Village People South Norwich edition – February / March 2018 (Early Spring)

FEB / MARCH 2018

South Norwich edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

ART & LOVE

Featuring Norwich Artists

HISTORY OF

Bergh Apton & The Lophams

Norfolk

Wildlife Trust talks pond life

Delicious gluten free cake recipe Ladies who lunch take a trip to Burston Top tips for renovating your bathroom

WIN

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Contents

71

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

Out & About

47 Memories of North & South

8 Good news from our region 13 Could you be an NHS

50 Norfolk Wildlife Trust talks

volunteer?

14 Ladies who lunch visit The Burston Crown

16 Film reviews – what’s on the big screen

19 ‘The Band’ comes to Norwich Theatre Royal

22 Exercise your brain cells with our crossword

25 6 top tips for renovating your bathroom

Lopham pond life

53 Local stories by Neil Lanham 54 Education through the Tukongote project

57 Inspiring Females 58 On your plot – the arrival of Spring

61 A sign of the times – Bergh Apton

63 Thoughts of a Norfolk author

64 Wymondham Walk 66 What’s in season – produce

27 Village notice board

47

for February & March

67 Recipe for seasonal ratatouille

68 Chinese New Year – The year of the dog

Shopping Home & Garden 32 Recipe for orange & cardamom polenta cake

71 Book reviews – what we are loving this issue

73 Fashion Ice-cream pastels are in for Spring!

75 How to get a fresh complexion for Spring

Health & Beauty 77 Writer & artist Kristy Campbell investigates the expression of love in the work of Norwich artists

81 Heath Q & A – how diet affects blood pressure

Jobs, Money & Business 83 Smart money secrets – inheritance tax, don’t miss this!

85 Win tickets to see Rebecca Ferguson at Norwich UEA

86 Find a local business in our directory

35 Wymondham Heritage Museum’s new exhibit

37 Do you have a heart and a home?

39 Voluntary Norfolk tackles loneliness close to home

40 Garden jottings from Ken 43 Youth theatre company launches in Norwich

44 Sam’s Story – new short story from Attleborough Writers’ Group

54

Are you looking for a particular product or service?

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WIN TICKETS TO SEE

Rebecca Ferguson IN NORWICH This issue, we’re offering you the chance to win one of three pairs of tickets to see Rebecca Ferguson at UEA in Norwich on 17 February.

A

fter coming runner-up on the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010, Rebecca Ferguson has not been short of success. Having co-written her record-breaking debut album Heaven, and going on to release a further three follow-ups, Rebecca has proven herself to be a recording artist with a passion for her craft that is second to none.

Released in 2011, Heaven was a critical and commercial success selling 128,000 copies in its first week, making her the fastestselling debut solo artist of the past decade.

Going on to release her follow up album, Freedom, in 2013, and then her third studio album Lady Sings The Blues (covering a number of jazz classics made famous by Billie Holiday), Rebecca shows off her versatile style with ease.

countless tours across the UK, Europe and US, this workingclass girl from Liverpool doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

S

Her fourth album, Superwoman, shows that Rebecca has come a long way from the shy twentysomething audiences first saw on television 7 years ago.

outh Norfolk is a hive of activity in February and March, with dozens of events, meetings and things to do. Check out our Village Notice Board pages inside and get some dates in your diarry.

And remember to bookmark our website for a complete list of events – there’s never enough space to list everything in our packed magazines but you’ll find it all here: www.village-people.info

Continuing to flourish as a confident songwriter and stunning live performer and embarking on

To WIN a pair of tickets to see Rebecca perform at UEA on Saturday 17 February, visit www.village-people.info and answer the following question: What is the name of Rebecca’s fourth studio album?

A: Catwoman B: Superwoman C: Wonder Woman Closing date Wednesday 14 February.

Usual Village People rules apply.

WIN REBECCA

FERGUSON TICKETS AT UEA

As usual, this issue is packed with local articles, all designed to educate, inspire or entertain. We’re launching two new columns this issue; one with local author, Keri Beevis, who shares her thoughts on New Year resolutions, and the other with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, focusing on pond life.

ADVERTISE WITH US!

Our history columns feature The Lophams and Bergh Apton and our ‘Ladies who Lunch’ have been over to Burston. Read all about their visit inside.

Reliably delivered by Royal Mail, reaching 50,000 homes every two months. Three editions of Village People provide unrivalled coverage of South Norfolk, reaching more homes than ANY other local magazine. For more information, call our friendly team on 01284 788623 or send an email to office@village-people.info

The Chinese New Year starts on 16 February and we have a fabulous feature on the Year of the Dog. In this country, Chinese New Year has become something of an important celebration for all nationalities, not to mention a great opportunity to eat, drink and be merry between the festivities of Christmas and Easter.

Thank you to all our lovely readers who wrote in last year to tell me how much they enjoy reading Village People. It’s my number one goal to make sure that each of our three editions (fourth in the pipeline) continues to include brilliant, local and relevant articles to read. These magazines are also the number one way to find the best businesses in our rural local area. As we head into our tenth year in business, let’s continue to keep it local!

Lily

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @vpmagazine Read all our magazines issuu.com/villagepeoplemag

Lily Goulder editor@village-people.info 01284 788623

Visit our website to find out more www.village-people.info

FEB / MARCH 2018

Norfolk/Suffolk border edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST talks pond life

WIN

TO TICKETS ECCA SEE REB ON FERGUS AT UEA

e c ous g uten free cake recipe

Ladies who lunch take a trip to Burston Top tips for renovating your bathroom

History Of

Bergh Apton & The Lophams ART & LOVE

Featuring Norwich Artists

FEB / MARCH 2018

South Norfolk edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

HISTORY OF

Bergh Apton & The Lophams

NORFOLK

Wildlife Trust

Art & Love

Featuring Norwich Artists

e c ous g uten free cake recipe

Ladies who lunch take a trip to Burston Top tips for renovating your bathroom

WIN

TICK SEE ETS TO RE FERG BECC A US AT UE ON A

FEB / MARCH 2018

South Norwich edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

ART & LOVE

Featuring Norwich Artists

HISTORY OF

Bergh Apton & The Lophams

Norfolk

Wildlife Trust talks pond life

W IN

TICK SEE ETS TO RE FERG BECC A US AT UE ON A

NEXT DEADLINE April / May (Late Spring) 28th February

e c ous g uten free cake recipe

Ladies who lunch take a trip to Burston Top tips for renovating your bathroom

7

Good News from our region MAISIE, STILL INSPIRING AND HELPING THE TEENAGE CANCER TRUST Maisie Colquhoun fought an incredibly brave battle against cancer. But as hard as she fought and despite the wonderful care and treatment she received at The Teenage Cancer Trust’s C9 ward at Addenbookes she tragically died two years ag go ag ged 17.

But that is not the end of Maisie Colquhoun.

Maisie’s determination and altruistic nature still inspires people to carry on raising funds for the TCT. This is why a group of her family and friends climbed a mountain higher than Ben Nevis in 39°C heat and the next day y swam

The Maisie 100 Team and Jen Townsend from the Teenage Cancer Trust

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Good News across Lake Como in Italy!

Most people thought they were mad to undertake the challenge but generously sponsored them and donated a grand total of £13,000 which will go directly to ward C9 at Addenbrookes where young adults with cancer from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire are treated and cared for.

Jenny Townsend, local fundraising coordinator at Teenage Cancer Trust says, “It’s been a privilege working with the Maisie 100 team. As well as raising a phenomenal amount of money for our Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Addenbrooke’s, the group have really demonstrated what teamwork and friendship means, whilst creating some very special memories. Their success is a wonderful tribute to Maisie and we are incredibly grateful to each and every member of the team” So if you’re feeling inspired by Maisie to get out there and raise funds, go for it! Visit the TCT website where there are plenty of ideas to get you started. www.teenagecancertrust.org/ support-us/fundraise

LOCAL HISTORIAN’S CALENDAR RAISES OVER £2,000 FOR CHARITY Dennis Cross, local historian and Village People contributor, has raised £2,367 for charity through sales of his 2018 calendar. All proceeds will go to Big C, Norfolk’s cancer charity.

Dennis’ calendar is full of photos showcasing the history Diss, bringing back memories for residents of the town. Photos feature places like the old Picturehouse, which was a wonderful meeting place for couples, friends and families in the past. The photos are varied and include images of the home guard during the Second World War together with many old shopfronts that do not exist in the town today.

Well done, Dennis and thanks to Photo Elite on Market Hill and Leslie Ward Collectibles on Church Street in Diss for stocking the calendar.

Dennis Cross presents the cheque to Claire Freek, Big C Fundraising Administrator

Call in for a fabulous selection of plants perfect for wildlife gardens, woodland and bog gardens Our Tearoom serves lunches, homemade scones, cakes and ice creams all day Find us just off the A47; 10 miles East of Norwich at NR13 6DZ 01603 270449 www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

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MATT SKEET 07789148158 South Norfolk JON BERNARD 07471933640 North Norfolk 9

Good News

STOCK AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEW BIG C SHOP Norfolk’s cancer charity, Big C, has opened a new shop in Diss and is asking local people if they can help with stock donations or volunteering.

If you are de-cluttering your house this spring, requested items include good quality clothing, shoes and accessories, household objects, decorative accessories, books, CDs and bric-a-brac.

The shop will have a particular focus on furniture and craft.

Big C would also love to hear from volunteers who would like to help support the shop managers in running the store. Duties include sorting stock and helping on the tills.

Dr Chris Bushby, CEO at Big C says, “Our shops provide an integral part of our charitable income.

We rely on the generous time and energy our volunteers give to Big C. It’s a wonderful way to meet new people and for some it’s also a good opportunity to gain experience of the retail sector.”

Dr Bushby continues, “On average, 20 people are given a cancer diagnosis every day in Norfolk and Waveney and the need for our services is increasing daily. Your unwanted gifts, outgrown clothes and any other items would go a long way to support people affected by cancer in our community.”

As well as selling quality items to raise money for those in our community affected by cancer, the new Diss shop will have a dedicated area

YOUR WILL

where craft groups and other local organisations can meet.

Ashley Bunn, head of retail at Big C says, “We are keen to become actively involved in the Diss community and welcome contact from a variety of groups, such as knitting, sewing or slimming clubs, who would be keen to meet upstairs in the shop where we have a lovely light space. We have a large table, chairs and a blackboard wall, all available for community use.”

To learn more about the work Big C does to improve the lives of those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney, please visit www.big-c.co.uk or visit the new shop at Unit D, Victoria Retail Centre in Diss.

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Good News

LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORTS PEOPLE IN CRISIS IN NORWICH Local business, Metro Rod Norwich, has been collecting donations to help The People’s Picnic, a collective group dedicated to providing meals and essential items to those in need.

