Seashore Magazine Issue 1

Seashore your

£3.99 WHERE SOLD ISSUE 1

COASTLINE

MEMORIES OF SEASHORE from the 50's & 60's Local Wine & Dine Experience JACK WHITEHALL

WE CHAT TO THE 27 YEAR OLD COMEDIAN

DAVID WALLIAMS FILMING IN NORFOLK

AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO SIX SEASIDE RESORTS NATURE ROCKZ UP TO PARK

CELEBRITIES / FOOD & DRINK / FASHION / MUSIC / OUT & ABOUT / NEW CAR REVIEWS

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THE exclusive magazine for Haven Seashore Holiday Park

MEET THE TEAM NATHAN RACE General Manager

EDITOR'S LETTER

T 01493 332634 E nathan.race@bourne-leisure.co.uk

DARREN BURTON

Owner Experience Manager T 01493 332634 E darren.burton@bourne-leisure.co.uk

ADVERTISING

DESIGN

Commercial Director: Shaun Coomer shaun@h2creativemedia.co.uk T 01493 742066 | M 07584 162023

Head of Client Services: Andrew Hirst andrew@h2creativemedia.co.uk T 01493 742250 | M 07557 050160

Account Manager: Diane Green diane@h2creativemedia.co.uk T 01493 742251

Senior Designer: Ashley Coomer ashley@h2creativemedia.co.uk

Account Manager: Kelly Smith kelly@h2creativemedia.co.uk T 01493 742869

Designer: Justin Neale justin@h2creativemedia.co.uk

Sales Director: Paula Hodds paula@h2creativemedia.co.uk T 01493 742090 | M 07765 886189

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IT IS WITH HUGE PLEASURE AND EXCITEMENT that we introduce and welcome you to the very first edition of “Your Seashore Coastline”!

Seashore is situated on a beautiful piece of coastline here in Norfolk but with so many places to explore how do you know where to go first? We have tried to help by looking at 6 seaside towns from around the coast that we think you might like to visit. We have tried to highlight everything from places of interest to where you could get a decent cup of tea and a slice of cake.

For those of you who like your clothes we show some current fashion trends or for the petrol heads amongst you we have 3 brand new car reviews. We also look at the history of Seashore Holiday Park, brand new “Nature Rockz” activities at Seashore, 3 exclusive caravans from Swift and so much more!

You will find this first, exclusive to Seashore, edition packed with features we believe you will be interested in. To give you a flavour we have an interview with comedian Jack Whitehall who talks about taking the BBC Bad Education series to the big screen. We also have a chat with David Walliams, Britains Got Talent Judge and comedian, about filming Partners in Crime, a stunning new Agatha Christie TV series, here in Norfolk.

We are extremely proud of the end result and we hope you love it as much as we do so we can bring you future editions.

If you have any ideas of what you would like to see in the next issue please don’t hesitate to let me know. In the mean time sit back, grab yourself a coffee, and enjoy “Your Seashore Coastline”.

Darren Burton

Welcome to SEASHORE

PUBLISHED BY H2CREATIVE MEDIA LIMITED, Beacon Innovation Centre, Beacon Park, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 7RA, 01493 446639

ONLINE

www.h2creativemedia.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS Copyright on all content is with H2Creative Media Limited. Reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. All prices, events and times were correct at the time of print, and you are encouraged to contact the businesses and venue prior to making bookings. All expressions and opinions demonstrated within the publication, are those of the Editor including contributors.

Welcome to the first ever edition of "Your Seashore Coastline".

At Seashore we know how important it is to spend quality time with your family and friends. There is lots to see and do in the local area to help chase away the stresses of everyday life. We have produced this magazine to help you get the most out of being at Seashore and to celebrate our surroundings.

On behalf of the Seashore team I hope you enjoy the park, that you love this exclusive magazine and that it is the first of many to come.

Nathan Race General Manager

world class shows all year round GREAT YARMOUTH

easter 2016

summer 2016

october half term

christmas 2016

www.hippodromecircus.co.uk OR CALL 01493 844172 Times and dates of shows vary check website

CONTENTS

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26 CELEBRITIES

20 David Walliams on his new partner in crime-and its not Simon Cowell 26 Heidi Bridges talks to 27 year old Jack Whitehall about The Bad Education movie and beyond 32 Shaun Coomer chats to the Legendary Peter Jay about his seven decades in the entertainments industry 58 We go backstage at the West End production of War Horse to meet a Norfolk actor

MUSIC NOSTALGIA

36 We look back through the tracks that defined the SIXTIES 40 The night The Beatles pulled up in Norwich driving a blue Ford van

LOCAL HISTORY

08 The 50's and the re-birth of the caravan park 54 The Theatre Royal Norwich throughout the years

SEASHORE

12 Nature Rockz - Take part in a range of cool activities for all ages 16 Whats coming up at Seashore in 2016 - we look at the year ahead 52 Ideas for a great summer day out

70 40

OUT AND ABOUT

45 We asked six experts to give us an insider’s view into our most popular seaside resorts 50 We bring you suggestions for a great summer day out

FASHION AND BEAUTY

78 Stay warm and cosy but look sleek and elegant 84 Time to stand out with the on-trend Bond look

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HOME INTERIOR

88 The Great Outdoors - Alfresco living as temperatures start to rise 90 Nautical but nice - Inspired by the Norfolk coastline

FOOD AND DRINK

62 Man of the people Richard Bainbridge tells about TV and his Norwich based Restaurant 70 Simon Wainwright, executive head chef of the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth, serves up an Asian dish

MOTORING

94 The new Peugeot 308 GTi is a hot hatchback with a broad appeal 96 Skoda's latest generation Superb promises greater levels of refinement 98 Jaguar xe is arguably the most important car launched in 2015

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'sixties. camp was in the 'fifties and y ida hol the of age den The gol y people had not great rush to the coast. Man a was re the War the y er Aft wait to get away. The holida not ld cou and rs yea for had a holiday e, food g for. Prices were reasonabl kin loo e wer y the t wha ed camp provid even when it and there was plenty to do, e tim the for ful nti was ple back in those days inder of how Seashore was rem a is e Her g. nin rai was

HISTORY

holiday memories

03

The holiday camp sector expanded rapidly in the la early 'fifties. te 'forties and Many camps used by the forces in th became holiday ca e War quickly mps. Many holida y camps had, in over for military fact, been taken use and once agai n opened their do makers. In some ors to holiday cases, the camper s moved in almost marched out! as the soldiers

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HISTORY

mp a military ca as ed us s wa was no longer currently sits mp ca re ho ry as ta Se li e d the mi e T he site wher en in 1953 th r the war ende wh te , Af ’s .

50 ’s y 40 rl 19 l the ea ments during the ncrete escape lay empty unti co nd ng la ti e er th nv d an park. Co needed an shop, a store, ed a caravan a en op to in ly y mi er fa ll te.

Beckett r coastal arti e brand new si fo th r up wa e de th ma ravans built during ming ks plus 160 ca oc bl by 1960 a swim et d il an to d ed an en op kes, ce ” offi ned by Ladbro Mermaid Club ow he en “T be r s te ha la the park t date it Two years to the presen t. Since then il up bu 00 en 20 be om d pool ha of Haven, part , Rank and fr p ys hi da rs li ne Ho ow h e is r th Brit has been unde Leisure Group. the of the Bourne ng way since lo a me co ve We ha have into 2016 we go we as . ..

50’s space at seashore for 759 caravans.

Over the last few years we have increased the amount of owned holiday homes from 300 to nearly 500.

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"Take Part in a range of cool activities for all ages"

N

ature Rockz is Haven Holidays Park Ranger initiative, the aim is quite simple, to help our guests connect with nature and make the most of our natural surroundings. Broadly split into three areas: 1) Park Ranger’ – delivering expert led outdoor / nature activities. Including an outdoor activity area.

2) ‘Out and about’ local area information boards to inspire local area discovery.

3) ‘Go Explore the park’, encouraging self led discovery of the park. During 2015, Haven guests have been loved having Nature Rockz, we hope you will love it here at Seashore too.

Park Rangers & Nature Activities Area A Seasonal Park Ranger offering a diverse programme of nature activities, getting families active outdoors, making connections with the natural environment through a fun and educational programme with activities ranging from, nature trails, bug hunts, survival sessions, bush craft and more. All based from an amazing activities hub, with peak season support Ranger provision.

"FAMILIES GET CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN TOO" 12

Go Explore - Self Led Package

Discover and explore the park through a self led adventure. Great fun for families and helping to facilitate inspiring memorable experiences, simple pleasures often carry high value and this element aims to support the generation of these experiences. The points are displayed on all park maps and the posts will be in situ at each point.

Explore the Local Area

Making the most of our natural surroundings, doesn’t just stop at the park boundary, the locality and the region are real selling points, a high quality and well positioned local area information point can help us communicate our own unique selling points but also encourage stunning leisure experiences ‘out and about’*

"WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM A FRIENDLY PARK RANGER"

NEED IMAGE

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S

wift Holiday Homes have designed 4 brand new caravans exclusively for Haven Holiday guests for 2016. The new holiday homes are so full of character and have been so well received that 3 of them are going to be available to purchase by new or current owners!

All 3 of them capture the essence of a seaside lifestyle and help us celebrate the environment that is on our doorstep here at Seashore.

We believe you will love these new holiday homes and we can’t wait to be able to show you inside them, until then here is a flavour of what to expect...

The Fishing Boat

At 12ft wide with double glazing and central heating this “Deluxe” holiday home is certainly a fantastic starter model.

The Fishing Boat, with its modern shades of green and grey throughout, has a large L shaped sofa, for family snuggles together, and a fixed dining table with bench seating, allowing all the family to eat together. Cupboard doors, shelves and the easily cleanable lino, which extends right through the caravan, have a light grey driftwood effect with accents of dark grey driftwood used to highlight certain areas. The kitchen has plenty of work space, cupboard space galore, a ¾ fridge freezer and an extractor fan above the gas cooker. A handy little blackboard has also been provided for any notes, lists or messages for all the family. Available as a 2 or 3 bed version, there’s plenty of room for you to bring all your family, it also comes with a shower room and 2 toilets, ensuring there’s no arguments in the morning.

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double glazing At 12ft wide with ing this “Deluxe”c and central heatrt ainly a fantasti holiday home is ce r mo del. starte

The Surf Shack

Whilst all 3 models have many similarities, the “Prestige” Surf Shack has a much more contemporary feel. It still has the grey driftwood colour for the soft and hard furnishings but this time has vivid blue and yellow accents of colour throughout. With freestanding lounge furniture and dining table with chairs much more flexibility is created allowing you to use the space as you see best for you and your family. In the kitchen there are extra cupboards, a full size fridge freezer for even more treats and a dishwasher has been provided giving you much more time to relax. Both the 2 and 3 bed versions of this holiday home come with a shower room and 2 toilets. In the 2 bed version the 2nd toilet is accessible from the master bedroom as well for your convenience.

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is the top of the range for these 3 models and comes with all the modern comforts of home. This “Platinum” model has a much more grown up feel with muted grey and blue shades throughout. It has a light, bright and spacious feel in its open plan lounge, diner and kitchen created by the light streaming in through the patio doors. Opening the patio doors allows you to step out onto a deck large enough for a table and chairs. Maybe you could use this space for a family breakfast as you watch the sun rise or a relaxing evening drink whilst the children are asleep. With the most cupboard space provided out of the 3 models, including a slim line cupboard for cleaning and ironing materials, you won’t be short on storage so you can hide everything away. In the kitchen the dishwasher is completely integrated so your washing up is definitely out of sight and out of mind. There is even a handy wine rack for a few bottles of whatever takes your fancy. The 3 bed version has a shower room and 2 toilets, the 2nd toilet being accessible from the master bedroom. Or for the height of modern living and convenience in the 2 bed model there will be a an ensuite shower room plus a separate shower room so everyone can be up and ready to go out in good time.

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6 1 0 2

Party Nights

Events Calendar

Family Events

Start of Season

Saturday 12th March

St. Patricks Party

Saturday 26th March

Swing & Sway Party

Saturday 30th April

Eurovision Party

Saturday 28th May

Birds of Prey

Saturday 26th March

Mods & Rockers Party

Saturday 25th June

Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday 27th March

Summer Ball

Saturday 16th July

Sweeper & Laser Tag

Saturday 28th May

Soul & Motown Party

Saturday 20th August

Africa Alive Twilight Tour

Saturday 4th June

Casino Night

Saturday 24th September

Super Hero & Princess Party

Saturday 23rd July

Adult Halloween Party

Saturday 22nd October

Norfolk Broads "Pirate" Boat Trip

Saturday 30th July

Fireworks

Saturday 29th October

Greyhound Racing & BBQ

Saturday 27th August

End of Season Party

Saturday 5th November

Pumpkin Carving

Saturday 22nd October

Christmas Party

Saturday 12th November

Childrens Halloween Party

Friday 28th October

Food Events

Owner Sports & Leisure Activities Archery

Every Saturday Peak & Off Peak

Welcome Back Brunch

Sunday 13th March

Target Shooting

Every Saturday Peak & Off Peak

Hog Roast

Monday 29th August

Fencing

Every Saturday Peak & Off Peak

Haven Lettings Party

Friday 4th November

Climbing Wall

Every Saturday Peak & Off Peak

Farewell Brunch

Sunday 6th November

Vertical Challenge

Every Saturday Peak & Off Peak

Christmas Dinner

Saturday 12th November

Leap of Faith

Every Saturday Off Peak

Sparkling Wine & Nibbles

Saturday 19th November

Pool Party

Every Saturday Peak & Off Peak

Ron's Gardening Club

Tipplers Tipplers - Wine Tasting

Saturday 2nd April

Thursday 31st March

Tipplers - Vodka Tasting

Saturday 7th May

Thursday 7th April

Tipplers - Cocktail Making

Saturday 11th June

Thursday 2nd June

Tipplers - Wine Tasting

Saturday 9th July

Thursday 28th July

Tipplers - Beer & Cider Tasting

Saturday 6th August

Thursday 4th August

Tipplers - Rum Tasting

Saturday 3rd September

Thursday 11th August

Tippler - Liqueur Tasting

Satrday 1st October

Thursday 18th August Thursday 25th August Thursday 1st September

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Ballroom & Latin Dance Classes with Zabrina Saturday 26th March Saturday 9th April Saturday 23rd April Satrday 7th May Saturday 21st May Saturday 4th June Saturday 18th June Saturday 2nd July Saturday 30th July Saturday 13th August Saturday 27th August Saturday 10th September Saturday 24th September Saturday 8th October

Quiz Nights Sunday Crafternoon

Friday 25th March

Sunday 27th March

Friday 29th April

Sunday 3rd April

Friday 27th May

Sunday 10th April

Friday 24th June

Sunday 1st May

Friday 29th July

Sundy 29th May

Friday 19th August

Sunday 5th June

Friday 23rd September

Sunday 24th July

Friday 21st October

Sunday 31st July Sunday 7th August Sunday 14th August Sunday 21st August Sunday 28th August Sunday 4th September Sunday 23rd October Sunday 30th October

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The place to visit

OPEN EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR from

10.00am

THRIGBY HALL FILBY GREAT YARMOUTH

N R 29 3DR

01493 369477 % www.thrigbyhall.co.uk

5 MINUTES WITH Which iconic Norfolk character do you most admire and why?

Horatio Nelson, no question. Nothing makes me prouder than our links as a county to him and especially to my home town. Nelson’s monument in Great Yarmouth is, in my opinion, one of the most undervalued and overlooked things in our county.

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

Now this is a serious question. I always love the energy of theatre bars so the Playhouse in Norwich is a particular favourite. It has a cracking atmosphere on show and non show days alike. And my local after a show is the Barking Smack on the seafront which has an amazing amount of maritime history.

5 MINUTES WITH

JACK JAY

He’s part of the Jay family who own and run Great Yarmouth’s legendary Hippodrome Circus. Jack tells us of his love of musicals, Nelson and barbecue food. Just don’t mention roller coasters!

The summer 2016 Circus and Water Spectacular.

Visit www.hippodromecircus.co.uk for full details.

Describe your job to us I am the producer and director of the historic Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth. We have produced our famous summer and Christmas shows for decades and in the last two seasons have added two new sell out productions: Pirates Live! At Easter and our Halloween Spooktacular.

Are You Norfolk born and bred?

Yes! I was born in the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston and I went to school just across the road. I spent a few years living in London, but Norfolk will always be home to me.

What is your ideal day out?

Although I am usually working, being in my hometown of Great Yarmouth during summer is still the highlight of my year. It is full of the kind of vibrancy that I thrive on, and with so many friends around, it's impossible not to have fun!

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

Bullitt BBQ in Great Yarmouth does some of the best barbecue food I have ever had. Mark has an incredible mobile smoker which they move around and set up residencies in different locations in Norfolk which are well worth a visit. But my favourite food to have in Norfolk has to be my mum’s lasagne! It's world famous and only gets served at our end of season cast parties each year. So I'm sorry to say the only way to get your hands on it is to be family or a member of the Hippodrome cast and crew.

What do you miss most when you leave the region?

Usually when I leave it is to go to London. So the things I miss most are the friendliness of Norfolk people and the general pace of life.

What are you reading at the moment?

