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FREE newspaper for communities across the Norfolk/Suffolk border FREE Covering Attleborough, Bungay, Diss, Eye, Harleston, Needham Market, Stowmarket, Thetford, Watton, Wymondham and surrounding areas Edition 13: Christmas/New Year 2016

Bowling along WIN two-night World Bowls Championship break Page 16

Author takes flight after Navy career to write children’s Christmas book

Pages 24/25

WIN theatre tickets Pages 26/7

Banking on lots of support

By Steve Penny editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk Twitter: @Take1paper

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Helping spread Christmas cheer. Some members of the Stowmarket Foodbank team. See Pages 6/7.

HEALTH & ADVICE Page 18-22

SPORT

Pages 13-15

ention of foodbanks and the services they provide in the last edition of TakeOne prompted a lot of interest.

So much so that I went along to see what is going on at the Stowmarket Foodbank. I came away incredulous at the work they do and how great the demand is, not only now but, potentially, for each and everyone of us in the near future.

The biggest supporters of foodbanks are often those people who have needed the services themselves and you will be surprised at how big a section of the community that includes. Read all about it on pages 6 and 7.

Elsewhere in this edition, we take a look at self-publishing. It is said that ‘everyone has a book in them’ and we interview two authors who have proved that adage.

A chance encounter in a Diss cafe sparked a trip along memory lane for one customer. Find out more about her evacuee years on page 12.

We also enjoyed a trip to see a West End show and a bowls masterclass ahead of the World Bowls Championships at Potters.

All that and all your usual favourites, as well as the chance to win theatre tickets, books, pet food and afternoon tea. Read on…

LEISURE

PRIZE CROSSWORD

Pages 26-29

Page 31

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Editorial, call 0777 1461360 editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Christmas/New Year 2016

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Christmas/New Year 2016

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Charity seeks survey of care home staff

By Chris Dawes

editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk Twitter: @Take1paper

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egative media coverage has led to more than half of British adults believing that abuse and neglect in care homes for the elderly is common.

However, of those, many say their opinion is based on personal experience – either knowing someone in a care home (15%), working in a care home (5%), or hearing personal experience from others (25%).

That’s according to research from Independent Age, the older people’s charity, which is calling for new measures to understand the scale of the problem.

Independent Age’s Simon Bottery said: “While the research finds that most people’s negative view about care homes is based on media coverage, it is worrying that so many say they are basing it on personal experience.

“We are calling for a survey of staff in care homes to better understand the scale

MIND how you run!

Norwich & Central Norfolk MIND has been chosen as a charity partner for Run Norwich 2017.

If you wish to take part in the race on behalf of MIND fundraising, charity places will be available soon. Charity places are free, with the only criteria being that a minimum of £100 is raised by the runner.

Entrants will receive a race pack and Norwich MING running vest For more information, email sarahingram@norwichmind. org.uk More details about the event are available online at www. norwichmind.org.uk and www. runnorwich.co.uk

Can you sell?

How accurate are people’s perceptions of care homes? A charity is seeking new measures to find out.

of the problem.

“While we hope and expect that abuse and neglect is less widespread than believed, it is essential we know for sure.”

The charity wants the government to take responsibility for collecting a

basic set of core information about care homes to give earlier warnings of a home providing poor care. l Tell us about your care home experiences– good and bad. Email editorial@ takeonepublications.co.uk

Painting town purple Women from the Pension Action in Norfolk group (PAIN), which is affiliated to the national Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, gathered in Wymondham recently.

It was part of an effort to raise awareness of pension age increases that have left many 1950s born women struggling financially and physically as they wait up to six extra years for their state pension.

They agree that men and women’s retirement ages should be equalised and are not campaigning for the retirement age to revert to 60.

However, they do want to see fair transitional arrangements brought in to assist those who were given little or no notice by successive governments about the retirement age equalisation and have had their retirement plans shattered.

The women enlisted the help of the town crier to announce their presence to the busy farmers’ market and then gave out leaflets and chatted to the public to inform them about the group’s work.

They also collected more than 200 signatures for their petition to Norfolk MPs. In an attempt to ‘paint the town purple’ they visited town centre shops to ask them to display posters giving information about the campaign.

Event organiser Annette James, from Wymondham, said “Today is all about raising awareness among the 40,000 or so women in Norfolk who are affected by

PAIN members in Wymondham.

the state pension age raise.

“It was introduced with too steep a timetable and hardly any notification.

“We are still meeting women who are unaware of the changes and receive a very worrying shock when they learn they will not retire at 60.”

PAIN are planning gatherings in Dereham and Aylsham in 2017.

For more information visit their website www.pensionactionnorfolk. wixsite.com/pain, find them on Facebook at Pension Action in Norfolk – PAIN WASPI Norfolk Group, or email pensionactioninnorfolk@yahoo.co.uk Other WASPI groups are active in West Suffolk (contact Karen Sheldon – sudburysuffolkwaspigroup@gmail. com – 0797 1044890) and, in the east, the Waveney group (contact Irene Nesbitt – waveneywaspi@gmail.com).

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‘While we hope and expect that abuse and neglect is less widespread than believed, it is essential we know for sure’ Simon Bottery

Do you have sales experience?

Are you looking to supplement your income? Do you want to be a part of TakeOne’s future?

TakeOne needs experienced sales staff, including someone with a commercial/management background.

The roles are home-based with hours to suit. A good rate of commission is paid.

Please send your CV to office@ takeonepublications.co.uk

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Editorial, call 0777 1461360 editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Christmas/New Year 2016

Have Your Say

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Email: editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Champion coach

Bus Pass by Mike Webb

The November edition of TakeOne was another great read.

I enjoyed the article on judo coach Howard Oates of the Kumo Club. He is a man who should be commended for getting his son Colin to two Olympic Games and another player, Jono Drane, to the Paralympics.

I am sure this club will produce more champions in the future, which will further enhance the reputation of the sporting image in Norfolk.

As always, I also enjoyed the gardening page by Graham Pettitt, which is always an educational read.

James Capell, Harleston

A steaming good read!

What a lovely picture of a real character on the front page of the November edition of TakeOne. Natel Taylor has obviously devoted much time to his beloved steam traction engine and Faith sums his

effort up so well.

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the engine’s history and Natel’s story was a joy to read.

Keep it up!

Geoff Barker, Stowmarket

Please be generous

At a Glance – handy telephone numbers In an emergency

Police: 999 (non-urgent call – 101).

Fire: 999.

Ambulance: 999 (non-urgent, try the NHS advice line 111).

Out-of-hours doctor: Call your usual GP to hear the on-call number to ring.

Chemist: To find your nearest out-of-hours pharmacy, call 111 or visit www.nhs.uk Dentist: For all dental emergencies outside normal working hours, phone 111. If you don’t have a regular dentist, call 111 and you will be given information about where you can go.

Water: 03457 145 145.

Electric: 0800 783 8838 (0333 202 2021 from a mobile phone).

Gas: 0800 111 999.

Home Heat Helpline: 0800 33 66 99.

BT faults: 0800 800 151.

Help agencies

Age UK: 0800 169 6565.

CAB: 03454 04 05 06.

Cruse Bereavement Care helpline: 0844 477 9400.

MIND: 0845 766 0163.

National Debtline: 0808 808 4000.

Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90 Social Services: Norfolk: 0344 800 8020 Suffolk: 0808 800 4005.

Pension Service: 0845 6060 265.

RSPCA: 0300 1234 999.

Tourist Info Centres Attleborough: 01953 456930.

Bury St Edmunds: 01284 764667.

Diss: 01379 650523.

Harleston: 01379 851917.

Stowmarket: 01449 676800.

Thetford: 01842 751975.

Wymondham: 01953 604721.

Councils

Norfolk County: 0344 800 8020.

Suffolk County: 0345 606 6067.

Breckland District: 01362 656 870.

Mid Suffolk District: 01449 724500.

St Edmundsbury District: 01284 763233.

Sth Norfolk District: 01508 533633.

Suffolk Coastal District: 01394 383789.

Attleborough Town Council: 01953 456194.

Bungay Town Council: 01986 892361.

Diss Town Council: 01379 643848.

Eye Town Council: 01379 651898.

Redenhall with Harleston Town Council: 01379 854519.

Needham Market Town Council: 01449 722246.

Stowmarket Town Council: 01449 612060.

Thetford Town Council: 01842 754247.

Watton Town Council: 01953 881007

Wymondham Town Council: 01953 603302.

Parish Councils: Call your district council for contact details.

Market Days

Attleborough: Thurs.

Beccles: Friday Bungay: Thursday.

Bury St Edmunds: Wed & Sat Diss: Friday.

Eye: Wednesday.

Framlingham: Tues & Sat. Harleston: Wednesday.

Loddon: Tuesday.

Stowmarket: Thurs & Sat. Thetford: Tues & Sat. Watton: Wednesday Wymondham: Friday.

To advertise in TakeOne, call 0787 6596865 Email: advertising@ takeonepublications. co.uk For editorial enquiries, call 0777 1461360 or email editorial@ takeonepublications. co.uk

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I thought the editor’s comment on the front page of the November edition was very thought provoking.

It is true that we should pause to remember those who gave their lives that we might enjoy our freedom.

But it is also very important that we make sure that freedom is well spent by

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helping other less fortunate than ourselves.

I have made a donation to the Stowmarket Foodbank and will also be doing something for the advent appeal for the Waveney one.

I hope others have also given as generously as they can.

Mrs C Baker, via email

Send your comments about all aspects of local life over 50 to editorial@ takeonepublications.co.uk or write to TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2LH.

Where to get us

TakeOne is available at various outlets across the district, from libraries, Tourist Information Centres, pubs, cafes, shops, garden centres and many other places as well as the following supermarkets: Sainsburys and Tesco superstores, Thetford; Sainsburys, Attleborough;

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Founder: Jean Wills Publishing editor: Steve Penny steve@takeonepublications.co.uk Tel: 0777 1461360 Newsdesk: editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk Advertising: Bungay, Diss, Eye, Harleston, Stowmarket areas: call Nigel 0786 846 1711 Attleborough, Thetford, Watton, Wymondham areas: call Roy 0791 083 4099

Asda and Co-op, Stowmarket; Morrisons, and Tesco, Diss; Morrisons and Co-op, Wymondham; Co-op, Long Stratton; and Co-op, Eye. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see the latest list of outlets.

The next edition is due out on January 25.

Be a part of the TakeOne team. All news, features and pictures are welcome.

Email editorial@ takeone publications. co.uk

Christmas/New Year 2016

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Independence begins with a set of wheels

… and send it in

By Fifty Plus

COLUMNIST: Off the Top of my Head

W

e’ve had a celebration in the family – well quite a few actually, with members hitting the ages of 18, 21, 40, 60 and 80 in the space of a few months but that’s beside the point.

At the second attempt, my eldest son has passed his driving test and what a revelation it has proved.

He passed his theory test first time a while ago but then failed his practical – not his fault he insisted!

He then decided he didn’t really need to drive anyway as he was living within a short walk of work and the train station was just round the corner.

Add to that the fact he never really felt comfortable behind a wheel, he was very much a reluctant driver.

So what changed?

He was made redundant and it dawned on him that he needed to be mobile to stand a better chance of getting a new

Competition… WIN

Son’s test pass has been a revelation.

job and then also realised that his theory test pass was due to expire. That twin assault gave him the impetus to have another go and, after a mere handful of refresher lessons he is now the proud owner of a full driving licence, as well as a car.

Not only is he now fully mobile but the mileage I’ve been doing has also come down thanks to his new independence.

Life for us all is suddenly so much easier – not that it’s helped my memory.

Twice I’ve popped round to offer him a lift, completely forgetting about his new wheels!

Snow tends to be a rare visitor to us in East Anglia but, when it does settle, it brings some stunning scenery. This photo was taken between Fressingfield and Stradbroke.

Have you taken a picture of the local area that you are proud of? Send it in to show the rest of us what a beautiful place we live in.

Email your pictures (jpeg, 500k minimum size) to editorial@takeone publications.co.uk and it will take pride of place in the next edition of TakeOne.

cat or dog food

A real lap-top dog!

Mia looks to be a very clever dog! The tri-merle rescue dog, owned by Ann Jackson, of Arlington Way, Thetford, was photographed looking up ‘Doogle’ on her computer!

The cat winner is Jasper, an eightyear-old tabby, who loves watching the world go round from the window. He belongs to Liz Tubby, of Bergh Apton. l Is your cat or dog a real talent? Husse is suppling two more bags for another competition this month.

To enter, simply send a picture of your cat or dog in suitable “prize-winning” pose before January 13 for inclusion in the next edition of TakeOne. Either email the picture, Mia busy at work on her com‘paw’ter! including the pet’s name, your name and address to editorial@ takeonepublications.co.uk or post a picture to our Facebook page – facebook.com/ Take1paper Entries are only accepted from people with a delivery address within Norfolk and Suffolk.

One cat and one dog will be chosen as the Pet of the Month.

The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winner Jasper on window watch.

Now available in Norfolk and Suffolk

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Editorial, call 0777 1461360 editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Christmas/New Year 2016

Foodbank meets a real need

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t’s a shocking and unnerving fact that the majority of us are only two weeks away from needing the services of a foodbank.

Impossible you might think but, if for any reason you suddenly lost your income and had no savings, how would you be able to afford to eat?

Benefits? Think again, the new Universal Credit System takes at least six weeks to negotiate a first payment.

Thankfully, foodbanks are springing up across the country to help those in need, with local ones serving Stowmarket & District and the Waveney Valley.

The Stowmarket one was launched in 2012 by Mike and Hazel Smith, as part of the New Life Family Church charity and, from delivering a handful of parcels per month in the early days, are now distributing up to 89 per month, with the volume increasing.

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Foodbanks are becoming an essential part of life for people from all levels of society, as TakeOne editor Steve Penny discovers during a visit to the Stowmarket and District Foodbank

The service, which is operated on behalf of Stowmarket Churches Together, has been providing to people from across the community. As well as those living in poverty and people who have lost their income, even previously well-off families have needed a helping hand.

Foodbank manager Mike said: “One of our customers had a nice home with an expensive car outside but they were in desperate need of help.

“Their bank accounts had been hacked and the bank had frozen all their accounts

Mike and Hazel Smith busy at work preparing a food parcel at the Stowmarket & District Foodbank.

so they had no access to any funds at all. We were able to help and get them through their short-term problem.

“Many food bank customers become our biggest supporters. When they get through their problems, they have been so grateful for our support and realise how effective it has been.”

The Stowmarket Foodbank

expects to delivering about 100 Christmas hampers on top of their normal weekly parcels for people in crisis.

“Changes in the benefits system are hitting people hard.

The universal credit system is coming in and many people are struggling to cope,” said Mike.

“On top of that, the summer months are always busy because families are unable

to take advantage of free school meals.”

He explained why they set up the scheme.

“We started the food bank in October 2012 when we were finding people who had needs that no-one was meeting.

“We realised it was an opportunity for us to meet those needs and help the community. It was very small

Bills can push us over the brink The Waveney Foodbank has collection points in Bungay, Diss, Harleston and Long Stratton, as well as drop-off spots in Eye and five villages.

Remarkably, more than half of the foodbank’s customers are in employment but can be left with insufficient funds to feed their families.

A foodbank spokesman said: “It does not take much to push people over the brink.

Something like an unexpected vehicle repair bill can wreck anyone’s budget and leave them with an impossible choice.”

That is where the foodbank can help to bridge the gap.

If you need help from the Waveney Foodbank there are a few simple steps to follow: Telephone them on 0845 269 1078 (calls cost 5p per minute) or email info@waveney. foodbank.org.uk The most important step is

‘Most of the foodbank centres offer a cafe-style environment and aim to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis’

Members of Diss & District Rotary Club give a helping hand to Waveney Foodbank volunteers during a pre-Christmas collection event at Tesco’s store in Diss.

to get a foodbank voucher.

In order to provide the most appropriate help, the foodbank works with local agencies.

“If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher,” said the spokesman.

“The local agency can also provide long-term support if needed to help address some of

the issues behind the reasons for your crisis.

“Agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities.”

Once you get a food voucher, take it to your nearest foodbank centre. They are in Harleston, Bungay, Diss, Long Stratton

and all villages around and between Eye and Laxfield.

A list of local centres and opening times can be viewed on the foodbank’s website – https://waveney.foodbank.org.uk When you arrive, you will be welcomed with a warm drink and trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation.

Dietary needs will also be discussed before your voucher is exchanged for a parcel of three days of emergency food.

Most of the foodbank centres offer a cafe-style environment and aim to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis.

