Places & Faces 94 January 2018

JANUARY 2018 / £3.50 WHERE SOLD

The magazine for

Norfolk & Suffolk

NOEL GALLAGHER YOU’VE SEEN THE LAST OF OASIS

CELEBRITIES / FOOD / TRAVEL / FASHION / HOMES & GARDENS / THEATRE ISSUE № 94

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WELCOME M E E T

T H E

T E A M

TO JANUARY’S PLACES&FACES® IN THIS MONTH’S EDITION Noel Gallagher unequivocally

puts paid to any rumours that an Oasis reunion is on

COLIN HUGGINS

the cards, he talks about his recent performance at the

PUBLISHER

reopening of the Manchester Arena following its bomb

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attack, his fears for the safety of his children plus what fans can expect from High Flying Birds new album ’ Who Built the Moon?’… Samantha Fraser caught up with Noel

DONNA TITCOMBE FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR

E: donna@h2creativemedia.co.uk

Gallagher.

James Rampton took time out to speak to Jimmy Osmond who is the youngest member of the world-famous Osmond family, Jimmy talks about his UK tour, The

ANDREW HIRST HEAD OF CLIENT SERVICES / STUDIO

T: 01493 742250 M: 07557 050160 E: andrew@h2creativemedia.co.uk

Osmond’s, Jimmy’s thoughts on Andy Williams as well as thoughts on his successful career spanning more than 50 years.

Liz Morai chatted to singing superstar Jack Jones who is coming to The Apex theatre in Bury St Edmunds as part of his 80th birthday tour and for those of you who

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love comedy we also spent time talking to Ed Byrne the stand up comedian who has had success with shows such as Roaring Forties and Different Class’s, Mock the Week, Father Ted and The One Show.

Plus of course we have our usual fashion and beauty pages, a superb round of the top shows around the area and a bumper travel section.

So sit back and relax with a cup-off coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy reading the January issue of Places&Faces®

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CONTRIBUTORS

We would like to wish all our contributors, readers and loyal

James Rampton, Samantha Fraser, Mark Nicholls, Kate Morfoot, Liz Morais, John Bultitude, Judy Foster, Pete Goodrum, Nicholas Mobbs, Peter Clarke, Benet Catty, Rob Fosbrook, Andrew Hirst, Carl Lamb, Julian Gibbons, Hayley Philpott, David Wakefield, Eliza Miller, Jennifer Dwyer, Melanie Cook, Kayla Dunne, Lucy Downing, Samantha Thompson, Richard Batson, Neill Barston

advertisers a Happy and Prosperous New Year!!

Cover image: Lawrence Watson

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PS. Congratulations to Jamie Foreman who won a two night stay at Potters Resort… enjoy!

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FIND LEES YARD AT PLAQUE NUMBER 12 ON THE HOLT OWL TRAIL

CONTENTS

58

19 34

26

46

57 COVER STORY 46

Noel Gallagher

PERSONALITIES 30 33 34 39 40 43 44 114

10 things you might not know about: Cher Dear Zoo - on stage!!

Jimmy Osmand - Tribute to Andy Williams Jack Jones celebrates his birthday Derek Griffiths at the Norwich Theatre Royal Comedy and laughs from Mark Thomas Ed Bryne - Spoiler Alert !!

BBC Radio Norfolk’s Stephen Bumfrey

FASHION, BEAUTY & HEALTH 13

50 53 55

Spire Hospital: The Tummy Tuck Ladies Fashion: Jump in to a new look TLC for you hair Winter warmers for him

WHAT’S ON 15 19 25 26 29

Mel Cook: Visit Norwich What’s on in January Music: The Room Winter Walks Voice Project Choir: Travel in Light

MOTORS 98

The all new Ford EcoSport

44 TRAVEL 62 64 66 69 70 72

Our Travel Time round-up Cruising Croatia The Umbrian Hills of Italy Staycations K Wesy Hotel - London Relaxing in the Malvern Hills

HOMES AND GARDENS 80 84

Ellen Mary’s gardening tips for January Jarrold: New year new look

BUSINESS 93

Financial advice from Carl Lamb Legal expert Julian Gibbons

FOOD AND DRINK

95

61

SOCIAL SCENE

57 58

Mocktail Food and wine from The Imperial Hotel Richard Bainbridge with a New Year Broth

100 Out and About ...

Caught on camera

FEATURES 76 90

Weddings Education

09

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Wishing everyone across

Great Yarmouth

a very Happy New Year

Working you in Great Yarmouth &Westminster Westminster Working for Great Yarmouth & Westminster Working for you in Great Yarmouth &of Working for youinround in Great Yarmouth & Westminster Workingfor allyou year for the residents Great Yarmouth Please get inin touch with my team can helphelp you with with any local issues Please get in with my team ifif II can help you any local issues Please getin in touch with my team can you with any local issues Please get touch with my team IIIIcan you any local issues Please get touch with my team can help youwith with any local issues Please get intouch touch with my team if canhelp help you with any local issues 20 Church Plain, Greatififif Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1NE www.brandonlewis.co

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Cosmetic surgery open event Wednesday 31 Jan 7.30pm Local consultant plastic surgeons will be presenting and answering questions on a range of cosmetic treatments and procedures.

For more information and to book your tickets call:

01603 255 515

info@spirenorwich.com www.spirenorwich.com

“I’m so pleased I can now wear clothes I couldn’t before.”

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HEALTH

THE TUMMY TUCK He l e n C u l l i n g o f S p i r e No r w i c h Ho s p i t a l d i s c u s s e s t h e a r e a s o f C o s m e t i c S u r g e r y b e i n g c o v e r e d a t S p i r e No r w i c h Ho s p i t a l ’s f o r t h c o m i n g o p e n e v e n i n g o n 3 1 s t Ja n u a r y.

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onsultant Plastic Surgeon, Mr Guido Kohler will cover abdominoplasty also referred to as a tummy tuck. Mr Kohler says, ‘in suitable patients abdominoplasty can dramatically improve quality of life. As such, it is a very satisfying operation both for the patient and the plastic surgeon’.

‘After pregnancy or a large loss of weight the skin and fat of the lower abdomen often remains loose. This can leave an unsightly and uncomfortable ‘overhanging’ that is difficult to disguise in clothes and can cause skin irritation. Unfortunately, this is often part of the high price a woman’s body pays to have children and for anyone who has improved their general health by losing weight. No matter how much work is put in at the gym, jogging the streets or self control with regard to diet, the ‘overhanging’ of the lower tummy often remains’.

Mr Kohler continues, ‘a tummy tuck operation removes the skin and fat of the lower part of the abdomen (tummy) and re-contours the remaining skin and fat of the upper abdomen leaving a tighter flatter tummy. Sometimes the deep muscles of the tummy are tightened as well. It requires one or two nights in hospital and three to four weeks away from work. Unfortunately, a tummy tuck is not a solution to being overweight. To get the best results patients should be at a stable weight which is near their ideal weight’.

Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Mr Sam Norton will be discussing facial rejuvenation and the inevitable influence of time and gravity on our youthful looks. Mr Norton explains ‘understandably, people are concerned with the parts of their body on show in everyday life, typically the face, neck and eyes. Advances in surgical and nonsurgical approach and years of practice mean that facial rejuvenation avoids the ‘surprised’ look often attributed to some early high profile facelift patients and focuses far more on natural enhancement’.

For those patients not wishing to undergo surgery but explore nonsurgical facial rejuvenation, Mr Norton will be discussing treatments such as anti-aging injections and facial peels, Mr Norton explains ‘Not all patients want to go under the knife and want a more subtle ‘refreshed’ look. The anatomy of the face is very complex, therefore I would always encourage patients to undergo this treatment with a Consultant and I am looking forward to answering questions about what we can achieve for patients during the event on Wednesday 31st January”.

Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Mr Andrew Snelling will be sharing the facts about cosmetic breast surgery and advises ‘whilst breast

augmentation and reduction can be an incredibly successful operation that transforms a woman’s life, undergoing any form of cosmetic surgery is a very serious decision. Only after proper consideration of the potential risks, and cosmetic breast surgery is no exception, should a decision be made.’

‘Breast enlargement surgery is the most requested cosmetic procedure patients ask about. Essentially it is as described, patients will simply gain a larger version of their own breast. It involves inserting implants either directly under the breast tissue or deeper behind the muscle on which the breast lies. The operation takes one to two hours in theatre and is performed under a general anaesthetic.

For patients who meet the strict criteria, surgery may be performed as a day case without the need for an overnight stay.’

Mr Snelling will also be covering a brand new procedure which is used for prominent ear correction called Earfold®, Mr Snelling explains “Earfold®, is a minimally invasive treatment and can be carried out under local anaesthetic. The treatment provides immediate correction to prominent ears with a quick recovery time.

The surgeon will slide a small thin implant (about the thickness of a strand of human hair) under the skin using a small incision towards the edge of the ear and once the implant is in the correct position, it is released. This only takes a few seconds. Once the implant has been released, it grips in to the cartilage of the ear and immediately folds it into a pre-determined shape”.

If you do decide cosmetic surgery is for you, Consultant Plastic Surgeons at Spire Norwich Hospital will look after you every step of the way, from your first consultation, surgery and follow up care.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY to hear more about any area of cosmetic surgery come along to Spire Norwich Hospital’s free open evening on Wednesday 31st January at 7.30pm.

This is a ticket only event with limited availability, to secure your place please contact Esther or Beth at Spire Norwich Hospital on 01603 255515 (Tues-Thurs 9.30am-4.00pm).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on cosmetic surgery available at Spire Norwich Hospital, visit www.spirenorwich.com The content of this page is provided for general information only. It should not be treated as a substitute for the professional medical advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional.

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VISITNORWICH

2018 begins with a Vaudevillian adventure ...

I t ’s g o i n g t o b e a n o t h e r f u n p a c k e d y e t i n s p i r a t i o n a l a n d t h o u g h t p r o v o k i n g c u l t u r a l y e a r i n No r w i c h , s a y s Me l a n i e C o o k o f Vi s i t No r w i c h .

I

t’s always with relief (though I love Christmas) knowing everything will slow down around the 27th December - I can then, and only then, begin to take stock of what’s happening in the new year ahead. Already I’m thinking that I need to bank more time and money! We are lucky to have such an array of high quality culture in the area. Performers from all over the world and the UK, award-winning shows, acclaimed artists and companies plus all the permanent show-stoppers like Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, who celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2018 – watch this space.

But time and tide wait for no man and we are head long already, lured by the promise of yet another exhilarating adventure, for another night out. On Saturday 27th January Flabbergast Theatre brings their talents to Norwich Puppet Theatre as part of Manipulate Festival. Boris and Sergey’s Vaudevillian Adventure is a riotous and memorable evening of bunraku puppetry (traditional Japanese puppet theatre). The show constantly receives 5-star reviews and words such as “Perfection”, “Genius”, “Masterpiece”, “Inspired”, “Hilarious” and “Irresistible”. Flabbergast sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017. This is a strictly over 16s performance though!

In 2010 Jude Kelly, the Southbank Centre’s Artistic Director, launched WOW

– Women of the World to celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day. Today WOW is a major global festival celebrating women and girls, looking at the issues they face across the world, sharing stories, ideas – asking the question “why is gender equality taking so long to achieve?”

WOW has toured the globe (18 countries, 5 continents) and in April 2018 it’s Norwich’s turn to host two public days (28 – 29) of debate, stories, comedy, theatre, inspiration and achievement with local, national and international speakers, artists and contributors. Keep an eye on opennorwich.org.uk for further details of this very exciting and topical event.

Big fans of Norfolk & Norwich Festival will be turning somersaults to learn some of the ambitious and inspirational performances taking place in May are on sale already. The first nine shows including three world premieres - are as diverse and thrilling as ever, offering something for everyone across the county.

Barely Methodical Group is headlining the Adnams Spiegletent in Norwich with their world premiere of Shift. Barely Methodical are one of my favourite acts in the UK - internationally acclaimed – they are a circus company with contemporary, mind boggling extreme and exhilarating ‘tricks’. Their mesmerising strength and agility will no doubt have you reaching for a packet of spinach next time you’re out food shopping! Tickets cost £20 - £22

(previews £15) between 16th May – 27 May (except 22 May) at various times.

Wayfaring is a free, large scale world premiere taking place in Wells between 23 – 27 May, with evening performances on 25, 26 and 27. Artists And Now: will be creating a series of artworks in Areas of Outstanding Beauty, inspired by the present landscape and ancient routes of the Icknield Way which runs from Norfolk to the Dorset Coast. Using found and local materials the artists will create an installation on Wells Beach which audiences can move through, investigate and contribute to.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival’s third world premiere is presented by Improbable Theatre. Improbable - founded 21 years ago - is one of the UKs most innovative and acclaimed theatre companies. They will be performing The Paper Man at Norwich Puppet Theatre between 14 – 19 May. The show is based upon a true story about Austrian football star Matthias Sindelar who in 1938 humiliated the Nazi regime by refusing to throw a match. A few months later he was dead - was it an accident, suicide or execution?

DETAILS OF ALL THESE EVENTS and much more can be found at www.visitnorwich.co.uk

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WHAt's On

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TRIBUTE BAND THE ILLEGAL EAGLES The World’s Official No.1 Eagles tribute returns in 2018 for another outstanding show promising more of their trademark musical prowess, acute attention to detail, and incredible showmanship.

This phenomenal group of musicians have been touring for over two decades and remain true Eagles fanatics!

Their longevity and continued international acclaim are due in no small part to their extraordinary mastery of the Eagles’ distinctive sound.

Featuring the very best from the Eagles’ repertoire including Hotel California, Take it to the Limit, Life in the Fast Lane, Take It Easy, Lyin’ Eyes, Desperado and plenty more!

– Marina Theatre Lowestoft Saturday 3 February 7.30pm www.marinatheatre.co.uk

jAnuar Y

THEATRE

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS The mysterious and fabulously wealthy Phileas Fogg wagers his life’s fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. Join Fogg and his loyal valet, Passepartout, as they voyage from the misty alleys of Victorian London to the exotic subcontinent and the Wild West in a race against the clock.

This high-speed, globe-trotting

comedy sees a hugely talented cast of 8 play over 125 characters in this imaginative, high-spirited escapade including six trains, five boats, four fights, three dances, two circus acts and an elephant! Suitable for ages 7+ – Norwich Theatre Royal Tuesday 16 January to Saturday 20 January Shows at 2.30pm and 7.30pm check availability www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

MUSIC JIMMY OSMOND – MOON RIVER & ME Direct from the USA, the only official Andy Williams tribute show starring Jimmy Osmond. This brand new show full of award-winning music, nostalgic footage and special memories of Andy Williams will touch your heart.

Jimmy Osmond began his performing career at the tender age of three with Andy Williams on his television series. This year marks Jimmy’s fiftieth anniversary in show business.

Jimmy will sing the songs that made Andy Williams so beloved by millions including Music To Watch Girls By, Happy Heart, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Almost There, May Each Day, Days Of Wine And Roses, and, of course, the song that was to become his theme tune, Moon River.

The youngest member of the world-famous Osmond family is joined by his singers and The Moon River Band, and, naturally, a show with an Osmond would not be complete without some of the chart-topping hits that made Jimmy and his brothers famous. Come and relive the dream with Jimmy Osmond singing the songs of Andy Williams.

– Princess Theatre Hunstanton Sunday 4 February 2018 - 7.30pm www. thelittleboxoffice.com/princess/event 19

WHAt's On jAnuary IN

DANCE

BRENDAN COLE ALL NIGHT LONG Brendan Cole takes to the stage to wow audiences in Norwich for a second time with his latest spectacular production, All Night Long.

If you missed this sensational show in 2017, or can’t wait to see it again, this is your chance. Live music, stunning special effects and Brendan’s own dazzling choreography and charm make this an unforgettable night.

– Norwich Theatre Royal Sunday 28 January 3.00pm & 7.30pm www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Ipswich Regent Saturday 17 February 7.30pm www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk

MUSIC ASHLEY HUTCHINGS REVISITS FAIRPORT CONVENTION Prompted by the 50th anniversary of folk-rock legends, Fairport Convention, Ashley Hutchings MBE, the “Godfather of folk-rock”, has put together a new and entertaining words-and-music show, which covers the beginning and early years of the group.

As founder member and leader of the band in the early days, Ashley is uniquely positioned to delve back into the heady days of 1967, the year of the “Summer of love” and ‘The Beatles’’Sergeant Pepper’ album, and tell the story from inside one of its most-loved bands.

With songs and anecdotes, Ashley and friends present an entertainment which is a must-see for anyone who has an interest in this important legacy of English music and culture.

– The Apex Bury St Edmunds Wednesday 31 January 7.30pm www.theapex.co.uk

20

COMEDY LEE HURST MUCKING ABOUT In his new show Lee will be exploring the relationship between…

No he won’t, he’ll be leaving that old twaddle to comedians at the Edinburgh Festival.

There’s no journey or message. If you want to go on a journey, buy an airplane ticket. If you want a deep message, run your voicemail through a sub-base woofer.

If you want plenty of laughs this is for you.

Lee will be turning up, lobbing gags and funny stuff at you from all angles.

A hilarious night is about to hit town.

– The Corn Hall, Diss Saturday 20 January 8.00pm www.thecornhall.co.uk

WHAT’S ON STAND UP COMEDY KATHERINE RYAN What does Canada’s first woman to have a worldwide Netflix special have in common with Britain’s first woman to have a worldwide Netflix special? They are both single mothers with too many pets. And they are both Katherine Ryan.

This Canadian abroad is the UK’s 2017 break-out star. Katherine recently garnered rave reviews as the presenter and writer of Channel 4’s critically acclaimed prime time series, How Did You Get So Rich? and also regularly appears on all the UK’s major panel shows from BBC’s QI, Have I Got News For You and Live at the Apollo to Dave’s Taskmaster Series 2 (which she won) and Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats as well as co-hosting two back to back series of Comedy Central’s upcoming Your Face or Mine reboot with Jimmy Carr.

As seen on Conan O’Brien, Lip Sync Battle, and instagram, Katherine Ryan brings her brand new stand-up show, GLITTER ROOM to the UK. – Kings Lynn Corn Exchange Friday 19 January 8pm www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

DRAMA BIRDSONG Marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, Birdsong is the hit, critically acclaimed stage show Based on the world famous novel by Sebastian Faulks.

In pre-war France a young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down.

As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carriage of the

Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground.

Faced with the unprecedented horror of war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world exploded around him.

A mesmerising story of love and courage, set both before and during the Great War. – Theatrre Royal Bury St Edmunds Wednesday 31 January to Saturday 3 February Check availability and times www.theatreroyal.org

MUSIC JACK JONES - 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION TOUR! Jack Jones lights up a stage - any stage, any time, anywhere.

One of the world’s most loved international singing stars, Jack Jones, still stands head and shoulders above his musical peers.

He has sung for all his life and has 60 albums to his credit, two Grammies and another five nominations, an Emmy, and numerous other awards too many mention!

As Mel Torme put it, “the greatest ‘pure’ singer in the world” and Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet said he was Numero Uno!!

Perhaps best known for his hit renditions of ‘The Impossible Dream’, ‘Lollipops and Roses’, ‘What I Did For Love’, ‘The Race Is On’, ‘Lady’, ‘Call Me Irresponsible’ and ‘The Love Boat Theme’, amongst others.

And now, at 80, he’s proving yet again just what took him to the top, and back touring his favourite country. Come and join Jack and celebrate his 80th Birthday!

– The Apex, Bury St Edmunds Friday 26 January 7.30pm Check availability and times www.theapex.co.uk 21

j Anuary ' n O s t A H W IN

DANCE RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY Richard Alston Dance Company is an avidly followed UK dance company with some of the world’s most beautiful contemporary dancers. It returns with a full programme of works including a brand new world premiere for Norwich

by Associate Choreographer Martin Lawrance.

Alston’s newest dance Carnaval is performed to Schuman’s Carnaval revolving around characters from the Commedia dell’arte, played live by the fantastic pianist Jason Ridgway.

Gypsy Mixture, a great Alston favourite, has been newly revived for the first time in a decade.With exhilarating dancing to the infectious music of Romanian and Macedonian gypsy bands this dance will lift your spirits and quicken your pulse.