At the moment I am presenting a shooting World Cup in Fort Benning, America. Any spare time that I have is taken up with reading athletes' biographies and event scripts. For pleasure, I listen to podcasts instead of books usually.

Would you prefer a day on the Broads or a day at Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach? Why? I would have to say Pleasure Beach, although I can't go on its most famous attraction as I am terrified of roller coasters!

Drama, opera, musical or movie – which would you prefer to watch? And what was the last production/show you saw?

I am a big fan of musicals, my iPod is full of them. The last show I saw was Le Reve in Las Vegas. It is perhaps the biggest circus production in the world, and one of the few places that has a water spectacular like The Hippodrome. I was visiting friends who have performed with us and gone on to work in Vegas, and I couldn't miss the chance to get inspiration for our own show.

Sum up Norfolk in three words My proud home.

Sum up yourself in three words Norfolk's strongest man.

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David Walliams stars in a stunning new Agatha Christie television series, Partners in Crime, which was filmed in Norfolk.

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

David Walliams

has fast become a national treasure. We giggle with him on Britain’s Got Talent, we applaud his work for Children In Need and our little ones love his terrific books.

Now David, in his mid 40s, is starring in a big new drama series for the BBC – and it is an Agatha Christie one! The mere thought of another of those stylish, high budget Dame Agatha adaptations makes me drool. We all appreciate a classic murder mystery and nobody does it better than the queen of crime writing.

Sure, we may not know her husband and wife detecting duo, Tommy and Tuppence, as well as say Poirot and Miss Marple but you can take it from me (I grew up on a diet of Agatha novels) that they are just as sharp and ruthless!

Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime is an adventure series with espionage and humour at its heart. Set in a 50s Britain rising from the ashes of the Blitz into the grip of a new Cold War, our beekeeping pair stumble into a world of murder, undercover agents and Cold War conspiracy.

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW >>

I was probably about 10-years-old when I watched Murder on the Orient Express with Albert Finney and I absolutely loved it.

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Tuppence, played by Jessica Raine from telly’s Call the Midwife, is a woman who sees adventure round every corner, throwing herself head first into every mystery with passion and fervour, determined to get to the truth no matter what it takes, much to the dismay of her more cautious husband Tommy.

This new six-part series, showing on BBC1, takes in two separate stories, The Secret Adversary and N or M?, and our very own Cromer is one of the key locations, with the pier, in particular, looking rather splendid.

Here’s what David Walliams has to say about his latest project: Describe the character of Tommy and his relationship with Tuppence.

Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime follows the adventures of a husband and wife detective team, Tommy and Tuppence. Tuppence is definitely more forthright. She’s braver than Tommy, he’s more on the back-foot, but he means well. Tommy is a bit more of a klutz than Tuppence and is sometimes more of a burden. During the Second World War, Tommy was hit by a catering van on his first day as a soldier so he never got to prove himself - this is his journey to become a hero. Together however, Tommy and Tuppence make a good team.

Have you had an interest in Agatha Christie prior to this?

I was probably about 10-years-old when I watched Murder on the Orient Express with Albert Finney and I absolutely loved it. From that moment, I became a fan and have loved the TV adaptations over the years. I was lucky enough to be in The Body in the Library, the first Miss Marple story in the new block of Marples. I was thinking about what I would really love to do and I thought I’d love to do something in this area again because I am such a big fan of Christie’s writing. I realised Tommy and Tuppence had been quite neglected and it just felt like the most incredible opportunity when thinking of resurrecting the duo.

How did you find the resetting of the Tommy and Tuppence novels in the 50s?

I’ve always liked the 50s and I’ve always been quite obsessed with Hitchcock films whose golden period was the 50s and early 60s. I believe there was a sudden explosion of positivity after the Second World War so it’s a good period to set these stories in. The problem with bringing Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence stories to screen is that she wrote them between the 20s to the 70s and the characters age within that time. The books, however, feel contemporary so we decided to put the story somewhere in the middle and I think it works rather well.

What was the significance historically of this period and why does it lend itself to this particular stream of the story-telling?

The 50s backdrop is visually a wonderful setting, just post Second World War, where these spy stories feel well placed. They fitted because you have the Cold War and the visible threat of Soviet Communism. I also think it is an interesting period as it’s not overly familiar to audiences. Some time frames you keep coming back to, for instance the 20s with the music and the fashions. But we just felt let’s try and do something a little surprising and set them in the 50s.

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Does the period allow the production greater freedom when it comes to elements of design?

In the 50s people dressed in a formal way. I rather like wearing suits and looking smart. I like the cars and I like the slight sense of struggle about it, with poverty post Second World War. I also like the idea that Tommy and Tuppence aren’t living the high life that they might have done in the 20s, even though it was after the First World War. I just thought we really haven’t seen this represented on TV in recent years.

Have you had any major challenges whilst filming?

I’ve never had to use a gun as a prop before or grapple with a 50s Morris Minor or drive an antique motorbike!

Describe working with Jessica Raine, who plays your on-screen wife, Tuppence?

I didn’t know Jessica personally before we started filming.

As soon as her name was mentioned as a potential Tuppence, it all made sense. She’s come from being the lead in one of the most popular drama series in recent years and she’s got the exact qualities of Tuppence.

Describe the location for the guesthouse in the second story.

We filmed the exteriors of the Sans Souci Guesthouse in Cromer, which is the setting for the second story though the interiors were filmed in Reigate. The guesthouse is the backdrop to N or M?, which we soon discover is harbouring a spy. We find out that Tommy and Tuppence have different opinions as to the identity of the spy, which subsequently tears them in different directions. What is unique about working in the Agatha Christie world is that in reality if we came to the guesthouse and there was only one person staying, the story wouldn’t work so we need a typically large Christie cast. You need to

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"The 50s backdrop is visually a wonderful setting, just post Second World War, where these spy stories feel well placed."

constantly create that tension of throwing suspicion on everybody. I know from being a fan of Agatha Christie that as an audience member, that’s the exciting part… sitting at home trying to work out who the baddie is.

Do you think there might be more outings for Tommy and Tuppence?

We certainly hope there will be more Tommy and Tuppence adventures. There are more books to adapt and it’s certainly been a real pleasure filming these two stories. But ultimately, it’s what the public think.

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW ch up with t a c n a c u Yo ristie’s Agatha Ch rime in C Partners on the er BBC iPlay

h c a e B r e m o r C n Filmed o mer for Visit Cro ws amazing vie 25

0525

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

k C JA OF ALL

TraDES tish comedian ri B to s at h c s e g d ri Heidi B

ALL JACK WHIThEreH e series Bad

CT about taking the BB , working alongside n e re sc ig b e th to n Educatio n a zip wire w o d d e ak n fal h g in a swan and speed

27

H

ow exciting was it to take Bad Education to the big screen?

Jack Whitehall: Very exciting.

I mean the TV series came to an end, as did the channel it was on, so there were really very few options. We were very excited about the idea of doing a film, but it’s quite daunting because I think if you make a film of a TV series you’ve got to make sure that it’s worthy of being in the cinema and it feels like a film. So we’ve really had to supersize it and we did it on a modest British film budget but we pushed that budget to breaking point and it’s quite a bold and big film.

Your character, Al�ie Wickers, is labelled the worst teacher in the British education system and he takes his class on a school trip to Cornwall. And if you think things go wrong for him in the series, then surely this takes it to another level?

JW: We really ramp it up; I love playing Alfie Wickers because he’s such a fool. He’s such a complete idiot and we had a lot of fun in the series humiliating him and putting him into these terrible, terrible situations. After this film, he has absolutely no dignity whatsoever, he’s really put through the mill. It’s quite weird because I write it as well, all these stunts and horrible things where I get hurt or abused, and then you start filming them and people look at you quite weird and you can’t complain because everyone knows you wrote it; you must have known at some point in six months’ time that you were going to have to film it as well.

So you wrote that moment when you’re on a zip slide with your trousers and pants around your ankles, going into the Eden Project with everything hanging out. How did you feel when you were �lying along on the zip wire?

JW: I wasn’t thinking, well, this will get me the BAFTA. That’s definitely not what was going through my mind, but, again, that was totally my fault. We went down to the Eden Project in Cornwall and we saw it and it’s in the most amazing venue and location; we saw the longest zip wire in Europe, very high up and very long, and we thought it would be quite funny if one of the children debagged Alfie and pushed him down it. So we wrote that into the film, on a whim, and actually had to do it. So it was a very odd day’s filming. We hadn’t paid to close down the whole of the Eden Project either.

So there were people there?

JW: There were people there, so I kept whizzing past.

On one of the runs the wind changed as well, so I was left trapped, stuck, on the middle of the zip wire dangling with my, well, everything, out.

And there’s another scene in the �ilm that has been making headlines where you get attacked by a swan which pecks your privates?

JW: Yes!

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The �ilm has the same cast as the TV series, so Harry En�ield plays your dad in it which is genius - he’s so good!

JW: He is so good and he’s so funny as well. He’s an amazing improviser. A lot of scriptwriters get quite antsy with improvisation and they just want you to do the script, but with Harry you’ve just got to let him off his leash and let him do his thing. It’ll only make you look better in the end because he comes up with such funny stuff and it says ‘written by Jack Whitehall’ at the end.

And what does your real life dad think of Harry En�ield?

JW: They know each other and Harry does a very good impression of my dad, although he’s slightly different from Michael in the film. He quite enjoys the fact that he’s playing my dad.

Your dad didn’t want a part then?

JW: He had a part and he was cut; he came all the way down to Cornwall to play a priest and then he got cut!

So how did that go down?

JW: He doesn’t know! I need to break the news to him.

He’s going to be absolutely livid.

I thought I’d wait until he goes to the cinema and then he can see for himself, bring him back down to earth.

You have a unique relationship, with your dad being an old school talent agent and you writing a book together followed by Backchat. It’s interesting how you ended up working together, isn’t it?

JW: It’s amazing and it’s so weird that he’s now on TV and people recognise him. This thing happened the other day that I tweeted about; he was in a restaurant having dinner with my mum and someone sent over a couple of tequilas because they had recognised him and he got very annoyed. I tweeted about it and said to the person that sent my dad some tequilas ‘well done’. But that has now encouraged more people to do it. So whenever he is out, even if he’s with his friends having a business dinner, he gets trays of Jager bombs and stuff like that. And he got so annoyed. He was, like: ‘Call up the internet, have them erase what you wrote, I’m not having it any more!’

Are you going to do another series of Backchat?

JW: I think we’re doing another end of year show. But if anyone does happen to see my father, can you please send over some more drinks!

You are 27, very successful and have the most gorgeous girlfriend. You must be pretty happy with the way that life has turned out?

JW: Well, I was just thinking about Michael Bublé and my girlfriend. I had a thing where I got invited to go and see Michael Bublé at the O2 and there was a meet and greet before. Gemma [Chan] was so late getting ready that we got to the O2 and we missed the meet and greet with Michael Bublé and then we watched the concert together and I was so upset, annoyed, angry. I love Michael Bublé

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R HAD “I’VE NEVEGUN AS TO USE ABEFORE A PROP LE WITH P OR GRAPMORRIS A 50S R DRIVE MINOR OTIQUE AN AN IKE!” MOTORB

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW and she’s not that into Bublé, so she wasn’t that desperate to get ready to get there and then the concert started.

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen Bublé live - it’s an amazing experience - but it’s very much aimed at couples. It’s very much a date night concert and you see all these couples there, big tattooed men that are clearly just taking their wives there so that they can go to every football match that following season, doing their good deed for their girlfriend.

But it’s a huge love-in. Every song is a love-in and it’s all about the couples being close and connected in that moment in the O2 arena with Michael Bublé serenading them. And I genuinely cannot think of a time when I have been more annoyed and upset with my girlfriend we had to sit through this entire concert and there was absolutely no chemistry at that point whatsoever because she had robbed me of my moment with Michael Bublé; it was a terrible, terrible experience!

Meanwhile A League Of Their Own looks like so much fun to do?

JW: I love it. It’s like recording eight stag dos when we film it, so we love it and we all get on very well - me, James [Corden], Freddie [Flintoff ] and... I always forget his name, he’s so forgettable. The man, Louise Redknapp’s husband. The old man, the old football man with the grey hair, that’s the guy. He doesn’t actually have grey hair - he dyes it!

We’re doing a road trip, going to LA, me, Freddie and the guy, and we’re driving (well, I’m not driving because I can’t drive), but we’re driving down to see James Corden in LA and we’re doing some challenges along the way.

For Sky? JW: Yes, for Sky. So we’re doing all these mad things in America and then it ends up with us in LA with James and I think Jamie [Redknapp] will probably get some surgery done whilst he’s out there because there’s a lot of good plastic surgeons. He obviously has a lot of plastic surgery - if you watch Sky Sports in HD you can see it. Look out for it, his face doesn’t move!

Finally, let’s talk about your friend Harry Styles - what do you think he’s going to do after 1D? JW: I don’t know, maybe become an actor. He could be a very good actor, he has very good screen presence. I should have written him a part in The Bad Education Movie.

Why don’t you write him a part in your next �ilm?

JW: Yes, he should have had a part. Maybe I’ll send him The Bad Education Movie, the first one, and he can decide whether he wants to be in number two.

iconic e h t d n i h e t he man b t s i er of a hi e d h a e y l n e a h t m rs To s, to othe u c ply is Mr r i m C i s e e m h o t r os Hippod hile to m w , p up with t u h o r g g u a p c o r 1960’s p n Coome u a h S . h in Burgh t u e o m m o r h a s Y i t h Grea ter Jay at e P s in the y e r d a a d c n e e d g e n the l t his seve u o b a k l a s t t busines Castle to n e m n i a t enter

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INTERVIEW

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ENTERTAINER

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itting in Peter Jay’s amazing family home just outside the town, with views over open countryside across to the Broads, it’s hard to imagine anywhere further removed from bright lights and hustle and bustle than this. His home for over 40 years, this is the tranquil haven where Peter, his wife Christine and their three children come to relax after Peter’s seven-plus decades in the family entertainment business.

Born in London, Peter moved to Great Yarmouth when he was eight.

His grandfather was an east coast cinema pioneer and he followed his impresario father, Jack, into the family business, running some of the foremost entertainment venues in the popular seaside town. These included the Empire, the Windmill, the then Royalty (now Hollywood) cinema and the Hippodrome which he bought in 1979, producing his first circus there two years later.

“As soon as I saw the interior of this magnificent building, the magic started to work on me and bringing back the waters became a mission. In 1981 we brought it back to life, fully working, and it’s remained a focal point of the show ever since, with there being only three in the world still operating.” He is, of course, referring to the spectacular water shows which take place in this impressive, historic building, where the circus ring transforms into a swimming pool.

Peter Jay is also one of Europe’s top circus directors, with over 36 years at the historic Hippodrome Circus, nine years at the famous Blackpool Tower Circus and six years at the Superdome Circus, also in Blackpool. He has also produced circuses at the Scottish Exhibition Centre, the London Arena and the London Festival Circus in the Docklands.

All this as well as being artistic director of the four main shows at the Hippodrome each season: Pirates Live, the Hallowe’en and Christmas Spectaculars, and the country’s longest-running Summer Show and Water Spectacular. All these take place in this fascinating building which was built by legendary circus showman George Gilbert in 1903 and which is currently in its 112th year.

As producer of top summer shows, Peter has created sell-out seasons with some of the country’s biggest entertainers including Jim Davidson, Freddie Starr and the late Cilla Black and Carry On’s Sid James. Yet he is still remembered by many from his time as leader of the 60’s hit pop group Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers, who had a big hit with Can Can 62 and who appeared in the 1961 summer season show at the Windmill Theatre with Frankie Howerd and Tommy Steele. The band then toured extensively with some of the biggest acts of the 60s, everyone from The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, The Beach Boys and Marty Wilde to a four piece beat combo from Liverpool known as The Beatles. This experience gave Peter Jay a rare glimpse behind the scenes with

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“There’s a real buzz in the air, people are rediscovering the coast and its seaside towns and it’s a drum I’ve been beating for over 20 years,”

INTERVIEW the Fab Four at the height of Beatlemania, and provided a wealth of memories from the golden days of popular music.

“The Beatles were lovely guys, quite boisterous behind the scenes, but as soon as the cameras or press turned up, they became the lovable characters we all know and remember. The boys would arrive at theatres early in those days to avoid the hysteria that became Beatlemania so we had plenty of time to chat and relax before the lights went on and the screaming began. Paul McCartney was keen to play the drums and often used to practise on my drum kit and Ringo Starr and I would often just jam away and chat about techniques and the latest bits of kit, as all drummers do. It was funny, as I recently saw a photograph for the very first time of Ringo playing my two bass drum kits in a break between shows on the 1964 tour.”

Peter has always been a huge flag-waver for his beloved Great Yarmouth and his drive and passion for promoting and celebrating all that’s good about the town comes across in everything he does.

“There’s a real buzz in the air, people are rediscovering the coast and its seaside towns and it’s a drum I’ve been beating for over 20 years,” confides Peter. “The icing on the cake for us was having the Hippodrome chosen as one of the seven wonders of the British seaside by The Daily Mail a few weeks back.”

Never one to shy away from an issue affecting the town, he remains an outspoken voice for positively promoting what he firmly believes is the country’s premier seaside resort. Not surprisingly, he is considered by many to be the most influential “go to” person in the area’s entertainment and leisure industry.