Volunteers are needed for all departments of the Waveney Foodbank – warehouse, co-ordinators, advisors and web

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Urgent needs The Waveney Foodbank is short of stocks of: • Pasta sauce • Sugar 500g • Coffee • Tinned tomatoes • Long life fruit juice • Custard powder • Tinned vegetables • Rice pudding They have got plenty of: • Beans • Pasta • Cereal

editors. Call 0845 269 1078 (cost 5ppm) or email info@ waveney.foodbank.org.uk if you can help.

Do you have a story to tell about your support for a charity? Email editorial@takeonepublications. co.uk – Pictures welcome.

Christmas/New Year 2016

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at the start and we worked out of a small office in the Hillside Community Centre.

“We spread into the corridors and then started hiring more rooms to meet the growing demand.

“By 2014 we were distributing 485 food parcels and this year we are already 40 per cent up on the 2015 figure, which was a big jump from a year earlier.

“When we first started distributing the food parcels, people were genuinely shocked and often broke down in tears – from a mixture of relief and shame.

“It’s hard to break down the stigma but most people in the community are only two weeks away from needing our services.

“We are often asked if we deliver in a big van with “Foodbank” on the side but, no, the delivery is very discreet.

“It’s hard enough for people to ask for help without it being broadcast to their neighbours.

“A foodbank should be like

Stowmarket Foodbank’s Mike Smith has been grateful for the support of the community.

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‘I am a proud and stubborn man. However, a few weeks ago I was in a dark, dark place and had it not been for the generosity of the people whom have given and the efforts of those involved, I would have starved. It took all my courage to ask for some help and when I did, this amazing service and its beautiful people were there. It will never be forgotten and someday it will be repaid with interest’

A foodbank user any other bank. You pay in when you have a surplus and draw it out when the need arises. The only difference is it’s food and not money we offer. Why should there be any stigma in that?

“One family we delivered to had been living on jam and bread.

“We get some lovely testimonials from people who have needed our service.”

The typical breakdown of people the foodbank is helping shows 55 per cent are families, 30 per cent single males, 12 per cent single females and two per cent are groups (housing projects, shelters, etc).

Anyone in need of assistance has to go through a simple procedure to be eligible for a food parcel.

“They have to go through a professional referrer, who completes a form on their behalf and usually we can deliver food direct to them the following day,” said Mike.

“The Citizens Advice Bureau is our biggest referrer – for all ages and groups of people.

The Children’s Centre is also a big one for families with young children.

“Others include housing associations, family centres, the NHS, Victim Support, Job Centre, district councils, charities, nurseries and schools.”

The current stock at the foodbank is about 3.2 tonnes but a tonne and a half is delivered in a typical month so more is always needed.

“All our supplies come from donations – either the general public or businesses,” said Mike. “One man donated a dozen bags of sugar, reflecting the amount of weight he had lost during a diet.

“We have permanent collection points in Asda and Tesco in Stowmarket, Morrisons at Hadleigh and Co-ops in Combs Ford, Haughley, Elmswell and Needham Market as well as the village shop in Gislingham.

“A food parcel consists of dried and canned goods, plus tea/coffee, etc.

“It is given in good faith, is in date and in good condition and is a gift, not for resale.

“It is given by local people to give a helping hand at a difficult time.”

A typical delivery will consist of tinned vegetables, instant mash, pasta and sauce packets, noodles, rice, pasta, beans and spaghetti tins, ravioli/ meatballs, tinned fish, tinned pies, tinned meat, soups, cuppa soup, rice pudding, sponge puddings, Angel’s Delight, jelly, custard, jams and marmalade, biscuits, sugar, tins of fruit, toilet rolls, tea bags, coffee jars, UHT milk and cereal.

“As well as the usual list of essential foodstuff, we can also supply nappies, baby milk, gluten-free food, vegetarian options and pet food, as well as toiletries,” added Mike.

The foodbank is open Tuesday-Friday and Sunday 9am-1pm, and at

Get wiser this winter With temperatures predicted to drop to as low as -10C in some areas, older people’s charity, Independent Age, is urging older people, their families and carers to take extra care during the cold snap.

It has also revised its free advice leaflet on how to stay well in winter, called Being Winter Wise, for 2016.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics have found that an estimated 24,300 excess winter deaths occurred in England and Wales in 2015/16.

Of these, almost a third were among people aged 75 and over.

The charity says that while cold temperatures alone do not cause excess winter deaths, older people are particularly vulnerable to the cold because of other underlying

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factors, such as inadequate housing, poverty and ill health.

Being cold can be very bad for your health. Many people don’t realise that low temperatures can not only increase the risk of flu, but also the risk of heart attack or stroke.

To help older people, their families and carers get through the cold snap, Independent Age’s leaflet, Being Winter Wise, provides practical advice and tips on how to look after yourself during the coldest months.

The advice spans from eating well and staying healthy to keeping your home warm and making winter more affordable.

Independent Age chief executive Janet Morrison said: “Winter can be a testing time for older people if they don’t

have enough social, financial or emotional support in place.

“We are urging older people, their families and carers to take extra care during the cold snap.

“The government, councils and individuals all need to take more responsibility for ensuring older people are getting the support they need in winter.

“However, there are also some practical actions that can be taken to help keep your home warm and stay healthy during the winter months.

“More advice on how to cope during the winter months is available in our free Being Winter Wise leaflet.” l Being Winter Wise is free to order and download from independentage.org or call 0800 319 6789 to order a leaflet.

Members of the Stowmarket & District Foodbank team at their warehouse at the town’s Hillside Community Centre.

other times by appointment.

In addition to the help with food, at this time of year, the foodbank team also delivers special Christmas gift boxes.

These are mainly children’s toys wrapped up with a label saying what age and sex the contents are suitable for.

Mike is grateful for the volunteer support that has been offered by the community and said: “We have been extremely blessed by the kind people who help us. Getting volunteer help is not a problem, it’s having enough food all the time that we always need help with.”

The foodbank has spread beyond its original remit and now offers other community services.

“Our motto is ‘touching lives and meeting needs’ and we realised giving food wasn’t

meeting all the needs of people seeking help,” said Mike.

“We have a part-time family support worker, Caroline Davies, helping in the community because the needs went much deeper than we realised.”

That family support now includes free budgeting skills courses, a six-week parenting course and a holiday lunch club, as well as the food bank. l Full details of how the foodbank works, how to get in touch and what foodstuffs are in demand are available on the free-to-download app – search ‘Stowmarket Foodbank’ in your app store.

To get in touch with Stowmarket & District Foodbank, call 01449 774000 or visit the website – www. livingit.org.uk/foodbank

Thriving U3A was reason for moving As 2016 draws to a decidedly chilly close, membership of Harleston U3A stands at 148.

Many of the group’s members have enjoyed individual interest group Christmas celebrations as well as the main social event at the Masonic Rooms in December.

At one of these celebratory “jollies”, press officer Chris Lucas asked a couple of newcomers to the town about coming to live in Harleston.

“I was not really surprised to hear that the existence of a thriving U3A was a deciding factor in the decision about where to spend

retirement,” he said. “‘We wanted to find lots to do and plenty of like-minded people who share our interests’,” they told me.

“Suppose Harleston had not had a U3A?” he asked. “‘Well then, we probably would have moved to Diss or Beccles!’” was the reply.

If you are no longer in full-time employment and are determined to thoroughly enjoy life, find out more about Harleston U3A by contacting membership secretary, Kim, 01986 788149 or visit the u3asites.org.uk/harleston website.

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Editorial, call 0777 1461360 editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Christmas/New Year 2016

Naval aid for street pastors

By Chris Dawes editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk Twitter: @Take1paper

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team of volunteers offering support and assistance to vulnerable people on the streets of Stowmarket have been given some help of their own.

Wishing to show support, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas, Stowmarket Royal Naval Association has made a donation of £100 to Stowmarket’s Town Pastors.

The town pastors have been operating in Stowmarket for six years, looking out for and supporting vulnerable people, giving assistance where appropriate and providing a

Adele’s lists are classic arrangements

‘The Town pastors look out for and support vulnerable people, giving assistance where appropriate and providing a presence of friendliness and care’ presence of friendliness and care so that people can enjoy their night out.

They currently operate on Fridays from 8pm until about midnight.

Town pastors chairman Tony Ciorra said he was very grateful for the donation and heartened by the support shown to the Pastors for their work.

The town pastors are not affiliated to any specific

Tony Ciorra (centre) of Stowmarket’s Town Pastors accepts Stowmarket RNA’s donation from Steve Searle.

Christian denomination, with their administrative office based at St Peter and St Mary’s Church Stowmarket.

To contact the co-ordinator, call 07850 310411 or email info@stowmarkettownpastors. org.uk l The Battle of Trafalgar may have taken place on October 21, 1805, but every year since, either on the day, or as near as possible to it, every Royal Navy ship or establishment held a mess dinner.

It is not only to celebrate a British victory over the combined French and Spanish fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, but to honour Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson who died in battle on board his flagship HMS Victory.

Two hundred and eleven years later, to the day, Stowmarket Royal Naval Association held its inaugural Trafalgar Night Dinner, with 54 guests. The event helped raise money for the Poppy Appeal.

Resolving to spread the knowledge Do not be put off by the grand title of University of the Third Age, writes Christiane Banton.

The original meaning of ‘university’ is ‘coming together for the pleasure of learning’.

At the U3A, ‘students’ learn from each other. And they all know more than they think!

At the end of a long life full of different experiences, why not share with others what we are good at or learning new things we never had time for?

And you can relax – there will be no exam at the end of it!

With Thetford U3A’s 46 interest groups, there is plenty of choice and no need to ever get bored.

You want to learn a new language or refresh your language skills? Thetford U3A offers French, Spanish and German.

Do you want to play games with like-minded people? Try

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Members of Thetford U3A pictured during a recent visit to Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire.

mahjong, bridge or Scrabble.

You are creative? There are painting, calligraphy, card making, handicrafts, woodwork, marquetry, music, photography, cookery and gardening groups.

You need to exercise? Choose between short or long walks, short tennis, badminton, cycling, indoor bowls and tennis.

With Thetford U3A you can go on trips too (holidays, day trips or industrial tourism) and if you like arguing, then the

politics and topical discussion group may be for you!

There are many more groups to join, so make Thetford U3A your New Year Resolution to change your life by learning something new or passing on

1

something you know, making new friends and enjoying life.

For more information visit www.thetfordu3a.org or go to the next monthly talk, which is on Thursday, January 26, 1.45pm at the Carnegie Room.

Tell us about your club and what you’ve been up to.

Email editorial@takeonepublications. co.uk – Pictures welcome.

Old Buckenham Village Hall was again full of enthusiastic flower arrangers and gardeners for the November meeting of Breckland Flower and Garden Club.

With the weather changing and growing increasingly colder, a warm welcome was given to Adele Kent as she made a return visit to the club to present her demonstration titled I Have a Little List.

Most of us make lists – shopping lists, to do lists, do not forget list, etc.

Adele has a wish list and, using foliage and flowers, she created it. The first arrangement was a meadow using grasses and gerberas, the second a kitchen garden using a wooden trellis, apples and beautiful red roses, the third a herbaceous border, with tall blooms at the back and shorter at the front (as they should be but often aren’t) followed by a classical design, a Hogarth curve and a tropical garden.

While delighting members with her flower arranging, Adele also shared family memories and the new love in her life, her granddaughter.

Once again several members went home with beautiful arrangements as raffle prizes.

Winner of November’s Autumn Glory competition was Jean Carnwell.

Entries were – Novice: Linda Cambell, Jo Connelly and Jean Carnwell. Table, Dried Preserved Collection: Jean Carnwell, Sylvia Briggs, Christine Hewson.

Sadly, a mention for committee members Sheila Bullen, who lost her mum at the age of 99 years. Club members’ thoughts are with her and her family at this time.

The club’s next meeting is at Old Buckenham Village Hall on December 8, 2pm. This is a members-only meeting. l To learn more about the club, contact Christine 01953 454528 or Sally 01953 788712.

Have yourself a very Christmassy shortbread!

Here’s a very festive biscuit to enjoy!

Ingredients 250g plain flour 125g corn flour 250g unsalted butter (softened) 125g caster sugar (plus extra for sprinkling) 125g luxury mincemeat 20g flaked almonds 20g dried cranberries Recipe supplied by the Harleston Cake and Bake Brigade.

Method 1 Preheat the oven to 160ºC and grease and line a 29cm x 13cm tin with baking parchment.

2 Place the flour, butter, corn flour and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture comes together to form a soft, claylike dough.

Press half the dough firmly into the lined tin in an even layer. Spread the mincemeat over the dough.

3 On a piece of parchment, shape the remaining dough to fit over the

mincemeat, tip into place, pushing the edges together using your fingertips, cover with the flaked almonds and stud with the dried cranberries.

4 Bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until the shortbread is a pale golden colour.

5 Sprinkle with caster sugar and leave to cool for 15 minutes in the tin.

Then mark out portions.

Leave to cool completely before serving.

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Garden tips and advice.

Brought to you courtesy of:

Brush up for winter’s chill It’s time to get your garden ready for winter. GRAHAM PETTITT has lots of advice to make your jobs easier.

W

ith autumn turning to winter, the harvesting period in the garden is coming to an end.

However, there are still a few things that need to be done before winter arrives.

If you have some tender plants still outside, then get them into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory quickly.

With the greenhouse, make sure that any broken panes are replaced and insulate it with bubble plastic.

Make sure any heater is working and switched on and off at the desired temperatures.

At this time of year, temperature can fluctuate wildly with sun forcing up temperature, while nights can be extremely cool.

Opening vents during the day helps circulate air, while reducing high temperatures. Remember to close them mid-afternoon to trap the last of the heat for overnight.

Also, cut back on watering. If you need to water, do it in the early morning so that excess moisture is evaporated during the day and help prevent grey mould on susceptible plants.

In the garden, it’s time to clean up the garden furniture. Plastic chairs and tables can do with a scrub with hot soapy water but wooden furniture needs a good stiff brush and treating with wood preserving oil.

Clean up the lawn mower before you put it away for the winter. Clean off the grass remnants from underneath as

Treat wooden furniture with preserving oil.

well as on top too and book the annual service so it’s ready for next season.

It’s important with petrol powered mowers to get the oil changed and the blades sharpened and re-balanced.

Clean up paths and patios, removing algae and moss before they become slippery in the winter and preventing damage to surfaces during frosty weather.

If you have wooden decking, keep this

Now is the time to give any failing hedges a helping hand to enable them to deliver a splash of colour next year.

clean as this type of surface becomes very slippery and dangerous when wet.

Fork over the garden beds and borders to break up the surface and relieve compaction that impedes drainage of water from around plants. If the water can soak into the ground, it’s less damaging to the plants over winter and help soil erosion of washing soil on to paths or lawns.

Now is the time to plant a new hedge or fill in the gaps of an existing one.

Bare root plants are available from most good garden centres and are much cheaper than pot-grown plants.

If you have gaps to fill in, you can replant with the same species of plant or add variation to the hedge by mixing different native plants to provide colour and flower variation to an otherwise dull green hedge.

Gelder rose, rosa rugosa, hawthorn, blackthorn, dogwood and field maple all add interest to hedgerow and provide flowers for nectar to feed bees and pollinating insects, with fruits later in the year for birds and other wildlife.

Honeysuckle or periwinkle makes a good filler at the base of the hedge too.

If your hedge is thin or leggy, clean out any weeds or rubbish, dead leaves, etc, from underneath. Then, with a digging fork, loosen the soil and add a good thick layer of well-rotted manure or compost.

Then next spring this should help improve the hedge.

Lastly, as this is the final column of 2016, I would like to thank you for your interest over the year and wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and Healthy Prosperous New Year.

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We are read by more than 30,000 people in a 400-square-mile area of the Norfolk/Suffolk border and have more than 230 pick-up points from Thetford and Watton to Bungay and from Attleborough and Wymondham to Stowmarket and Needham Market.

Midlife is no longer a crisis but an opportunity because, far from slowing down, people of the older generation are rebooting and kick-starting their lifestyles.

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Edition 10: Summer 2016

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EYE The Bank Cocoa Mama cafe Co-op, Church Street The Handyman Library HARLESTON Apiary cafe Budgens Bullock Fair charity shops Cherry Tree Vets Cutting Corner Eats ’n’ Easel tea shop Genty’s barber Harleston Information Plus Jackaman solicitor Library Mark’s Cafe No 21 The Salon Swan Hotel X-Change Tea Rooms Yakety Yak Tea Rooms

NEEDHAM MARKET Alder Carr Farm cafe Angel Tea Room Barber Stop Co-op, town centre Faith Hair Salon Fine & Country estate agent Haas Hair In Harmony beauty salon Library Limes Hotel Loose Ends hair Needham Market Dental Practice Neil’s Hair Salon Roots & Shoots tea room, Badley

STOWMARKET Age Concern Andrew Bingham Funeral Home Asda Bury House Dental Practice The Chip Inn, Combs Ford Co-op, Combs Ford Costa Dorden Hair Fashion, Wolsey Road Fisherman’s Basket, Wolsey Road Green & Seager accountants Greggs cafe Hillside Community Centre John Peel Centre Library Lime Tree cafe Meadlands Club Mid Suffolk Tourist Info Centre Molly’s Top2Toe The Osier cafe Paul’s barbers Pickwicks cafe Realistic Futures Centre The Salon, Bury Street Stowmarket RBL Stowmarket Town Council Studio 19 Tall Orders cafe Turkish Barber, Old Fox Yard

Harleston Primary School EcoRangers came first in the Norfolk and Norwich EcoSchools awards. Read about their work to help the town’s swifts in the carnival programme, inside this edition of TakeOne.

