team.’

Since the early 1990s he has concentrated on stage work, appearing in many hit musicals including The Sound of Music with Connie Fisher. He trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and has always enjoyed music, including writing and performing his own material.

High Society is on at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, from July 1 to 6. Call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk.

Now he’s delighted to be in a six-month run of High Society as he’s also a massive Cole Porter fan. ‘Well, who wouldn’t be?’ he says. ‘He is one of a few iconic figures in the musical world, isn’t he? You think of him, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin.

‘The lyrics are just so clever, they may well have been written 60 years ago but they are still relevant to us all – and that longevity is a real sign of his success.’

Michael admires his character, the dapper Dexter Haven – a guy with charm and cash. ’He’s a good egg,’ says Michael. ‘He deserves to get the girl!’

Michael is full of praise for the show’s choreography and setting. ‘It really captures that East Coast of America feel,’ he says. ‘It is a beautiful show, so elegant. The fashions are fantastic, I get to wear some very smart blazers and well cut trousers.

‘And the stage revolves so the show moves on quite quickly, and includes all the cast members - it is very clever.’

He is enjoying the tour although he admits that life on the road can be exhausting. ‘You do miss your home comforts,’ he says. ‘But the upside is that the company becomes like your family, we are all very close.’

He says that he likes visiting local sights and attractions but doesn’t have that much spare time. ‘There are matinees, publicity work so, yes, the time does disappear but I like to see places as much as I can.’

And despite still looking in terrific shape, Michael doesn’t follow a vigorous keep fit routine. ‘We have a physical warm up before the show starts so with that and the dancing during the production, it is about enough for me!’

Michael, who is based in London, has a son Gabriel and daughter Frankie and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend acting as a career. ‘I always say to them to have a go, to follow what you think you would like to do. There is no job security so you have to be prepared for that but I have been very fortunate to do something I have always wanted to.’

He says his best piece of advice is: ‘Just try to tell the story as truthfully as you can – that is always the key.’

So what is next for Michael? He is keeping his options open.

‘I haven’t the faintest idea what is round the corner,’ he laughs.

‘I am just loving being in this show.’

21

Places&Faces® | JUNE 2013

Jazzing It Up

British jazz singer Tina May arrives in Norfolk, promising feelgood music for a warm summer evening. Sarah Hardy can’t wait

I

Tina performs at The Hoste, Burnham Market, on June 30.

Call 01328 738777, visit www.hoste.com

f you like your jazz with a touch of class and the unexpected – a Tina May concert is for you!

Gloucestershire-born Tina has a voice to wallow in. It ranges from a deep chocolate velvet sound to the sweetest, purest tones – and just about everything in-between.

Critics often regard her as having the most technically gifted voice of all Britain’s jazz singers although Tina is certainly not a stuffy, precious type.

Quite the reverse, in fact!

She is great fun on stage, chatting away with her audience, so you can expect a jolly evening and indeed our interview was punctuated with lots of laughter!

She likes to keep her concerts fairly flexible, singing what she fancies on the day and what she thinks will suit the venue. ‘Well, it might not be all jazz,’ she says for a start. ‘I like to take people on a journey – there might be some Paul Simon and maybe some Duke Ellington.

‘But it will have a feelgood factor to it, I want to get Norfolk swinging!’

Tina, now in her early 50s, might break into French as she studied in Paris for a year as part of her university degree and really started to sing professionally there, too. ‘Well, who doesn’t like French songs and the French language? It is very sexy!’

She can’t remember a time when she didn’t sing. ‘Yes, we were one of those noisy musical families. My dad was from Scotland and I remember him sitting around the piano and the rest of us joining in.’

Now she spends much of her time travelling the world, performing at various venues and festivals and arrives in Norfolk, at The Hoste in Burnham Market, on June 30.

It is part of the Hoste of Jazz June programme which takes place in the new Garden Room which sees various

22

artists perform on Thursdays and Sundays. Tina is performing with the Chris Ingham Trio.

She doesn’t know us that well in Norfolk but is looking forward to exploring a little. And she was more than a little pleased to hear that the Hoste is a rather posh hotel! ‘How great! I might stay over. It is always difficult to know what to do and I usually try to get home but, well, it might be different this time!’

One subject that is sure to get Tina going is the subject of children and music. She’s a passionate supporter of its continued presence in schools, saying: ‘It’s the first thing that gets cut and it is such a shame. Music gives such joy to so many people and I do worry about what the future holds.

‘You can sing in a choir all your life and, as for playing a musical instrument, that is something that gives you pleasure all your life, too – it is a very social thing.’

Tina admits that she has been lucky with her voice as she’s never had any major problems. ‘I had a cold once and a really sore throat and my voice was incredible, I didn’t recognise it. But I’ve never smoked and have had great teachers who have shown me how to look after my voice. I am kind to it, I don’t over rehearse and I certainly make sure that I warm up correctly.’

Tina, who lists Ella Fitzgerald as her idol, is married to drummer Clark Tracey and they have two children. A son who is a graphic designer who, she adds, can play the piano and has a great voice (typical mum talk here!) and a daughter, who is hoping to go to music college – a chip off the old block, then!

She is based in rural Hertfordshire, an ideal base from which to zip around the country from, and when she’s not working she likes to get out in her garden to enjoy the fresh air and keep her green fingers happy. And, like many of us, tries to keep fit with trips to the gym, swimming sessions and running.

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Tina May

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I a n R usse l l

talking tourism

F e at h e r e d Friends This month columnist Ian Russell reports on the work of a national bird charity which has a new nest in Wroxham!

A

t Wroxham Barns we’ve established a

great working relationship with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and over the past few years you may well have seen members of the RSPB team giving out leaflets and other information on the site as well as encouraging youngsters to find out more about the wildlife around them, via fun, creative activities such as mask-making and building bird-feeders.

We’re also very proud of our ‘Swallowcam’ – a live feed from a camera in the swallows’ nest in one of the barns in Junior Farm which broadcasts footage of the birds’ fascinating antics on to a giant screen in the farm’s Small Animal Centre.

The swallows have arrived at the barns again and by the time you read this this year’s Swallowcam should be up and running (you can also view the footage on the website at: www.wroxhambarns.co.uk).

The RSPB is an important organisation, helping people discover and protect the amazing wildlife around us, and I’m proud to say that it’s one of Wroxham Barns’ chosen charities.

We’ve therefore recently extended our relationship with the charity by setting up a dedicated RSPB information centre on site.

Managed by Nikki Thurston, this new unit provides fun activities for families throughout the seasons, so that visitors can learn more about local wildlife and find out where to go to explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife of the Broads.

Take a look inside on your next visit to see what’s on offer and to collect one of the Wildlife Challenge Sheets – keep this with 24

you as you go round the site to see what wildlife you can spot and, on completion, return it to the RSPB unit or to The Pantry Coffee Shop and you’ll collect a small prize.

The Broads is the UK’s largest wetland and is home to an incredible wealth of wildlife. The RSPB manages over 2000 hectares of land for wildlife across the Broads, which is the equivalent of 16,000 Olympic swimming pools! There are numerous RSPB nature reserves in the Broads – at Strumpshaw Fen, Buckenham and Cantley Marshes, Berney Marshes and Breydon Water, Surlingham Church Marsh and Rockland Marsh and Strumpshaw Fen is the best of these for family visits and to see the full range of Broadland habitats and wildlife.

So why not pick up a leaflet from our new RSPB unit and then plan a relaxing stroll through woodlands, reed beds and summer meadows? Strumpshaw Fen is one of the best places in the country to spot wild otters, marsh harriers, kingfishers, and the UK’s biggest butterfly – the swallowtail – and you can borrow nets to go pond-dipping, pick up a wildlife spotting sheet, or even borrow a Wildlife Explorer’s rucksack complete with binoculars, a magnifying pot and wildlife guides.

Many wildlife species in the Broads are declining due to habitat loss and changes in farming techniques. However, the RSPB is restoring habitats for wildlife, working with farmers to encourage wildlife-friendly farming, and helping people to create homes for wildlife in their own gardens and school grounds.

The RSPB has also continued the centuries-old Broadland traditions of reed-cutting, hay mowing and cattle-grazing and these historical practices help wildlife to flourish. At Strumpshaw Fen you’ll see the herd of Highland cows that help to keep the meadows blooming with rare orchids.

The RSPB has 96 volunteers working in the Norfolk Broads who help with everything from physical habitat work and wildlife surveys to school visits, family events, office work, and greeting visitors to reserves. There’s also a year-round programme of events to help people of all ages get close to nature in the Broads.

Summer events include dragonfly and butterfly walks, bat and moth evenings, and family activity days with pond-dipping, bug hunts and quiz trails.

For more details on visiting RSPB reserves in the Broads and special events, visit www.rspb.org.uk/strumpshawfen or pop in to see the team at the new RSPB unit at Wroxham Barns.

And if you have a young family, you may like to know that the RSPB is inspiring young people to care about nature and wildlife, via a monthly wildlife club for children (the Norwich Nuthatches) that meets at Strumpshaw Fen and other wild places around the Broads – see www.rspb.org.uk/groups/norwichnuthatches.

Happy bird watching!

Ian Russell MBE owns Wroxham Barns.

Visit www.wroxhambarns.co.uk

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SET IN SPACIOUS WOODLAND ON THE NORTH NORFOLK COASTAL ROAD, FOUR MILES SOUTH OF CROMER, WOODLAND HOLIDAY PARK IS PERFECT FOR YOUR WELL EARNED PEACEFUL BREAK. THIS HAVEN OF TRANQUILITY IS THE IDEAL SPOT TO RELAX AND UNWIND IN THE GLORIOUS NORTH NORFOLK COUNTRYSIDE.

Our luxurious timber built lodges (complete with hot tubs) offer all of the comforts of home alongside a beautiful setting deep in the North Norfolk countryside. We are ideally situated for anyone wishing to explore the North Norfolk coast, the wonderful city of Norwich or the Norfolk Broads national park.

If you don’t wish to wander too far you can enjoy the superb facilities onsite which include an indoor heated swimming pool and sauna, a well stocked fishing lake, games room and children’s play area.

Or simply enjoy a meal in our comfortable restaurant where most dishes are sourced using fresh local produce. If you don’t want to eat then simply sit back, relax and enjoy the ambience of our bar.

Woodland Holiday Park • Trimingham • North Norfolk • N11 8QJ

T: 01263 579208

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FA S H I O N

Florals

Blythe dress £150, Coast

Every summer sees florals as a popular option. This year they’re known as ‘botanicals’ and, says Sarah Hardy, they’re big, bold and beautiful! Dig in and enjoy!

Salvador Print dress £99, Monsoon, Intu Chapelfield

Biba Lily print pencil skirt £89, House of Fraser, Intu Chapelfield Maria jacket £179, FennWrightManson, John Lewis

27

Find the

Perfect Wedding Ring…

D I A M O N D R I N G S P E C I A L I S T · L A R G E A N T I Q U E J E W E L L E RY R A N G E · J E W E L L E R Y D E S I G N At Aleks Jewellers, we are proud to house Norwich’s first and only wedding ring showroom. With a huge selection on display, including a large range of antique jewellery for those unusual and character pieces, our experienced staff are on hand to offer their expert guidance. Our one-to-one consultations will ensure that you find the right piece for your special day. We also have a jewellery workshop on-site, allowing us to undertake a full range of repairs, remodelling and cleaning services.

01603 623754 | www.aleksjewellers.co.uk | Aleks Jewellers Limited, 40 London Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1LD

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Advertising feature

Jewellery Elizabeth Taylor Gems were the hallmark of eight-times married Liz Taylor, best actress Oscar-winner for Butterfield 8 and Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? An auction of her jewellery fetched £75million, more than double the record for a single-owner collection of precious gems, in 2011.

Christie’s sale of 80 pieces from the late Hollywood star’s estate included the £5.6million purchase of the 33-carat Krupp Diamond ring, given to her by Richard Burton, the Welsh actor she married twice; La Peregrina, a 16th-century, pear-shaped pearl once owned by Mary Tudor and bought by Burton in 1969, and a diamond bracelet given to Taylor by her close friend Michael Jackson.

Duchess of Windsor The Duchess of Windsor’s jewels previously set the record in 1987, when they sold for £31million.

Jewellery was part and parcel of this royal love story, as many were gifts from the Duke, the former King Edward VIII who gave up the throne to marry the then Wallis Simpson in 1937.

But she also bought spectacular pieces herself – including a striking flamingo brooch, ablaze with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and citrines. It was designed by Cartier, one of the couple’s favourite jewellers - to mark their 20th anniversary, the Duke commissioned an emerald, ruby and diamond heartshaped brooch from the firm with their initials intertwined over the Roman symbol for 20, picked out in rubies.

C r own jewels Are you a secret Liz Taylor? Someone who just loves their gems?

Emma Outten discusses five iconic jewellery wearers

Duchess of Cambridge When Kate Middleton married Prince William at Westminster Abbey in 2011, all eyes were not only on her wedding dress, but also on everything from her handmade shoes to her jewellery.

The diamond oak leaf and acorn earrings were a present from her parents, Michael and Carole, and she also wore the Halo Tiara, loaned by the Queen.

Three women based in Chelsea landed the task of designing and making the earrings – nice work if you can get it.

DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES Diana, Princess of Wales was famous for doing different in the wearing of her jewellery. Remember the Queen Mary Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Choker, given to her by the Queen as a wedding gift in 1981? In December of that year the Princess had the 14-inch choker mounted on a band of dark green Velcro so that she could wear it as a hair band at a private party. But instead of a tiara she wore it as a necklace across her forehead as a bandeau.

The choker became known as Disco Di. Audrey Hepburn The queen of understatement, Audrey Hepburn was synonymous with many things, one of which was pearl jewellery.

There was the famous pearl necklace she wore in the classic movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, along with the famous little black Givenchy dress. Tiffany & Co, the United States jeweller, will forever be linked to Hepburn, thanks to that string of pearls.

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G l o win g success We all need a bit of help to achieve that healthy glow – here’s our round-up of the best self tanning goodies on the market NE W P RO D U C T of the month

Ojon Rare Blend Deep Conditioner, £29

He-Shi Fusion Multi Bronze £16.50 Jarrold's, www.jarrold.co.uk Clinique Self Sun Body Tinted Lotion £17 Jarrold's, www.jarrold.co.uk

A weekly or twice weekly conditioner to help banish those holiday hair horror moments! Made with all manner of exotic oils, it will smooth and re-condition your tousled locks, making you presentable for evening drinks on the terrace! Perfect for the holiday suitcase.

t r e at o f t h e m o n t h

Aveda, Jarrold's Aveda, that classy yet ethical brand from America, might be best known for its fab hair care products but its skincare goodies are just the business, too.

The range is only stocked at Jarrold’s in the county and they also have a spa therapist who can carry out all manner of great massages, facials and the like – all customised. I sampled an Elemental Nature Facial which was designed to rehydrate and used the Botanical Kinetics range including a masque, serum, eye cream and exfoliator. It was highly relaxing and, with a foot massage thrown in for good measure, was a great way to spend 45 minutes! The facials are £30 which is redeemable against any purchases.

Tel 01603 660661

Bobbi Brown Face and Body Bronzing Duo £31 House of Fraser, Intu Chapelfield

Places&Faces速 | JUNE 2013

Saks Appeal So what makes a great hairdressing salon? Staff? Skill? Charm?

All that and more, says one leading Norfolk hair company

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PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

I

t’s always called your crowning glory and, as with most platitudes, it is actually true. Have a bad hair cut or just not have enough time to wash your hair one morning and you don’t want to leave the house.

Even during the recession, people are still willing to spend their hard earned cash on keeping their hair in good condition and looking great.

But they do demand good value and a complete experience. A trip to the hairdresser is seen as a real treat – people want great customer service, decent coffee, and plenty of tempting extras such as scalp massages, customised deep hydrating treatments and so on.

Saks of Great Yarmouth offer all this and more. Franchise owner Lindsey Yusuff and business partner Jane Cockrill have been in hairdressing for the best part of 30 years so have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share.

They have, for example, won just about every award going in the Saks empire which has more than 100 hair salons nationwide. These include everything from trainee of the year to customer care to the big one – salon of the year. And Kendle McClintock has just won apprentice of the year so congratulations to her.

And, although Lindsey is ultra modest, they have also scooped the eastern regional award of the L’Oreal Colour Trophy (usually referred to as the Oscars of the hairdressing world) a massive four times and been national finalists eight times. So we’re talking seriously good credentials here!

Clearly passionate about the profession, the team is determined that the customer should come first. ‘We want people to feel at home straight away. We are a friendly, unpretentious company where we want people to leave us feeling great!

‘Making people feel special is so important to us – we are in the business of giving the client exactly what they need,’ says Lindsey, adding that the team see their customers as being on a journey which starts the minute they arrive at the reception right through to their shampoo, colour, cut and back to reception. ‘Every step is as important as the next,’ she says.

Saks, Broad Row, Great Yarmouth NR30 1HT, tel 01493 853855

Saks

ADVERTISER'S ANNOUNCEMENT

Many of the team have been with the salon for more than 10 years and this is key to its success. ‘It is not just a job for us, it is a way of life,’ Lindsey explains, adding that she is always keen to hear from ambitious hairdressers who share the salon’s passion for hair.

Staff training is at the heart of the salon’s continued success.

Staff attend regular educational sessions and are encouraged to keep on learning. ‘Hairdressing is continually changing – there are new techniques to master and new products to get to know.

We need to keep on top of it all,’ says Lindsey.

One particular part of the Saks business is the art team who work at high profile events such as London Fashion Week and also work with celebrities including Cheryl Cole and Coldplay.

One staff member, Emma England, often travels to London to provide support at pop concerts, videos and shoots.

The Great Yarmouth salon is in the town’s old quarter – with masses of car parking nearby which is always a plus! It is currently being revamped in the company’s new colours of grey and cream and is obviously equipped with all the latest technology including massage chairs. There is also a separate area where colouring processes are carried out and various beauty treatments are available such as nails and Saks brows.

But what is new for this summer? Well, according to the team, it is not so much about the cut but about creating volume.

As Lindsey says: ‘Everything is much more natural, people like their hair to feel like hair – yet fuller and more glamorous.

‘They have had a lot of years of using straighteners and now it is a bouncier, healthier look – following on from people like Nicole Scherzinger and Beyonce.’

Colour is still very important and popular – it really brings a cut to life. Products have developed, too, and are now much kinder to the hair. Look out for the new Nude Touch Tecniart range which can add that vital volume and also condition. And don’t miss the new INOA colouring range which is very gentle but effective. It contains no ammonia so your hair is left in great condition.

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Mirrored Python Wedges £55, Faith at Debenhams 'Hurt' T-Bar Colour Block Patent Sandal £79, Dune Dahlia Sandal £195, L.K. Bennett Vintage at Jarrold's

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A DV E RT I S E R ' S A N NO U NC E M E N T

Faces and Smiles

Smile please!

Cosmetic dentistry and treatments are becoming more and more popular with us all. One leading Norfolk dental chain shares its knowledge and experience with Places&Faces® readers

HISTORY

S

ince taking over a single handed NHS dental practice from his uncle, John Plummer has expanded the practice into a group of 11 dental practices in Norfolk and Suffolk, now employing 65 dental surgeons.

Despite its size John G Plummer and Associates remains very much a ‘family run practice’. John’s overriding philosophy is to always work with ‘nice people’ and this includes his wife, daughter and son-inlaw. Long standing partners Brian Robertson, Mike Parkinson and Denver Fester are very much part of his ‘family’, too.

Over the last few years John and his partners have opened another group of specialised surgeries, called Faces and Smiles, where more aesthetic and advanced treatments are performed, which are not available on the NHS.

SURGEONS & SERVICES Facial Aesthetics Dr John Plummer BDS(Durh), LDS, RCS(Eng) Dr Brian Robertson BDS(Edin)

Faces and Smiles surgeries are situated in Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

To arrange an appointment for a consultation, call 01493 378200, visit www.facesandsmilesdental.co.uk

36

They have more than 25 years of experience between them in general dentistry and provide a range of non-surgical facial treatments using Botulinum Toxin (Botox) and Dermal Fillers.

They have attended numerous aesthetic courses in Europe and North America given by the world leaders in non surgical facial aesthetics and are members of both the American and European Facial Aesthetic Associations.

They pride themselves on delivering a highly personal service. Every patient’s face is different so it is necessary to understand the facial anatomy and muscular pattern of each individual. Every new patient is reviewed after one week to check their muscular reaction and to add more Botox or Filler to more resistant muscles and wrinkles if necessary.

To simplify the facial aesthetic treatments – Botox is used to reduce and prevent wrinkles caused by muscular action, largely in the upper half of the face, whereas Fillers are used to reduce wrinkles caused by loss of volume through ageing and to augment facial areas that are congenitally small such as lips. There are more than 100 types of fillers currently available, but Faces and Smiles only uses the current reputable market leaders – Juvederm and Restylane.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of having performed more than 1000 Facial Aesthetic treatments is that they can assess quickly whether a patient will benefit from their treatment.

Some patients do require a surgical approach (a facelift) to achieve their desired result.