– Norwich Theatre Royal Friday 2 - Saturday 3 February 7.30pm www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk COMEDY STEPHEN K AMOS – BREAD AND CIRCUSES Brexit. Trump. No more Mary Berry on the Great British Bake Off. Things are looking bleak, so wouldn’t it be better to just forget all about it?

Comic maestro Stephen K Amos might not be able to provide bread to the hungry masses, but no one else is going to put on a better circus. Leave your problems behind for the evening in the company of the ‘effusively charming’ Amos and who knows? Maybe the world will seem just a little bit brighter.

– Norwich Playhouse Monday 29 January 8pm www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

MUSIC - DIRECT FROM USA THE LEGENDARY FRONTMEN OF ROCK

From the tour producers of the ‘Classic Legends of Rock’ comes a rock Tour just not to be missed.

THE LEGENDARY FRONTMEN OF ROCK makes UK landfall in January/February 2018 with an all evening line up that all rock fans will not want to miss.

Raiding the rock vault we bring you legends of rock and nonstop classic rock hits, album tracks and rock anthems delivered the way they should be in their original format. Classic hit after hit!

22

FRAN COSMO (former lead singer of BOSTON) & his Band Perform BOSTON and BOBBY KIMBALL (original lead singer of TOTO) & his band perform the music of TOTO – Epic Studios Norwich Thursday 25 January 7.30pm www.epic-tv.com Ipswich Regent Thursday 25 January 7.30pm www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk

COMEDY - JIM DAVIDSON The people’s favourite comedian takes to ‘The Road Again’ with a brand-new show which promises to be the antidote to this ‘PC’ world we now live in. Guaranteed to be outrageous and truthful as ever.

– Kings Lynn Corn Exchange Tue 16 & Wed 17 January 8pm AGE 16+ www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

Ipswich Regent Sunday 21 January 7.30pm AGE 16+ www.apps.ipswich.gov

WHAT’S ON

Miss Prime? Will Mrs Parry ever find her Koko? And why does everyone smell of spring onions?

Brought back to the stage by highly acclaimed Blackeyed Theatre with high energy, breakneck comedy and breathtaking ensemble performances, Teechers is a modern classic with something vital to say about education for the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.

– Norwich Playhouse Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 February 7.30pm Wednesday 7 February 1pm www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

MAGIC SEAN GOODMAN’S OMG SHOW Get ready to have your minds truly blown!

OMG is an interactive show, suitable for all ages, like no other.

Afterwards, you will believe in Magic.

You will witness feats of mind-reading, predictions and much more - OMG will leave you thinking that Star Wars Jedi mind tricks are real!

No camera tricks - no stooges. You will witness magic performed pure and direct, which will leave you in open-mouthed disbelief.

OMG is the creation of local magician Sean Goodman. Sean is an Award Winning Magician, and full member of the famous Magic Circle. Sean was recently invited to lecture to magicians at the Magic Circle - an invitation extended to only a few magicians.

– St Georges Theatre, Great Yarmouth Friday 26 January 7.30pm www.stgeorgestheatre.com

Photo by JAY BROOKS

CLASSIC COMEDY TEECHERS Blackeyed Theatre revives its highly-acclaimed production of John Godber’s classic comedy about life at a modern comprehensive for Mr Nixon, an unsuspecting new drama teacher.

Fast-moving, inventive and highly entertaining, Teechers brings to life an array of terrifying teachers and hopeless pupils through the unique eyes of Salty, Gail and Hobby; three Year 11 students about to leave school for good.

Will Mr Nixon abandon his students for a green and pleasant private school? Who puts the bounce in

MUSICAL THE BAND Written by award winning writer Tim Firth, THE BAND is a beautiful story for anyone who grew up with a boyband and how those songs became the soundtrack to their lives.

For five 16 year old girls in 1992, the band is everything. 25 years on, we are reunited with this group of friends as they try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes.

Featuring the music of Take That, Britain’s most successful boyband of all time, whose songs include Never Forget, Back For Good, A Million Love Songs, Greatest Day, The Flood, Relight My Fire, Shine & Rule the World and starring the winners from the BBC’s Let it Shine, Five to Five.

THE BAND is now the fastest selling musical theatre tour of all time . Don’t miss your chance to see this breathtaking brand new production first before it hits London’s West End. Age guidance: There are a few instances of strong language in the current script, which is still being worked on, so we recommend this show as only suitable for those aged 10 and up.

– Norwich Theatre Royal Tuesday 6 - Saturday 17 February 2018 Check for times and availability www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk 23

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WHAT’S ON

The

rOOM Popular music event in Gorleston is set to return to whisk away post-Christmas blues.

L

ater with Jools Holland-

inspired show The Room will return on Saturday, February 3 after the success of its 10th anniversary come-back in April this year.

Already five bands are lined up and will be covering a selection of music genres, all performed on multiple stages as per Jools’ BBC show.

Appearing this time around are East Anglian rockers Walkway who are carving out a name for themselves having supported Status Quo and The Darkness, as well as becoming firm favourites on the festival front.

Gorleston-based band The Hot Stove League will bring an acoustic feel with their set covering folk through pop, country, reggae, blues and ska.

Norwich band Hot Raisin are Tory Cobb and Mary Podd, they have been delighting the discerning city music scene for some time as well as having their last EP as BBC Radio Norfolk record of the week with their quirky self-penned tracks. They will be joined on the night by their band.

And bringing a touch of theatrics to the evening will be The Bloodshake Chorus who will be performing with their new line up for the first time. Bloodshake take classic 50s and 60’s tracks and give them their own twist.

Finally performing through the three sets and providing a finale to the three and a half hour musical treat will be The H Gang, the Room’s resident band featuring some of the area’s finest musicians many from tribute band Steemy Dan and fronted again this time by local legend Roger “Buster” James.

The Room is held at the Ocean Room in Gorleston, doors open at 8.30pm with the show starting at 9.15pm, tickets are £8 in advance and £10 on the door.

Show host and creator Howard Marshall recently attended the Later with Jools 25th Anniversary show at the Royal Albert Hall and despite being blown away by the event,

draws the same feeling from the Room night all be it on a more local level, but quality live music on any level is worth seeing and its the people who come to see this event whenever it is on that truly make the night happen, so don’t miss this opportunity to be part of it.

For more information about the event and ticket outlets visit the Room website www.the-room.biz or Facebook page www.facebook.com/ theroomattherooms

25

| JANUARY 2018

Fairhaven

L u f r E d N WO

WinTeR WAlKs 26

F

WINTER WALKS

airhaven was created by Major Henry Broughton,

who later became the 2nd Lord Fairhaven. The hall, woodland, water garden and inner broad were all part of the South Walsham Estate, which he purchased in 1946.

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

Initially efforts were concentrated on restoring the house.

The family moved into South Walsham Hall in 1947. The 2nd Lord Fairhaven was an active and enthusiastic gardener and designed the garden himself. He had a team of seven gardeners and two woodmen to assist him in clearing the dense jungle that had grown up in what is now the main garden. He gradually introduced shade and water loving plants, the most spectacular being Candelabra Primula. Thousands of these colourful plants flower during May and early June. Other plants were imported from around the world, such as the Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton Americanus) from North America and Camellias and Rhododendrons from the Himalayas. It took 15 years to create the garden.

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

In 1963 Major Broughton became the 2nd Lord Fairhaven, receiving the title as his elder brother had no heirs. Lord Fairhaven died in 1973. He had requested that the garden be left in Trust for the public to enjoy. The title of Lord Fairhaven passed onto his son Ailwyn, the 3rd Lord Fairhaven who is Chairman of the Fairhaven Garden Trust. The garden opened to the public on the 18th of April 1975.

South Walsham Art Club Exhibition

Tuesday 9 to Sunday 14 January , 10am to 4pm The members of the Thursday art class who meet weekly at St Lawrence’s present an exhibition of their recent work. There is a wide range of subjects and styles from the group who paint what interests and inspires them, whether it is flowers, landscapes, animals or a bowl of fruit.

Free entry to exhibition.

Ann Feavers and Roger Burnay Exhibition

Tuesday 16 to Sunday 21 January, 10am to 4pm Ann will be showing her new range of flower painting as well as Victorian-style paintings on glass, demonstrating how they are produced. Roger, an animal and wildlife painter, working in oils and pastels, specialising in pet portraits, will be demonstrating his work.

They will also have prints, cards and 2018 calendars for sale.

Free entry to exhibition.

Hobland Arts Collective Exhibition

New Year’s Day Guided Walk

Monday 1 January, 11am to 12.30pm Explore the garden with Head Gardener, Ian Guest, learn about the history of Fairhaven, the collection of plants introduced by the 2nd Lord Fairhaven and the organic working methods still used today by the gardening team. Finish your walk with a complimentary mince pie and hot mulled wine.

Included in garden entry charge Free to Fairhaven members).

Walk on the Wild Side with Wildlife Warden Trevor ‘Tabs’ Taberham

Friday 5 January, 9am Take a walk on the wild side every first Friday of the month with Tabs, our Wildlife Warden and get inside knowledge of what makes our woodland garden such a unique environment of diverse habitats. All of which are organically managed, which makes it great for wildlife some of it quite rare.

Booking only as limited spaces. Included in garden entry price.

Free to Fairhaven members.

Tuesday 23 to Sunday 28 January, 10am to 4pm Three artists, inspired by nature and natural form, working in different mediums, independently and collaboratively. Ruth Straughan works in stained glass, Gillian Southgate creates decorative pieces in ceramics, wood and metals, and Vivienne Rainsbury is a painter specialising in wildlife and animal art.

Free entry to exhibition.

Janice Lacey and Sandra Derry Exhibition

Tuesday 30 January to Sunday 4 February, 10am to 4pm Janice Lacey is a self-taught artist and has been painting for more than 20 years - first landscapes in oil then moving on to flowers in watercolour, then lately gouache still life. She exhibits at the Ferrini Gallery and the Art Gallery in Lowestoft. Sandra Derry’s love of the countryside comes from being raised on a farm as a child. Her paintings are inspired by the ever-changing scenery, buildings and birds. Even a humble gate can become a picture to treasure.

Free entry to exhibition.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden School Road, South Walsham Norwich NR13 6DZ 01603 270449 www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

27

Would you LIKE TO

MUSIC

TR AVEL IN LIGHT? The Voice Project Choir’s new piece explores three very different locations in the same medieval Norwich Street.

I

gentle acoustic properties. On the other hand, n one of the darkest parts of the year, St Peter Hungate, also dating back to at least the when the post-festive blues can really set in, 13th century is empty, closed as a working church The Voice Project Choir offer to take you on an in the 1930’s, giving it a much livelier sound with uplifting multi venue journey that will inspire a much longer reverberation time. The United with the promise of spring to come.

Reformed Church is a totally different type of The 150 voices of the choir, plus soloists and guest building built in the early 19th century. It is bright, musicians will perform their new piece, Travels open and airy with a gallery and much bigger in Light, the final part of a trilogy of pieces windows than the other two. about sleep, dreaming and waking and the bits My co-director Sian Croose and I explored this in between on 20 January. There will be three area extensively when we were planning and separate performances at 5pm; 7pm and 9pm. researching our outdoor promenade The show is a multi-venue secular show Singing the City for the 2012 performance piece that will be staged Norfolk & Norwich Festival. The in the three very different churches on Tickets priced £12 history of the area is fascinating and Norwich’s medieval Princes Street - St (£10 concessions) George’s Tombland, St Peter Hungate are available from we’re hoping that Travels in Light will reflect this. As you can probably tell and the United Reformed Church with www.voiceproject. we’re really enjoying making the show the choir leading the audience between co.uk for this wonderful street!’ them. Each of these buildings has a which also has Inspiration for the show came from significantly different atmosphere and information on a quote from painter Paul Nash ‘The acoustic properties which will help all Voice Project divisions we may hold between the highlight Travels in Light’s reflections activities. waking world and that of the dream are on the time of the year: the sleep of not there; they are porous; in a word, winter, the dark nights and the short they are not there’. days yet an ultimate awakening with the promise of spring to come.

The Voice Project was set up in 2008 as an educational education and performance All the music for the concerts has been specially organisation by music professionals Sian Croose written for the Voice Project Choir. and Jonathan Baker. Since then it has become Voice Project co-director Jonathan Baker one of the best known community choirs in explained ‘Each of these buildings has its own East Anglia and beyond having performed at sound and atmospheric qualities, brilliant for a international festivals in mainland Europe, choral piece as these buildings were literally made appeared on prime time TV and had a concert for singing in.’ broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Their show The Arms ‘St George’s is a living church. Parts of the building of Sleep has been commissioned for the 2018 date from the 13th century and it has clear but Brighton International Festival.

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10 | JANUARY 2018

y o u Might s g n i h T not Know Ab Out:

CHER PETE GOODRUM’S monthly look at some of the lesser known facts of rock and pop…

30

TEN THINGS

One of the

small group of superstars who are known by a single name, Cher is a phenomenon. From being half of a 1960s folksy pop duo to stellar status as a solo artist she has ridden the ups and downs of life with fortitude - and style.

Adored to the point of worship by fans worldwide she’s notched up massive record sales, and a not inconsiderable reputation as an actor.

She’s had some of the biggest hair do’s imaginable and, frankly, some of the teeny tiniest costumes allowable.

It’s time to turn back time...

I give you ten things you quite possibly didn’t know about Cher

1

LET’S START WITH THAT NAME.

We only ever know her as Cher. But she was born Cherilyn Sarkisian. Her dad was a truck driver and her mother a bit part actress. She arrived on May 20th 1946, which makes her over 70. She looks great, but don’t tell her that. She hates ageing.

In an interview with CBS she said ‘People are so shocked that I say I don’t like getting older, because I think you’re supposed to say, ‘Oh, I’m better than ever, and it’s great, and blah, blah, blah.’ Uh-uh. Not happening for me.”

2 3

SHE DIDN’T GET RICH QUICK.

She started her career as an extra on TV shows with her sister. Being in the business ( just) their mum got parts for her little girls.It was tough.Cher has recalled having to hold her shoes together with rubber bands. Sadder still is that she was, for a while, put into an orphanage because the family couldn’t manage.

SHE’S SUNG ON A LOT OF FAMOUS RECORDS WITHOUT YOU KNOWING.

Cher worked for the legendary Phil Spector and was often given the job of singing backing vocals. She’s on at least three classics - ‘Da Do Ron Ron’ by the Crystals, ‘Be My Baby’ by The Ronettes and ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ by The Righteous Brothers. Imagine being on tracks as famous as those and nobody knows!

4

BUT THEN IMAGINE BEING ON A TRACK THAT YOU PROBABLY DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT!

It wasn’t her finest hour. Phil Spector produced her first solo single. It was released under the name of Bonnie Jo Mason. Why? The reason is lost in history but she’s probably happy that it’s not credited to Cher. It came out in 1964 and was called ‘Ringo I love you’.

Yes, it was at the height of Beatlemania and the lyric actually opens with the immortal line ‘Ringo I love you, yeah, yeah, yeah…’. It’s not a classic.

5 6

SHE WAS EARLY INTO THE TATTOO CRAZE.

Our favourite diva got her first tattoo in 1972. It was not exactly the done thing at the time. As the lady herself said “When I got tattooed, only bad girls did it: me and Janis Joplin and biker chicks.”

CHER LIKES TO ADVERTISE.

Obviously she’s always been good at self publicity. But, in the 1990s, when her career slipped a bit, she worked on tv commercials and endorsements. Some of them were - odd! In 1994 she promoted her own range of home furnishings.

It wasn’t one of her greatest successes. But she’s still in the advertising game - check out her new commercial, with Atlanta based rapper Future, for this year’s campaign from Gap.

7

THEN CAME THE SONNY AND CHER ERA .

She was 17 when she met Sonny Bono, in a coffee shop. In the early days, despite living together, the relationship was, shall we say, platonic. He worked. She kept house. Sonny and Cher wasn’t the original name of the duo. They first appeared and recorded as ‘Caesar and Cleo’. The act didn’t cause much of a stir. Until that is they changed the name and released ‘I Got You Babe’. It reached Number One in the USA and the UK, and by the end 1967 they’d sold 40 million records worldwide. The image helped. Remaining discreetly silent about the fact that Sonny was actually 30, the pair appeared to be the ultimate, deeply in love, totally rebellious teenage hippies. In 1965 they arrived in London and Britain was shocked. In a world where pop stars including The Beatles - still wore suits, Sonny wore a fur jerkin, huge shirt, tight striped trousers and giant ‘Eskimo Boots’. So outrageous was their appearance that the pair were thrown out of London’s Dorchester Hotel. Except they weren’t. Their publicist, Larry Page, ‘arranged’ for them to be ejected, whereupon they pitched a wigwam in Hyde Park. The publicity was fantastic!

8 9

IT’S EASY TO FORGET NOW BUT...

Cher was a massive TV personality in the 1970s.

‘The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour’ pulled audiences of over 30 million viewers a week. It helped establish her solo career, and soon became a showcase for some of her more elaborate fashion statements.

AND ON THE SUBJECT OF FASHION STATEMENTS...

there’s the incident with the Navy. Hello sailor!

It was 1989. Cher and her team secured the help of the US Navy to film the video for her single ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ on board the battleship USS Missouri. What they told the navy was that it was to be a sweet film about a sailor getting a letter. What actually happened was Cher performed in front of lots of sailors wearing very little. A fishnet body stocking in fact, and not much else. The Navy were not pleased. Neither were the TV networks. MTV banned the video. (Although they did allow a revised version). Nobody has been allowed to perform a music video on a US Navy ship since.

10

IF SHE DIDN’T GET RICH QUICK - SHE GOT SERIOUSLY RICH EVENTUALLY.

Cher’s wealth was estimated by ‘The Richest’ to be $305 million.

31

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THEATRE

“I’m absolutely delighted that Dear Zoo is being brought to life on stage f o r t h e v e r y f i r s t t i m e ! ” Ro d C a m p b e l l , a u t h o r a n d i l l u s t r a t o r

A

uthor Rod Campbell’s best-selling

classic lift-the- flap book, Dear Zoo, is being brought to life for the very first time in 2018 as a brilliant new stage production. Dear Zoo, which has delighted generations of young readers since it was first published in 1982 and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide, will open on Thursday 8 February at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn. With more than 72 scheduled dates around the UK, with more to come, full details are available at www. dearzooandfriends.com/dear-zoo-live Celebrating 35 years in 2017, Dear Zoo, published by Macmillan Children’s Books, the story of a child who writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet, continues to delight each new generation of children as they lift the flaps in search of the perfect animal.

Written by Rod Campbell, produced by Norwell Lapley Productions and directed by Michael Gattrell, Dear Zoo live on stage is suitable for children aged 2 – 6 years. Brought to life through child-engaging puppets, original music and lots of audience interaction, it will immediately appeal to families and children

who already love the book and will serve as a wonderful introduction to those coming to the story for the first time.

Rod Campbell is the master of interactive storytelling and an expert in early learning for pre-schoolers. As a trusted household name, his books have stood the test of time and continue to be a staple addition to the family bookshelf and a popular choice for early years’ teachers. The creator of more than 200 books for children, Rod Campbell’s unique ability to be both fun and reassuring encourages children to discover and delight in the world around them.

Commenting on Dear Zoo live on stage Rod Campbell said “I can hardly believe that Dear Zoo is celebrating its 35th anniversary! I really am enormously touched and delighted that successive generations of young children continue to love Dear Zoo - their obvious pleasure when interacting with it is so gratifying to see, and for me is the very greatest of compliments!”

DEAR ZOO will be at the Norwich Playhouse on Saturday 10 February - Sunday 11 February and at the Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal on the Saturday 17 February - Sunday 18 February

33

| JANUARY 2018

Jimmy d OsmonAndy Williams A TRIBUTE TO

MOON RIVER ME

34

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

James Rampton took time out to speak to Jimmy Osmond about his UK tour, The Osmond’s, Jimmy’s thoughts on Andy Williams as well as thoughts on his successful career spanning more than 50 years.