Metro Rod, a drain care business based in Tharston, decided to help this worthy cause to make sure that the less fortunate and vulnerable in our community are not forgotten.

“We simply wanted to show that we care,” says the director, Jean O’Brien. “We asked for donations of items that our friends, neighbours and business colleagues no longer needed, such as spare sleeping bags and tins of food, and we were totally overwhelmed with the response.”

Jean and her team aimed to fill one van with items to take but were able to fill four vehicles to the rafters and were inundated with volunteers willing to help too.

Whilst The People’s Picnic concentrated on dishing up warm hearty meals, the ten Metro Rod volunteers distributed 130 bags full of food, sleeping bags, bedding, clothing and toiletries at the Haymarket area in Norwich.

Metro Rod are always keen to help the community, so when they noticed that the Diss based builders, NS Hughes, were volunteering two builders to help a house in need over Christmas, they had to get involved.

“We thought that the NS Hughes project was a fantastic example of giving back to the community so we offered to help by sending our engineer

along to the chosen house to clear their drainage system,” says Angie Symonds of Metro Rod. Metro Rod and NS Hughes look forward to continuing to support other charitable projects throughout Norfolk this year.

IF YOU HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO SHARE EMAIL US AT editor@village-people.info

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Enjoyable Days Out by coach Date

Show/Venue

Depart

Cost

Sun 11th Feb

Strictly On Tour @ O2

8am

£85

Fri 16th Feb

Cirque De Soleil – Ryl Albert Hall

9am

£88

Sat 3rd Mar

Springfields Shopping Outlet & Baytree Nursery Spalding

9am

£18

Sun 4th Mar

Knitting & Stitching – Olympia

8am

£35

Sun 11th Mar

Jordans Mill, Gardens & Lunch

9am

£36

Sat 17th Mar

Thriplow Daffodil Weekend & Country Fair

9am

£32

Sun 18th Mar

Hobbycrafts Show - NEC

7.30am

£37

Classical Spectacular – Royal Albert Hall

8.30am

£70

Kensington Museums

8.30am

£23 Child £15

Thurs 22nd Mar Beth Chatto Gardens & Lavenham

9am

£28

Sun 25th Mar

Dancing On Ice – Wembley Arena

8am

£85

Sat 31st Mar

RAF Centenary Gala Concert - Royal Albert Hall 1pm

£75

Tues 3rd April

Harry Potter Warner Bros Tour

7.30am

£65 Child £57

Sun 8th April

Audley End House & Gardens

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orfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust are looking for people who care about the local community and are able to offer a couple of hours on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis to support NHS clinicians and staff to provide a positive patient experience. We are particularly looking for friendly and compassionate people to join us as volunteers across our hospital sites in Wymondham, Attleborough and Dereham. We provide a variety of volunteering roles to suit most people’s needs and skills, such as:

People-facing Chat, read, provide companionships or just sit and listen to one of our patients during an activity group or on a ward.

Behind the scenes Help make patient information packs, ring a patient to remind them about their appointment or help organise stock supplies.

Full training and support is provided and all out-ofpocket expenses will be reimbursed. No personal care is involved.

To find out more, please contact the volunteer co-ordinator, Pavlina Parashkevova, on 07392 867743, email volunteering@nchc.nhs.uk or visit www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk

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Eating Out

Ladies Who Lunch

THE BURSTON CROW WN Mill Road, Burston, Diss, IP22 5TW Tel: 01379 741257 www.burstoncrown.com

E

very time I do a lunch report I ask myself if I would go there again, but when I come to think of it, I haven’t had the chance to go back to many as there are so many new places I want to try. I have been to Burston Crown before; in September 2012 I said, “I would love to go again, for the atmosphere, the light-heartedness and the roaring log fire, and for another go at that vegetarian pancake”.

So today I did go back. And it is unchanged; the roaring log fire was halfway up the chimney and the staff were happily nipping about. I was pleased to choose from a good selection of draught beer while my friend drank fizzy water. We chose a table in the sunshine and studied the large menu; there were also specials chalked up on a board together with sandwiches. I chose beef lasagne with salad and received the largest portion of lasagne that I have ever been presented with!

My friend decided on the haddock, chips and peas and was very pleased that she had – we were both a little tired of Christmas food. Her haddock swam into sight with barely enough room for the home-made chips and the peas but every item was generously proportioned and the beer batter on the fish was light and crisp.

As this was my last big meal before the diet reared its shrunken head (and I had already had my sugar levels checked at the med centre) I had decided on the treacle tart the minute I walked in the door and saw it on the board. My friend felt obliged to choose the sticky toffee pudding to compare it with a rather stodgy version she had suffered elsewhere.

My treacle tart was good and it slipped down a treat. I then helped my friend tidy up her sticky toffee pud and agreed that it was a feather-light dream. Coffee followed and my espresso was small, hot and strong in the dinkiest cup ever; my friend’s cappuccino was to her liking too. We were

14

Winner of South Norfolk Community Pub award 2016

The Burston Crown Mill Road, Burston,Diss IP22 5TW Table 201

Chk*111

Guest:3

One pint of real ale A fizzy water Haddock and chips Beef lasagne Sticky toffee pud Treacle tart Espresso Cappuccino.

£3.50 £2.30 £12.50 £12.00 £6.00 £6.00 £2.00 £3.50

Total

£47.50

THANK YOU FOR DINING WITH US! PLEASE COME AGAIN

given what looked like a large hand-made designer chocolate each – the sort I have paid a lot for elsewhere.

Finding the pub is relatively easy as there are signs pointing the way; parking is plentiful and there are no steps to negotiate. The only tiny niggle was that the bill wasn’t itemised, but the loos were clean and the whole place had a happy atmosphere.

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Cinema

On the BIG SCREEN With thanks to The Light Cinema Thetford, a 3 screen all-digital cinema in the heart of Thetford

Black Panther 16 February

Ready Player One 30 March

After the death of his father, T’Challa returns to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to succeed the throne but finds his mettle tested when a powerful old enemy reappears. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.

In 2045, the entire world is gripped by a contest to find a digital Easter egg hidden within an expansive virtual reality universe known as OASIS. When an unlikely young hero named Wade Watts decides to join the race, he is hurled into a breakneck, reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical universe of mystery, discovery and danger.

ARTS

ARTS

National Theatre Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 22 February

National Theatre Live: Julius Caesar 22 March

Tennessee Williams’ twentieth century masterpiece stars Colm Meaney, Jack O’Connell and Sienna Miller. Directed by Benedict Andrews.

Caesar returns in triumph to Rome and the people pour out of their homes to celebrate.

Alarmed by the autocrat’s popularity, the educated elite conspire to bring him down.

After his assassination, civil war erupts on the streets of the capital.

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17

Feb/Mar

BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00

Fri 2 – Sat 3 February RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY World class dance £7 - £21.50 Tues 6 – Sat 17 February THE BAND New musical with the music of Take That £8 - £49.50

Mon 19 – Tues 20 March LA TRAVIATA (Mon) & MADAMA BUTTERFLY (Tues) Passion and heartbreak with two of the world’s greatest operas £8 - £36.50

Sat 24 March EUROPEAN UNION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Bach, Mozart and Vivaldi £8 - £25

Sun 18 February POCAHONTAS Michala Jane School of Dance £7 - £17.50 Tues 20 – Sat 24 February GALLOWGLASS Gripping adaptation of Ruth Rendell thriller £8 - £26.50

Mon 5 – Sat 10 March THE KITE RUNNER Moving tale adapted from the best-selling novel £8 - £28.50 Mon 12 – Sat 17 March FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL Jodie Prenger, Sam Bailey, Natasha Hamilton, Kevin Kennedy star in new musical based on the hit TV comedy £8 - £44

Thur 22 March A COUNTRY NIGHT IN NASHVILLE The very best of country music £8 – £25 Fri 24 March STEWART LEE Content Provider Caustic stand-up £7 - £22

Mon 26 – Sat 31 March LEGALLY BLONDE Rita Simons, Lucie Jones, Bill Ward star in smash hit musical £8 - £45

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

18

MATTHEW BOURNE’S CINDERELLA

Tues 27 Feb – Sat 3 March Matthew Bourne’s CINDERELLA Fairy tale dance updated to WW2 £8 - £42.50

Theatre

I

CALLING ALL Take That FANS…

t is the ultimate celebration of one of Britain’s biggest bands as well as a poignant tale of friendship. For fans of Take That, The Band, which comes to Norwich Theatre Royal on 6-17 February, is a must-see.

It follows the story of a group of teenage fans of The Band as they follow their idols to a concert, then picks up on their story years later when the women are in their forties dealing with the problems, issues and changes that life throws at them.

Boasting a soundtrack of Take That’s biggest songs, a creative team of successful producers, an acclaimed writer and Take That themselves, the ingredients are there for a hit.

Band-member Mark Owen says: “Even though we aren’t characters in The Band, we are in the show from beginning to end.

We met those fans when they were 16 years old as they were

outside our houses screaming and we have seen them grow up.

It is about the audience and the support they have given us.

Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Yazdan Qafouri and Sario Solomon. Take That’s Mark says they are doing incredibly well.

“We have always had a great relationship with our audience and I think this is one of the reasons why we were so keen to do The Band.”

He laughs: “I am concerned that they are getting very good.

I don’t want them to be better than us! Seriously though, we are very proud of them. They are like our little brothers and we want to look after them. They are so professional and so solid together. We were so lucky that the band who came out of Let It Shine were so superb.”

The whole process began when noted West End and touring producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers got together with the band themselves to work on some plot ideas. They eventually came up with a finished draft which is based on true events.

More work was done on the plot and story and then the search began for the five performers to play The Band courtesy of BBC One’s prime-time Saturday night hit Let It Shine.

After a process of auditions and live performances, the lucky winners were 5 to 5 – AJ

Take That band member, Gary Barlow, says: “It is a rollercoaster of emotions, a celebration of our music and a beautifully-written story. You’ll be laughing, crying and feeling like a teenager again!”

Tickets are available from the box office on 01603 630000 or online at www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

19

Optional Apex Conversion

For your 20

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Security

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R HOME GETTING INTO YOUR Burglaries can leave you with long-lasting fear – but you can stop them getting in by having a survey of your home’s weak spots and installing CCTV cameras to protect your family.

Homeowners who are the victims of a burglary can find that the emotional trauma is long-lasting. It is bad enough losing your cherished possessions but, for some of us, the distress caused by having our private space violated is permanent. ‘‘The impact of a burglary can have a profound influence for many years with some people reporting they need to sleep with a light on, whereas others don’t want to be on their own at night,’’ said a spokesman for Malthouse Security, which is based locally.

Victim Support, a charity, says burglary is one of the most common crimes and the very thought of a stranger in your home can be especially distressing.