Dental Implants and Periodontology Dr Simon Bunting BDS(Lond), MJDF,RCS(Eng), ICO Dr Denver Fester BCHD(UWC),NHDDT(PT),MJDF,RCS(Eng),PGC

General and Aesthetic Dentistry for Nervous Patients and Tooth Whitening Dr. Suzanne T. Plummer BDS (Newc.), PGC Med Edu(BED)

MedEdu(Bed), PGD Perio(UCLAN)

Simon and Denver head up the implant team. They are able to provide dental implants at our Lowestoft and Norwich practices which have been specially equipped to treat simple to advanced cases. Dental implants are a long term solution to loose or missing teeth. They can also be useful for stabilizing loose dentures.

Dental Implants allow patients to enjoy life to the full and smile again with confidence.

Simon joined the practice on qualification from London and has worked at the Lowestoft and Oulton practices since then. His wife Karen is also a dental surgeon at the practice and they have three children. Since retiring from rugby, Simon has run in several marathons and Iron Man competitions, though he has yet to beat Karen in a marathon. He specialises in Dental Implants having performed more than 1000 procedures and is also a Vocational Trainer, having guided many newly qualified dental surgeons in the first years of their professional life.

Denver qualified as a dentist and dental technologist in South Africa 18 years ago. He has subsequently embarked on a life long journey of continuous professional development in the UK resulting in a special interest in Dental Implants and Periodontology. He is an Orthodontic clinical assistant at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, a committee member of the Local Dental Committee, the chairman elect of the local British Dental Association, a Vocational Trainer and also lectures to newly qualified dentists. In his spare time Denver enjoys playing golf and macro photography. Denver’s wife Marcia is also a qualified Dental Technician and heads the dental laboratory at the Norwich practice.

Denver also provides periodontal treatment for patients with gum disease. The symptoms range from bleeding gums to, in severe cases, a permanent disfigurement (such as gum recession and elongation of teeth), pain or tooth loss. Plastic and reconstructive surgery can correct some of these disfigurements, depending on how far the disease has progressed. The many benefits of periodontal treatment include fresh breath, the ability to chew food more easily, healthy gums that are free from infection and most importantly, helping you achieve your goal of keeping your natural teeth for a lifetime!

Sue is the daughter of John and Carole Plummer. She joined the practice after qualifying at Newcastle University. She is married to the Practice Business Manager Andrew Cross and they have two young sons, James and Edward. All the family are very sporty and enjoy squash, hockey and many other sports. Sue trains and lectures to newly qualified dental surgeons and is renowned for her gentle caring nature, especially with nervous patients and children.

Teeth whitening is a procedure for lightening the colour of teeth either in a surgery treatment room or at home. This procedure is generally recommended if your teeth are naturally discoloured as a result of ageing, are stained as a result of exposure to certain foods and drinks, or are discoloured because of smoking.

Aesthetic Dentistry includes restoring damaged, broken-down or missing teeth to a healthy, functional and beautiful state. This may involve, whitening, composite restorations, crowns, veneers, bridges, implants or orthodontics.

Orthodontics Dr Peter Brook

BDS(Manc), MSc(Manc), D’Orth RCS(Eng),

FDS RCPS (Glas)

Peter is a specialist orthodontist, and has worked for a number of hospitals and dental corporate companies. He particularly enjoys working with aesthetic appliances, and using the latest technology to provide faster treatment and high quality results. He has much experience in treating patients with Lingual (Hidden) braces and also Invisalign (invisible) braces. He is an active member of the British Orthodontic Society Specialist Practitioner Group and has written articles on Orthodontics. He is also an active member of the Local Managed Clinical Network which ensures high quality clinically effective orthodontic services are fairly distributed so that patient care could be improved.

Dr Pilar Cruzado LMS Spain

Pilar is a Specialist Orthodontist and worked for a number of years as an orthodontic specialist in Spain before joining our team. She speaks several languages and enjoys football, especially when Spain wins. Pilar loves working with children and has a keen interest in self-ligating bracket systems which is the latest technology enabling quicker appointment times and faster quality results. She has just become a proud mother for the first time.

Mr Sriman P.K. Hadinnapola FDS, RCS (Eng.) Specialist Oral Surgeon

Left to Right: Sue Plummer, Simon Bunting, John Plummer, Denver Fester, Brian Robertson

Faces and Smiles is a subsidiary

Sri is a highly experienced Specialist Oral Surgeon who has worked in hospital for many years overseeing complex and difficult surgical procedures. He is also qualified in various sedation techniques.

Sedation is a simple procedure that dentists as well as other medical professionals can use for their patients during selected treatments and is used to relax a patient prior to and during a dental appointment to ensure that the procedure proceeds as pain-free and relaxed as possible. Sedation uses medication to put the patient in a very relaxed, dreamlike state whilst having treatment carried out.

of John G Plummer and Associates

Dental Surgeons, who are a privately owned NHS Dental Practice employing 65 dental surgeons in 11 practices in Norfolk and Suffolk.

37

OPEN THEATRE Once again the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds has decided to turn the normal summer season on its head and open the Grade 1 listed building as a National Trust property, welcoming visitors in, during weekdays and weekends, to explore the beautiful building and enjoy the interactive visitor experience, Backstage Past: Access All Eras. It will run throughout summer, starting on June 5, and finishing on July 27. Visit www.theatreroyal.org.

TAPAS Head to the Assembly House in Norwich for an evening of tapas and jazz. On June 21, the Joe Ringer Band performs and you get to tuck into some great Spanish treats. Call 01603 626402 or visit www. assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk for more.

BOOK EVENT Join Jarrold’s on June 6 for an evening of crime fiction with a panel of three authors: Elly Griffiths, Colin Cotterill and Martin Walker, in conversation. Elly is the author of the Ruth Galloway series, and her crime novels are based in Norfolk, and feature Dr Ruth Galloway, Head of Forensic Archaeology at the University of North Norfolk. Visit www.jarrold.co.uk.

GARDENS Private gardens across England and Wales will open their gates to the public during June 15 and 16 for the first ever National Gardens Festival Weekend. In Norfolk seven great gardens will be open during the weekend including Shammer House, in North Creake, Wethered Manor at Sedgeford, The Conifers at Wreningham, The Dutch House at Ludham and High House Gardens in Shipdham. Visit www.ngs.org.uk.

FESTIVAL Hot on the heels of the King’s Lynn Festival is Festival Too, which takes place from June 29 (with live music and fireworks on King Staithe Square) to July 13. It has become one of Europe’s biggest free festivals. At the time of going to press the line-up was still to be revealed but do visit www.festivaltoo.co.uk.

What’s On

JERRY LEE LEWIS STORY The Jerry Lee Lewis Story comes to Diss Corn Hall on June 8. The performance by Peter Gill has been described as ‘simply phenomenal’ and has even been endorsed

by Jerry Lee Lewis’s own son.

Expect hits such as Great Balls Of Fire, High School Confidential, Wild One, and Whole Lotta Shakin. But be warned: this show could seriously affect your health! Visit www.disscornhall.co.uk or call 01379 652241.

Mahan Esfahani

Flamin’ ‘eck, we are already in June! Here’s our guide to what’s coming up this month

CHAMBER CONCERT Mahan Esfahani will be playing the harpsichord in the latest chamber concert at Holkham Hall on June 29. Mahan will be performing a programme of music by William Byrd: The Fifte Pavian and the Galliard to the Fifte Pavian, Fantasia (MB 13) and John Come Kisse Me Now. Tickets include a glass of wine in The Saloon during the interval and an opportunity to view some of the other state rooms in the hall. Call 01328 713111, or visit www. holkham.co.uk.

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Picture by Nick Woolgar

ELECTRONIC ARTS Innovative 3D mapping, light and visual installations and emerging electronic artists in redundant architecture is the intriguing promise of new electronic arts concept Derelicht, launching in Suffolk on June 15. The organisers have already secured its first venue but can confirm that details are being kept firmly under wraps for obvious reasons (but suffice to say it will be at a secret location in Ipswich)! Artists will include Sian (Octopus), Auntie Flo and ThermalBear. Organisers are planning further events in Norfolk and Suffolk in July and August.

Visit www.derelicht.com.

VERDI The Pakefield Singers will be performing Verdi’s Requiem on June 22, with the Kingfisher Sinfonia, in Great Yarmouth St Nicholas Minster, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Guiseppe Verdi. 2013 is a significant year for the Pakefield Singers as it marks the 10th anniversary of the choir’s founding and much has been achieved in that time. Soloists include Americanborn soprano, Mardi Byers’, dramatic mezzosoprano Cheri Rose Katz, English tenor Jeff Stewart and the South African baritone George Stevens. Visit www.pakefieldsingers.com or call 01502 573733.

OPEN GARDEN A dozen private gardens in one of the most beautiful parts of Norfolk will be open for viewing on June 23, when popular event of Ludham Open Gardens returns to the Broadland village. Many of the gardens which are open have river access and seven ferries - some for disabled passengers - will be operating to take visitors to the gardens on the other side of Womack Water. Lunches, teas and cakes will be available on both sides of the Broad, with cream teas at Little Holland. Call 01692 678560.

WHAT'S ON

Monthly Round Up

CONTROVERSIAL PLAY Fallen in Love, the controversial story of Anne Boleyn’s incestuous relationship with her brother, will be performed at the site of her trial and execution, the Tower of London.

Red Rose Chain’s site-specific play, starring Emma Connell and Scott Ellis and directed by Joanna Carrick, will bring history to life on June 1, June 8 to 9, and June 13 to 16. It will also be performed at Gippeswyk Hall, the beautiful home of Red Rose Chain in Ipswich, on June 4 to 6. Call 0844 800 3371 or visit www. redrosechain.com.

Jake Humphrey

COUNTY SHOW In case, by some inexplicable reason, it is still not on your radar, the Royal Norfolk Show takes places on June 26 and 27, at the Norfolk Showground. This year Jake Humphrey, the face of Premier League football on BT sport who grew up in Norwich, has been appointed president.

Visit www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk POP-UP AT THE BIG TOP Roll up, roll up for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a themed afternoon tea in the circus ring where Houdini escaped from his bonds and Charlie Chaplin delighted Great Yarmouth audiences.

To celebrate the 110th birthday of the Hippodrome, owner Peter Jay has teamed up with the kitchen magicians from the Assembly House in Norwich to offer a tantalising selection of dainty sandwiches, cakes and scones in a special circus-themed afternoon tea presented – all part of Pop-Up At The Big Top, a feast of circus entertainment on June 2. Visit www.popupnorfolk.co.uk.

39

Places&Faces® | JUNE 2013

WEST END REVIEW

Book of Mormon

Mormonumental It’s the hit of the year but is that simply because it is shocking? Benet Catty is ready to be appalled at The Book of Mormon

40

PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

T

he theatre is usually a place for opinions rather than facts but this year there is one theatrical fact that cannot be disputed: The Book of Mormon is a huge hit.

Matt Stone and Trey Parker's musical comedy, written with Avenue Q's Robert Lopez, has been propelled across the Atlantic by laughter, awards, and the New York Times hailing it ‘the musical of the century’. Its advertising budget seems to dwarf the national debt and it has been the first show to run full page ads entirely devoted to tweets written by members of the public.

It is now certain to be the biggest commercial hit to emanate from Broadway since Hairspray and with the biggest buzz since The Producers. But where those shows had the star turns of Michael Ball and Nathan Lane to boost their arrivals (and never quite survived their exits), with Mormon the only star is the show itself.

To take one’s seat in the theatre is to set oneself up for chronic disappointment: nothing with so much hype can possibly match it, right? Wrong.

Everything everyone says is true. It's fun, funny, catchy, quirky, sincere and incredibly well staged. It has the best ensemble cast of any West End musical since Jerry Springer - The Opera a decade ago. And it treats the audience as grown ups, with a self-awareness and an intellectual integrity that should shame most of the poor crop of new musicals that opened in London last season.

A group of perpetually-smiling young Mormon missionaries are sent to Uganda to convert the natives to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Their only

reference point to Africa is The Lion King and their only experience of struggle is whitening their teeth and, in some cases, asserting their sexualities. They get a rude awakening (in several senses) but in trying to understand the people they find they come to better understand themselves.

Ok, so the tribes people triumphantly chant that God should go forth and multiply (or words to that effect). And yes, one of them does say - in the (authentic) belief that sex with a virgin will save him from the scourge of AIDS – ‘I'm going to go and rape a baby’. This isn't Annie.

So is it really just a show for young folk who want to wallow in the bad taste?

Scandal is in the eye of the beholder. But from my seat, The Book of Mormon struck me as more warm-hearted than naughty, more happy than heretical. There's no nudity, no sex, no drugs, and it has much less swearing than Jerry.

Instead it takes a sizeable swig of Monty Python's cocktail of satire and silliness, aided by Scott Pask's design which reinstates the painted backdrop to the West End musical for the first time since Spamalot.

It's a spoofy, hall-of-mirrors style satire in which the Africans sing cheerfully ‘80 per cent of us have AIDS’, the goofy guy is (inevitably) fat and the Americans know nothing about anything. This is not That Was the Week That Was. Anyone who finds offence in a character called General Butt-F***er Naked or who gets flustered by the translation of Hasa Diga Eebowai (in the show's Hakuna Matata spoof ) should have read about the show before buying a ticket.

Whether you personally find this kind of thing funny or not, it seems silly to take offence when seen in the context of a show that wears its brain as clearly on its hat as it does its heart on its sleeve.

Contrary to the wholesome reputation of the art form, musicals have not been strangers to controversy down the years.

Oh Calcutta!, the first show to open after the censor was abolished, was awash with nudity and jokes about buggery.

It ran for nearly a decade.

I n f o r m at i o n

The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales, London Box office: 0844 482 5115

So did Hair, disproportionately remembered for a nude scene in which students protested Vietnam. It was probably never on a coach trip wish list for the WI. But it wasn't filth either.

Jerry Springer - The Opera was an award-laden hit, but those who used the amount of swearing as a stick with which to beat the writers (apparently never having seen the expletive-heavy talk show it was based on) missed the point as resoundingly as Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee hit their target.

Like those shows, Mormon's rudenesses are not scattergun, they are precisely targeted. In any league of bad taste seen on West End stages in the last few decades The Book of Mormon is some way down the list because it is so clearly a cartoon with a brain, not a shock-fest with an agenda.

The only question that should really matter to anybody is whether it's good. And it is.

To call it the musical of the century may be a bit far fetched. But to call it the entertainment of the year understates the considerable achievement of a show that is so expertly crafted, so intelligent and so joyous.

If you think you're going to take offence, don't buy a ticket. You probably can't get one anyway. Tough s***. (No offence.)

placesandfaces.co.uk

41

The whole hotel has benefited from a major refurbishment to the interior and exterior updating the rooms to the highest standard.

The Cliff Hotel provides a unique venue surrounded by a scenic sea view. The Cliff Hotel is licensed to hold civil ceremonies catering for weddings of all sizes.

Packages include function room hire,buffets,a full sit-down meal, DJ and accomodation.

01493 662179 www.thecliffhotel.co.uk Cliff Hill, Gorleston-on-Sea Great Yarmouth, NR31 6DH

eon Lunch ble y a d Sun g Advisa in Book Table d’ote menu Three courses and coffee Large choice of Fish and Roasts served to your table Free parking available - ask at reception North Drive, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1EG Tel: 01493 844568 Email: enquiries@burlington-hotel.co.uk

Live Music (4-7pm)

Relax and enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in our new modern sleek bar which also has an all weather garden terrace overlooking the glorious Gorleston sandy beach and harbour.

For Accommodation, Functions, Weddings, Parties, Evening Meals, Sunday Luncheons and Bar Snacks.

2nd June Toccatta 9th June Emma 16th June Maria 23rd June Tosh 30th June Carl Noble

WHAT'S ON

W H AT ' S O N

Marina Theatre

St George's Theatre

Theatrical treats The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft continues to offer a packed programme of events right through to the autumn. Sarah Hardy previews what’s coming up

W

ell, doesn’t the Marina, one of my favourite venues in our region, continue to punch above its weight?

For such a small venue, on the road to nowhere, it attracts big time musicals, a world famous orchestra and leading comics – plus just about everything in-between.

The venue, now charmingly restored to its former glory – actually, probably better than its former glory - has a busy June on offer. Leading cross over band Blake performs this month, on June 21, Al Murray Pub Landlord calls in on June 17 and there’s that master of the tickling stick, Ken Dodd, in residence on June 9.

And then it’s time to start looking at the autumn where offerings are as varied as always.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra continues its regular season, with a concert on September 14 called A Little Night Music.

Featuring music by Stephen Sondheim and Cole Porter, vocalists Anna Jane Casey and Graham Bickley will delight with these catchy tunes and quirky lyrics! David Firmer conducts.

And for something completely different, Jedward, that zany Irish duo who shot to fame on The X Factor, appear on September 24 with their Young Love tour. It is one of just six dates in Britain so don’t miss out but do be ready for their crazy capers!

Comedy fans are well catered for with appearances from two leading names. Andy Parsons, who started his comic career as a writer on Spitting Image, arrives on October 10 while Adam Hills from Australia, you’ll have seen him on The Last Leg, arrives on November 9.

Leading celebrity chef Leslie Waters arrives with the Ready Steady Cook tour on October 16 and promises plenty of audience participation as all you keen cooks get to test your knowledge and skill.

Then the mega popular musical, The Buddy Holly Story, rolls into town from October 28 to November 2. With hit numbers such as That’ll Be The Day, Oh Boy and Shout, the show tells the story of this inspirational singer whose short life had such impact.

The RPO (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) returns with a tribute to Lowestoft-born composer Benjamin Britten on November 29.

Called Brilliant Britten: A Centenary Celebration, it offers some of Britten’s finest pieces including Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal and What The Wild Flowers Tells Me. Nicholas Cleobury conducts with David Butt Philip as tenor.

And then, of course, before you know it, it is panto time. This year it is that real family favourite Cinderella with its glass slippers, pumpkins, handsome princes and horrid sisters! TV star Amanda Barrie, famous for Coronation Street and Bad Girls, is playing the Fairy Godmother and will spread plenty of festive joy. It runs from December 17 to January 4 and is a thorough treat for all ages.

So, time to get your diaries out and start booking those tickets.

The Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, call 01502 533200, visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk

53

Places&Faces® | JUNE 2013

W h a t ’ s On

Keane, playing at Newmarket

Summer Shows

The lights go up when the sun goes down There’s something special about summer events in our part of the region.

Emma Outten looks at the open-air concerts and summer theatres that keep us entertained when the heat is on

S

Paloma Faith, playing at Thetford

urrounded by picnic blankets and with the sun beginning to set behind the trees – it can only mean one thing: the stage is set for another great open-air concert at Thetford Forest.

We do seem to do open-air concerts well in our part of the region, not to mention summer theatres and end-ofthe-pier summer specials. This part of the region, with its woodland clearings and seaside, has it all.

This year at Thetford Forest, Forest Live takes place in June and July and boasts an eclectic mix of acts performing in the spectacular forest location as part of the annual concert series arranged by the Forestry Commission.

The headline acts are James, Blondie, Paloma Faith, The Script, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello and the Imposters (is it greedy to be going three nights in a row, I’m wondering?!)

Rachael Miller, Event Manager for the Forestry Commission, says: ‘Attracting such big names means many people will be coming along to a forest concert for the very first time and research has shown they will return again to take part in fun recreational activities in the forest like mountain-biking and walking.

‘Money raised from the concerts is spent on improving Thetford Forest for both people and wildlife, so concert-goers are doing their bit to help the environment too.'

At nearby Newmarket, there is the Adnams Newmarket Nights series of concerts. This year the artists announced include Simple Minds, The Big Pop Party, Madness, Labrinth, Kaiser Chiefs, Keane (I’m particularly looking forward to that one!) and Meatloaf.

Back here in Norfolk we also have special one-off shows. At Blickling we have Cliff Richard to look forward to this month as well as an open-air performance of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, and at Holkham Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will be playing in August. Similarly, Holkham also has outdoor theatre events such as As You Like It and Treasure Island.

Celia Deeley, Enterprises Manager at Holkham Estate, says: ‘There is always an interesting range of events throughout the summer at Holkham Hall from a variety of outdoor theatre productions in the courtyard to the annual open air concert.

These events attract large crowds when everyone is able to bring along a picnic and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere in the park. We plan a programme which has broad appeal to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy.’

As detailed in last month’s Places & Faces, we also know how to throw a festival, and details of the first shows have been announced for this year’s Holt Festival which takes place in

www.forestry.gov.uk www.newmarketracecourse.co.uk www.holtfestival.org www.holkham.co.uk www.derelicht.com www.southwoldtheatre.org www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com www.cromer-pier.com www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Derelicht Blondie, playing at Thetford

the north Norfolk town in July. The whole of this charming Georgian country town is taken over as the streets and venues come alive with activity. For this fifth year the Festival organisers have planned two full days of events in the beautiful Theatre In The Woods at Gresham’s School.

The line-up includes John Major, The Proclaimers, The Britten Sinfonia, and Rich Hall. Holt Festival Director Delaval Astley says: ‘Holt Festival has become an important fixture on the cultural calendar in the summer. Small in scale and broad in scope, with the ambition to book performers who are at the heart of the nation’s cultural life, its appeal is in part its diversity and quality, but just as much it is in its warmth.’

At the end of the Holt Festival is a bonus event: the Summer Jazz Picnic at Holt Hall – see our competition for how you can win tickets for this super summery event!