Always looking to innovate, over the past 36 years Peter has completely revolutionised the concept of circus in the UK, moving away from the more traditional format to a mix of theatre, pantomime, variety and good old-fashioned slapstick using stateof-the-art lighting systems, the latest production techniques and

the most modern sound systems available. He and Christine are constantly scouring the globe to bring the right acts to the Hippodrome to wow their audiences each summer.

Watching him at the theatre in his trademark black attire (he never wears anything but black), it’s clear that Peter loves the interaction with the show’s audiences. He’s there at most performances, happy to meet, greet and chat to anyone who wants to, and always making sure people have enjoyed the show and have had a good time.

With his youngest son, Jack, having taken over the mantle of writer, producer and director of the Hippodrome shows, Peter is finally stepping back to a more advisory role.

“I try not to get too involved, but after 36 years it’s not easy.

However, Jack is very creative and is always thinking up new ideas for the shows and has done a remarkable job reinventing the Summer Show and totally creating the Pirate and Hallowe’en ones.

He oversees all aspects of the shows, having literally grown up at the Hippodrome, performing in the ring spinning plates at the age of seven, following in my footsteps by moving on to drums for many years, before finally taking over as host and star in 2008.”

Jack was awarded the Tourism Innovation Award this year in recognition of the talent he showed when creating Pirates Live and the Hallowe’en Spooktacular, so the future of the Hippodrome looks to be in very safe and experienced hands.

Meanwhile, at a tad over 70 and still working round the clock, Peter shows no sign of or desire to slow down.

For a long time, I have been suggesting that he should write a book of his life and he tells me it’s finally happening.

As he says, in true showman style: “It’s a bit like me, a work in progress, well underway but far from finished, so watch this space.”

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MUSIC

L A C I S U M MEMORIES Pete Goodrum takes us back through the tracks that defined the SIXTIES. Looking at the big hits and the main events and covering lesser-known but influential artists, he focuses on the songs and their origins as well as their fascinating local connections

T

he Swinging Sixties. Or were they? The early 60s were a pre-Beatle world where the rock ‘n’ roll rebellion of the 1950s still sat cosily alongside the music of a previous era. Nobody threw a master switch on New Year’s Eve 1959 to charge up the swinging 60s. In fact, as New Year’s Day 1960 dawned, the record that was topping the charts was by Emile Ford & The Checkmates. Ford was the first black British artist to sell a million copies of a single, and he and his band The Checkmates were voted, by New Musical Express readers, the best new act of 1960. All very impressive. But here’s the thing; the song he had at Number One, the track that saw in the 60s, was a number called What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For? Swinging 60s? That song was written in 1916!

To get to Number One, the track had ousted Adam Faith’s What Do You Want? The shortest song to ever reach the UK Number One position, this was a much more modern piece. Written in 1959 by Les Vandyke and arranged by the legendary John Barry, it spent 19 weeks in the charts, three of them at the very top.

Indeed, Adam Faith would become one of the most successful chart artists of the era. His famous, almost hiccupping, delivery and surly good looks added to his Soho and skiffle rock ’n’ roll credentials. This was home-grown talent and teenagers loved it.

What Do You Want? was the first Number One hit for the Parlophone label and at that time Adam Faith was the only pop act they had. That situation was about to change, however, as we shall see.

In truth, Adam Faith’s main career as a pop star was over by 1963; there was a new sound by then.

Meantime, the early 60s saw pop music in Britain take several directions. A glance at the top hits of 1961 proves the point. Elvis was there, with Wooden Heart and Surrender. Some purists would say that his fire had gone by then and that the original fervour of his arrival in the late 1950s was spent, but his domination is unquestioned.

Britain was constantly trying to deliver its own Elvis, and Cliff Richard was, at least initially, seen as a candidate. His backing band, The Shadows, were notching up hits of their own in 1961, too.

A steady stream of Elvis-derived, British stars delivered hits.

Each had his own boy next door first name and emotive surname.

Besides the aforementioned Adam Faith, there was Billy Fury and the rather less commercially successful Vince Eager.

Their records fought for positions in a chart that featured their American heroes, ranging from The Everly Brothers to Sam Cooke, to the sublime, and hugely influential Shirelles.

The reality was, however, that, because the charts reflected the tastes of the public, there was a lot more going on. Mainstream acts such as Matt Monro were perpetuating the Sinatra school of crooning with hits such as My Kind Of Girl. Meanwhile, longtime British favourite Petula Clark was charting with ballads, including Sailor; and younger female talent had arrived in the form of schoolgirl Helen Shapiro whose You Don’t Know and Walking Back To Happiness were serious hits and rapidly established her as a star. So much so, in fact, that The Beatles’ first national tour was as her support act!

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“A steady stream of Elvis-derived, British stars delivered hits. Each had his own boy next door first name and emotive surname.�

MUSIC In a Beatle-mad, Mersey Beat world, though, Shapiro would soon be perceived as the Beehive-haired symbol of an era swept away by emerging, cool female stars such as Cilla Black and Sandie Shaw. That said, check out early pictures of Shapiro and compare them with the late Amy Winehouse and you’ll see that Helen’s style left a mark.

1961 would also see the patchwork of pop produce hits for Andy Stewart, with traditional songs such as A Scottish Soldier as well as a rare jazz hit for Dave Brubeck with Take Five. And, of course, there was comedy. Enter Charlie Drake with My Boomerang Won’t Come Back.

There was something else going on, too. Traditional or “trad” jazz had seen something of a revival. The early 60’s charts contained hits such as You’re Driving Me Crazy by The Temperance Seven and That’s My Home by serial charter Acker Bilk. There were also trad jazz hits including Midnight in Moscow for Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen.

Among the trad jazz band leaders enjoying revivalist fame were Chris Barber and Great Yarmouth-born Ken Colyer. Both of them employed a banjo and guitar player called Lonnie Donegan. He’d go on to have comedy hits including My Old Man’s a Dustman, but his interpretation of American folk and blues music would take centre stage in the intervals of jazz band performances. He went on to typify the skiffle craze, and became an influence on a generation of greats including Eric Clapton and Ronnie Wood. And The Beatles acknowledged him as a hero.

By 1963 those Fab Four Donegan fans had the world at their feet. The Beatles had served their apprenticeships in the clubs of Liverpool and Hamburg and honed themselves into the unstoppable writing, performing and recording unit that would change the world. There had been casualties along the way.

Tragically, Stu Sutcliffe had died and Pete Best had famously been replaced by Ringo. One-time lead singer, Norwich-born Tony Sheridan was also destined not to be part of the success.

Interestingly, while working with Sheridan, The Beatles had recorded numbers such as My Bonnie and Ain’t She Sweet. The first was an ancient folk song with a commercial history dating back to the 1870s, while Ain’t She Sweet was written in 1927. They, too, it seemed, were as happy as Emile Ford to plunder material that long predated rock ’n’ roll in their quest for worldwide stardom.

Closer to home, local bands were riding the rock and pop wave.

Gary Freeman and The Contours, Ye Highwaymen and a plethora of others were playing all over the county. One such outfit was Rikky Lee and The Hucklebucks, who had a rather important gig in 1963.

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FAB FOUR

It was in April that year when The Beatles made their only appearance in Norwich, although they knew and had worked with Great Yarmouth’s Peter Jay.

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hey played the old Grosve nor Rooms on Prince of Wales Road, and you’ll find a blue plaque there to say so.

Booked by Peter Holme s, Ray Aldous and Geoffrey Walker for the princely sum of £250, they were supported by local outfit Ricky Lee and The Hucklebucks and, of cou rse, went down a storm.

What really fascinates me about this event are the details of the day. By that April The Beatles were already stars. Love Me Do had been a Numb er One, as had the Please Please Me album. But somehow the trappings of success had n’t quite materialised just yet.

They arrived in Norwich in a blue Ford van, and the ir pregig entertainment was wa tching a film at the ABC cinema just up the road. Their wild roc k and roll night of madne ss after the show consisted of fi sh and chips at Valori’s in Rose Lane.

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Within months of that night those four young men would be rich beyond their wildest dreams and have the world at their feet. They would be the four most photographed and famous men on the planet and they would be the most influential band in the history of popular music.

As they rushed in to the mid-1960s, the music scene followed them, and the years from 1963 to 1967 saw a pop music revolution.

The Beatles’ initial ‘Liverpool’ tag became subsumed as the ‘British’ sound conquered the world.

Lennon and McCartney had realised very early on that, for all its fame, performing was less lucrative than song-writing; you can hear them, especially Lennon, say so in interviews of the time. And as songwriters they were astoundingly successful - there were countless cover versions of their records, as well as hits they wrote for other acts.

Even the band some would call their rivals, The Rolling Stones, had their second hit, reaching Number 12 in 1963, with the Lennon and McCartney song I Wanna Be Your Man.

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A glimpse of some other Lennon and McCartney-penned songs of the time is like a snapshot of mid-60s British pop. The Fourmost had a hit with Hello Little Girl and Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas charted with Bad to Me in 1963, and in 1964 they wrote It’s for You for Cilla Black. The same year saw Peter and Gordon launch their careers with John and Paul’s A World Without Love.

PJ Proby’s That Means A Lot was a 1965 hit and Cilla was back in 1968 with Step Inside Love – and there were many more.

But what of the other acts of the time? As previously mentioned, The Rolling Stones were seen as rivals to The Beatles, and there’s much talk of the bands representing either end of the pop spectrum. With their leather jacketed Hamburg days behind them, The Beatles were now clean cut popsters and the antithesis of the still dirty and bluesy Stones. However, this theory doesn’t stand up to much examination. The Stones had had a hit with a Beatles tune, and a little delving into biographies reveals a canny collaboration between the two groups to ensure that record releases did not coincide - why risk it?

Meantime, something was happening on a global scale and two events had triggered it. Events that, predictably, involved The Beatles, but would spread much wider than the Fab Four.

Just six months after The Beatles were tucking into fish and chips in Norwich, the October 29, 1963 issue of The Washington Post carried a story about the mayhem being caused by the band in England.

MUSIC When, a month later, The Beatles made their now legendary appearance at the November 1963 Royal Variety Show, there was no stopping it; American broadcast media, and the newspapers, were full of a phenomenon called ‘Beatlemania’, and virtually overnight they created a catalyst for what would become known as ‘The British Invasion’.

Between 1964 and 1966 a constant stream of British acts toured, recorded and had hits in the USA. Aside from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, the USA fell in love with, among many others, The Animals, The Kinks, The Dave Clark Five, Georgie Fame, The Hollies, The Who, Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Troggs, Manfred Mann, Cilla Black, The Fortunes, The Searchers and Hermans Hermits.

In the vanguard was Dusty Springfield. Her white soul voice soon found a place in the USA Billboard charts and so Britain completed the process of taking back to the States a popularised version of the American blues and soul that had given birth to rock and roll in the first place.

But now, pop music had spread its wings and could truthfully be called pop culture. Like never before, what you wore was as important as, and inextricably linked to, what music you listened to and liked.

The post war, newly affluent TV generation became defined by one television show. Other shows, including Top of the Pops and Thank Your Lucky Stars, had seen pop TV evolve from its raucous earlier days of Oh Boy! and its more sedate manifestations such as Juke Box Jury but nothing, ever, was as cool as Ready Steady Go! Launched as early as 1963, the show was in full swing by 1964 and 1965. Definitely more mod than rocker, the Friday night transmissions were essential viewing. Apart from choosing the coolest-looking kids to be in the audience - who danced and milled around as if they were in a club - the show also brought to our screens acts from America.

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The music scene had begun to divide itself into ‘pop’ sounds and a more selective, less commercial taste. Ironically, the British Invasion was selling pop to the USA while this country’s more intense music fans were searching for lesser-known American performers and Ready Steady Go! obliged.

In December 1966 a relatively unknown Jimi Hendrix made his UK TV debut on the show. A few weeks later he’d play at The Orford Cellar in Norwich and within months he would be world famous.

There’s a bizarre twist to the Ready Steady Go! story, and it brings us back to The Beatles. During their first appearance on the show, in 1963, Paul McCartney was given the task of judging four young girls as they mimed to Brenda Lee’s Let’s Jump the Broomstick. He chose the winner - the then (unbelievably!)

13-year-old Melanie Coe. Four years later Melanie made the front pages when, 17 and pregnant, she ran away from her parents’ home. In an astonishing coincidence, because he almost certainly didn’t realise that he’d met her on Ready Steady Go!, McCartney read the story and thought that there might be an idea for a song in it. There was, and he called it She’s Leaving Home.

He worked out the composition with Lennon and recorded it as a track for the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album which was released in June 1967.

The album was groundbreaking and the song won an Ivor Novello award but She’s Leaving Home has another place in the footnotes of musical history.

An integral part of a - some would say the - Beatles LP, it was recorded

by Lennon and McCartney, without Harrison or Starr being involved. The work was unquestionably brilliant, but the cracks were beginning to show.

Records were made differently then, but there was more to it than the technology.

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Family Th e me

RIDES shows & LOTS MORE!

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Pa r k

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OUT AND ABOUT

sunshine H A L L O

We asked six experts to give us an insider’s view into our most popular seaside resorts. Enjoy their reports >>

G R E AT YA R M O U T H CROMER SHERINGHAM SOUTHWOLD LOWESTOFT H U N S TA N TO N

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G R E AT YA R M O U T H KIRSTY BURN, MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS MANAGER, GREAT YARMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL:

Make time to go to the horse races – there are several summer meetings.

Nestled on the tip of Norfolk, facing the North

SHERINGHAM DEBBIE THOMPSON, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF SHERINGHAM LITTLE THEATRE:

Sea, Sheringham is a pretty, working town of independent shops, galleries, restaurants, pubs, a museum and a thriving little theatre.

Drawn from two distinct parishes - farming in Upper Sheringham, and fishing in Lower Sheringham - today’s town owes its shape and prosperity to late Victorian speculation, driven, like so much in north Norfolk, by the arrival of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway and the transformation of this fishing coastline into a peculiarly English tourist resort: genteel, unspoiled and grand.

The railways may have changed (though the North Norfolk Railway has preserved a line through the gorgeous coastal landscape), but the tourists are still coming every year for the carnival week, the first week in August, for the 40s weekend next month (when the townsfolk

Credit GREATER YARMOUTH TOURISM (DAVID STREET)

HOT SPOT:

Credit GREATER YARMOUTH TOURISM (KEIRON TOVELL)

Great Yarmouth is a fantastic

seaside resort – and anyone who thinks otherwise probably hasn’t visited in a while, or has only ever wandered up and down the seafront.

Great Yarmouth’s wide sandy beaches are, of course, a huge draw, but off the beaten track on South Beach you’ll find white sand, gentle dunes and two lovely tea rooms, both serving great cake and ice cream. To the south of the river, you’ll find my favourite beach at Gorleston where the sand is fine, and the view simply stunning.

Check out that terrace at the Cliff Hotel – you won’t be disappointed!

And the new Shed, next to the pier, offers great Mediterranean specialities.

Few people appreciate how historic Great Yarmouth is, the town’s architecture is really quite surprising with medieval town walls and Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian buildings on view once you look up above shop facades. These buildings are the background to a story that spans maritime, seafaring and herring girl stories, the revelation of the Industrial Revolution as well as more macabre tales of rows and body snatchers. If you get Valerie, in the little-known

David Howkin’s Museum on King Street talking, she’ll tell you about being born in the circus, and tales about her grandfather, the showman who discovered the Elephant Man, and show you round her eclectic collection of treasures. Circus is a really strong feature of Great Yarmouth to this day, with performances at the Hippodrome, a circus school in the Drill House and the Out There festival of Circus and Street Art in September.

Whilst fish and chips are a delicious seaside staple, Great Yarmouth is unusually cosmopolitan with a vibrant food, drink and evening entertainment scene, catering for all tastes and pockets. I’m constantly discovering delicious places to eat outstanding food, from Portuguese bistros to an excellent seafront restaurant in a cellar and smaller cafés tucked away in courtyards or down the Rows. We’ve had some great nights playing ten-pin bowling and then eating out, or going for dinner and then enjoying a comedy night at St George’s Theatre where you can tell the original roof builders usually made boats for a living – it’s an amazing structure and well worth a look.

OUT AND ABOUT CROMER JO ARTHERTON, MARKETING AND COMMERCIAL MANAGER, CROMER PIER AND PAVILION THEATRE

Cromer is considered the gem of the north Norfolk

coast and, having worked here for a year and a half now, I have come to see that most of the locals treat it as such. They are a proud bunch who work together to bring you an exciting array of events, things to do, places to stay and eat, award winning beaches and an award winning traditional Victorian pier.

If you come here for a day out you can enjoy a morning out at Amazona Zoo, where you get to meet some monkeys and talking parrots, as well as lots of other interesting African animals that are well looked after in this recently refurbished zoo. There is even an indoor soft play area for the little ones, in case the weather turns a bit grey. Locals with children ought to be taking full advantage of an annual membership. If the sun is shining I recommend taking advantage of Cromer’s Blue Flag awarded beach (which is not very easy to obtain these days), or try crabbing with your family off the Pier. The RNLI Henry Blogg Museum and Cromer Museum are both great to learn more about the history of Cromer.