Parts of Suffolk have seen a 30%-plus increase in burglaries over recent years and Malthouse Security

dvise is keen to ad householders on appropriate methods to eliminate the threat.

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Malthouse Security can provide CCTV cameras, intruder alarms and wireless, keyless and video door entry systems to protect your home.

To find out how Malthouse Security can help protect your home or business call 01379 890 606, email sales@malthouse-security.co.uk or visit www.malthouse-security.co.uk.

A Taste of Normandy

Thursday 17th - Monday 21st May Mercure Hotel *** Lisieux

Our hotel enjoys an enviable position between the Sainte Therese Basilica and the beaches of the Manche region. This modern hotel offers comfortable rooms with flatscreen TV, mini-fridge, lift access and tea/coffee making facilities.

Price Includes Day 1: Following an early morning collection from home we travel to Dover for our mid-morning crossing to France.

Day 2: We visit the fashionable resort of Deauville, often known as the‘Cannes of the North’We then visit the Manoir d’Apreval, a family run Cider and Calvados producer. We visit the cellars

and the cuverie, followed by a light lunch and tasting of Cider, Pommeau and Calvados. Later we head to Honfleur to explore the ancient cobbled streets and stunning harbour area.

Day 3: We head to Giverny to visit the house & gardens where Claude Monet spent the last years of his life. Later we make the short drive to visit the pretty

CALL 01603 754155

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www.eastonsholidays.co.uk village of Vernon situated on the River Seine.

Day 4: We travel to Rouen, with its soaring Gothic cathedral, the church dedicated to Joan of Arc, the beautifully restored medieval quarter, excellent museums and vibrant cultural life, Rouen is one of Normandy’s most engaging destinations.

Day 5: We return to Calais for our mid-afternoon crossing to England. We continue to Norfolk, where our door to door service will be waiting to return you home.

4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast Luxury executive coach travel Return door to door taxi service

5 Days - £499

Single Supplement - £100

21

Crossword

CROSSWORD Exercise your brain cells

CLUES ACROSS

CLUES DOWN

1

Excuse yourself and grab a partner (3, 2)

1

4

German town produced a hat (7)

Change with scissors to fit someone smaller (3, 4, 2, 4)

8

Into which you can vanish if you want no trace (4, 3)

2

Stomach lining once boiled with onions (5)

9

Bring it home to keep the family in breakfasts (5)

3

Very carefully, tidily and precisely put together (4)

10 Do exactly as you’re told, don’t argue (4) 11 Knitted garment to draw above a shirt (8) 13 They are blessed and will have a huge inheritance (4) 14 Move slightly after some time of inactivity (4) 16 ‘Wrinkly’ often found in the chuck wagon (3-5) 17 Unfasten the gate, annul the closure and ruin a reputation (4) 20 Not designed or right for the purpose in hand (5) 21 Coming across by design, accident or prearrangement (7)

4

Very short of ready cash (4, 2)

5

Condition of being able to move, freely or otherwise (8)

6

Open up for public scrutiny and consideration (7)

7

Space of time between a child and its parents (10, 3)

12 Make appear inconsequential and unimportant (8) 13 Go between two antagonists in a dispute (7)

22 Wind is one, rain another (7)

15 Structure above a window for holding and hiding the rail (6)

23 Sooty’s little friend (5)

18 Not very worldly wise at all (5)

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

19 Untidy jumble in an ill-tended house (4)

ACROSS: 6) Shy, 8) Occasional, 9) Try, 11) Cover up, 13) Depot, 14) Polyp, 15) Sounds ominous, 16) Split, 18) Cello, 19) Lip-read, 20) Gnu, 23) Past Master, 24) New DOWN: 1) Woo, 2) Ace, 3) Ascot, 4) Moment of truth, 5) Pay up, 7) Hurly-burly, 10) Recompense, 11) Council, 12) Pointed, 17) Titan, 18) Canal, 21) Ate, 22) Arm

22

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Agricultural

Top Tips

6 Top Tips for

Renovating Your Bathroom Avoid flushing money down the toilet with top tips from local experts Norwich Bathrooms & Kitchens

Plan the work with a designer Working with a designer may seem like a pricey move, but it is money well spent. With a professional’s plan, you’ll feel more confident that the budget, design and timeline are achievable.

Don’t move the plumbing Using the existing pipes will save you money, so try to plan around the existing bathroom layout.

Relocating utilities like the toilet and the bathtub are no small task and it can be expensive.

Let there be light Lighting can make a huge difference, especially in a small room like the bathroom. Spotlights above the basin provide light for shaving or make-up whilst mirrors increase the sense of light and space. If your bathroom is on the top floor, you could even consider adding a skylight.

Add a pop of colour A fresh coat of paint will make a huge difference to your bathroom. Use a bright colour to create an accent wall, or go for a muted shade on the walls to highlight colourful tiles and accessories.

Update your loo on a budget For a fresh new look without breaking the bank, consider buying a new toilet seat and lid rather than replacing the whole porcelain bowl, saving plumbers’ fees as well.

Refresh your fittings A new towel rail or toilet roll holder doesn’t need to be expensive, but can change the feel of your bathroom. Installing new taps is another simple job with big impact – there’s a huge range on offer to suit all bathroom styles.

25

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26

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Contact Ian or Caroline for all Electrical Issues

on 07790 273689 or 01508 813802 icdelectrics@hotmail.co.uk or www.icdelectrics.co.uk

What’s on this month

VILLAGE NOTICE BOARD

EVENT

SINGING

JUMBLE SALE

‘SING YOUR SONG’ WORKSHOP WITH KATE DIMBLEBY

SATURDAY 10TH FEB 10-12PM Church Rooms, Old Buckenham Green

TUE 20TH FEB 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

CINEMA

DANCE

HARLESTON CINEMA VICTORIA AND ABDUL

ROCKLANDS VALENTINE’S DANCE SATURDAY 17TH FEB Rocklands Village Hall, Rocklands, NR17 1TT

Dance to Fezziwig Band. Tickets £8 or £10 on the door from Rocklands Community Shop or 01953 488199. 7pm with dancing at 8pm

Attleborough Methodist Church Internationally acclaimed singer Kate Dimbleby has traveled the world with her one woman show about singers such as Peggy Lee, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith. In this unique workshop, Kate invites you to explore your voice, listen and remember the songs that inspire you. Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary.

EVENT

EVENT

SNOWDROP OPEN GARDEN

18, 25 FEB & 4 MAR 12 TO 4PM The Old Coach House, Brockdish, IP21 4JY Over 2 acres of woodland and garden leading to the Banks of the River Waveney. In aid of EAAA Prostate Cancer, EACH, St. Elizabeth Hospice and Local Charities. Adults £2 Children free. Teas and Refreshments

MUSIC THE SILVER DOLLAR COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB PRESENTS JONNY AND LYNETTE

SUNDAY 18TH FEB 7.30PM The Park Hotel, Denmark Street, Diss, IP22 4LE Music 7.30pm until 10.30pm Members £5. Non-Members £6.

Membership £2

different activities suitable for all tastes and abilities. If you want to meet new people, learn something new and have fun, then Thetford U3A is for you!

NEWTON FLOTMAN & DISTRICT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT CLUB

THU 22 FEB / FRI 23 MAR 1.30PM Wreningham Village Hall, Mill Lane, Wreningham, NR16 1AN Demonstration of Flower Arranging by different demonstrators at each meeting.

New members welcome.

THURS 22ND FEB 2.00PM / 7.30PM Masonic Rooms, The Thoroughfare, Harleston Historical drama starring Judi Dench, Ali Fazai, Eddie Izzard, & Michael Gambon. Based on a true event when Queen Victoria met a young Indian clerk.

Tickets £4

BINGO BINGO IN AID OF MENINGITIS NOW

FRIDAY 23RD FEB 8PM Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall, IP21 4LT Village hall hold Bingo every last Friday of the month - this month in aid of Meningitis Now. Come and have a fun evening.

Bar open.

CRAFTS BORDER CRAFT COLLECTIVE MASTER CRAFTS FAIR SAT 3RD MAR 10AM - 3PM Long Stratton Village Hall

EVENT THETFORD UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE MONTHLY TALK

THURSDAY 22ND FEB 1:45PM Carnegie Room, Cage Lane, Thetford, IP24 2DS Our speaker is Linda Scoles and her topic ‘Journey to Citizenship’.

Thetford University of the Third Age welcomes men and women aged 50+ to partake into its 40

Come and meet local crafters.

Free admission

27

Village Notice Board COFFEE MORNING COME ALONG FOR COFFEE

SAT 3RD MAR 10.30 TO 12.30 Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall, IP21 4LT Come for a coffee, a tea, a chat.

There will be a cake stall, a raffle and a few stalls.

EVENT SPRING INSPIRATION

SAT 3RD MAR 2.30 - 4.30PM Palgrave Community Centre, Upper Rose Lane IP22 1AP Organised By The Palgrave Gardening & Social Group.

An Inspirational Talk by Ken Sammon, author of Jottings By Ken in Village People Magazine.

Cost £6 to include refreshment Bookings - Diane Gibbons on 01379 641760

PLANT SALE GIANT PLANT SALE

8TH TO 11TH MA 9AM-4.30PM Trinity Park, Ipswich, IP3 8UH

Refreshments and Raffle to raise funds for All Saints Church.

EVENT THETFORD UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE OPEN DAY

THURSDAY 22ND MAR 1.45PM Breckland Leisure Centre, Croxton Road, Thetford, IP24 1JD This event is FREE. Please come and visit us in the Main Hall at the Leisure Centre to experience the 40+ activities on offer. Thetford University of the Third Age welcomes men and women aged 50+. Activities include genealogy, gardening, cookery, sports, luncheon club, games, crafts, travelling, languages, book club and many more.

CINEMA HARLESTON CINEMA MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

THURS 22ND MAR 2PM&7.30PM

Harleston Information Plus, The Thoroughfare, Harleston A lavish trip through Europe quickly turns into a murder mystery. Harleston Information Plus to book tickets. Tickets £4

FAIR PENNOYER’S SPRING CRAFT FAIR

SATURDAY 24TH MAR 10:30AM

1000’s of plants, trees and roses all under one roof, FREE ENTRY

EVENT MELLIS CHURCH NIGHT CLUB FRIDAY 16TH MAR 7.30PM Mellis Church Live music, bar, nibbles, dancing in the aisle! Tickets £5

SALE BOOK SALE

SAT 17 MARCH 10AM - 4PM SUN 18 MARCH 1PM - 4PM All Saints Church, Stradbroke Sale of Books, CD’s, DVD’s,

The Pennoyer Centre, Station Road, Pulham St Mary, IP21 4QT Over 25 local craft stalls showcasing a full range of arts and crafts including textiles, jewellery, gifts, ceramics, handmade greetings cards, chocolates, candles and more.