A new summer event for this part of the region is the intriguing Derelicht. By using abandoned structures, redundant architecture and spaces not normally identified with these types of events, Derelicht hopes to provide mind-blowing backdrops that will provide a uniqueness and sense of

exploration to each electronic arts event. Launching in June, in Suffolk, where three artists will each play a three-hour set, Derelicht has already secured its first venue but details are being kept firmly under wraps. The plan is that it will then come to further venues in Norfolk and Suffolk in July and August.

The other event we excel at are the summer theatres.

Sheringham Little Theatre, for one, is home to one of the last traditional Seaside Summer Repertory season, which always runs between July and September, and offers a whole range of entertainment for locals and visitors alike.

Director Debbie Thompson says: ‘We make sure there is a strong programme of comedies, farces, thrillers and classics to appeal to everyone and we arrange midweek changeovers so those on holidays can enjoy two different shows in one week.

‘We get lots of phone calls asking what plays are on as people plan their holidays around the season. I am pleased to say that Summer Rep is not only surviving but thriving in Sheringham!’

The Southwold and Aldeburgh Summer Theatre is always popular. This year opens off with An Inspector Calls in July, and closes with Sleuth in September. And there is also a Southwold and Aldeburgh Children’s Show Season, which is rather nice.

Finally, summer wouldn’t be summer if there wasn’t an endof-the-pier Seaside Special somewhere along our coastline.

The Pavilion Theatre, at the end of Cromer Pier, is home to the incomparable Seaside Special show, said to be one of the best live variety shows in England. Running from June to September, this year’s shows – Variety Dotcom and Strictly Seaside - promise something for everyone.

With such diverse events on offer, from the middle of a forest to the end of the pier, there’s no time like the present to get booking.

As You Like It, outdoor theatre at Holkham

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Sian aUnTie FlO ThermalBear [OCTOPUS]

Secret Location, iPSwich Sat 15th June 2013 10:00Pm - 05:00am ticketS www.reSidentadviSor.net www.dereLicht.com

WHAT'S ON

Summer Shows A sunny day, a picturesque setting in north Norfolk, an afternoon of quality swing jazz music and a picnic packed for family and friends. What more could you desire?

T C OM P E T I T I O N SWING JAZZ PICNIC – HOLT HALL Win two tickets to the concert plus a picnic for two from Byford's in Holt and a bottle of champagne from Adnams

To enter our competition, simply answer the following question:

*

Name the artist topping the bill at this year’s Swing Jazz Picnic at Holt Hall

* Send your answer to the SJP concert producer Chris Bailey, of EMS, at chris@ems4events.co.uk

*

Please mark your entry P&F

*

The closing date is June 30. The editor’s decision is final and normal P&F competition rules apply

he fourth annual ‘Swing Jazz Picnic’ is to be held at Holt Hall on July 28 and is a bonus event at the end of the very popular Holt Festival.

Singer Gary Winter once again tops the bill with his eight-piece swing band The Winter Collection, and will delight the audience with his mix of swing standards from the likes of Sinatra, Buble, Ray Charles and many more. Plus new arrangements of popular tunes to ensure the foot-tapping goes on throughout the four hours of entertainment.

In support this year there is also music from jazz vocalist Samantha Larkin with her quartet performing numbers by Madeline Peyroux, Norah Jones and others, plus special guest The Jack Austin Quartet and singer/ guitarist Ron Sayer.

And adding to the musical mirth is Norfolk’s number one entertainer Olly Day who will be your MC for the show.

The audience are all invited to bring their own food, drink, chairs, rugs and cushions – there will be some refreshment stalls selling hot drinks, ice-creams and delicious local Norfolk strawberries, plus a licensed bar.

So pack a picnic, grab your friends and get ready to party in the beautiful ambience of Holt Hall, located just one mile north of Holt town centre on the Kelling Road.

Tickets are just £15 with under-five’s admitted free – so bring the family, there is a children’s play area next to the arena.

Gates open at 1pm with the music from 2pm to 6pm, and parking is free.

Book online at www.gary-winter.com, at Norwich Theatre Royal 01603 630000; or at the Information Centres in Holt, Wells, Cromer and Sheringham.

Would you like to join the fun? One lucky reader will win two tickets plus a picnic for two courtesy of Byford’s in Holt with a bottle of champagne from Adnams.

Places & Faces Ad v2:Layout 1

8/5/13

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Page 1

THE VICTORIA

New look, new menu and new rooms

The Victoria, Park Road, Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1RG Email victoria@holkham.co.uk Telephone 01328 711008

www.holkham.co.uk/victoria

WHAT'S ON

St George's Theatre

WALK THE LINE TO ST GEORGE’S IN JULY We may be heading into the height of summer but there’s still a good few things to look forward to at St George’s Theatre in July, says Emma Outten

It promises a marriage of legend and fact, of musical storytelling, art, photography, film, drama and dance, and a chance to learn about the history and stories related to the life and death of this amazing woman.

So prepare to be charmed by L’Inconnue and all of the rumours of her life: the unrequited love affairs and murder theories and a man who would change the world forever, just because he looked upon her face. The Legend of L’Inconnue stars Faye Hanson, David Norfolk, Louise Smith and featuring Mario Price on violin.

This is swiftly followed by The Johnny Cash Roadshow, on July 27. It’s the only show to be recognised and endorsed by the Cash family – granddaughter Caitlin Crowell comments ‘Clive captures my grandfather JUST as he was’ - and is regarded as the one of the UK’s best tribute acts. Fronted by respected singer/songwriter Clive John, with The Spirit Band, the Roadshow also features ‘June Carter’. It will take the audience from the 50s right up to 2002 and all the stops in-between.

All the greatest hits are included: Ring of Fire, Walk the Line as well as the Johnny and June duets, Jackson, Long Legged Guitar Pickin’ Man and many more.

Finally, on July 28, there will be a Showcase of Escalator Music Artists, featuring Adriano Adewale plus supports.

Rooted in the musical traditions of Nigeria, Angola and Brazil and infused with contemporary European classical and jazz styles, percussionist and composer Adriano’s music is a global fusion of musical influences.

Adriano was born in Brazil, and for many years he was known as Adriano Pinto, a colonial name he received at birth. It was after he visited Africa to discover his roots that he changed his name to Adriano Adewale Itauna, from the Yoruba-Nigeria and Tupi Guarani-Brazil respectively.

He moved to England in 2000 and formed his first UK band Sambura, which released one album, Cru. Performing in various festivals and venues, Adriano was introduced to Antonio Forcione and soon became part of the Antonio Forcione Quartet, who perform all over the world. He has shared a stage with Seu Jorge, Modeste Hughes, Netsavi Chigwendere, Oliver Mtukudz, Tcheka and Jools Holland.

Chris Moore, general manager of St George’s, says: 'We are having a great time at St George’s. Each month sees us expanding our audience and for anyone who hasn’t visited yet this summer should be the time you make a trip into Great Yarmouth to see this stunning new venue which is a real jewel for Norfolk.'

A

legendary story and one of the UK’s best tribute acts - to the legend that is Johnny Cash - are just two of the sizzling offerings at St George’s in July.

To kick things off, though, ‘As seen on BBC The One Show’ is not a bad opener for the month of July at St George’s Theatre in Yarmouth!

The Sounds of Simon is a tribute to the marvellous music of Simon and Garfunkel, so you can lose yourself to nostalgia as a full band play such classics as Mrs Robinson, The Boxer, The Sounds of Silence and You Can Call Me Al, as well as all the others that have established Paul Simon as one of the most successful songwriters of all time. Both he and Art Garfunkel are played to perfection in this show, on July 6.

Then we leap ahead to July 25 and 26, when The Legend of L’Inconnue (‘The Unknown Woman of the Seine’) comes to St George’s, following sell-out performances in Dublin and Stavanger (and before going to Paris). Mulberry Hawk recreates this incredible story, of a young girl who in life achieved so little – yet in death, her face was to become the most kissed of all time.

Call 01493 331484 or visit www.stgeorgestheatre.com

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W H AT ' S O N

The Rocky Horror Show

Let’s Do the Time Warp Again!... and again… and again Clara Steel celebrates 40 years of The Rocky Horror Show as it arrives in Norwich this month

The Rocky Horror Show is performed at Norwich Theatre Royal from June 3 to 8. Call 01603 630000.

W

hen actor Richard O’Brien sat down and indulged his passions for dubious science fiction, 1950s B class horror films, Marvel Comics and rock ‘n’ roll to create the sort of musical piece he would like to see himself, little did he realise that it would become a worldwide phenomenon, and still on an upward spiral after 40 years!

O’Brien was appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1973 and impressed its director Jim Sharman with his three-chord rock musical, then snappily titled They Came From Denton High. Sharman struck a deal with London’s prestigious experimental Royal Court Theatre, whereby he gave them a new main house show, provided he could have space in the small Theatre Upstairs to put on O’Brien’s play.

Oh! Calcutta! producer Michael White came on board and The Rocky Horror Show opened in June 1973 to fabulous reviews and enthusiastic and appreciative audiences. It was named Plays and Players’ Best New Musical of 1973 and also the Evening Standard’s Best Musical the same year. The show that was only meant to be ‘a bit of fun’ moved rapidly through ever larger theatres until, just short of 3000 performances, it ended its initial London run at the Comedy Theatre in September 1980.

Meanwhile, American record producer and songwriter Lou Adler had not only taken the stage show to America, but had also rapidly secured a film deal. The film was shot in six weeks to a $1 million budget. The stage show opened in Los Angeles in March 1974 then, in 1975, as a promotion for the release of the film, the show had a rather disastrous run on Broadway, closing after only three previews and 45 performances. The theatre was not really intimate enough, and New York critics were

not impressed. It looked as if it might be the same story when the film was released in September 1975, but then a curious phenomenon was observed – a small section of the audience kept coming back. This was just the start of the audience participation which has turned Rocky Horror into a worldwide cult.

By the end of 1977, going to see the film had become a multi-media event, a party where you arrived in costume, threw rice, danced the ‘Time Warp’ in the cinema aisles and, in at least one case, even got married! Such highlyevolved audience participation is now completely de rigeur in countries such as the UK, where the show has been running almost continuously since the 1970s. There have been many European tours, and Rocky Horror has been performed in over thirty countries and translated into more than twenty languages.

Richard O’Brien himself was the original Riff-Raff in London and on Broadway, with Tim Curry as the outrageous Dr Frank-N-Furter. Julie Covington played Janet and Patricia Quinn, Magenta in London and, when the show crossed the Atlantic, Meatloaf took on the roles of Eddie and Dr Scott. He reprised his stage roles in the film, as did Richard O’Brien, Tim Curry and Patricia Quinn, while the all-American couple Brad and Janet were played by Americans Barry Bostwick and a young Susan Sarandon.

Stage productions since then have featured a veritable galaxy of star actors: Tracey Ullman played Janet in London in 1980; Anthony Head replaced Tim McInnerny as Frank in the 1991 West End revival; Marina Sirtis played Magenta in a 1985 European touring production before joining the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation; Russell Crowe played Eddie and Dr Scott on a 1986 New Zealand tour, later understudying Frank in Australia – a part he got to play for just one week! The show has lured in Olympic champions (Robin Cousins as Frank in 1995) and talk-show hosts (Jerry Springer as Narrator in the early

1980s). Joan Jett played Columbia in the 2000 Broadway production, and other celebrity Franks in the UK have included Jason Donovan and Bobby Crush.

Rocky Horror has permeated every level of popular culture in the past 40 years. In 1990 Los Angeles had a designated ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show Day’ while, four years later, the stage show celebrated its 21st birthday at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre. Its second Broadway run opened in October 2000, ran for two years and was nominated for four Tony awards. In 2005 the ‘Rocky Horror Trivia Game’ was released and,’ in 2010 in California, 8239 people danced the ‘Time Warp’ to get themselves into the Guinness Book of Records.

This gender-bending extravaganza has never been just Eisenhower-era couple meets decadent 1970s. For many people it was both liberating and empowering, and the combination of elements from comic book to rock ‘n’ roll really did mean that the show would appeal to a wide cross-section, something, as Richard O’Brien himself said, ‘that any 10-year old could enjoy’. He has also said that his own favourite line from Rocky Horror is ‘It’s not easy having a good time’. But, speaking on behalf of 40 years of grateful audiences, thanks to you Mr O’Brien, it absolutely is.

"Richard O’Brien himself was the original

Riff-Raff in London and

on Broadway, with outrageous

Tim Curry as the

Dr Frank-N-Furter."

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Places&Faces速 | JUNE 2013

Glamour & Glitz A new exhibition at Holkham Hall takes you behind the scenes of the heady world of high society fashion. Style seeker Sarah Hardy takes a look

Viscountess Coke on her wedding day

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PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

What’s On

Glamour and Gowns

A Flamenco style dress owned by Viscountess Coke

Belinda Bellville in her office, 1962

Belinda Bellville and David Sassoon with a model, 1962

E

very summer Holkham Hall stages an exhibition, in a bid - as Lord Coke says - to add a little something else to tempt visitors to his stately home in north Norfolk. And this year’s, called Glamour and Gowns, is sure to be a real hit as it tells the story of one of Britain’s most successful haute couture designers – whose client list is a real who’s who – and who just happens to be the mother of Polly, the current Viscountess Coke.

Belinda Bellville spent 50 years as one of the country’s leading designers, producing glorious ball gowns and designer dresses for members of the royal family, stars of the stage and screen and leading socialites. She was the co-founder, with David Sassoon, of Britain's foremost couture label Bellville Sassoon, and even produced the going away outfit for Diana, Princess of Wales.

As she explains: ‘Not many people were doing what we did.

We wanted to be a bit more daring, to push the boundaries a little.’

Her daughter, Viscountess Coke, who has inherited her mother’s design ability as she is a milliner, adds: ‘We have had such fun putting this exhibition together and it has made me realise just how much mum achieved. I am so grateful that we could show some of her designs here at Holkham.’

Now around 20 of her dresses, all beautifully created by hand, are on show in the Statue Gallery and each has a fascinating story. There is the 1980s wedding dress of Sophie Coltman-Rogers, Polly’s sister, and Polly’s own wedding dress from the 1990s. And there’s a fabulous long sea green taffeta dress which Valeria, Viscountess Coke wore for a ball held in the days leading up to the royal wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer.

The dresses on display have been kindly lent by Lady Anne Glenconner, Valeria Viscountess Coke, Camilla West (was Bellville), Lady Carey Basset, Sophie Coltman-Rogers as well as Belinda Bellville and Viscountess Coke.

In addition, drawings, patterns and photographs create a fascinating insight into Belinda's glittering career and provide much for visitors, especially fashion lovers, to enjoy.

The exhibition can be viewed until October 31 on a Sunday, Monday and Thursday from noon to 4pm.

Call 01328 710227 or visit www.holkham.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk

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Parcels of Delight This month Mark Dixon, head chef at the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth, offers us a colourful lunch dish for the summer months

Picture by PAUL SHREEVE

Recipe

IMPERIAL HOTEL

RE C I P E

Goats’ Cheese and Spinach Filo Parcels with a Red Pepper Sauce, Confit Tomatoes and a Basil Pesto Goats’ cheese filo parcels Serves 6

Ingredients Goats’ cheese filo parcels 600g of spinach, washed 1 white onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp olive oil A small pinch of chilli flakes Pinch of cumin 4 x 1cm thick slices of goats' cheese (outer skin removed) 8 sheets filo pastry 100g of melted butter

*

Red pepper sauce 50g of butter 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1/2 large onion, diced 2 tomatoes, chopped 3 red peppers, sliced 12 leaves of fresh basil Salt and pepper

*

Heat the oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Steam the spinach until wilted then squeeze out any juice and chop roughly. Fry the onion in the olive oil with the chilli and cumin until soft. Stir in the spinach, and then remove from the heat, season and cool.

To make the parcels, lay a sheet of filo on a flat surface and brush with melted butter. Lay another sheet on top, brush with more butter.

Put a slice of goats’ cheese in the centre of the pastry, and pile half the spinach on top. Pull one side of the pastry over the top of the spinach.

Brush the pastry with butter again, then pull the opposite side over and press down lightly. Brush once more with butter.

Red pepper sauce Sweat off all the ingredients in a pan, adding a little water as required. Cook for around 25-30 minutes until very soft. Check seasoning, blend in a liquidiser and pass through a sieve.

Confit Tomatoes Take 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes and cut then all in half. Chop some fresh garlic and thyme, season with salt and pepper and place in the oven at 130C for 20-25 minutes. Keep warm.

Basil pesto Place all the ingredients into a mixer, slowly adding the olive oil. Mix until smooth.

Place the parcels on a large serving dish and spoon all the sauces carefully around them.

Serve with a crispy salad.

Wine Choice

2006 Chateau Briatte, Sauternes, France Nick Mobbs, director and wine expert at the Imperial Hotel, says: You may be aware that I usually recommend a sauvignon blanc grape from the upper reaches of the Loire valley such as a Menetou Salon or Pouilly Fume to go with a goats’ cheese dish as the cheese and wine share similar acid ratios.

However, we recently had a Prestige Night dinner at the Imperial Hotel where we served some remarkably fine wines. One of my jobs on these kinds of occasions is to taste all the wines before we serve them – and that can be up to 50 bottles.

Halfway through this tasting, my palette was feeling a bit jaded so I helped myself to a spot of goats’ cheese – just as I was tasting a 2008 PulignyMontrachet 1er Cru les Referts, Olivier Leflaive, Burgundy.

And, was the match wonderful?!

This vineyard lies next to Meursault Charmes, and its richer soils give the wine additional weight and gravitas. The wine has the classic hallmarks of top Puligny: white flowers and stony scent, with flavour concentration, creamy weight and minerality are all there in spades, to be unfurled in time.

Confit tomatoes 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 1 tbsp of fresh thyme, chopped

*

Basil pesto 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 1/4 cup of pine nuts 2/3 cup of extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 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

www.cafecru.co.uk

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

CE L EBRAT IN G

25

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06/03/2013 10:58

Franck Pontais

A d esse rt fr o m Prove nc e This month our French chef

RECIPE

SER V ES 1 5

A blackcurrant

mousse topped with a creamy lemon posset and fresh mango jam. Serve with lemon and lavender shortbread biscuits

Franck Pontais shares one of his favourite summer

Method

puddings with us

blackcurrant mousse Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water.

Heat half of the blackcurrant puree with half of the double cream and half of the sugar.

Dissolve the gelatine into the mix and add in the remaining cream and puree.

Beat the egg whites to a soft peak and add in the remaining sugar.

Fold gently in the blackcurrant mix and pipe into the glass. Leave to chill.

Ingredients blackcurrant mousse 400g of blackcurrant puree 400g of double cream 40g of caster sugar 125g of egg whites 4 gelatine leaves lemon posset 500ml of double cream 120g of caster sugar 100ml of lemon juice

fresh mango jam 3 mangos Juice of 1 lemon 100ml of water 60g of caster sugar lavender and lemon shortbread 800g of unsalted butter 420g of caster sugar 950g of plain flour 30g of lemon zest 30g of dried lavender 1 pinch of salt

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

lemon posset Boil the cream and sugar for three minutes, stirring continuously.

Remove from the heat to cool slightly then add the lemon juice.

Pour on top of the blackcurrant mousse. fresh mango jam Proceed as a normal jam and chill lavender and lemon shortbread Mix slowly together with a wooden spoon until a dough is formed. Roll out on a floured surface until the mixture is 2cm thick. Then cut into fingers and bake for 15 minutes at 180C.

Let our French chef cook for your private dinner parties, and for those who really enjoy cooking, he also offers master classes, for all abilities, in your own home.

More information is available on his new website, www. franckpontais.com

Places&Faces速 | JUNE 2013

Location, Location, Location Make the most of a restaurant in a simply stunning

setting, says Sarah Hardy, as she dines out at the Waterside in the Broads The Waterside opens for dinner every Friday and Saturday in June and every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in July and August. Call 01493 740531 or visit www.thewatersiderollesby.co.uk for more.

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PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

RESTAURANT REVIEW

The Waterside Rollesby

T

he Waterside must have one of the best locations of any restaurant in Norfolk. Nestling gently on Rollesby Broad, the newish restaurant (which opened in April 2010) has a fabulous terrace which is a near perfect spot on a fine summer evening.

And it’s exactly where we headed when we arrived for supper. There’s nothing quite like having a cool glass of wine in the evening sun, knowing that there’s a great meal to follow!

After a day of cleaning out the garage, (sorry, real life can be so tedious, I know) I was delighted to have a night out with my husband – and especially as we were heading to The Waterside where people tend to make a bit of an effort and dress up.

As we quaffed our fizz and chatted over this, that and the other, we could feel ourselves relax and realise that life needn’t always be hard work!

The wildlife – you might spot a heron while bitterns are visitors, too - was settling down for the night as we had a good look at the menu which is well priced and offers a good choice of dishes.

Much emphasis is placed on local produce and suppliers. Fish, for example, arrives daily from Lowestoft, while the meat is from nearby farms. And as for the vegetables, well, they simply jump out of the surrounding fields! It really doesn’t get much fresher!

All too soon it was time to move indoors, although there was a very jolly atmosphere inside as the restaurant stages regular live music evenings and we struck lucky with Barry and his guitar!

He worked his way through plenty of jazz standards and more contemporary tunes to keep the diners – and the restaurant was full – in high spirits.