W

ith an array of Platinum and Gold discs to his credit, Jimmy Osmond’s multi-faceted career has seen him star in the West End production of Grease, a role he recently reprised in selected dates around the UK and tours with Boogie Nights, and Chicago; appear in British Panto; produce television specials amongst which was The Osmonds’ 50th Anniversary for PBS and author and illustrate the award winning children’s book Awesome Possum Family Band, in which Jimmy used his cartooning skills to create the characters himself and if all this is not enough Jimmy was a finalist in the 2016 Celebrity MasterChef series.

You celebrated your 50th Anniversary in show business in 2016 with the hugely successful show A Tribute to Andy Williams – Moon River & Me and you are bringing it back to the UK in 2018. Andy Williams obviously represents someone very special in your life?

I began my performing career aged three singing with Andy Williams on his television series. My brothers were already on the show, so I started working with them when I was very young. I was the little guy who’d run on and be goofy. We ended up as regulars on the show and singing on records like Aquarius.

What was your role on the show?

In those early days, I was the novelty guy, like a mascot. I was the kid brother that everyone liked to slag off. I was the obnoxious boy in the corner. Even in our cartoon TV series, I was the bad apple. But after a lot of therapy, I’ve come to terms with it!

Why was Andy Williams’ TV show so iconic?

It was that era’s version of a Variety Show. In the UK you had Sunday Night At The London Palladium and in the US we had The Andy Williams’ Show, which featured weekly comedy skits and one recurring comedy sketch involving Andy’s encounters with ‘The Cookie Bear’. The show also featured major guest stars including Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. It was a brilliant production. We were in it for four seasons. Variety does seem to be making a comeback which is fantastic as there is so much talent out there.

Do you enjoy performing A Tribute to Andy Williams – Moon River & Me? I love it. It’s not about me – it’s about Andy Williams and his music. I perform songs like Music To Watch Girls By, Happy Heart, Speak Softly Love and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and of course Moon River.

Tell us more about that…

The Williams’ family has very kindly allowed me to use clips of Andy featuring everyone from Dick Van Dyke to John Wayne and Bobby Darin, you name it. When I start singing, “You’re just too good to be true”, you’ll see it being performed by Andy on the video walls. And when I do Love Story, Andy sings it with me on the big screen.

It brings back great memories for thousands of people.

What else does the show contain?

I do a section of Osmonds’ material – Love Me For a Reason, Crazy Horses and Let Me In. I also do a comedy section. During A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock’n’Roll, I put masks of Donny and Marie on people from the audience, so I can get back at my siblings!

Tell us about your special guest on this show, Charlie Green?

I first saw Charlie on Britain’s Got Talent. He is amazing and is popular with Andy Williams’ fans but also has a young fan base as well. It would be hard to find anyone who would represent Andy’s legacy so well. I am very excited about Charlie. Andy’s brothers saw

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    

   

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

him perform in Branson, Missouri at the Andy Williams Theatre and fell in love with him. Andy’s manager said ‘He is the closest thing to Andy I have ever seen’ - now that is an endorsement if ever I heard one. I am very close to Andy’s family and whenever they turn up to one of my shows I realise what a huge responsibility it is and I never want this man to be forgotten.

What do you think made Andy so special as a performer?

He had such a smooth voice. You could tell he was a genuinely nice guy. I say, “Please don’t think I could ever sound like him, but let’s celebrate his melodies together.”

The show is coming from a sincere place. There are not many people who could pull it off because they wouldn’t have that connection with Andy.

Andy was a terrific mentor to you over the years. Can you talk about the many different ways in which he influenced you?

He surrounded us and himself with the very best people – that’s key. Also, he was always willing to hear what was wrong rather than what was right about a performance. That is really helpful. Even today after a show, I always ask, “What needs to be improved?” That’s a really good way to lead your life.

How do you feel when you sing Andy’s most memorable songs, especially his universally adored “theme tune”, Moon River?

I’ve worked my whole life in showbiz - I remember my mom changing my outfits three times on Andy’s show – and I have such fond memories. When you sing a wonderful song so many times, it takes you back to your memories of growing up. These songs remind me of performing in Las Vegas not just with Andy, but also with Frank Sinatra and Elvis.

You run operations at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri.

How did that come about?

Andy asked me to keep his legacy alive. His family weren’t interested in continuing the theatre – it’s a very hard job. At first I said no but then I produced a Christmas show there, and it went very well. His family said, “If you don’t take it over, we’ll have to sell it.” So I bought it!

than we were, but they have zero social skills. My theatre is a concrete box with no phone signal, and I don’t want to fix that!

“I’ve worked my whole life in showbiz - I remember my mom changing my outfits three times on Andy’s show – and I have such fond memories.”

Why does that theatre retain such a hallowed place in musical history?

Everyone wants to play there because it’s Andy’s place. Since I’ve owned it, we’ve averaged 400 shows a year. It’s a 2100 seat theatre, and it’s become so important to the town. I put a lot of love into it, and it seems to have paid off!

You have also released an album too Jimmy Osmond Moon River & Me – A Tribute To Andy Williams can you tell me about it.

Yes. I was very keen to do it in the way that he would have wanted. It features 18 tracks in total and includes many classics – Charade, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Happy Heart, Born Free, Almost There, and the title track amongst others.

Andy Williams was a great mentor to you - are you continuing this tradition?

Yes. I’ve started mentoring and teaching interns. It’s an accredited course called the Business of Show in Utah and Iowa. Iowa is where Andy was from. My hope is to continue to do that. It was great fun. All the proceeds from my album will continue to pay for the interns. Maybe someday when everyone is done with me, it’d be fun to be a teacher who inspires kids. There are so many talented kids out there, but they have to put their phones down. They are more brilliant

You have always had a special relationship with British audiences. Can you put this into words?

I’m so surprised the fans have stuck with us.

But I’m delighted by their loyalty, especially in this country. For me it’s special in the UK because it is not just about me being an Osmond. It’s about me being me. I’ve done reality TV shows in the UK and that has put me out there. It’s just for fun and not to sell anything. The British public like that. They like people who can laugh at themselves.

And there’s a lot to laugh at if you look at my history!

Having enjoyed huge success over more than 50 years in showbiz, you remain very well balanced and happy. How have you managed that?

After this many years in the business, we could have sat back and just celebrated what we’d done. But the way I was raised was always to look for improvements. My dad was an Army sergeant, and after every show, he made us examine what was wrong with it. We were all hard on ourselves. When Long Haired Lover from Liverpool was number one, I said to him, “Dad, isn’t that cool?” But he just gave me a broom and told me to clean the yard! But I’m very grateful for that. That approach saved us because it taught us not to believe our own hype. We could have gone off the rails, but that attitude helped us to keep our feet on the ground. We don’t put our gold records on the walls. It wasn’t ever about that. It wasn’t about accolades. It was about learning the craft. I’ve never taken myself seriously. That’s my secret to being happy!

You can see the “Jimmy Osmond: Moon River and Me” tour at The Apex Theatre in Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday 7th February.

For more information call the box office on 01284 758000 or visit their website www.theapex.co.uk

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MUSIC

CELEBR ATING A

Legend

Singing superstar JACK JONES comes to town on his 80th birthday tour INTERVIEW BY LIZ MORAIS

W

hen Frank Sinatra calls you ‘One of the major singers of our time’ you know you’re doing something right. And it’s fair to say that Jack Jones has been as right as they get for over 60 years.

And now, to celebrate his 80th birthday, Jack Jones returns to the UK in January to play 14 dates across the country.

A professional singer since 1957 and one of the world’s original and best loved crooners, not to mention star of musical theatre, TV and film, Jack Jones has won accolade after accolade.

The recipient of two Grammy Awards (with another five nominations) and an Emmy, he has performed at two Royal Variety Shows and has over 60 albums to his credit, 17 of which have charted in Billboard’s Top 20. He has clocked up 32 Top 50 hits in the Billboard AC chart, including three No 1s, and he even has his own star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ironically, it was Frank Sinatra that made Jack commit full time to music. As Jack explains “My friend at school, Nancy Sinatra, said to me one day, ‘Hey Jack you’ve got to come and hear my Dad sing’. So I went along and I knew right then and there that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Although his parents had been in showbiz themselves, it wasn’t a given that Jack would follow in their footsteps. ‘I think they’d much rather I’d have been a doctor or a lawyer” he says “but my mind was made up”.

His mother was actress Irene Hervey, while his father was the actor/singer Allan Jones, and Jack was born the night his father recorded the song that was to become his signature tune, ‘The Donkey Serenade’. “Maybe I got my taste for music and travel right there” he jokes.

Jack’s professional debut was a brief stint as part of his father’s act at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, when he was just 19 years old. He went out on his own three weeks later, working odd jobs to support himself while pursuing his singing career.

His first break came when a demo he recorded found its way to Capitol Records. Although he left Capitol after a few singles and an album, one song – ‘This Could Be The Start Of Something Big’ - caught the attention of a San Francisco club owner, who booked him for a three week run. He was discovered by Pete King, a producer and artist for Kapp Records, who quickly signed him to the label.

Jack was still working at a petrol station when his first album on Kapp was released. He recalls “I was washing a windscreen one day when I heard one of my songs on the radio. I remember thinking maybe I can give up the day job now!” Jack went on to release a further 21 albums with Kapp before switching to the RCA label in 1968.

Over the years, Jack Jones has made no secret of his love of a

well crafted song. He’s worked with many major artists and has had massive hits with numbers such as ‘The Impossible Dream’, ‘Wives and Lovers’, ‘Lollipops And Roses’, ‘Call Me Irresponsible’, ‘If You Ever Leave Me’, ‘Lady’, ‘The Race Is On’ and the theme to the enormously successful US hit TV show ‘The Loveboat’.

He recalls “The writers wanted me to do it and asked me, but I was pretty stupid because I didn’t think anyone would watch a show about a cruise ship – how wrong can you be!”

Although Jack has been hailed as one of the top singers in the world by many artists including Tony Bennett, Mel Torme and Paul Williams, conveying the feeling of a song didn’t always come naturally.

“My first manager was a former singer, Jack Leonard, and he told me I really needed to understand what I was singing about. He said I needed to fall in love. So I did. And then he said, ‘now if she’d only leave you then you’d know what you’re singing about’….and she did!”

When I asked Jack what we can expect from his forthcoming tour he told me “We’re doing songs from my last album and songs from way back. I talk about them and my connection to them. It’s fair to say that I’ll be singing songs that have meant something to me throughout my career and songs that have always been favourites of my audience and myself.” He adds “It’s certainly going to be one big celebration.”

With a catalogue of some of the best loved international hits of all time to draw upon, it sounds like it will be just that. A real Happy Birthday celebration – and then some.

JACK JONES

plays The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Friday 26 January. Tickets are available now from www.theapex.co.uk or the venue’s box office on 01284 758000. You can find out more about Jack Jones on his website at www.jackjones.lolipop.jp

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| JANUARY 2018

THE

ENTERTAINER Whether it is helping revolutionise children’s TV, wowing audiences in West End shows or becoming part of the Coronation Street family, Derek Griffiths has been a part of the entertainment world for generations.

The accomplished actor is one of the stars of this year’s Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime Sleeping Beauty and tells John Bultitude he loves being part of the city’s festive spectacular.

It may be a cliché but Derek Griffiths

is the definition of versatile in the entertainment world. Whether it is delighting generations of young people through the Seventies and Eighties on the BBC’s iconic children’s programme Play School, being a mainstay of the stage world in the West End or on tour, or most recently walking on the Weatherfield cobbles, he has been around to delight audiences.

And while some performers may be very different out of the spotlight, Derek has a mix of intelligence, charm and entertainment frequently breaking into character (and a range of accents) to tell the story of his career so far.

Engaging and acutely aware of his audience, there is absolutely no doubt about one thing – he is really looking forward to playing the butler Chortwood in Sleeping Beauty and resuming his on-stage relationship with the show’s writer, director and ‘Dame’ Richard Gauntlett as they previously worked together on the previous Norwich panto Peter Pan back in 2005-2006.

He said: “I have read the script and I think I know what I am doing. Whether I can do it well enough, remains to be seen. I need to get up to Richard Gauntlett’s standard.

“The butler is going to be fun to play. He is a bit of a straight man but I imagine there are going to be plenty of comedy moments.

I am really looking forward to it. I enjoyed working with the last cast and especially the crew here. They are so supportive. I have never known a crew like it. They are fantastic. It is just the jewel in the crown of being in Norwich.”

As well as the fun around the production, Derek also thinks pantomime is vital for getting young people interested in the power

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of live performance. He explained: “It is so important to get kids into the theatre. It is often their introduction to it. It was definitely mine. I can vividly remember watching Captain Hook on stage and that was the start of it. I thought I want to do that.”

It works for adults too. Derek recalled: “I have been coming out of the stage door for the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford Upon Avon and people will say to me ‘We saw what you did with pantomime so we have come along to see what you will do with Shakespeare.” That is the impetus to get people into the theatre.

“Of course, the other delight of pantomime is being able to stand on stage and cross the Golden Line. If someone shouts something out, because of the nature of pantomime, I can have a go at them. That is my love. I was at the King’s Theatre in Southsea one year and a little girl shouted out ‘He is behind you’ and I was behind somebody. I said to her ‘You are spoiling it for everybody else and she just shouted again ‘he is behind you.’ We just carried on and the whole audience were just on the floor with laughter.

“At another panto, there was a lot of noise on stage and I said to one little boy ‘They are making a lot of noise. Do your parents make a lot of noise?’ and the little boy said ‘Yes, if my dad has eaten baked beans.’ The audience didn’t stop laughing for about three minutes.

A young audience is just so honest.”

And it is those young audiences who provided the impetus for Derek to become a household name in the early stages of his career. His big break happened while he was starring in a pantomime at Greenwich Theatre. Derek laughed: “I was being evil and dastardly and was doing horrendous things to kids on the front row – beating them with

balloons and things. This woman came up to me and said ‘You should be doing Play School at the BBC’ and I said ‘What is that?’

She said ‘Watch it and then come and see us.’

I watched it and I thought she was mad. Play School was not for a council house boy like me. It was such a middle-class programme.

“I went along to the interview and this woman met me at the top of the stairs with this bun stretched back on her head and said in a very posh voice ‘Welcome to the BBC.’ I said to her ‘This isn’t the job for me.

You would sack me in five minutes’ and she said ‘No we want you to do it.’ Of course, they suppressed me as much as they could and I kept coming back and fighting but the one thing I wanted to do was change the precedent of the music they had. The music was from the Forties and kids were listening to rock music at three and four so I started writing stuff for them. The BBC got lots of letters saying could they have more pop songs from Derek because their kids were dancing around the room. That started the ball rolling and the rest was history.”

Derek joined those iconic names of children’s television like Brian Cant and Johnny Ball who were Play House presenters beloved by all ages although he mainly shared the screen with the female presenters.

He also got to indulge his creative side in another children’s TV hit from the era – Play Away – which was packed with anarchic sketches, comedy characters and rib-tickling songs. “That was aimed at a slightly older audience, it was a little wilder, and I got to write a lot of music for that. I did a lot of writing with Jonathan Cohen who was the pianist on the show. It helped me make my mark on children’s television and particularly move the music on a bit.”

In an era of fewer channels and adults sharing their TV time with children, he did become well-known to the older population too. Derek laughed: “I went to an Italian restaurant once and the maître d said ‘I am really sorry but the restaurant is full.’ I thought ‘OK’ and then he suddenly said ‘Oh, you do the song on the floor with a caterpillar.

I will find a table.’ He found one from nowhere and he said ‘Hey everybody. It is Mr Caterpillar.’ All the waiters loved it because, of course, they watched Play School during the day because they were working at night.

“Policemen loved the show too. The number of times I got stopped and they would say ‘Excuse me sir. Could I have a word? Oh hold on, it is you from Play School.

Were you going through the square window?

Go on. On your way.’ It was an amazing audience.”

He may be best known for those shows but he was also heavily involved behind the scenes composing music and was a leading light behind another popular children’s TV show of the time – Heads and Tails. “I was also flying at the time too and I managed to get the BBC to do a flying documentary for children. I wanted to put the child in the form of a camera in the co-pilot’s seat and show it is not a matter of science. Anyone that can drive a car can fly a plane. There was a whole 30 minute documentary on how to fly a plane.

It was a joy to do. Mind you, I did persist until they said yes,” laughed Derek But while he may be best known for his

THEATRE

TV work, Derek is also a very accomplished stage actor. One of his most memorable roles was Lumiére in the West End production of Beauty and the Beast. “I first saw it in New York. The illusions they created on stage were mind-blowing and the kids were saying ‘how did they do that?’ When it came to England and they asked me to play Lumière, I jumped at it because I knew it was going to be a great piece of entertainment,” said Derek. “It was so magical and that is what theatre is. It is magical. Promoting magic and fantasy was the thing for that production and it did so well.”

His other West End work includes Black Mikado which gave him the chance to get to grips with Gilbert and Sullivan, and one of those landmark theatrical roles of The Engineer in Miss Saigon. “Taking on that role was a revelation to me. There was no dialogue. It was all sung so that was a challenge doing a mini operetta. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such a lavish production with a helicopter landing on stage. It was just amazing,” said Derek.

And prior to panto, he has been starring opposite Sian Phillips in the UK tour of Driving Miss Daisy which had an extraordinary audience reaction. Derek explained: “It is a feisty and heart-warming play and you have people emoting in the audience at the end. Friends of mine have come out and said you made me cry and I have some toughie friends. Some nights, you can hear sobs at the end. Isn’t it amazing to be able to do that? You would never know if that happened if you were working in television and that is just the joy of theatre.”

He also won a new generation of fans when he spent a year walking (or motorcycling along) the cobbles of Weatherfield in Coronation Street which he really enjoyed.

“It was an iconic thing. I remember watching with glee, as a schoolboy, the villain of the piece who was Ena Sharples played by Violet Carson. She had no scruples whatsoever. She spat venom. I often based panto baddies on her.

“To walk the cobbles was quite something.

I knew some of the artists from other things I had done but they were a lovely cast. The

crew, like the crew here in Norwich, were fantastic and just a lovely supportive crew. It is a factory that is well run and a ship that is well oiled. Everything has its place.”

He did eventually call time on his Weatherfield adventure because of the rigours of travelling between the soap’s set in Salford and his London home. Derek explained: “Sometimes I was driving 2000 miles a month. By the end I was very tired and I thought I have to make a move. It was a fantastic thing to do though, and I have no regrets at all.”

And now his focus is on panto and entertaining thousands of people in Norwich this Christmas. Derek also has a clear message for anyone who is new to panto.

“Give it a try. It is a piece of theatre with no rules. That is what I love about it. It is three dimensional and comes out and hits you in the face. The cast may come and join you in the audience and children go up on the stage and may never want to leave. It is an experience. Adults enjoy it as much as the kids.”

So if that does not sell it to you, nothing will. One thing is for sure. Derek’s exuberance is sure to add some bonus festive flair to this year’s show.

SLEEPING BEAUTY Wednesday 13 December 2017-Sunday 14 January 2018. Tickets £7-£ 24.50.

Under-threes free. Discou nts for Friends, Over-60s, Under-1 8s and Groups. Signed performanc e on Saturday 13 Jan at 2.30 pm.

Audio-described perform ances on Wednesday 3 Jan and Sat urday 6 Jan at 2.30pm. Captioned per formance on Sunday 7 Jan at 1pm.

Relaxed performance on Friday 5 Jan at 5.30pm which is bookab le in person or by phone on 01603 630 000.

To book, log onto www.theatreroyalnorwich. co.uk or call the box office on 016 03 630000.

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Showtime

COMEDY

FROM THE

FRONTLINE

Mark Thomas brings his new show, Showtime From the Frontline to Norwich where he sets out to run a comedy club in the Palestinian city of Jenin, at the Norwich Playhouse on Thursday 8th February

N

Norwich Playhouse

www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk Thursday 8th February Age +16 Directed by Joe Douglas Presented by Lakin McCarthy in association with Theatre Royal Stratford East This performance of SHOWTIME FROM THE FRONTLINE is a tour preview

Photo by LESLEY MARTIN

ame the comedian who might say ‘I wonder if I can set up a comedy club… in a refugee camp... in Palestine?’ Of course, it’s Mark Thomas. And that is exactly what he tries to do.