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Singing Thank you for your support, star reveals whether you are a reader, advertiser determi how or correspondent. Withoutlive you we nation helped her her dream wouldn’t be here!

Pages It is always lovely to hear your words 24/5 of encouragement. We’re only a small team and it makes a difference to know the service we provide is appreciated.

If you use any of the businesses that advertise with us, be sure to tell them you read about them in TakeOne. As well as our usual 200-plus outlets, we are trying something different with this edition. As part of our support of the Harleston & Waveney Festival, we are delivering 3,000 extra copies to all homes and businesses in the town.

We can do something similar for your major event – saving you the cost of printing a separate publication.

We can also arrange door-to-door deliveries as well as letting you have a stock of your own copies to do as you like. All free to you.

All we ask is that you give us plenty of notice and that you have local businesses willing to advertise.

Email office@takeonepublications. co.uk to talk to us about it – there’s no obligation.

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Diss Chiropractic Centre Diss Dental Health Centre Diss Laundrette Diss Publishing cafe Doctor’s surgery Fairchilds Tea Rooms Greggs Katie’s Kitchen Library Magenta Hair Studio Man About Town Market Place Fish and Chips Mere Moments Morrisons Park Hotel Photo Elite Pizza Plus Pretty’s Garage Sophies coffee shop Simonds Coaches Tesco Time Out cafe Tourist Information Centre You Can Brew it

or WIN tea for two at award-winning tea shop Pages 41 and 47

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ATTLEBOROUGH Bailey’s Tea Room The Coffee Lounge Courtyard Tea Room Cutting Room Cutz Darren Wright Hair DK’s Coffee House Goldstar Cafe Hair Exchange Headlines Holly Court Just4Men barber’s Leigh’s Barber Shop Library Norfolk Country Kitchen Oasis World Peace Cafe Sainsbury’s Shapla Restaurant Studio A hair salon Susan’s Workbasket Tourist Information Centre Trimmers

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Best wishes for the festive season to all our readers and advertisers from the team at TakeOne – your support is much appreciated.

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est we forget, Novemb month er to contemp for remembrance; is the by generatiolate the sacrifices a time made ns of people of peace. in pursuit The shame is that not been learned andlessons have are still a sorry part war and famine 21st Century, of life in the But it is not only that hardship on foreign a daily basis. is being encountefields red on people are Even in our own streets, going In this edition hungry. of TakeOne as a tribute , as well the First to an 11-ton veteran World War feature two (page 7), of off hunger foodbanks, helpingwe also for stave families Norfolk througho and chance to Suffolk. It includes ut the ‘reverse do your bit by fi Advent calendar lling a Elsewhe ’ box growing re, we look at the (p6). phenome built to increase non of Men’s local commun social interactioSheds, ities. n in We also Garrett, have a chat with telling the Lesley has been inspired tale of how parents worked by the way she her hard most of their lives. to make the Sport features prominen boxing, tly bowls and a multi-tal Brazil, with ented equestria as well as Read, contemp n. late and enjoy!

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THETFORD Costa Doctor’s, School Lane Greggs cafe Healthy Living Centre and cafe Laburnum Grove Library Sainsbury’s Tall Orders cafe Tanner Street Pharmacy Tesco Thetford Garden Centre Thetford Leisure Centre Tourist Information Centre WATTON Library Dragonfly Gallery, Wayland House Sport Centre Richmond Golf Club Esso Garage, Brandon Road WYMONDHAM Aristocrats Hair Salon The Beauty Retreat Bentley’s Barber The Coffee Shop Co-op Courtyard Coffee House The Garden Tea Rooms Hair Assign Kutz Rebellion Lemon Tree cafe Library Mad Hatter’s Tea Room Marolas hair salon Morrisons No.5 Hair Salon Poppa John barber Railway Inn Tourist Information Centre Ultimate Touch beauty salon Wymondham Town Council offices Wymondham Vets PLUS Bacton – Village Stores, Finbow’s Yard (EmZo cafe, hairdresser, Mid-Suffolk Mobility) Banham – Post Office Billingford – The Horseshoes

Botesdale/Rickinghall – Co-op Brome – Brome Grange Debenham – Co-op, Fish and Chips, Library, Neaves butcher, Vanilla tea room, Websters newsagent East Harling – George & Dragon, Village Stores, Swallow Aquatics Tea Room Garboldisham – Village Stores Gislingham – The Stores Finningham – White Horse Great Finborough – Chestnut Horse Haughley – Haughley Vets, Little Village Salon, Post Office, Palmers Bakery Hingham – Dionne Newsagents Larling – The Angel public house Long Stratton – Co-op Mendlesham – Premier Stores, Chilli Farm Cafe on the A140 Old Buckenham – Village Stores Onehouse – Charisma Hair, Lakeside Cafe Pulham Market – Cherry Lane Garden Centre, A140 Pulham St Mary – Pennoyers Centre Roydon – Garage and Stores Saham Toney – Wells Cole Community Centre Stonham Barns – Garden Centre, Golf Centre, Post Office, Teapot Pottery, Village Store Stowupland – Mr Allard’s Farm Shop cafe Swainsthorpe – Sugar Beat pub Thornham – Four Horseshoes, The Forge Cafe at Thornham Walks Woolpit – Woolpit & Stowmarket Physiotherapy Clinic Wortham – Tea Shop Yaxley – Cherry Tree pub and –various takeaways and fast food outlets throughout the area. or – www.takeonepublications.co.uk If you can’t see a copy, please ask at the counter, or let us know and we will get some more out. If you would like to stock copies or know somewhere suitable, email office@takeonepublications.co.uk

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Spotlight on…

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Christmas

It’s treat time!

Advertising feature

Business Focus…

D

iss Garden Centre & Discount Pet Store is a family owned independent company, which has the ethos of good quality products, good value for money and good customer service.

The staff are friendly, helpful and pride themselves on good knowledge.

With Christmas near, there is a wide range of gift ideas, for the gardener in your family.

From simple row markers at a cost of a few pence to large top-quality tools.

The pet shop also has a wide selection of pet-related gifts and treats for your favourite cat or dog.

There is a wide range of house-plants and seasonal plants such as cyclamen, poinsettias, orchids and hyacinths bowls plus specially prepared gift plant arrangements in a variety of pots and containers.

Gift vouchers are available from £5 upwards so, if you’re not sure what to buy, then with a gift voucher the recipient can spend it on something of their choice.

In store is the Christmas grotto with a wide selection of artificial Christmas trees, decorations and festive lights to help trim up your home.

Prefer a ‘real’ Christmas tree? Then stocked are Norway, Nordman and Blue Spruce varieties, these are freshly cut from two to 12-foot or there are pot grown and potted trees from one-foot to five-foot in stock.

Want something taller? Let them know and they can usually get one at the height you require. All the trees are grown locally and travel less than 20 miles, being freshly cut each week.

Finally, there is fresh cut holly and mistletoe to help trim up your home and get a kiss from someone special.

Do you fancy letting your hair down or just treating yourself to somewhere special this festive season?

The Brome Grange Hotel has a wide

range of options available – whether you are seeking a party night for a large group or just a cosy table for two to enjoy a festive afternoon tea.

With excellent leisure facilities on site, stay over the night and pamper yourself with a wide range of treatments.

What to get that petrol head in your life? Those awesome motors on Top Gear and its ilk are beyond the pocket of many of us but, what if we could just have them for a day or two?

No problem, 4x4 Vehicle Hire is here to help with luxury Range Rover and Land Rover vehicles for hire across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Whether you need that touch of class for business, holidays in the UK or Europe, weddings, towing or just for some plain and simple fun, get in touch!

Christmas is an expensive time of the year but we might all have the key to making more of it hidden away at home.

Corner Shop Collectables are offering cash today for your old silver and gold.

Unused watches or jewellery gathering dust on a shelf? Medals tucked away in a drawer? They might be worth more than you think.

Give Corner Shop Collectables a call for a free valuation with the option to sell for cash and treat yourself!

– Please support our advertisers and don’t forget to tell them where you read about them –

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The Way Things were…

Wartime evacuee returns to town after 75 years

By Steve Penny editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk Twitter: @Take1paper

S

ix months living in Diss have created a lifetime of memories for 90 year old Lucy Chamberlain.

Lucy was evacuated to the South Norfolk town from Plaistow, in London’s East End, during the Second World War. And now, about 75 years later, Lucy has returned to explore her wartime haunts.

She lived above a butcher’s shop and worked at Aldrich’s brush factory.

She told her tale to Jane Trippett-Jones, proprietor of the Angel Cafe, in Fair Green, during a return visit to the town.

“It was an absolute pleasure meeting Lucy and her son and daughter in law,” said Jane.

“She had come to Diss to have

Lucy Chamberlain was back in Diss 75 years after living in the town with her family as Second World War evacuees.

‘I remember getting chilblains on my feet and the foreman would let me get warm by the fire in his office’ Lucy Chamberlain

CONTRACTORS TO H.M GOVERNMENT

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WE WILL GIVE YOU AT LEAST MORE THAN SCRAP VALUE AND IN SOME CASES UP TO 10 TIMES MORE WHY NOT GIVE US A TRY FIRST FOR ANY REDUNDANT PLANT & EQUIPMENT YOU HAVE FOR DISPOSAL GOOD, BAD OR UGLY! RACKING, SHELVING, PUMPS, COMPRESSORS, GENERATORS, BEARINGS, CABINETS, STEEL STOCK, TOOLS & HARDWARE OF ALL TYPES. WE ARE FULLY LICENSED BY THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY AND HAVE BEEN AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS FOR OVER 40 YEARS WE WILL COLLECT AND PAY BEFORE WE LEAVE IN CASH OR IF YOU WISH CHEQUE, ACCOUNT OR BACS. I LIVE ABOVE THE PREMISES SO CAN OFFER A 24-7 SERVICE IF REQUIRED

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a look as they were visiting nearby.

She still lives in Plaistow and so, very coincidentally, did the next customer who walked in!

“Naturally we introduced them.”

Lucy was evacuated to Diss with her father and mother Henry and Lilian Damrill and sisters Dolly, Rose, Jean, Maisie and baby Ellen.

“We lived in an empty butcher’s shop called Ribbons in Denmark Street,” said Lucy “I can remember it being cold, so it was probably winter time in 1940/41 as I was 14 and my older sister Dolly was 15.

“It was our first job, working in the factory that made coconut mats.”

Lucy said it felt like a long walk from the shop to the factory because they wore men’s brogue shoes that her mother had given them.

“We pushed a wheelbarrow filled with coloured strings that were used to make the coconut mats,” said Lucy.

“I remember getting chilblains on my feet and the foreman would let me get warm by the fire in his office, before going back to work.

“I also remember coming home and listening to the radio. I think it was The Man in Black (who narrated Appointment With Fear), which would scare us before going to bed.”

After six months in Diss, the family moved to Watford, although Lucy now lives back in her childhood neighbourhood in Plaistow.

An appeal on the Diss and District Facebook page saw other readers get in touch with their evacuee memories.

Diane Boucher said: “I keep in contact with a lady who was an evacuee with my

Lucy, back row centre, with her sisters Dolly, Rose, Jean and Maisie are pictured a couple of years before they were evacuated to Diss.

‘I think she thought she had found a little bit of heaven when she came to Diss!’

Audrey Palmer grandparents during the Second World War. She is now 87.”

Karen Gurr’s mother (Jean Price) was evacuated to Palgrave with her two brothers (they were triplets) from East Ham. Karen said: “She remembers vividly going by train to Mellis, then by bus to Palgrave. They were the last three to be picked as no one wanted three children, so Mrs Ford took the two boys and Mrs Pearson took my mother.”

Audrey Palmer’s family were evacuees from London and she said; “My older brothers and sisters were sent on a train to Diss with their name tags on them.

“My mother came later to find them.

“London was a rubble when she left and she never went back.

“I think she thought she had found a little bit of heaven when she came to Diss!”

But the welcome in Diss was not warm from everyone as Audrey added: “Some hoity people used to call us ‘those evacuees’.” l Do you have any evacuee tales to tell? Did you, or your parents have to relocate during the war? What do you remember about Ribbons butcher’s shop or the brush factory in the 1940s? Write to Memories, TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2LH or email editorial@takeonepublications. co.uk

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13

Our ’Enry was a real legend

by Ralph Oates

O

Former Guinness World Record and British Board of Boxing Control history expert Ralph Oates writes exclusively for TakeOne.

‘Cooper made history by being the first boxer to win three Lonsdale Belts outright’

This time Ali was the holder of the WBC version of the world heavyweight crown and putting the title on the line against his British opponent.

Cooper put up a bold challenge for the championship but failed in his bid once again due to a badly cut left eye when the bout was stopped in the sixth round.

Cooper may have failed to win the world heavyweight crown but he achieved so much in the paid ranks during his career.

He not only won the British and Empire heavyweight titles but also the European crown on three separate occasions.

Cooper made history by being the first boxer to win three Lonsdale Belts outright.

There is now a rule that a fighter can only win one Lonsdale belt outright in the same weight division so his record is obviously safe.

COLUMNIST: Short jabs

n the night of June 18, 1963, the then reigning British and Empire heavyweight champion Henry Cooper almost caused a major boxing upset.

Our ’Enry dumped American Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) who was undefeated in 18 bouts on the seat of his pants.

This event took place courtesy of Cooper’s famed left hook, known as ’Enry’s Ammer in round four at Wembley.

The knock down came just at the end of the round so Cooper wasn’t able to capitalise on his success.

Ali thus had time to recover in his corner and ended the fight in round five with Cooper being badly cut over his left eye.

The pair duly met again on May 21, 1966, at Highbury.

Henry Cooper visiting the Hall of Fame.

It should not be forgotten that Cooper was also awarded the OBE and KSG and was the

A positive focus

By Animo

COLUMNIST: This Sporting Life

I have recently returned from a month in Perth, Australia, where I was competing in an athletics championship and then playing the tourist.

It was spring out there, and it was very curious to be seeing Christmas lights and decorations against an intense blue sky and in the searing heat of the sun.

Many of the images depicted still featured tradition English winter icons, like snowmen and frosted fir trees – the latter was particularly strange when one considered the radiant beauty and vibrant colours of the local vegetation. (Google “Australian Christmas Tree” Nuytsia Floribunda to see what I mean!)

Temperatures were in the high 20s and rising and, if it hadn’t been for the strong winds and the persistent, annoying flies, it would have been paradise.

Yes, that is a typical Grumpy Old Woman comment.

When we landed back in the UK, despite the frosty, sunny morning and glorious autumnal colours that accompanied our journey home, all I

‘I saw a message on a website, which … reminded me: “From black clouds also falls clean, fresh rain”.’

could focus on was the cold, and the weather forecast for the next interminable days of grey skies, drizzle, and dreariness.

Then I saw a message on a Spanish website I frequent, which, translated, reminded me: “From black clouds also falls clean, fresh rain.”

Looking back, generally, I think many people would say 2016 was not the best of years.

There was much political upheaval, wars, natural disasters, unrest and discontent.

It seemed to be a year when, weekly, we learned of the death of another iconic figure (must be our age).

But there was also, for me, the euphoria of GB’s Olympic success (and, yes, my own two medals from the World Championships in Perth), and a wonderful family weekend at my niece’s wedding.

How easy it is to be sucked in by the gloom and doom and use it as an excuse for battening down the hatches and contemplating not bothering; and no more so than over Christmas/New Year when there are so many distractions and opportunities for indulgence.

Let us not forget, though, that our well being and happiness are ultimately in our own hands and this is also the time to make a fresh start, catch the cleansing, refreshing rain, and focus on the positive.

Mens sana in corpore sano. Or, to put it another way: ANIMO!

Picture: LES CLARK.

first, and so far the only, British boxer to be knighted.

During his career, Cooper

mixed with a number of good fighters including Muhammad Ali (twice), Ingemar Johansson, Floyd Patterson, Zora Folley (twice), Karl Mildenberger, Joe Erskine (five times) Brian London (three times), Joe Bygraves (twice), Dick Richardson (twice), Piero Tomasoni, Jose Urtain, Jack Bodell (twice), Johnny Prescott, Billy Walker and Joe Bugner.