The kitchen team at The Waterside offer well presented and imaginative food. Starters, at £6.95, included a soup of the day and a ham and mushroom terrine, although I tried a warm wild mushroom and spinach tart with goat’s cheese and a tarragon cream dressing which was very enjoyable. The tangy mushrooms retained a bit of a bite which contrasted well with the creamy cheese.

Himself had the tempura battered tiger prawns with a tomato and coriander salsa and sweet chilli dressing which were demolished in record time!

I moved on to slow roasted pork belly, potato rosti, braised red cabbage, curly kale and plum and port puree at £15.95. It was quite a portion, as indeed all dishes seem to be, and was very tasty, especially the sharp puree which brought out the succulent pork to perfection. Kale is very ontrend at present and is, of course, so good for you, too.

My better half went for a seabass fillet with a basil potato cake, wilted spinach, wild mushroom fricassee and tempura battered cod cheeks – all for £15.95. It was a very attractive delight which tasted, I was assured, as good as it looked.

Other mains included a classic sirloin steak, honey roast chicken, loin of tuna and a couple of vegetarian options such as a tomato, basil and feta cheese tart. It’s always a good sign when vegetarians are well catered for as it means the restaurant takes all its diners seriously.

Despite the aforementioned big portions, we fancied puddings so I had a vanilla pannacotta with seasonal fruit coulis which was lovely and creamy – especially with the added fruity hit – while my husband had the daily crumble, this time a pear number. And he was beaten which doesn’t happen often. I couldn’t even volunteer to help him out which is pretty unusual, too.

The wine list is impressive, with the House Wine representing very good value at £3.20 per glass and there are several real ales from Wolf Brewery near Attleborough.

Overall, this is an unstuffy, friendly place. The interior is fresh and airy and the menu makes the most of Norfolk produce. It’s a great success story for the group of local entrepreneurs who spotted a plot of land for sale and simply thought: ‘What a great spot for a tea room!’

It has gone from strength to strength, achieved a loyal following in just a few years and there are yet more plans for 2014 – you heard it here first!

placesandfaces.co.uk

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Santé This month our wine writer Poppy Seymour heads to the French port of Marseillan where the wine is ‘très jolie’

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W

e touch down in Carcassonne and welcome the blast of Languedocien heat as the aircraft doors open. But there is no time to linger in this magnificent fortified city.

Instead, we leap into our hire car and head south-east towards the small, busy port of Marseillan.

The original ‘cave’ was founded in 1935 in Marseillan, the first port in the Thau Basin. In 1998 came the amalgamation with neighbouring producers in Marseillan Plage and Agde, an event which brought together some 450 growers. They chose their name from the legendary Henri Richet, a Marseillan wine-maker who made his fortune from the sea-borne wine trade.

Early marketeers soon adopted the name Henri de Richemer for their newly founded society and chose for their logo the hippocampe (seahorse), a local resident that thrives alongside the oysters in the lagoon.

We are greeted by our host, Jean-Pierre, with a wide smile and an invitation to tour the winery before embarking on our muchanticipated tasting. Five minutes later we are 100 feet up on the roof! ‘This is almost the best view of the port,’ J-P assures us.

‘Unless you’d like to climb the ladder on the big storage tank for a spectacular 360°C panorama?’ One glance at the ancient vertical climbing apparatus clinging perilously to the side of one of the mega-tanks and we declined his enthusiastic offer.

Once back on terra firma, we view the impressive cathedral-like indoor storage tanks and are impressed by the sheer magnitude of the operation where massive pneumatic presses sit cheek-by-jowl with giant empty hoppers. Silent and eerie, they are lying in wait for harvest time, ready to spring into action when the newly-picked fruit arrives in the autumn and grape baskets mingle with boat masts in the heart of the port.

Ready for a sip by now, we head into their user-friendly tasting room where an array of bottles awaits us. Their range of wines is so wide that we have to be selective in our tasting and decide to focus on the local varieties first.

Marseillan

WINE REVIEW

"How could we resist the pretty

rosé, made from another local grape variety: marselan. Bright in colour with aromas of pink grapefruit on the nose, the palate is really refreshing and juicy - very more-ish"

We kick off with their new baby Terre et Mer, a sparkling wine made from the oldest vines of the local terret grape variety, Richemer’s speciality. Absolutely bursting with freshness, it is really lively on the palate and with a finish that is full of fruit and effervescence.

Many of Richemer’s vineyards nestle alongside the Mediterranean waterfront, which is largely composed of two types of sedimentary soil: tertiary (sand, clay) and quaternary (gravel).

This, combined with the special humidity and freshness from the Étang de Thau, creates a perfect environment for producing white wines.

First of the still whites is the native Picquepoul, pale and delicate in appearance, with an enticing citrusy, floral nose, then a real attack of citrus fruit on the palate and a mouth-tingling, lengthy finish. This has got to be one of the best wines you could find to accompany oysters which, conveniently, are produced in the adjacent lagoon.

Next we home in on the dry Muscat which seems to be a particular favourite with the locals. It has an intense nose distinguished by the floral hues that are so evocative of the aromatic muscat grape. In the mouth it is light and refreshing with a hint of lemongrass that would suggest pairing with Asian food.

Actually this wine is so delicious it would make a perfect apéritif to be savoured on its own or maybe with some fresh asparagus.

How could we resist the pretty rosé, made from another local grape variety: marselan. Bright in colour with aromas of pink grapefruit on the nose, the palate is really refreshing and juicy very more-ish.

Roseum is the second rosé and it comes in splendid magnum form, complete with seahorse label and silver medal award. A syrah/grenache blend this time. The nose is not dissimilar, with tangy citrusy aromas followed by a thirst-quenching palate that’s a touch drier than its predecessor. This is definitely one to sip on the patio or to enjoy with some plain grilled fish and a crisp salad.

The conversation turns to lunch but Jean-Pierre absolutely insists we try one of his reds and tempts us with Tempête de Saveurs, their top range cuvee made from grapes that are harvested and de-seeded by hand and then matured in oak barrels. It is named after the local storms that blow over the Thau Basin and the Mediterranean Sea. What a delight, a luscious blend of grenache and syrah with an elegant nose of ripe fruit and spice with a touch of warm leather. It is a complex, concentrated structure with seriously concentrated black cherry flavours and a bold, peppery finish – and it is probably worth decanting this one and serving alongside a good cheeseboard.

With taste-buds tingling we head to the aptly named Bistro du Soleil to indulge in their famous seafood platter. We stroll through the port and marvel at this pearl of a location where vines almost have their roots in the sea and oysters practically leap out of the Mediterranean onto your plate.

We’re planning our return trip already!

Poppy is an independent wine consultant offering expert advice on which wines to buy, whether for a celebration, investment purposes or simply quaffing! She will be delighted to hear from you so please feel free to contact her on 07760 793996 or poppy@belle-epoque-life.com for more information.

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61

Country Inn & Fine Dining

F o o d G a l l e r y : R estaurants & F o o d pr o duce

Orchard Farm Shop

The Vine Thai Restaurant

Albatros

We look forward to you visiting us at Orchard Farm Shop. Pork is reared on the farm and butchered in the shop, along with local lamb. We cater for your BBQ needs, including gluten-free sausages, gluten-free pork burgers and also low fat sausages.

Free range eggs collected daily, a selection of local jams, chutneys, honey, rape seed oil and apple juices. Low food miles and friendly service. Orders taken. Find us on the A146 five miles South of Norwich.

The smallest pub in Norwich, The Vine now has a reputation for not only serving some fine beers but also offering traditionally cooked Thai Cuisine. Exceptionally good Thai food lunchtimes and evenings. Families are welcome. We are now in The Good Beer Guide 2013. The only Thai restaurant in Norwich in the Good Food Guide.

Now with four pumps serving real ale.

Summer Beer Festival June 24-29 2013.

So why not give us a try and experience exceptionally good Thai food and a choice of some great real ales?

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

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.

Open: Monday-Saturday 11am-11pm A: The Vine, Dove Street, Norwich, NR2 1DE T: 01603 627362 W: www.vinethai.co.uk

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

River Green Café

Loch Fyne

The Kitchen Garden

Fine vegetarian food and drink Overlooking Trowse Village Green, just 10 minutes from Norwich City Centre.

River Green Café serves internationally inspired vegetarian and vegan food along with a selection of organic and locally sourced wines and beers.

Loch Fyne restaurant, famous for serving top quality fish and seafood dishes, has recently launched a new spring/summer menu, with freshness, seasonality and provenance in mind. All the fish and seafood Loch Fyne serve is sustainably sourced, and much of it comes from the Loch in Scotland, where the first restaurant opened in 1998. The new menu includes Loch Fyne’s signature dish, lobster bisque, made with the finest quality lobster meat and bream fillet, accompanied by scallops and clams. Some Loch Fyne favourites remain on the menu, such as Moules Marinières made with Scottish rope-grown mussels. There are also some fantastic options for vegetarians and those who prefer meat.

Whether an afternoon tea, a relaxing coffee, a quick cuppa, or a delicious light lunch you can now enjoy it all at The Kitchen Garden Restaurant at Somerleyton Hall.

All of our food is made by chef Stephen Duffield and his team, our terrines, cakes, pickles, chutneys, savoury jellies and sauces are all lovingly created using mainly local ingredients, these are sold in restaurants and farm shops as well as here at Somerleyton.

We have a separate entrance to Somerleyton Hall leading to the restaurant from the car park.

We are open until September 30 2013, daily except Mondays.

Open: Mon-Fri noon-10pm; Sat 10am-10.30pm; Sunday 10am-9.30pm A: 30-32 St Giles Street, Norwich, NR2 1LL T: 01603 723450 E: norwich@lochfyne.net

Open: Tue, Thu and Sun 10am-5pm; Wed, Fri and Sat 11am-4pm A: Somerleyton Hall, Suffolk, NR32 5QQ T: 01502 734907 or 07500 775606 W: www.somerleyton.co.uk

A: River Green Café, The Street, Trowse, Norwich, NR14 8AH T: 01603 622448 W: www.rivergreencafe.co.uk

Norfolk County Asparagus can be bought at the farm gate at Roudham Farm, Roudham, NR16 2RJ – a map can be found at www.norfolk-asparagus.co.uk.

method Carefully remove the skin and fat from the duck fillets. Now seal them lightly in an oven-proof pan until just coloured, then put the pan in the oven at 150°C for 10 minutes – the meat should still be pink. Rest the breasts, then slice and keep warm.

Put the duck skin and fat into the oven for about 20 minutes to completely dry it out – it should be like cardboard. Now blitz this in a food processor to create duck skin powder, which you can sprinkle over the finished dish. Similarly, blitz the dried wild mushrooms to create a mushroom powder.

Trim 16 asparagus spears, keeping the trimmings. Blanch the spears for 30 seconds in boiling water, then immediately refresh in iced water to stop them cooking any further. Griddle the spears on a very hot griddle pan to get that chargrilled flavour and colour.

Serves four

Roger Hickman’s duck breast with griddled asparagus, asparagus puree, pickled mushrooms and deep-fried duck egg yolk

Take your asparagus trimmings and the other four spears, and chop them all very finely. Blanch these in boiling water until soft – this should take two or three minutes. Strain thoroughly, and then put the asparagus along with the butter in a blender and blitz until smooth. Season the puree, and then pass it through a fine sieve to make it even smoother.

To make the pickled mushrooms, put the water, vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and thyme in a pan and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat, and then add the mushrooms and leave them to cool in the liquor.

Ingredients 2 duck breasts, 20 asparagus spears, 30g butter, 4 duck eggs, flour for dusting, panko breadcrumbs, a handful of dried wild mushrooms, 100g Japanese Mushrooms, 400ml water, 100ml white wine vinegar, 100ml olive oil, a pinch of sugar, a pinch of salt, 3 sprigs thyme

Now for the deep-fried duck egg yolks.

This takes some practice, so you might want to have a few spare eggs just in case! Separate the eggs, and discard the whites. Boil a pan of water, and then remove from the heat, and allow to cool to 80°C. Very carefully, lower the egg yolks into the pan and poach for two minutes. Remove them equally carefully, and put into iced water to stop them cooking.

Once they are cool, roll the yolks in flour, and then in panko breadcrumbs. Now deep-fry them until they are golden, which should only take a few seconds.

Serve the duck, asparagus spears, puree, egg yolk and pickled mushrooms on a plate, and sprinkle with the duck skin powder and the mushroom powder.

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

N O R F OLK P R O D U C E

Asparagus

Green shoots – at last...

In the latest of our monthly series profiling some of the region’s top food producers, food writer Andy Newman celebrates the somewhat late arrival of the asparagus season, while top Norfolk chef Roger Hickman makes the most of this seasonal delicacy Pictures by ANDY NEWMAN ASSOCIATES, NORWICH

St George’s Day, April 23, is once again becoming a popular expression of Englishness, which is rather bizarrely represented in our culture by a middle eastern knight slaying a dragon. But for foodies, the date has always been significant for a far more appropriate reason: it marks the start of the all-too-short English asparagus season.

Or at least it should. But this being England, the weather will always have the final say, and my own best-laid plans to see the epicentre of Norfolk’s ‘spare grass’ production in full flow are foiled by unseasonably cold late spring temperatures.

I visited Tim Jolly’s Breckland farm on May 1. He walks me around the back of his farmhouse and into a 20-acre field, which should be full of pickers gathering the crop. Instead, I am confronted with row upon row of dry earth mounds, each with just a few forlorn spears struggling to poke their heads above the surface.

Back in the farmyard, a car pulls up and a local woman jumps out expectantly, brandishing her purse. She has come to buy her first asparagus of the season. Tim apologises, and she drives away again, disappointed. Once again, as so often amongst those who make their living from the land, patience is called for.

Five days later – crucially five sunny, warm days – and the harvest is finally on. From dawn until dusk, Tim’s team of seven Latvian, Bulgarian and Polish cutters will be out on the fields on their specially-designed harvesting buggies, bent almost double, cutting individual spears by hand.

It is relentless, skilful and physically demanding work. Next time I start to complain about the price of asparagus, I will check myself and be thankful that there are people prepared to endure such discomfort to deliver such delicacies to my plate.

Because fresh asparagus is best when very fresh – its natural sugars start to turn to starch just a few hours after harvest – it is one food which should only really be eaten during its natural season, and from local sources. In Norfolk we are fortunate to have an abundant supply, especially in Breckland, where fast-draining sandy soils suit the crop perfectly.

Suffolk born and bred, Tim moved to Roudham in the early 1990s, buying a huge 950-acre farm running alongside the A11 between Attleborough and Thetford. Although potatoes and onions are his biggest crop, it is perhaps his Norfolk County Asparagus for which the farm is best known, at least during the two months when the crop is available.

In asparagus terms, he is a big producer, with 38 acres producing the vegetable in 2013. Given that in a good year each acre will provide as much as two tonnes, that is a lot of asparagus – which is just as well, because demand is strong. Around 60 per cent of his crop ends up in London, much of it finding its way onto plates at the capital’s top restaurants. A chunk of the rest goes to the supermarkets, but there is always enough kept back to meet a vibrant local demand, mostly at the farm gate.

‘Asparagus is still seen by some as a luxury foodstuff, but people come from the surrounding villages all the time,’ says Tim. There are plenty of people who follow his own example, and eat it practically every day during the season.

Much is made in the market of the different grades of asparagus, with the general rule being that the thicker the stem, the higher the price. This might seem counter-intuitive – after all, the production cost is the same for every spear, and the taste is much the same.

The explanation lies in the texture, with thicker spears being able to stand up in the field more easily, and hence needing less of the naturally-occurring enzymes which keep the spears stiff. So bizarrely, the thicker the spear, the less woody it will be.

Once cut, the spears go into the on-site cold store and are graded as early as possible. A team of eight work in the grading and packing operation; investment is constant, with 2013 seeing a new automatic grading line and a brand new packing shed.

Traditionally, cutting stops on June 21, to allow the plants enough time to go to fern and recover before the winter. So a late start to the season simply means fewer harvesting days, and a shorter period for us to enjoy the wonders of fresh asparagus.

Growing a premium product like asparagus is risky, demanding and hard work, and we should be thankful that growers like Tim are prepared to put in the effort. If ever proof was needed that local and seasonal is best when it comes to what is on your plate, Norfolk asparagus is all the evidence you need. Because by the end of this month, we asparagus fans can only start counting the months until next year’s St George’s Day. 65

ESTATE AGENTS • VALUERS • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Darby & Liffen Ltd are here to provide you with a comprehensive service for buying, selling, and letting property in the East Norfolk coastal area. We are totally independent and offer a first class service for buyers and sellers, based upon our extensive local knowledge and many years of experience in all aspects of property sales and management.

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Just a selection from our current collection of quality properties

Marine Parade, Gorleston

£575,000

Sands Close, Hopton

£275,000

Yallop Avenue, Gorleston

£265,000

Darby & Liffen Ltd, 42 Bells Road, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR31 6AN

T: 01493 600411 F: 01493 600611 E: info@darbyandliffenea.co.uk

www.darbyandliffenea.co.uk

World-wide award winning marketing for the fourth year running.

Fine & Country have been awarded ‘Best International Real Estate Agency Marketing’ at both UK and World levels for the past four years by the International Property Awards.

LOWESTOFT Guide Price £470,000

ALPINGTON Guide Price £425,000

• A contemporary Family Home well situated within the Seaside Town of Gorleston On Sea • Recently Refurbished to a very High Specification • Amazing Open Plan Living Spaces • Five Bedrooms ; En Suite to Master ; Family Bathroom • Integrated Double Garage with Electric Roller Shutter Doors • Balcony overlooking Landscaped Gardens • The Accommodation extends to 3,049sq.ft • Energy Rating: C

• A Grade II Listed Period Residence which enjoys an edge of village situation within Alpington • Four Bedrooms ; Two Receptions ; Main Bathroom • Spacious Breakfast Kitchen • Original Character found throughout • The Gardens extend to just over 0.5 acres • Workshop ; Terrace • A wonderful Rural Outlook to All Aspects • The Accommodation extends to 1,981sq.ft

BRUNDALL Guide Price £365,000

ILKETSHALL ST JOHN Guide Price £550,000

• A very attractive Grade II Listed 17th Century Elizabethan Residence situated centrally within the village of Brundall • Three Bedrooms ; Two Additional Attic Rooms • Two Receptions ; Main Bathroom ; Spacious Breakfast Kitchen • Garage ; Off Street Parking for Several Vehicles • A Small Range of Outbuildings ; Lovely Walled Gardens • Original Character can be found throughout, however the property is in some need of Renovation • The Accommodation extends to 2,046sq.ft

• A stunning Three Storey Barn Conversion in the village of Ilketshall St John • Four Bedrooms ; One En-Suite ; Three Receptions ; Two Bathrooms • Stunning Modern Kitchen and Utility Room • Opportunity to Convert the Existing Loft Rooms into Further Accommodation • Large Well Stocked Gardens ; Double Garage and Ample Parking • Rebuilt after the Storms of 1987 utilising most of the Original Timbers • The Accommodation extends to 2,392sq.ft • Energy Rating: F

Norwich: 01603 221888 South Norfolk & North Suffolk: 01379 646020

P R O P E R T Y O F T H E MO N T H

Westlegate Tower

Sky-high living Sarah Hardy enjoys the views from a stunning new Norwich city centre development – and fancies moving in!

Prices start at £200,000, rising to in excess of £1m for the penthouse.

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ou will know the building – and you’ll know that it has been, quite frankly, a bit of an eyesore for several years.

Westlegate House, one of Norwich’s tallest buildings, was somewhat unloved for more than 10 years until Norfolk property development company FW Properties got their mitts on it!

FW Properties comprises Ian Fox and Julian Wells who are investing around £8m to transform the 1960s building, which currently has nine floors, into some of the most sought after apartments in the region.

Now renamed Westlegate Tower, the duo, who formerly worked for Norwich property company Targetfollow, are creating 17 luxury apartments, plus two town houses and three commercial units.

And, my word, the top-level penthouse, set over two floors and with a sky lounge, is really superlative living and some!

The pair, proud of their Norfolk roots, are creating three apartments on the second floor of the tower, nine apartments on each of the floors from levels three to 11. That means an apartment per floor – and the creation of three extra floors. Each apartment will have two double bedrooms and a third smaller bedroom or study.

And, I have to admit, it is that top level apartment, the penthouse, which grabs my attention. Sure, it is but yet an image on the screen (ie not built!) but what a prospect. I can almost see myself on the terrace – with a glass of wine – looking out at the view which will stretch as far as Whitlingham Broad in one direction and beyond the airport in the other.

I enjoyed an early sneak preview, donning heavy boots, a high vis jacket and the vital finishing touch, a bright green hard hat, of the building works and was fascinated by those 360 degree views.

The Tower will have a double height entrance, two lifts, wifi throughout, air source heat pumps which will provide 10 per cent renewable energy and the company has enlisted the help of designers from 5th Studio in Cambridge to ensure a sleek, contemporary edge to the look of it all.

Each apartment will have a designated car parking spot, and bicycle storage will be provided.

Mr Fox says: ‘We were determined that our first project would be a significant one. As Norfolk residents, both Julian and I have been aware of the Westlegate eyesore for many years so we are delighted to be bringing forward its improvement. The tower itself had been empty for 12 years before we purchased it, with McDonalds vacating the ground floor in 2006. Although several developers had investigated the potential for its regeneration, I guess that the inherent complexity of developing a tower block on a city centre site surrounded by historic buildings put them off.’