Cromer Pier has been awarded Pier of the Year 2015 so this is one north Norfolk iconic landmark that should be visited. There has been a pier or jetty of sorts since 1391, however since then and after plenty of accidents and natural disasters with the great British weather, it has been torn down; crashed into and flooded. The most unique thing about the Pier and theatre is The Cromer Pier Show summer show.

This End of the Pier show is the only one of its kind in Europe – which has been running for 38 years. It’s a three month long ‘traditional variety’ show and has received rave reviews. It is full of comedy, dance, song and a few surprises along the way. Bradley Walsh – who appeared in the summer show for two years in the 80s - recently attended this year’s opening night and said it should be on everyone’s bucket list.

There are plenty of little coffee shops, cafes and restaurants in town to recharge your batteries. I particularly like the Rock Shop Bistro, Rocket House Cafe, Cafe Main, No.1 Fish & Chips and Tides Restaurant on the Pier.

transform themselves in a huge social re-enactment) and for the annual summer repertory at the Little Theatre, the last of its kind, where all can laugh away an afternoon or evening watching a classic farce.

The family-friendly beach, a mixture of sand and shingle, immediately draws you at this time of year. It has held a European Blue Flag for many years (a mark of water cleanliness and general facilities) and offers good bathing plus rock pooling options! Be sure to call by the Funky Mackerel Café on Cliff Road for refreshments, too!

A walk down the High Street sees you discover every kind of independent shop imaginable, and, after a delicious lunch in The Hub, the arts café housed in the theatre, you can wander down to The Mo,

HOT SPOT:

Walk to Overstrand, either along the beach or up on the cliffs, alongside the golf course. It is a great couple of miles and the beach café at Overstrand is fab!

Shopping in Cromer town is a real mix of experiences – there are plenty of charity shops to get bargain hunters excited but also some really lovely independent shops selling beach goods and wonderfully handmade gifts and showcasing local artists work to suit most budgets. I particularly like Upstairs Downstairs and the Garden House Gallery & Gift Shop.

If you’re coming from further afield and are looking for a short break in Cromer, The Grove Hotel and Guest House comes highly recommended. Virginia Court Hotel is also another one that is well worth looking at.

Sheringham’s utterly fascinating museum of local history and then step out to watch a truly world class sunset.

So plan your visit and then perhaps your relocation as Sheringham is a magical place that retains all of its Victorian charm and has an active community to match it.

HOT SPOT:

Don’t miss the Splash Leisure and Fitness Centre with its gym and great 25m pool. It has a wave machine and waterslide so is perfect for families.

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SOUTHWOLD IAN MILLER, AUTHOR OF A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOUTHWOLD WHICH IS NOW ON SALE IN THE TOWN:

Many people know the picture-postcard-perfect

Southwold: its sandy beaches, vernacular architecture, the ice cream cone lighthouse rising from its centre, an exquisite 12th century flintinlaid church, a shaker-style pier, the six cannons on Gun Hill and, of course, the line of beach huts strung along the front like a line of brightly coloured sweets. And we won’t even mention their price tags!

It is steeped in history. In the 17th century Southwold was England’s main fleet anchorage and was witness to the bloody Battle of Sole Bay against the Dutch.

Since 1857, it has been the home of the Adnams Brewery, which fills the town with the heady aroma of steeped hops and barley on alternate mornings. Be sure to sample the new summer amber beer, Fat Sprat, and check out their simply fabulous Cellar and Kitchen Café and Store where you’ll be tempted not just by all those beers and Adnams fizz, but also highly desirable serving bowls, cheese boards, graters and the like!

However, Southwold is much more. It is an island and, approximately one square mile in size, it is separated from the mainland by Buss Creek to the west, the River Blyth to the south and, of course the North Sea to the east. There is just one road in and out.

Until the First World War it was a simply a fishing port and the town was dominated by fishing and its auxiliary trades. The majority of the fishing boats worked off the beach and when tourism arrived it became a crowded place as fishermen’s boats and winches competed for space with wheeled bathing huts and deckchairs. Now the few fishing boats left are restricted to the harbour.

My family all have their own favourite parts of the town. The grandchildren dash off to the pier, the amusement arcade, the Punch

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HOT SPOT:

and Judy Show, the putting green, boating lake, children’s park, and a variety of places to eat – they love the cakes and American style sourdough pizzas at the Two Magpies Bakery!

My wife, daughter and daughter-in-law migrate to the High Street with its myriad of chic boutique shops. Denny’s has been at the forefront of the town’s fashions since 1851 while Collen and Clare offers the very best designer labels.

You are really spoilt with two bookshops, fishing huts at the harbour which sell the best of the day’s catch, a very good deli, Black Olive, and several pubs where the Adnams is said to taste its very best!

The Sailor’s Reading Room was built as a harbour of temperance for sailors (which didn’t work) and is now a quirky maritime museum full of photos and memorabilia.

OUT AND ABOUT LOWESTOFT DARREN NEWMAN, LOWESTOFT VISION BID MANAGER:

Once a busy fishing port,

Lowestoft is now a visitor destination in which to shop, stay, eat and play.

The town has long been famous as Britain’s most easterly point and the first place to see the sunrise.

The town is set on a backdrop of an award winning beach and The Broads. Composer Benjamin Britten was born in Lowestoft with the town and Suffolk coastline being the inspiration for his early scores.

A friendly welcome awaits visitors to the town with more than 40 national retailers along with small independent shops and services. Indulgent food tempts the taste buds from afternoon tea to traditional seaside fish and chips.

With Lowestoft being a family destination there is no shortage of things to do for both the young and the young at heart. Attractions include the family theme park Pleasurewood Hills, and Africa Alive, a great wildlife park with lemurs, African lions and white rhinoceros.

No visit to Lowestoft is complete without visiting the seafront to enjoy the golden sandy beach. The Royal Plain fountains are a wonderful addition to the seafront, where you can enjoy playing in the 74 water jets throughout the day, then watch the fountains dance to music.

The town’s Marina Theatre is the eastern regional home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The theatre provides a wide and diverse programme which includes musicals, opera, ballet as well as performances from renowned comedians and personalities.

Those wishing to uncover the town’s past will enjoy a visit to the Lowestoft Maritime Museum which is located in the stunning Sparrows’ Nest Gardens. The museum details Lowestoft’s relationship with the sea and how its industries have changed over the years.

Head over to the heritage quay located on the South Pier and visit the floating museum, the Mincarlo, an old fishing trawler which once operated out of the town’s port. And keep an eye out for the fishing smack vessel the Excelsior which can often been seen sailing out of the town.

Located to the west of the town is Oulton Broad where The Broads meet the sea. Enjoy panoramic views across the water at Nicholas Everitt Park or take to the river and enjoy a leisurely cruise.

HOT SPOT:

Don’t miss the powerboat racing at Nicholas Everitt Park in Oulton Broad most Thursdays. The action starts about 6pm and is quite a sight to see!

H U N S TA N TO N ALISON CROOSE, JOURNALIST AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KING’S LYNN FESTIVAL:

There is so much that makes Hunstanton special – not

least its situation which means it is Britain’s only east coast resort where the sun sets over the sea.

An enviable sunshine record justifies the affectionate nickname Sunny Hunny for a town which enjoys a 180 degree vista of both The Wash and the North Sea. The layout of the resort, with its central green sloping down to the beach and its long expanse of grass above the distinctive striped cliffs, offers ever-present views of the sea.

Landowner Henry Styleman Le Strange built the resort in Victorian times and its popularity with day trippers and holidaymakers has never waned.

The vast expanse of sand is perfect for a traditional seaside holiday, with a funfair, sea life sanctuary and an indoor leisure pool among a variety of attractions along the promenade.

Hunstanton is also a centre for watersport activities including sailing, wind and kite surfing, water skiing and canoeing. There are also golf courses, tennis courts, bowling greens and a croquet club.

There are award-winning public gardens to enjoy, a varied programme of entertainment at the Princess Theatre and sand-dunes dotted with beach huts at nearby Old Hunstanton where the beach café is ultra dog friendly.

Attractive Norfolk carrstone buildings characterise the town’s architecture and the busy High Street has a wide variety of shops and cafes. Close by are restaurants, pubs and hotels and just outside the town several caravan parks.

There is a great variety of must-see attractions in west Norfolk. For many, top of the list is the Queen’s country retreat, Sandringham House.

Hunstanton is an excellent base to tour the area, including King’s Lynn with its wealth of historic buildings and cultural heritage. There is also Norfolk Lavender, Bircham Windmill and pretty villages with lovely churches.

Nearby are two RSPB reserves – one at Snettisham and the other at Titchwell. There are plenty of paths for walkers to explore, including the historic Peddars Way which links Holme, near Hunstanton, with Knettishall Health in south Norfolk. Hunstanton is at the western end of the North Norfolk Coast Path – which passes through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - offering delightful walking along beaches and through coastal villages. It can be enjoyed in stages using a coasthopper bus service.

Exploration of rock pools under the famous candy-striped cliffs, a boat trip to see the seals on The Wash sandbanks, or listening to music played on the bandstand on The Green are just some of the countless opportunities for holidaymakers and day trippers to enjoy fun and relaxation in and around Hunstanton.

HOT SPOT:

The Rose and Crown at Snettisham has been voted Pub of the Year by the Good Pub Guide. There are 16 bedrooms and a fab menu!

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02.

GET OUT &ABOUT

YOU D CONTACT BOOKS TO BRING AN S RIE DIA R OU UP EN OP WE EAT SUMMER DAY OUT! OUR SUGGESTIONS FOR A GR

Balloon Flights:

Seeing the countryside and our towns and cities from the air really does give them another dimension! Broadland Balloons offers flights from two locations – one in Norwich and the other at Broome, near Diss – with the one-hour Champagne option sounding rather fun. Check out www.broadlandballoons.co.uk for more.

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01.

WHAT'S ON

days out

Take a tour:

Take a tour of the Adnams brewery or distillery in Southwold - behind the walls of the Victorian building is one of the most modern breweries in the UK, along with the Copper House Distillery. Discover how they create award-winning beers and spirits, or make your own gin (Head Distiller John McCarthy knows how to make the world’s best gin!).

Visit www.adnams.co.uk for more.

01. Take a trip:

Whilst you’re in the area, you could always take a trip on the Coastal Voyager, the fastest thrill in Southwold! The most popular trip is the high speed trip out to sea - the 400hp boat is put through its formidable paces in a 30 minute tour of Solebay. You can either come as an individual on one of the scheduled trips or charter the whole boat for your own party.

Visit www.coastalvoyager.co.uk.

AIR JUMPING:

Take a leap of faith with new outdoor activity, Air Jump, at Hilltop Outdoor Centre in north Norfolk, said to be the first of its kind in England! The 16 metre jumping tower has various height platforms for people to jump off (before free-falling into a giant air bag), so jump to it! It will open to the public for adventure days during the summer holidays.

Visit www.hilltopoutdoorcentre.co.uk.

Train-driver for the day:

If you’ve ever dreamt of driving a real steam engine, then you’ll be pleased to know that dreams can come true! The Bure Valley Railway is offering either one or two day steam train driver experiences designed to get you behind the controls of one of the unique narrow gauge locomotives. You need to be physically fit and over 18, but apart from that you’re good to go.

Visit www.bvrw.co.uk.

Take A Dip:

Beccles Lido is a wonderful outdoor pool, run by volunteers, which opens until September. It is the perfect place for a dip on a warm summer day and with lifeguards present, good changing facilities and a café, what’s not to love? The springboard is where we all love to show off, too. Visit www.beccleslido.com for more.

02. Explore the Broads:

Hire a wherry for the day and get to know The Broads that little bit better. Sailing from Wroxham, Wherry Yacht Charter has three Edwardian pleasure wherries available for hire by the day. And what a way to see our beautiful waterways! They provide the skipper and you do the picnic. They can take up to 12 people. More details on www.wherryyachtcharter.org.

Beach cleaning:

Do something really worthwhile by getting involved with the Coast 2016 Beach Clean at Dunwich Heath and Beach this summer (there are dates in June, August and September). By doing so you would be helping the National Trust look after our precious coast by collecting litter dropped or washed up on the beach.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

GO ON A HEALTH WALK:

We all know that walking can make you feel good, give you more energy and keep your heart ‘strong’, so escape your home and join friendly guides on a gentle walk at RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve.

During the Health Walk (check out the dates in June, July and August) you'll get free access to the reserve - can’t say fairer than that. Visit www.rspb.org.uk.

Have fun:

Potters Resort is officially naming summer 2016 the #SummerOfFun with new activities such as the Total Wipeout inspired challenge, The Sweeper, and Laser Clays. The family breaks include kids’ clubs, live music and late night entertainment, daytime activities, comfortable accommodation and use of the Resort’s sports and leisure facilities.

Visit www.pottersholidays.com.

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Call Us: Pre-book your games in advance: 01493 856 830 Find us: Regent Road, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2AH

WHAT'S ON

days out One Day Only:

Visit one of Norfolk’s hidden gems – Heigham Holmes. This 500acre nature reserve, owned by the National Trust, opens just one day a year! Home to rare butterflies and other wildlife, the little island, near Martham, opens to the public on August 2. More details at www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

03. GO FRUIT PICKING:

White House Farm, on the outskirts of Norwich, is a great spot to pick your own fruit and veg, with everything from strawberries to raspberries, potatoes, plums, beetroot – and much more on offer at the right time of the year. It is great fun, goodies are cheaper than in the shops and it is something little ones love to do. You just have to be careful that they don’t eat too many of the treats in one go!

Visit www.norwich-pyo.co.uk.

Know Your History: Be A Beach Babe:

Hire a beach hut for the day at one of our fabulous seaside resorts.

Southwold, Cromer, Wells, and Mundesley all offer these very English of inventions which children in particular adore. Ask the local TIC for more.

See a show:

Don’t miss the Southwold Summer Theatre season which runs from July to September. Add on a pre-theatre supper and you’ve got a great night out. Call 01502 722572 or visit www.southwoldtheatre. org.

Go to a garden:

Castle Acre Priory, which belongs to English Heritage, has the wellpreserved remains of the cloister, refectory and chapter house. The site dates back to 1090 and was home to the first Cluniac order of monks in England. You can almost feel their presence.

Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.

Tuck into Fish and Chips:

One of our favourite chefs, Eric Snaith of Titchwell Manor in north Norfolk, has opened Eric’s Fish and Chips at nearby Drove Orchards in Thornham. Naturally the fish and chips are sublime – and there’s a great wine list. Visit www.ericsfishandchips.com for more.

Driving Experience:

Ellough Park Race Circuit near Beccles has something new for 2015 – adult buggies. You can test your abilities on the purpose-built track, which includes crests and jumps, in a 620cc V twin off-road buggy.

Enjoy that mud. More details at www.elloughparkraceway.co.uk.

The National Garden Scheme is very active in Norfolk so you should have no problem finding a garden open near you during the summer months. Since 1927 the Scheme has raised more than £45 million for nursing and caring charities, which will make enjoying those summer plants even more worthwhile. Visit www.ngs.org.uk.

CAMP IN LUXURY:

This year has seen Lord Somerleyton and his team at the Fritton Arms introduce five stunning new safari tents to offer the very top end of luxury camping. Plus, a private dining room will be introduced during the summer for private and corporate events. It’s all happening in the heart of Somerleyton!

Visit www.frittonarms.co.uk.

Go shopping with a difference:

On these warm days, where better to go shopping than the north Norfolk Coast, and Dalegate Market in Burnham Deepdale in particular? For the second year running, artisans and local producers have opened up Pop Up Shops. They change each week, so all the more reason to enjoy some retail therapy on the north Norfolk Coast. Visit www.dalegatemarket.co.uk.

03.

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HISTORY OF

6 1 0 2

NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL 's 0 8 19

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“Other big stars

I

t is the home of major West End shows on tour, top-class opera and ballet, and a highly regarded pantomime.

Norwich Theatre Royal also boasts a strong history dating back hundreds of years and is strongly bound up in the fabric of city life.

John Bultitude traces the story of the venue which has brought joy to generations.

The Norwich Theatre Royal story dates back to April 1, 1757, when a lease was granted to the highly-regarded builder and architect Thomas Ivory to erect a playhouse in the city.

Fast-forward to 31 January, 1758, and the opening of the New Theatre close to Norwich’s Chapelfield. It was built just to the right of the current theatre and came after Ivory had raised £600 by persuading 30 businessmen and lawyers to invest £20 each.

The Norwich Society of Comedians were also persuaded to make the New Theatre their home using it as their production base as well as touring across the Eastern Counties.

Then years later, an Act of Parliament permitting the licensing of theatres was passed and the building became the Theatre Royal.

One of its biggest productions of its early years came in late May 1788 when one of the best-known actresses of the 18th century, Sarah Siddons, appeared in Isabella for nine days. Ticket prices were increased by 40 per cent, meaning a seat in a box cost five shillings, or 25p. Total takings for the performances were £859, of which Sarah Siddons was paid £423.

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to appear during the 1800s included violinist Paganini, legendary showman PT Barnum, and the world-renowned tightrope walker Blondin.”

By 1800, the venue was judged to be in bad repair and the interior needed redecorating. Improvements included the widening of the stage, improvement of the oil lighting, and a new green room was constructed, only for the whole building to be demolished in 1825.