Cooper started his career in the punch for pay ranks on September 14, 1954, at Harringay against Harry Painter. He quickly dispatched his opponent in round one by way of a knockout.

The curtain came down on Cooper’s career at Wembley on March 16, 1971, when he lost his British, Commonwealth (formerly called Empire) and European titles to Bugner on points over 15 rounds.

Cooper thus compiled a record of 55 bouts with 40 wins, 14 defeats and one draw.

Our ’Enry was born on May 3, 1934, and died two days before his 77th birthday in 2011 and was a credit to British boxing and, indeed, sport in general.

Read more from Takeone’s boxing columnist, Ralph Oates.

His latest book The Noble Art of Heavyweight Boxing, published by Robert Hale, is out now.

Get this book from www.halebooks.com, enter discount code ‘Boxing15’ at checkout and buy for the discounted price £15 + free p&p

Robert Hale Ltd Clerkenwell House 45-47 Clerkenwell Green London EC1R 0HT Tel: 020 7251 2661

ISBN: 978-0-7198-1743-4 Published: August 2015 RRP: £17.99

www.halebooks.com

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Bowled over by a master

T

he World Indoor Bowls Championships get under way at Potters Resort on the Norfolk coast on January 12.

Masters of the sport will be floating their bowls down the lush blue carpet to rest within millimetres of the jack.

It looks easy doesn’t it…

Even local club players’ smooth action sees their ’woods’ glide down the green towards the jack.

So what were my bowls

‘What were my bowls doing careering off at tangents into the ditch, petering out barely halfway down the green or drifting aimlessly long after doing an impression of a Dambusters’ raid?’

‘My first bowl curled gracefully to the jack… and whizzed past it to land in the ditch behind’

Bowls can’t be that hard a sport to get the hang of, can it?

TakeOne editor Steve Penny gets a masterclass from one of the world’s top players, GREG HARLOW, into the basics of the game doing careering off at tangents into the ditch, petering out barely halfway down the green or drifting aimlessly long after doing an impression of a Dambusters’ raid?

An hour later thanks to a masterclass from current world No.4 Greg Harlow on one of Potters’ 14 immaculate indoor rinks, I was getting the hang of things and mastering the basics.

I was co-ordinated after all

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Watch and learn. Greg Harlow demonstrates the way to play.

and even managed to outdraw the 2006 and 2012 world No.1 in one end (the fact he only played one bowl to my four was besides the point and that one of those was sitting hidden

in the ditch) However, my novice challenge obviously helped Greg’s preparation for the following week’s Scottish Open Championship, where he

successfully defended his title as he continues to climb back up the rankings, having only once been outside the top two between 2006 and 2012.

There is far more to the game than meets the eye.

After going through the basics and showing me how to hold the bowl and explaining how the bias works, Greg watched as my first bowl curled gracefully to the jack… and whizzed past it to land in the ditch behind.

My second followed a similar line but I had overcorrected and it finished nearer to me than the target but, Greg insisted, was in an ideal position to act as a guide for my next shot.

Sure enough, it was third time lucky as my next effort nestled comfortably alongside the jack.

It does take a lot of getting used to. Aiming your bowl well away from the jack, using its position purely to judge the distance.

Indeed, the aiming point is often as far as two lanes away due to the nature of

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the curl from the bias.

Some players actually pick a spot high on the wall, while others choose a mark on the carpet a few feet in front of them and don’t look up at all.

“It’s whatever suits you best,” said Greg. “None of them is wrong or right, it’s just what you feel most comfortable with.”

The slightest change of direction or pace has a huge effect on the final position of the bowl.

“At your stage of playing, it’s all about trial and error and working out how to avoid over or under compensating,” explained Greg.

“Much of that cannot be taught or explained.

“Even after 30-plus years playing I struggle to explain what makes a good shot. It just ‘feels’ right.”

The next end saw me got quite a few bowls to something like the correct area and you could throw an, admittedly large, “virtual” blanket over all four and the jack.

Having got a vague idea of what I was doing, Greg tormented me by making the next end much shorter and somehow stifled his sniggers as my swagger disappeared rapidly as my bowls went merrily on their way past the object of my aim.

Then came the chance to “let loose” with some driving practice.

Greg placed the jack between two bowls barely 10 inches apart at a distance of 30-plus metres from the mat, where I looked in vain for binoculars.

But Greg showed his eyesight and aim was in no need of artificial assistance, driving his bowl expertly between the two others to send it and the jack crashing into the ditch.

My first attempt was surprisingly accurate, worrying the right-hand bowl enough to perhaps make it quiver.

No such luck with the following three though, which all careered wildly wide.

Greg explained all the intricacies of both draw and drive shots, as well as the differences of bias, size and weight between various bowls and the importance of tactics to either keep you in the game or put your opponent under pressure.

He then pressed the importance of how much muscle memory helps once you get the feel of the green.

“Every green is different,

‘My swagger disappeared rapidly as my bowls went merrily on their way past the object of my aim’

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Over to you. Greg Harlow keeps an eye on Steve Penny’s first attempts at bowling and just about keeps a straight face!

even the indoor ones will change during the day,” he explained.

That is especially the case during the World Championships in which Greg will be competing.

He gets no “home” track knowledge though, the green is built from scratch and

he will only get the same practice opportunities of the other players.

As for any “world title” ambitions of my own, Greg

‘Every green is different, even the indoor ones and will change during the day Greg Harlow

thought I’d done well as a complete novice and suggested a block of six sessions would be enough to get me started and able to play socially.

Then it would be a case of playing in a few “roll up” sessions to start to get competitive and with three of four of those under my

belt I might stand a chance of playing a useful part in a team.

But for now, my bowls experience will involve watching Greg and his colleagues go for world glory at Potters, wishing him every success as he aims to reclaim his place at the top of the global rankings.

WIN a two-night break to see world’s top bowls stars From Friday, January 13, until Sunday, January 29, 2017, Potters Resort welcomes the world to Hopton-on-Sea as it rolls out its famous blue carpet to host the 2017 Just World Indoor Bowls Championships.

Hosting the thrilling international championships for the 19th year in its impressive blue 1,100 seat International Arena, Potters Resort is a hive of activity with 17 non-stop days of bowls action and players and spectators from all over the world.

It’s the only world championship final to be held in East Anglia and the final week is televised live by the BBC. TakeOne has teamed up with Potters Resort to offer one lucky reader a two-night World Bowls Weekend ShowBreak for two people, starting Friday, January 13, 2017.

As well as premier world bowls action, the winner will enjoy comfortable accommodation, four meals a day and live evening entertainment from Potters Theatre Company in the state-of-the-art Atlas theatre.

Plus, every break at Potters Resort includes use of the inclusive sports and leisure facilities, including two swimming pools, tennis, climbing walls and daily activities.

Why not have a go at quizzes, dance classes or archery?

The two-night World Bowls Weekend ShowBreak also includes an invitation to the Annual World Bowls Tour Awards and Gala Dinner.

With the top names in bowls attending, it’s set to be a star-studded night.

Just a short drive away from the TakeOne readership area, Potters Resort has inclusive short breaks available featuring the Singles Championship, World Pairs Championship, Mixed Pairs Championship and Ladies Matchplay.

Bowls enthusiasts know this is a must-see event and is an opportunity to stay in the heart of the action with one-night breaks starting from as little as £124 per person. Day tickets are also available from just £5.

For information on this or any other break at Potters Resort, call the friendly reservations team on 0333 3207 497 or

visit www.pottersholidays.com To enter this competition for the chance to win a two-night break for two, simply tell us how many years Potters Resort will have held the World Indoor Bowls Championships by 2017?

Is it – a) 1 year; b) 19 years; or c) 10 years Send your answer with your name and contact details to: Bowls Competition, TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2LH, or email editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk to arrive no later than Friday, December 30, 2016.

Terms and Conditions – The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The break cannot be exchanged for another date or a cash alternative.

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Spotlight on…

Capital trip is a rocking great ride

by Steve Penny editorial@ takeonepublications.co.uk

T

akeOne went back to the classroom and had a rockin’ good time in London, courtesy of Galloway Travel, who offer a variety of excursions, as well as longer breaks and holidays.

New on their list is a day trip to see a West End show in London, including a three-course meal or pub lunch.

On the menu for me was a visit to Cafe Rouge in Covent Garden, followed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of

‘The show was magnificent, a real treat, and the meal was excellent, making the whole package a real value-for-money experience’

Rock production at the New London Theatre.

And what a trip it was – a real delight from pick-up to drop-off.

No worries about driving into London and paying an arm and a leg for a parking spot, or suffering the vagaries of public transport; no concerns about what and where to eat and a door step pick-up after the show before heading back to Suffolk cocooned in our luxury leather seats.

The show was magnificent, a real treat, and the meal was excellent, making the whole package a real value-for-money experience.

Our friendly driver told us about some of the landmarks on our way through London – pointing out Bow Church, famous for its bells and

David Fynn, as Dewey Finn, rocks on with his class of junior rock stars.

Cockney authority; the Royal London Hospital (home to the Elephant Man in the 1800s) and we also caught glimpses of St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, the Shard, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, all while enjoying a generous dose of people watching. Life in London is a real entertainment,

viewed from the windows of a coach.

Early arrival at our destination offered the chance for a walk through Covent Garden Market before settling down to a delicious Frenchstyle meal at Cafe Rouge.

Galloways are offering a Diner Card for £20, which

includes a three-course meal with drink at a variety of restaurants.

Alternatively, for £14, you can buy a pub card for the same deal at a range of pubs in the vicinity.

After the hearty meal, it was the turn of the main course – the stunning new School of

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17

… Galloway Travel West End trip ‘The road from classroom to stage is littered with plenty of laughs and some stunning musicianship from the class of nine to 13-year-olds’ Rock musical, a collaboration between Lloyd Webber and Julian Fellowes, among others.

It is based on the film of the same name and follows the hilarious antics of failed wannabe rock star Dewey Finn, who decides to earn some money to cover his rent by posing as a supply teacher at a prestigious prim and proper prep school.

There he turns a class of straight-A pupils into a hard-rocking, mind-blowing rock band.

Will he manage it, will they win the coveted Battle of the Bands competition, will he get found out?

You’ll have to go to find out but, suffice to say, the road from classroom to stage is littered with plenty of laughs, some stunning musicianship from the class of nine to 13-year-olds, who really do play the instruments, and a whole-hearted, energetic performance from lead actor David Fynn.

Part of the running gag throughout the three-hour-show (with 30 minute interval) is that he is a little on the plump side.

The exuberance and energy he puts into every scene will see him in need of padding before too long though.

While Fynn is the central character, it is the gang of a dozen-or-so children who steal the show.

Everyone will pick out a favourite, thanks to the cast’s infectious delight in their skills as they get the joint jumping – tiny nine-year-old Katie with floor-length plaits struggling to hold her huge bass guitar, but getting a formidable array of riffs out of it; the energetic

Rock on! The cast of School of Rock give it their all to offer a real feelgood factor with some stomping good fun at the New London Theatre.

switching between twin roles as teachers and parents with their being no surprise that ice maiden principal Mrs Mullins is eventually outed as a rock chick.

The production is so well written, the audience genuinely feels a part of the proceedings and you get a real sense of pride in how the youngsters

overcome their insecurities and parental pressure to discover themselves.

‘For some stomping good fun with a real feelgood factor that will leave you with a wide smile on your face all the way back up the A12 or M11, get your coach tickets booked now!’

For some stomping good fun with a real feelgood factor that will leave you with a wide smile on your face all the way back up the A12 or M11, get your coach tickets booked now!

Galloway Travel is taking bookings for School of Rock trips on January 19, February 9 and April 6 (£62 each), as well as to Dreamgirls at the Savoy

‘The audience genuinely feels a part of the proceedings and you get a real sense of pride in how the youngsters overcome their insecurities and parental pressure to discover themselves’ little drummer; bossy band manager Summer; shy Tomika belting out a stunning version of Amazing Grace; or the effeminate costumer designer and Barbra Streisand fan.

That is not to overlook the excellent performances put in by the adult actors, expertly

Views of some of London’s iconic sights are an added bonus for London show trips with Galloway Travel.

Theatre on January 4 (£69) from multiple departure points in Norfolk ad Suffolk.

Diner cards are an additional £20 per person and pub cards £14. l To book your tickets or to find out more, contact Galloway on 01449 618077 or visit online at www.travel-galloway.com

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A problem shared…

Making you smile brighter is my job

By Nigel Towner of Marlborough Dental Laboratory

L

et’s talk dentures… What exactly do I as a clinical dental technician do?

I make hand-crafted dentures, tailored to the individual needs of my patient.

This can be an acrylic (plastic) or chrome cobalt alloy partial metal denture.

The former, which is a full upper and full lower denture, is the most cost effective but can lack some of the strength and lightness of a metal denture.

Great when can I see you?

First we need to establish if you have ANY remaining teeth (or even roots, implants). If so, you will first need to see my colleague, who is a dentist.

The good news is that there is no additional cost for this and can usually be scheduled at the same time as the first appointment.

The resulting prescription

(required by law) will establish your oral health and could influence the design and type of denture I provide.

Next step is an oral inspection by me from the viewpoint of the creation of the denture(s).

I will then explain in simple terms what will be required to create your tailor-made dentures.

This will include such aspects as timescale, number of appointments needed and a written statement of cost.

Once approved by you, I will proceed to take impressions of your mouth.

This can cause some patients anxiety, so I will try to allay these concerns by explaining it in more detail.

A material called alganate, which is a water-based product of similar consistency to a thick blancmange, is put into a mouthshaped tray with a handle and then carefully placed in the mouth and will absorb the shape of your mouth.

It sets within a couple minutes and is then removed and used to cast up a plaster version of your mouth that enables me to create a denture that will fit comfortably and accurately.

At your second appointment, I record your jaw relationship (the amount your mouth opens and closes). To do this I construct a wax occlusal rim. These are two wax pink blocks, which are trimmed to record the heights of your upper and lower jaws together.

I also mark an imaginary line running through the centre of your nose to ensure that the symmetry of the two front teeth is correct.

Further steps include teeth size and colour, try in and then first fit, which I will cover in detail in my next article. l Nigel Towner is a clinical dental technician and runs Marlborough Dental Laboratory. For free advice, call him on 01379 676560.

Family gatherings need not be a trial

By Karen Finch Audiologist/managing director of The Hearing Care Centre

The hustle and bustle of the festive season is a joyous and busy time.

However, for those experiencing hearing loss or difficulty hearing, this time of year and the regular social gatherings can be very overwhelming and lead to withdrawal and feeling sad.

Here are some simple tips and suggestions to help keep the people you love feeling part of the celebration and conversation: Turn down the volume: Loud background music or having the TV blaring out can make it especially hard to hear.

Light up the room: A well-lit room makes it easier to see facial expressions and mouths move as people speak.

Speak clearly: Do your best to speak slowly and at a comfortable volume without mumbling or slurring. Also

avoid interrupting, which makes it harder to follow conversation.

Face the person: Facing the person you are speaking with, as well as sitting or standing close, not only makes it easier to hear words but also to see your mouth and facial expressions.

Rephrase: If someone did not hear what you said, consider rephrasing the sentence instead of repeating it verbatim.

Seek them out: Sometimes the best thing is to seek them out and enjoy a one-on-one conversation in a quiet corner.

Encouragement: After Christmas, encourage your loved one to seek help to improve their hearing from a professional. Knowing they have your support might just be the catalyst they need.

It’s simple actions like these and being sensitive to others’ needs that can make this Christmas special for everyone! l For more information visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk or call 01473 230330.

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… advice from our experts Things are not always as they seem

A Christmas checklist

By Mel Jones Bureau Manager at Citizens Advice Diss & Thetford

H

ere are some tips to help you cope with Christmas.

Don’t overstretch yourself financially or buy what you really can’t afford.

Concentrate on spending quality time with people that you love – they would far rather have your time than expensive presents that they know you can’t afford.

If you have time, make things for people – a handmade card or present will be remembered long after an expensive gift will have lost its sparkle.

We all enjoy alcohol at Christmas, but too much can create difficult situations and cause people to say things they later regret.

Enjoy a drink, but take care, especially with people that you have deep-seated issues with, and try to avoid excess.

Stay active – get out for a walk when the weather allows – Norfolk and Suffolk has some fantastic walks – www. norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-aboutin-norfolk/norfolk-trails/ short-and-circular-walks offers some excellent options.

Families are great, but when you’re all together once a year, old wounds can resurface.

Think before you speak and if you find yourself getting annoyed, go outside, take a deep breath and count to 10!

Try to involve everybody in the preparations, so that everyone has a purpose and feels needed.

Know your consumer rights!