And Mr Wells continues: ‘We think this is a fantastic story, it has been a complex job but as our first job in Norwich, we were determined to produce something unique. We have invested our time, energy and enthusiasm into this project and we think it shows.’

The Westlegate project is a partnership between FW Properties and Soho Estates, an investment and property company based in London.

The topping out of Westlegate Tower – construction of the tallest part of the building – is due to take place this autumn with the tower being completed by the end of the year. Completion of all other parts of the development should be next spring, 2014.

Agent details: Savills Norwich, Hardwick House, Agricultural Hall Plain, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 3FS Call 01603 229229 or visit www.savills.com

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69

Norwich

Aylsham

01603 620551

01263 733195

01263 512026

Eaton

Holt

Lowestoft

01603 506697

01263 713966

01502 509323

North Walsham

Sheringham

Wroxham

01263 402357

01263 822373

01603 782053

Cromer

Holt Road, Upper Sheringham

£329,950

Dating back to 1822 and standing in grounds of approximately 0.6 acre (subject to survey) Mill Cottage is a most attractive Norfolk flint cottage offering accommodation of character and with the benefit of oil fired central heating.

Having been in the same ownership for the past 18 years this property has been lovingly restored retaining original character where possible. Offering three bedrooms and three bathrooms the property could be adaptable as a small exclusive Guest House or indeed a very comfortable family home. Located on the A148 the property backs on to open farmland and enjoys a southerly aspect at the rear.

Contact Sheringham Office 01263 822373

01263 822373

Cromer Road, West Runton

£395,000

An imposing detached dwelling of individual charm and character located in this increasingly popular North Norfolk coastal village just two miles from Sheringham.

The property stands in delightful landscaped gardens enjoying a southerly aspect at the rear. The accommodation is well proportioned and has the benefit of oil fired central heating and sealed unit glazing throughout.

Contact Sheringham Office 01263 822373

arnoldskeys.com

All our rooms are en-suite and can be decorated to your taste. Our home is very clean and with hands-on owners.

We make sure our residents have their privacy, are safe and happy. We have a bus and the residents enjoy many trips out.

Carlton Hall RESIDENTIAL HOME

Phone Tanya, Shirley, Jo, Gerald or Rachel

We have no rules, your room is your home, and we do all we can to make it so. So come and have a look around.

We have wonderful home cooking and lovely gardens and meadows. We have constructed over ¼ mile of level paths in our grounds and have planted 18,000 bulbs.

We are like a hotel with care.

on 01502 513208

Look at us on www.carltonhall.co.uk.

Chapel Road Carlton Colville, Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 8AT

E-mail us on carltonhall@hotmail.co.uk Call us on 01502 513208 or visit CQC website and check us out.

PROPERTY NEWS

| ARNOLDS KEYS

DAVID JONES ARNOLDS KEYS DAVID.JONES@ARNOLDSKEYS.COM | www.ARNOLDSKEYS.COM

H o l i day H e r e !

As more of us favour staycations, David Jones reveals how to make cash out of a holiday let

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s the sun finally makes an appearance, there is news that VisitEngland – the national body tasked with promoting the UK as a place for Brits to take their holidays – is embarking on a highprofile campaign, complete with endorsement from Wallace and Gromit – to try and make 2013 yet another ‘staycation summer’.

The staycation phenomenon was first identified in 2009, when the current recession first hit, leading to millions of Britons deciding to take their holidays closer to home. It has remained remarkably resilient, with each of the subsequent years seeing a sustained demand for domestic holidays.

Why, you might ask, is this something being raised in a column which is designed to look at the property market in Norfolk? The answer is compelling: holiday letting has become a serious option for those looking to invest in property, or simply to maximise the income they derive from property they already own.

Whilst the residential buy-to-let market is long-established and well-understood, fewer property owners have traditionally considered holiday letting as an option. This is a shame, because although residential letting might arguably give you a more steady income (although void periods can be a feature of this approach as well), holiday letting can provide a bigger income overall, and has the advantage of flexibility. The ability to use their own property when they want to is a big attraction for holiday letting owners.

As with any business enterprise, the key to success in holiday lettings is to look through the eyes of the customer, in this case the holidaymaker. Investing in the right property is key – so location as ever is important, as is proximity to facilities. In north Norfolk particularly, the market has an older profile, so things like accessibility become important.

But that doesn’t mean the market is standing still.

David Jones is Manager of Keys Holidays, the specialist holiday lettings division of Arnolds Keys. He can be contacted at david. jones@arnoldskeys.com, or on 01263 822373.

Those families who choose the UK during the staycation phenomenon are not willing to compromise on quality of accommodation – they are more style conscious, so they want more contemporary interiors, and more advanced facilities such as wifi and games consoles. These holidaymakers may not be in the majority in our part of the world yet, but this is where the future lies.

The good news is that, with the right property in the right location, a letting season of 20 weeks per year is perfectly possible, giving a better yield than the average residential let. To achieve this level of business, there are some golden rules – so here are 10 of them to set you thinking: 1. Location is key. It doesn’t necessarily have to be by the coast, but nearby facilities such as a pub and shop are important.

2. The property itself needs to be attractive looking. First impressions count, and this is how many browsers will initially filter their choices.

3. It’s no good squeezing in lots of beds if the living area won’t comfortably accommodate that number of people.

You need a dining table and soft seating for at least as many people as you say the property will sleep.

4. Somewhere to park is increasingly important, the more secure the better.

5. Allowing pets is a big attraction, especially in north Norfolk where people will want to walk.

6. Make sure you are complying with all the various regulations, just as with residential lettings. Most of these are actually simple common sense.

7. Public liability insurance is a must.

8. Pick your agency carefully – one which has a specialist holiday lettings division will be best placed to maximise income and know the rules. Their marketing expertise and reach will be much greater than you can achieve on your own, and they will offer services such as key collection – the kind of customer service touches which will encourage repeat business.

9. The internet is crucial, and search engine optimisation and pay-per-click advertising is where it is at. If you don’t have the expertise and clout in these areas – and few landlords do – you need an agency that does.

10. Be flexible on holiday durations. One and two week stays are becoming a smaller proportion of all holidays now, so if you are not prepared to be flexible, you will lose out on lots of potential bookings.

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Places&FacesÂŽ | JUNE 2013 10 9

E n j oy t h e G r e at Outdoors Embrace outdoor living and make the most of the longer days while they are here.

Whether you have a large garden or a small patio, Jennifer Read and Hayley Philpot show how to create a welcoming outdoor space to relax and entertain this summer

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All items featured are available from Jarrold's or The Granary.

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PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

ne of the greatest pleasures of summer has to be eating and drinking outdoors, whether enjoying a leisurely lunch or just evening drinks, being in your own private outside space is an experience to savour after the seemingly endless days of winter.

Find your spot and create a stylish and comfortable seating area. Vintage inspired garden furniture is set to be extremely popular this summer and will add instant charm to a garden or terrace. The Old Rectory range from Fallen Fruits has a cream, distressed painted finish and is compact enough for a small outside space or to offer extra seating in a larger garden.

The table can be mixed and matched with the folding chairs and a bench seat. Other items in the range include a rose arch and butler’s tray for serving drinks.

INTERIORS

Summer Living

A glowing centrepiece An alternative to the standard barbeque, Kadai fire bowls are becoming very popular for al fresco entertaining. Once used for cooking at festivals across India, the Kadai is a fabulous way to barbeque or to provide warmth outdoors. A greener option to a patio heater, the Kadai adds real atmosphere to your evening outdoors and is a romantic and social centrepiece for the garden.

The Kadai bowl pictured here is made in India from recycled oil drums and is riveted together for strength and durability. The fire bowls are fitted with a unique gauze filter system that cleverly separates out the ash from rain water, allowing for a maintenance free barbeque that will last for years.

Each bowl comes complete with grills, a choice of high or low stand, tongs and a wire brush. The Kadai also makes a fantastic rustic planter for the garden and would be ideal for a winter planting scheme out of the barbeque season.

Lounge lizard For uber-cool comfort, the Fatboy outdoor range is hard to beat for the ultimate in al fresco lounging. The ingenious Buggle Up outdoor bean bag allows the seating position to be adapted to suit your mood by adjusting the side straps; from flat-out sun bathing to sitting up and chatting with friends, it really is endlessly versatile and can transform any outdoor area into a perfect chill out zone! Alongside this their fabulous Headdemock offers the perfect place to drift off and dream away the afternoon.

Big enough for two, this hammock requires no trees or posts as it comes with its own unique suspension system that allows it to be moved easily. It includes a pillow and also comes with a carry bag to make it the ideal travel companion when on the move.

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Fallen Fruits, Old Rectory 1. Round table £90 2. Chairs from £70 3.Bench £160 Fatboy 4. Buggle Up outdoor bean bag £235 5. Headdemock hammock £365

Culinary Concepts 8. Outdoor lanterns, prices from £100 St Eval Candle Company 9. English Hedgerow Range Large pot £12, small pot £6 Navigate Picnicware 10. Pastel and spot range from £3.50

Wilstone House and Gardens 6. Kadai fire bowl with high stand £210; 7. with low stand £190

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Let there be light Subtle outside lighting is a must for adding atmosphere and creating an inviting space in which to linger late into the night. There are so many options to choose from; garden flares to stake into the ground, strings of lights to weave through trees and borders and pretty tea lights for lining pathways. These stunning outdoor lanterns look great placed around a terrace and are also smart enough to be used indoors. Place scented candles on the table - such as the wonderfully rustic candle pots from St Eval, they offer a choice of fragrances including Citronella, known for its insect repellent properties.

Jennifer is Jarrold's

homewares buyer.

Jarrold, 1-11 London Street, Norwich, NR2 1JF 01603 660661 www.jarrold.co.uk

Hayley is The Granary’s

homewares buyer.

The Granary, 5 Bedford Street, Norwich, NE2 1AL www.thegranary.co.uk 73

See us at the Royal Norfolk Show

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*Terms and conditions apply, please ask our Sales Advisors for further information. Eligible applicants will be offered an equity loan of up to a maximum of 20% of the purchase price (based on the open market value). The registered provider will hold the second charge on the property. Applicants are required to fund at least 80% of the purchase price by means of a conventional mortgage, savings and any deposit where required. Applicants must obtain their conventional mortgage from a Qualified Lending Institution. For the first five years there is no fee charged on the equity loan component.

At the start of year six a fee is collected of 1.75% of the market value of the property at the time the loan is entered into multiplied by the outstanding percentage under the equity loan, the annual fee of 1.75% will be uplifted by RPI +1% p.a.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Images depict typical Persimmon house types and are for guidance only. All information correct at time of going to press. †Calls to 0843/4 numbers cost 5p per minute from a BT landline. Mobile & other providers' charges may vary as necessary.

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CHARITY

East Anglian Air Ambulance

How a lottery membership helps support the EAAA over the course of a year:

* One lottery membership enables a helicopter to fly for 15 minutes.

* Four lottery memberships enables the purchase of the crew’s flying suits

* It requires 28 lottery memberships to purchase helmets which allow the crew to communicate with each other, air traffic control and patients

How to play

Life Saving Lottery Most of us are willing to dip into our pockets for one off charity events but continuous giving is another way to make a difference. Anne Gould finds out more about the East Anglian Air Ambulance lottery

N

o matter how much we’ve got in the bank most of us have a secret fantasy about what we’d do with a lottery win.

It might be a home in the sun, a serious sports car, a yacht, a bigger yacht, a tennis court, a swimming pool, a whole wardrobe of Jimmy Choo shoes or even a favoured charity or community project.

The problem is that your odds of winning the National Lottery are very slim at one in 13,983,816 and of course, as from September, the price of a ticket rises to £2. While it has generated £29m for good causes what you might not know is that it’s not the only lottery.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance, a charity which provides an essential service, especially in rural areas like Norfolk, has been running a lottery for 12 years now and with 63,000 weekly entries the odds of getting that ‘golden ticket’ are much more favourable.

Jody Fiveash, EAAA Lottery Manager, says: ‘We have a weekly lottery draw which takes place at our Norwich head office.

There are 18 prizes from £1000 to £50 and then we also have an accumulator draw which could see our members winning up to £25,000 in a rollover style draw, where if it isn’t won an accumulator of £500 is added each week.

‘Not many people know about our lottery but it’s a crucial part of

Members can play online at www.eaaa.org. uk where they can pay by debit or credit card or people can call the lottery office on 01603 489400 where they can set up a direct debit or request information to pay by cheque.

The lottery is £1 per week, and people can have more than one entry. When a new member joins they will receive a unique lucky number and a welcome letter.

For more information about corporate memberships or becoming a lottery ambassador contact Jody Fiveash Lottery Manager on 01603 489400 or visit www. eaaa.org.uk

our fundraising. Last year, together with merchandising, it helped raise 42 per cent of our funds.’

Jody has just launched an exciting new initiative - corporate syndicates. ‘This allows companies - with any number of people to play our lottery in a totally stress free way. It is a great way for people to donate money in a regular and fun way.’

She says they are also looking for companies to sign up to be lottery ambassadors who in return will get coverage in EAAA media and on the website.

Jody says raising money to run the service is absolutely crucial.

‘We need £6.5million for 2013/14. And we have just heard that we have permission to fly at night so we will now be able to offer emergency medical care during the hours of darkness. We are the only air ambulance service in the country able to do this.’

The EAAA has two helicopters, one based in Norwich and one in Cambridge, which cover the whole of the eastern region – Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. It is a large patch of 5000 square miles, with 2.5m inhabitants and between February 2012 and January this year the service was called out more than 1100 times.

Jody continues: ‘The lottery support helps us to save the lives of people in the area. We are very thankful to every single one of our lottery players. We receive no government funding or money from the national lottery - we are funded by the people of East Anglia.’

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Peckover House, North Brink, Wisbech, call 01945 583462, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

S me l l ing t h e roses If you asked anyone who visited a National Trust garden to name the one plant which they would expect to see, the vast majority would say the rose. It has become entwined in our garden history. Gardener in charge at Peckover House, Allison Napier, takes on the story

GARDENS

Roses

Top tips for cultivation and care ◆ Buy as dormant bare root plants in the winter or in a pot during the growing season. ◆ Plant in a good moisture retentive soil which has been enriched with compost or well rotted manure. Ensure the point where the rose was grafted (the bud union) is about 3cm below the level of the soil. Don’t let the plant dry out during its first season. ◆ Roses do best in a sunny or semi shaded position.

All roses benefit from a feed of rose fertilizer in early spring and then again no later than the end of July.

◆ Climbing and rambling roses will produce more flowers if trained horizontally on walls or over arches. ◆ Bush roses are either ‘hybrid teas’ with a large bloom on each stem or ‘floribundas’ with a cluster of smaller flowers on each stem. They can be encouraged to flower for a long period by dead heading regularly. ◆ Prune roses once a year to encourage fresh young growth by always making a slanting cut above an outward facing bud.

We don’t spray against greenfly, preferring to let our resident birds and beneficial insects to control the pests. We spray the roses, about once every 10 days, with a solution of one part full fat milk mixed with 10 parts water to help prevent blackspot and other diseases.

There are many rose and gardening books available which will give more detailed advice on rose care, but if you happen to visit us at Peckover House, take the opportunity to ask us how we look after our collection - we will be very happy to help with any thorny problems!

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n medieval times they were prized for their scent; white roses symbolised purity and by the Victorian period, roses from exotic lands such as China had been used to breed roses with a greater array of colours and forms.

But for such a celebrated plant, there are many who shy away from growing it in their own gardens. Maybe they think roses are difficult to grow; that they attract lots of pests and diseases; that they only look good for a short period while some are put off by the thorns. There is a huge array of types and colours so, by explaining some basic care instructions, I hope you will be inspired to try them for the first time or expand your existing collection. With over 2000 roses listed in the RHS ‘Plantfinder’, and new varieties being bred every year, there really is a rose to suit everyone!

At Peckover we have two rose gardens which typify the way Victorian gardeners would devote an area solely to display their collection of roses. However, we also grow roses throughout the garden as companions for perennials and shrubs, as many of us have to in our small gardens at home. During a visit to Peckover at the end of June or during July, you will see climbers and ramblers growing on the walls, over arches, around pillars and even through other shrubs; bush roses flower profusely in the beds and borders while the shrub roses make a statement with their flowers, followed by eye catching hips in the autumn.

Roses merit a place in the garden because they can produce flowers for a long period (sometimes from early summer to the first frosts in late autumn) in a range of colours; from pure white through to pinks, yellows, vibrant oranges and the darkest of reds. The flowers can be striped or stippled, multicoloured or change shade gracefully as they age. Phyllis Bide is a delicate orange when in bud, then matures to a pale peachy pink.

What many people want from a rose is fragrance. It is the natural reaction of many of our visitors to lean over and smell the perfume of the roses. With Madame Isaac Pereire (growing in Alexa’s Rose Garden) the aroma is so strong that it scents the air for many metres around. When choosing new roses for Peckover, scent is always a major consideration.

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SATURDAY 6th & SUNDAY 7th JULY 2013 Sponsored by COUTTS and shown on SKY SPORTS, the Festival offers all the excitement and glamour of the game of kings. Along with fast and furious polo, there are many other attractions including childrens entertainment, shopping arcade and refreshments.

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Cutting raised Geraniums, Fuchsia, Surfinia, big bold plants in 11cm pots (£1.70 each, 5 or more £1.50 each)

Tomato plants, cucumber plants & chrysanthemum cuttings available Full range of competitively priced composts

Freshly picked tomatoes, asparagus and strawberries now on sale in the Farm Shop

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Advertising feature

Luxury Living

Home Sweet Home With all this talk of us avoiding falling into a triple-dip recession, could now be the time to go hell for leather, and embrace luxury living? Emma Outten attempts to define what this might mean

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Luxury Living

Pictures by john lewis

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re you sitting comfortably, or are you lounging in the lap of luxury? And what, exactly, differentiates between the two standards of living?

Essentially it means affording to live alongside beautiful pieces of furniture and home accessories.

It’s not just about inviting iconic brands into your home: although they probably help.

A luxury living room can mean a chaise-end sofa in topquality leather, designer furniture (perhaps you own a coveted, classic piece by Conran, for example), co-ordinated curtains and cushions, luxurious rugs, opulent lighting and decorative finishing touches. All warmed up with a stylish woodburner, of course!

Whereas in the dining room it has to be a hand-made, solid oak dining table; on top of which would be elegant porcelain tableware, sparkling glassware and cutlery.

A kitchen fitted out with high end home appliances is the height of luxury living: think American-style fridge freezers, range cookers, plus a wine cabinet, and you are on the right lines.

A luxury kitchen doesn’t just need pots and pans; it needs sauté pans, skillets and stockpots – not to mention just the right utensils and gadgets.

And moving along to the utility room, I would expect, at the very least, to find a top-of-the-range washing machine and tumble dryer.

A master bedroom, complete with en-suite, of course, should be all about divine duvets, plump pillows and luxurious cushions, throws and rugs - the more tactile the better.

In the bathroom, it is those soft touches that make all the difference at the end of the day: designer towels and fluffy bathrobes. But a beautiful bathroom might also be about smart storage solutions and illuminated bathroom mirrors.

Living in the lap of luxury almost necessitates having a gym with the latest large fitness equipment, a fully fitted office, and a conservatory filled with exotic plants and beautiful rattan furniture.

Perhaps, at the end of your garden, you have one of these rotating sphere loungers, or garden pods, as they are otherwise known? They seem to be the height of luxury living outdoors, nowadays, even if they can cost in the region of £17,000!

For luxury living to become a reality, home isn’t just where the heart is, it’s where the high end home accessories live, too.

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Places&Faces® | JUNE 2013

sapphire Kate Morfoot, her sister and good friend go on an all-girl sailing trip to the Seychelles

T

seas

his year, instead of booking flights and a hotel, we booked flights and a yacht!

It was as easy as booking a hotel but rather more adventurous.

We chartered a boat through Sunsail, a specialist sailing company based in the south of England. The customer service team were very helpful and ensured we got the right sized boat for our needs and a qualified skipper.

And so Lady Leticia was our water-based home for 10 days.

It is a strapping 42ft four-berth yacht and came with Collin, an experienced sailor from the island of Praslin, as our skipper.

Chartering a yacht with a skipper allows you to sail to the finest locations, moor in the quietest of waters and gives you the inside knowledge on the best places to go and places to eat.

I don’t think there’s a better way to explore the Seychelles.

As an alternative to being in a five star hotel where you simply swelter on a sun lounger, you are on deck, seeing it,

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PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

living it and breathing it and, at every ebb and flow, something new and exciting is upon you. Be it a shoal of blue mackerel leaping up from below the surface, little white Fairy Terns flying over you or a small island inhabited only by palm trees and seagulls passing by, there’s the magic of the Seychelles all there for you to see…and you can still enjoy your G&T while soaking up the sights.

Sailing is also a cheaper alternative as even the standard four star beachside resorts start from nearly £3000 per person for seven nights’ half board.

It also gives you the opportunity to get involved, so, hoisting the sails, steering the yacht, weighing anchor - it’s up to you.

Our skipper was confident in handling the boat alone but, where possible, we all wanted to get involved.