An all-new Theatre Royal opened on January 31, 1826, with one of the most popular shows of the era, Sheridan’s School For Scandal. Other big stars to appear during the 1800s included violinist Paganini, legendary showman PT Barnum, and the worldrenowned tightrope walker Blondin. Opera started to become more popular, and circus performances also began in 1838 with an appearance by the Ducrow Circus, a hugely popular troupe of the era.

By the early 1900s, variety shows are booming and, for 1904 only, the theatre is rechristened the Norwich Hippodrome. Variety shows are held twice a night which included an appearance by Charlie Chaplin billed as The Lancashire Lad. The Grand Opera House on Norwich’s St Giles begins presenting variety so the Theatre Royal reverted back to its original name. The then-manager Fred Morgan becomes well-known for his innovative programming presenting plays by the likes of Ibsen and Chekhov as well as the more popular Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde works.

The First World War sees audiences dwindle and a return to a variety programme but 1918 once again sees traditional theatre fare return. In 1926, Jack Gladwin takes over as manager bringing a host of top plays and musicals to Norwich, re-introducing a pantomime

HISTORY

“Disaster

strikes on Friday 22 June, 1934, when assistant cashier Miss Bardwell hears a noise coming from the auditorium.” at Christmas, and setting up a Theatre Royal repertory company, as well as keeping variety shows within the programme.

Disaster strikes on Friday 22 June, 1934, when assistant cashier Miss Bardwell hears a noise coming from the auditorium.

When she goes to investigate, she finds flames and, despite the efforts of the fire brigade, the building cannot be saved. Alfredo and his Gypsy Band were due to appear that evening and many of their instruments were lost in the fire, along with lots of playbills and mementoes.

Manager Jack Gladwin manages to gain the support of the people of Norfolk for a brand new theatre which opens on September 30, 1935. Constructed using plans drawn up for a cinema, the very first show to take to the stage is the musical comedy White Horse Inn. Despite being in the grip of the Great Depression, audiences remain buoyant and enjoying the chance to see the likes of Harry Lauder, Mantovani and Gracie Fields.

The outbreak of the Second World War temporarily closes all places of entertainment but when the theatre reopens, it becomes a home for West End productions forced out of London due to the Blitz, despite brief disruptions caused by incendiary bombs and a crater on Theatre Street.

Audiences continue to flourish with a wide-ranging programme which includes silent horror film legend Bela Lugosi in the stage version of Dracula, the Folies Bergere, and musical classics like Carousel and Oklahoma!

In 1956, a new chapter in the theatre’s life begins. It is leased to the cinema company Essoldo and screens the big-screen blockbusters of the day as well as hosting wrestling tournaments, and pop concerts featuring the likes of Adam Faith, Lulu, Cliff Richard and the late Cilla Black.

Essoldo make a success of the venue but things take a step backwards when an application for a bingo licence is turned down.

When the building’s future looks to be in doubt, the city council steps in and the theatre is once again re-launched, this time with the hit musical Robert and Elizabeth.

One of the great names bound up with the theatre’s history, Dick Condon, takes over as manager in 1972. The consummate Irish showman puts the theatre on the map both locally and nationally, and three years later, he produces his very first in-house pantomime Aladdin, which features long-term Norwich Theatre

Royal panto star Yvonne Marsh as principal boy.

The theatre’s future is then thrown back into the spotlight in 1989 with the death of Dick Condon. This, coupled with accounting problems and increasing issues being able to meet the technical demands of touring companies, puts the building’s future in doubt. Local councils, the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, private sector backers, and thousands of local theatregoers help to safeguard its future.

Norwich Theatre Royal re-opens on November 24, 1992, after a two-and-a-half-year refurbishment, with acclaimed West End and touring producer Peter Wilson at the helm. It boasts vastly improved technical facilities, much better front-of-house facilities and enhanced disabled access.

Five years in, Peter and his team won international acclaim for a presentation of Wagner’s Ring Cycle by the Norwegian National Opera. It totally sold out becoming a major cultural first for Norwich and East Anglia.

2007 saw the building modernised by being joined to the neighbouring Dencora House. This meant Front of House was re-shaped allowing the creation of a restaurant, better bar and sales areas, more toilets and lifts, and a new glass frontage. The ventilation system was also improved and a new sound-system was installed in the auditorium transforming the acoustics to concert hall standard.

31 January 2008 saw the Theatre Royal mark its 250th birthday on its current site and the building’s story continued.

Since then it has continued to present a wide-ranging programme ranging from lavish productions of West End favourites like Shrek and Jersey Boys through to regular visits from renowned companies like Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Northern Ballet and Glyndebourne, through to a strong drama programme with productions like Hobson’s Choice starring Martin Shaw, and the lavish The James Plays chronicling the stories of James I, II and III of Scotland.

The theatre is also cementing its reputation and work as an educational charity with the building of Stage Two, a purpose-built centre for all its learning work and a new home for its arts course, which is scheduled to open in autumn 2016 ensuring its theatrical legacy for years to come.

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JOIN OUR FRIENDS Become a Friend of Norwich Theatre Royal for savings on your theatre tickets.

Discounts, priority booking, special events, offers and regular mailings are all available for our Friends.

Benefits: Priority booking for each new season Special low price seats for the Over 60s at selected matinees Half price tickets for the first night of drama productions £2 off all other tickets at all performances 10% discount on food and drink from the bars and Kemp’s Restaurant Advance mailings of the what’s on brochure and exclusive Friends magazine Special events arranged exclusively for Friends Reduced price when paying by Direct Debit Membership prices start from £15 per year

To join, call (01603) 63 00 00, or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

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2016 HIGHLIGHTS Mon 8 – Sat 13 February PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Jason Donovan stars in fabulous musical Tues 8 – Sat 12 March Matthew Bourne’s SLEEPING BEAUTY Gothic romantic version of classic ballet Mon 14 – Sat 19 March KING CHARLES III Robert Powell stars in award-winning drama Tues 29 March – Sat 2 April HAIRSPRAY Claire Sweeney stars in smash hit musical comedy Tues 12 – Sat 16 April HOBSON’S CHOICE Martin Shaw, Christopher Timothy star in period comedy Tues 3 – Sat 7 May GUYS AND DOLLS Sizzling New York musical Wed 29 June – Sat 30 July MARY POPPINS The superfragilistic international hit musical For more information, visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Box Office: (01603) 63 00 00

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N RAISED IO GORLEST N

HORSING AROUND

58

s backstage at e go n io ll a Tony M ction of War Horse u the West End prod orleston actor to meet a former G

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Actors are often advised

to avoid working with children and animals. Jamie Lee-Morgan is taking no notice. Not just working with animals – for the next year he has become one! Jamie is the head of Joey the horse, equine star of the long running West End hit War Horse.

From the age of 12, when his parents moved to Gorleston, Jamie joined the Dusmagrik Young People’s Theatre Company taking the lead in some of the great musicals, including Les Miserables, Gypsy and Anything Goes. He even staged his own show at Gorleston Pavilion to help raise funds for his training at the Italia Conti School in London.

Graduating last year, he began to look for his first professional stage part while working as a barman in Drury Lane over the road from the New London Theatre where War Horse has been playing for eight years. As people came in for a drink after the show he looked with envy, never thinking that soon he would be part of this worldwide hit.

‘I was working at the Prince of Wales pub. I didn’t believe it would be me. People would come in with programmes saying it was the greatest thing!’ Even now, three months after joining the new cast, he still can’t quite take it in. As he showed me backstage, after a matinee, the 22-year-old was almost pinching himself: ‘My first audition was for a West End role. I couldn’t believe it; my first job, working in the West End and working for the National Theatre.

‘Puppetry is not taught at drama school. Rather than have puppeteers they try to get actors who have similar personalities to the horse. They want good actors because it tells the story better.’

Behind the scenes Jamie introduced me to the famous Joey who is no pantomime horse but a full size replica created from cane. It

takes three actors to operate, one, tall, for the head and two others of shorter length to go inside to be the heart and hind quarters. This is partly how Jamie’s height at 6’2” helped land the 14 month contract.

‘We came in two weeks before the rest of the new cast. We worked on breathing exercises and focusing on points of contact. You want to give the illusion the horse is alive. We visited stables to see how horses move, react and where they like to be touched – everything you can think a horse can do. I’d never ridden a horse but now I am absolutely fascinated by them.’

As we stood next to the very sturdy Joey, Jamie explained how each of the operators has what is called the ‘emotional indicator’.

In his team Chris Milford is the heart section and concentrates on creating the impression of the horse’s beating heart; Shaun McCourt is the hind working the legs and the tail. Jamie stands beside the head with a rod and trigger which both lifts the neck and works the ears. He can move from side to side so is the most visible but, as he says: ‘the important thing is to keep the attention on the horse, not the puppeteer.’

Often the three can’t see each other either so they’ve developed a deep bond as they work together. ‘You can’t always see what everyone is doing but we’ve got to look out for each other. We had to learn to follow each other with the breath. My team are great.

The main thing is not to have any ego. It’s a weird thing which has happened between us. We have some freedom to do what we like and no show is ever the same. It’s exciting, there are so many possibilities.’

They also combine to make the highly authentic horse noises. ‘We were sent several tracks of horse sounds and we had to listen and reciprocate.’ The three soon became a kind of equine barber shop trio and Jamie demonstrated to me the deep breath snorting which he provides. ‘You come up with a rich animalistic sound,’ he says. And he really does!

All of this turns a 10 stone cane skeleton into a believable horse.

Jamie and his team know him well. ‘Joey is more earthy, likeable and playful. He’s quite soppy but very determined and loyal. That’s why he survives in the end.’ Being a horse and galloping round the big stage is hard work: ‘It’s a really demanding show and the most physical thing I have done in my whole life.’

As a result they operate the horse for four of the eight weekly shows; for the rest they join the ensemble of the large cast. ‘We go to the gym quite a lot; fitness is paramount in this show’. Warm up exercises are vital and a physiotherapist is permanently on duty backstage with a treatment room and couch. There’s also a resident technician and Jamie showed me the workshop where any damage to the horse frame is repaired with spare legs and tails.

When all this comes together the effect on both cast and audience is something very special. ‘On the first night it just blew me away. We got a full standing ovation. To get that on my first night. I still can’t believe it,’ says Jamie adding it is the same at every performance: ‘I feel good at the end; you kind of know you have done your job. It’s funny how a puppet can get such a response.’

And Jamie says he owes so much to the Gorleston Dusmagrik Young People’s Theatre Company – which has just celebrated its 30th anniversary. ‘Moving from Wales when I was 12 was a huge change. They really looked after me. I had some great roles. It was going there which really set me up; it really reared the possibility that I could make a career out of this.’

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War Horse is at the New London Theatre in the West End, for further information visit warhorseonstage.com

Tony Mallion travelled by train to London with Abellio Greater Anglia

T U G S

AT

T H E

H E A R T S T R I N G S

Seen by more than six million people across the globe, the success of War Horse gallops on. With a new West End cast including a former Gorleston actor Tony Mallion takes a fresh look at this worldwide hit

Credit BRINKHOFF MÖGENBURG

WEST END REVIEW

Telling the horrors of the First World War

through a puppet horse might seem like something for children but War Horse brings it all alive not just to a new generation but to all ages. This is powerful stuff and theatre at its very, very best. At a matinee at the New London Theatre adults around me reached for their tissues while rows of schoolchildren were utterly absorbed for almost three hours.

Six years after I saw it for the first time the National Theatre’s multi award winning production seemed to pack an even more powerful punch than before. In that intervening period it has been made into a successful Steven Spielberg film but that had to use real horses and countryside; the original theatre version of Michael Morpurgo’s book is so much more compelling, relying on stage craft and firing the imagination.

It is a strong story written very much from the heart by Morpurgo whose own family came from Belgium and whose grandfather, Emile Cammaerts, wrote First World War poetry to boost the morale of his people. The work of the Great War poets was something which inspired the former Children’s Laureate, as did talking to veterans who told him about the role of horses in the conflict. A million creatures were sent to war and only a fraction survived.

War Horse tells us of Joey, a racing horse bought recklessly by a drunken farmer Ted Narracott determined to outbid his brother.

But Ted’s son Albert develops a deep affection for the animal and

turns Joey into a fine work horse. With the outbreak of war Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to the Western front; Albert signs up as a soldier to search for his horse. This is the simple fabric into which is weaved so much depth about the Great War with Morpurgo aiming to show - by including the Germans and French alongside the British - the universal suffering of war. Brought to life by the National Theatre and directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris it works on so many levels.

The equine star is Joey which is where Jamie Lee-Morgan, a former member of the Dusmagrik Young People’s Theatre Company in Gorleston comes in. The National Theatre called on the South African Handspring Puppet Company to create a puppet horse, a full sized lifelike replica made from cane and operated by three very talented – and very strong – young actors. So physically exhausting is the task that there have to be three teams who operate Joey for just four of the eight weekly performances.

Jamie controls Joey’s head, a job also requiring creating the snorting and whinnying sound of the animal. This is no pantomime horse and such is the skill and training involved that almost instantly Joey is a very convincing animal, not something inanimate operated by three guys. All credit to them, especially Jamie making his West End debut, and others who operate a second horse and birds. The greatest compliment is that you forget the actors are there.

Michael Morpurgo’s prompt for the book came from ‘a tarnished old painting’ of a man on a horse which he happened to see. A label said the animal was called Joey, the painter Captain James Nicholls and it was dated autumn 1914. Using this as a starting point designer Rae Smith created a vast screen shaped like a scrap of paper from Captain Nicholls’ sketch book upon which pictures, from the gently rural countryside to grim images of battlefields constantly appear. It is magical. Props, costumes, effects and the large cast do the rest.

Albert Narracott is the leading figure, a very talented James Backway who gets it just right. Music also plays an important part with folk singer Ben Murray adding greatly to the atmosphere as he merges as one of the company.

While War Horse continues its West End run and UK tour the play has also been seen around the world including opening in Berlin last autumn, the first play about the First World War ever to be seen in Germany. It will be seen in China in the autumn.

The New London is one of the very few modern theatre buildings in London, opening in 1972 and becoming the ideal home for the musical Cats which ran and ran for 21 years. Now it is a perfect fit for War Horse originated by the National Theatre in 2007 for its similar Olivier auditorium on the South Bank and transferring to the West End two years later where it looks set to be enthralling audiences and pulling heartstrings for many years to come.

New restauran opens in Norwi t ch

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All pictures by KATIA BAINBRIDGE

FOOD REVIEW

Richard Bainbridge’s appearance on TV’s Great British Menu has brought him attention from across the country, as Carolyn Atkins discovers

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R

ichard Bainbridge is a popular man.

All pictures by KATIA BAINBRIDGE

Two-and-a-half million people were glued to their television screens recently while the Norwich chef chopped, whisked and stirred his way into the finals of BBC Two’s Great British Menu and, as he sits at a table by the window in Benedicts, his recently-opened city restaurant, countless people smile and wave at him as they walk past.

This was the fourth time that Richard had appeared on the popular TV programme and the first time that his dishes made it on to the final menu. He beat other contenders Pip Lacey, head chef at London’s Murano, and Jason Hodnett, head chef at The Raven Hotel in Shropshire, to represent the Central region and went on to cook his cuisine at a lavish banquet at London’s Drapers’ Hall marking the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Institute.

This celebration of inspirational women struck a chord with Richard, who was brought up single-handedly by his mother, Jill, and whose German wife Katja and baby daughter, Holly Hilda, have been both his support and his motivation.

And while the other finalists, Michael O’Hare, who runs The Man Behind The Curtain in Leeds, and Matt Gillan, head chef at The Pass at the South Lodge Hotel in Surrey, created the fish course and main course respectively for the banquet, Richard was tasked with two courses, both inspired by the WI: a striking starter called We All Stand For Jerusalem and a luxurious-looking dessert, Inspiring Women, which paid homage to his late grandmother, “Nanny Bush”, and his sister, Gemma Boyd.

Served in rustic pottery bowls from Made In Cley in north Norfolk and brought out to the rousing hymn, Jerusalem, Richard’s starter featured Jerusalem artichoke, parsley sponge, poached yolk, lamb loin and pearl barley risotto, while the desserts were pretty, individual-sized summer trifles served with Sister B’s Cocktail – effectively a Victoria sponge cake in a glass.

The banquet went perfectly and social media went mad.

Richard says: “Everybody had supported me, so I was really focused on trying to make sure that it was perfect and that everybody really enjoyed it. I was so happy and proud to be there.”

People around the country were rooting for him to do well, with

FOOD REVIEW

people stopping Richard in the street to congratulate him and 3,000 people following him on Twitter in just one week.

Richard is incredibly thankful for their support and took the time to answer everyone’s tweets personally.

He says: “For people to take the time to come up to say: ‘You did really well on Great British Menu’ means loads. Like on Twitter – it took me two-and-a-half hours every single night after work to say; ‘Thank you very much, I really appreciate it’…

“I think the least I can do is reply personally and say: ‘Thank you, I really appreciate your thoughts.’ I was overwhelmed really, because when I served my dessert on the Thursday, the first time, my computer crashed twice with Twitter – it was ridiculous!”