Keep receipts for gifts and find out the seller’s policy on refunds and replacements before committing to a purchase.

Don’t forget that your rights when buying goods on the internet may not be the same as when you buy in a shop.

In general, goods should be

of satisfactory quality, match their description and be fit for purpose – see our guides at www.citizensadvice.org. uk/consumer/somethingsgone-wrong-with-a-purchase/ return-faulty-goods/ and www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ about-us/campaigns/current_ campaigns/recent-campaigns/ be-a-clever-christmasconsumer/ If you fail to resolve consumer problems, contact our consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or on-line www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ consumer/get-more-help/ifyou-need-more-help-about-aconsumer-issue/ See our guide, The Twelve Tips of Christmas, which gives information about getting the most from your post, budgeting, refunds, loans and delivery costs https://uk.pinterest.com/ citizensadvice/the-12-tips-ofchristmas/ Christmas can be a stressful

time for many. There’s some great advice at www. skillsyouneed.com/ps/avoidchristmas-stress.html about planning ahead and coping with stress when it does arise.

Above all, remember that it is just a few days of the year.

Keep calm, enjoy it and, if you find in the New Year that you’re struggling with debt, don’t let it go – seek help.

There’s lots of really good quality debt advice about to ensure that you don’t spend the year ahead paying for the Christmas that you’ve just had.

Call in and see us at Citizens Advice or use one of the many national agencies, such as Stepchange, Payplan or National Debtline.

They can all help you structure repayments and ensure that you don’t feel overwhelmed by money owed.

Enjoy yourselves and happy New Year to you all!

Not such festive fun for cats

By Rita Thompson of Breckland Cats Protection

Christmas is coming, so please bear in mind what it means for your family feline friends.

Avoid leaving your cat unattended with the Christmas tree to prevent him from hanging himself on the lights.

Noisy party bangers, Christmas crackers and general commotion can also be disturbing for your cat, especially if he is used to a quiet household.

Although we have lots of lovely cats and kitten in our care at the moment who are looking for homes, we do not allow any cat or kitten to be homed during the Christmas period.

It is not a good time to introduce a new cat or kitten to a household that is likely to be noisy, with lots of guests arriving and leaving.

Therefore we keep all our cats and kittens in our care between December 19 until January 2. They can be reserved beforehand, but we do not allow cats or kittens to be given as Christmas gifts.

Cats are naturally inquisitive animals and their curiosity can get them into scrapes from time to time.

As a responsible owner, you have a legal duty of care to provide for your

This is not the time of year to introduce a cat or kitten into your household – no matter how cute they look!

cat’s needs and ensure they are protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

Cats Protection recommend that you: • have your cat neutered to reduce the risk of fighting and injury, and contracting diseases or becoming lost.

• provide a safe and secure home, giving them food, water, a litter tray, hiding and rest areas.

• provide a healthy diet, and have them vaccinated, regular flea and worm treatment and vet check ups.

• ensure your cat is micro chipped .

• know what to do in case of emergency.

• consider taking out pet insurance to give peace of mind and the financial means to treat your cat should anything unexpected arise.

Cats are very susceptible to poisoning

Are you facing a problem or seeking advice? We might be able to help.

Send your question to editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk with ‘Ask the Expert’ as the subject and we will pass it on to the relevant expert for them to answer in a forthcoming edition. If you require a private reply, please contact the expert’s business independently.

– Please support our advertisers and don’t forget to tell them where you read about them –

and a number of everyday household items can pose a danger to them.

These include: anti-freeze; disinfectants, particularly those that go cloudy when added to water; decoration materials, such as white spirit; pest control agents such as slug bait, rodent bait, weed killers and insect killers; dog flea treatment medication; human medications, such as aspirin and paracetamol; foods such as onions, raisins and chocolate; poisonous plants – all types of lily, lily of the valley, foxglove and poinsettia l For help or advice or if you need assistance with the cost of neutering, please call us on 01842 810018.

See our website for cats and kittens available – www.cats.org.uk/breckland and our Facebook page.

Having trouble with your computer or new media in general? Never fear, COLIN BUCKENHAM of DataTech DTP can help.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and on-line Christmas shopping present a significant increase in risk to the unsuspecting computer user, coupled with a significant increase in opportunity for the fraudulent internet scammer.

In your haste to get a gift or a bargain from an online site, it is sometimes all too easy to lose sight of the links for the sites that you are trying to access.

As with all your activity on the internet, you need to keep alert and vigilant. As in real life, there are many genuine people and sites on the internet but, there are also some that are not so principled.

So, what’s to do?

Did you receive an unsolicited email advertising a ‘would be nice to have’ piece of kit at a tempting price? That email contained a picture or a link – but to where? The email might appear to have come from a known supplier but before clicking on the link check where the link will take you. Just move the cursor over the link (do not click your mouse yet) and the website page where you will be taken will be displayed.

Does the address tie-up with the place that sent the email? Are you sure? Check the spelling of the domain (the part of the address after either http:// or www.).

A trick of scammers is to register a domain almost identical to a well known company but they will have transposed or altered some letters.

Be vigilant. Be sceptical. Be aware. And the adage: “If something seems to be too good to be true – then it probably is” is as relevant today as ever. l If you encounter a situation similar to that outlined above that gives you cause for concern, contact DataTech DTP (01379 652053) or another reputable local company for advice.

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A problem shared…

We’re always at hand for advice Mark Skinner has been working in the funeral industry for 38 years, his grandfather was a funeral director and now his children, Sam and Lauren, work alongside him in his independent family funeral business. Over the years he has seen many changes; one of the most obvious is the way people now want to ‘know more’ about the funeral industry.

Is there something you want to know? Write to TakeOne to ask him – TakeOne Questions, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2LH or email editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk.

A

re you feeling down as Christmas approaches? We are always here if you need us.

In life losing someone close is one of the worst things that can happen to you.

Everyone is different in the way they feel and deal with things but, for a lot of people, the phrase ‘time is a great healer’ does not seem true.

It feels like you will never get over losing your loved one, with the biggest feeling of all being ‘disbelief’ that it has even happened – it just doesn’t seem real.

Sometimes it can feel like you are just getting on with life because you have to, and of course, it will never be the same.

We just want you to know that although there is nothing that we can really say to make you feel any better – what could we say? – we will always be here to help and offer support if needed.

It is quite normal to feel down, especially at this time of the year when everyone around you is getting excited about Christmas and you are even more conscious that an important person is missing, be it that you lost that person recently or 20 years ago.

We are not saying that you will always feel as bad, as we always say, everyone is different. But if you feel it would help, we have our own bereavement groups, could put you in touch with organisations that help those who have been bereaved or perhaps someone else that we have dealt with in similar circumstances that you could meet for a coffee?

Please don’t suffer in silence, as many of our clients will say, we care and keep

in touch with them long after the funeral has taken place.

We are available 24 hours, 365 days a year. Please remember there is NEVER a time that we are not available. Even though our office doors may not be open at some points during the holidays, on dialling our phone numbers, you will be given immediate attention and help.

Christmas and New Year office opening times Christmas Eve – 9am-1pm Christmas Day – Closed Boxing Day – Closed Bank Holiday December 27 – Closed December 28, 29, 30 – 9am-5pm Bank Holiday January 2 – Closed Where do they go to?

Where do they go to, the people who leave?

Are they around us, in the cool evening breeze?

Do they still hear us, and watch us each day?

I’d like you to think of them with us that way.

Where do they go to, when no longer here?

I think that they stay with us, calming our fear Loving us always, holding our hands Walking beside us, on grass or on sand.

Where do they go to, well it’s my belief They watch us and help us to cope with our grief They comfort and stay with us, through each of our days Guiding us always through life’s mortal maze.

KevF, August 2007

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21

… advice from our experts

Make yourself shimmer!

TakeOne’s beauty columnist is AnnaMarie Norris. She has been in the health and beauty industry for more than 25 years and has managed a salon and been the head therapist and trainer in a Suffolk spa. Anna-Marie now offers treatments in clients’ homes.

Here she offers advice about looking suitably festive for the party season

W

ow, dare I say it?

Christmas is nearly upon us and gives us an excuse to dress up and sparkle.

It’s party season as well and probably one of the few times in the year when we can truly shine, dazzle and dress up like Carrie Bradshaw.

There are some fabulous products out there that will take our day wear look to evening or office party fabulous.

Let’s start with nails. Forget summer pastels and autumn hues, this is the time to put on rich dark colours and sparkle.

OPI Nails have brought out a fabulous collection Breakfast

Beauty columnist Anna-Marie Norris

At Tiffany’s, which has eight full-sized bottles for £45.

These are all wearable winter colours, which include a silver shimmer coat and a glittery colour, nail strengthener and top coat (available from qvcuk.com).

Boots No 7 glitter effects (Boots, £7) is an inexpensive way to add some shine and sparkle to an existing colour that you may have.

Lips can be bold and glossy. I love rich red lips and L’Oréal do some lovely moisturising shades. However, red is one of the hardest colours to keep on and will always transfer unless you take action.

Make sure you outline your lips first with a well sharpened lip liner. Seal in your colour with Lipcote (Boots, £3.50). This beauty cult classic is made with natural ingredients and is used by all make-up professionals from the red carpet to the catwalk.

Have you tried Bare Minerals eyeshadows? These are little pots of mineral magic!

The versatile loose powder can be applied wet or dry and can also be used as eyeliner.

When applied wet it gives the eyelids a shiny glossy look and is called ‘foiling’.

If you go into Debenhams they will try them on you free of charge.

Give false eyelashes a try.

They are not as scary as they used to be. They come in so many varieties and are reusable.

Ardell offers completely natural lashes. If you have never applied these before, there are

‘Red is one of the hardest colours to keep on and will always transfer unless you take action’

Boost your body and your brain

By Helen Chapman of Bowen Healthcare

The eyes have it! False eyelashes are easier than ever to apply.

lots of demo’s on YouTube, but the general rule of thumb is to cut them to fit the width of your eyes beforehand. Apply mascara to your lashes and allow to dry then add the glue to the lashes.

Wait until it becomes ‘tacky’ and then sit them on top of your natural lashes.

I recently put them on a bride who was allergic to latex, so I sourced a latex-free glue and just added that instead of the one included.

If you want to add a little shimmer to your cheekbones and decollate, Bobbi Brown has a shimmer brick (£34) that will make your skin look lit from within and give you a gorgeous glow.

For a less expensive option, try out Bourjois’ little pots of colour (from £7).

The cult beauty favourite is Touche Eclat. This is a highlighter in a pen, and my make-up kit always has this in.

You can highlight cheekbones, disguise under-eye bags and

‘The cult beauty favourite is Touche Eclat.

This is a highlighter in a pen, and my make-up kit always has this in’ enhance cupid’s bow.

Make-up counters are for experimentation. Make sure you have enough time and let the assistants try new colours on you and advise on what suits. They are there to help.

If you have a free couple of hours get all your make-up out, set up a YouTube demo and just free your imagination. I get a lot of inspiration from YouTube.

The rule for make-up is ‘there aren’t any rules’. Any questions?

Just email me and I would be happy to help.

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year. l If you have any skin care concerns or would like beauty advice, Anna is happy to help.

Contact her by email at annanorrismobilebeauty@ hotmail.com

In a study done at the University of British Columbia, researchers found that regular aerobic exercise – the kind that gets your heart and your sweat glands pumping – appears to boost the size of the brain area involved in verbal memory and learning (the hippocampus).

Researchers say one new case of dementia is detected every four seconds globally.

Exercise helps memory and thinking through both direct and indirect means.

The benefits of exercise come directly from its ability to reduce insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors—chemicals in the brain that affect the health of brain cells, the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the abundance and survival of new brain cells.

Indirectly, exercise improves mood and sleep, and reduces stress and anxiety.

Problems in these areas frequently cause or contribute to cognitive impairment.

Standard recommendations advise half an hour of moderate physical activity, such as walking, most days of the week, or 150 minutes a week.

Also consider other moderateintensity exercises, such as swimming, stair climbing, tennis, squash, or dancing. Don’t forget that household activities can count as well, such as intense floor mopping and raking leaves! l For more information and personal training, call 07587 700 892 or email info@bowen. healthcare

22

Editorial, call 0777 1461360 editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Advice from our experts

Christmas/New Year 2016

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Poems for OAPs is a surefire hit TakeOne editor Steve Penny meets teacher-turned-author Andy Seed to find out why his writing has jumped across the generation gap

The what to dos of blues and twos!

It’s a situation we’ve all faced. What should you do when you’re suddenly faced with flashing blue lights and a siren insisting you make way?

No panic, Rachel Hillier of Diss First Responders can tell you exactly how to react…

I

t has been an exceptionally busy month on ambulance calls for Diss First Responders, so it was a real thrill to spend three full shifts as an observer in a rapid response vehicle recently.

We had a diverse bunch of calls and travelled extensively within our area.

In some of the calls, hospitalisation was avoided thanks to the skill of the emergency care practitioner (a paramedic with additional skills), although there were many cases where an ambulance was necessary to transport the patient to A&E. As a reflection on this adventure, my thoughts on the reaction of motorists to an emergency vehicle approaching with lights and sirens are mixed – so I will rely on the best advice instead!

The best way to help: Always be looking and listening for ambulance, police and other emergency vehicles.

Give the vehicle a wide berth: If you see an emergency vehicle has stopped, slow down and make sure you give it a wide berth as you pass, and watch out for people.

Be prepared to pull over: If there is an emergency vehicle

behind you, be prepared to pull over and stop where it is safe to do so – look for where you can let it pass through safely.

Avoid blocking junctions or stopping in the middle of the road – indicate to let other road users and the emergency driver know what you are doing.

Avoid stopping on kerbs, bends and verges: They can hide potential hazards from the emergency driver and put pedestrians using the pavement at risk.

Look for space to move aside: If you hear emergency sirens but can’t see where the vehicle is, work out where there is space to move aside if it does come your way.

Check your mirrors: There may be more than one emergency vehicle approaching – so don’t forget to check your mirrors and blind spot before merging back with the traffic.

Don’t Panic or Rush: Allow the emergency vehicle to overtake you only when there is enough space and when it is safe to do so.

Don’t break the law: Never speed up to try to outrun an emergency vehicle.

If you go through a red light or into a bus lane you are still breaking the law.

Drivers of emergency vehicles are highly trained professionals so bear in mind they are used to dealing with awkward situations and are allowed to use bus lanes and go through red lights.

Don’t panic – Stay calm and move out of the way as safely as you can.

T

he aches and pains, memory lapses, frustrations and creaks of our retirement are celebrated in comical fashion by an author who usually tells tales about childhood.

Andy Seed’s popular ‘All Teachers…’ trilogy of memoirs recalling his teaching days in the Yorkshire Dales has gained a loyal following but his new book is all about the other end of the life cycle.

Poems for Pensioners is guaranteed to be a hit with the older generation as it has already been ‘road tested” to ensure it hits the right note.

Andy has put together 50 funny, nostalgic and poignant rhymes, for those of 50-plus who like a chuckle.

The witty, nostalgic and poignant poems about childhood memories, hair loss, modern technology, manners, packaging, cats, grandchildren and more is a perfect read for those of us who recognise our failings and can laugh about them.

But it is a long way away from his more well-known books, telling the tale of his previous life as a teacher.

“The poetry book wasn’t my idea and wasn’t really planned,” admitted Andy. “What happened

Andy Seed has now been an author longer than he was a teacher.

was that before I wrote my Yorkshire memoirs, I wrote a couple of children’s books and that’s where I thought my writing career would be.

“One was a poetry book. I’ve always enjoyed word plays.

“I did a book signing tour and a lady in her 70s came up to me with no kids in tow and asked for a copy of the book. I asked if it

‘They wanted me to write poems about memory and the past’

was for her grandchildren but she said it was for her.

“Some of the poems in the book were about older people and she enjoyed them. I forgot all about that until it happened three or four more times. I started to ask which poems they particularly liked and they all said the rhyming and funny ones, especially Upgrading Granny.”

Andy read out a few of his favourites at a care home and got lots of positive feedback.

He said: “I thought it might

WIN signed copy of poetry book BOOK REVIEW Book review Poems for Pensioners by Andy Seed I picked up Poems for Pensioners with some trepidation.

I would have been classed as a pensioner myself some years ago, but now the goal posts have changed and so has my thinking.

Would I be able to relate to the poems in this book, or would they be more suitable for my mum who is in her 80s?

Some of the content seemed familiar, ditties about forgetfulness and aches and pains, some written to amuse and some to remind of days gone by, when the world seemed simpler and the sun

shone all summer long, when there was no Health & Safety to spoil your fun, and no mobile phones to distract us from people.

If you are of a certain age, or know someone who is, this is a perfect book to dip into when you are feeling a little down in the dumps, it will make you smile or even laugh out loud.