Fully licensed cafe, and free parking. Free Entry

EVENT DAFFODIL DAY

SUNDAY 25TH MAR 10AM-4PM The Old Coach House, Brockdish, IP21 4JY Daffodil walk down to the banks of the River Waveney. Over 2 acres of woodland and gardens.

In aid of EAAA Prostate Cancer,

EACH, St. Elizabeth Hospice and Local Charities. Teas Refreshments, stalls, Tombola, Cakes, Jams. £2.50 Children free

FAIR PALGRAVE COMMUNITY CENTRE EASTER CRAFT FAIR

SUN 25TH MAR 10AM - 3PM Palgrave Community Centre, Upper Rose Lane IP22 1AP A variety of craft stalls, refreshments and Easter egg raffle. Come along and find some unusual and unique gifts.

To book a table please contact us. www.pdcc.co.uk

EXHIBITION NEW BUCKENHAM ART EXHIBITION

OPENING 30TH MARCH 7.30PM New Buckenham Village Hall Open Sat 31 Mar, Sun 1 & Mon 2 April 11am - 4.30pm. All works for Sale. Paintings, Drawings, Prints, Photography and Cards.

Proceeds to our Church and Village Hall

EASTER HUNT EASTER EGG HUNT

SATURDAY 31ST MAR 2PM St Mary’s Church, Mellis Come and bring the Children to a Family Easter Egg Hunt. £1 per entry. Prize for every entrant

WANT TO ADVERTISE? List your local event for Free on our Village Notice Board.

Log onto www.village-people. info to send us details

For more information on all events including ticket purchase please see www.village-people.info/whats-on

28

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lk edition South Norfo AUG / SEP 2017

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31

Recipe

ORANGE & CARDAMOM POLENTA CAKE Katie, one of the volunteer bakers at The Pennoyer Centre, is the queen of ‘free from’ cakes. This delicious cake is free from both gluten and dairy, and always sells out quickly – just as much goes to people who don’t have special dietary requirements, it’s so tasty!

Serves 16

04. Spoon the mixture, which will be quite stiff, into the baking tin, and level carefully with a knife or the back of a spoon. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 40-45 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.

05. Meanwhile, put the juice of the 2 oranges in a saucepan with the sugar, ground cardamom seeds and orange blossom water. Simmer gently to dissolve the sugar and reduce the syrup by about half. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, use a pastry brush to ‘wash’ the surface of the cake with as much of the syrup as it will take. Allow the cake to cool in the tin. Any unused syrup keeps a few days in the fridge and is great on muffins or similar.

06. Cut into 16 squares, and decorate with freshly sliced orange or clementine. Use within 3 days (it freezes brilliantly either whole or portioned).

299kcal per square

INGREDIENTS 250g ground almonds 140g polenta 1½ teaspoons gluten-free baking powder ½ teaspoon xanthan gum 250g dairy-free spread (eg Vitalite or similar) 250g light muscovado sugar 2 oranges, zested 1 teaspoon orange blossom water 4 eggs

DRIZZLE Juice of 2 oranges (the ones you zested) 50g caster sugar Freshly ground seeds of 5 cardamom pods 1 teaspoon orange blossom water Orange or clementine slices, to decorate

METHOD 01. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan. Line a 21cm square tin with baking parchment.

02. Weigh out the dry ingredients into one bowl (including baking powder and xanthan gum).

03. In another large bowl, beat the dairy free spread together with the sugar, orange zest and orange blossom water. Add each egg with a quarter of the dried ingredients to the butter mix, and beat in thoroughly.

32

Tip

: Xanth an gum a natu is ra in mos l product sold t super marke It gives ts. cakes a gluten free less cr um dry tex ture an bly worth d is seekin g out.

The Pennoyer Centre’s volunteer BakeForce make delicious cakes for sale in the café, which in 2014 won the EDP Norfolk Food & Drink Best Baking Award. The café in Pulham St Mary is open Mon-Sat from 9.30am to 3.30pm. www.pennoyers.org.uk 01379 676660 The Pennoyer Centre, Station Road, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk, IP21 4QT

BRACKEN PEST CONTROL DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL & AGRICULTURAL

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33

Larkins Fuel Merchants

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Wymondham

WYMONDHAM Heritage Museum During the winter months, volunteers at the Wymondham Heritage Museum have been busy working on a number of projects ahead of the re-opening in March.

W

omen in Wymondham in the First World War marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War. It features the Red Cross Hospital at Abbotsford where local women such as Elsie Standley worked as nurses, cooks and ancillary staff. Also featured are women who took men’s jobs while they were away, including Hartie Elvin who became a post lady and Molly Yaxley and Mabel Norman who worked at the railway station.

The display about the town’s most famous inhabitant, Robert Kett, has been refurbished and moved from the main gallery to one of the corridors. It tells the story of Kett’s Rebellion, tracking the events through to its ultimate failure.

The Lost Pubs of Wymondham exhibition proved so popular with visitors last year that it has been retained for a further year.

As the museum prepares to re-open for spring, it is looking for volunteers to act as stewards for three hours a month, either morning or afternoon.

Duties include opening up, greeting visitors, answering questions and closing at the end of day.

Help is also needed in the Bridewell Tearoom, serving drinks and snacks. You would not be required to cook or make sandwiches, and again, it would be three hours a month, morning or

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afternoon. Volunteers for either task are trained in their role and usually share duties with an experienced volunteer. Have you got a few hours a month to spare?

If you can help please contact Christine Watts on 01953 859917 for stewards; for the tearoom Janice Plunkett on 01953 603018.

Visit www.wymondhamheritagemuseum.co.uk for more information.

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36

Home

DO YOU HAVE A heart AND A HOME?

N

ik’s early life had been difficult with breakdowns in family relationships, time in care and emotional difficulties until a local charity offered him a new opportunity for stability and independence.

Nik was put in touch with The Benjamin Foundation, which supports around 2,000 people in Norfolk and Suffolk every year through problems with bullying, abuse and homelessness.

Their Heart and Home service offers accommodation with a host family to vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25 who are in need of stability, security and a place to live. A homelike environment and the support of their host provides them with somewhere they can start to learn important life skills.

Nik immediately hit it off with a host family and decided to make the move. He began to experience family life and activities and his skills and confidence increased.

With the right levels of both emotional and practical support from The Benjamin Foundation, college tutors and his social worker, Nik began

to flourish. He had always expressed a wish to go to university and he was delighted when his application was successful.

The Benjamin Foundation is now expanding its network of hosts in Norfolk and Suffolk. If you can offer a bedroom, support, tolerance and understanding to a young person like Nik to help their future be better than their past, please get in touch on 01603 886930, email pip.yaxley@benjaminfoundation.co.uk or visit www.benjaminfoundation.co.uk.

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Volunteering

VOLUNTEERING TACKLES LONELINESS IN Norfolk

Spending time with Daphne Medcraft and Richard Fry feels like you’re in the presence of lifelong friends – all the more amazing to think that they didn’t know each other four months ago!

D

aphne was introduced to Richard following his application to become a volunteer befriender with Voluntary Norfolk’s ‘Health Volunteers Service’. He applied to connect with an older person again after having such a close relationship with his grandparents. He also wanted to ‘give something back’ and find a work/life balance.

Daphne was referred to the service by her community physiotherapist who recommended short walks to aid healing of a leg condition. She doesn’t live too far from the beach at Bacton and used to enjoy taking walks along the water’s edge but she explained that it’s quite a busy road and she felt she needed support to do able to this, as she lives alone.

Following their introduction, Daphne joyfully reports that she and Richard have become “great pals”. He visits on a weekly basis and they thoroughly enjoy each other’s company. They like going out on short trips and are even planning a trip to Southwold.

During each visit there is a mutual respect and a great deal of chatting about all sorts of topics.

Richard says that talking to Daphne gives “a different dimension to my working week”. They both agree that they equally get something out of

the befriending partnership and that it shouldn’t just be one-sided.

“I don’t know what I’d do without him,” says Daphne. “Even when he’s not here, it’s a great comfort to think about what we’ve said and done, and to know that he cares about me. It makes me feel a lot less lonely even when I’m on my own”.

There’s a lot of loneliness across Norfolk and beyond but it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to transform the situation – for both the volunteer and the person they visit.

If you’re interested in becoming a health volunteer, contact Karl Hills on 01508 531175 or email chloe.edwards@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk.

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39

Gardens

T

Garden Jottings from Ken

he excitement of the average gardener seems to hold no bounds as the winter months close and a new gardening season begins (not that it really stops). With the increase in day length, nature is beginning to stir, buds on naked branches start to swell and birds are busy looking for nesting sites (if you want to help them, now is the perfect time to put up a few nest boxes).

Soon greenhouses, cold frames and window sills will be called into service for germinating flower and vegetable seeds, and for young and old alike the magic of the first leaves emerging from fresh compost will always lift the heart. If you’re not sure which varieties to grow we have selected some of the best and most reliable choices from Suffolk based ‘Kings Seeds’, and we stock all you need to get them going. We also have available some exotic bulbs and wonderful-looking dahlias, plus potato tubers, shallots and onion sets.

Getting outside on a cold day may not be topping your wish list, but when the weather allows there’s a lot to be done and it’s all a great way of getting some exercise. Tasks may include pruning back shrubs, re-defining border edges, digging over beds and spreading manure, lifting and dividing perennials or

planting new trees and hedging.

Gardening should be a fun pastime, so when conditions are particularly British, retreat indoors and with the aid of a hot drink carry out one of the most enjoyable jobs, planning what you wish to grow or alter this season.

Changes to borders are much easier to carry out whilst plants are dormant, so clearing out dead or overgrown areas now gives you the opportunity to re-plant with newer or different varieties that may offer bolder flowers or more exciting foliage. If it’s a new bed make sure that you incorporate choices to provide interest in every season, such as witch-hazel and dogwoods for Winter, wonderful bulbs or some of our amazing value hellebores for Spring, add lots of stunning herbaceous perennials for a Summer full of colour, and select a few shrubs that give outstanding Autumn leaf colours (berberis, Japanese maples and cotinus will all put on a reliable show).

Come on, spring into action and make your garden as individual as you are!

Cheers Ken,

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Managing Director

                       

          

Arts

A

YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY launches in Norwich

n exciting new youth theatre company has launched in partnership with the OPEN Trust in Norwich for young people aged 8-19. Set up by Dan Rayner, Jo Myers and Dave Myers, Echo Youth Theatre aims to fill a gap in the market for high quality theatre that inspires young people to take to the stage without the burden of regular classes and high termly fees.

young people, both on stage and backstage, to achieve their theatrical ambitions. Workshop co-ordinator, Cathy Wilson said, “Becoming a member of EYT will bring access to a wide range of workshops and social events. Members will receive advance notice of audition opportunities, exclusive access to the workshop programme and invitations to our social events and theatre trips.”