Dodging cultural and literal bullets, Israeli incursions and religion, Mark and his team set out to run a comedy club and put on two nights in Jenin in the West Bank. Only to find that it is not so simple to celebrate freedom of speech in a place with so little freedom.

Jenin refugee camp, a stronghold for the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade during the Second Intifada, is not a place synonymous with laughs. But it is also home to the Jenin Freedom Theatre and to people with a wealth of stories to tell.

Mark tells this story alongside Faisal Abualheja and Alaa Shehada, two performers, actors and now aspiring comics from the Jenin Club.

This is a story about being yourself in a place that wants to put you in a box.

Funny, moving and necessary. Mark says, it’s the nearest he will ever get to Alan Parker’s ‘Fame’.

TWITTER: @markthomasinfo

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| JANUARY 2018

SPOILER ALERT

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E

COMEDY

d Byrne has been an acclaimed

stand-up (with audiences and critics alike) for 20 years now. His success with shows such as the Roaring Forties, Different Class and the 1998 Perrier-nominated A Night At The Opera led to him appearing on the box in the diverse likes of Mock The Week, Father Ted, The One Show and All Star Mr & Mrs, while his love of hillwalking resulted in him writing a regular column for The Great Outdoors magazine. In fact, his love of natural history has crossed into television with appearances on The One Show (abseiling in Snowdonia), Countryfile (climbing Sgùrr Dearg, the ‘inaccessible pinnacle’ on Skye) and presenting items on Volcano Live (BBC).

He is also co-host of the highly acclaimed Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure and follow up Dara & Ed’s Road To Mandalay, both on BBC 2.

As he prepares to launch himself upon the nation with another touring show, the Irish comic is firmly of a belief that the current breed of parents spoil their kids rotten whether it’s to do with the ever-increasing size of garden trampolines, or his own kids’ demand for elderflower cordial. “My dad wasn’t a bad dad, he was just a 1970s dad. I could never see my children ever again from this moment on, and I’ve already done more parenting then he did in my entire life.

But, of course, I made a conscious decision that I was going to be an awesome dad. My wife will come back with tales from her friends of how awful their husbands are and she’ll see me smiling and say ‘alright, stop congratulating yourself just because such and such can’t be left alone with their children for two minutes’.”

In his new touring show, the perfectly-titled Spoiler Alert, Ed compares and contrasts the old-school childrearing days with 21st century methods and suggests that there are different ways to learn how to be a mum or dad. “I grew up in what I would call an aspirational household in that my parents bettered themselves over the course of my childhood. My mother was a radiographer and ended up a lecturer in radiography, while my dad was a sheet metal worker and went up to a supervisory role. I’d still say that you are expected to do a lot more parenting than our parents did and that’s a weird thing because you tend to think that your parents are where you learned parenting from. But you don’t, really, it’s more that you look around you to see what’s going on with other parents.”

For the show Ed extends his analysis on the culture of entitlement to look at areas where we could perhaps do with being spoiled a little bit more. “Where I think we’re not acting spoiled enough is in the political arena. We have a tendency to accept what’s happening and that’s where we should be acting more entitled: we are literally entitled to the government we want. We’re spoiled in all these little ways, but not spoiled enough.”

As well as stories about his two young sons, Ed weaves in routines about running out of petrol in the most awkward place imaginable, helping rescue an injured man in the Cairngorms, and the nationdividing campaign and result of the EU referendum.

His way of tackling Brexit is to draw an analogy with the time his son was determined to touch an electric fence with his dad trying to warn him of the dangers.

“I was telling the story of the electric fence for a while, and then suddenly it struck me that it was Brexit in microcosm. I don’t want to alienate half of

the population or maybe a third of my audience, but it works as an analogy whichever side you’re on. The government told you not to do this and that it would be a terrible idea, but you said ‘no, we want to do it anyway’. So now we’re doing it and it’s proving a terrible idea. I do think it’s a fair analogy, but no doubt for some it will come across as me being a typical liberal elite Remoaner.”

Spoiler Alert also continues a theme that he’s tackled in previous shows, that of his gradual shift from being a working-class Dubliner to a fully paid-up rural-residing member of the middle classes. Where once he would do routines slating 4x4 owners, he is now the proud(ish) owner of such a vehicle. And in the poster for his tour, he brandishes other signifiers of social mobility: a bowtie and chainsaw. “It’s one of two I own: that one is the smaller of the two,” Ed remarks of his chainsaw rather than his neckwear. “I use it for firewood, both for my wood burning stove and also for the barbecue. The first time I used one I was fine, though I think it worried my parents that I had bought a chainsaw.”

Having premiered Spoiler Alert at the Edinburgh Fringe and used the month of August to hone the show, it is fully ready to go. “Being on stage is enjoyable and this part of the writing process is enjoyable. The empty page though is a scary thing. On the first leg of the tour l’ll do about an hour and 15 minutes, plus I’ll have a support act. I keep a tour diary now of places where the curries are disappointing and where they are good and where audiences have been good before.” With such an extensive series of dates ahead, chances are Ed Byrne will be coming to a town near you soon. Go and spoil yourself.

Monday 5th February 2018 Kings Lynn Corn Exchange Box Office No: 01553 764864 www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk Tickets - £25.50 | Doors – 8pm

45

| JANUARY 2018

N

oel Gallagher has recently released a brand-new High Flying Birds’ album called ‘Who Built The Moon?’ It’s the former Oasis star’s third solo album with the High Flying Birds and features collaborations with Paul Weller and Johnny Marr.

Noel co-produced the follow-up to 2015’s ‘Chasing Yesterday’ with electronic musician and composer David Holmes.

Meanwhile, Noel – who has been supporting U2 on their tour in the summer – has released dates of a NGHFB’s world tour which starts in April 2018.

The Manchester-born star recently played at the re-opening of the Manchester Arena three months after the terrorist bombing which claimed 22 lives.

In this great interview, Noel talks about playing for the survivors of the attack in his home town plus his fears for the safety of his own children.

He also unequivocally puts paid to any rumours that an Oasis reunion is on the cards plus what fans can expect from his new music…

How are you?

NG: I’m pretty good.

You’ve been travelling around with u2 over the summer – how was that?

NG: It was the most fun that you could ever imagine it being. It was great.

Your new record ‘who built the moon?’ is great.

NG: Oh thank you.

It’s quite high energy. The first noel gallagher record that you can dance to?

NG: Well, if you can dance then you should try.

Can you dance?

NG: I wouldn’t do it in public. I can do it in private. In a living room. I would suggest if you don’t fancy dancing to it then stay at home and listen to it on headphones – it sounds even better.

Was it the plan to make an uptempo record?

NG: Not particularly. I’ve been working on it for three years now so I’ve kind of forgot, if there was a masterplan I’ve long since forgotten that. I don’t think so. The plan was just, as all my plans are, just go in the studio.

Usually I’ve got all the songs written but for this one it was just to go in the studio and make it up in the studio, which I’ve never done before. And that’s what came out. Yeah.

So, it was a totally different approach?

NG: Writing in the studio is very, very different to writing at home. If I’m writing it at home I’ll always just have an acoustic guitar and that’s it. So that’s how the songs will start, whereas if you’re in the studio you’re surrounded by technology and other people so you’ve got a lot more other influences. So the biggest other influence on this record, apart from me who was writing, was David [Holmes], my producer, who would stop me from sounding too much like Oasis, or High Flying Birds even.

Was that what you wanted? Not to sound too much like oasis?

NG: No, I didn’t have any preconceived 46

notions about what I wanted, what was going to happen or what was going to come out the other end or anything like that. I didn’t think of it. I was in the middle of making ‘Chasing Yesterday’, so I was kind of focussing on that more than anything because that was an album that was going to come out and I was going to tour it. ‘Who Built The Moon?’ was another thing entirely so I hadn’t formed any ideas on it for about a year-and-a-half. It was over a year before we decided that it was going to be an actual record and we were not just messing around. [laughs] At what point did you decide that? Was it a particular song?

NG: No, I’d created maybe 12 backing tracks and I could see it being an album. I hadn’t actually written anything or finished any music but yeah, I could see it. So we kind of committed to making a record and that was it. I’ve got to say, I let David loose to do whatever he wanted. He was directing me absolutely. I was writing. If we were on a journey, I was driving and he was directing.

But you are still the driver?

NG: Oh absolutely. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nobody gets to drive apart from me.

Is it hard for you though to have somebody else giving you directions?

NG: No. No, I really enjoyed it. In fact, I look forward to doing more of it. I’m not sure I’d like to do it every time I went into the studio but, for sure, it’s a more… the way that I work is kind of like… so if I’m at home and I’ve written all the songs it’s like watching a movie at home before you go and see it at the cinema. So you know what happens in the movie right? Whereas this way, you’re going to the cinema and you’ve never seen the film, you’ve not read a review, you don’t know what the hell is going on and then you get to the end of it and you’ve finished it and you’re like, ‘Wow so that was it. Cool’.

So probably more fun when you don’t know how the movie ends?

NG: Oh, for sure.

Do you go to the movies a lot?

NG: I wouldn’t say I go regularly but I do go.

Yeah. The last thing I went to see was some ‘Star Wars’ thing with my kids. ‘Rogue One’.

Do your kids like your music?

NG: I don’t really ask them to be honest. But they listen to it on the way to school and they know all the songs and they’re into it as much as any family members are into it.

Do they listen to it on the way to school because they want to or because you put it on?

NG: Well, I don’t take them to school because it’s way too early for me to be getting out of bed. But my wife… no, they’re not made to listen to it.

What time do you get up?

NG: I’d say I get up at about 8.30am.

Not too late then?

NG: But it’s too late to take them to school.

Were you always late for school when you were a kid?

NG: I wasn’t a big fan of school. I found it an unnecessary distraction.

Do you say that to your kids? Do you tell them you hated school?

NG: No, if they ask me I will tell them. I mean they’re going to be old enough to find out all the stories from my past on the internet quite

soon so I won’t spoil it for them.

That will be fun when they find out?

NG: I think so.

Your daughter has already found out and she is doing fine so it won’t be too much of a shock?

NG: She’s doing OK. David Holmes is very well known for his movie soundtracks - is that what appealed to you about him?

NG: Yes of course. I didn’t know him. I’d never met him before I started working with him. We have mutual friends. I’d met him at a social occasion and I was telling him how much a fan I was of his work. And then when it came for me to get involved with a producer I decided to give him a call, because he seemed like a nice guy, and I was a fan of his. And that was it. We decided to make this record and here we are.

Would you say it is your most adventurous record yet?

NG: Well, look, journalists will say that. In terms of sound, as an overall vibe, yeah. I mean I don’t think I’ve made many albums with French people speaking on it. So, I’d say in terms of vibe and sound, yeah, for sure.

‘It’s a beautiful world’ is the song with the french people on it?

NG: Yeah.

It’s a huge song. Quite anthemic. What was the inspiration?

NG: Well it started off with just the guitar riff that I’d had for a while, I didn’t do anything with it. And David said, I was playing him the riff, and we recorded it and there was a drummer in the studio and he started to drum and it instantly started to sound like Can. And so we listened to a bit of Can and we went down that route and it became this instrumental track that was sitting around for a while. And then like all things you sit and wait for a melody to fall out of the sky. And low and behold – so it did.

So do melodies fall out of the sky for you or do you have to work at it for them to fall out of the sky?

NG: No, they fall out of the sky. Not all the time. You have to wait. The biggest effort is in the waiting. And the longer you wait the more frustrated you get, I guess. But all the great melodies fall out of the sky. Great melodies are not invented. They’re just kind of there.

So, you need quite a lot of patience?

NG: Well, absolutely and I’m not a patient man.

So how does that work with you not being patient and patience is required for you as a songwriter?

NG: Well, I don’t quite know how it works but it works.

And it’s worked ok for 25 years now?

NG: I guess you’ve got to have a guy who is sitting there and you’re waiting for the great stuff. So good stuff is happening all the time, but you’re waiting for something great, because you don’t want to do good, anybody can do good. Good is good but great is what we’re looking for. And you have to have patience to wait for greatness and it’s a collaborative thing. David would say, ‘Try it again, try it again. It’s good. Yeah it’s good, good.’ But you’re kind of like, ‘We’re not going for good, we’re going for great.’

S E E N E V ’ U O Y

F LA S O T E H T

OASIS Noel Gallagher

unequivocally puts paid to any rumours that an Oasis reunion is on the cards, talks about his recent performance at the reopening of the Manchester Arena following its bomb attack, his fears for the safety of his children plus what fans can expect from High Flying Birds’ Who Built the Moon?...’ interview by SAMANTHA FRASER

47

| JANUARY 2018 The times we are living in are quite tough so is ‘it’s a beautiful world’ your call to see the beauty in life?

NG: Well of course. It’s supposed to be ironic because it’s not a beautiful world is it? So it’s kind of ironic until you get to the chorus and then the song says to your loved one, well, our world is a beautiful world and that’s it and then you look outside or on the news or out the window and you see turbulence and chaos and not very nice things.

you can do about that. You might as well enjoy it. But if you’re chasing fame and you haven’t got the work then be careful. Be careful.

‘The man who built the moon’ is quite an epic tune. Are you this man?

NG: Well, number one, there isn’t actually a single orchestra on it.

It sounds like it though.

Well that’s because I’m a genius in the studio! Am I the man who built the moon?

Do you think that the world is a particularly dark place at the moment?

NG: Well, I don’t really take much interest in politics, I’m not interested in Donald Trump, I couldn’t care less what’s going on really, anywhere else in the world doesn’t concern me, apart from terrorism, which is on my doorstep. And really, in the grand scheme of things, if I didn’t have children, I probably wouldn’t care either. But now I’ve got children and my eldest child is roaming the streets of London and my two sons are soon to be roaming the streets of London, I get worried. I have a phobia about that. I have a phobia about people putting bombs on trains.

I have a phobia about people blowing up kids at pop concerts. That freaks me out.

You were at the re-opening of the manchester arena, which was a very emotional moment for you?

NG: Yeah, well, as emotional as it was for me, can you imagine what it must have been like for the survivors? So yeah. It was a tragic moment where an entire city is required to show its resilience and spirit and it does and everybody stands up and shows defiance and all that kind of thing but you’re kind of wishing it wasn’t taking place in the first place.

Can you talk about ‘be careful what you wish for’ is about?

NG: Well, that’s a message to my children.

That started off as a letter to my children. It’s kind of about fame and whatever they decide to do in their teenage or later lives it’s like I would genuinely say to them, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’ I’m famous but I can handle fame – easy. I took a lot of drugs, I can handle that – easy. Drinking, I can handle that – easy.

Not everybody is like me. All my children are not going to be like me. So that entire song came about through a conversation about, write a message to your kids.

Would you prefer it if your kids didn’t want to become famous?

NG: No, no, no, it’s just be careful. Just be careful what you wish for. You know?

Would you do it all again, knowing what you know now?

NG: I would yeah. I was cut out for it. I’ve got very thick skin. I’m very driven and I’ve got the work. And the work is the most important thing to me. If the fame and the money and the drugs and all that kind of thing comes along because of the work, there’s nothing 48

NG: Oh it does. Well that’s because I’m a genius in the studio! Am I the man who built the moon? I am not a builder of moons, no.

So who did build the moon?

NG: Well, if you’re assuming that the moon that I’m talking about is the object that is in the night sky then clearly, I didn’t build it or anybody else but maybe I’m not talking about the moon right? Maybe I’m talking about an object that is akin to the biblical ship – The Ark. So maybe the moon is a ship and maybe it’s not.

So you don’t want to reveal what you have in mind with the moon metaphor?

NG: I don’t like artists or writers who will reveal what all their sh-t is about and you then have to view it in those terms. I’m not really interested in listening to songwriters and what their stuff is about, literally what it’s about. You’ve got to have some duality in your songs and some magic and mystery I think. So the lyrics are there so people will be left to draw their own conclusions.

People can come up with their own particular personal moon.

NG: Good. Yes, indeed and so they should.

‘Holy mountain’ is a funky happy tune?

NG: Yeah. It’s a great, great tune. And I was thrilled when I managed to finish it and do it justice and I got words and it all fit. It was great and I’m going to be so happy when people hear it. And I’ll be interested to see what people think of it because it’s pretty

damn good and people don’t usually like things that are really good.

They don’t?

NG: No. So you think people would rather go with good than great?

NG: I think so. Yeah. Not many great things in the world these days. There’s a lot of good sh-t but not many things that are great.

Is it [the song] your feminist manifesto?

NG: I wouldn’t go that far but my wife considers me a feminist, funnily enough.

Yeah. She announced it one night to a room full of people that I was a feminist, which I wasn’t acutely aware of at the time. But when I think about it I suppose I am.

Did she give a reason for her announcement?

NG: Er the reason that she gave was that I treat women as equals. I treat her as an equal and there is no gender gap as far as I’m concerned. I just wasn’t aware of it. She pointed it out. I can’t remember how this conversation came up. We were talking about feminism blah blah blah and I was going, ‘Pah feminism, whatever.’ And she said, ‘But you’re a feminist.’ And I was like, ‘Really?’ And she listed all the reasons why I was and I was like, ‘Oh well, if you put it like that.’

That’s a nice compliment?

NG: I think so, particularly in this day and age.

It should be a no-brainer that men and women are equal?

NG: Yeah but you’d be amazed at how it’s still an issue in this day and age. I guess it’s like the gay thing. How that is even an issue in 21st century is mind boggling to me. But people are misogynist, people are homophobic, people are sexist.

Maybe less so when they hear your new record.

NG: [laughs] Have you ever wanted to change the world with your music?

NG: I’m not sure music can change the world.

It can change a certain individual’s outlook on life and the way that they dress and that kind of thing. Can it change the world? I’m not sure a song can change the world these days. But if it makes somebody look at things a little differently then that’s got to be a good thing. But I wouldn’t hold my breath for that.

You turned 50 this year.

NG: Did I?

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

You’re not aware?

NG: I’m aware yes.

How is it?

NG: It’s good so far. I’m enjoying it. I really enjoyed my forties, I didn’t think my forties would ever be beaten. I had the best decade of my life in my forties and I must say though, from like turning 49 onwards it’s pretty good.

Yeah.

Are you feeling good for your age?

Physically?

NG: The hair’s looking good. My skin is looking good. I feel good.

Hair is important. You will probably have a full head in your eighties?

NG: I’ve got to say, moving forward it might be the single most important thing in a man’s life. Yeah. I’d probably give up writing six or seven great songs a year just to have a full head of hair.

And there’ll still be enough great songs left.

NG: Still another six right? [laughs] What made your forties better than other decades?

NG: They were free and easy. I guess I completed my journey in Oasis and I left that behind and from that point.. so I was 43 when I left Oasis, give or take a year, maybe 42… so when I left that situation and became like the master of your own destiny, things have been incredible. Because it’s just so easy now.

I don’t have to please anybody else except myself. I’m not worried about the dynamics of being in a band. I do what I do and that’s it. For instance, this record would never have been made in Oasis. Never. No chance.

Wouldn’t even have got off the ground.

Maybe would have lasted a week. And it would have come to a halt. And as well I’ve done a couple of things where I’ve spent a

lot of money on them and then just scrapped them in the end and it’s my money and I run my own record label and I fund it and all that and it’s kind of like, well I call the shots and it’s easy. Free and easy.

Are you being asked less about the likelihood of an oasis reunion these days?

NG: No. I wouldn’t say it’s less. It depends on the journalist. I suppose they are getting less but it still happens, without fail, every day.

And I don’t mind answering questions but I do feel a certain sense of disappointment in a journalist that will say, ‘So, you know, I’ve got to ask…’ And you’re kind of thinking, ‘Well you don’t have to.’ And they’re like, ‘Are Oasis getting back together?’ And you’re like, ‘What? Am I going to announce it to you - I don’t think so.’ I don’t think it will ever go away, if I’m being honest.

But at this point for you there’s no desire to do oasis again?

NG: Oh, it’s not going to happen again. It won’t be happening not at this point, not at any point. You first start off by saying ‘never say never’ because you never know what’s going to happen and all that. But I can say now with about a 1000 per cent certainty that you’ve seen the last of Oasis.