While Richard’s TV success may have been a long time coming, he has been successful off-screen for many years. Having spent the last seven as head chef at Michelin-starred Morston Hall in north Norfolk, Richard has also worked at many other top restaurants including the Roux brothers’ acclaimed Waterside Inn in Bray and Kevin Thornton’s in Dublin. He has also spent stints in New York and in New Zealand, where he met his wife-to-be Katja.

His first job was washing dishes in the kitchens at The Bull pub in Hellesdon, which his mother secured for him when he was just 13 (she worked part-time there doing their book-keeping). And after going to school in Hellesdon and training to be a chef at City College, Norwich, Richard hasn’t looked back.

He says: “The amazing thing is, the day after my 13th birthday, at six o’clock, I started my first shift in the kitchen and the day after my 33rd birthday, at six o’clock on the Friday, I walked through the door of my own restaurant.”

Word has spread about Benedicts, Richard’s rustic-looking neighbourhood restaurant on St Benedict’s Street in Norwich, with Friday and Saturday nights now fully booked months in advance and people travelling from around the country to try his food.

Richard confides: “The great thing for me is that we can now really concentrate on making Benedicts great. We’ve got the people coming in, so we’ve just got to make sure that they have a great time.”

Of course, all Richard’s dishes from the Great British Menu are available at Benedicts and customers have even been ordering the famous Victoria Sponge cocktail as a starter.

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Pictures by RICH BROWN @MRRICHBROWN

“WE’RE LUCKY, WE’VE HAD MICHELIN IN TWICE ALREADY – WE HAD MICHELIN AND AA WITHIN TWO WEEKS THROUGH THE DOOR - AND THEN MICHELIN HAVE ALREADY BEEN AGAIN”

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FOOD REVIEW

“I’m not a chef who wants a big, flash car or who wants to be everywhere; I just want a really successful restaurant.”

The Jerusalem artichoke starter is served in the same bowls as it was on TV, with the words “Jerusalem”, “educate” and “inspire” around the edge, and the attractive trifles are served in the little cloth tents that Katja made for the TV programme, where the presentation of the food was just as important as its taste. The dishes certainly impressed the judges – restaurateurs Prue Leith and Oliver Peyton and food writer Matthew Fort, who were joined by representatives from the WI. Richard explains that he couldn’t have had the TV success without the support from his family, or from his team. He has surrounded himself with familiar staff at Benedicts, with restaurant manager Maddy Johnson and sous chef Ashley Williamson both having worked with him at Morston Hall. Richard is thankful for Galton Blackiston’s support, saying: “Morston Hall has got a dear, dear place in my heart.

I owe Galt a lot.”

And, as Richard says, the Great British Menu “couldn’t have been timed any better”; Benedicts opened on June 17 and Richard confides: “I’m so happy that, because we know the bookings are there so far in advance, we can now just really concentrate on the daily running, making sure everything is perfect.”

He is at the new restaurant six days a week, with Sundays nicknamed “Hollyday” – a big family day that centres around the couple’s 18-month daughter.

Meanwhile, Tuesdays and Saturdays are Benedicts’ busiest days (it’s open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday) and those familiar with Richard’s food from Morston Hall will know that it is focused on local produce and seasonality. Richard spent seven years as head chef at the Michelin-starred Morston Hall, while his time on the Great British Menu meant that he has also got to know some other big name chefs such as Tom Kerridge from The Hand & Flowers in Marlow and Daniel Clifford from Midsummer House in Cambridge.

Richard says: “Daniel Clifford is like my big brother - he’s been so supportive in the setting up of Benedicts.”

However, Richard adds: “I’m not a chef who wants a big, flash car or who wants to be everywhere; I just want a really successful restaurant.”

He and his team eat together every afternoon, along with his baby daughter, and Richard says: “It’s their restaurant as much as it is mine.”

But creating great food is Richard’s overall driving force, as well as investing in the 50-seat restaurant as time goes on.

The restaurant has 34 covers downstairs and 16 upstairs in an elegant private dining room which caters for parties (eight is the maximum number for a table downstairs).

Richard and his wife Katja re-mortgaged their house in Briston, north Norfolk, in order to take on Benedicts, which they have invested in on their own, and they stay in their flat above the Norwich restaurant five nights a week. Richard’s Mum Jill continues to be supportive, looking after little Holly Hilda while Richard and Katja work in the restaurant downstairs.

Richard says: “We looked all around Norfolk – we went from guesthouses to pubs, to restaurants to bistros, and then it got to the point where we went, well if we’re going to open, you might as well stick me in the middle of the lion’s den!”

He adds: “We’re lucky, we’ve had Michelin in twice already – we had Michelin and AA within two weeks through the door - and then Michelin have already been again.

“The big thing for me is that if people are happy and they’re enjoying my food, and my staff are happy and proud of where we work and that doesn’t come with a Michelin star, then I’m happy.

If a Michelin star came our way, then I would obviously embrace it with open arms.”

However, Richard confesses that gaining a Michelin star is: “Not at the top of my agenda at the moment – it’s making sure that people are happy and they want to come back.”

Judging by the number of people waving and smiling at Richard as they pass the restaurant’s window, it certainly looks as if he has got plenty of potential customers.

Benedicts

is at 9 St Benedict’s Street, Norwich, NR2 4PE, 01603 926080. @chefbainbridge @restbenedicts | www.facebook.com/restbenedicts www.restaurantbenedicts.com

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Pictures by BARKERS PHOTOGRAPHIC, GORLESTON www.barkersphotos.co.uk

SERVES FOUR

GAME

ON!

Pan Roasted Duck Breast, Passion Fruit Sauce, Crushed New Potatoes and Pak Choi INGREDIENTS 400g of new potatoes, peeled 6tbsp of crème fraiche 3 Star Anise Chopped chives 4 pak choi 4 Gressingham duck breasts (6-8oz) 1tbsp of vegetable oil 1tbsp of butter

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SAUCE INGREDIENTS 6 passion fruits 150ml of maple syrup 15g of black treacle 105ml of whisky

IMPERIrecipe AL HOTEL

This month Simon Wainwright, executive chef at the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth, delights us with a sweet and tangy duck dish

METHOD Boil the new potatoes in salted water until they are soft.

While they are boiling, cut the passion fruit in half and scrape the seeds out into a small saucepan. Add the star anise, whisky, maple syrup and black treacle to the passion fruit and bring to the boil. Flambé the saucepan and once the alcohol is burnt off, remove from the heat and put aside.

Remove any white sinew from the underside of the duck, score the skin slightly so it becomes crispy. Pan fry the duck, in the oil, skin side down until crispy, then turn over in the pan and season.

Place it in a preheated oven of 180°C for 8 minutes, if you like your duck pink in the middle, and 12 minutes if you like it a little more cooked.

Meanwhile strain the potatoes and crush each one lightly with a fork, stir in the crème fraiche, chopped chives and some salt and pepper and keep warm.

Take the duck out of the oven and rest.

Heat a tablespoon of butter and a couple of spoons of water in a frying pan. Bring to the boil, add the pak choi and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook for a few minutes.

TO FINISH Bring the passion fruit sauce back to the boil, slice your duck breast into 7 or 8 pieces and rest on your board. Place the crushed potatoes into the middle of a plate and place the duck onto them. Arrange the pak choi around, spoon the sauce round, making sure it has gone to a syrup like consistency. Enjoy!

2013 BOHEME, PRIMITIVO SALENTO, ITALY

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

I have selected an Italian wine to go with Simon’s duck dish, as I am looking for a wine with some structure and flavour to match the rich flavours of the meat and sauce.

The wine is produced by Boheme who are located in Puglia which is in southern Italy.

The grape type for this wine is the Primitivo, a native grape of Puglia in the heel of Italy's boot, and comes from the Latin primativus meaning ‘early to ripen’ and is indeed one of the first red grapes to be harvested in southern Italy. Modern winemaking skill has elevated it from a humble quaffing wine to a delicious, jammy and moreish style whose quality belies its price tag.

It is available, via mail order, from the Great Western Wine Company in Bath. Visit www.greatwesternwine.co.uk

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

www.cafecru.co.uk

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

TURNING JAPANESE SIMON WAINWRIGHT, EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF OF THE IMPERIAL HOTEL IN GREAT YARMOUTH, SERVES UP AN ASIAN DISH

ingRedients

Chargrilled Teriyaki Salmon SERVES 4

Teriyaki Salmon

800g of salmon fillet (skinless) 1 /2 cup of dark soya sauce 1 /4 cup of water 2tbsp of sweet sherry 5tsp brown sugar 1 /4 cup of caster sugar 11/2 tsp of minced garlic 11/2 tsp of minced ginger Sweet chilli sauce 1/2 the amount of total mix

Stir Fry

560g of fresh or dried egg noodles 1 large carrot 1 bag or 4 handfuls of spinach 2tsp of olive oil

Garlic and Sesame Sprouting Broccoli 12 stems of sprouting broccoli 3 cloves of garlic diced 3tbsp of sesame seeds 1tbsp of olive oil

METHOD

IMPERIrecipe AL HOTEL

Stir Fry

PEEL THE CARROT and cut into matchstick shape pieces. If you are using dry noodles, soak them in boiled water until they are soft and then strain. Get your stir fry pan hot, then add the olive oil followed by the carrots and cook for about 1 minute until they are lightly coloured. Turn your pan down to a medium heat and add the noodles, cooking for a further 1 minute. Then add 5 tbsp of your spare teriyaki sauce and stir though the noodles. Top with the spinach, turn off the heat and let the spinach wilt in the remaining heat of COMBINE ALL THE INGREDIENTS in a pan over the pan.

Teriyaki Salmon

a medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool and then measure the amount of liquid you have and add 1/2 the amount of sweet chilli sauce.

Store in the fridge until needed.

Cut the 800g of salmon fillet into four even (200g) pieces. Place in a casserole dish or a deep bowl and generously spoon over the teriyaki sauce until each piece is nicely coated and let the salmon marinade for 10 minutes, saving the remaining sauce for later use.

To cook the salmon, lightly grease a grilling tray with olive oil and evenly space out the four marinated salmon pieces. Spoon over a little of the marinating liquid on each piece of salmon, cook under a medium grill for about 3 minutes then spoon over another 1 tsp of the marinade over the salmon and return to the grill and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until it's glazed and sticky.

Garlic and Sesame Sprouting Broccoli GENTLY WARM the olive oil a frying pan. Add the garlic and lightly cook to infuse the oil with the flavour. Add the broccoli and cook until lightly coloured. Sprinkle over the sesame seeds and cook for a further minute.

To assemble the dish, share out the stir fry between four bowls, adding the salmon to one side of the bowl and leaning the broccoli up against it. If you would like a little more sauce, spoon over a little more of the spare teriyaki sauce.

wine notes

2013 Riesling, Dandelion Vineyards, Eden Valley Australia NICK MOBBS, DIRECTOR AND WINE EXPERT AT THE IMPERIAL HOTEL, SAYS:

Pictures by BARKERS PHOTOGRAPHIC, GORLESTON

www.barkersphotos.co.uk

Colin Kroehn has tended his Eden Valley Riesling for 67 of his 87 years. He encouraged the growth of dandelions amongst the vines as they suppress the winter weeds and provide much mulch in the summer. The wine is made when whole bunches of grapes from Dandelion`s oldest vineyard, 101 in age, are hand picked in the cool of the early morning and de-stemmed in small batches.

The free run juice is fermented in small stainless steel tanks between 11°C and 14°C. It is bottled directly without fining or filtration to capture the essence of the vineyard.

The Riesling is one of my favourite grapes and works really well with Oriental flavours. The nose has a scented bouquet with invigorating, intense smells of lime blossom. The palate has an extraordinary precise and clean fruit spectrum of lemon and other citrus fruit flavours and stone-fruit including apricot as well as classic mandarin on the mid palate, developing into a rich lemon meringue tart-like flavour.

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

www.cafecru.co.uk

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

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�THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF BURGERS,

GOOD OLD FISH & CHIPS, AVOCADO AND CHICKEN SALAD, AND WHOLE TAIL SCAMPI�

NO PRIZES FOR GUESSING what kind of food is on offer at Gorleston’s new Porterhouse Bar & Grill. The Porterhouse – a larger version of the T-Bone steak, sometimes known as the ‘King of the T-Bones’ - is the pinnacle of the menu and sits among half a dozen other steak choices; sirloin, rib-eye, fillet, tomahawk and gammon.

The chef’s favourite is part fillet and part sirloin and is served on a rectangular slate dish which looks great; appealing and tasty, the steak is grilled to your liking and accompanied by roasted vine tomatoes and a wire basket of fries.

This is a clever menu which has clearly taken some thought.

Besides the many tempting steaks, there is a wide range of burgers as well as good old fish and chips, avocado and chicken salad, and whole tail scampi. There are also two types of chilli – a five-way chilli made with beef and a chilli made with Tuscan beans.

What’s more, everyone’s welcome. This restaurant is aimed at all ages and it’s refreshing to see this stated on the menu, which has a separate ‘Little People’s’ section and which says: “Kids? Love them – in fact we used to be them, went to school with hundreds of them!

Pretty much all our menu can be served plainer and in smaller portions and with ketchup for the younger!”

This fab new venue is owned by the town’s Cliff Hotel and opened towards the end of the school summer holidays, and it’s been doing a roaring trade ever since.

Set in a trendy new development on Lower Marine Parade, directly opposite Gorleston’s famous wide, sandy beach, the Porterhouse is an industrial-looking place, with bare wooden tables, teale-coloured chairs and walls, exposed brickwork and a long, modern bar. With a bright, fluorescent chiller in the corner

and a neon sign advertising the roof top space, it looks like a cross between an American diner and a micro-brewery.

You can see through the large, wooden hatch to the kitchen where the chefs are busy working, while the waiting staff, dressed in jeans and black, Heineken-sponsored tops and aprons, are also a hardworking, happy bunch.

Shaun, who served us, was friendly and attentive and clearly loves working in the hospitality industry; his kind of enthusiasm is great to see.

He told us that trade has been excellent, particularly at the weekends, when the place is routinely fully booked, so make sure you call ahead if you’re planning give the Porterhouse a try.

When we were there, on a Tuesday night at the end of September, the place was bustling with all sorts of diners, from a lone businessman with a laptop to groups of friends seated at the round tables in the middle of the room.

We sat by one of the large windows and, with another group of four right behind us, it was a bit of a squeeze, but generally there’s lots of space – the main room is big and there’s another smaller room next door, again with great views, which looks ideal for works nights out and parties.

And the piece de resistance – still to come – will no doubt be the roof top area, which was still under construction when we visited, and which will be open until 10pm at night; no doubt proving a real bonus to the venue in the summer.

But back to the food. Knowing that we had substantial mains to come, we chose the bread and dips between us – hot and tasty strips of pitta bread served with houmous, taramasalata and tsatsiki.

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Offering a Unique Setting on the Edge of the Stunning Ormesby Broad

ormesby broad

Beautiful waterside pub and restaurant

Picturesque woodland holiday lodges.

Country and gastro food with local ales and wines

Conferencing and private function hire.

Luxury Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

www.theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk

Tel: 01493 730342

The Boathouse, Ormesby Broad, Eels Foot Road, Ormesby St. Michael, Norfolk NR29 3LP. Tel: 01493 730342 Email: info@theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk www.theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk (Please book for reservations at busy periods)

The Porterhouse Bar & Grill 14-17 Lower Marine Parade, Gorleston-On-Sea, Norfolk, NR31 6BT | T: 01493 600889 www.porterhouse.restaurant

Other appetisers were bread and olives and garlic bread and we could also have gone for all kinds of starters: salt and vinegar squid, slow-baked ribs, bruschetta bites, crispy chicken fillets, Porterhouse-loaded skins, hot ‘n’ kickin’ chicken (chicken wings served with piri piri dressing) and Porterhouse prawns.

I chose chilli for my main course and, unsurprisingly, my husband, Miles, went for the Porterhouse steak. He was very impressed, choosing to have it cooked medium rare and with his wooden-handled steak knife simply falling through the dish.

The menu has been devised by executive chef David Tumber and his team and everything has been thought through. Just like the new venue itself, the food is attractive, modern and impressive, and we couldn’t fault it. My chilli was hot and tasty, served with red kidney beans, red onion, cheese and sour cream, with a wire basket of nachos on the side.

The portions were generous and there are all the accompaniments you could wish for, with a wooden box full of condiments and sauces on each table.

What’s more, you can add to your dishes in all kinds of ways, with Bearnaise, peppercorn and blue cheese sauces available to accompany the steaks, along with a host of relevant side orders, such as battered onion rings and home-made slaw.

Reviews on Tripadvisor and social media have been mixed, but it seemed to us that any teething problems have been addressed, because our food was great, the staff keen and the general ambience very welcoming.

There’s easy WiFi access, so diners can leave their comments there and then, should they wish to, and comment cards are also given out with the bills.

The new Porterhouse Bar & Grill is a success and it’s dancing to its own tune, with nothing else like it nearby.

This modern, fresh place has given Gorleston a lift and, on Friday and Saturday nights, DJ Tony Chtyla takes to the decks for the ‘Porterhouse Nights’ – music and dancing until the early hours.