JP l Price: £7.99; from Amazon and on order at book shops or direct from the publishers – www.valleypressuk.com To win a signed copy of Poems for Pensioners, simply tell us in which national park Andy Seed did his teaching.

Send the answer and your contact details to:

Competitions, TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2LH or email editorial@ takeonepublications.co.uk – one winner will be selected at random on January 13.

Christmas/New Year 2016

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Are you on to a winner?

‘That gave me the idea to get older people to explore their own past They found it very therapeutic and would compare stories’ be worth a full book but was not presumptuous so went to a church group to get their thoughts.

“They wanted me to write poems about memory and the past. The requests that were made were mainly for wistful ones, with plenty of nostalgia and things people did as kids.

“I went to retirement homes and similar groups to try out the poems – it was like road testing the book to see which poems worked well.”

There has been a very good reaction to the book and the first print run sold out with the reprint also going well.

One of the characters in the ‘All Teachers…’ series was born in Victorian times and Andy’s first inkling of taking a different writing route came from him.

“He told me some amazing stories about his childhood from the late 1890s. That gave me the idea to get older people to explore their own past.

“They found it very therapeutic and would compare stories.”

Andy has now worked as long as an author as a teacher but admits it was a huge gamble when he decided to quit the profession to concentrate on writing.

“My first publications were ‘boring’ educational books, learning material for teachers.

“My first kids’ book was How To Spot A Hadrosaur in a Bus Queue. The title was the publisher’s idea and they insisted they knew best.

“It was a book of lists and interesting facts for kids. It did quite well but the title was very confusing, although it did get my foot in the door.

“Then I did a couple of children’s poetry books and sent off my memoirs but I had become pigeonholed as an educational writer so it was difficult to get accepted for something else.

“I eventually got an agent, who got me a three-book deal.

“I really enjoyed writing my Dales memoirs and took a

23

Andy’s idyllic village is where he worked in the Yorkshire Dales.

four-year break from writing children’s books to concentrate on that.”

The first, All Teachers Great and Small, was published by Hodder Headline after Andy appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show in 2009. The series compressed

time so Andy could simplify the period covering the 1980s and 1990s.

“Everything I wrote about really happened – all the children and other characters really existed, only the names and sometimes the genders have been changed,” said Andy.

“The children in my class were wags and plodders but also smart and shrewd – so many funny and memorable things happened over the years (often with me as the victim) that it was a joy to recall them.”

The comical reminisces of the antics of the dozens of children he taught offer well-written insights into a typical primary

‘So many funny and memorable things happened over the years (often with me as the victim) that it was a joy to recall them’ school classroom – one that anyone bought up in the 1960s and 70s can relate to as the world switched from blackboards to computer technology, and the corresponding change in rural life.  All 30-plus of Andy’s variety of books are widely available from book shops, libraries or online. To find out more about Andy and all his books, visit www.andyseed.com

anny…

Upgrading Gitarl.

ory, ial offer on mem There was a spec it free; s of She got 64 meg the hosp Granny’s been to ade again; call where she re w no n ca e Sh gr She needed an up ipped and refitted ad dd an left gr str Her body’s been her 35p.

And that I owe ite-coated men. wh of y m ar an By ter, rolled by compu bre, Her toilet’s cont ng cart’s fun; e pure carbon fi r; pi se Her new teeth ar op la sh a Her electric – designed with e wants to internet access Her specs were er stairlift’s got rough plates if sh H th te … bi ne w -o no ty n She ca I’m nine razor.

I can’t wait till ’s as sharp as a And her eyesight y Seed, Copyright And ners ing aid power, ar he l ta gi di t ns r Pe io told; She’s go from Poems fo aker’s nuclear I’m And her pacem hip with a stainless steel joint r They replaced he now radio controlled. ’s er m m Zi And her

BOOK REVIEW 4 Simple Steps to Your Next Big Idea! by Sammy Teather and Kim Morrison Have you got a “surefire winning idea” for your business or even a new business you just can’t wait to set up to bring the cash rolling in?

If so, this book is for you.

Before you even spend a single penny on your project, you can find out what its chances of success are.

By following the authors’ simple four step procedure, you can road test your idea to see if it really does have legs.

The best thing about the book is that is so simple to follow: no complicated maths or long passages of theory to try to get your head round.

Instead, the simple tried and trusted techniques and bullet points, together with all the tools and checklists you need, will point you in the right direction and offer lots of food for thought to make sure you are indeed on to a winner.

SP  Price: £9.95; from Amazon and on order at book shops.

WIN! Judo books prize TakeOne has signed copies of judo books written by British Olympian Colin Oates and his father, South Norfolk coach Howard to give away.

Simply tell us where the 2016 Olympic Games were held to stand a chance of winning either a copy of ‘Getting Started’ or ‘Groundwork’. We have one of each on offer as prizes.

Send your answer, with your contact details to: Competitions, TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2LH or email editorial@takeonepublications. co.uk before January 13.

The fully-illustrated guide books to the sport retail for £9.99 and £10.99.

How’s best to get your story across?

Are you in the process of writing your own book, or maybe on the point of self-publishing?

Even people who write for a living need a fresh pair of eyes to double-check their work before it’s ready for printing.

That’s where editors and proofreaders come in.

You’ve put in the hard graft – editing irons out any problems so that your writing is shown

off at its best.

The trouble with being a writer is that you can be too close to your own work.

Everyone makes mistakes, but in the end you stop seeing them.

Sometimes, you may not notice if your meaning isn’t quite clear.

(After all, it was clear in your head when you wrote it!)

Catherine Legg of Pernickety Kate Proofreading and Editing

offers two levels of help to selfpublishers.

Proofreading covers spellings, punctuation, grammar and

‘Editing is about making suggestions, but it’s the author’s work, and the author’s voice should still shine through’ Catherine Legg

consistency, so you can be sure your writing is correct throughout.

Editing is a broader process, looking at the text from a reader’s viewpoint.

For this, Catherine checks word choice, sentence structure, paragraphing and overall order to make sure the writing flows well and can be easily understood.

“Editing is about making

suggestions, but it’s the author’s work, and the author’s voice should still shine through,” said Catherine. “I love helping people to polish their ideas!”

For an informal chat, call 01449 768036 or email catherine@ pernicketykate.co.uk There’s also lots more information on Pernickety Kate’s website – www.pernicketykate. co.uk

24

Editorial, call 0777 1461360 editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Christmas/New Year 2016

www.takeonepublications.co.uk

The Big Interview…

Author’s publishing route is a real flight of fantasy Everyone has a book in them, so they say. In the case of South Norfolk airline captain Chris Wildish, he has got a virtual library at his disposal, as TakeOne editor Steve Penny discovers…

‘Please Don’t Cancel Christmas Daddy was written over three nights to keep his children, Emily and Arthur, entertained when they were four and two respectively’

F

ersfield author Chris Wildish has a real tale to tell.

And that’s not just the children’s Christmas book he’s put into print.

‘Please Don’t Cancel Christmas, Daddy’ is a story he made up to entertain his two children about a decade ago but his own story would run to several volumes.

As a schoolboy Chris wanted to join the RAF. Unfortunately, his time at Diss Grammar School was

Former Diss Grammar School pupil Chris Wildish now flies EasyJet planes across Europe.

not rewarded with enough qualifications, so he ended up joining the Royal Navy and served on both HMS Ark Royal and HMS Invincible.

He took flying lessons to ensure his dream remained

on target and, when he took redundancy from the senior service, he finally gained his wings, albeit as an airline pilot.

Now, instead of sailing around the world, he’s got his head in the clouds, jetting

across Europe at the controls of EasyJet flights from Stansted.

Surprisingly, despite now having hundreds of thousands of miles under his belt, he lives less than half-a-dozen miles from where he was brought up.

“I have had a varied career and moved about a lot but, when I left the Navy, we came back home and actually lived in Botesdale at first, before moving to Fersfield,” said Chris.

All that travelling had allowed the germ of an idea to form in his mind and that niggled until he finally managed to get his first book published last year.

Please Don’t Cancel Christmas Daddy was written over three nights to keep his children, Emily and Arthur, entertained when they were four and two respectively.

Chris Wildish enjoyed a long Royal Navy career, including service on HMS Invincible.

Sad tale’s happy ending Book review – Please Don’t Cancel Christmas, Daddy At first, when I started reading this book I didn’t think I was going to like it because I thought it was going to be sad.

I kept reading though, and realised that it had a happy ending and taught us about being a good person too.

So, in the end, I really enjoyed it.

I like the fact that the man helps people and they help him back.

It made me want to help someone else at Christmas time!

by Mae-Li Sun, age seven, Gillingham l This book can be bought from many local book shops or online for £5.99, post and packing free, from www.pleasedontcancelchristmas daddy.com

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… Chris Wildish ‘Ten minutes in the sunshine on the runway, is as far as my exotic sunshine lifestyle stretches!’

Chris Wildish enjoys time back home in Norfolk to read his first book.

They are now 15 and 13 and Chris said: “The idea came from finger-wagging at them when they were little and joking that I would cancel Christmas.

“I’d tell them I had the Daddy Power to do that.

“Then I made a story up to read to them. I told them the first part and then added to it over the next two evenings.

“I quickly jotted it down on my laptop because they seemed to enjoy it and I knew they’d want me to read it again and I didn’t want to forget it.

“The story just came off the top of my head but does reflect my personal values.

“It’s really about two things – Christmas isn’t all about lots of glitz and glamour; just a few

‘Christmas isn’t all about lots of glitz and glamour; just a few simple presents are enough for a family to have great Christmas’

WIN a copy!

Win a signed copy of Please Don’t Cancel Christmas, Daddy in time to give as a present.

Simply tell us one of the ships the author served aboard.

Send your answer with your name and address before December 19 to Competitions, TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2LH or email editorial@ takeonepublications.co.uk

simple presents are enough for a family to have great Christmas.

“I’m not particularly religious but the Christmas Story is also important and no one can really cancel Christmas because it belongs to everyone.”

For the next eight or nine years Chris would look at his story occasionally and tidy it up a bit but that is where it remained.

That was until Chris finally decided he wanted other children to read his tale of how a parental spat over the lack of festive finance, was transformed into Christmas cheer after a trip to the market and a glimpse of the Nativity story.

“Essentially, the book is just as I first read it to Emily and Arthur all those years ago,” said Chris.

He was happy he had got the words he wanted but then hit a delay when he could not get

anyone to illustrate it for him.

“It was frustrating. I’d made up my mind to publish it but kept getting let down by art students.

“Then one of my colleagues at EasyJet asked if I’d contacted ‘Claire’. I said ‘who?’. And they laughed and told me Claire Pickford was one of the cabin crew.

“I was best friends with her husband Drew and never knew she was interested in art, despite having known them for about 15 years!

“She runs a bespoke card company and said she’d love to have a go.”

Chris had about 250 copies printed as a test run and, as soon as he saw the book, knew he wanted to do it properly.

“I was at a computer store in Diss and asked if they knew anyone who could publish it for me. I was put in touch with

‘I learned a lot from the whole publishing process; seeing how the pictures and words needed to work together to help children understand the story and help with their reading’ Datatech Publishing and they sorted it all out and got the book printed in Norwich.

“I learned a lot from the whole publishing process; seeing how the pictures and words needed to work together to help children understand the story and help with their reading.”

Self-publishing proved to be a full-on procedure and Chris found himself driving all over East Anglia, trying to get outlets for his pride and joy.

“My best customer was the Elveden Estate, where Claire and I did a book signing and sold more than 30,” said Chris.

“Lots of other shops have taken them but I was disappointed that some places I thought obvious were not interested.”

Having got the writing bug, Chris is working on some other titles but admits the best two ideas were not his.

“The best two are my children’s. I’ve tried to help develop them and it would be a real shame if they didn’t finish the stories but I don’t want to ‘steal’ them in case they came back to the pair a few years down the line.

“Emily wrote Greedy Bob – about a monkey with a cheese fetish and how his animal friends tried to help him cure it to stop him getting fat.

“She’s got two-thirds of the way with it but has so many other interests it seems to have stalled.

“Arthur wrote 500 words for the BBC Radio Two competition.

“It was about a young boy at a local fun fair. He went on the waltzers, which were really old and shabby with the paint peeling off.

“As they whizzed round, he began to feel drowsy and, when the ride stopped, he noticed the paint on the horses was now all fresh and that his mother’s clothes looked old-fashioned.

“When he looked around, he realised he had been transported back in time to the First World War, when the waltzers were new.

“I’m really keen to know what happens next but so far he’s not added to it!”

As for his own life story, Chris insists that is not in the pipeline yet.

“People ask me when I’m going to write a biography but my memory isn’t good enough to recall all the many incidents of my working life – many were really humorous.”

After his initial failure to reach the academic level needed for the RAF, Chris went back to school to improve his qualifications and rose through the ranks in the Royal Navy to reach the rank of Lieutenant Commander, picking, and winning, several battles with authority along the way.

After taking voluntary redundancy, he eventually started working as a pilot for Go, the budget arm of British Airways. When that company was taken over by EasyJet, he was transferred and has worked from Stansted ever since, captaining jets as far as Dalaman in Turkey as well as internal flights up and down the British Isles.

But it is far from the glamorous job we all imagine.

“The typical turnaround time is 30-35 minutes so I try to get at least 10 minutes in the sunshine on the runway, but that’s as far as my exotic sunshine lifestyle stretches!” said Chris.

26

Editorial, call 0777 1461360 editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Christmas/New Year 2016

www.takeonepublications.co.uk

Out and About…

Have a laugh on us. WIN comedy tickets

Laughs at Comedy Club 4 Kids.

Looking for somewhere different to take the grandkids?

The Comedy Club 4 Kids at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich might be just what you need.

The show offers cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old and under 100.

The best comedians from the UK and world circuit do what they do

best… but without the rude bits!

It’s just like a normal comedy club, but it’s on in the day and kids are allowed in.

TakeOne has a family ticket on offer, courtesy of The New Wolsey Theatre for the next comedy club during half-term on Wednesday, February 15, at 1pm.

To enter, tell us which

comedian was famous for his tickling stick.

Send the answer and your contact details to: Competitions, TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2LH or email editorial@ takeonepublications.co.uk – one winner will be selected at random on January 13.

Witch way to WIN pair of tickets!

By Chris Dawes

editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Twitter: @Take1paper

T

he Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society returns to Norwich Theatre Royal from January 31 to February 4 with the fabulously wicked musical comedy The Witches of Eastwick.

And it has joined forces with TakeOne to offer a pair of tickets to see this fabulous production.

The NNOS last trod the Theatre Royal boards in January 2016 with Sunset Boulevard, a story that exposes the dark side of fame. Now they return to the ‘dark side’ once again with a tale of a devil-ishly attractive man and three beautiful women who are caught in his magical web.

The Witches of Eastwick began life as a novel by John Updike published in 1984. Its success quickly led to a movie version released in 1987 starring Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and Cher as the three witches,

Webb gets city date One of the West End’s best-loved leading ladies is joining the cast of La Cage Aux Folles at Norwich Theatre Royal.

Marti Webb will play Jacqueline, the owner of restaurant Chez Jacqueline and best friend of lead characters Albin and Georges, when the production takes to the stage on January 17-21.

She is a stage veteran, having appeared in Evita, Godspell, 42nd Street and Tell Me On A Sunday and has also recorded nine solo albums and had many hit singles.

alongside Jack Nicholson as the devilish Darryl Van Horne.

Sold using the tagline ‘Three beautiful women; one lucky devil’, the film was a big hit and nominated for several Oscars.

Courtesy of musical impresario Cameron Mackintosh, The Witches of Eastwick the musical opened in July 2000 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Ian McShane (of Lovejoy fame) taking the leading role of Darryl Van Horne.

The action takes place in the late 1950s in a quintessentially sleepy and uptight New England town called Eastwick, with bored women, inadequate men and unhappy marriages.

So, when the devilish Mr Van Horne arrives in town, the excitement and intrigue begins.

Seducing each of the women in turn, he teaches them how to expand their powers though a new unorthodox lifestyle, which scandalises the town.

The NNOS production will see Darryl played by Terry Boast,

Apex ready to party on into 2017

You could win tickets to see the Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society’s performance of the Witches of Eastwick at Norwich’s Theatre Royal.

and in the roles of the witches are Andrea Ferguson as Sukie, Kathryn White as Jane and Claire Chandler as Alex.

With rousing songs and lots of visual effects, including the witches taking flight, the show promises a magical evening. It contains scenes of an adult nature and is recommended for ages 14plus.

The musical runs from January 31 to February 4 and NNOS has provided a pair of competition tickets for the performance on February 2, 7.30pm.

To win, tell us which pop singer starred in the 1987 film version of The Witches of Eastwick.