How do you feel about you and liam releasing albums weeks apart – is that interesting?

NG: Is it interesting?

You know, watching who goes higher in the charts, gets better reviews and stuff like that?

NG: Oh god no. I don’t give a flying (beep).

Look, out of the two of us, one of us is going to take it very, very seriously and the other is just going to be busy getting on, probably working on the next record. I don’t rate or look at my work in comparison to anybody

else’s far less the ex singer in the band I used to be in. Do you know what I mean? It’s so beneath what it is I’m trying to do, it’s not relevant. Now, the British press on the other hand will have a field day with it and good for them, I plan to be doing the conga in Rio when it comes out anyway so I don’t give a (bleep).

You’ve said you want to retire from playing live in the next ten years? But you have a great new record. Could you see yourself on stage at paul mccartney or mick jagger’s age?

NG: I don’t know. To be honest, I think I’m at some kind of peak now creatively, musically.

I could see myself taking quite a bit of time off. Because after this I’m not sure what else there is to do. I don’t know. I’ll see by the time I get back at the end of the tour in a couple of years how I feel but I’ll be 52 then so I don’t know.

Maybe some new songs will fall from the sky to you?

NG: I’ve got more than enough songs that I’ve written at home that I could go and record an album’s worth of material this afternoon.

Who Built The Moon? is the follow-up to 2015’s acclaimed LP Chasing Yesterday, and was released on 24th November on the Sour Mash label.

The album has been recorded over four years with producer, DJ and composer David Holmes in Belfast and London and is described as a collection of “instrumentals imagined soundtracks and cut and paste experimentation”. The record also features guest appearances from Paul Weller and Johnny Marr.

49

| JANUARY 2018

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Faces&Places half-page:Layout 1 11/12/2017 17:33 Page 4

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Looking Good!

RECIPE

Maddy Johnson

Restaurant Manager at Benedicts Restaurant in Norwich www.restaurantbenedicts.com info@restaurantbenedicts.com or call 01603 926080

SPICE D BL O OD ORANGE & BASIL

M ocktail

After an over indulgent festive

season kick off your ‘Dry January’ in style with this delicious winter Mocktail using Seedlip, The World’s First Non Alcoholic Spirit!

MOCKTAIL INGREDIENTS: • 25ml Seedlip Spice 94 (Available Online or at Bakers & Larners of Holt)

• 50ml Blood Orange Juice • 25ml Basil Syrup

• Dash of Soda Water

• Dehydrated Blood Orange Slices (To Garnish) MOCKTAIL INGREDIENTS: • 200ml Cold Water

• 200g Granulated Sugar

• Medium Sized Bunch of Fresh Basil BASIL SYRUP METHOD:

Make a simple sugar syrup using equal parts cold water and granulated sugar in a saucepan on a medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves then take off the heat and leave to cool, you can store the sugar syrup in a airtight container or bottle for up to one month in the fridge. Put a small amount of the sugar syrup to one side as you will need this later for your garnish.

Once your sugar syrup has cooled add the fresh basil leaves, refrigerate and leave to infuse for a minimum of 24 hours. The longer you leave the basil in the syrup the stronger the flavour will be.

FOR THE DEHYDRATED BLOOD ORANGE SLICES:

Photography by KATJA BAINBRIDGE

Lay a piece of baking parchment onto a flat baking tray. Using a peeler take off the zest of the orange and thinly slice. Dip each slice in the sugar syrup you put aside and lay onto your baking parchment. Now pop it in the oven on its lowest heat setting or if you have one, use your airing cupboard leave them in for 12-24 hours or until they are crisp.

MOCKTAIL METHOD:

In a cocktail shaker with 3 cubes of ice, pour in the Seedlip, Blood Orange and the Basil Syrup. Shake together for roughly 10 seconds to ensure they all combine.

Strain into a glass of your choice at Benedicts we use a coupe glass, top up with soda water to add a little fizz and garnish with your dehydrated Blood Orange slice on the rim of the glass.

57

| JANUARY 2018

BR E A ST O F NO R F O LK P H E A SA N T CONF I T L E G WH I T E P OL E NTA B L AC K B E R R I E S HAZLENUTS A ND A B L AC K B E R RY J US

Photography by MALCOLM HIRST

Peter Clarke head chef of the Imperial Hotel cooks up a seasonal main course to keep you warm in January

58

RECIPE

Breast of Norfolk pheasant, Confit leg, white polenta, blackberries , hazlenuts and a blackberry jus INGREDIENTS

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

SERVES SIX

• 4 pheasant breasts and 4 pheasant legs

• Thyme, duck fat, salt and pepper

• 40g roasted hazelnuts

• 3 heritage carrots peeled and cut on the

• 3 blackberries each

• 6 oz polenta flour( quick cook) • 2.5 oz of grated parmesan • 1.5 pints of water

• Half a pint of milk • 4 oz butter

• Oil

slant into lozenges.

• 12 blackberries pureed and sieved with 1tbsp of water

• 2 pint beef stock reduced to 1/2 a pint • 25g pea shoots

METHOD

Take the duck fat and thyme and place in a saucepan bring to a rolling simmer and place the pheasant legs into it,cook on the lowest heat Until tender and cooked through, this will take about 3 hours. Once they have been on the stove gas for 2 and a half hours take the water,milk and some salt and pepper and place in a saucepan, bring to the boil and add the polenta flour bring to the boil whisking all the time and be careful as if it gets too hot it will spit out of the pan, once this has cooked for 2 minutes at boiling point, add the parmesan cheese and butter and whisk this in until it has been incorporated. Reserve this warm somewhere.

Take the beef stock out that has been reduced and place in a clean saucepan, add the blackberry puree a bit at a time until you are happy with the taste you should became to taste the beef flavour of the stock and the BlackBerry underneath it !!

Place to one side to heat up later Blanch the carrots in boiling salted water and refresh once cooked, around 6 minutes.

Next put a trying pan on capable if taking 4 pheasant breasts and add 1 tbsp of oil, heat up and place the pheasant breast skin side down and fry until golden brown both sides, add the carrots place in a oven heated to 185.c for 2-3 minutes for a dash of pink in the pheasant breast and 2 minutes linger for well done juicy finish. Leave to rest somewhere warm.

TO FINISH

Place the leg into the oven to heat through and the skin to crisp. Reheat the polenta so it is boiling hot and place a quenelle on to the plate at the top, heat the sauce back up to boiling point and add the blackberries and hazelnuts. Cut the breast into 3 and place up against the polenta, add the leg next to it and then the carrots in a uniform pile next to the breast. Spoon the sauce over the breast and leg so that it covers the meat and garnish with pea shoots and enjoy !!

WINE

2015 Pinotage Rheboksloof Vineyards South Africa

Nick Mobbs director and wine expert at the IMPERIAL HOTEL

This is a wonderful estate which dates back to the late 1700s with traditional Cape Dutch style buildings some of which date back to the early settlers.

The current owners bought the estate in 2006 and have taken advantage of the unique micro climate of the vineyards in the Paarl valley giving the ideal climatic conditions for the growing of premium grapes The Pinotage is a grape which is basically only grown in South Africa. A hybrid grape being a cross between the Pinot Noir and Cinsault. The grape thrives in South Africa but very few other places in the world.

The wine is made by fermenting the grapes in Stainless steel on their skins and regular pump over of the cap to extract colour and flavour. The wine was then aged in 60% new oak and 40% 2 year old oak barrels for 14 months.

A wonderful wine it shows complex, dark fruit flavours with notes of blackberry, prunes and hints of soft oak spices.

The tannins fill the palate and nuances of dried fruit flavours linger on the aftertaste and work really well with the flavours of the Pheasant dish.

• A team of brilliant chefs • Superb wine list • Laid-back atmosphere The perfect restaurant for dinner or Sunday lunch. At the Imperial Hotel, North Drive, Gt Yarmouth, NR30 1EQ. To book call 01493 842000

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

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Opening Hours Mon-Wed: 10:30am - 6.00pm Thur-Sat: 10:30am - 7.00pm Sun: 11:30am - 4.00pm

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Photography by KATJA BAINBRIDGE

RECIPE

Richard Bainbridge

is the chef proprietor of Benedicts Restaurant in Norwich www.restaurantbenedicts.com info@restaurantbenedicts.com or call 01603 926080

H A M HOCK INGREDIENTS

• 1 Smoked Ham Hock

• 1 Carrot (Roughly Chopped) • 1 Celery Stick (Roughly

BROTH BROTH

• Hand Full of Fresh Herbs • Water to Cover

Chopped)

• 1 Shallot (Roughly Chopped)

• 1 Tomato (Roughly Chopped) METHOD

RICHARD’S NEW YEAR

Place everything into a large pot and cover with water. Place on a high heat and bring to the boil. Once boiling turn down to a simmer and continue to cook for 3 hours or until the ham is falling off the bone. Remove from the heat and allow to cool in the cooking liquid. Once cold carefully pick all the ham from the bone and place in a bowl then warm the rest of the cooking liquid up to a boil, strain through a sieve and taste for seasoning. Both of these can be done on a lazy Sunday afternoon and will keep for a week.

INGREDIENTS

• Soft Boil Free Range Medium

Egg (One per portion, cooked in boiling water for 4 mins then chill in ice water)

• Chicken OXO Cube

• Noodles (Small Handful per Portion)

• Rapeseed Oil

• Potato Noodles or Rice • Sprouting Broccoli

(1 Stem per Portion, Cut into Small Heads)

• Mushrooms of Your Choice (Optional)

METHOD

Place a pan of salted water on the stove and bring to the boil, once boiling add your noodles and cook until soft, strain and place in the bottom of the largest bowl you can find. Then remove just the yolk from the boiled egg and place on top of the noodles. Next sprinkle over the ham hock and OXO cube, add the sprouting broccoli and mushrooms and a pinch of fresh herbs. Bring the ham hock broth to the boil and when boiling pour straight over the bowl of goodies and allow to sit for 1-3 minutes, drizzle of rapeseed oil to finish.

Lastly, grab a spoon, dig in and feel the goodness.

Happy New Year Everyone!

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Travel

SINGAPORE Discover the Marina Bay Sands hotel which is an architectural wonder in the heart of thriving Singapore, crowned by the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool. At your fingertips, the best of spectacular nightlife and entertainment, celebrity chef dining and luxury shopping.

Prepare to be amazed by acclaimed museum exhibitions and breathtaking theatre shows, and explore over 80 restaurants and bars and 170 premium brand stores.

MILAN Palazzo Parigi will captivate you with its majestic spaces endowed with enveloping light, the precious works of art and antiques, its marbles and rich woodwork, the century-old garden, its bright, cosy rooms and suites with private terrace. Haute cuisine is the rule here.

Palazzo Parigi, the new 5 star hotel in Milan, elevates the concept of hospitality itself, just a few steps away from the fashion district, Brera and Teatro alla Scala.

The 65 guest hotel luxurious rooms, all spacious, comfortable and bright, feature private balconies or terraces overlooking the hotel

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From low-key moments to high-spirited extravaganzas, the momentum of the night is in your hands when you revel in the best of entertainment, all in one destination.

Developed at a cost of $8 billion Singapore Dollars, the triple-towered, 55-storey Moshe Safdie-designed mega property fronting the Marina Bay is reportedly the most expensive stand-alone integrated resort property ever built. www.marinabaysands.com

garden or Milan’s noblest streets. All rooms feature free WiFi, 48” LCD TV’s, and on request a Media Docking Station with USB and HMDI connection.

The 33 suites of Palazzo Parigi, lavishly decorated, offer living spaces further expanding on to the exterior, with terraces widening their functionality and allowing for even more relaxation and comfort, making Palazzo Parigi one of the best luxury hotels in Milan. All Suites feature free WiFi, Media Docking Station with USB and HMDI connection as well as 48” LCD TV’s. The bathrooms are all marble, with separate bathtub and shower. www.palazzoparigi.com

TRAVEL

Destination

FRANCE The enchanting 4-star Chateau de Montvillargenne hotel, surrounded by the stunningly historic Chantilly Forest is ideally located near the elegant old town of Chantilly, France, just 35 km north of Paris and 25 minutes from the Charles de Gaulle Airport, Chateau de Montvillargenne is steeped in rich culture and heritage.

The largest chateau hotel in France, it’s set in a 15 acre park and was built in the Norman architectural style by the Rothschild family in the last century. And with its idyllic leafy setting and luxury hotel rooms, it offers a perfect destination for a special family holiday or that romantic weekend getaway near Paris. www.chateaudemontvillargenne.com

IRELAND Each of the 83 rooms, suites and Hideaway Cottage at Ashford Castle represent traditional elegance and finesse. Following extensive refurbishment, many of the rooms and suites have been individually and lovingly designed, combining the castle’s original features with the latest modern luxuries. Meticulous attention to detail can be found in the unique works of art, carefully sourced antique furniture and sumptuous fabrics with custom designed carpets, bespoke beds, feature lighting, exquisite towelling and Egyptian cotton bed linen.

Built in the late 1800s, the bar is to this day reminiscent of its captivating past, with its opulent fabrics, fine wood panelling, traditional furnishings and original fireplace creating a warm and welcoming ambience – the perfect place to enjoy your favourite tipple or a pint of Guinness. In 1905 the bar was visited by the Prince of Wales, who subsequently became George V of England. www.ashfordcastle.com

BARBADOS Set amidst twelve acres of beautifully landscaped gardens on the calm West Coast of Barbados in historic Holetown, Coral Reef Club is the epitome of West Indian elegance.

A family owned-and-run luxury resort renowned for its special ambiance and classic island style, Coral Reef Club is an award-winning five-star luxury boutique hotel recognized as one of the best hotels in Barbados.

Coral Reef Club is truly a piece of island paradise. The hotel was a passion project of Budge and Cynthia O’Hara, who arrived in Barbados from England in the 1950s. The hotel has been lovingly restored and renovated over the years by their children – who now run the hotel – and grandchildren, who all grew up enjoying the beautiful property. Their two sons, Patrick and Mark, now run the hotel, and are constantly working to improve its beauty and facilities, whilst maintaining the family atmosphere.

The location of 5* Coral Reef Club is simply amazing; the hotel is set amidst twelve acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, on the West Coast of the island Whether it’s a healthy breakfast overlooking the ocean, or a day spent relaxing on the beach with a cocktail in hand, this is a hotel where you’ll make memories for life. www.coralreefbarbados.com

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A ROMANTIC STAR

Cruising Croatia

Leading travel writer, Kate Morfoot from Love To Eat To Travel (www.LoveToEatToTravel.com) sets sail on a five star ship with Sail Croatia to discover the Dalmatian coast.

C

roatia is steeped in history having been trampled over by invading armies, thrown into mayhem between empires then split up and put back together again in various different forms. It’s ruffled past has led to what is now a dynamic and beautiful country with an economy that’s reaping the benefits of tourism.

The best way to see Croatia is island hopping. Accommodating a maximum of only forty passengers, the new and elegant ‘Romantic Star’ was our home for a week, making our cruise a very intimate and exclusive experience.

The Elegance Premier Plus ships operate under the brand Sail Croatia and are some of the best modern boats sailing the Adriatic which have been specifically built for small ship cruising, perfect for being able to moor in smaller ports and harbours.

Boarding at the port of Split, our journey began with lunch being served in the dining room where you are given the opportunity to meet members of the crew whose job it is to look after you and all the other excited guests who have joined us from all over the world. There were four British couples, the remainder had travelled from Australia, New Zealand, Arizona and Las Vegas. It is holidays such as this where you can make friends for life, share great experiences while cruising to Croatia’s beautiful islands.

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Our seven night cruise took us to six islands before returning to mainland Split.

Unexpectedly, due to severe storms our route had to be slightly changed. Having missed Bol and the famous Zlanti Rat (Golden Horn) beach due to bad weather we headed straight for the tiny fishing village of Milna which lies to the West of the Island of Brac. It was busy with many yachts and small cruise ships moored up.

The restaurant opposite our mooring was a god send cooking fresh oven-fired pizzas which we enjoyed immensely with our friends from the UK. Back on board we listened to the gales outside wondering how the other guests had got on walking further into the village to different restaurants in the raging storm. Couple by couple they returned soaked through not being able to reach their restaurants of choice. The pizzas were a winner that night!

The following day we explored the tiny harbour village with its beautiful church, a fine bakery and lots of small bars around the marina. The gale abated, the warm sun came out and before long we’d all forgotten the storm. We then boarded our boat ready for the trip to Hvar.

Known as the French Rivera of the Adriatic the destination of Hvar has a certain glamour. The Fortica Fortress overhangs the town and super yachts line up in the port. It has good but mostly expensive seafood restaurants and VIP bars where famous people have been spotted including Beyonce and Daniel

Craig. Aside from the glitz there are plenty of activities to do in the area including kayaking, sailing and diving.

Planned ‘swim-stops’ en-route to each island provided the opportunity to swim in the sea and experience the crystal clear blue water and the surprisingly warm temperature. (The average summer temperature of the Adriatic is between 22-26 degrees Celsius). Croatia is the perfect holiday destination for watersport and swimming enthusiasts. Sail Croatia organizes and arranges day trips to try kayaking and on many of the islands you can hire jet skis.

On Mljet Island which is one of my favourites there is a beautiful forested National Park where you can swim in either of the two azure natural salt water lakes.

Mjlet National Park covers 5400 hectares of land and sea covering the entire North West of the island. The main centres are Pomena and Polace which are very busy tourist attractions. After a long swim and some sunbathing we hired bicycles and explored the 12km park taking us around the larger lake and stopping en route to take a small ferry boat over to St Mary’s Island where there is a former Benedictine Monastery as well as a restaurant and bar where we enjoyed a welcome drink.

You can’t visit Croatia without visiting Dubrovnik, however, beware that this city is heaving with tourists from all

TRAVEL corners of the world not least with the numbers undoubtedly increasing because it provided the location for the filming of Game of Thrones.

It’s an incredible city and lying within it is the historic compact old town in which you can wander along the marble streets, walk the city walls or take the cable car to get a bird’s eye view of the city and the harbour. Regardless of whether you are visiting Dubrovnik for the first time or the hundredth, the sense of awe never fails to descend on you when you set eyes on the beauty of the Old Town. Although the shelling of Dubrovnik in 1991 horrified the world, the city has bounced back with vigour to enchant visitors again and it has joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Korcula’s is the greenest, most independent and interesting of all Croatia’s 1000 islands. The Greek’s named it their favourite place to holiday over 2000 years ago and today it is most people’s favourite when you mention Croatia.

It is ringed by impressive defences with marble rich streets, one of which is lined with restaurants overlooking the sea many serving fresh fish of the day.

It’s a joyful place of happy day trippers and holiday makers coming ashore from their cruise ships, meandering along sea walls and discovering the tiny alleyways filled with shops selling oils and lavender. There’s plenty of history to be found in the town for those who love Renaissance and Gothic architecture. For the adventurers, there is excellent biking and hiking trails further out of town are available and boat taxis to Badja Island which has a 15th Century monastery as well as a naturist beach.

There’s lots of places where you can enjoy cocktails and watch the sun go down, the most famous cocktail bar is Massimo located at the top of a tower under the turrets of the 15thcentury Zakerjan Tower in the northern fortification. It’s accessed by stairs, then a ladder. Standard cocktails in lurid colours come to you by lift on a hand operated pulley system while you take in the view.

The problem was not so much getting up to the bar but of course getting down afterwards!

We found a restaurant called Cupido serving grilled prawns and chicken skewers which we enjoyed by candle light after the town had been thrust into darkness following a power cut! We drank their famous local white wine pošip, (some say better than many French wines), I agreed. Isn’t it wonderful when on holiday how food and wine tastes so fantastic?

Our final destination before returning to Split was the island of Makraska which has both a port and a beach resort. Here you can take a short walk along the promenade and join holiday makers at the beach. In high summer, Makraska is pretty raucous with many buzzing nightlife spots and beach bars.

Most evenings you are left to explore the islands and to choose your restaurant, however one evening on board you are catered for with the slightly more formal Captain’s Dinner. An excursion to a local farm in Kor�ula where ‘the best’ macaroni is made for you to enjoy is also included.