�MY CHILLI WAS

HOT & TASTY, SERVED WITH RED KIDNEY BEANS, RED ONION, CHEESE AND SOUR CREAM�

The drinks menu features an extensive list of cocktails and shots, and there are all kinds of craft beers as well as wine, spirits, whisky and soft drinks plus, very helpfully, a product list detailing everything that’s in stock behind the bar.

The desserts on offer when we visited were toffee apple pie, cookie dough cheesecake and Black Forest fudge gateau, so not for the faint-hearted, and there were also brownies as well as vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream.

This popular place is open daily and also serves breakfast from 9am to 11am (either a Full English or a selection of bagels), while for those wanting a quick lunchtime bite there are also hot dogs, sandwiches and hot baguettes.

We left feeling very full and very impressed, and a return visit is definitely on the cards.

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Our lucky food writer enjoys his supper at The Kings Arms where great food and perfect service come together for a fabulous foodie experience WORDS: PAUL PITCHER

WE DROVE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR on a chilly Wednesday evening in March to dine at The Kings Arms with great expectations for a fantastic meal.... and we were not disappointed.

Since winning Chef of the Year title at the EDP Norfolk Food and Drink Awards in 2013, Mark Dixon’s reputation for cooking and serving delicious food has helped establish The Kings Arms, in the pretty village of Fleggburgh, as a culinary must with many food lovers.

Many of our readers will remember Mark as a former columnist in Places&Faces® during his spell as head chef at The Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth where he established a loyal following for his imaginative dishes. In December 2013 Mark, along with his partner Natasha Rooke, made the leap to run their own restaurant and they have not looked back.

The warm welcome and lovely ambience when we walked into the restaurant set the scene for a meal to remember.

Mark has long had a reputation for superlative cooking and a first glance of the menu really got the taste buds tingling.

Choosing from the starter menu, the pan seared scallops with cauliflower puree, pancetta, crispy capers, coriander, curried oil and baby herbs were too much of a temptation to resist. The array of flavours that came through with each mouthful was simply divine. This was one dish I just didn’t want to come to an end. My partner Dee was tempted with the pan roasted Norfolk pigeon breast which was served with beetroot and Merlot risotto, smoked bacon, horseradish cream and toasted walnuts.

Now for the main course....the choice was simply fabulous, with so many of my favourite dishes all on one menu. What a dilemma I had in choosing this course. Do I opt for the haunch of Bunwell Estate red deer topped with a port and orange jus? Other options include: baked fillets of Lowestoft plaice served with parmesan cream, baby spinach, sautéed chestnut mushrooms

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and buttered new potatoes; belly of Dingley Dell pork with bubble and squeak, chantenay carrots, braised cheek, black pudding, lentils and rich cider jus; or pine nut crusted fillet of locally caught sea bass with roasted golden girolle, parsnip puree, crispy sea-weed, shallot with red wine reduction?

After much deliberation we both opted for the sea bass and what a fabulous choice we both made. The combination of flavours with the delicate flakes of sea bass was a real treat. My mouth is still watering as I tap the keys on my laptop writing this review.

The desserts coming out from the kitchen looked amazing and despite being full, I managed share a cheese board which was very well presented with Mrs Temple’s Binham Blue, Black Bomber and delightful French brie. How we managed not to be tempted by the salted caramel and peanut butter parfait or the warm marmalade sponge pudding remains a mystery to this day. Trust me: the deserts looked wonderful and the comments from the next table would seem to support this.

Front of house, under the careful direction of Natasha, runs like clockwork and her polite and pleasant manner is a real breath of fresh air.

The Kings Arms, Fleggburgh

*

Main Road, Fleggburgh, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 3AG 01493 368333 www.kingsarms fleggburgh.com

As we were driving we had just one glass of wine, a nice crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region. Being a wine lover, I did look over the wine list which I must say appeared to be very reasonably priced with a fine selection which compliments all of the dishes on the menu - just as you would expect with Mark’s attention to detail.

To sum up our evening, the service was quick, polite and pretty much perfect. We had an absolutely faultless dinner and will definitely go back in the future.

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01

Real Shearling coat £969, Grey Marl Disa jumper £69, Tia jeans £65, Ellie bobble hat £25 all available from House of Fraser 02

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06

05

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01. Fedora hat, £45 by Hobbs, available at Jarrolds, www.hobbs.co.uk; 02. Two tone leopard print scarf £50, Jaeger, www.jaeger.co.uk; 03. Ravel knee high boots, £150, www.ravel.co.uk; 04. Mini lane bag £250, Jaeger, www.jaeger. co.uk; 05. Black leather gloves, £39 from Dune, www.dunelondon.com; 06. Autograph one coat nail polish in fern, £6, M&S

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

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FASHION 08

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Stay warm and cosy but look sleek and elegant this autumn. Think of grey as a lighter option from the usual black; it is rarely out of fashion and can be accessorised to give a variety of relaxed yet polished looks

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07. Horley Rose print knit dress, £89 from Phase Eight, www.phase-eight.co.uk; 08.

Metal mesh bib necklace by Jaeger, £75, www.jaeger.co.uk; 09. Limited edition gem embellished pointed loafers, £35, M&S; 10. Boutique top by Oxygen, £125, www. oxygenboutique.com

Two tone grey poncho an absolute “on trend piece” this season £55 from Betty Barclay www.bettybarclay.com

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M&S Suede Coat £299

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COVER UP IN STYLE

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

With the temperatures set to drop in the coming weeks, there has never been a better excuse to update your winter wardrobe Here is a selection chosen by Donna Titcombe which will not only keep you looking stylish but will keep you warm too

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Jaeger Suede coat £499 02.

Dubarry Rathowen hat £99 03.

Jaeger Silk multi animal scarf £125 04.

Dune Skyler boots £169 05.

Jaeger Wool Reversible coat £399

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FASHION 07

09

08

06.

Monsoon suede coat £399 07.

Jaeger silk scarf £99 08.

Gerry Weber coat £250 09.

Accessorize Ophelia floppy hat £29

Mint Velvet, denim shirt £59, oversized coat £199, denim midi skirt £69, leather boots £189

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FASHION Donna Titcombe says owning a good quality dinner suit means you will be prepared for any formal occasions that specify “Black Tie”. With the party season now upon us there has never been a better time to stand out with this on-trend Bond look

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Barker Goldington black patent dress shoes, Jarrold £180

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Hugo Boss purple micro dot silk bow tie, House of Fraser £59

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Black tie wing collar pintuck shirt from Debenhams £32.50

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Georgio Armani He 30ml £37 from Jarrold

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Alexandre of England velvet peak label jacket £199 from House of Fraser

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

Ted Baker cufflinks £40 from Jarrold

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WORLD FAMOUS FISH AND CHIPS IN GREAT YARMOUTH A TRIP TO THE SEA SIDE JUST ISN’T THE SAME WITHOUT A TRIP TO HARRY RAMSDEN’S SO WE THOUGHT WE’D GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF OFFERS THAT ARE JUST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON

11-12 MARINE PARADE, GREAT YARMOUTH NR30 3AH WWW.HARRYRAMSDENS.CO.UK

20% OFF 2 COURSES

YOUR TOTAL BILL

TIME TO TREAT THE FAMILY!

T&C’s apply 1. Offer only valid at Harry Ramsden’s Great Yarmouth 2. Offer valid until 1st December 2016 3. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer 4. Voucher must be presented to qualify for the offer

FOR £12.95

T&C’s apply 1. Offer only valid at Harry Ramsden’s Great Yarmouth 2. Offer valid until 1st December 2016 3. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer 4. Voucher must be presented to qualify for the offer

SEA HISTORY DIFFERENTLY This summer... enjoy fascinating displays and fun family activities!

“A museum for everyone”

Open everyday 10am – 4:30pm Blackfriars Road, Great Yarmouth NR30 3BX 01493 743930 www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

WWW.AGMEALE.CO.UK

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As featured in Gardener’s World

EASY PARKING & EASY LOADING

TEL: 01692 580226 FARM SHOP & PLANT CENTRE Wayford Nurseries, Stalham, NR12 9LJ

Open Daily 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-5pm

open Sundays 10am-4pm

›

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

And what do you order?

Best of all I love everyone gathering together in the kitchen and making a feast of whatever we've found on the marsh or in the garden; or at the brilliant butchers in Melton Constable (can't remember the name!). I don't eat out much, but Wiveton Hall Cafe is my favourite; the menu is seasonal so there are new discoveries every time. They do a great soy latte!

What do you miss most when you leave the region?

The way the sky is always changing; no one day ever feels the same as any other.

5 minutes with

Sienna Guillory Actress Sienna Guillory, who stars in the new Norfolk-based film The Goob, on why she enjoys having a mardle with the characters who work at her mum’s clothing company

What are you reading at the moment?

My script! I'm on set!

Would you prefer a day on the Broads or a day at Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach? Why?

Definitely the Broads, preferably in a lovely old clinker built Gunter rig so I can pretend I'm in Swallows and Amazons and explore all the little islands.

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

Movie: Hyena.

Sum up Norfolk in three words

Describe your job to us

I pretend to be other people.

Are you Norfolk born and bred? Or where were you born and what brought you to Norfolk?

My grandparents met here during the war, they bought a house in Blakeney, and we all came every summer to sail and go native on the marshes. We relocated here when I was 11, so it always felt like home.

What’s your ideal day out in the area?

When the tides are right, my ideal day would be to sail out to the Point early in the morning, cook breakfast, spend all day exploring and then drift back to the harbour on the incoming evening tide.

Which iconic Norfolk characters do you most admire and why?

I love the locals that make mum's Carrier Company goods: Stanley, who forges the fire pipes always has the most extraordinary and brilliant theories on the universe; Mel has the kindest heart and always makes time for a mardle (she also has a thing for motorbikes and heavy metal).

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

I love the Three Horseshoes in Warham, as half a Guinness and port is good medicine after a howling walk on the marsh.

My feral home.

Sum up yourself in three words

Daughter, wife, mum.

About The Goob

THE GOOB, which premiered at Cinema City in Norwich

at the end of the last month, is a fiery British drama set against a stunning Norfolk back drop. By Guy Myhill, it boasts a cast of predominantly people born or raised in the county, from the established leads Sienna Guillory and Sean Harris to supporting actress Hannah Spearritt and nonprofessionals, including newcomer Liam Walpole and two builder friends of the director who play Rod and Fergie.

SIENNA says of the film: ‘I grew up in Norfolk and I really loved the script, I thought it was beautiful and free and it felt very modern and nuanced rather than classic ‘telly’ storytelling with too much dialogue. I liked that the characters were thinly drawn, in a way, and you just get it. I understood. I liked the idea of playing someone who’s a bad mum. She’s living in a grey world morally and Goob sees things in black and white.’

She also recognised the rowdy Norfolk stock car racing scene.

‘Growing up, I had mates who did the stock car racing thing and my brother was really into it, always had several wrecks in the yard that he was tinkering with, and a slew of weird teenaged characters that used to hang around with him, and I just used to watch them all. I just identified with it because I know the world.’

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Our homes writers Hayley Philpot and Jennifer Read celebrate al fresco living as temperatures start to rise!

Koziol Crystal 250ml goblet and 450ml glass £5, small bowl £6, salad bowl £11, Rimini drink guard set of 2 £5 Looking remarkably like real crystal glass, this beautiful range of unbreakable glasses and bowls would grace any outdoor event.

Tired of removing flying objects from your drink and swatting buzzy things from the vicinity? Well, here is the answer – umbrella shaped covers that sit neatly on the top of your glass with just enough room for a straw.

How clever is that?!

Summerhouse by Navigate 4 person wicker basket £110, blanket in duffel bag £28, plate £5 Featuring vibrant, tropical colours fused with navy accents, this is a stunning outdoor living range.

The basket contains wine glasses, ceramic plates, a cutlery wrap and cotton napkins for four people plus a small insulated cool bag. Sit dry and clean with this cosy navy fleece rug with floral edging and waterproof backing – all neatly tucked away in the carry-bag with drawstring closure and adjustable shoulder strap.

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A

T LAST WE CAN OPEN the doors and windows, breathe in the fresh air and contemplate spending some time outside our four walls in the warm early summer sun (fingers crossed). It’s the season to spend time with family and socialise with friends in the more relaxed atmosphere of al fresco dining. Whether it’s a picnic, camping trip, summer concert or just relaxing in the garden, there’s no need to sacrifice a sense of style when it comes to outdoor living.

Practical can still be trendy and fun.

Gone are the days when the only option for transporting your food and utensils was a boring cool bag or an empty wicker hamper.

Nowadays, the choices are endless, with colourful cool bags to suit any size party, fully equipped picnic sets, snuggly blankets and really cool outdoor tableware. Or maybe you prefer to do the cooking outside. If so - why not sizzle in style with a funky barbecue that’s sure to be the centre of attention.

INTERIOR

Summerhouse by Navigate salad bowl £12.50, salad servers £8 Serve the perfect salad with this teal bowl and servers made from bamboo, and accessorise with a pretty floral 100 per cent melamine dinner plate.

Koziol Picnix toothpick holder £16, ice cream sundae dish set of 2 £5.50, Betty snack tray £20 Koziol products are made in Germany and have won countless creative design awards. They have turned everyday household items into high quality works of art, using sustainable and responsible management. The little green man holding your toothpicks will make you smile and the Cornetto shaped sundae dish will make any dessert look even more delicious. The snack tray is perfect for sweets, finger food, tapas or cheese.

Petit Jour The Moomins plate £6, drinking cup £5, large mug £8 Everyone’s favourite Scandinavian creatures, the Moomins are as loved today as they were when they were created more than 60 years ago. The plate, in high quality BPA-free melamine features the gorgeous Snork Maiden; all sorts of strange creatures feature on the drinking cup; and Moominmamma and Moominpappa are loving their picnic on the large mug. All guaranteed to break the ice at any al fresco gathering.

Bodum Fyrkat picnic charcoal barbecue £45 Light and easy to transport and with a handy tray underneath for utensils, this 45cm high mini grill is just the right size for four hearty burgers or fillets. Whet their appetites with the delicious aromas from this cheerful red party BBQ. When dining outdoors the atmosphere is more relaxed, apparel can be more casual and laughter is an essential ingredient to ensure the party goes with a swing. It’s the perfect opportunity to have fun with colour and shape and to add a sense of novelty to the whole experience. Tableware must never be boring and, whether alcoholic or not, the drinks du jour can be dressed up to the nines!

HAYLEY & JENNIFER are homeware buyers

Jarrold’s

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

The Granary

5 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.thegranary.co.uk

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Make Your Caravan

NAUTICAL

BUT NICE

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It’s all aboard with our homes writers Jennifer Read and Hayley Philpot as they for inspiration

head to the coast

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1 Towels: hand £14, bath £26, bath sheet £38, 100 per cent cotton

Soft cotton hand towels in beautiful stripes and prints.

2 Cornish Stripe Lapis bedding: single cover £80, double £95, king £105, super king £115, pillow case £20 each, 100 per cent cotton

Transform your bedroom with the stunning Cornish Stripe Lapis collection. Featuring a wide striped pattern with a blue and white palette and yellow detailing on the edges, it will make any room ship shape!

Colour pop cushion £50, throw £140, 100 per cent cotton

These bright cotton throws are perfect for draping over your bed.

Inspired by tidal ripple patterns that show in the sand on Cornish beaches, they are a great way to inject a pop of colour into any bedroom.

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OT MUCH BEATS that classic blue and white combination – it is fresh, crisp and so very inviting.

Norfolk boasts such a stupendous coastline that creating a nautical look in the home is very popular. But, be warned, don’t overdo it. A little touch here and there is infinitely more impressive than endless mini lighthouses and duvets printed with anchors. Bathrooms and bedrooms are easy areas to tackle, and if you seek out a few shells, pebbles and pieces of driftwood from your favourite beach, you can really start to build your very own, personalised, look. Here are a few ideas for making your home feel like the sand is in your toes and the warm beach air is on your face!

INTERIOR

coastal living

Biederlack

luxury thermosoft throws from £30

HAYLEY & JENNIFER are homeware buyers

Jarrold’s

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

The Granary

5 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.thegranary.co.uk

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LEXINGTON (pictured left and below) We spend half our life in bed so why not do it in style? With Lexington’s beautifully made bedding you can combine naturally soft fabrics with colour and style. Why not try this summer’s printed sateen double bedding set £219 or king set £249?Welcome to our home feather filled beach house cushion £69

3 Cast away rope cushions £30 each

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Add some coastal flair to your home with this eyecatching rope stitch cushion.

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Lagoon cushions £35 each

This fun and quirky cushion features three embroidered fish in a stunning metallic blue sheen with contrast piping and reverse.

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Crab cushion £35 each

Add a great conversation piece to your home with this fun Moroccan patterned crab design. Also available in Natural.

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Halo, Chester leather sofa normally £2999 now £2199

In a stunning rich brown leather called Riders Nut, this is a true classic design piece - a clever evolution of the original 19th century Chesterfield sofa styling with buttoned back and seat cushions. The cleverly angled back ensures a truly comfortable sit, and the chubby ball feet just add the finishing touch - available in a 2.5 seater.

AT THIS TIME the carpets of rustling leaves, early sunsets and a nip in the air make us think warm and cosy thoughts of home - and a comfy chair by the fireside. This is the season for soft and sumptuous furnishings and tactile accessories, and one of the current themes in interiors features velvet and other plush materials with a soft handle; chestnut leathers; warm metallics; and an abundance of vibrant crimson and gold - so why not take this opportunity to give your home a ‘deluxe’ makeover?