Co-founder Dan said, “We believe that providing a variety of opportunities, working with a range of different directors, practitioners and artists will enable our members to develop both as young people and as all-round performers. EYT will be working with some of Norfolk’s most talented creative teams to provide high quality productions – initially two major productions in 2018 – plus a series of workshops throughout the year.”

EYT’s first production will be the East Anglian premiere of the musical, ‘A Little Princess’ at OPEN from 5-7 April. The next production that they will be auditioning for is an exciting steampunkinspired version of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The company will also be running their first theatrical summer school for members this year.

For just £15 per year, members of EYT will have the chance to experience all aspects of theatre production and the company are keen to support

If you are interested in finding out more about Echo Youth Theatre and want to sign up as a member visit www.echoyouththeatre.co.uk

43

Story

SAM’S Story

A short story by Ron Brewer of Attleborough Writers’ Group

W

hy on earth did they choose me? I’ve never given such a speech before. And probably will never get asked again after everyone has watched me perform my duties during the reception.

Of course I’ve known both Alex and Charlie for ages. We all went to the same university. We were studying different subjects but met up through the various clubs and societies that we had joined during that mad tradition called Freshers’ Week. Since then I’ve been on holiday with one, the other or both of them several times.

They didn’t seem interested in me helping to organise things before the wedding day. But I had looked up all the relevant stuff via Google and think I know what my duties will be on the day.

And what shall I wear? Do I try to out-do the couple with my outfit? Would a white suit be just a bit too much?

I’ll just make sure that all the arrangements go well on the

44

day and hope that the many guests don’t really notice that I am there. It won’t actually be a wedding in the traditional sense as they have decided to have a civil ceremony at the local registry office. I’m not sure how many guests will be there – both sets of parents seem to be reluctant to get involved but I hear that both families will be taking part – when we go off to the Kings Head afterwards.

It’s going to be difficult to decide which of the many personal, embarrassing and even intimate stories to put in my speech and which ones to miss out. You see, both Alex and Charlie have been married before and each time the marriages ended in rather messy divorces within a couple of years.

Alex got hitched soon after university. It was a full blown occasion with loads of bridesmaids, horse and carriage to the wedding, posh meal in a marquee. But it never really worked and before long the ‘happy couple’ were legally single again. Charlie left things

a bit longer before deciding to tie the knot, possibly because of the way things had turned out for Alex.

Like many marriages these days, even Charlie couldn’t make a go of it and divorce proceedings were soon under way. After the earlier failed marriage Alex must have been a useful source of information on how to go about things.

Charlie and Alex were soon seeing a lot of each other and so, I for one, was not surprised when it was announced that they wanted to be a couple for ever and ever and were going to cement this relationship by means of a civil partnership as husband and husband.

My surprise was being chosen to be their ‘best woman’. My experience of having been married to both of them for a short time did at least mean I had a pretty good idea that they should get on well together. © Ron Brewer Attleborough Writers’ Group

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LOCAL HISTORIAN

MEMORIES OF NORTH & SOUTH LOPHAM

Local historian, Dennis Cross from Diss, shares with us his fascinating collection of old postcards, focusing on a different village in every issue. This issue, we take a walk down memory lane in North & South Lopham

The Bell pub remained open until the early 1980s. This view was taken in 1927, a Lewis Simper being landlord at the time.

The White Horse pub in South Lopham is still serving the public today. This view is dated 1906. Mr William Pitchers was then landlord.

North Lopham windmill was in Tanns Lane and is a smock windmill. The postcard is dated 1910 and at the time a Mr William Crow was miller. Nothing remains of the mill today.

This postcard from 1935 shows the Cherry Tree pub in the mid-distance where the road goes right to Kenninghall and left to East Harling.

Today the building is a private house.

47

History y

Lopham United Football Club played on the playing field adjoining the village hall. This picture was taken at the end of the 1949/1950 season and features (from back row, left to right): T.Baker, E.Merton, E.Reeve, G.Jolly, B.Baker, F.Annes, Gardiner (and front row, left to right): E.Jolly, C.Piper, L.West, W.Womack and R.Baker.

This early picture shows The Crown pub in South Lopham, on the road to Diss, opposite the garage.

The pub is now a private house having closed in the 1960s when the landlord was Mr Charles Hawes.

This 1906 village postcard features the village store run by the Womack family and in later years by Bryant & Sharp. It is now a private house.

The Norfolk Postcard Club meets regularly in Trowse in Norwich and new members are very welcome. The next meetings are on 8 February and 14 March Dennis is also the author of several local history books that can be purchased by contacting him direct.

South Lopham 1907. St Andrews Church is a mile south of the adjoining parish of North Lopham and is an ancient building of flint and stone. It has a fine central Norman tower with pinnacles containing a clock and 6 bells. The church register dates from 1554.

The population of the village was 430.

48

If readers h have any local l l postcards d off Diss or the surrounding villages, please get in touch with him after 7pm on 01379 651897. Š

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Nature

POND LIFE

Conservation Officer from Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Helen Baczkowska, shares her thoughts on the importance of ponds in the south Norfolk landscape

S

outh Norfolk is blessed with a high number of ponds, most of which are man-made. Until the 20th century, ponds played an important role on most farms, providing water for livestock and working horses. Many ponds began life as clay pits, dug for building material for the clay lump houses and barns that are so distinctive of the area.

At Norfolk Wildlife Trust, it is the wildlife of ponds that we wish to promote and protect. The best ponds for wildlife are those with few trees on the banks, with plenty of sunlight reaching the water from the south and east. This boosts oxygen levels in the water, creating ideal conditions for insects,

“

I love the little pond to mark at spring. When frogs & toads are croaking round its brink John Clare

�

dragonflies and damselflies that hunt over the surface. Gently sloping margins support plants such as gypsywort, water mint and water forget-me-not.

Where these grow into the water, great crested newts may use the leaves for egg laying, gently folding each leaf over, an egg tucked safe inside.

South Norfolk is considered a stronghold for great crested newts, which have declined nationally in recent decades.

Great crested newts, like many species, often rely not on an individual pond, but on a cluster of ponds connected by rough grass, hedges or scrub. When conservation bodies advise on pond care, knowledge of the presence of frogs, newts, toads, water voles and local pond clusters are all important. In order to deliver the best possible advice to pond owners, NWT has teamed up with University College London, Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Farming

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and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) to provide information and advice to landowners through the Norfolk Ponds Project.

Without careful management every few years, ponds will start to fill in and become shaded with trees, so frequently the advice we give is to reduce tree cover on the banks and ensure there is some open water. Working with Norfolk County Council

Find out more If you would like to read more about the work of the Norfolk Pond Project, visit www.norfolkfwag.co.uk/norfolk-pondsproject/ for a series of leaflets on restoring and managing wildlife ponds. For smaller, garden ponds, visit www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/ wildlife and find out what you can do for pond wildlife in your own back garden.

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Stories from our region

I

HAUNTED BY Cracked MUGS

don’t know if you have ever been to a place where you’ve been offered a mug of tea and you really don’t fancy it because of the state of the mugs. Like when I was a pupil with the auctioneers Grain and Chalk in Cambridge, old Tom Bradley (who lived in a filthy caravan on his own) never washed the cups; he’d clean them out with wire wool. I used to try and avoid having any of his tea but I would watch my guvnor Bob Grain swallow his with a screwed up face.

My Uncle Tickles told me about first time he went to his young lady’s for tea: as he lifted his cup of tea gently to his mouth, determined to make a good impression, the cup fell off the handle and split tea all over the table and cakes. “There,” said his future mother-in-law. “I only stuck that on yesterday”. Tickles was left holding the handle that p she had glued onto the tea cup.

A local butcher told me that there was a woman who used to invite him in for tea when he was on his rounds. “She was a dirty old devil,” he said, “and she never washed the cups up”. There was another roundsman, old Fred, who had spots on his face and used to pop in for cups of tea. One o day the butcher had to go k in, so he decided to drink with his left hand, to avoiid using the same side as olld g Fred. He was just putting this filthy mug to his lips with his left hand when this woman said “Oh, I ke see you’re left-handed lik Fred!”

I like the tale which a local agronomist told me about an old farmer that he called Jimma, who always had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and about five days growth of stubble. He lived in the sort of house where you had to move four or five cats off the chairs to find yourself a seat.

“I hated drinking out of his mugs because they all had great cracks in them filled with black dirt,” said the agronomist. “It wasn’t long after that I came across a load of free mugs, so I grabbed three of these and brought them with me when I went round to see Jimma next time.

Well, about a month later I called on him and he asked me in for a cup of tea. As I sat down, confident that I’d get a new clean mug, to my surprise he brought in his same filthy old ones!

When I asked him about the ones that I’d brought, he said “Oh, I put them in the china cabinet for safe keeping…”

Uncle Tickles

Neil Lanham runs www.oraltraditions.co.uk, a website devoted to the spoken word history and all that it passes in terms of traditional song, story, wisdom, history and cultural identity – folk life, folk song & folk story.

You can contact Neil on 01379 890568 or traditionsofsuffolk@gmail.com.

53

Community

EDUCATION FOR ALL IN RURAL Zambia

Community Projects Manager, Kelly Geoghegan, explains how the Suffolk owners of a Zambian holiday lodge are bringing education and new opportunities to their local area. learn basic skills without having to make the long walk. Over the next six years we slowly added more preschools and a reading scheme to the local primary school. Since 2016 we have really expanded our projects. In 2017, we opened two purpose built preschools with one hundred pupils, eight teachers and feeding schemes, and we still support several other local schools.

I

magine having to walk ten miles to school every day, without shoes, to sit in a class with a hundred pupils, one teacher and no resources.

For many young people in rural Zambia, who are desperate for an education, this is their only option.

Tessa Prior of Eye, the late John Leader of Syleham and a South African colleague.

Having witnessed the need for education in surrounding villages, the Waterberry team founded Tukongote Community Projects to improve educational opportunities in the area.

Waterberry Lodge, a tourist lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River, was set up by

We began small with a mudbuilt preschool to enable some of the youngest children to

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Lots of guests that stay at Waterberry take a trip to one of our nearby villages, led by a member of our staff who lives there, to see our projects in action. Many say it’s a highlight of their holiday and such a happy place. Waterberry owners fund the school and staff so that guest donations are spent 100% on improving educational opportunities in the area.

Tukongote School is our

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Community flagship project. The best education starts young. Our bright, cheerful school, with the motto ‘We love to learn, we love to play’ is the total opposite of home for most of our pupils – small, crowded mud huts, and the many chores of subsistence living like fetching water, herding cattle and preparing food. Our pupils can be children in a bright, happy and safe environment for half a day, at no cost to their parents.