Breakfast and a three course lunch is served daily on board, however the coffee and tea making machine is switched off after breakfast and is only available again for one hour later in the morning and again for one hour in the afternoon.

Outside these times tea and coffee was available at the bar and had to be paid for. At breakfast time there was an ever increasing slow moving queue of increasingly frustrated caffeine-needy passengers as we all waited patiently for the double expresso to splutter out.

On the plus side you did get to know everyone’s life stories!

Our cabin, located on the Upper Deck, was spacious and had a large double bed, lots of space to hang your clothes with a large ensuite bathroom and a shower. Our room was air conditioned and had port holes to see the views.

Romantic Star was built in 2016 so there was a feeling of luxury and newness and everywhere was sparkling clean. The lounge and bar area had white leather sofas with lots of table space in the dining room. Outside, the top and bottom decks there were enough sun loungers at the front and back of the ship. On the top deck we lounged in the outdoor Jacuzzi watching the yachts and ships cruise by and it was a lovely way of relaxing and taking in the views.

Time spent cruising on the boat meant you could relax, sunbathe or chat to your

shipmates and delight in what is a super fun holiday. Romantic Star did us proud and cruising Croatia and the emerald seas was all we hoped for and more.

Arriving back in Split, we said goodbye to our friends and the Croatian crew, we spent time exploring the beautiful Old Town and the street-lined markets and the impressive Diocletian Palace built for an Emperor which forms around half the Old Town of Split.

We waved a sad goodbye to Romantic Star, but it won’t be the last visit back to the beautiful Dalmatian islands of Croatia.

Fact-File

Kate Morfoot was a guest of Sail Croatia on the Elegance Cru ise Split Return South.

ABOUT SAIL CROATIA: Elegance Cruises run betwee n May and October, departing from either Split or Dubrovn ik, and travel north or south thro ugh Dalmatia depending on the itinerary. Elegance Cruises incl ude 7 nights’ accommodation in twin-share cabins, a local Tou r Manager, a buffet breakfast and 3-course lunch daily, as well as a Captains Dinner with entertainment and a local villa ge experience.

Sail Croatia is currently taking bookings for 2018 departures, with prices starting at £679 per per son, in a Lower deck, twin-share cabin.

Visit www.sail-croatia.com for more information, or to req uest a quote.

You can find all Elegance Cruise prices online here: www.sail-croatia.com/croatia cruises/elegance-cruises

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Kate Morfoot, leading travel writer from www.LoveToEatToTravel.com checks into a glorious retreat in the Umbrian Hills of Italy

I

taly’s best kept secret is Umbria, the ‘green heart’ of Italy. Tipped as the new Tuscany, the region has verdant landscapes with undulating and endless mountain scenery.

Situated just under northern Tuscany, Umbria is famous for its music festivals, churches, museums, history and world acclaimed art which can easily form the basis for endless sight-seeing. Or, you can fill your days simply resting in the warmth of the sun, which we did in style at our villa in ‘Prato Di Sotto’ a little piece of heaven nestled in the mountains above the 12th Century hamlet Santa Guiliana.

Landing from Stansted at Perugia Airport our group of friends and I hired a car and got to our villa easily within a 45 minute drive. Even with excellent directions, it’s easy to make a wrong turn, but eventually we got to our destination meeting our other friend who had flown from Dubai arriving at exactly the same time!

Five kilometres up the mountain stands Prato Di Sotto, a serene country house complex. The winding journey takes you past stunning yellow hedges and closerr to the top of the mountains all around. Prato Di Sotto is a sanctuary of calmness and tranquillity that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.

The Terrazza that sleeps four was taken by our friends. It opens up onto a 40ft private terrace, which is resplendent in roses – (Umbria’s emblem) and has its own vines. There is an amazing lavender hedge and exuberant wisteria cascading down the villa. We had many lunches and suppers outside where often some wild boar piglets would arrive snuffling around in the hedges and Penny’s four-legged friends would always pop in around cooking time.

My husband and I hired La Capanna, a romantic studio with a shady veranda that has a kitchen and a lounge area located on the second floor giving breath taking views of the mountain and overlooks the wonderful infinity pool with the mountains beyond.

There are other cottages available. Similar to La Capanna, Il Molino is perfect for a hideaway or romantic retreat. Sleeping two, this 13th Century former oil mill has its own private rose-covered terrace, overlooking Santa Guiliana below.

Throughout all the accommodation, a personal touch is evident with imported French beams in the ceilings and reclaimed marble tiles in the bathrooms. The bedrooms are beautifully furnished and all have crisp white linen on very comfortable beds.

These historic buildings each with their own private terrace and dining facilities are unique and having been painstakingly restored, decorated and furnished by owner Penny.

Her story of single-handedly managing this restoration project is impressive, secluded among the ruins, with no water or supplies and not speaking a word of Italian. Not to be beaten, Penny learnt Italian pretty quickly and since her move twenty four years ago, she has been hosting holiday makers from all over the world.

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TRAVEL

Penny’s from Heaven

Roads in Umbria were not as busy as we had expected and driving and navigating with Waze was easy. We soon became accustomed to the road signs, winding roads and undulating mountains. However, if you prefer walking, Penny can put together personal walking trails in the nearby mountains.

Where to Visit?

Famous of Buitoni Pasta and Perugina Chocolate, Perugia is a lively place with the most famous collection of Umbrian art.

While we were there Umbria Jazz festival was taking place and the streets were filled with musicians and people dancing from daytime until the early hours.

give Assisi justice you need three days to cover all the aspects it has to offer and spend time wandering through the pretty Italian flower-filled alley ways, sampling their local ales, eating gelato and viewing their age old pottery and famous olive oil.

Just a ten minute drive, this beautiful restaurant set within the abbey has excellent staff serving typical Umbrian cuisine with pasta made by hand and extra virgin olive oil produced on the Estate. There is also room to eat al fresco in its wonderful cloisters.

Other important Umbrian towns to visit include Gubbio, a well-preserved mediaeval town situated at the foot of Mount Ingino and home to the Gubbio Tablets- the oldest surviving record of Umbrian people; and Todi, overlooking the Tiber Valley, whose beautiful medieval square is surrounded by a wealth of historic buildings, including the 13th Century Palazzo del Popolo, the Palazzo del Capitano and the Cathedral.

The closest major town to the villa is Umbertide, around a fifteen minute drive.

Look out for the local market in the old square on a Wednesday and try the café to take in some people watching.

Assisi, a picturesque medieval town, famous for the birthplace of St Francis, is only 55 minutes away from the villa’s nearest town Umbertide. Situated on the western slopes of Mount Subasio, it looks impressive from miles away as you approach. Basilica di San Francesco, one of Italy’s best-loved and most visited churches was our first stop.

This is a highly religious church and the most visited in Italy after the Vatican. To

Where to Eat? Your villa will be stocked up with tea, coffee, homemade jams and fresh eggs on arrival. It’s important to stock up with food for your villa from the local town Umbertide. Here there are local shops and also bigger supermarkets.

ACCOMMODATION: Prato Di Sotto, Santa Guilian, Nr Pierantionio, Umbria Choice of four villas/apartments, all with private terraces and shared swimming pool from Friday to Friday or three days. Prices quote are peak summer times.

Il Molino, sleeps 2 - €800 per week

Ristorante L’Abbazia di MonteCorona is the nearest restaurant to Prato Di Sotto, located in a beautifully vaulted ‘Cantina.’

La Capanna, sleeps 2 - €1150 per week

The Terrazza, sleeps 4 - €1250 per week

Casa Antica, sleeps 8 - €2800 per week

Highly recommended is Ristorante San Giorgio in Umbertide that serves classic Italian food.

Head up to the stunning town of Montone, a small village that overlooks the unspoilt valley and is 482m above sea level.

Eat at La Locanda di Capitino, a dynamic restaurant that specialises in truffles.

The famous medieval military commander, Braccio Fortebracci, was born here to a noble local family. It is their 14th century family residence, in the heart of Montone that has now become La Locanda del Capitano (the Captain’s Inn).

GETTING THERE: We flew with Ryan Air from Stansted to Perugia. It’s 45 minutes from the airport to the villas. Car hire is essential.

For more information: www.umbriaholidays.com peneloperadford@gmail.com | 0039 075 941 7383

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Park House Hotel Sandringham

Relax on the North Norfolk Coast

In need of a holiday or respite break?

We can provide expert and discreet care support so that you can fully relax and recharge.

Park House Hotel is an impressive Victorian country house set in the beautiful surroundings of the Sandringham Estate in West Norfolk. For 30 years we have been providing award winning breaks to disabled guests and their companions who return year after year.

With all the features you expect from a first class hotel, and an exceptional level of disabled access and support, we make sure your holiday is totally revitalising.

The hotel boasts an enviable location with easy access to the historic market town of King’s Lynn and the picturesque Norfolk coast.

 Local family run business  Six delightful 4 star / families welcome graded holiday properties sleeping from 2 to 15 in Sheringham  Foresters, Augusta & Madge are all rated suitable for wheelchair users by Visit England, as well as being great for families  Superb quiet location. Blue flag beach, shops, family pubs, theatre and 18-hole golf course all within 200 metres  Free use of local leisure centre, inc. swim and gym, Sky TV, sports and movies, Wi-fi, gardens and off road parking  Free pick up from Sheringham train & bus station

To make a booking or receive a brochure pack please contact the Reception Team on 01485 543000 quoting PAF2017. You can also visit our website www.parkhousehotel.org.uk to find out more.

Call: 01263 577 560 Web: www.sheringhamcottages.com Email: enquiries@sheringhamcottages.com

Incredible Iceland Direct from Norwich Airport - 26.02.18 • • • •

Includes 20kg baggage per person Return resort transfers Northern Lights Tour Lake Myvatn Adventure – Land of Fire and Ice Tour

3 nights from

£699pp*

£100 deposit per person *Price excludes £10 per adult Norwich Airport Development Fee payable at the Airport

Call 01904 717 362 visit SuperBreak.com or see your local Travel Agent

Staycation

HILLSIDE ISLE OF WIGHT Hillside is a charming 18th century thatched country house overlooking the Victorian town of Ventnor and backing onto National Trust land at the foot of St. Boniface Down.

Panoramic sea views and a southerly aspect gives Hillside the benefits from all the available sunshine, making the house and its grounds as warm and welcoming in LAINSTON HOUSE Lainston House is a charming 17th century country house situated in Winchester , as you sweep into the courtyard, you will encounter the delicate archways and loggias that frame the picture perfect entrance to this beautiful house.

Located in 63 acres of idyllic Hampshire parkland, this 5 star luxury hotel is filled with a host of experiences for you to uncover, such as falconry, The Exclusive Cookery School, SEASON and The Avenue, an award-winning restaurant that takes its name from the avenue of lime trees which can be viewed from the table.

Escape to the country with a wealth of lavish individually designed suites and bedrooms with Handmade mattresses and a pillow menu in every room ensures a blissful nights sleep. www.exclusive.co.uk

the summer, as it’s sheltered and cosy in the winter.

Having recently been extensively refurbished, Hillside fuses contemporary Scandinavian interiors with charming rooms, creating great harmony within the environment and a unique homely feel The Hillside bedrooms are comfortable

MILL LODGE RETREAT BATH Offering exceptional self-catering lodge accommodation in an idyllic, tranquil space, Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is the perfect alternative to a hotel break. This range of luxury lodges includes everything from cosy, studio-style accommodation, to exquisite 4 bedroom lodge holiday homes. The lodges in Bath are the perfect place to stay for business or pleasure, as they are fully-equipped with everything you need and more.

With a host of established trees and beautiful Newton Brook meandering through the park, you’ll feel a million miles from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Situated within easy reach of the historic Bath city centre, use your lodge as a base from which to explore the local area and beyond; or just relax in the beautiful setting.

Hidden in a sheltered valley bordered by grassy banks, mature trees and the gently meandering mill stream, your lodge will be an escape from the city and life’s daily hustle and bustle.

The stream nurtures many species of

and tranquil, most of which overlooking the sea. Rooms are modern, minimalist and decorated in pale colours, with stylish lighting, bold paintings and vintage blankets and accessories providing a dynamic, yet understated elegance. www.hillsideventnor.co.uk

water life and the valley provides an ideal environment for wildlife which can be seen in abundance; a haven for flora and fauna just minutes from the city. The Bath and North East Somerset Area provides an excellent holiday destination, catering for every type of visitor; whether you wish to visit the World Heritage Centre of Bath or explore further afield to the coastal resorts, magnificent historic houses, or enjoy a range of outdoor activities; Somerset will not disappoint. www.darwinescapes.co.uk

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Luxury

TRAVEL

LONDON K West Hotel & Spa is a real treat for an indulgent break in London.

Kate Morfoot, leading travel writer from Love To Eat To Travel checks into K West Hotel & Spa...

A

way from the hustle and bustle K

Enjoy a Glam Rock Afternoon tea and in the evening relax at the Studio Bar where the hotel’s West Hotel & Spa, a four star hotel just mixologists create fabulous cocktails and quite off the main high street in Shepherd’s a quirky special of ‘Pickleback’ a shot of Jack Bush, boasts the award-winning K Daniels whiskey accompanied with a shot of Spa with The Nail Bar, fully equipped pickle juice.

K Fit gym and a trendy vibrant vibe echoing its past as a former BBC Recording Studio.

K Spa is impressive and incorporates a spa journey of heat and ice. I began with The Sun Meadow* If you want retail therapy, just a stone’s throw which is a light therapy treatment, particularly away is the Westfield shopping centre where you effective for those who suffer from S.A.D. After can shop till you drop with over 240 shops to being given eye protection I relaxed on the sunken choose from or take the short walk to Notting Hill bed, the room lights changed colour after which or Portobello Road.

I was warmed by natural lights mimicking a My Executive Room was more like a suite housing beautiful summer’s day in the garden! Keeping a super-sized bed, a sofa, a work station and a to the warming journey, I headed for the hot salt decent sized bathroom with White Company foot spa in the Wet Spa, I tried the Scandinavian toiletries. (Even the smallest room they offer is Sauna and steam room followed by the fantastic just under 300 sq ft) this includes all the modern hydrotherapy pool in which I bubbled away on flourishes such as an LCD flat screen TV, Bose one of the three reclining beds. sound system, tea and coffee facilities. On top K Spa’s Snow Paradise was a first time experience of this you can use the free ‘Handy’ pocket for me, so after feeling hot and phone so you can make free local and energized from the hydrotherapy pool, international calls. You have access I headed into the cabin which is a to free internet and it has a useful chilling -15°. It was incredible to see digital city guide. In the room there’s Prices start from snow and icicles in what is London’s a handy tablet which tells you all you £125 per room first ice cabin environment. Needless need to know about the hotel and per night. to say, I was in and out quite quickly! K you can order room service and book Spa packages are Spa is different. It offers a wide range treatments in the spa. also available and of innovative treatments including There’s an arty rock-n-roll atmosphere. include overnight the Ultra Regenerating Facial and In the Studio Bar there are industrial accommodation Crystal Clear Oxygen should you wish style pendant lamps hanging low and treatments. to breathe new life into your skin. over raised tables and textured silver *A session in the Deservedly it has been awarded ‘Best wallpaper giving the bar a modern Sun Meadow Spa in London’ and is also winner of edge. Up-cycled furniture has been is £20 for 20 World Luxury Spa. used to create high backed booth minutes.

I visited the very sleek K Fit seating along the back wall and chic Due to its low gymnasium and was impressed by black and white artwork depicting intensity, the the extensive range of the latest high musicians hangs above each booth with treatment can be quality gym equipment in addition to punchy contrasting accents of colour repeated every the spinning bikes and weights there is adding vibrancy. other day. a spacious yoga room.

Hotels in London are often small and Don’t miss out on breakfast! I had the expensive, this isn’t the case at K West Full English which was truly delicious. There’s Hotel & Spa. Its’ defining character is one of lots of breakfast choice on offer with friendly table generous space and ultimate luxury. Around the service. hotel you will see reminders of its past, in The Library where there’s statement Andy Warhol K West pulls out all the stops to ensure you will style artwork depicting Amy Winehouse who enjoy your stay, whether you are staying for work visited the hotel. Other famous singers have or pleasure. At the end of the day, you can look frequented the K West Hotel & Spa including Noel forward to climbing into what feels like the largest Gallagher, Rihanna, Mark Ronson, Adele and more bed in London! recently, Fifth Harmony.

Fact-File

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| JANUARY 2018

Heading to M a r k Ni c h o l l s h e a d s off to the Malvern Hills for a relaxing weekend break

the

Hills

R

enowned for its pure water, Malvern sits amid one of the most spectacular landscapes in the country.

Indeed, it is this terrain – the eight-mile escarpment of the Malvern Hills – which is provider of the pure water which first put this area on the map.

Enjoyed by queens, from Elizabeth I and Victoria, to Elizabeth II, Malvern water contains, as 18th century physician Dr John Wall put it: “just nothing at all.”

Malvern, on the Worcestershire/Herefordshire border, is synonymous with well-being and is perfect for a weekend getaway.

We set off from Norfolk on a Friday afternoon and headed across England.

The four-hour drive was well worth it, arriving at Colwall Park Hotel in time to change, enjoy a drink in the bar, and then have dinner in the formal restaurant setting.

I opted for the ham hock and minted pea soup, followed by cod and cockles on a bed of toasted quinoa with my wife, Sharon, starting with smoked mackerel, then the beef with carrot purée and red wine jus. Other options were chicken or pigeon breast.

Sharon went for white chocolate cheesecake and raspberry sorbet for dessert, but I’m more of a savoury person so I went for the cheese board, at £10.25 with a selection of five from a range of 10 local cheeses, with lovely chutney, nuts and fruit and a range of biscuits. Spoilt for choice, I had the Somerset Brie, Worcestershire Sauce with shallots, Hereford Hop, Worcestershire Honey and Figs, Applewood Smoked… and the obligatory glass of port.

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TRAVEL

Colwall Park Hotel: 24 hours in The Malverns A one-night stay, including walking pack and packed lunch, ready for visitors to explore the wonderful surroundings. Dinner is also included. From £87.50 per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room (Sunday to Thursday). Visit: www. colwall.co.uk or call 01684 540000.

The Malvern: A Taste of Summer Spa Break A luxury one- or two-night break at The Malvern, to include dinner on one night, bed and breakfast accommodation, time to relax and enjoy the spa facilities as well as a choice of a detoxifying or re-hydrating body wrap (55 minutes). The one-night break is priced at £128.50 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room (Sunday to Thursday). Visit: www. themalvernspa.com or call 01684 879694. www.visitthemalverns.org

I shouldn’t forget to mention the excellent and attentive service and very good breakfast selection including the Colwall Full English.

Colwall Park is a comfortable, dog-friendly hotel, situated on top of the Malvern Hills with the winding drive up from Great Malvern offering impressive views en route.

Independently owned and sitting in a peaceful, rural village on the sunny, western flanks of the breathtaking Malvern Hills, it was constructed in 1905 specifically to cater for guests at the now defunct Colwall Racecourse.

With plenty of character and 22 individually-styled rooms in keeping with the history of the hotel – and a complimentary nightcap of Madeira in each room – it makes a perfect base for exploring the area.

The following morning we set off to do just that, driving around the hills and stopping off to take in the views. The Malvern Hills are a stunning ridge, with spectacular panoramas of Wales, The Severn Valley and the distant Cotswolds.

Those feeling energetic can hike up to the British Camp, an Iron Age hill fort constructed in 2nd century BC. With the summit of British Camp at 1,109 feet, you can see for miles across the surrounding Herefordshire and Worcestershire landscape in a view that diarist John Evelyn (1620 to 1706) remarked was “one of the godliest vistas in England.”

Later, we drove into Great Malvern, a lovely town to wander around with a time warp feel of intimate streets with cafés and restaurants, pubs and small antique and book shops in which to browse.

If you go there, take time to visit the Malvern Museum and learn about the town’s history, particularly about Malvern Water with its purity attributable to its source within the oldest and hardest rocks in the UK. As the water permeates through the rock, little or no mineral trace remains in the water.

In the 1840s, Dr James Manby Gully and Dr James Wilson opened water cure clinics, triggering the town’s prosperity and seeing construction of large Victorian and Edwardian hotels.