Send the answer and your contact details to: Competitions, TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2LH or email editorial@ takeonepublications.co.uk – one winner will be selected at random on January 13. The prize is for one pair of tickets to see The Witches of Eastwick by NNOS at Norwich Theatre Royal on Thursday, February 2, 7.30pm.

The tickets are for the stated performance only and cannot be exchanged for seats for another performance or show, or for a cash alternative. l Tickets are £7-£21.50, from 01603 630000 or online at www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Strictly All Night Long stand!

TV’s Strictly favourite Brendan Cole is all set to quick step it to Norwich in the new year with his brand new show All Night Long, which he is touring from January through to April 2017.

Brendan delighted Norfolk audiences earlier this year with A Night To Remember. One of the most successful Strictly Come Dancing professionals will host another spectacular production with stunning choreography, guest dancers, a new leading lady and a 14-piece band and singers live on stage at the Theatre Royal Norwich on Sunday, February 5, with two performances –

l The New Wolsey Theatre has announced its spring season for 2017.

Highlight is the second Ramps on the Moon touring production, The Who’s Tommy from Thursday, March 30 to Saturday, April 15.

For more information, visit www.rampsonthemoon.co.uk

Brendan Cole quicksteps east…

3pm and 7.30pm.

Brendan is one of only two professionals to have competed in the entire Strictly Come Dancing TV series – the other being Anton du Beke – and

has just competed in the 14th series.

He danced the first dance on the first show and was the first winner to lift the famous glitter ball trophy with his celebrity partner Natasha Kaplinsky.

Other partners have included Kelly Brook, Lisa Snowdon, Jo Wood, Victoria Pendleton, Sunetra Sarker, Kirsty Gallacher, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and, most recently, pop star Anastacia.

For tickets to see All Night Long at Norwich Theatre Royal, call the box office, 01603 630000, or book online at www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

If we peep over the great big hurdle that is Christmas and New Year, we can see that the Apex in Bury St Edmunds is keeping the party going into 2017 with a vast array of musical events.

YouTube guitar sensation Tommy Emmanuel performs on Wednesday, January 11. He has won Guitar Player Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s reader polls and has more than 29 million YouTube views.

Former Jam member Bruce Foxton brings his From The Jam band to the Apex on January 19 for the As and Bs Tour, promising hits such as Down In The Tube Station At Midnight, Going Underground and A Town Called Malice.

Elkie Brooks will be performing some of her classic hits, blues and jazz on January 21. Now in the fifth decade of her career, she is still proving to be one of the most powerful and versatile vocal talents of our generation.

The following day, The Chicago Blues Brothers pack more than two hours of the very best blues, Motown and soul music into their show.

Martha Wainright is on stage on January 24 with an undeniable voice and an arsenal of powerful songs Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young are in town on Friday, January 27. l To book or for more details, call 01284 758000 or visit www. theapex.co.uk

1

Tell us about your events and shows.

Email editorial@take onepublications.co.uk Pictures welcome.

Christmas/New Year 2016

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27

… events and shows

Ready for Encore

Corn Hall remains ‘on tour’ Diss Corn Hall is still on tour as the countdown to a return to its permanent base in town continues apace.

Garboldisham village hall hosts the Distraction Theatre Company’s presentation of The Twelve Days of Christmas on Saturday, December 10, 7.30pm.

The show promises to be a perfect Christmas night out for the whole family.

The Twelve Days of Christmas follows Miss Elizabeth Fairfax and her rather unusual Christmas of 1895.

Edward Fitzwilliam is in love with her but, since she is a ‘most charming and dear creature’, no ordinary wooing will do.

Watch in delight as Miss Fairfax tries to cope with a few ‘extraordinary’ presents and the most ridiculous 12 days of her life.

Tickets are £12 (£9 children/£30 family £30). www.distractiontheatre.co.uk l Earlier the same day, Garlic Theatre is presenting Jack and the Beanstalk for Saturday Club at Palgrave Community Centre, 2pm.

Was it a dream or did I hear a talking bean?

Jack lives on a small farm with his mum and very little to eat.

He likes to talk to the birds, his cow and anyone who will listen.

Imagine his surprise when he swops his cow for some magic beans and starts to hear a whispering in the breeze and a giant rumble in the sky…

Charming and inventive with plenty of interaction, an enormous beanstalk, bags of gold and a smelly old giant.

This fresh and funny retelling of the traditional story is an ideal gentle introduction to theatre Tickets are £6 (£4 children 3-7). garlictheatre.org.uk

Wymondham’s Encore Singers are performing in the town’s abbey.

The Encore Singers are ready to serve a feast of festive favourites in Wymondham.

Wymondham Abbey is the venue for the group’s Christmas concert with singers promising to deliver a truly amazing variety of popular Christmas pieces.

The singers, under new musical director Sally Campion - Jones,

are looking forward to entertaining everyone, young or old, and there will be plenty of opportunity to join in.

The concert is on Saturday, December 10, 7.30pm.

Tickets are £7 for adults and are free for under 16 year olds (available on the door). Refreshments will be provided.

WIN first night tickets to see an Austen classic

By Chris Dawes

editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Twitter: @Take1paper

T

akeOne has teamed up with the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds to offer the chance for one lucky reader to win a pair of tickets to see the opening night of the classic Northanger Abbey in February.

Catherine Morland loves a good novel and the more ‘horrid’ it is the better.

At 17, she is taken by her aunt to Bath where she encounters the social whirl denied her at home. When Catherine accepts an invitation to the Tilney’s country seat at Northanger Abbey, lurid images from her favourite Gothic novel Mysteries of Udolpho threaten to overwhelm her.

However, all misunderstandings are eventually resolved and, as in all the best Jane Austen novels, the young heroine finally gets her man…

The play has been adapted by acclaimed Austen specialist Tim Luscombe, whose Mansfield Park was also produced and toured by the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.

To stand a chance of winning the tickets, simply tell us two of the books written by Jane Austen. Send your answer, together with your contact details to; Competitions, TakeOne, Rose Side, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2LH or email editorial@takeonepublicaitons.co.uk One winner will be selected at random on January 13. The prize is one pair of tickets to see Northanger Abbey at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds on Thursday, February 2, at 7.30pm.

The tickets are for the stated performance only and cannot be exchanged for seats for another

Catherine Morland is the main character in Northanger Abbey at the Theatre Royal.

performance or show, or for a cash alternative. The play runs until February 11 and tickets are available from the box office, 01284 769505.

Before then, the theatre has a full January programme.

The Christmas pantomime, Beauty and the Beast will delight audiences until Sunday, January 15.

Join Belle, Barney and the rest of the Beastly St Edmunds gang as they go on a journey of enchantment and magic in one of the most beloved fairy tales of all time.

Who is the mysterious Beast hiding in the shadows? Will Belle overcome her fears?

And will love conquer all? There is music, wonder, fun and laughter in a story that will warm your heart and make your spirits soar.

The perfect antidote to the long winter evenings is to spend it in the company of the hilarious Showstoppers. The Olivier awardwinning company stage an improvised musical based on suggestions from the audience. Join them on Saturday, January 21.

If you suggest it, the Showstoppers will sing it, promising a spontaneous, improvisational and impromptu evening.

Monday, January 23, sees the latest instalment in the Lunchtime Concert series.

Saxophone quartet Saxology will perform a varied programme of baroque and classical arrangements, French neo-romantic, English pastoral, American jazz and a premiere too, led by composer and arranger Jeffery Wilson. Each concert begins at 1.10pm and is followed by complimentary tea, coffee and cakes in the Greene Room Bar. Bury Theatre Workshop returns with a community production of Tolstoy’s epic Anna Karenina. This powerful and passionate play can be seen between Tuesday, January 24, and Saturday, 28.

The play explores themes of fate, personal responsibility and powerlessness in a changing society.

An Evening with mezzo soprano singer Clare Presland and her pianist takes place at The Athenaeum on Sunday, January 29. l For tickets and details of all shows, call 01284 769505 or visit www.theatreroyal.org

Photographer celebrated Robin takes on Sheriff

Photographer Olive Edis

The life and work of a relatively unknown photographer is being celebrated at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery.

Fishermen & Kings: The Photography of Olive Edis has been drawing large crowds and runs until Sunday, January 22.

Olive was one of the most important photographers of the

early 20th Century.

She lived and worked in North Norfolk for most of her adult life and at the height of her career photographed senior members of the Royal Family, prime ministers and celebrities of the day, as well as local people and tradesmen She also went abroad to cover the First World War.

The rip-roaring adventures of Robin Hood are taking to the stage at Bungay’s Fisher’s Theatre.

Immersion Theatre presents the panto from Monday, December 19 until Monday, January 2. Tickets £12/£10.50.

The producers promise plenty of audience participation, thrilling sword fights, archery contents, spirited heroes

and dastardly villains.

Follow the exciting escapades of our dashing hero and his loyal band of merry men in this madcap, medieval romp, as Robin fights to restore justice for the people of Sherwood, win the heart of the beautiful Maid Marion and rid the land of the avaricious Sheriff of Nottingham once and for all. www.fishertheatre.org

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Editorial, call 0777 1461360 editorial@takeonepublications.co.uk

Christmas/New Year 2016

www.takeonepublications.co.uk

Lin’s Listings…

DECEMBER Until Friday 23 Snape: Christmas Showcase – Lettering Arts Centre, Snape Maltings, 11am-5pm, Friday to Monday Until Monday, January 2 Stowmarket: Christmas Tree Festival – one of the country’s biggest – in three locations, open daily, free entry, 01449 774652, www. stowmarketparishchurch. co.uk Wednesday 7 Beccles: Strange Fascination Theatre presents Ghost Stories, starring Terry Molloy, Beccles Public Hall & Theatre, 7.30-10pm, £10, £9 conc, 01502 770060 Halesworth: Art – The Renaissance – No 5 of six Wednesday sessions, The Cut, 10.30am, £10, 0300 3033211, info@ newcut.org Halesworth: Film – Victoria (15), The Cut, 7.30pm, £5 Stowmarket: Carols for All – United Reform Church, Ipswich Street, 7pm, £5, child u12 £2 – all proceeds to charity, 01449 613378 Stowmarket: Remembering Together This Christmas – Carol concert to celebrate and remember the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us, John Peel Centre, 7.30pm, 01449 612765 Wednesday 7-Sunday 11 Stowmarket: Sinbad & The Magical Mystery, Regal Theatre, Wednesday-Friday 7.30pm, Saturday & Sunday noon & 5pm, Adults £13, conc £11.50, www.stowmarketoperatic. org.uk Thursday 8 Bungay: The Royal Opera House presents: The Nutcracker, Fisher Theatre, 7.15pm, £12, 01986 897130 Garboldisham: Distraction Theatre Company presents: The Twelve Days of Christmas, Village Hall, 7.30pm, £12, child £9, Family £30, 01379 652241

Wymondham: Christmas Concert featuring Norwich Community Choir & others – in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, Wymondham Abbey, 7.30pm, 01603 495062 Friday 9-Saturday 10 Halesworth: Minimouth Teenager Theatre Presents ‘ The Seven Ages of Scrooge’, The Cut, 7.30pm, £6.50, u14 £4.50, 0300 3033211, info@newcut.org Saturday 10 Battisford: Christmas Fayre, The Punchbowl, IP14 2LQ, 9.3011.30am, free entry, 07803 186794 Bury St Edmunds: SSAFA Concert of Carols, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, 7pm, £12, u12 free Cotton: Christmas cafe, brunches, craft & produce stalls, 10amnoon, free entry, Village Hall, Blacksmith Road, IP14 4QN, http://cotton. onesuffolk.net/ Eccles: Quiz night, Garnier Village Hall, 8pm, www.garnierhall. co.uk Garboldisham: Distraction Theatre Company presents: The Twelve Days of Christmas, Village Hall, IP22 2SE, 7.30pm, adult £12, child £9, family £30, 01379 652241 Halesworth: Christmas Market, Market Place, carols in morning, Old Glory Molly Dancers and musicians at 3pm, 9.30am-4.30pm, free admission, 01986 948546 Ixworth: Christmas Fair – Father Christmas, craft stalls, bell ringers, carols, Village Hall, High Street, IP31 2HH, 4-7pm, Norwich: Vegans Christmas Market – 30 stalls, The Great Hospital, Bishopsgate, NR1 4EL, 10.30am4pm, free entry, www. norwichvegans.co.uk Palgrave: Garlic Theatre presents: Jack and the Beans Talk, Community Centre, IP22 1AP, 2pm, £6 adult, £4 child, 01379 652241

Rockland All Saints: Christmas Market, Village Hall, The Street, NR17 1TT 10am-4pm, free entry – Santa visits £3 per head – to prebook call 01953 483187 Stowmarket: Roughcast Presents: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, John Peel Centre, 2pm & 7pm, £9, £7 conc, 01449 774678, www. johnpeelcentre.com Wymondham: A Feast of Favourites by Encore Singers, refreshments available, Wymondham Abbey, 7.30pm, £7, u16 Free Sunday 11 Bungay: Chloe Kinrade School of Dance and Fisher Youth Theatre Lamda Students, End of Year Show, Fisher Theatre, 11am and 2.30pm, £8, £6 conc Bury St Edmunds: An Afternoon with Gervase Phinn, The Apex, 2.30pm, £17.50, 01284 758000 Diss: St Nicholas Winter Fayre, Cobbs and Norfolk House Yards, from 11am, 01379 652241 Norwich: Antiques & Collectables Fair, The Holiday Inn, Ipswich Road, 9am-3.30pm, £1, children u12 free, 07919 022352 Monday 12 Bungay: Fisher Theatre Cinema presents: Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (15), Fisher Theatre, 7.30pm, £5, 01986 897130 Wymondham: Crafting Group @ The Feathers, 13 Town Road, NR18 0PN, 11am-2pm Tuesday 13 Bungay: The Met presents: L’Amor Loin, Fisher Theatre, 6pm, £12, 01986 897130 Tues 13-Sun, Jan 15 Norwich: Jack and The Beanstalk, Theatre Royal, 01603 630000, info@ theatreroyalnorwich. co.uk Wednesday 14 Freckenham: Christmas farmers & craft market, Village Hall, IP28 8JB, 7-9pm, free entry, 07840 236872

New table isn’t such a fair deal I have noticed recently that many more venues are requesting that I take my own table to craft fairs.

Last week, probably in protest at having been used for virtually everything except its original purpose, my 30-year-old paste table finally gave up the ghost.

The new plastic version, guaranteed not to bow alarmingly in the middle, arrived promptly but with no instructions.

You wouldn’t have thought opening a folding table would be too difficult a job but it took a few hours, and numerous Youtube viewings (showing how easy it was) before it finally gave in and was on its legs.

In an effort to avoid

damaging anything, I had declined the ‘big hammer’ offer but did have to resort to a friend with a little brute force.

I’m now hoping that there won’t be too much of a fight on Saturday and my items will be on display before the end of the fair, otherwise I

might have to take up wallpapering again!

Until next year, wishing you trouble-free tables and a Happy New Year,

Lindsay l Send your events and gig details direct to Lindsay at events@takeone publications.co.uk

Halesworth: Art – The Renaissance – No 6 in a series of 6 Wednesday sessions, The Cut, 10.30am, £10, all 6 lectures £48, 0300 3033211, info@newcut. org Halesworth: Film – Anomalisa (15), The Cut, 7.30pm, £5, 0300 3033211, info@newcut. org Thursday 15 Bury St Edmunds: Raymond Froggatt Christmas Matinee Show, The Apex, 2pm, £18.50, 01284 758000 Haughley: Conservatoire East – Christmas at Haughley Park Barn, Nr Stowmarket, mulled wine & seasonal food 6.30pm, wshow starts 7.30pm, £22, conc £20, 01284 769505 Thetford: U3A Christmas Event, Carnegie Room, 1.45-4pm, members only Friday 16 Bungay: Luke Wright Fundraiser for Bungay Library & The Fisher Theatre, Fisher Theatre, 7.30pm, £10, 01986 897130

Saturday 17 Brandon: RSPB Birds and Wildlife of the Forest – Join a friendly, expert guide to discover more about the birds & wildlife at the park, Brandon Country Park Car Park, IP27 0SU, 10.30am (walk lasts about three hours), suggested donation £5, booking essential: 01842 753732 thebrecks@rspb. org.uk Snape: Sing Christmas – led by Aldeburgh Music’s choirs, Snape Maltings, 1.30pm, £10, u27 £5, Snape: Father Christmas arrives at Snape Maltings by an historic Thames sailing barge, 3.30pm, free, 01728 687110 Saturday 17-Sunday 18 Diss: Cribs for Christmas – Exhibition of Nativity Scenes, children’s activity table, children’s art on display, refreshments, Methodist Church, Victoria Road, Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1-4pm, free entry, 01379 423331 Norwich: Victorianthemed Christmas Market, old Barclays Bank building, 20

Bank Plain, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm, enquiries@ norwichchristmas market. co.uk Saturday 17-January 2 Ipswich: Pantomine – Sleeping Beauty – Sheila Ferguson, Keith Jack, Regent Theatre, 01473 433100 Sunday 18 Rocklands: Nine Lessons and Carols, Rockland St Peter Church, NR17 1TT, 10.30am, 01953 488199 Thompson: Christmas concert featuring The Bellfolk Handbell Ringers, St. Martin’s Church, IP24 1QG, 3pm, £5 to include welcome drink & mince pie, children free, 01953 488911 Monday 19-Mon, Jan 2 Bungay: Immersion Theatre presents: Robin Hood, Fisher Theatre, 1pm & 4.30pm, 1pm & 6pm Thursdays & Fridays, one show only December 27, 6pm. No performances Christmas Day/New Year’s Day, £12, £10,50 conc, 01986 897130

In step for some special fund-raising

Wymondham Rotary and Lions Clubs are joining forces for a Charity Burn’s Night Supper and Ceilidh at Wymondham Central Hall on Friday, January 29.