Our long term vision is to give the whole community the chance to break out of the cycle of repetitive poverty.

We’ve just added a Grade One Primary School Class, which will eventually become a full primary school for the community, so the next generation will grow up with all these opportunities in place.

We also want to help the adults and youths in our villages who grew up without access to education. Through the UK organisation Books to Africa we have bought an entire library for the village which will be set up this May with the help of two volunteer librarians. The skills centre offers villagers the chance of learning to read, write

and do basic maths, acquire sewing skills or carpentry and building. As B.B. King said, “The greatest thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

Imagine missing 20% of your education simply because you are a girl in rural Zambia without access to sanitary pads.

Through our Freedom Pads project and the generosity of guests we’ve supplied 500 kits of washable sanitary towels that allow girls to stay at school during their periods.

We are also helping to sponsor vulnerable bright local girls and boys into secondary schooling at nearby boarding schools, as there is no local option. 25 will be enrolled this year, each

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Education comes in many forms and isn’t just chalk and a blackboard. Here at Tukongote we want to offer as many people bright and useful opportunities to help them forge forward in life.

If you would like to hear more about the Tukongote Project, email kelly@waterberrylodge.com

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Schools

I

INSPIRING Females

nspiring Females was created in 2016 at Norwich High School for Girls with the mission of connecting young women with professional role-models, educating them about traditional and pioneering career pathways, and empowering them to make the best choices for a positive, fulfilled and happy life.

The programme has been a great success so far, with over 130 passionate people from all walks of life volunteering their time to share their invaluable knowledge and experience with young women across Norfolk and beyond. The programme has also made the shortlist for the TES Independent School Awards 2018.

In October, BBC Radio Norfolk hosted Inspiring Females in the Arts, a live radio debate involving six inspiring panellists representing journalism, education, music, theatre and more. BBC presenter Nick Conrad chaired a lively debate for over 300 young women aged 12 to 18, with topics including part-time roles for working mums, the gender pay gap and the qualities required of those wishing to pursue a career in the arts sector.

In January, 33 young women were welcomed to a unique event with Aviva, held at the beautiful Marble Hall on Surrey Street. This event involved over 40 volunteer mentors who took part in a variety of networking sessions, hosted compelling Q&A sessions and delivered quality interactive workshops on careers in asset management, medical underwriting, cyber security, product design, data science and more.

The Inspiring Females programme is continuing to grow with further events planned this year, such as a STEM event at the John Innes centre in May and the annual three-day summit in July.

It is always welcoming individuals, local schools and organisations to get involved. To find out more and d regiistter your intterestt, viisiit www.inspiringfemales.org.uk

57

Gardens

FLOWERS

The arrival of spring ARY JOBS FOR FEBRU & MARCH

If you want lilies to flower in the summer then February is the time to plant them. Grow them in pots indoors (or in a greenhouse) until the flowers appear, when you can move them onto the patio and enjoy the display.

When bulbs start to appear in the rock garden then you may wish to protect them from the elements. A sheet of Perspex propped up on piles of bricks does a good job of protecting bulb from rain or snow. bulbs Ea arly spring is the time to

sow hardy annuals in pots (or directly into well-prepared soil in milder areas) to provide some colour in your garden.

Try clarkia, cornflowers or Californian poppies for a colourful display.

In March you can sow sweet peas; place them in a sunny spot in your greenhouse to ensure they get plenty of light. It’s also the time to plant summer-flowering bulbs like allium, begonia, gladiolus y and the so-called ‘fireball lily’, scadoxus.

n hedges Prune evergree d an ria l Prune wiste other climbers which flower in l Plant bulbs summer and early l Plant onions potatoes en g the lawn wh l Start mowin it is dry

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Gardens

WILDLIFE WAKES UP

By March, garden wildlife is starting to wake from hibernation and prepare for breeding. You can help emerging hedgehogs build up fat reserves by leaving out meat-based pet food at dusk.

Frogs will also be waking up and will be attracted to garden ponds.

If you don’t have a pond, consider creating a mini one out of an old washing up bowl or plastic box. Dig it into the ground in a shady spot and surround with stones to help amphibians climb in and out.

Add two or three plants such

as water forget-me-not and marsh marigold around the edge, giving newts somewhere to lay their eggs.

Garden birds like sparrows, blackbirds and robins will be flying back and forth to collect nest building materials. To help them out, tie up bunches of little twigs, moss and other stringy materials and leave them near your feeders.

After mowing for the first time, let your grass clippings dry out and leave them in a corner of your garden to attract queen bumblebees.

MY PET........

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PREPARE SOIL FOR SOWING Once the ground is no longer frozen, one of the most important jobs for March is to cultivate the soil for your seedbeds. Many vegetables, annuals, biennials and herbaceous plants can be grown from seed sown outdoors and the key to success is soil preparation. You’re aiming for a weed-free bed with crumbly soil.

Dig over your beds in advance of sowing to allow time for soil to settle. Clay soils are best dug in autumn, so winter frosts can break up the soil and improve structure.

Light, sandy soils are best dug in early spring, when the soil is neither waterlogged nor frozen.

Some people use the technique of double digging (see the RHS website for more information) but this is only really necessary with new beds.

Normally, turning over the soil to about a spade’s depth should be sufficient.

After digging, cover your bed with plastic or fleece to stop weeds and warm up the soil. When the warmer weather appears in April, uncover the bed, rake over the surface, remove any weeds and you’re ready to sow!

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History

A SIGN OF THE TIMES

Bergh Apton

Sarah Doig ventures to Bergh Apton, at the request of one of the residents, to find out what the village sign tells us about the community’s history.

T

he present-day residents of the south Norfolk village of Bergh Apton have done their ancestors proud by erecting, in 2004, a splendid sign celebrating their history spanning twenty centuries. The two, different, lavishly-illustrated sides to the sign are simply covered with a potted, illustrated history of the village.

Originally Bergh Apton was two separate settlements of Berg or Berc and Apelsco. Before they unified, both communities had their own church and the two churches are depicted on the sign.

The church of St Peter and St Paul, which stands at the highest point in the village, is still in use today whereas there is now absolutely no trace of St Martin’s church which served the people of Apton until the mid-1500s.

The importance of the land to past residents of Bergh Apton is evident from the sign. The tractor reminds us that villagers have farmed the land for many centuries. In William White’s History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1845, no fewer than ten farmers are listed, as opposed to just a handful of other professions including a blacksmith, a corn miller, shoemaker, beer seller and a schoolmistress. The sign g includes other references to the land, including peasants grazing their animals and collecting wood on one of the former heaths, and the wild flower Columbine. This and many other flowers

grow on lands now w managed by the Bergh Apton Co onservation Trust. But the mostt prominent feature on both sides of the sign is the black k poplar tree which stood in the village for more than 200 years before it was destroyed in a storm in 2005. Some 120-odd years earlier, in April 1883, the Eastern Evening News reported on another unfortunate accident involving a tree in Bergh Apton: A young man named Arthur Franklin was engaged in felling a tree, and had attached a rope to it, when it suddenly gave a lurch and struck him to the ground.

He sustained such severe injuries that he expired shortly after.

There is also a watermill on the village sign which has long since disappeared, although its mill stream is still discernible today. This watermill was recorded in the Little Domesday Book of 1086.

Later on, a windmill was built in the village. This postmill stood at Mill Farm and was operational throughout the nineteenth century. In 1868, John Drake was the corn miller and he advertised in the local newspapers for an apprentice. Such a position could be mutually be eneficial for employer and employee, since a good apprentice would provide much-needed help w with the work whilst learning a worthwhile trade. We e do not know, though, whether Drake ever took on an apprentice or, if so, whether a lad (or lass) fin nished an apprenticeship, especially sin nce the mill was advertised for sale by a auction just three years later.

Sara ah Doig is an independent histo orical researcher, writer and speaker. Her website is www w.ancestral-heritage.co.uk.

61

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Local Author

THOUGHTS OF A Norfolk AUTHOR Published local author, Keri Beevis, shares her thoughts on New Year resolutions.

I

t is usually around this time of year that my resolve to see through my New Year resolutions begins to dwindle. Christmas has come and gone, I have made it through the January blues, but as we head towards spring my willpower is ebbing away.

My resolutions are always the same. I am going to eat healthier, cut back on the wine and start getting more exercise. (Actually, we can remove the word ‘more’ from that sentence, as I am usually about as active as a comatose tortoise).

The healthy eating bit always falls by the wayside first, followed swiftly by the cutting back on wine.

It’s a vicious circle as I return home from work with the best of intentions thinking I will have fish and vegetables, but then I get carried away writing and next thing I know, it’s far later than I realized and a frozen pizza has just happened to find its way into my belly. And of course, nothing washes down pizza like a glass of red wine.

For 2018 the one part of my resolution I am determined not to break is the exercise bit. Now I haven’t gone and done anything silly like signing up to a gym or a Zumba class (did that once and we won’t even go there, other than to say that when people say Zumba is for everyone and no one looks ridiculous, there are exceptions). No, this year I have decided to focus my efforts on walking. Okay, so it’s not hardcore exercise, but every little helps right? And the beauty of living in Norfolk means there are plenty of pretty walks to choose from.

Now my mother is always up for a walk. She has a Fitbit and obsessively counts her steps. “I feel terrible,” she will occasionally exclaim during one of our telephone conversations. “I only managed 6,500 steps today.”

“Uh huh,” I agree, chomping on a piece of chocolate and counting on my fingers, wondering if I have achieved 500.

I have to admit I do feel better for both the exercise and the fresh air, and some of the places we have walked, while beautifully serene, are rather isolated, which sets my mystery writer imagination into overdrive. Not always a good thing, as this does make me rather jumpy and suspicious of everyone and everything.

I was convinced we were being followed a couple of weeks back, but it turned out to be a squirrel rustling in the bushes. As for the shady looking group of cows watching us as we passed their field...

Gulp!

Find out more about Keri and her new mystery thriller, The Darkness Beneath, at www.keribeevis.com.

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63

WYMONDHAM WALK via The Lizard and Tolls Meadow Cemetery Lane and pass the station again.

After a short distance enter the cemetery on the left. Bear left in the cemetery shortly after passing the flint building to take the higher path.

Walk instructions Start at the Market Cross and walk down Fairland Street to the junction at the bottom of the hill. Cross the B1172 at the traffic lights and turn right onto London Road.

After a short distance turn left onto the public footpath, then bear right into Tolls Meadow.

Cross the bridge, walk up the path to exit via the steps and turn left onto Cemetery Lane.

Pass the train station and cross Station Road at the T-junction into The Lizard almost opposite (pedestrian crossing on the left). Walk along The Lizard under the railway bridge and continue to the end of the road.