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1 Malini, velvet cushions gold and purple £28

2 Tamar sofa, Content by Terence Conran rrp £1645 now £1395

These gorgeous cushions offer plain and simple luxury. In soft, hardwearing velveteen, they are featherfilled, and measuring 50cm x 50cm they’re definitely big enough for snuggling!

A simple shape with clean, crisp lines, this compact sofa also has real glamour. Only 162cm wide, it’s perfect for a small sitting room and is available in a range of sumptuous velvet fabrics. Matching cushions are supplied but why not create extra zing by adding some contrasting colours.

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Matador armchair, Content by Terence Conran rrp £1395 now £1185

This stylish wing-shaped chair definitely has a retro 50s feel about it. The eye-catching velvet and linen mix Marden fabric is shown in a beautiful soft gold, with a clever raised link-effect pattern, guaranteed to add a touch of opulence to any living room.

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INTERIORS FOR THE PERFECT

finishing touch, why not add some of these stunning on-trend accessories.

Metallics are everywhere this season – gorgeous warm golds, vibrant deep bronzes, and rich steel finishes in both matte and high shine. They can provide that perfect contemporary hot-spot, and the lifelike giant orchid is an absolute stunner too.

Parlane, Venus bowl £5.95

The matte grey outer shell is in complete contrast to the stunning high shine interior of this gorgeous bowl. It’s almost a shame to fill it!

Parlane, iridescent bottles and jars from £9.95

There is an air of the mediaeval about this beautiful bronze and petrol glassware. The iridescent finish catches the light and they look completely different from every angle.

They have a mix of plain and faceted stoppers and would grace any dressing table or boudoir.

Parlane, large Phalaenopsis orchid £99.50

At 58.5cm high, this is a real statement piece. The fabulous deep red and cream flower is set in a sturdy steel grey ceramic pot for complete stability.

Parlane, Magma vase £89.50

This tall statuesque vase is 53cm high and yet there is a soft organic feel about the self-patterned design. What an amazing centrepiece this would make.

HAYLEY our homeware buyer & SIMON our furniture buyer

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

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FREE DRIV VALET W I H OR H NG ANY EN TES T P A EUG V SERV ING EOT Y I "HAV CED,JUS OUR CA R T ME EN O WHE WNERS NTION N BO C OKIN LUB" G

REVIEW BY MATT KIMBERLEY

DEALER DETAILS SIDEGATE MOTORS Gapton Hall Rd, Great Yarmouth NR31 0NL Tel;01493 419700 www.sidegatemotors.co.uk

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WHAT’S NEW? You’re looking at Peugeot’s first return to the compact family hot-hatch market since the much-loved and increasingly rare 306 GTi-6.

Its efforts since then have been mixed, but the 308 provides a fantastic base from which to start.

There are entry-level 246bhp and upgradetastic 266bhp versions. They share a highly turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, but the latter wears upgraded British-made Alcon brakes, larger but lighter wheels, sportier bucket seats and, crucially, a Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential. The price difference is very modest, too.

LOOKS AND IMAGE The 308 is a tidy-looking car as it is, but the lower stance of the GTi brings out unexpected muscle in the curvaceous shape. The GTi 250 is 11mm lower than standard, but the 270’s ride height shifts back to normal thanks to its larger wheels.

GTi badges are everywhere in both, so you’re in no danger of forgetting you’re in a spicy

one. The seats in the 270 look especially good, though, with their high side bolsters and contrasting red stitching. There’s even an option on the 270 to add ‘Coupe Franche’ - twotone red and black paint. It looks stunning but costs £1,300 and could prove tricky to respray.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY The beauty of a hot hatch is that it’s a practical hatchback at heart. Put the back seats down and you can transport a chest of drawers for Auntie Irene. Very quickly. There isn’t much storage in the cabin, though.

Fortunately the GTi is spec’d up and comes with a reversing camera, keyless entry, front and rear parking sensors and a 12-volt power point for charging small devices. Sequential ‘scrolling’ indicators are a nice touch, too.

Legroom in the back is very reasonable, and there’s no shortage of headroom thanks to a typically high hatchback roof line.

MOTORING

PRACTICAL THINKING

BEHIND THE WHEEL In isolation the 250 is a great thing to drive. It’s balanced, fast and poised, and at 1,205kg fullyfuelled it’s a lightweight. But the 270 improves the package in lots of ways that you only see when you drive them back to back. The power and feel in the Alcon brakes is incredible, and the Torsen diff lets the car hold tighter lines at higher speeds through potentially tricky corners. Plus, the variable-spring rate suspension is tuned well for British backroads, the steering is quick and precise, and overall it flows brilliantly.

Sharper engine responses when you push the Sport button are joined by suddenly very red instruments. The 270 is big cat-aggressive in this setting but the artificial engine noise that’s piped into the cabin actually takes away a little from the drive. It’s just as fast in normal mode and feels better resolved; more rounded. Leave that button alone unless you really, really have to have red dials.

Keep the counter-rotating rev counter needle above 3,000rpm and turbo lag is negligible. Below that it gives some throttle response

Prices correct at time of going to press

The new Peugeot 308 GTi is a hot hatchback with a broad appeal

away to its 2.0-litre rivals, but it certainly shifts when you chase the redline. Peak torque is maintained 1,500rpm longer in the 270, and that’s a good thing.

VALUE FOR MONEY The 270 is where it’s at for value. For £1,600 you get all that extra equipment, higher residual values, a better drive and more fun. Its price is right in the thick of the best front-wheel drive hot hatchbacks around, so it’s competitive rather than a bargain. Strong rivals from Seat and Ford are a similar price or less, so it’s a straight punch-up between some serious heavyweights.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? Hot hatchbacks have broad appeal. Young men are clearly going to be the targets, but the idea of a practical hatchback that can easily overtake old duffers in Nissan Notes who refuse to go faster than 35mph on country roads is one that can surely win plenty of favour. It has style and a measure of comfort on its side, too. It’s a real challenger, and a real GTi.

FACTS AT A GLANCE Peugeot 308 GTi 270, from £28,155

Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol producing 266bhp and 243lb/ft Transmission: Six-speed manual driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 155mph, 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds Economy: 47mpg combined Emissions: 139g/km

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An Upmarket Experience Skoda’s latest generation Superb promises greater levels of refinement, comfort and space as it bids to steal sales from more established - and more expensive - rivals, says our motoring writer Iain Dooley The Skoda Superb range starts from £18,640

FACTS AT A GLANCE Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 150 Lauren and Klement, £28,685 Engine: 2.0-litre diesel unit

producing 150bhp; Transmission: 6-speed manual driving the front wheels; Performance: Top speed 135mph, 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds; Economy: 68.9mpg combined; Emissions: 109g/km of CO2

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DEALER DETAILS Simpsons SKODA Suffolk Road, Great Yarmouth,

Norfolk, NR31 0LN Tel 01493 601696 Visit www.simpsonsskoda.com

MOTORING

Looks and image Conservative with a small ‘c’ is the order of the day here, with Skoda understandably sticking to a formula that works. The car’s lightly chiseled flanks add a welcome air of refinement but that’s about as extrovert as the Superb’s appearance gets. For the target audience this is unlikely to be an issue, as they are also a conservative bunch more interested in what the car can do, not what is says about them.

Space and practicality Since day one the Superb has earned a reputation for being a practical and spacious car capable of accommodating four adults in more comfort than your average German saloon costing twice as much. This remains true today, and thanks to a voluminous boot the ability to carry a full compliment of luggage without any compromises has also proven popular with private hire operators.

Along with acres of rear legroom there’s also ample space up front plus the usual array of family friendly oddment storage spaces.

Behind the wheel Despite the Superb easily matching many more expensive German models in terms of space and refinement, Skoda has never pitched its flagship model as a sporty car. With the focus very much on ease of use, comfort and space, there’s very little reward for hustling the big Czech motor into corners. Driving pleasure comes from relaxing in the plush cabin and making the most of the equally plush ride.

In real terms you’ll derive more pleasure from letting the Superb’s engine range take the strain, specifically the 2.0-litre diesel unit. Its modest 150 horsepower in base trim is ample even for a car of this size and, when mated to an auto gearbox, you get the full-on luxo-barge experience but with an Aldi price

tag. If diesel doesn’t appeal there’s also a good number of petrol units plus a fourwheel drive option giving the Superb added all-weather appeal.

Value for money The on-paper figures are hard to ignore. For the price of a mid-spec Ford Mondeo you can have a well-equipped and more spacious Superb, boasting an impressive level of standard kit and every day practicality.

Despite the car's premium level aspirations running costs should be closer to the aforementioned Mondeo, thanks in part to a range of clean and frugal engines.

Who would buy one?

For private hire operators the Superb has always been a smart buy and this much improved model is no different. For everyone else, Skoda's plush flagship trumps many mainstream and more expensive rivals when it comes to cabin space, refinement, kit and ease of use. Factor in the car's classy yet understated looks and it's hard not to warm to it if you're seeking an upmarket experience that won't break the bank.

Prices correct at times of going to press

What’s new?

With Skoda keen to move its image and cars upmarket, this third generation Superb offers big car levels of refinement to match products from the likes of Volvo and Mercedes. Building on the success of the previous two versions, this Superb continues the focus on extra generous cabin space, while the car’s saloonlike profile is more of an optical illusion as it’s actually a five-door hatch.

Progress dictates that the Superb benefits from an improved range of engines and transmissions, while Skoda’s increased focus on safety matters has resulted in the availability of a raft of clever driver assistance aids. One thing that is missing from the new car is the previous model’s ingenious dual opening boot, which allowed both hatch and saloon functionality.

This car summed up in a single word: sophisticated.

If this car was a… suit it would be a bespoke one that left you enough cash for a good night out.

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| JULY 2015

Arrive at your holiday home in style

Facts at a glance JAGUAR XE 2.0 DIESEL PORTFOLIO, ÂŁ33,675 Engine: 2.0-litre diesel unit producing 178bhp and 317lb/ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels Performance: Top speed 142mph, 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds Economy: 67.3mpg combined Emissions: 109g/km of CO2

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Retailer Details

H.A. Fox, Jaguar House, Cromer Road, Norwich NR6 6NB Tel: 01603 944812 www.hafoxjaguar.co.uk

MOTORING

jaguar xe

THE SPORTS SALOON

- REDEFINED

It’s arguably the most important car launched this year and is the new entry-point into the Jaguar range, but is the XE good enough? asks Matt Joy

All prices correct at time of going to press

WHAT’S NEW? This car is a big deal for Jaguar. Not only does it have to take on two very popular German rivals, it also aims to boost its sales volume considerably and bring new customers into the brand.

No surprise then that it’s practically 100 per cent new.

An all-new aluminium and steel architecture, new engines and new suspension are wrapped in a brand-new exterior design. Inside there’s a new generation infotainment system as well as more personalisation options. Jaguar is making some big claims for the car, particularly that the most efficient diesel version can hit 99g/km.

LOOKS AND IMAGE There’s a familiar air to the XE but this is no bad thing. Look at it alongside the existing XF saloon and the resemblance is clear, but the XE is a little more compact and has a much shorter overhang at the rear. It also has the sporty look that buyers are really keen on, although models like this Portfolio have a more restrained and luxurious feel.

Halo cars like the F-Type have transformed Jaguar’s image in recent years and the XE will be trading on this in order to bring new buyers to the brand. With its smart appearance and obvious kerb appeal it should prove to be a winner from a stylistic point of view.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY It might be a compact saloon but the space inside the XE is generous. Up front there’s a good view out thanks to the lowset dashboard although the high waistline gives a welcome enclosed feeling. The seats are very supportive and offer a good range of adjustment, while head, leg and hip room are all good enough for those over six feet tall. In the rear space it is a little tighter but there’s enough legroom to take adults comfortably.

The boot is well-shaped and offers up to 455 litres of space.

The cabin itself is clearly laid out and easy to use, with the new infotainment system offering attractive graphics and slick operation. Storage space is good too, although the overall design is a little more conservative than the exterior.

BEHIND THE WHEEL Jaguar set itself the modest target of being the best driver’s car in the class, but it has the potential to do so. The brandnew 2.0-litre diesel engine is usefully brisk in 180PS form as long as there is 2,000rpm showing and the six-speed manual gearbox is slick and satisfying to use. At a cruise the engine is impressively refined, and although the noise levels go up when worked hard it never becomes coarse or unrefined.

Without doubt, however, it is the XE’s chassis that impresses. Overall there is clear sporting bias to the suspension set up but the ride quality is excellent; controlled over undulations but with no harshness even on a variety of surfaces. Yet it is beautifully balanced and free from roll when pressing on; there is excellent grip front and rear and the XE delights in hustling through bends, remaining composed and entertaining. The final ace card is the steering which, although not packed with feel, is sharp without being nervous, accurate and rewarding. Keen drivers will love it; everyone else will just think it’s just right.

VALUE FOR MONEY There’s no skimping on the standard specification either.

Even the base SE model comes with satellite navigation and DAB radio, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and a leather steering wheel. This top-specification Portfolio comes with double-stitched leather in a choice of colours, aluminium trim, 10-way electric seats, high-specification Meridian audio system, bi-xenon headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? There’s a great deal to love about the XE and although it wears a premium badge it’s the kind of car that will appeal to a broad range of buyers. Executive types will love the way it drives and the sharp looks, but it’s also sufficiently spacious that a modestly-sized family could use it all the time. If you have to have a saloon then there’s almost certainly a version to suit your tastes.

This car summed up in a single word: Impressive If this car was a…hooligan it would be doing doughnuts on BMW’s front lawn right now.

River trips and self drive boats on the Norfolk Broads

Discover the magic ...

What better way to discover the diversity of this enchanting landscape than to relax on one of our river trips, with entertaining live commentary, light refreshments and a licensed bar.

Trips available from Easter - 31st October

Day boat hire - enjoy at your own pace!

Or if you would rather be at the helm yourself, then pack a picnic, hire a boat by the hour or day and allow the Broads to reveal its wonders at your own pace.

Whether you prefer a lively Boogie Evening of dancing or an evening of toe tapping to the live jazz bands you are guaranteed a fun evening with Broads Tours. Enjoy a drink and watch the sun set as you listen and dance to the music.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS : BOOGIE ON THE BROADS

29th June : 6th, 13th, 20th , 27th July : 3rd, 10th , 17th, 24th 31st August

THURSDAY EVENINGS : JAZZ ON THE BROADS

SimBiOsis Jazz Band Lumiere Rouge Ragtime Jazz Band SimBiOsis Jazz Band Norfolk Dixieland Jazz Band Lumiere Rouge Ragtime Jazz Band

June 30th July 7th July 14th July 21st July 28th

SimBiOsis Jazz Band August 4th Lumiere Rouge Ragtime Jazz Band August 11th Norfolk Dixieland Jazz Band August 18th SimBiOsis Jazz Band August 25th

PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR ALL MUSIC CRUISES - ONLY ÂŁ14.50 per person All evening trips depart and return to Broads Tours, The Bridge, Wroxham.

Board at 7:15pm, depart at 7:30pm and return to Wroxham at 10pm.

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To experience the special magic of the Broads, call us on 01603 782207 or visit our website for more information

With a wide range of revolutionary ECO deck boards, railing systems and numerous accessories! Building a beautiful deck has never been easier… with a great range of DIY Deckboards from PVS O EC

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Established Since 1988

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GUAR AN TEE

New Revolutionary Fencing & Decking Get Ready to be Amazed……

Looks like wood, but without the maintenance Call for your FREE quote: 01493 440 331 or 01493 300002 Verandah & Decking Systems • (DDA) Access Ramp Solutions DIY Domestic Decking & Fencing • Beachcomber Hot Tubs

PVS The natural choice for Verandah & Decking Systems Telephone: 01493

440 331 Email: info@pvsholdings.com Website: www.pvsholdings.com

PVSholdings | Premier House | Owen Road | Harfreys Industrial Estate | Great Yarmouth | Norfolk | NR31 ONA

102

HIGH SOCIETY

le t it do l he we eat t s gs a gr ’ t I hin ke t ma iday at hol h t 103

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HIGH SOCIETY

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Own your own seaside bolthole

Holiday hom es star t from o nly

17,995*

with finance options ava ilable

Enjoy ownership at Seashore Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth Imagine being able to pack up at the end of the week and escape to your very own holiday home by the sea...

Try something new

ind

Relax and unw

What ownership could mean for you • Seaside escapes to Great Yarmouth from 1 March – 30 November • Access to great facilities including heated indoor pools, restaurants and daily entertainment in our Live Lounge • A lovely 15% discount^ at selected places around the park, and other perks and privileges

Take the night off

Enjoy the great

outdoors

To find out more or to arrange your visit simply Call:

0333 202 1446

Calls to 0333 numbers are charged at standard UK rates and will be included in any inclusive minute bundles

Visit: seashoreholidaypark.com ^Terms and conditions apply, please enquire at park for full details. *Package price includes siting, connections, standard accessories, this year’s entry level site fees, water charges, rates and insurance. Bourne Leisure Limited is registered in England and Wales, no 04011660. Registered office 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL.

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