People were attracted to Malvern to drink the water and bathe in it to try to ease an array of ailments.

Charles Darwin stayed in Malvern in the hope the water would improve his daughter’s health, while other famous patients included Thomas Carlyle, Florence Nightingale, Lord Tennyson, Samuel Wilberforce, and Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton.

Today, when wandering around the town, you can pause at the Malvinha Fountain for a drink and, of course, the water is bottled for commercial sale.

There are heritage trails to follow, guided walks offered by the Tourist Information Office as well as plenty of opportunities to wander independently.

This is also an area where literary creative talent

met. The Unicorn pub in the centre of Great Malvern was frequented by C.S. Lewis, creator of the Chronicles of Narnia, where he would gather with friends for earnest conversation. Among them was Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien.

Malvern Priory and the picturesque Priory Park are also worth a visit and a few miles away is the magnificent setting of St Wulfstan’s with the burial place of the great English composer Edward Elgar in its graveyard.

Note the Malvern gas lamps, along the A449 and in the Priory churchyard, said to have been the inspiration for the lamp in the forest in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

The surrounding area has many other attractions too, from theatres to Hampton and Eastnor castles, while motor enthusiasts can take a tour of the Morgan car factory.

This beautiful spa town is, however, somewhere to seek relaxation and therapy, and for that aspect, we switched to The Malvern Hotel.

The first spa in Malvern since 1910, and drawing on 100 years of spa heritage, The Malvern is a hotel, health club and spa offering a range of therapies and treatments with health, beauty, relaxation and indulgence in mind.

A very modern building on the outskirts of the town, once you go in, you enter a world of fitness, wellbeing, spa and pool areas where the attire is slippers and white gowns.

Featuring the UK’s only 20 metre 35°C indooroutdoor hydrotherapy pool and filled with Malvern spring water, treatments range from foot spas, hydrotherapy and thermal rituals with steam rooms and saunas to massages.

The Malvern Water Cure Spa Day specialty owes much to Drs Wilson and Manby Gully and includes the Signature Water Cure body treatment, including a full body ice scrub, hot lavender cleanse, warm oil lymphatic massage, and cooling rose quartz facial.

I enjoyed an hour-long combo face and body massage (£62), while Sharon went for a restorative mud envelopment wrap. These body wraps from ESPA include lymphatic skin brushing, skin smoothing exfoliation and an envelopment of oils to transform the skin and relax the mind. The choice also includes a detoxifying algae wrap and skin hydrator wrap (£60 for 55 minutes).

The range of therapies is broad, from aromatherapy and hot stone massages and facials, Indian head massage to manicures and pedicures and after a treatment, there’s the pool area in which to relax, the gym for fitness, the restaurant and the bar.

The Malverns offer spectacular scenery, sightseeing, attractions and accommodation… and the chance for reinvigorating spa therapies too. Sounds like a perfect combination.

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PLANNING YOUR WEDDING VENUE With so many options available, choosing a wedding venue can seem like a daunting t a s k . It ’s p ro b a b l y o n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t decisions you’ll make about your big day so i t ’s wo r t h d o i n g s o m e re s e a rc h a n d t h i n k i n g about what you want from a venue.

T

he venue you pick will determine the amount of guests you can invite, the location of your wedding and, of course, the theme and styling, too. You need to allocate a good proportion of your wedding planning time and budget to finding your dream venue because there are so many different options to consider and look at.

Here are a few pointers on how to choose your perfect wedding venue:

Location, location location, estimate how many people you'd like to invite to your big day, since not all places can accommodate a wide variety of wedding sizes Sit down with your partner and figure out how much you are willing

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to spend then make sure you stick to your Budget, It sounds like an obvious tip but before you go and visit a venue, and potentially fall in love with it you should consider if it falls within your budget.

The venue will play a huge role in shaping the ambiance for your wedding, so it's important to have a vision of what you want to portray for your big day. Since dates can book up quickly at the popular wedding venues, call around to check on date availability before going to see places in person and make sure you estimate the number of guests to ensure the venue can cater for the correct number.

It’s likely that you will visit quite a few venues before you make your decision. When you think you have found ‘the one’ go back and visit it again and again, check that it is as perfect as you remember.

Year planner

WEDDINGS

There is so much to think about when planning your w e d d i n g , y o u c e r t a i n l y c a n ’ t d o i t a l l a t o n c e . We ’ v e put together the following plan over one year to show how you can spread everything out.

1 2 m o n t h s b e f o re

4 m o n t h s b e f o re

· · · · · · ·

· · · · · ·

Book Wedding Planner Book venue for reception Book venue for ceremony Book registrar/priest Decide on a budget Consider buying wedding insurance Decide on a theme/design

1 1 m o n t h s b e f o re · Order save the date cards

1 0 m o n t h s b e f o re · Compile invitation list · Book caterer · Send save the date cards

8 m o n t h s b e f o re · · · · · · ·

Book florist Book transport Book cake maker Book photographer Book videographer Book band/DJ Book reception decorator (chair covers etc. · Book toastmaster

7 m o n t h s b e f o re · · · ·

Order Bride’s dress and accessories Book musicians for ceremony Organise any ‘other’ entertainment Reserve any rental equipment (marquee, chairs etc.)

6 m o n t h s b e f o re · · · · · ·

Order invitations Bridesmaid’s dresses and accessories Groom’s attire and accessories Buy wedding rings Book honeymoon Check passports etc. are valid for honeymoon

Organise favours Send invitations Book wedding night accommodation Accommodation for guests Gift registry Give notice of marriage

3 m o n t h s b e f o re · Gifts for bridal party, groomsmen etc. · Decide on music for the ceremony and first dance · Decide on readings for the ceremony · Write wedding vows · Order stationery for the day (guest book, order of service etc.)

2 m o n t h s b e f o re · · · ·

Finalise menu for wedding breakfast Order table centre pieces Arrange hen/stag parties Chase unanswered invitations

1 m o n t h b e f o re · Arrange seating plan · Order stationery for the day (table plan, place cards etc.) · Make arrangements for wedding dress cleaning · Make arrangements for bouquet to be stored or dried

2 w e e k s b e f o re · Hold rehearsal dinner with wedding party · Confirm number of guests with reception venue and caterer · Write speeches (Groom, Best Man & Father of the Bride)

After the wedding · Send thank you cards

5 m o n t h s b e f o re · Order Groomsmen’s attire and accessories · Book hairdresser trial · Book make-up trial · Buy going away outfit, if relevant · Schedule rehearsal time and rehearsal dinner

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| JANUARY 2018

January Gardening Our gardening writer Ellen Mary brings Places&Faces® readers more useful tips

provides gardening design consultancy, advice and beginner gardening courses at: www.ellenmarygardening.co.uk

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I

t can be a cold month with the worst of the Winter weather so when hibernating is top of the list, make sure you do it with plenty of seed catalogues, garden books and a hot chocolate. Build on your successes from the previous year, plan your crop rotations and make lists of all the plants you would like to grow in your garden. So make the most of January and get planning.

GARDEN & FLOWERS

As long as the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen, you can plant out bare root roses ensuring they are in a sunny position. Rose bushes can also be pruned now while they are dormant by cutting back to just above a bud and removing any diseased, crossing or dead stems.

Keep winter flowering plants at their best by deadheading your winter pansies and removing all fading flowers

as soon as you spot them. They have a remarkable ability to keep on giving with a little care. Watch Hellebores come into bloom and make them more prominent by cutting off the old leaves to make the lovely flowers more visible.

After the trimmings are taken down, don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste. Keep an eye out for places to take your tree for recycling or alternatively you can shred your tree and use it as mulch in the garden, add it to your compost heap or lay it over bare soil to suppress weeds.

FRUIT & VEGETABLES

When you are ready to get your coat on and brave the January air, its time to prune your fruit trees, such as apple and pear. Gooseberries can also be pruned and autumn fruiting raspberries can be cut back. Perfect time to get some fresh air and prepare your fruit for the growing season ahead.

Look after your soil and your soil will

GARDENING

repay you will delicious produce! If you have heavy soil leave it totally exposed as the frosts will kill pests and even help to improve the structure of the soil.

Drainage can be improved by digging in well rotted manure and if you want to be ahead of the game and sow seeds early, cover the soil with cloches and fleece to warm it up.

If you have stored fruit, just as with any bulbs and plants, keep a weekly check on them to ensure they are all in good condition. If you spot any sign of rotting or diseased materials or fruit discard it as soon as possible to make sure it doesn’t spread. Make sure trays of apples and bags of potatoes have good air circulation and are out of the reach of pests.

WILDLIFE GARDENING

At this time of year, it is essential to supplement natural bird food. If the weather is particularly cold, you may even notice your garden birds

becoming much braver in their search for food. Berries and fallen fruits are an important food source but also hang out RSPB approved food to help our feathered friends make it through the winter.

If you have any piles of fallen branches, twigs and leaves make sure you leave them a little longer as they may be home to garden wildlife, even a hedgehog! You can gently rake grass cuttings and other fallen leaves or stems to the pile to make sure they have a nice warm environment. It will rot down over time naturally.

When you are browsing your seed catalogues have a think about how you can help wildlife over the coming year and even into next winter. Natural food and shelter sources are essential, so perhaps think about growing a native hedge or sowing wildflowers which will encourage many pollinators and other insects.

GARDENING PRODUCT OF THE MONTH –

Watching garden birds enjoying the food you have provided is a great way to start the day and with this box of high energy suet treats from the RSPB there will be plenty of birds thanking you for it. www.shopping.rspb.org

W H AT ’ S O N –

Take a walk around Lackford Lakes in Suffolk on a guided tour Wednesday 10th January from 11am to 1pm. It’s a true wildlife oasis and you may spot a colourful Kingfisher or even an otter.

What a lovely way to start 2018! www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

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IF

Christmas has focused your attention on updating your home, you’ll find plenty of inspiration at Wren Kitchens this winter. From brand new kitchen ranges to extra colours and finishes, Wren Kitchens has it all. What’s more, from Boxing Day you can get huge discounts in Wren’s famous winter sale.

If you’re thinking of remodelling your kitchen or family room, Wren has the largest collection of kitchens in the UK so head down to your nearest showroom there’s 68 nationwide - and we know you’ll discover your dream kitchen - whatever your budget.

Brand new to Wren Kitchens is the fully built Infinity Plus Ultra collection.

Available in eight great colours and 11 profile colours, it brings you two of Wren’s most popular designer-style kitchens at prices that everyone can afford - up to 80% less than you’ll find anywhere else in the UK. Choose the crisp complementary profiles of Milano Ultra or try the simple

straight lines of Slab Ultra. Made using the latest technology, Wren Kitchens’ Ultra range redefines the designer kitchen.

Infinity Plus, designed, manufactured and fully built in the UK by Wren, gives you all the elements you need to create a bespoke kitchen at a price every homeowner can afford. With a choice of 15 frontal styles and thousands of unit sizes and special feature units, there’s millions of potential combinations. It’s the next best thing to a handmade kitchen.

Factory built Infinity features five of our most popular styles and colours and for those on a tight budget, try Wren Kitchens’ new Vogue range. With Vogue, you are assured of the same quality of units and the same standards of manufacturing as our Infinity kitchens but flat packed for even more affordability.

Choose from a wide selection of Wren’s worktops plus a huge range of handles, taps and appliances. There are 100 different types of unit available plus feature units in 17 colours including wine racks, dressers

and pet beds. A space for everything and everyone!

Since its launch, Wren Kitchens has grown to become the UK’s number one kitchen retail specialist* with the biggest kitchen collection in the country, and established a reputation for wellmanufactured kitchens at prices that everyone can afford.

With so much going on, there’s never been a better time to visit Wren Kitchens so come and talk to one of our Kitchen Designers. They’ll help you get the most out of your space and your budget with a clever design. For more inspiration, ask for our new 268-page brochure - it’s the biggest kitchen brochure in the UK - or check out your options online at wrenkitchens.com

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There’s never a better time to get the kitchen of your dreams than during the Wren Winter Sale. As the UK’s number one kitchen retail specialist* with the biggest kitchen collection in the country, we know you’ll find the kitchen you want at the price you can afford. There’s classic, modern and traditional kitchens on offer at half price plus an extra 25% off normal prices and that includes all kitchens in our top two ranges Infinity Plus and Infinity. *Number one kitchen retail specialist refers to Wren Kitchens being the number one (ie the largest in terms of retail sales) specialist kitchen retailer (ie a retailer that specialises in selling to consumers, not trade purchasers and is not also a general DIY shed or home goods retailer). Sources: Mintel Kitchens and Kitchen Furniture - UK- September 2016 & Nobia Annual Report 2015.

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| JANUARY 2018

New Year e l y t S w e N

Parlane animal head vases: giraffe £99.50 leopard £35 zebra £47.50

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HAYLEY & JENNIFER are homeware buyers – Jarrold, 1-11 London Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.jarrold.co.uk The Granary, 5 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.thegranary.co.uk

INTERIORS

There was a time

when the New Year would be time for a fresh start when it came to your home décor.

New colours and styles would start to come into play and by spring you would be ready to revamp, refresh and revitalise your home into something new.

While new trends will come in for the new season – think a colour palette of quite retro hues of burgundy and teal, deep pinks and terracotta – many build on the fashion for a timeless style for your home. These trends build upon looks from last year – tropical with its love of flamingos, pineapple and palm tree motifs continues this year, as does the trend for bringing the outside in with pot plants (palms and succulents in the main) bringing lots of greenery to your home. The Tribal trend, a timeless spring and summer style, is also strong for 2018 with buddhas, zebras, elephants, cheetahs with tribal and Aztec prints.

This is good news for those who don’t like decorating and prefer to just add an accessory or two, or a piece of new furniture to a room. It’s also a good indication that these timeless styles will be around for a while, so investing in key pieces is worthwhile both in the January sales and when the new season hits the shops.

Of course, you don’t have to pick just one of these trends. All three of these looks work well together, so mix it up and have some fun!

Assortment of cacti in pots, various prices (see instore for details)

Parlane pineapple pink and gold print frame (235mm x 180mm), £19.95 Parlane rose gold coloured flamingo (670mm x 110mm), £89.50 Parlane potted prickly pear cactus (height 450mm), £85

Parlane Kentia palm tree (height 1800mm), £175

Parlane pothanger gibbon (145mm x 40mm), £5.95 each

All items available from Jarrold, floor 2 or The Granary, Bedford Street, Norwich 85

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M A D S C I E N C E O F F E R S E X C I T I N G: AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS • ASSEMBLIES • BIRTHDAY PARTIES • WORKSHOPS SPECIAL EVENTS • VACATION & SUMMER PROGRAMS • PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

| JANUARY 2018

Welcome back

to

School PUPILS AND STUDENTS LOOK AHEAD TO THE GOALS AND CHALLENGES OF 2018

90

WEDDINGS

This is the period for looking forward to a bright future

R

ETURNING TO SCHOOL, or college,

after the merriment and fun of the festive period can take a few days to get used to.

With the chill of dark mornings, getting back into the routine of learning doesn’t always come easy.

Yet the dawning of the New Year, despite the frosts of January, can also be a great opportunity to re-focus and set new goals and aspirations for the coming months.

While the autumn term always has vigour to it, with the start of the new school year and the excitement and activities leading up to Christmas, with the concerts and plays, the ambience and emphasis of January and the spring term are a little different.

This is the period for looking forward to a bright future: it may mean revision for exams and selection of subject options for older pupils, whereas for younger children it is a time where their learning moves on to a new level.

And with the warmer, longer, sunnier days of spring just around the corner, there is hope and optimism for achievement and success.

Going back to school is not that different to returning to work or reviving a new activity after a short break, in that we can set fresh targets or goals with the New Year some may call them resolutions.

When it comes to education and the way pupils study, learn and behave in the school environment, education is not so different.

That new approach not only applies to the younger generation, but is also relevant from the parental perspective, too.

Parents and their children can work closely to ensure they are better prepared for school and get the most out of the school day and the learning environment.

This applies to the simple things such as being ready for school – often the night before – and arriving on time to avoid any last minute panics and not forgetting to put PE kit or homework into the satchel.

For pupils, a resolution could be simply remembering to hand letters from the school

over to mum and dad rather than leaving them in the bottom of the bag.

Parents can get into the habit of checking the school’s website from time to time to make sure they are up to date with the latest news, events and opportunities.

Many parents get involved in the activities of the school or college through their children such as supporting the annual Christmas fayre or summer gala.

But that can be taken on to the next step in a number of different ways; perhaps by joining the PTA or helping out at some of the regular events the school stages, or by getting involved in a more formal manner as a school governor.

That means parents are not only supporting the school in the way it is run but actively playing a role in shaping the future direction of the educational institution.

For older pupils, this time of year is also the chance to start thinking ahead if they are moving on to secondary schools, sixth forms, or looking for college places.

It is about seeing when Open Days are being held and starting to consider which courses, or subjects, may be the best to focus on for A-levels or diplomas and, eventually, a degree.

Yet it is also an opportunity for pupils of all ages to think about new challenges.

If your child has expressed an interest in learning an additional skill such as a foreign language or a musical instrument, this may be the time to consider joining an after school club or a lunchtime activity.

It may also be worth considering additional coaching in areas where they may need help – or even to push up a forecast grade – with extra tuition, perhaps in areas such as maths or computing, for example.

At the 180-pupil Hethersett Old Hall School just outside of Norwich - an independent day school for boys aged three to 11 and girls aged three to 18 with flexi, weekly and full boarding available to girls aged nine to 18 - the new term is regarded as an opportunity to re-focus.

Headmaster Stephen Crump

said: “Although it’s actually nearly halfway through the school year, coming back after the Christmas break can feel rather like the first day of school all over again!

“Pupils will have news to share and teachers will find creative ways to deal with the excitement, but it inevitably takes a day or so to settle in.

“As January is traditionally a time to renew focus, we take advantage of that and encourage pupils to look at their individual goals and how they will achieve them – particularly our seniors who are working towards exams, and our sixth formers who will be considering their university offers in January.”

Within the sphere of learning, the link between home and school is growing stronger and parents can help their children be better placed to achieve.

This can involve covering the basics such as making sure your child gets plenty of sleep, does their homework at appropriate times and eats regularly and healthily, which means having breakfast before going to school.

Exercise is important, whether that is being part of a school club or team, or participating in sport outside the school environment.

That may even mean walking or cycling to school where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Taking an interest in what your children are learning such as by reading around the subject, if necessary, and perhaps setting up trips to a cinema, museum, tourist attraction or theatre not only helps their studies, it makes learning fun, and also gives the whole family the opportunity to be involved and learn, too.

However, while studying and doing homework or revising for exams is important, so is having downtime for relaxation.

Parents need to be supportive, without taking over, After all, school should be fun; these are supposed to be the best days of our lives.

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT

“Europe is on my mind, but not just for the obvious reasons of our impending exit from the EU.”

ANOTHER Y E A R D AW N S – MY GOOD WISHES FOR E V E RYO N E …

AS WE MOVE INTO ANOTHER YEAR, CARL LAMB LOOKS AT CHALLENGES PAST AND PRESENT.

WITH 2018 NOW UPON US, I find myself in reflective mood as I think about the things that will make 2018 memorable.

Europe is on my mind, but not just for the obvious reasons of our impending exit from the EU. 2018 is the centenary of the end of the First World War – a war that was supposed to bring the end to all wars and so see Europe settle into a period of peace and stability. So many people lost their lives in that war and many more would find their lives would never be the same again.

I was proud to honour all those who served in the conflict when we unveiled the hare sculpture we have sponsored for the GoGoHares 2018 trail which will happen in Norwich this summer – another significant event for this year. Our Hare – a WW1 Nurse called Poppy – was revealed at Edith Cavell’s graveside on the day before Armistice Day 2017.

Of course, WW1 didn’t end all wars and Europe found itself divided again in 1939. Since 1945 the UK has found itself in a sometimes uneasy peace – I served with the RAF during the Cold War so know only too well how fragile that peace was at times. When we joined the EU back in 1973, there was great optimism for a strong united Europe, but that dream never quite became the reality we’d hoped for and we now find ourselves on our way out of Europe.