Go through the gate at the end and walk around the edge of the meadow, either on the higher ground on the right or next to the River Tiffey on the left; climb the wooden viewing platform for a good view over the meadow. Shortly before reaching the A11 (although hidden behind the screen of trees, the noise gives a bit of a clue!) turn left, go through the gate and continue straight ahead crossing two meadows divided by the River Tiffey.

Leave via the rambler gate and climb up the steps to the disused railway embankment. Turn left and walk along the old railway line. Just before the end, turn left opposite the seat on the right and go down the steep steps off the embankment. Follow the boardwalk around the edge of the field, cross the bridge and leave The Lizard via the steps.

Turn right and walk back along the road to the T-Junction. Cross Station Road again back into

64

Walk through an avenue of Scots pine trees with fine views across the Victorian cemetery. Turn left onto the main track after descending from the high pathway and leave the cemetery via the gate. Turn left onto Cemetery Lane and follow to the end.

Cross the B1172 and continue ahead into the road opposite, Whitehorse Street. Bear right at the mini-roundabout to walk up Whitehorse Street, go over Damgate Bridge (noting the hand pump on the right) and turn right into Friarscroft Lane.

After a short distance turn left into Chandler’s Hill and follow this up and around the corner, passing the car park on the left.

Continue straight ahead onto Brewery Lane, pass Wymondham Baptist Chapel on the right and continue to the end.

Turn left at the T-junction onto Friarscroft Lane and left again at Fairland Street to return up the hill to the start point. l Pictured right: The Market Cross, destroyed with many other buildings in a fire in 1615; rebuilt in 1618.

Walk

Enjoy a mix of green spaces and quiet back streets.

Local Nature Reserve Tolls Meadow is a species rich, wet meadow. It is mown, raked by hand and cleared of scrub so that nettles and brambles do not overwhelm delicate wild flowers with their associated insect and bird life. Tolls Meadow provides a valuable habitat for the water vole, which favours slowflowing or still freshwater with lots of bank-side plant cover.

Water voles have declined dramatically in recent years because of the loss of habitat and the impacts of American mink; for more information about invasive non-native species, please visit www.norfolkbiodiversity.org/nonnativespecies.

l Water vole Photograph by Elizabeth Dack Norfolk Wildlife Trust

Wymondham P Fairland Street

Brewery Lane Chandler’s dl ’ Hill Whitehorse Street et

scro Friar ane L

Sta ft rt

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ad n Ro Tolls M Meadow Cem eter y La ne

do Lon

A11

72

B11

River Tiffey The Liz ard

ain n Tr atio St

Key Walk Bus stop Parking P 0

Church

½km

¼mile

l Pictured above: Opened in 1882 the single storey chapel was divided by a central arch, with a Nonconformist chapel to the west and a Church of England chapel to the east.

This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Norfolk County Council. Licence No: 100019340. 2010.

l Look up at the old buildings lining quiet back streets; many are built of locally sourced materials such as clay, timber and flint, giving the town its character and appeal.

Find out more about the splendid town buildings, TollsMeadow and The Lizard at the Market Cross Information Centre.

65

.

Seasonal food

Seasonal Food

HAT’S IN Season?

WHA

K

eep an eye on what’s in sseason and you’ll get the most out of all tthe fresh local produce that Norfolk k and Suffolk have to offer. This issue, Fredrick’ k’s Fine Foods in Diss share their favourites for f February and March.

VEGETABLES n Cauliflower can an be roasted in small florets along with you our Sunday roast or whizz up a cauliflower soup s with some cumin, coriander and garlicc. n Purple sprouting broccoli is wonderful served with pasta p in creamy cheese (try taleggio) and topp ped with pine nuts. n Leeks Le are great paired with sweet potato in a gratin, roasted alongside your parsnips on a Sunday or made into any number of warming winter soups. Leeks give a sweeter flavor to dishes when used as a replacement for onions. n Parsnips can be mashed with potatoes for a refreshing change or glazed with honey or maple syrup in the oven. n Swede – how about swede soup or trying some savoury scones made with mashed swede? n Jerusalem artichokes are brilliant in a mushroom risotto or with slow-cooked roast lamb.

Outside catering is our speciality

FRUIT n The rich and wonderful colour of blood oranges is a seasonal treat. Try using them in a tart filled with creme patissiere, flavoured with orange zest. Arrange orange slices on top and sprinkle with demerera sugar, caramelised using a cooks blowtorch – yum! n Forced rhubarb is another beautiful colour to add to your table, try it with roast pork or as an accompaniment to oily fish such as mackerel.

FISH n Cockles, mussels and clams are all in season. n Oysters – buy local native oysters either as a special treat or to use in the traditional beef, ale and oyster pie. n Sardines are omega-3 rich. Make the most of them by butterflying, dusting in flour and frying lightly.

MEAT n Venison is delicious and healthy, great in casseroles or as steaks. n Goose makes a good risotto if you have any left after roasting!

Juliette at

FREDRICKS

Try F Fredricks at the Corn Hall Café

F I N E F O O D S

Norfolk House Courtyard, St. Nicholas Street, Diss, IP22 4LB Tel: 01379 652 594 info@fredricksfinefoods.com www.fredricksfinefoods.com Open 9am-4pm Wednesday to Saturday

Recipe

RATATOUILLE A SEASONAL RECIPE

The team at Frederick’s Fine Foods in Diss don’t just sell seasonal produce, they love to cook with it too. This issue, owner Juliette Atkinson shares her ratatouille recipe, which is perfect for using up more or less any vegetables that need finishing off.

Although traditionally from the Languedoc in the South of France and made with Mediterranean vegetables, you can add leeks, mushrooms or carrot to this ratatouille. It’s great used to stuff other vegetables such as peppers or served alongside steak, roasts, gammon or whatever you choose. One of my favourite ways to eat it is with a poached egg on top, but John and the team at Fredrick’s Café in Diss Corn Hall serve it as an open sandwich with cream cheese and rye bread – delicious!

INGREDIENTS 3 red peppers 3 courgettes 1 red onion or leek 1 aubergine 2 cloves of garlic – chopped 3 tablespoons of tomato purée 2 teaspoons of dried basil Salt and pepper to taste 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

METHOD 01. Roughly chop the onion or leek and sauté in the vegetable oil in either a medium-sized saucepan or a large frying pan over a medium heat until soft.

02. Add the garlic and stir until the garlic is just pale golden.

03. Chop the vegetables into roughly similar sized pieces and add to the pan along with the tomato puree, dried basil and salt and pepper. Stir everything around and allow to cook down for about 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes to make sure it doesn’t stick.

04. Once you think your vegetables are cooked – enjoy!

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C

CHINESE NEW YEAR The Year of the Dog

hinese New Year in 2018 starts on 16 February and is The Year of the Dog. The Chinese New Year is closely bound into a system of astrology, some thousands of years old, that is based on the principles of yin and yang. It uses a quite different set of constellations from ours and all calculations are based on the pole star rather than on the western zodiac. The Chinese calendar is ruled by lunar months, which do not balance with our fixed system. Consequently their New Year varies from year to year, occurring at any time from January to February.

Like our system however, they do have twelve astrological signs. Each is ruled by an animal that transfers its particular characteristics to those born under its influence. The rule of each animal lasts for the period of a year and the signs occur in twelve year cycles. Once you know the most recent

68

occurrences of each sign you can work out your own sign by working back in twelves. Remember though, for the Chinese, the moment of birth is what we would consider to be the moment of conception, so go back nine months from your actual birth date.

In addition to the ruling animals, each year is subject to influences from the five elements that the ancient Chinese considered ruled every part of human existence. These were earth, fire, metal, water and wood. Each element also has its yin (negative) and yang (positive) side and for this the years are paired.

The compilation of an astrological chart according to Chinese belief is highly complex and requires far more knowledge and information than we have room for here. Suffice it to say, a person’s most

propitious time is during the year ruled by his or her birth sign. Even more so during the month and hours of the day ruled by that sign. In the case of this year, that of the dog.

Preparation for this most important of all Chinese festivals starts a week or so ahead. Homes are subjected to special cleaning because tradition says the kitchen god returns to heaven at this time to report on the state of his family’s home and its behaviour before the festival begins. The first act in the celebrations is the welcoming of this god back into the house on New Year’s Eve. This is usually accomplished with firecrackers and the burning of incense.

At New Year it is thought important that all debts

are paid, quarrels cancelled, bad feelings and damaged relationships repaired. Anything broken must be repaired or replaced. This is basically a family festival so those away from home must try to return, relatives not seen during the year must be visited or contacted. Parties are held during the festival and jiaozi - white flour dumplings, many containing coins - are distributed. A money tree is erected, and coins shaken from it are thought to be especially lucky.

In this country, it has become something of an important occasion for non-Chinese to celebrate the Chinese New Year. It offers a last chance for us to eat, drink and be merry at a rather dull time of year between Christmas and Easter. Chinese restaurants lay on special banquets, which are well worth attending. They comprise several courses of traditional food, eaten slowly and leisurely. The meal will frequently take up the whole evening.

Over a sixth of the people in the world, Chinese and non-Chinese, celebrate the Chinese New Year.

And if you want to join in the celebrations this year, early bookings are recommended because these events have really become hugely popular and tables get booked up fast.

“Kung Hei Fat Choy” (Happy New Year)

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Before

After

Books

Regional Reads

THIS ISSUE WE L VE AVIATION LANDMARKS OF NORFOLK & SUFFOLK

Peter B. Gunn The History Press

ISBN 9780750962360 £19.99

View our region from a different perspective with this facinating selection of local titles from Chris Rushby of Jarrolds’ Book Department

Peter Gunn brings together many aspects of aviation history in the two counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, chronicled by place-name in alphabetical order. Subjects include airfields, war graves and memorials but also the less obvious aeronautical connections in, for example, country houses, churches and pubs and the local stories linked with them. The narrative incorporates descriptions with illustrations, OS grid references and a full index.

NORFOLK’S RAILWAYS 1927-1966 Richard Adderson & Dennis Greeno

Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society

GALLYONS GUNMAKERS OF EAST ANGLIA Richard Gallyon Quiller ISBN 9781846892578 £50

The story of a venerable Norfolk gun-making firm from 1794, told by a family member and covering the growth of the business and craftsmanship of gun-making. This rather smart reference for interested gun enthusiasts and collectors is not cheap, but then neither, I suppose, is a good shotgun.

ISBN 9780904062595 £15.99

A local bestseller, this book showcases forty years of railway operation in the county with 170 photographs of locomotives, trains, stations and people, many of which have never been published before.

THE STRANGERS OF NORWICH Helen Hoyte ISBN 9781999783914 £9.99

Shortlisted for the Amberley Publishing History Book Prize 2017, The Strangers of Norwich is a beautifully illustrated book telling the story of the Dutch and Flemish weavers who came to Norwich in 1565 and changed the fortunes of Norwich for two hundred years.