With a fully equipped kitchen and a supremely sized fridge large enough to stock up with all our supplies, an i-Trip and CD player, we had all we needed to make us feel at home.

And my cabin had a great view – many evenings were spent simply star-gazing as we planned our next adventures and recovered from our day’s explorations.

Many of the boat charters we saw had fishing rods off them for big game fishing and there’s plenty of scuba diving but we settled for snorkelling as you can still see plenty of marine life.

the Seychelles

TRAVEL

On one occasion my sister Jayne and I were snorkelling just off Curieuse Island, a small precipitous island close to the north coast of the second largest island of the Seychelles, Praslin. It was here she pointed down below and we were lucky enough to swim with a Hawksbill Marine turtle! A humbling experience and afterwards we learned a rare one. We were very fortunate to see one let alone swim with one!

Curieuse Island is also home to captivating giant tortoises.

We took the tender and landed on the hot sand and there in the distance you could see these giant slowly meandering tortoises, munching away on the grass. You can stroll around and admire them sunbathing, eating grass and taking a mud dip. Some have reached truly remarkable sizes, (weighing in excess of 340kg) and even more astonishing ages. The longest living giant tortoise, Esmeralda, is said to be over 250 years old.

While on Praslin Island we hired a car and took a worthwhile visit with our guide, Albert, who showed us around the Unesco World Heritage site. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘Let me show you the largest nut in the world…’ >>

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Your business is our pleasure

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Conferences Seminars Awards Evenings Gala Dinners Parties Activity Days

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usiness & Pleasure at Potters Leisure Resort – the perfect cliff top location to host a wide range of events with a excellent variety of venues – our multi-purpose, state of the art, Zest Rooms for 12-350 delegates, 30 acre Activity Field, the Atlas Theatre with 700 seats and the International Arena.

We also cater for Weddings, Civil Ceremonies, Parties and other celebrations For further information or to request your copy of our new brochure call the Conference and Events Team

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Zest features 3 inter-connectable rooms all boasting the latest technology and high end design, incorporating 3 state of the art projection systems, 4 plasma screens and 140 speakers generating 32,000 watts of sound.

Our creative Executive Head Chef has produced a variety of mouth watering menus and the presentation is impeccable – from a working lunch for 12 to a five course Gala Dinner for 290.

With a contemporary, fresh and bright interior Zest is the perfect venue for business or pleasure. So whatever the occasion your group is guaranteed a memorable event.

TRAVEL

the Seychelles

Factfile

>> He was talking about the Coco De Mer, a rare and mysterious coconut with a frankly erotic shape! The plant wasn’t discovered in the wild for some time.

Before the 19th century, sailors and explorers found the coconuts washed up on the beaches all over the Indian Ocean, hence the name Sea Coconut, and they believed they grew in an underwater magical seabed.

We strolled around the botanical palm-filled gardens, witnessing some more extraordinary things. A black parrot flew over us and flitted in-between the palms then we were told to look up again. ‘And here you see the tallest palm tree in the world.’ I looked and looked, actually it was so tall it was hard to see the top, at 27 metres, this was truly magnificent.

The most classically French-style island we all loved was La Digue. The island’s taxi service is an ox-cart and if you want to get anywhere fast, then you go by bike, making this a very buzzy yet peaceful and calming place to hang out. So hire bikes we did!

We cycled along the breath-taking coast road, soaking up the amazing scenery, sights and smells.

Along the way there were little juice bar shacks to stop off to relax to reggae music and catch your breath and refresh with coconut water or a mango and banana smoothie.

Finally down the end of a sandy tree-lined track, we found the island’s largest beach Anse Source d’Argent, the most famous and frequented beach. We parked our bikes by the trees. They were parked along with other

10 days Bareboat Yacht charter with Sunsail, £5200 including, yacht, skipper, fuel and damage waiver.

Call 0844 2732435, visit www.sunsail. co.uk, Overnight Mooring Fee/ Landing Fee: SCR (Seychelles Rupee) 200 per person

brightly coloured basket bikes, making for a surreal photograph of a beach commuter belt nestled next to the Indian Ocean.

Glorious white sand, set against the bluest mix of emerald and green marine sea, this was seriously the place to hang out and sunbathe then retreat to the beach-side restaurant where they grill jobfish and serve wonderfully cold drinks.

Despite La Digue being stuck in time, they do have some fabulous hotels. Two in particular we visited were Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie and La Digue Island Lodge. Both have ocean views and great lunch spots to relax and enjoy the never-ending cocktail lists which unfortunately we didn’t have time to complete, but you have to have something to look forward to for the next visit…

Food is a big part of any trip to the Seychelles.

The typical local diet is Creole curry - a fish, lamb or chicken dish with lots of herbs, spices and rice. From the yacht we occasionally moored near some of the five and six star hotels, which offer amazing buffets and cocktail lists to die for! Coconut Lover and Sunset Beach were two favourites, while Pra and Jayne were die-hard Margarita fans.

On one of our last nights, our skipper organised a special dinner on board our boat. Red snapper prepared with herbs, a fresh salad, and papaya and coconut was delivered to us and the whole meal was simply divine!

As was the holiday itself.

placesandfaces.co.uk

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Dedham

WEEKEND REVIEW

Woodbridge

Suffolk’s Secrets James Spicer fell in love with Suffolk because of its beer – but now explores a little further!

Southwold

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outhwold – the final frontier! No, it’s not some outdated storyline from Star Trek; but for many years it was just about as far as I ever got into Suffolk.

Yes, we often did the delightful riverside walk into neighbouring Walberswick, and went to concerts at Snape Maltings; but, for the main part, Suffolk was a county you passed through on the A12 en route to London.

But enough was enough; inspired by some delightful shots in a television documentary about the Deben estuary, we decided that Suffolk had to be ‘done’.

Basing ourselves in Woodbridge we spent a busy few days getting around, the experience enlightened by some unexpected spring sunshine.

Needless to say, though, we couldn’t set off without calling in at Southwold – a town that, delightful in itself with its old-fashioned ambiance, provided me with a ‘Road To Damascus’ moment with my first taste of Adnams bitter about 30 years ago. For that I will always be grateful and have been in love with the place ever since.

Thanks to:

Visit Suffolk (www. visitsuffolk.com).

*

We stayed at Sun Corner, a beautifully equipped cottage in a quiet part of Woodbridge that will sleep two adults and one child. This is one of the properties on the books of Suffolk Secrets, which has offices in Southwold and Aldeburgh as well as Woodbridge. Visit www.suffolk-secrets. co.uk.

*

The East Coast Diner, Woodbridge, visit www.eastcoastdiner. co.uk for details.

*

Whoever was in charge of the weather….25C in April was just the ticket!

Refreshed by a pint of the same, plus some excellent fish and chips and a stroll on the beach, we were soon ensconsed in our cosy Woodbridge cottage and made tracks for the riverside.

Early evening sunshine glimmered on the still waters of the estuary and we walked much further than we had intended, pausing to watch the members of the local rowing club practising.

Woodbridge fascinated us. It has a kind of timewarp feel to it, and it soon became obvious that there are no chain stores or supermarkets here – not even M&S and certainly no McDonalds!

For family food shopping the Co-op rules the high street like a benign uncle; and we spotted one small Spar supermarket. The food and drink outlets that have been admitted, like Prezzo and Costa Coffee, are understated in a town that boasts some magnificent buildings, some of which house some good independent shops.

And it is so quiet, particularly in the evenings. For that reason it might not appeal to those who seek a lively nightlife, but it suited us just fine! But if you do fancy a meal in lively surroundings, then try the East Coast Diner in Church Street which mixes great food with lovely surroundings.

The following day travels took us to Orford, Snape and Aldeburgh: Orford is a pretty town dominated by its wonderful church and the keep – all that remains of Orford Castle, developed by Henry II and once one of the most important buildings of its kind in the country. We didn’t climb to the top, but it does offer magnificent views of Orford Ness.

As I mentioned earlier we had visited Snape before, but only for evening concerts. The maltings development now includes some magnificent apartments and some excellent shopping.

But, with the sun again in attendance, we were keen to try one of the circular walks around the marshes, taking in the nearby Snape Warren; there can be few better ways to enjoy the tranquility that this area of countryside can offer.

Finishing our day at Aldeburgh we did so for one main reason – to view at first hand the memorial to Benjamin Britten on the beach there. It is difficult to come to Aldeburgh and not be aware of Britten’s influence, particularly in this, his centenary year. He both lived and worked here, and visited this stretch of beach frequently for inspiration.

Woodbridge

Maggi Hambling’s seashell-like structure, made of solid steel, has been called magic (although, needless to say, some locals don’t like it). We thought it breathtakingly inspirational; its appeal is in its threedimensional effect, and it is different from whichever side it’s viewed. The great man, I am sure, would have loved it.

Reluctantly leaving our little cottage the following morning we made a snap decision to cheat a little and make the comparatively short trip to Dedham. Okay, it is only JUST over the border into Essex (you pass the sign as you enter the town) so we felt it qualified!

Dedham is bang in the middle of Constable Country (Constable himself was a Suffolk man, of course) with some of his famed subjects, like Flatford Mill, close by.

Sitting on the River Stour, it is still a haven for artists and, like many other towns in this region, has a fine parish church. Ironically, among those buried here is that prince of art forgers, Tom Keating!

No time to linger, though, as we were headed for another of Suffolk’s delights, the RSPB reserve at Minsmere. You don’t have to be a twitcher to appreciate Minsmere. It is well laid out with clearlysigned paths and directions, and the vast array of birdlife easily viewed from hides.

We joined other visitors in the Bittern Hide hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive boomer. He didn’t appear on this occasion; but others we spoke to had experienced a 10-minute audience with the shy chap only recently.

Choosing the route that took us along a path just behind the beach, we did a complete circuit of the reserve, pausing to watch the noisy inhabitants from the many hides and viewing platforms.

Then, reluctantly, homeward bound; but Suffolk, even on such a short trip, had convinced us that it’s well worth the effort to visit. But then the Adnams told me that years ago….

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When the Going Gets Tough - Go On Holiday Sarah Hardy escapes to a holiday village on the Norfolk/Suffolk borders where she gets rather up close and personal with a legendary soul singer‌

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PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

w

ell, there I was, getting really rather hot and bothered when in he strolled – looking as cool as a cucumber.

Super sexy 80s singer Billy Ocean sat himself down next to me in the sauna and chatted away quite happily! He was appearing at Potters Leisure Resort – back by popular demand – and was simply relaxing and reviving himself before his evening concert.

My friend and I were at the holiday village at Hopton, on the Norfolk and Suffolk borders, to enjoy some ‘away from the kids time’, with Billy’s concert – and the accompanying five-course dinner – as the highlight to our short break.

We arrived in time for lunch – going away in your home area is so civilised – and had a very enjoyable afternoon exploring the site, having a brisk walk to the cliff tops and then heading to the leisure centre for a decent swim and a sit in the steam room and sauna.

Seeing Billy, not quite in his Speedos, was great fun and we couldn’t help but notice that for a guy in his 60s, he is in seriously good shape! And he didn’t have any problem signing autographs and even singing a few lines from his hit records.

As many of you might know, though, there is an amazing amount to do at Potters. The facilities are incredible with everything on offer from Zumba classes, to badminton, golf, clay pigeon shooting, bingo, tennis - and bowls, of course!

But we were really there to see the main man.

First was the small affair of the delicious dinner in the main restaurant, the Garden Restaurant, which is a very plush place which can seat up to 600 diners! I felt like we were on a posh cruise ship and certainly many of our fellow guests had dressed up for the occasion! The menu included mushroom soup, fried brie, steak and a great crumble – plus a bottle of wine - so we both did ourselves proud!

Then we hot-footed it to the fully-equipped theatre, the Atlas Theatre, where numerous stage and screen stars have started out including Lee Mead and Leanne Mitchell. It is very impressive with the latest technology used to produce first class shows.

Billy, originally from the West Indies, performed almost non-stop for two hours and was a thoroughly professional entertainer, mixing up his old hits with new material. Of course, his chart successes such as Caribbean Queen, Love Really Hurts Without You, and When the Going Gets Tough got everyone to their feet – your writer included!

I mean, you’ve just got to love someone who sings lyrics like: ‘Get Outta My Dreams and Into My Car!’ Great stuff!

Many guests continued to party after the concert, and enjoy a midnight feast, but we staggered (okay so we were slightly tipsy) back to our room in the main hotel which was really spacious, especially the bathroom.

short break

Potters Billy Ocean

Up and coming One Night Specials (all include use of activities accommodation and full breakfast) include:

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June 1 Potters Summer Ball – Drinks Inclusive June 2 Bootleg Beatles One Night Special June 16 60’s Festival One Night Special July 7 The Overtones One Night Special July 14 Soul Stars One Night Special July 19 Bjorn Again Summer Party One Night Special September 8 Drinks Inclusive Party Night

*

For more information visit www.pottersholidays.com or call 0844 346 0284

We slept like babies, thanks to the rosé wine, I suspect, but were ready for our breakfast which set us up for the day with generous helpings of all your favourites (bacon, eggs, fried bread and more) plus lashings of tea.

Our night away was incredible value at just £109 per person for the entertainment, food and overnight accommodation.

Potters is running a series of these special one-nighters which are a great way of just giving yourself a quick but effective pick-me-up break.

Special mention must go to the staff who were all very friendly and helpful – they take time to speak to guests and make everyone feel part of the action.

Indeed the whole resort is run very efficiently and next time I’m going to be in that spa! Wonder who I might meet?!

95 33

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HCF People & Places 190 x 136w 15/05/2013 10:58 Page 1

HOLKHAM Country Fair

27th & 28th July 2013

Grand Ring including the Dancing Diggers, Terrier Racing, Birds of Prey, Scurry & Trials Driving, Aerobatics, Freefall Parachutes & Mounted Games.

Two full days of country pursuits, rural pastimes and crafts: fishing, clay pigeon shooting, have-a-go events, gundogs and fairground.

Fine Food Village and more than 200 trade stands for everyone to enjoy.

Gates open 9.00 am – 6.30 pm.

Dogs welcome. Advance ticket sales available on-line.

www.holkhamcountryfair.co.uk

RICHARD BARR

A Look at Life

P e ac e at the Pa r i s h P u m p ?

This month our Richard tells us about the weird and wonderful workings of parish councils – and the day he caused a coup d’etat!

‘I am the chairman of the parish council and what I say goes here.’

It was the culmination of a bad week in the isolated Norfolk village where I used to live and, for my sins, was the clerk to the parish council.

There is something about parish councils that seems to engender feelings and tensions far beyond their importance and relevance to everyday life.

That is reflected in J K Rowling’s latest novel. The Casual Vacancy centres on a fictional parish council in a fictional town (Pagford) somewhere in the west country.

It is a novel with violence, sex scenes and swearing - far removed from the magic of the Harry Potter books, though the forces of good and evil still battle with each other, weaving in and out of the tense politics of the parish council.

Most people’s views of parish councils are no doubt coloured by another fictional council – home of the vicar of Dibley. Many episodes feature a council meeting. To purists, these are an amalgam of a parochial church council (run by the church) and a parish council (nothing to do with the church).

Parish councils were set up in the century before last specifically to be separate and independent from the church, though the name does have a kind of church ring to it, so even now many people are confused by its function. Certainly the inhabitants of Dibley were switching in the same meeting from being a parish council to a church council. But why spoil a good story?

Even though parish councils are the bottom of the pecking order of local government and traditionally have had the rump of duties to perform – like organising allotments, providing litter bins and making sure that the bus stop does not have too much graffiti, they are also the nearest that most villages have to their own government. Sometimes the power of the litter bins and village benches goes to the heads of those involved.

The chair of the council where I was clerk (we will call him Adolf to protect the innocent) came to view himself as the head of a small country. The fact that it was landlocked, had no air force or army and was surrounded by other Norfolk villages did not worry him.

He was the cock and this was his dung heap. I was the only person he could bully, so he would harangue me on an almost daily basis, generally about a spelling mistake in the minutes or whether I had reported with absolute precision his fine pronouncements on the subject of dogs fouling the playing field.

One day I could stand it no longer. I was even prepared to forego the princely salary of £100 a year that I received. I resigned. To my surprise and dismay, there was then a rebellion.

Troops did not come out into the streets, but tensions ran high.

If it hadn’t been for the fact that everyone went to bed at 9.30pm a curfew would have been imposed.

Eventually order was restored, a coup took place and a new chairman was appointed. I will call him Mr Stalin. I was invited to resume my role as clerk. But Mr Stalin made Adolf seem positively benign and would telephone me several times a day to discuss my punctuation (particularly in the evening when he was on his fourth glass of vintage wine). At that point I made my resignation permanent.

More than a quarter of a century later I am involved again – this time with a much more benign and democratic regime.

Bacton Parish Council is typical of many modern local councils.

We have a professional clerk who knows the rules inside out and who has excellent skills at tapping various sources of funding for innovative projects.

While in J K Rowling’s novel, people were fighting to get onto the parish council, here in Norfolk the position is sadly different. Apathy rules OK. It is often difficult to find anyone to fill a casual vacancy and we are almost always below our full strength. Those who do serve on the council put a lot of effort into performing their duties – gently helping the village to keep functioning.

Parish councils are not just concerned with litter bins. They can be a focus for village causes and advocates. Our council co-ordinated the celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee last year.

We work hard to address the issues that the recession, an ageing population and an interfering government force onto us.

Yet, even in the best run councils, things still go wrong. Last year the village was almost divided by the Great Lego Incident but I will have to tell you about that some other time, because I must now prepare for the Annual Meeting of the council at which a new chair is appointed.

Heaven forbid that it should happen, but if I were the chair, I think I would like to be known as ‘Mussolini.’

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LEGAL

| insurance

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

b u y e r b e wa r e Julian Gibbons with advice on reading the small print when renewing car insurance

I suspect that many of us now undergo an annual ritual of renewing car and house insurance. These days of course we have the internet to help us, with its variety of price comparison web sites.

Customer loyalty is almost non-existent, with people understandably chasing the cheapest deal. Insurance companies know this, and they try and redress the balance in a number of innovative ways. One is the automatic renewal, which surprisingly does not flash up when you click to buy your policy. Fail to take action though at the renewal date and you can suddenly find yourself paying for a new year’s policy, often at a somewhat higher rate than the previous year (the companies of course keep your card details for this eventuality).

Another trick is the add-ons which are included by default.

One of the best is legal expenses insurance. For an extra ÂŁ20 or so a year you get the option of having your legal fees paid if you are involved in certain types of dispute. Surprisingly, this is an option I try hard not to pay for.

This is hugely profitable for insurers. Even more so because, if you have a claim you want to bring (or defend) the insurer will direct you to their own panel solicitor. Under UK (but probably not EU) rules, they can direct you to the panel solicitor for a preliminary view of the strength of your case.

There are certain features which panel solicitors have. One is that they will be tens if not hundreds of miles away from you, so you will never meet anyone face to face. Another is that the panel is an exercise in keeping the costs down for the insurers: if you do claim on your policy the insurer does not want to pay out more than it has to for a lawyer. Hourly rates paid to panel lawyers are often 80% or more less than a comparable firm in private practice would charge.

Some panel firms, rather than take a lower hourly rate, pay a large referral fee to the insurer for receiving the case.

As there is no escaping the economics of legal practice, the panel solicitor will manage your case using staff who are either unqualified or qualified way below the solicitor level.

Telling an insured that they must use the Insurer’s panel firm is a mantra which is unfortunately taken in and accepted by far too many people. The unfortunate truth for insurers however is that when bringing a claim (as opposed to an initial assessment) the insured is allowed to choose their own solicitor.

This right comes from a number of different sources.

First, UK regulations dating back as far as 1990 say that the insured can choose. These arise from an EU directive saying the same thing. Secondly, a case from the European Court in 2009 called the Eschig case found that, save in rare cases, an insurer cannot force an insured to use a designated solicitor.

Insurers of course know all this. Their response to their policy holders who also know this is varied. One is to stonewall and not answer any request from an insured to use their own solicitor. Another is to insist on the own solicitor complying with terms which are sometimes so onerous as to be unreasonable, including duties to give undertakings the solicitor cannot give or to accept a much lower hourly rate.

However, a case in the High Court late last year found that insurers cannot insist that the solicitor chosen by their policy holder must accept a far lower hourly rate than they would normally. To do so amounts to denying the insured a choice, on the basis that few solicitors would agree to act on that basis. The Law Society has added its weight to this view.

This particular case seems certain to go to appeal. In the meantime the insurers continue to fight rearguard actions to prevent their policyholders from having a choice. They would seem to be doomed to failure. The Financial Ombudsman, under whose jurisdiction these disputes also fall, is regularly ruling against insurers on this point.

Being involved in legal proceedings is often a traumatic affair only made bearable by having the support of a local solicitor whom you know and trust. Having your own insurer against you just makes matters worse. You should though be prepared to fight for the right of choice that the law gives you.

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99

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT

| TAX

KEVIN BUNTING LOVEWELL BLAKE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 01493 335100 | www.lovewellblake.co.uk

U N DER SCRUT I N Y This month Kevin Bunting shows how more and more people are being caught out when not paying all their required amounts of tax

F

ollowing last month’s article I thought it might interest readers to highlight how the Treasury uses targeted intelligence to select affluent taxpayers for enquiry. Some of these examples are on-going, and very complex, but they demonstrate how unorthodox information gathering is generating the ability to challenge a taxpayer disclosure.