Whatever your views, whether you voted remain or leave, Brexit is going to create a number of challenges. It’s likely, however, that it will create opportunities too. Markets

don’t like change, so we can expect to see fluctuations and uncertainty. There are many conflicting theories about what the future holds in terms of Britain’s economic future, but many commentators are predicting that long-term investments will hold their own.

Independent financial advice plays a key role in ensuring that your financial affairs are sufficiently robust to weather potential storms ahead, although short term ups and downs are only to be expected. I firmly believe that knee-jerk reactions to market events are something to be avoided and that a clear, specific strategy will be in your best interests in the majority of cases.

In terms of savings and investments, a good strategy will involve a review at least annually of where your wealth is held, what your goals and objectives are and whether or not you are on track to achieve them. Balancing opportunity for growth with the risks inherent in the type of investments you select is a hugely important part of your strategy too.

For many clients, a form of investment management makes economic sense. An investment manager will make changes to your overall portfolio – within agreed parameters – as markets change in a bid to cushion you from significant falls in values. There are forms of investment management to suit almost every investor starting with standard portfolios where you hold a package of investments that match your risk profile which are reviewed and adjusted on a regular basis.

At the other end of the scale, full bespoke discretionary management involves putting together a portfolio tailored to your specific requirements and engaging a fund manager to monitor it on a daily basis, making changes as and when needed.

As we begin our 2018 journey, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, prosperous and peaceful year ahead.

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

Carl Lamb

Almary Green Chartered Financial Planners www.almarygreen.com | 01603 706740

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

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LEGAL ADVICE

“Of course the courts have tried to update themselves and enter the digital era, but there seems to be something very British about being generally on the back foot when it comes to technology and innovation.”

ROU N D T H E HOUS E S LEGAL EXPERT JULIAN GIBBONS TAKES A LOOK AT CONVEYANCING PROCESSES IN THE UK

IT IS VERY HARD TO OVER EMPHASISE the change that

technology has brought to the practice of law, as indeed it has to all our daily lives, often in the most mundane of detail. I suppose I am in a way fortunate that my experience in training, qualifying and then practising as a solicitor has spanned the transition from typewriter and documents in foolscap to an era when the majority of my work is done not by my secretary but by me at a computer.

When I started, conveyances were typed on special heavy paper and sewn together. Photocopying was in its early stages and few firms had computers at all, never mind one on every employee’s desk. Completions of purchases were done face to face with the buyer’s solicitor (or more usually a clerk) handing over a bank draft in exchange for a bundle of deeds which he would check through before releasing the money. Now even the most high value of transactions is completed by email and bank transfer.

Of course the courts have tried to update themselves and enter the digital era, but there seems to be something very British about being generally on the back foot when it comes to technology and innovation. We are after all the country which invented the jet engine but whose civil servants had so little imagination that it was virtually given away to the US. Now we have the ability to start property possession claims, to give one example, on line, but only certain types of claim, so that one of the most common, namely possession of a property let on an assured shorthold tenancy, cannot be done on line but must be hand cranked, printed and sent to the court. This is the laughingly called “accelerated procedure”.

Likewise with possession claims where there is no written tenancy agreement, again quite common. It always surprised me that for a long time, if you were starting or defending an employment tribunal claim and wanted to lodge a supplemental document it had to be in a format called “rich text”, which just about no one uses as a format of choice these days. It really makes you wonder what goes on in the bureaucratic mind.

Contrast us with Spain, for several years regarded as an economic basket case by the UK, with massive youth unemployment and bits of it wanting to declare UDI. There, it is now impossible to issue a court claim using paper forms. Every case has to be issued electronically; further, all property transfers too are electronic. Though the UK has moved some way we seem to struggle to find a way of going the whole hog and just digitising everything. What is it about Spain that we don’t have?

Just recently, things may have moved to the next level.

Four Cambridge law students have developed a programme called Case Crunch Alpha. The programme was fed facts about Payment Protection Insurance misselling claims. It predicted the outcome of actual Financial Ombudsman decision over 86% of the time, as compared to 66% of the time when lawyers were asked to predict the same outcomes.

Not only does this interesting result call into question of the point of lawyers (the humorous theme of a recent BBC article on the subject) but of course it also begs the question as to whether the Ombudsman was actually wrong in 14% of cases! What it does show is that given cases that are relatively straightforward factually a computer programme will probably do little worse than a human judge, given that judges too get things wrong anyway.

May we be seeing the shape of things to come? The answer is, save in certain specialist areas, probably not. One thing which distinguishes the common law system from the civil law system (as found on the continent) is the reliance on oral evidence from the parties to support their case. Despite the ability to deluge the judge with reams of copy documents and in particular emails, the judge’s job ultimately is to decide on who he believes where there is a dispute on the facts.

That involves a witness’s evidence being tested by cross examination, which should if properly conducted expose any weaknesses in his account. Often, what he says is not as important as how he says it.

To date, fortunately, computers are not up to this task.

But, even if they were, should they be allowed to replace this essential human role? I suggest not. The legal system ultimately should command public confidence and people should feel that their cases are judged by someone who has at least some connection with and understanding of the society we all live in. they should feel that their evidence can make an impression. Computer software, no matter how cleverly designed, is just a bit too inscrutable and remote for that task.

Julian Gibbons Norton Peskett Solicitors www.nortonpeskett.co.uk | 01493 849200

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| JANUARY 2018

EcoSport

F

ord’s new EcoSport compact sports utility vehicle promises to deliver enhanced versatility and capability, more refined styling and sophisticated technologies for customers. Prices begin at £17,495 For the first time it offers Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive technology for improved traction on and off-road, combined with an advanced new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, delivering up to 125 PS and outstanding CO2emissions.

Also available for the first time in sporty, EcoSport STLine model, the new car delivers driver assistance technologies including SYNC 3 connectivity, Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter and Rear View Camera.

The new model is offered in 12 bold

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colours and offers even more options – including contrasting painted roof colour options that extend to the window pillars, upper door frames, rear roof spoiler and door mirrors. The new interior offers a superior occupant experience with floating central eight-inch touchscreen, heated steering wheel and smart stowage solutions including an adjustable boot floor.

The new Ford EcoSport goes on sale later this year, joining the Ford Edge and Kuga SUV models in Europe.

The Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive technology is offered in combination with the all-new diesel engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. Intelligent All Wheel Drive measures how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface and can adjust torque delivery up to 50/50 between the front and

rear wheels in under 20 milliseconds – twenty times quicker than it takes to blink.

The system seamlessly transitions torque between all four wheels and provides a more secure footing on the road especially in slippery conditions.

Also offered will be Ford’s multi-awardwinning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol in 140 PS, 125 PS and – from mid-2018 – 100 PS power outputs, with a six-speed manual gearbox; and 125 PS with a six-speed automatic gearbox featuring steering-column mounted paddle-shifters for convenient gear-shifting.

The ride and handling is tuned specifically for customers in Europe, with optimised springs, dampers, spring aids, steering gear, rear axle twist beam, Electronic Stability Programme settings and steering assistance profiles.

MOTORING

dealer details

Pertwee & Back Gapton Hall Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 0NJ

01493 664151 www.pertwee-and-back.co.uk

David Wakefield previews another sporty Ford vehicle to join the Edge and Kuga models.

Customers can choose from 12 bold exterior colours, including Lightning Blue, Ruby Red and vibrant metallic orange shade, Tiger Eye; and can further personalise their SUV with the new contrasting extended painted roof colour option.

New 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs complement the rugged, sporty character, and are offered in a number of finishes, including Magnetic Low Gloss, Shadow Silver, Flash Grey and High Gloss Black. Customers continue to be able to choose a distinctive, boot-mounted spare wheel option.

EcoSport now also delivers a new level of interior refinement with easier to use controls and soft-touch materials, and a new centre console ergonomically designed for easy operation and featuring fewer buttons. New seat designs are optimised for greater front and rear occupant comfort, and deliver a more upscale feel including available partial leather.

Occupants can also match the ambience to their mood with adjustable interior lighting that can be set to one of seven colours.

The new ST-Line variant will join the Edge ST-Line, Fiesta ST-Line, Focus ST-Line, Kuga ST-Line, Mondeo ST-Line and S-MAX ST-Line models that offer bold styling and sportstuned driving dynamics alongside powerful and efficient EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines.

The EcoSport ST-Line delivers unique Ford Performanceinspired bumpers and side skirts, black-finish roof rails and headlight bezels, 17-inch Dark Tarnish alloy wheels, ST-Line badging and extended painted roof and door mirrors as standard. The interior offers a unique ST-Line leather-trimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel; unique partial leather seats featuring Miko®-Dinamica inserts – an ecological suede made from recycled polyester – and red stitching; leather handbrake lever and gear knob; ST-Line branded scuff plates; and stainless steel sports pedals.

Ford’s sophisticated SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™. SYNC 3 is supported by EcoSport’s floating, 8-inch colour touchscreen, which can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures. Also offered with SYNC 3 is a floating 6.5inch colour touchscreen. A 4.2-inch colour screen is offered in combination with Bluetooth connectivity and two USB inputs.

A new B&O PLAY sound system offers an elevated audio experience; featuring ten speakers, including boot-mounted subwoofer and a mid-range speaker in the centre of the dash, the system has been specifically calibrated for EcoSport, and is controlled by the latest Digital Signal Processing Amplifier that allows for precise equalisation and audio mixing, including a Surround Sound setting.

EcoSport for the first time delivers Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter that helps drivers keep within speed limits, and a Rear View Camera that makes parking more efficient and safer.

Available automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers remove some of the stresses of driving and enable customers to better concentrate on the road ahead, while a heated steering wheel and Electronic Automatic Temperature Control further improve comfort. More convenience is offered with a new 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster that makes key driving information easier to access, and power-foldable mirrors that are heated for quicker getaways on frosty mornings.

Further driver assistance technologies include Ford’s Blind Spot Information System that can alert the driver to vehicles approaching alongside, and standard Roll Stability Control that adjusts engine torque and braking to help drivers maintain control.

Improved occupant protection now includes driver and passenger front airbags; a driver knee airbag; new side airbags that provide extra thorax protection and are designed to direct the occupant away from an impact; and new curtain airbags that provide maximum side-impact coverage. EcoSport is also more secure than ever before, with a standard perimeter alarm.

Prices correct at time of going to press.

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Social Scene

Places & Faces® gets out and about to enjoy this months social scene

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL RECEPTION ST PETER MANCROFT CHURCH, NORWICH A fantastic evening was had by all at the Christmas Tree Festival Reception sponsored

by Almery Green. The Lord Mayor brought the festivities to life with the official ‘switching on’. The festive event was also attended by members of the local businesses who have sponsored trees!!

Photography by STEVE DAVIS

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SOCIAL SCENE PAG E S P O N S O R E D BY

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MACMILLAN IMPERIAL HOTEL

An fabulous event in aid of Macmillan was held at the Imperial Hotel, Great Yarmouth. Cooking demonstrations from the Norfolk based chef Galton Blackiston, as well as a charity auction at the end of the day for some of the dishes made by the celebrity chef.

Photography by MALCOLM HIRST

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SISTER POPPY PRESENTATION NORWICH CATHEDRAL An afternoon event in aid of Remembrance Day and the unveiling on the GoGoHare! for 2018 sponsored by Almary Green in aid of the Break Charity. Almary Green had previously supported Break with both a GoGoGorilla! and a GoGoDragon!

Photography by STEVE DAVIS

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PAG E S P O N S O R E D BY

SOCIAL SCENE

FIZZ FROCKS AND FABULOUS HAIR IVY HOUSE

Fizz Frocks and Fabulous Hair was held at Ivy House Country Hotel in Oulton Broad on 19th November. The event was organised by Donna Wood owner of Donnatella’s Ladies Boutique and Alexa Cunningham, owner of Lounge Nine Hair Salon of Pakefield, both brand new businesses in their first year of trading. The event was supported by local businesses who provided stalls and raffle prizes including Interiors by BE, Annie Violets, Goldmark jewellers, face first aesthetics, harris and James, Laura mercier cosmetics, blpc marketing and music provided by jazmine honey banks. We raised £3500.14 for Breast Cancer Now Beccles.

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GT YARMOUTH & CAISTER GOLF CLUB CAPTAIN’S DINNER & DANCE IMPERIAL HOTEL A glitzy evening held at the Imperial Hotel, Great Yarmouth for the Great Yarmouth and Caister Golf Club Captain’s Dinner and Dance hosted by Captain Alistair Low of HKB Whiltshire.

Photography by MALCOLM HIRST

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M&A PARTNERS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS ST ANDREWS HALL, NORWICH A fantastic social event and drinks reception was held to celebrate the centenary of M & A Partners and was attended by 100’s of guests from the local business community.

Photography by STEVE DAVIS

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New Year, New You

Ross Campbell Dental Practice is a small private practice in the centre of Norwich, renowned for their professional and friendly service and commitment to providing innovative dentistry and a very high level of patient care.

01603 660758 www.rosscampbell.co.uk reception@rosscampbell.co.uk 36 Surrey Street, Norwich NR1 3NY

OFFERING: PILATES (all levels from complete beginners to advanced) YOGA, BOOTYBARRE, LATIN AND BALLROOM CLASSES This amazing private wellbeing, fitness and Pilates studio is now coming up to its 6th year of business and is going from strength to strength. Hannah and her team of instructors are making huge changes to so many peoples lives by improving their lifestyles not only physically but mentally. Once you step foot into this extremely friendly and welcoming studio you won't look back.

• DO YOU SUFFER WITH BACK PAIN? • DO YOU SUFFER WITH STRESS AND ANXIETY? • ARE YOU REGULARLY TOLD YOU HAVE BAD POSTURE? • DO YOU SIT AT A DESK ALL DAY? • DO YOU GENERALLY WANT TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF AND BE IN SHAPE?

If you are wanting to make a change for the best in 2018 then this is the place to be.... why would you not want to look after your body and reduce risk of injury and back pain by strengthening and improving flexibility with regular pilates and yoga classes. You will always leave our studio feeling amazing, refreshed and relaxed.

SPECIALISED BACK CARE CLASSES: Slower pace for clients with back pain or injuries

We also now offer private one to one sessions or smaller groups at the studio, your workspace/office or in the comfort of your own home.

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w w w. r i v e r s i d e - s t u d i o . c o m

Most embarrassing moment Slipping over on a greasy chip outside the Windmill Theatre on the Golden Mile in 1976. I had to feign serious injury to dampen the laughter of on-lookers.

Secret skill?

I can be quite the diplomat when needs must, diffusing angry situations. I used to break up fights at school. Back in the 90s, I once settled a ‘lively’ dispute between British soldiers and locals in Aiya Napa. Sixteen people had been detained by Cypriot police.

Somehow I managed to get everyone to shake hands and get talking. Eventually, the station sergeant ripped up his report form and ordered taxis for everyone. For some time after, I was known as Perry Mason!

How do you relax?

I enjoy watching old television programmes on the ageing black and white television in my bedroom. I have a modulator to convert the digital signal from the DVD player to a pleasant UHF 625-line picture.

Stephen Bumfrey The presenter of BBC Radio Norfolk’s Afternoon Show talks about all matter of things – from Flemish pop to Keith Chegwin

Most famous person you’ve met… so far I’m fortunate to have a job where you meet them all – Steve Coogan, Penelope Keith, Brian Conley, Tom Conte, Flavia Cacace to name but a few. But interviewing Sir John Hurt last year will forever be a highlight for me.

Where would you time travel to?

I’ve always felt overlooked whenever the subject of the next Doctor Who makes headlines. Quite simply, the Tardis should be mine. When it’s eventually handed over to me, I would make haste back to Norfolk in 1643.

Describe your job I present the Afternoon Show on BBC Radio Norfolk. The first part of the show, One Foot In The Groove, features the biggest hits from across the decades. Then it’s an hour or so of chat with celebrities, local names, performers and people with a good story to share. It’s all huge fun!

What do you miss most when away from GY? I miss the grittiness and resilience of Yarmouth people, and our ‘Carry On’ humour. There’s also the splendid defiance of the town, built on a sandbank between a sometimes raging North Sea and hundreds of square miles of marshes.

What would you do if you didn’t do this job?

In my younger days I had considered running away and joining the travelling fun fair. These days I think I would much prefer being a teacher – art and English.

What music do you like listening to?

I love Dutch and Flemish pop. Who hasn’t sung along to Doe Maar, Toonje Lager, Clouseau, Bonnie St Claire, Drukwerk or Andre Hazes whilst doing the ironing? I also appreciate today’s underground rap and grime, which gets played loud in our house!

Seriously, I can do Suli Breaks to the Frank Boeijen Groep and, on a good day, Herman’s Hermits and the Monkees.

One thing on your bucket list I so need to have a roller coaster holiday, trying out the baddest corkscrews and biggest of big dippers.

Whats your favourite film?

At the moment it’s “Anuva Hood”, a lowbudget British gangster comedy.

How long have you lived in Great Yarmouth?

I was born in a terrace house in Gorleston back in 1959. I lived with my parents on the Magdalen Estate until I was 21. I then moved to Norwich, and later saw the rest of the planet. But I’ll always think of this part of the world as my roots.

Whats the best thing about the town/area?

Even as a boy, I realised how lucky I was to be within walking distance of the beach and a short bike ride to the countryside. I always loved how vibrant the place became during the holiday season. Everything on my doorstep!

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Tell us something about you we wouldn’t know I’ve been a foster carer since 2014. It’s kickstarted my life. The house is now a home.

The best thing that’s happened in my life for years!

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Try to imagine a cross between George Clooney and Keith Chegwin. Or maybe not.

A young Harrison Ford, then.

Sum up yourself in three words Positive, steady, true.

Sum up Great Yarmouth in 3 words Underestimated, ready, strong.

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Contact 01493 850444 or speak to our reception team to book your table.

keepitfun.rank.com Over 18s only. Photo ID is required. www.gambleaware.co.uk

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01493 850444

W W W. G RO S V E N O RC A S I N O S . C O M

Audi Q5 Now is calling.

Self-adjusting, Adaptive Cruise Control is one of the many clever options that makes driving the Audi Q5 more comfortable. Working with predictive Efficiency Assist, it even uses navigation data to help reduce fuel consumption. Wherever now takes you.

From £419 a month^ with quattro

Solutions Personal Contract Plan* representative example from Audi Financial Services based on 10,000 miles per annum+ for the New Audi Q5 S line 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic 190 PS

Duration 47 monthly payments of Recommended on-the-road price Customer deposit Optional final payment Option to purchase fee**

48 months £419.00 £41,730.00 £6,873.22 £21,843.35 £10.00

Amount of credit

£34,856.78

Total amount payable by customer

£48,419.57

Rate of Interest

6.01% Fixed

Representative APR

6% APR

Book a test drive Norwich Audi Meridian Way Norwich NR7 0TA 01603 709200 www.robinsonsaudi.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures for the Q5 range, in mpg (l/100km) from: Urban 32.8 (8.6) – 52.3 (5.4), Extra Urban 44.8 (6.3) – 58.9 (5.4), Combined 39.8 (7.1) – 56.5 (5.0), CO2 emissions 162 - 132g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are obtained under standardised EU test conditions

(Directive 93/116/EEC). This allows a direct comparison between different manufacturer models but may not represent the actual fuel consumption achieved in ‘real world’ driving conditions. Optional wheels may affect emissions and fuel consumption figures. Image shown for illustration purposes only. Accurate at time of publication (December 2017). More information is available on the Audi website at www.audi.co.uk and at www.dft.gov.uk/vca. *At the end of the agreement there are three options: I) own the vehicle: pay the optional final payment; ii) return the vehicle: subject to fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. ^Available for vehicles purchased on Solutions Personal Contract Plan between 1st October and 31st December 2017, and registered by 31st March 2018. Retail sales only. Participating dealers only. No acceptance fee required. Cost of optional metallic paint included in the finance example at £645. **Payable with optional final payment. Subject to agreed annual mileage. +9.6p per mile excess mileage charges apply (incl. VAT). Further charges may be payable if vehicle is returned. Indemnities may be required.

Subject to status. Offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Available to over 18s in the UK only. All cars must be set to a time and distance service regime. Additional work, including wear and tear, is not included.