There will be a traditional two-course Burn’s supper, piping in and addressing the haggis.

This will be followed by dancing

to local ceilidh band Happy Feet until 11pm.

Doors open at 6.30 and the meal begins at 7pm. Tickets are £20 and will be available after Christmas online at www. wymfest.org.uk, by email from prichardson@downhammanor. co.uk, or jamwilde@hotmail.com,

and from Reeves, Market Street, Wymondham.

Profits will help Chapel Road Special School, Attleborough.

If any supporters of other local charities wishing to buy tickets through their charity, a donation of £5/ticket will be made to that charity.

Lindsay has been getting a tangle with her new craft fair table.

Email your events and gig listings to events@ takeonepublications.co.uk – Deadline for the next edition is January 13, 2017

Christmas/New Year 2016

www.takeonepublications.co.uk

To advertise, call 0777 1461360 advertising@takeonepublications.co.uk

… Out and About around the Norfolk/Suffolk border Monday 19 Wymondham: Crafting Group at The Feathers, 13 Town Road, NR18 0PN Wednesday 21 Halesworth: Film Mommy (15), The Cut, 7.30pm, £5, 0300 3033 211 Friday 23 Bury St Edmunds: Father Christmas Needs a Wee – TaleGate Theatre Productions, The Apex, 11.30am & 2pm, £12 adult, £10 child, £38 family, 01284 758000 Bury St Edmunds: An Albion Christmas – a seasonal mixture of carols, spoken word, humorous readings & dance, The Apex, 8pm, £18, 01284 758000 Friday 23-Saturday 24 Stowmarket: Common Ground Theatre company presents: The Phantom Bantam of the Opera, John Peel Centre, 7pm Friday, 3.30pm & 7pm Saturday, £12, £7 conc, 01449 774678 Friday 23Sunday, January 1 Beccles: Aladdin – Family Pantomime, Public Hall & Theatre, various times, 01502 770060 Saturday 24 Weybread: Candlelit carol service, St Andrew’s Church, IP21 5TR, all welcome, 6.30pm, free but donations welcome Tuesday 27Thursday 29 Framlingham: Festive Falconry, Framlingham Castle, 11am-4pm, 0370 333 1181, www.englishheritage.org.uk Tuesday 27Saturday 31 Halesworth: Story Pocket Theatre: The Nutcracker, The Cut, 2pm, £9, £8 conc, £6 child, 0300 3033211 Friday 30 – Monday, January 2 Bury St Edmunds: The Children’s Theatre Company present Cats!, The Apex, Friday 2.30 & 7.30pm, Saturday 2.30pm, Monday 2.30 & 7.30pm, £21 adult, £18 child, 01284 758000 Saturday 31 Eccles: New Year’s Party Night, Garnier Village Hall, from 8pm, www.garnierhall.co.uk Woodton: Have you had rubbish New Year’s Eves? Try a ceilidh with a difference, village hall, NR35 2NG, 8.30pm, £15 pre-book only, includes sumptuous buffet, bring your own drinks, 01379 853967

2017 January Sunday 1 Starston: Meet, Greet & Mardle – Meet friends old and new, drinks & seasonal refreshments, informal gathering, no service, St Margaret’s Church, 12.30pm (bells at noon), 01379 853967 Friday 6 Freckenham: Film Night – I Daniel Blake, Village Hall, Fordham Road, IP28 8JB, 7.30pm, £5, 07542 198933 Sunday 8 Hoxne: Red Riding Hood Pantomime, St. Edmund’s Hall, IP21 5AN, 3pm, £7, 01379 384656 Monday 9 Norwich: Songs of Freedom: Miles Jupp, Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, 01603 630000, theatreroyalnorwich. co.uk Wednesday 11 Diss: Film – Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (15), Diss High School, 7.30pm, £5, CH Friend £4, u18 £2.50, 01379 652241 Friday 13-Saturday 21 (Fridays and Saturdays) Thetford: Thetford Players present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Carnegie Room, Fridays 7pm, Saturdays 1.30pm & 6.30pm, from £7, 01842 751975 Saturday 14 Cotton: Popular cafe, brunches, craft & produce stalls, village hall, Blacksmith Road, IP14 4QN, 10am-noon, free entry, http://cotton. onesuffolk.net/ Sunday 15 Crowfield: Red Riding Hood Pantomime, Village Hall, IP6 9SY, 3pm, £7, 01379 384656 Tuesday 17Saturday 21 Norwich: La Cage Aux Folles (Touring), Theatre Royal, 01603 630000, info@ theatreroyalnorwich. co.uk Thursday 26 Halesworth: Science Cafe – Dark Energy & Dark Matter, The Cut, 6.30pm, £3, 0300 3033211 Thetford: U3A – Introduction to Gemstones by Jason Middleton, Carnegie Room, 1.45-4pm, members free, £2 non-members, 01842 765229

Gig Guide December Wednesday 7 Bury St Edmunds: Turin Brakes 2016 Lost Property Tour, The Apex, 8pm, £22 (£20 in advance) Ipswich: The Overtones, Regent Theatre, 7pm, £24.75-£108.90, 01473 433100 Thursday 8 Bury St Edmunds: Let’s Hang On (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons tribute), The Apex, 7.30pm, £23, 01284 758000 Friday 9 Ipswich: Chas & Dave, Regent Theatre, 7.30pm, £30-£32, 01473 433100 Ipswich: Colourblind Hedgehogs, Gardeners Arms, IP3 8AB, 9pm, 01473 284003 Wreningham: Avenue – Acoustic Duo, The Bird In Hand, 8.30pm, Friday 9-Saturday 10 Bungay: Pure Floyd Show, Fisher Theatre, 7.30pm, £16, 01986 897130 Saturday 10 Beccles: Disco Night Fever Band – Bee Gees Tribute, Public Hall and Theatre, 8pm, £15, 01502 770060 Fressingfield: Cadillac 45 – Fifties Rock & Roll, Sports & Social Club, 8.30pm, 07723 581822 Ipswich: Camel Foot Raiders, The Mulberry Tree, Woodbridge Road, 01473 225776 Pulham Market: Budgie Coleman Band – Xmas Party, Country Gold, Memorial Hall,IP21 4SU, 8-11.30pm, £6, No bar – bring own drinks & nibbles, 01379 644136 Wreningham: Rollercoaster – Live Music, Village Hall, NR16 1AN, 8.30pm-midnight, £7, bar, 01508 488123 Sunday 11 Diss: The Jeff Gallant Band – Xmas Party, Silver Dollar Country Music Club, The Park Hotel, Denmark Street, 7.30-10.30pm, Members £5, Non-members £6, 01603 433918 Halesworth: The Churchfitters – a folk group like no other, The Cut, 7.30pm, £12, 0300 3033211, info@newcut. org Ipswich: Suffolk Soul Singers, St Peter’s

by The Waterfront, 3pm, £10, boxoffice@ stpetersby thewaterfront. com Monday 12 Bury St Edmunds: Belcea Quartet, The Apex, 7.30pm, £20/£15/ £5 u25, 01284 758000

Ipswich: Neil Sands Christmas Memories, Grand Hall, Corn Exchange, 2.30pm, £13.50, Stowmarket: An Evening of Country Music with John McNicholl, Regal Cinema, Theatre & Bar, 7.30pm, £15, 01449 612825 Tuesday 13 Bury St Edmunds: Glenn Tilbrook, The Apex, 7.30pm, £20, 01284 758000 Wednesday 14 Bury St Edmunds: Big Country, The Apex, 8pm, £22 in advance, £24 on door, 01284 758000 Norwich: UEA Choir & Symphony Orchestra Carol Concert, St John The Baptist Roman Catholic Cathedral, Unthank Road, 7.30pm Thursday 15 Bury St Edmunds: Bury St Edmunds: Let’s Twist Again 2016, The Apex, 7.30pm, £23.50, 01284 758000 Halesworth: Richard Durrant’s Candlelit Christmas- Guitar concert with special guests, The Cut, 7.30pm, £12, u18 £5, 0300 3033211, info@ newcut.org Friday 16 Beccles: Christmas Brass, Public Hall & Theatre, 7.30-10pm, £8, £7 conc, 01502 770060 Botesdale: Bad Monkey Driver – rock covers, The Greyhound, 9pm, 01379 898003 Bury St Edmunds: From Bop to Blue – Rebop Plays Miles, Hunter Club, St Andrews St South, 8pm, £14 adults, £7 u25, 0779 9650 009 Halesworth: Big Sky in Winter Light – conducted

by Sian Croose, Hugh Lupton, Adrian Lever, The Cut, 8pm, £10, conc £8.50, 0300 3033211 Snape: Handel’s Messiah, Snape Maltings, 7.30pm, £20, £18, £15, £12, £10, u27 half price, 01728 687110 Watton: Rob Charles – Easy Listening, Queen’s Hall, Norwich Road, IP25 6DA, 7pm Saturday 17 Beccles: Super Swing Big Band Dance Night, Public Hall & Theatre, 8pm, £12, 01502 770060 Halesworth: Murphy’s Lore – folk rock band, The Cut, 7.30pm, £5, 0300 3033211, info@ newcut.org Ipswich: St Peter’s Band Christmas Concert, St Peter’s

by The Waterfront, 7pm, £6, boxoffice@ stpetersbythewaterfront. com

Kesgrave: Travelling Light, Social Club, Edmonton Road, IP5 1EE, 7pm, 01473 622128 Snape: BBC Big Band – festive favourites, Snape Maltings, 7.30pm, £27, £23, £19, £15, £11, 01728 687110 Wreningham: Miss Lily Moe – Swiss & The Savoys, Starfighter Rock & Roll Club, NR16 1AN, 8pm, 01603 433918 Sunday 18 Bury St Edmunds: West Road Church presents Orchestral Carols, The Apex, 6-8pm, Free entry – collection for St Nicholas Hospice, Norwich: A Vision of Elvis, Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, £7-£24, 01603 630000 Wreningham: Maddison County – Xmas Party Afternoon, Dumplin Country, Village Hall, Mill Lane, NR16 1AN, 1.304.30pm, £5, Licensed bar, 01603 433918 Monday 19 Bury St Edmunds: Jazz at the Movies, The Apex, 7.30pm, £15, 01284 758000 Tuesday 20 Bury St Edmunds: Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band, The Apex, 8pm, £22.50, 01284 758000 Wednesday 21 Bury St Edmunds: Carols by Candlelight – The Locrian Ensemble’s Christmas Show, The Apex, 7.30pm, £19.50, 01284 758000 Thursday 22 Bury St Edmunds: Abba Party Night – Tribute, The Apex, 7.30pm, £22, 01284 758000 Saturday 24 Kesgrave: Houseshakers, Social Club, Edmonton Road, IP5 1EE, 7pm, socialclub@kesgrave. org.uk Saturday 31 Great Moulton: Groovapolitan – Funk, soul & disco, Fox & Hounds, Frith Way, NR15 2HE, 9pm-12.30am Ipswich: Saints New Year Hootenanny, St Peter’s by The Waterfront, 8pm1am, ticket only – £25, boxoffice@ stpetersbythewaterfront. com Kesgrave: Infrared, Social Club, Edmondton Road, IP5 1EE, 7pm, socialclub@kesgrave. org.uk Wymondham: James Barr JBKV – Rock/Pop/ Soul, The Cross Keys, about 9pm

2017 January Thursday 5 Norwich: Beyond the Barricade (Touring), Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, 01603 630000, info@ theatreroyalnorwich. co.uk Wednesday 11 Bury St Edmunds: Tommy Emmanuel – The It’s Never Too Late Tour, The Apex, 7.30pm, £25 in advance, £27 on door, 01284 758000 Friday 13 Shadingfield: Midnight Circus – Covers, rock, soul, pop, blues, Shadingfield Fox, NR34 8DD, 9pm, 01502 575100 Saturday 14 Kesgrave: Bob Keeley – Country, Social Club, Edmonton Road, IP5 1EE, 8pm, socialclub@ kesgrave.org.uk Thursday 19 Bury St Edmunds: From The Jam – Tribute, The Apex, 8pm, £22.50, 01284 758000 Friday 20 Bury St Edmunds: Fleetwood Bac – Tribute, The Apex, 8pm, £18 in advance, £20 on door, 01284 758000 Saturday 21 Bury St Edmunds: Elkie Brooks – Live in Concert, The Apex, 7.30pm, £27, 01284 758000 Bury St Edmunds: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, £8.50-£21.50, 01284 769505 Sunday 22 Bury St Edmunds: The Chicago Blues Brothers, The Apex, 7.30pm, £24.50, 01284 758000 Norwich: The Classic Rock Show, Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, £7-£24, 01603 630000, info@ theatreroyalnorwich. co.uk Monday 23 Bury St Edmunds: Lunchtime Concert – Saxology Saxophone Quartet, Theatre Royal, 1.10pm, £8.50, 01284 769505 Friday 27 Stratford St Andrew: Ninebarrow, Everyman Folk Club, The Riverside Centre, Great Glemham Road, IP17 1LL, 8pm, £5 in advance, £6 on door, 01449 615523 Saturday 28 Banham: Wake The Neighbours – Popular rock from 70s, 80s & more, Garden House, 9pm

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…time for a cuppa! …teaser, by P Davies

"

WIN a tea for two treat TakeOne has teamed up with the award-winning Fairchild’s Tea Rooms in Diss for a tasty treat for one lucky reader and companion.

One successfully completed crossword, submitted to us before January 16, will win a full afternoon tea for two, worth £27.50 at Fairchild’s in Diss.

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Bound to be Different DOWN 1 This chap comes before Christmas to be 4 and 8 Across. (6) 2 Make indistinct – blah-blah-blah almost. (4) 3 Christmas pudding, you might think, to set God ranting. (6) 5 Skittles venue finds friend in east?

Quite the contrary! (5) 6 Things you are looking for at this very moment. (7) 11 Taking one’s is no doubt relaxing. (4) 13 Hamper without hesitation she is related to 16 Down... (4) 14 ...and obviously 16 Down doesn’t powder his! (4) 16 Does he get a glowing report from Santa? (7) 18 Half of Fram coil strangely and cavort. (6) 19 He’ll be an irritating 25 Across if he goes quick, quick and then slow! (6) 21 Starts to yell over Dolomites extremely loudly. (5) 23 Pulls the wool over the eyes of excitable creatures at Christmas. (4)

"

ACROSS 4 and 8. A class aunt gets tipsy for Christmas visitor. (5.5) 7 and 10 Down. The French hundred travelled by horse behind car east of Attleborough. (8.4) 9 Had scare when playing Christmas game. (8) 10 A crop that appears in winter years.

(3) 12 European flower raises hell in north east initially. (5) 15 Always found in Broadstairs, it must be fresh! (3) 17 A pot that is hidden in Burnham. (3) 18 The head of Felsham and French editor were celebrated. (5) 20 You’ll sound like a Welshman when you change colour! (3) 22 It’s up in the bedroom just before Christmas! (8) 24 House that only probably leaps on the 12th day of Christmas. (5) 25 For example 16 Down – what Prince Philip says to Queen apparently. (8) 26 Learner gets into pious Christmas decoration. (5)

November edition solutions. Across – 4 Mavis. 7 Heritage. 8 Disco. 9 Pettaugh.

10 and 22 Winfarthing. 12 Alice. 15 Ova. 17 Age. 18 Along. 20 Dry. 24 See 6 Down.

25 Dissolve. 26 Newsy.

Down – 1 Peseta. 2 Hint. 3 Mature. 5 Alibi. 6 and 24 Across. Stonham Aspal. 10 Will.

11 Noon. 13 Lied. 14 Cley. 16 Captain. 18 Across. 19 Geneva. 21 Roads. 23 Hoot.

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