Simple employment investigation

A premiership footballer was selected for enquiry based on benefits received from employment. During the investigation a thorough risk assessment was undertaken which involved checking public records, Experian as well as HMRC’s own powerful intelligence systems. The data highlighted the player had also bought and sold a property which produced a gain approaching £1m.

No evidence could be found that the property had previously been reported, or that it was the footballer’s main residence. Following a challenge, the taxpayer disclosed the omitted capital gain and previously unreported letting income from the property.

Foreign property

Using publicly available data, HMRC identified taxpayers understating taxable income by failing to declare income and gains from overseas property. In one example, a taxpayer was found to have 11 undisclosed properties in several Mediterranean countries. The total value exceeded £1.3m and were acquired using deposits totalling £100,000.

The property portfolio was achieved despite the individual declaring UK income of only £6000. HMRC’s own software linked the property owner to a UK tax return and all of this was done electronically. The data is then provided to an HMRC officer for potential enquiry.

Offshore accounts

The UK and Switzerland have an offshore disclosure agreement where data is provided to the UK Treasury.

The recent influx of data from a Swiss bank revealed a husband and wife, who moved to the UK, purchased a property for more than £5m. In addition, and while resident in the UK, they sold a business based elsewhere in Europe and bought a further property in the UK for £8m. The

banking data around account balances and movements was matched to the income declared on the UK tax return (which totalled less than £20,000).

Whilst the facts in this case are complicated, and UK tax returns could be correct, the data collected on bank account movements has allowed the UK HMRC to target taxpayers where evidence suggests there is a risk UK income/gains are understated. Until recently this type of data was not available.

Offshore trust

Another individual, with interests in several offshore trusts, was brought to HMRC’s attention through information received from Swiss bank accounts. Initial enquiries indicated income from some of these trusts had been declared, but significant gains had been omitted.

In trying to ascertain exactly what overseas structures the taxpayer operated, HMRC contacted the overseas trustee for one of the trusts. In the course of this contact the overseas trustee explained income of the trust had been reported but not any gains.

This third party information indicated the UK taxpayer had understated their tax exposure which prompted further questions. These revealed the taxpayer was employed by an overseas company and substantial dividend income was not being reported on the UK tax return.

Working overseas

A taxpayer worked overseas through a UK limited company and claimed to be personally non UK resident.

At the end of the overseas contract a £5m receipt was received by the individual (not through his company) from the overseas client.

If the taxpayer is non UK resident there is a chance the receipt will not be taxable in the UK. The merits of such an outcome are very complex and not examined here because I am interested in how HMRC collects intelligence to focus an enquiry.

In this case, HMRC obtained flight data which suggested the taxpayer may have been in the UK for considerably more than 90 days permitted to allow them to claim non UK resident status for tax purposes. Not only would the £5m become potentially taxable, but so would all other income generated whilst claiming to be non UK resident.

101

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FINANCIAL PLANNING | pensions

SCOTT & PAUL SCOTT OLIVER & PAUL DASHWOOD | THE FINANCE SHOP 0844 8006990 | www.FINANCESHOPGROUP.COM

New e r a f o r p ensio ns Paul Dashwood discusses the latest Government initiative to make people start saving for their pension

O

ctober saw the start of the UK’s new pension auto-enrolment system, which is expected to take six years to be fully rolled out. Under the new system, workers aged over 22 years old and under the state pension age, not already in a scheme and who earn more than £8105 a year, will be automatically enrolled.

Contribution Employees will initially see a minimum of 0.8 per cent of their net earnings allocated to their workplace pension.

Their employer will contribute one per cent of their earnings and tax relief adds a further 0.2 per cent. From October 2018, these amounts will increase to a minimum of a four per cent contribution from the employee, three per cent from the employer and one per cent in tax relief.

Getting the nation’s workers saving The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that 380,000 workers were signed up during October alone, increasing to 600,000 by the end of this year. The government believes that Britain’s employers hold the key to getting the nation’s workers saving for their retirement, but to be successful they will need to find innovative ways of discussing money matters in the workplace.

The success of automatic enrolment It is essential that employers consider their pension options carefully before deciding on the best solution for their business and employees. Working closely with employees to actively engage with them on how they could personally benefit is also essential to the success of automatic enrolment.

Keen to know about the investment options When asked what aspect they would like to find out more about, nearly three-fifths of employees (58 per cent) said they would like to know more about how much they would need to contribute; two-fifths (40 per cent) wanted to find out more about when they would start paying; and almost a quarter (23 per cent) were keen to know about the investment options. Just 27 per cent of employees who don’t currently have a pension said they would like to know more about opting out.

Helping people to save more for their retirement For many employers and employees in the UK, the introduction of auto-enrolment is still some way off, due to the staggered start dates. For several years now, there has been a downward trend in the number of people actively saving into a workplace pension. This trend should be reversed as more people are helped to save more for their retirement.

Employers have an important role to play Communicating the benefits of being enrolled into a workplace pension is essential to the success of autoenrolment. Employers, the government and pension scheme providers all have an important role to play in this respect. There is clearly still a gap to close and a TV and print advertising campaign by the Department of Work and Pensions has been launched to help people understand the opportunity workplace pensions bring.

What should we do?

Do not leave discussing your options until the last minute.

Whether as an employer you need to set up or review existing pension arrangements for your employees, speak to an Independent Adviser now.

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103

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STOCKS & SHARES | investing abroad

NEIL SHILLITO SG WEALTH MANAGEMENT WWW.SGWEALTHMANAGEMENT.CO.UK

Going anywhere nice this summer?

Neil Shillito examines the advantages and disadvantages of investing in foreign companies

W

ith summer on the way and the memories of a miserable cold winter fading, our thoughts can turn to the world outside. It is time to address why people might want to invest here in the UK and why we may want to invest abroad.

Much is made of this country’s debt with it borrowing an extra £125 billion each year. We need to understand what the implications of this debt habit has on investment in general.

Neil Shillito Director SG Wealth Management Ltd Norwich | Tel: 01603 760866 www.sgwealthmanagement.co.uk

At the present the market has not been taking a great deal of notice of this.

Foreign investors seemed to have paid no attention to this figure as they flock to buy large swathes of prime residential London property at what appears to be extortionate prices. The rating agencies are starting to downgrade our debt but their opinions seem to have little effect on the market. Such enthusiastic behaviour from foreign investors seems so strange on the back of flat or anaemic growth.

When compared to other parts of Europe we do have advantages. For example, the people of this nation have great respect and ultimate compliance with this country’s rule of law. In addition, we have control of our own currency. To the outside world there are great advantages to be had through the stability and predictability provided by a robust legal system reinforced by a strong, old and well known culture. When coupled with controlling our own finances this country, particularly London, is a very attractive destination. Compare this country with Southern Europe which has a much worse debt problem with worse growth prospects. Coupled with this they are at Germany’s mercy financially, since they do not have their own currency.

The debt issue of this country is worrying.

But, we do have a history and culture in this country of addressing unavoidable problems and investors seem of the opinion, at present, that the problem will not get out of control. The problem will be helped when the banking issues are resolved and this may take several more years. The country

will also need to keep the public sector and its endless demands for more at bay. The public sector in the UK, although large, is smaller than France, for example.

While we may provide a haven of stability for outside investors the outside world can provide us with the opportunity of the growth we are finding so elusive. While over 70 per cent of the profits of FTSE 100 countries come from abroad, the returns on the FTSE 100 over the 13 years have been poor. We need to find relatively safe ways of investing abroad but which produces good returns.

For the ordinary investor, investing in individual foreign companies carries with it very great risk. It is probably too great unless we understand the local rules (or lack of them) and the customs that affect any investment. This is known as the knowledge and information gap and it can be very damaging for investment health.

We need to find a way around it if we are to enjoy the investment growth levels of developing countries.

The best way to overcome this is the use of experienced fund managers who are familiar with how a developing country works and who can see opportunities that are available there. Knowledge and information is power and we can overcome our investment problems by harnessing it. Specialist funds will also allow the diversification of risk since they will own many different companies rather that just one company. Tackling the dangers of foreign investment in this way can bring excellent rewards.

placesandfaces.co.uk

105

Places&Faces速 | JUNE 2013

106

PLACESANDFACES.CO.UK

BUSINESS PROFILE

Blair Ainslie

A Career with Legs From crouching down on a school bus in the middle of an African war-zone to becoming CEO of leading jack-up vessel company, Seajacks, in Great Yarmouth, Blair Ainslie has come a long way. Emma Outten met him

B

lair Ainslie’s new office, on South Denes Business Park in Great Yarmouth, affords a great view of the North Sea. And somewhere out there, a purpose-built, selfpropelled, jack-up vessel will be busy servicing the offshore wind, oil and gas industry.

Blair is the CEO of Seajacks, a Great Yarmouthbased company and leading owner and operator of a growing fleet of vessels, which have facilitated over 200 wind turbine installations, and counting.

For those not in the nautical know, a jack-up vessel is a boat with legs: the Seajacks fleet turn into what look like four-legged mythical sea creatures, hence the names of Kraken, Leviathan, Zaratan and next-to-be delivered Hydra.

Seajacks is in the buoyant business of installing and maintaining offshore wind turbines and foundations (or modifying, constructing and decommissioning wells and platforms in the North Sea).

The man at the helm lives just down the road in Gorleston, although it is quite apparent that he comes from up the road in Scotland: Dunbar in East Lothian.

His father’s job as an electrical engineer for cement company, Blue Circle, had taken the family to Nigeria in the 60s, and by the time Blair started school (he was the only white pupil there) the country was in the grip of the Nigerian-Biafran civil war. His first day at school got off to a memorable start. ‘My mother and I went on the school bus and she said "you need to get down, now, on the floor". It was because we were going past the checkpoints, and the Nigerian soldiers had proper machine guns. I suppose it was an adventure for a young kid but for my parents it was probably a bit worrying.’

At the age of 10, Blair returned home, to his grandparents, and continued schooling in Scotland. His parents subsequently moved to Cambridge, where Blair did his O and A Levels.

He went on to get a BSc in Physical Geography from the University of London, before returning home to his parents (who by this time were living in Kesgrave) with no career in mind. ‘I hadn’t realised I had to get a job when I left university!’

His first job led to him becoming Senior Quantity Surveyor at the Babtie Group. He then became Contracts Manager at Kvaerner Oil and Gas and, following that, he was employed by jack-up company Workfox UK Limited as Business Manager.

Having gained significant experience of the offshore industry, he co-founded Seajacks in 2006. Although jack-up vessels are as old as the oil and gas industry itself, what made the design of the Seajacks vessels different, at that time, was the self-propelled element: no tug needed, in other words.

However, Blair reflects: ‘It didn’t go particularly well to start with.’

A few months in and they were still looking for a shipyard to build the vessels to their design and specification. ‘It was proving quite tricky. My golf handicap improved tremendously that year, because we were going nowhere at the time.’ He has a handicap of eight, in case you were wondering.

Blair, it should be noted, has been a member of Caister Golf Club for more than 20 years and can often be found on the course at 7.30am on a Saturday morning. However, he is still chasing that elusive hole in one!

But back to business: a shipyard, Lamprell Energy in Dubai, was eventually found, and by 2009 both Kraken and Leviathan had been delivered. The first contract was with Exxon Mobil in Canada but it then became clear that at least two more new build jack-up vessels would be needed to service the wind farm installation industry, including Greater Gabbard and Sheringham Shoal Wind Farms.

Although Blair admits: ‘We are oil and gas guys; that’s where we cut our teeth and there’s still a lot of work to do out there.' However, Seajacks has kept moving with the times, and supports a call to commit the UK to a low carbon power sector by 2030. Blair adds: 'Who knows? Maybe we will be working in tidal or wave power.'

Last year was a big one for Seajacks. They were sold to Marubeni and INCJ (Innovation Network Corporation Japan), in a deal worth $850m, having previously been acquired by private-equity fund Riverside Holdings.

Then Zaratan was delivered (that vessel has just completed the hammering of the 80th monopile at Meerwind Offshore Wind Park off Germany); a fourth vessel, Hydra, was ordered, and the company moved to its new HQ. Blair hopes other businesses will cluster around them in the Enterprise Zone, which is ideal for those businesses requiring the deep water Outer Harbour.

‘For some reason I’ve got a soft spot for Great Yarmouth,' says Blair, who was looking forward to spending the May Day Bank Holiday on a boat, on the Broads.

Presently, Seajacks employs around 60 staff onshore, and around 200 employees offshore. The company also has offices in Dubai, London (where he had been in intense negotiations with shipyards the week we met), and Oslo. ‘We are in the throes of tendering for shipyards for five and six,' says Blair, ‘It’s likely that the fifth will be built in the Far East.'

And he adds: 'There will be more.’ Hydra is due to be delivered next June, followed by the fifth, Scylla, which will be the biggest in the business, with even longer legs (115 metres). 'That doesn’t mean to say big is beautiful,’ says Blair. If the Hydra contract is worth around $150m, Blair concedes: 'Vessel five will be considerably more expensive.' The world is Seajacks' oyster. After all, the vessels can operate wherever there is less than 55 metres of water.

Blair has a landmark birthday this year: 50. How is he going to celebrate it? ‘I’m going to take my family to Dubai for a week – kill two birds with one stone!' Family comprises wife Sharon (‘she’s part of the team – I couldn’t do what I do without her’); step-daughters, Sophie and Georgia, who work at Seajacks; son Archie, a university student about to gain experience working on Zaratan; and daughter Eleanor. He is also planning a party at the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth.

So the geography graduate eventually found what he wanted to do? Blair jokes: ‘I’m still trying to figure it out. My ideal job would have been caddying for Tiger Woods, but I'm not sure my wife would like that now!’

Almary Green Investments Ltd

Advising clients throughout East Anglia Tel: 01603 706740

www.almarygreen.com

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estimating@micropress.co.uk Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon IP18 6DH

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Sales of quality vehicles Servicing and repairs

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15 Queens Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 3HT

SIMPLY CLEVER

The rally inspired Fabia Monte Carlo TECH. Now from just £11,990* OTR

For more information contact us at:

The rally inspired Fabia Monte Carlo TECH with up to 3 years’ free servicing† now from just £11,990 OTR.* Including 17” alloys, Amundsen sat nav, Bluetooth, piano black trim, sports seats and sport suspension.

Simpsons ŠKODA Suffolk Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 0LN

08433 208 755 www.simpsonsskoda.com

*Offer only applicable to ŠKODA Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2 TSI 105PS and Fabia Monte Carlo 1.6 TDI CR 105PS DPF in Corrida Red and Candy White. Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2 TSI 105PS was available with Amundsen sat nav (RRP: £535) and Bluetooth (RRP: £340) for a total price of £15,095 OTR (£16,065 OTR for Fabia Monte Carlo 1.6 TDI CR 105PS) between 29/10/12 and 31/03/13. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Subject to availability. Prices and specifications are accurate at time of print. Discount only applies to RRP of vehicle. Optional specification cannot be added on this offer. Offer available on orders placed by 30/06/13. Cannot be taken in conjunction with any other offer. †Up to 3 years or 30,000 miles free servicing (whichever comes sooner). Terms and Conditions apply. Available when purchased with Solutions. Available on new retail orders subject to availability before the 30th June 2013. Indemnities may be required. Subject to status. Available for over 18s. Excludes the Channel Islands. ŠKODA Finance. Freepost ŠKODA Finance. Offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

7.9% APR

representative

Official fuel consumption in mpg (litres/100km) for the ŠKODA Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2 TSI 105PS and 1.6 TDI CR 105PS DPF: Urban 41.5 (6.8) – 55.4 (5.1), Extra Urban 62.8 (4.5) – 78.5 (3.6), Combined 53.3 (5.3) – 67.3 (4.2). CO2 emissions for the ŠKODA Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2 TSI 105PS and 1.6 TDI 105PS DPF: 124 – 109g/km. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

New CASCADA

SUMMER IS A STATE OF M

New CASCADA

WARRANTY 100,000 MILE

SUMMER IS A STATE OF MIND

New CASCADA ew CASCADA

WARRANTY 100,000 MILE

Thurlow Nunn Vauxhall IS A OF MIND UMMERSUMMER IS A STATE OFSTATE MIND

WARRANTY 100,000 MILE

Station Road Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 0HB 0844 770 0522

Station Road Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9QQ 0844 770 0523

www.thurlownunn.co.uk

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km). Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop: Urban: 35.8 (7.9), Extra-urban: 51.4 (5.5), Combined: 44.8 (6.3). CO2 emissions 149g/km.

Thurlow Nunn Vauxhall

Model shown Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop £26,100 with 20” Alloy Wheels £1,000, Two-coat Pearlescent Paint £525, Front Parking Distance Sensors £385, Premium Forward Lighting Pack £790, Premium Leather Pack £1,200. Total OTR cost £30,000. Prices and specifi cations correct at time of going to print. Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty covers lifetime ownership of fi rst registered keeper, 100,000 mile limit.

Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/warranty

Thurlow Nunn Vauxhall

Station Road Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 0HB 0844 770 0522

Station Road Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9QQ 0844 770 0523

Thurlow Nunn Vauxhall

Station Road Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 0HB 0844 770 0522

Station Ro Great Yarm Norfolk NR31 0HB 0844 770 0

Station Road Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9QQ 0844 770 0523

www.thurlownunn.co.uk

Thurlow Nunn Vauxhall

www.thurlownunn.co.uk

Station Ro

Great Yarm Official Government Test Environm Norfolk mpg (litres/100km) and CONR31 2 emi 0HB www.thurlownunn.co.uk Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures 0844 770 VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop: Ur mpg (litres/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km). Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v Combined: 44.8 (6.3).

CO emissio 2 VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop: Urban: 35.8 (7.9), Extra-urban: 51.4 (5.5), shown Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop £2 Combined: 44.8 (6.3). CO2 emissions 149g/km.

Official Government Test Model Environmental Data.

Fuel consum Parking Distance Sensors £385, Premium Forward Lighting Pack www.thurlownunn.co.uk cations correct at time of going to print. Vauxhall Lifetime War mpg (litres/100km) and specifi CO emissions (g/km).

Cascada 2 Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/warranty VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop: Urban: 35.8 (7.9), Extra-urb Combined: 44.8 (6.3). CO2 Offi emissions 149g/km.Test Environm cial Government Station Road Station Road Model shown Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop £26,100 with 20” Alloy Wheels £1,000, Two-coat Pe Thurlow Nunn Vauxhall mpg (litres/100km) CO 2Total emi Station Road Station Road Parking Distance Sensors £385, Premium Forward Lighting Pack £790, Premium Leatherand Pack £1,200.

OTR Yarmouth, Beccles, Suffolk urlow Nunn Vauxhall Great Yarmouth, GreatBeccles, specifi cations correct at time of going to print. Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty covers lifetime ownership of fi rst registered Suffolk VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop: Ur Norfolk NR34and 9QQ Terms conditions apply. Visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/warranty Norfolk NR31NR34 0HB 9QQ Combined: 44.8 (6.3). CO2 emissio 0844 770 0523 NR31 0HB Model shown Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop £26,100 with 20” Alloy Wheels £1,000, Two-coat Pearlescent Paint £525, Front Parking Distance Sensors £385, Premium Forward Lighting Pack £790, Premium Leather Pack £1,200. Total OTR cost £30,000. Prices and specifi cations correct at time of going to print. Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty covers lifetime ownership of fi rst registered keeper, 100,000 mile limit.

Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/warranty

0844 770 0522

O m ALL THREE VAT FREE V Co

770 0523 08440844 770 0522

www.thurlownunn.co.uk ww.thurlownunn.co.uk

Model shown Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop £ Parking Distance Sensors £385, Premium Forward Lighting Pack specifi cations correct at time of going to print. Vauxhall Lifetime Wa Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/warranty

Official Government Test Environmental Fuel consumption ial Government Test Environmental Data. FuelData. consumption figures figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO emissions (g/km).

Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v 2 (litres/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km). Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop: Urban: 35.8 (7.9), Extra-urban: TurboVVT (140PS) Start/Stop: Urban: 35.8 (7.9), Extra-urban: 51.4 (5.5), 51.4 (5.5), (6.3). CO2 emissions Alto from £5,999 bined:Combined: 44.8 (6.3). 44.8 CO2 emissions 149g/km. 149g/km.

Model shown Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v VVT Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop £26,100 with 20” Alloy Wheels £1,000, Two-coat Pearlescent Paint £525, Front

*

Splash from £7,999

wn Cascada Elite 1.4i 16v VVTSensors Turbo (140PS) Start/StopForward £26,100 Lighting with 20” Alloy £1,000, Two-coat Pearlescent Parking Distance £385, Premium Pack Wheels £790, Premium Pack £1,200.Paint Total£525, OTR Front cost £30,000. Prices and SwiftLeather from £8,999 istance Sensors £385, Premium Lighting PackVauxhall £790, Premium Leather Pack £1,200.

Total OTR cost Prices and 100,000 mile limit. specifi cations correct atForward time of going to print.

Lifetime Warranty covers lifetime ownership of fi£30,000. rst registered keeper, Which will grab you?

The eco-friendly Alto? ons correctTerms at time of going to print.

Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty covers lifetime ownership of fi rst registered keeper, 100,000 mile limit. and conditions apply. Visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/warranty The streetwise Swift? Or the spacious Splash? d conditions apply. Visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/warranty It’s a good job they’re affordable, because they’re irresistible.

Request a Test Drive today: www.mrking.co.uk

M R King & Sons

Horn Hill Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 0PX 01502 525425

Mo Par spe Te r

Models shown: Alto 1.0 SZ4 available at £7,999 on the road, includes customer saving of £1,600 (metallic paint available at £399). Splash 1.2 SZ4 available at £9,899 on the road, includes customer saving of £1,980 (metallic paint available at £415). Swift 1.2 SZ4 5dr available at £11,415 on the road, includes customer saving of £2,284 (metallic paint available at £430). Alto, Splash and Swift range official fuel consumption figures in mpg (L/100km): Urban from 40.9 (6.9) to 55.4 (5.1), extra urban from 56.5 (5.0) to 78.5 (3.6), combined from 49.6 (5.7) to 67.3 (4.2). Official CO2 emissions from 131 g/km to 99 g/km. *VAT free offer on Alto, Splash and Swift range: Alto 1.0 SZ available from £5,999, including customer saving of £1,200 to Alto 1.0 SZ4 A/T available at £8,625 including customer saving of £1,724 equivalent to VAT amount of previous on the road price of £7,199 (SZ) and £10,349 (SZ4 A/T). Splash 1.0 SZ2 available at £7,999, including customer saving of £1,600 to Splash 1.2 SZ4 A/T available at £10,645 including a customer saving of £2,129 equivalent to VAT amount of previous on the road price of £9,599 (SZ2) and £12,774 (SZ4 A/T). Swift 1.2 SZ2 3dr available at £8,999, including a customer saving of £1,800 to Swift 1.2 SZ4 5dr A/T available at £12,257 including customer saving of £2,452 equivalent to VAT amount of previous on the road price of £10,799 (SZ2 3dr) and £14,709 (SZ4 5dr A/T). VAT Free offer excludes Swift Sport, Swift Sport SZ-R and Swift Attitude. For full details contact your local participating Suzuki Dealer. Offer subject to availability for vehicles privately registered between 1st April 2013 and 30th June 2013 from participating Authorised Suzuki Dealers only. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. All prices and specifications correct at time of going to print.

DEALER THURLOW NUNN Station Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 0HB Tel: 0844 7700522

Prices correct at time of going to press

THURLOW NUNN Station Road, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9QQ Tel: 0844 7700523 www.thurlownunn.co.uk

110

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MOTORING

Vauxhall Cascada

You’ll Be Converted!

Iain Dooley test drives the new Vauxhall Cascada

A

s part of Vauxhall's plan to position itself as a maker of cars with a greater premium feel, it's upping the desirability levels by adding a four-seat convertible to its line-up.

With an increasing number of buyers seeking more upmarket cars, offering perfectly acceptable five-door hatchbacks and four-door saloons is no longer enough. Enter the Cascada, Vauxhall's take on the full-size convertible.

This isn't the company's first attempt at droptop motoring, though. Recent efforts include the physically smaller Astra TwinTop, but to compete with the established premium sellers Vauxhall has raised its ambitions. The Cascada might be cheaper than the likes of Audi’s A5 Convertible, but there’s no question that the firm is targeting customers seeking mid-size, four-seat convertibles with a solid grounding in comfort and refinement.

Continuing Vauxhall’s recent adoption of a smooth, streamlined approach to exterior design, the Cascada is devoid of any fussy, distracting details. This bodes well for when the roof is down, as Vauxhall’s decision to opt for fabric over a metal folding roof means the designers have managed to avoid the issue of being forced to graft on an unsightly metal box to the car’s rear to accommodate large metal roof panels.

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model Vauxhall Cascada 2.0 Bi-Turbo CDTi Elite, from £29,080 on the road.

Cascada range from £23,995 to £29,080.

*

Engine 2.0-litre diesel unit developing 195bhp.

*

Transmission 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels.

*

Performance Maximum speed 143mph, 0-62mph 8.9 seconds.

*

Economy 54.3mpg.

*

CO2 Rating 138g/km.

And in a nod to treating Cascada owners as trustworthy grown-ups, you can operate the powered roof when on the move up to 30mph.

There’s nothing like being caught out in a typically British rain shower, and at least you can keep moving while you battle the elements when in the Cascada.

In other respects the Cascada is similar to Vauxhall’s more conventional mid-size offerings.

The car’s cabin layout is a blend of Astra and Insignia, although to illustrate its upmarket leanings there’s no shortage of reminders such as glossy and shiny trim. Where fitted, the car’s leather seats are both plush and supportive, and should further enhance its lofty position above rank and file hatchbacks and saloons.

This general ‘feel good’ ambience is just as obvious when on the move, as Vauxhall’s engineers have made a conscious decision to pitch the Cascada as a cruiser, not a racy sports convertible. As such, the car’s plush ride does a good job of dealing with road surface imperfections and, despite the comfort orientated set-up, there’s a pleasing lack of pitch and roll through the corners.

Furthermore, lowering the roof impacts little on the overall driving experience. Even without the sizeable wind deflector in place, noise and discomfort when on the move is minimal.

Placing it between the rear seats rules out space for passengers, but the trade off ensures that even high speed cruising is possible without the buffeting and noise usually associated with such activities.

Continuing the ‘living with it’ theme, Vauxhall’s decision to opt for fabric over metal for the Cascada’s roof has resulted in a good size boot.

Granted, the boot aperture could be a little larger, but there’s plenty of space once you’ve negotiated that hurdle. Plus, there’s a clever partition you can move to liberate even more space if you know you won’t be lowering the roof anytime soon.

Rounding off the experience is a generous selection of safety and comfort kit, such as plenty of airbags, DAB radio and the option of forward collision and lane departure warnings, traffic signs displayed on the main infotainment screen and satellite navigation.

The Cascada also sees the introduction of a good choice of petrol and diesel engines, plus manual and automatic transmissions. Modest capacity petrol units are bolstered by more powerful and pleasingly refined diesel motors – an important consideration if you plan on running an oil burning convertible. The flagship bi-turbo diesel’s smooth power delivery suits the Cascada’s personality well, while the turbo petrol 1.6 variant shouldn’t be dismissed just because it’s ‘only’ a 1.6-litre engine.

Available in two generously equipped trim levels (SE, Elite) and boasting genuine four-seater capability, Vauxhall’s Cascada does a lot right if your priorities centre around ease of use, comfort and refinement.

placesandfaces.co.uk

111

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SIDEGATE MOTORS Gapton Hall Road, Great Yarmouth, NR31 0NL Tel: 01493 419700 www.sidegatemotors.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) and CO2 135-98.

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M R KING & SONS

Horn Hill, LOWESTOFT, NR33 0PX Tel: 01502 573955 www.mrking.co.uk The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 208 GTi are: Urban 34.4 (8.2); Extra Urban 60.1 (4.7); Combined 47.9 (5.9). CO2 emissions 139(g/km).

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Hot Hatch Matt Joy test drives the latest supermini from Ford

Prices correct at time of going to press

114

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MOTORING

Ford Fiesta ST

M

illions of boy racers can’t be wrong. Ford has had the lion’s share of the hot hatch market well and truly sewn up for the best part of two decades (if not longer), and despite the questionable taste of some of the owners, they’ve bought Fords with good reason – they know how to make a good hot hatch.

There have been some solid gold hits and some near misses over the years, but the key difference since the late 1990s is that the standard cars drove well; that’s the key ingredient when you’re making something with a bit more sparkle. So taking the best-driving supermini in the class and sending it to a hot hatch boot camp sounds like the ideal scenario.

At first glance the Fiesta ST looks quite different to the standard car, mainly thanks to the huge front grille. Rather than the normal slick offering (that nods discreetly towards a well-known British luxury brand) the ST has its own blacked-out honeycomb version with a discreet ‘ST’ badge. Add to that the standard 17-inch alloy wheels and discreet but purposeful bodykit and you have all the right ingredients. Inside there are standard Recaros on both ST and ST2 versions, a unique steering wheel and gear lever and some carbon-like trim.

This is all window dressing if the mechanicals aren’t up to scratch, but Ford has hit the mark here too. The 1.6-litre Ecoboost engine is used elsewhere in the Ford range but here it is in a unique state of tune, with 180bhp and 177lb.ft of torque; that’s 20 per cent more power than the last Fiesta ST but forced induction means 20 per cent less CO2 too.

You’d expect lower and stiffer suspension but the ST goes further; a new front ‘knuckle’ (where the steering and suspension components join), a stiffer rear torsion beam and revised geometry are over and above what a normal hot hatch delivers.

Expectations are high then, not only because of Ford’s reputation but also because the specification is extremely promising. Only a few minutes are required for the ST’s strength in depth starts to reveal itself.

The driving position is close to spot on, with the excellent Recaros offering the kind of support expected from that particular brand. Start slowly and the ST demands no more from you than the standard car; in fact in some ways it is easier. The turbocharged engine delivers maximum torque from only 1600rpm right round to 5000, so getting going is a piece of cake. You can be really lazy with the gear lever and it will happily slog along without complaint.

The other big difference over the standard car is the steering. A quicker ratio rack is fitted to the ST that really sharpens things up; it’s so quick that it’s easy to negotiate many bends without having to shuffle the wheel, yet it avoids being too nervous at higher speeds.

The humdrum is taken care of then, but it’s on more open roads that the ST really earns its status.

Just as at lower speeds, making rapid progress only requires an extended squeeze of the throttle. The strong torque means rowing the six-speed manual gearbox isn’t required, and on a flowing section of road it’s refreshing to be able to stick to a single gear

DEALER PERTWEE & BACK LTD Gapton Hall Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Tel: 01493 664151 www.pertwee-and-back.co.uk

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model Ford Fiesta ST, £16,995.

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Engine 1.6-litre petrol unit producing 180bhp and 177lb.ft of torque.

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Transmission 6-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.

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Performance Top speed 137mph, 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds.

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Economy 47.9mpg combined.

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CO2 Rating 138g/km of CO2.

and still be quick. Just like its bigger Focus sibling the Fiesta ST has a sound symposer that filters some of the engine sound into the cabin, giving a nice rumble in the cabin.

You’ll relish that quick steering even more on a twisting B-road as you can clamp your hands at the quarter-to-three position and simply dive between corners. Although electrically assisted there is good feedback through the wheel and the sophisticated torque vectoring control clearly does its business; powering out of tight corners is fuss-free and fast.

A bespoke ESP set up for the ST allows a middle ‘sport’ setting between fully on and fully off, but the difference between the three is relatively minimal and that’s a good thing; even in the fully on mode it never feels heavy-handed.

When pushed the Fiesta ST is benign but enormous fun. It’s a very flattering car to drive and forgiving of mistakes, but those blessed with huge reserves of talent are unlikely to be bored either. And that’s a testament to the ST being developed with its target audience in mind - lucky 20-somethings with the cash to spare will have to be very silly to end up pointing in the wrong direction.

And the icing on the cake is that they won’t need as much cash as you might think. The ST checks in at £16,995 and is not short of kit. If you see a lot of them on the road, it’s for a very good reason.

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Introduction to Contact Lenses, Dipple & Conway, Castle Street, Norwich Long-established Norwich opticians Dipple & Conway hosted an evening reception to introduce guests to contact lenses. The award-winning family business is owned by Damian, Robert and James Conway, grandsons of Thomas Conway, who started the practice with George Dipple in Norwich in 1916. It has a branch in Swaffham. Damian Conway gave demonstrations of how to insert and remove contact lenses. Guests enjoyed delicious canapés from Brasteds restaurant and pink sparkling wine from Chapel Field Vineyard at Spooner Row. Amanda SandlandTaylor, Newsmakers PR

Pictures & words by

Angela Ford and Kamila Galka-Dudkiewicz

Anne Colby and Juliet Ashmore

Brian and Sally Cox

Maciek Dudkiewicz, Matthew Conway and Suzanne Nichol

Val Seaman and Avril Welbank

Crozier Collinson and James Conway

David Krumins and James Ayers

Rachel Farmer and Trish Leech

Justine and Damian Conway

Carol Miller and Janice Quilter

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high society

Valuation Day, Keys Fine Art Auctioneers A charity antiques valuation day held by Keys Fine Art Auctioneers at Arnolds Keys’ office at Eaton, Norwich, had collectors queueing out of the door. Valuers Roy Hodgson and Paul Goodley were kept busy all day assessing furniture, jewellery, pictures, toys and other collectables – even a 1920s Louis Vuitton suitcase which a lady found in the attic of her Wreningham home. The day was raising money for Arnolds Keys’ 2013 charity, the Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind.

Pictures by

ANDY NEWMAN ASSOCIATES, NORWICH

Diana Bates

Helen Smith

Elizabeth White

Jack and Nick Baynes

Edward Streeter and Roy Hodgson

Eunice and Glenn Bushell

Jan Moll

Sidney Bygrave

Paul Goodley and Louis Vuitton suitcase

Stephen Boyes

Roy Hodgson and Robert Perry

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Wine Tasting, Last Brasserie, Norwich Phil Weeks of London-based John Armit Wines presented 10 wines at The Last Brasserie’s latest ‘First Thursday’ wine tasting. The Unthank Road, Norwich, brasserie offers a free selection of wines from a different merchant each month as a way of saying thank you to customers and helping to shape the ever-changing wine list.

ANDY NEWMAN ASSOCIATES, NORWICH

Pictures by

Debbie Walker, Chantelle Farrell, Hannah Brooks and Ella Jones

Penny and Roger Hickman

Maya Clarke and Beatrice Heuvel

Nicole and Keith Roberts

Phil Weeks and Ecky Limon

Ecky Limon and Craig Eastaugh

Mark and Teresa Stanton

Gena Mehychuk, Sarah-Lou Davies and Lucy Painter

Susan and Tim Seely

Julie Mundy and Becky Newman

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high society

VIP Events at Simpsons in Great Yarmouth Simpsons hosted a dual VIP event, displaying the most technically advanced Skoda yet – The New Octavia – and a huge array of 2013 Simpsons Motorcaravan models!

The day and evening events went smoothly and were well-received by both existing and new customers.

The New Skoda Octavia

Keith and Jackie Leggett

Steve and Becky Thorpe

Howard Clayton, Lee Pull and Darren Sampson

Francis and Robert Grummett

Andrew Aldis and Belinda Crick

Joy Sanyari, Sarah Green and Sue Clayton

Carol and Doug Shipley

Carol and Charles Fuller

Barbara and Ernie Webb

Stephen and Julie Andrews

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Macmillan Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament, Wroxham Barns Seven teams took part in a Pro-Am mini golf competition at Wroxham Barns in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support Trust. The home team, Wroxham Barns All Stars, were the winners – with the Places&Faces team coming a very respectable second.

And £450 was raised for the charity.

Beth Moseley Photography, WWW.BETHMOSELEYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

Pictures by

Winning Team (Wroxham Barns All Stars) Jo Davies, Daniel Richards, Inna Borisova and James Rutherford

Gay Webster, Lee Todd and Ed Foss

Lucy Conway, Max, Nancy and Annie Conway-Nield

Rachel Harrison, Peter Marron, Danny Mcllwrath and Chris Jones

Philip Search and Ian Russell

Marion Homer and Brad Shephard

Elliott Mowle, Scott Nicholson, Sean Homer and Ashley Coomer

Pippa, Mark, Jake and Chloe Redmond Charlie Risby, Craig Nield and Joseph Conway-Nield

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Pampers Beauty Evening, Norwich An open evening at Pampers Beauty Centre, London Street, Norwich, included a representative from leading French skincare company Darphin. Around 50 women enjoyed wine and canapĂŠs as they learnt more about the lovely range and the various treatments on offer at the city centre. Owner Tina Gratton hosted the event which was filled with lots of laughter.

Maisie and Robyn Aldous

Emily Harris

Kayleigh Broad

Tina Gratton

Lorraine Scally and Jane Kruber

Anne Allgood and Sandra Debenham

Jill Skipper and Ronny Hawtrey-Eastwood

Connie Roe and Melody Durrant

Claire Souter

Donna Gibling

Until next time

Places&Faces® | JUNE 2013

W HEELER DEAL I N GS SJP turns Del-Boy for the day as she haggles at a car boot sale

S

o, if you read me last month (if not, why not?) you’ll know that I experienced a most enjoyable book club meeting!

I now seem to be entering a phase of being persuaded to do things that I have zero interest and tolerance in.

My friend Sally, whom I expect to see on the programme The Hoarder Next Door, has finally decided to root through her drawers and cupboards and de-clutter her life. She was thrilled with the idea of car booting the whole lot and guess what?

She roped me in as well. She actually thinks it’s a fun way to spend a Sunday morning. Apparently, I have to wake up with the birds at dawn as it’s of paramount importance that we get a good pitch.

I got so depressed at the prospect that I decided to go out on the Saturday night and drank so much that I got two hours sleep and wandered out of my house, clutching a flask of coffee and looking shocking – which I continued to do for the rest of the day!

At the sale there were the obvious perennials. Boxes of faded best sellers, manky tracksuits, baby items, from buggies to bottle sterilisers, and endless brightly coloured toys. There are also the apparent cherished antiques – silver spoons, chipped crockery with hideous flower designs, brasses, old suitcases and then boxes of components from cheap lights to old fridges; in fact if you just tipped it out on the table it would just look like one giant aircraft wreckage.

So, we pulled into the car park at 7am and I, reluctantly and unenthusiastically with my very large sunglasses on, ambled to the boot of her Volvo.

The car park was already busy, with everyone erecting their trestle tables, feverishly displaying their apparent junk for all to view. After removing a globe from the boot whilst at the same time trying to fight off a hoard of fellow car booters, my energy was quickly dissipating.

It wasn’t long before I was slumped against the side of the car, hoping above all hope that Sally would do the deals, clear the table, and I’d be home on the sofa in less than half an hour.

Yet she seemed to embrace the trash and relish the car boot camaraderie. Peering over the top of my glasses it was all proving way too much like hard work for my liking. The idea of getting and earning some good cash was very appealing but the reality was that I found it all soul destroying and didn’t like haggling a bargain from £1 down to 75p.

All I wanted to cry was: ‘For God’s sake, just make me an offer.

Anything. I just want to get out of this car park asap.’

When someone did offer me a meagre amount, I found myself adopting my minor royal family accent and announcing: ‘Oh come on, it’s great value, it is brand new!’ while pointing at the grottiest fridge with an I ❤ Cardiff magnet still attached to the door.

I then made the mistake of opening the fridge door to display its design features and was horrified that there was so much mould

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growing in it that it could well qualify as a laboratory of interesting cultures.

Another hour elapsed, and I did manage to flog a home crafts book, and looking at Sally, I can only think that the dodgy patchwork tank top she was wearing must have been a pattern from the book!

Then, the aroma of the burger van, which was miles from our pitch, called me. The hangover munchies were so bad that I deserted the pitch, completed a marathon journey which included weaving around countless pitches, before loading up a greasy burger with all the trimmings. I then took as long as possible to consume it before having to return to my Del Boy role.

Now with a full belly, I was determined to sell everything. My mantra was ‘what may be junk to me (and trust me, it was) is a gem to someone else’ (someone with no taste and possibly insane).

I was sure that someone would want to buy a set of rusty frying pans, half a cat jigsaw, a teddy bear with one eye hanging on a thread, half an amputated limb and with no stuffing left.

Then, quite a good looking guy approached the table, and asked if I had any mobile phones. At that point, I spotted Sally’s mobile at the end of the table. Yes, it’s an ancient push button discontinued Nokia that should be on the Antiques Roadshow, but potentially this could be my first serious sale to impress Sally.

There was just one problem – it was Sally’s actual phone, with her entire life stored in it. I was so bored that I reached over, grabbed it and asked: ‘What do you want to pay for it?’

He offered me a fiver, at which point Sally’s arm reached over, snatched it out of my hand, and explained that I was trying to sell her mobile! He wasn’t interested in anything else on the table and, as he walked away, I sarcastically yelled: ‘Call me!’

Overall it was all a load of rubbish. Oh, except for the vintage Gucci bag I got for £25. When I proudly showed Sally my purchase the next day, she revealed how she’d sold one just like mine which was her ‘Gucci’ bag bought in Bangkok for a fiver last year, from her end of the table to a ‘good looking guy looking for mobile phones’ and I’d bought it back.

My disappointment was overwhelming when I realised that not only was it Sally’s bag but it also had ‘Gukky’ written on the front.

SjP

SJP

All pictures for illustration purposes only.

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Less roof. More V8.

The new Audi RS 5 Cabriolet The dramatic air intakes. The honeycomb grille.

The powerful, 4.2-litre, 450PS V8 engine. The new Audi RS 5 Cabriolet certainly displays all the hallmarks of the iconic RS range. Yet it also does away with one feature: the roof. Giving you not just an exhilarating, open-top driving experience. But more opportunity to hear that distinctive RS engine at full, unfettered volume.

Contact us to experience it for yourself.

Norwich Audi 17 Meridian Way Norfolk NR7 0TA 01603 709200 www.norwich.audi.co.uk

Official fuel consumption figures for the Audi RS 5 Cabriolet 4.2 FSI quattro in mpg (l/100km) from: Urban 19.3 (14.6), Extra Urban 33.2 (8.5), Combined 26.4 (10.7). CO2 emissions: 249g/km. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.