COLONEL UNTHANK AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

Clive Lloyd ISBN 9781527215764 £10

Subtitled ‘The Expansion of Victorian Norwich’, this book reveals how the Unthank estate evolved thanks to the Unthank family. Filled with many colour photographs of the area, it is a fascinating account of a thriving part of the city we have grown accustomed to calling the Golden Triangle.

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WE’RE RECRUITING! We pride ourselves on provid ing regular a a nd reliable cleaning service fo r local residents.

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If you would like to join our team, you will enjoy working the hours that suit you in the local area you choose.

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F Fashion

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Whe ether it’s strawberry, lemon or mint, fashion is taking o in nspiration from ice cream pastels this spring.

Green saddle bag Next, £28

Watch Next, £25

Denim Capri trousers Bonmarche, £18 Sling back shoes Office, £69

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Skincare

SPRING: Time for a new, fresh complexion

A

fter all the cold weather, shorter days and lack of sunlight, our skin can need a boost.

Chemical peeling has been all the rage over the last four decades, focusing on deep skin exfoliation and removal of skin layers, with the goal of producing new, healthier looking skin.

However, this treatment can sometimes be too aggressive and cause pigmentation issues. There can also be some downtime, restricting your social life and possibly causing a little embarrassment if you’re trying to keep the source of your new complexion secret!

inflammation. Sun spots or problems with chronic redness, such as rosacea, can also be successfully addressed. Resurfacing is great for men too – but no one needs to know.

Merely ‘peeling’ skin layers will not produce these desired results. However, with resurfacing treatments, a superficial peeling effect will be a secondary result of the treatment. The true objective is to stimulate regeneration in different skin layers, resulting in healthier, more youthful looking skin.

Resurfacing is a new concept that achieves the same great results as traditional peels but it’s based on the technology of regenerative medicine.

Resurfacing uses the same families of acids used in conventional peels but the change actually takes place in the deeper levels of the skin so no damage occurs to the visible eye.

With thanks to Geraldine Walters Advanced Skincare www.geraldinewalters.co.uk

pHformula is one ground-breaking aesthetic company that has developed this system over years of research. Their products actively provoke an accelerated form of cell regeneration, stimulating cells to produce collagen without destroying surrounding areas.

If acne is your problem, then the aim is to regulate oil production in order to control bacteria and prevent scarring through

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75

Qualified, HCPC registered podiatrists nail cutting corns and callus fungal nail infections biomechanics diabetic foot health We also sell footwear for men and women, orthotics (insoles), socks, and other footwear and foot care items.

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– from a family we have cared for at Rosedale

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We specialise in the supply of carers and nursing staff to help meet the wide range of needs of children & young people, the elderly, infirm, sick or disabled. We offer anything from a simple one-hour visit right up to round-the-clock care.

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We are a family business and promise to provide exceptional care and a truly personal 24 hour service, when you need it most.

Mangreen Time Share Pool Beautiful country setting close to Norwich.

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Groups & Individual Therapy Natasha Dunlop

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Art

Art & Love

Writer and artist Kristy Campbell investigates the expression of love in the work of Norwich artists Mia Sylvia and Polly Draper.

Art: the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

expression of love. This custom has evolved through the ages, presenting itself in movie theatres, love stories and art.

Love: a profoundly tender, passionate affection for; to have a strong liking for; take great pleasure in.

In this issue we’ll be taking a glimpse at two wonderful Norwich-based textile artists.

Mia Sylvia and Polly Draper, final year textile students at Norwich University of the Arts, have both examined modes of communication and the difficulty with expressing emotion.

With Saint Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many of us jump on the bandwagon of cultural and commercial celebration, opening up our hearts to faces and places that revive sentimental arousal. It is said that Valentine’s Day was first associated with romance in the 14th century during the flourishing tradition of courtly love. The 18th century saw the giving of chocolates, flowers and greetings cards, introducing a more commercial and visible

Mia Sylvia is currently reading poet Rupi Kaur. She instantly fell in love

77

Art with the writer, particularly as the script helped her to realise and reflect on instances in her own life. Kaur submits not just her irresistible style of writing but valuable contents that allows the reader to engage quite intimately with their own thoughts. She tells me that it is difficult to chose one single line to share with us because they are very mood dependent, but I would agree that “the orange trees refused to blossom” and “you are every hope I’ve ever had in human for” are stunning representations of a place that we go to when words sweep us away.

The theme of love is sewn into her practice amongst fabric that is dyed using natural ingredients. The plant’s colouring kisses the surface of the fabric; reminiscent of the Victorians’ playful and somewhat scandalous use of flowers in language. “I find the long process of dyeing the fabrics very emotional as it’s all about being connected with nature”, says Mia. She goes on to explain the fluid tendencies of the practice and how “each piece evolves through time as the colours aren’t always permanent and resonates with love”.

Working with Kaur in mind is assisting the development of Mia’s professional practice, particularly with the hoping of moving across to the wedding industry. She mentions this wonderful concept of connecting better with her desired audience as she learns to understand how this powerful emotion can tell a tale. “Everything I use is natural and organic which I think has a beautiful connection with love. My current project looks at the six stages of love; LUST. BLOOM. LOVING. INTERTWINE. THE SEPARATION. ABSENCE”.

Moving on from a beautiful home-grown love to a quiet expression of the senses, Polly Draper has created this enchanting wall-hanging for young heavy hearts to speak comfortably beside.

“My interactive wall-hanging works to give young children that may struggle to communicate how they’re feeling a chance to express their emotions through the use of hand puppets, as a form of play therapy,” she says. “By introducing different interactive mediums, the pressure of communication is removed from the child, allowing them to explain why they may be feeling happy, sad, worried or cross through the persona of their chosen character”.

With the daunting prospect of asking for help in

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mind, Polly tells us of her intentions to “break down barriers in communication”. As feelings go, this research shows typically negative emotions (sadness, anger) as being the most difficult to articulate. While this artwork is a terrific functioning space for honesty, it also aims to give the opportunity to freely think and feel.

Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and red roses are a genuine classic, with a seductive aesthetic to accompany, but love, lust and everything above does indeed conquer all. Hearts on sleeves and hands in puppets – whatever feels most natural to you. The love you need will find its way in.

n Investigate Kristy Campbell’s art, research and writing at axisweb.org/p/kristycamp, follow her on Instagram @kristycamp or email her on Kristycamp17@gmail.com n Visit Mia Sylvia’s website at miasylviatextiles.wordpress.com, follow her on Instagram and Etsy @Miasylviaa Contact Polly Draper on p.draper14@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram @pol.draper

Health concern?

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Exciting news!

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Health

HEALTH Q&A Q

: I’ve got high blood pressure and the doctor has given me a long list of foods to avoid, so what should I be eating?

A

: When it comes to high blood pressure we’re told what we shouldn’t eat – salt, meat, sugar etc – but there are also foods that can help lower our blood pressure. Here are my top tips:

5. Flaxseeds are a great source of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation throughout the body and improve heart health.

6. Garlic – a 2016 study concluded that garlic can be effective in reducing g high blood pressure and has the potential to improve arterial stiffness and inflammation.

1. Munch lots of beetroot. This is an absolute power veg! From lowering blood pressure to improving sports performance to being extremely rich in essential vitamins and minerals, this little veg just does it all.

2. Pomegranates, with their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, have long been linked to regulating blood pressure.

3. Dark chocolate also makes this list! A Harvard study found that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure.

4. Spinach is packed full of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, folate and magnesium which all contribute towards lowering blood pressure.

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Money

INHERITANCE TAX

Forward planning can help keep the taxman at bay

H

aving worked hard and paid your taxes all your life, it seems unfair to be taxed again when you die, but at least you can do something about it.

Simply by taking professional advice and planning ahead, there are ways to keep your future ‘death tax’ bill to a minimum.

People often ask “How much is inheritance tax?” or “What will it cost me?”, but it’s not as cut and dried as that. Each case is different and depending on your family structure and the terms of your will there are a number of factors to consider.

The current inheritance tax (IHT) nil rate band (or threshold) is £325,000 per person (frozen until 2020/21). Your allowance is higher if you leave your home to your children or grandchildren, thanks to the recently introduced home allowance.

But it’s only when people realise that the wealth they’ve accumulated throughout their life is liable for 40% tax, that they sit up and take notice. To put this into context, if your estate is worth £475,000, tax will be charged on £150,000 (the amount above the £325,000 limit); therefore the sum payable to the tax man would be an eye watering £60,000.

You certainly don’t need an inheritance tax calculator to tell you that £60,000 of your monies heading for the HMRC coffers is too much.

However, there are a number of legal ways to slash the amount of IHT or estate tax your executors will have to pay.

Leaving money to charity, making gift payments, putting assets in trust or taking out life insurance in trust to cover any potential IHT liability are just a few ways to protect the value of your estate.

If you’re serious about IHT planning and want to avoid any of the more complex taxation and legal pitfalls then it pays to seek professional advice.

There will be fees payable for this service, with the amount dependant on the complexity of your plan, but in the majority of cases the tax savings will far outweigh the cost of the advice and will be time and money well spent.

It’s natural that people don’t like to discuss what happens to their finances when they pass away, but failing to plan ahead could prove costly, leaving the tax man free to take a bigger slice of your estate.

People take advantage of tax incentives all their life so it makes perfect sense to put similar plans in place to minimise their tax bill when they die.

By Andrew Hagger, Independent personal finance analyst from www.moneycomms.co.uk

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Email: help@bailiwickit.com Website: www.bailiwickit.com

Competition

WIN TICKETS TO SEE Rebecca Ferguson IN NORWICH This issue, we’re offering you the chance to win one of three pairs of tickets to see Rebecca Ferguson at UEA in Norwich on 17 February.

A

fter coming runner-up on the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010, Rebecca Ferguson has not been short of success. Having co-written her record-breaking debut album Heaven, and going on to release a further three follow-ups, Rebecca has proven herself to be a recording artist with a passion for her craft that is second to none.

Released in 2011, Heaven was a critical and commercial success selling 128,000 copies in its first week, making her the fastestselling debut solo artist of the past decade.

Going on to release her follow up album, Freedom, in 2013, and then her third studio album Lady Sings The Blues (covering a number of jazz classics made famous by Billie Holiday), Rebecca shows off her versatile style with ease.

countless tours across the UK, Europe and US, this workingclass girl from Liverpool doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Her fourth album, Superwoman, shows that Rebecca has come a long way from the shy twentysomething audiences first saw on television 7 years ago.

Continuing to flourish as a confident songwriter and stunning live performer and embarking on

To WIN a pair of tickets to see Rebecca perform at UEA on Saturday 17 February, visit www.village-people.info and answer the following question: What is the name of Rebecca’s fourth studio album?

A: Catwoman B: Superwoman C: Wonder Woman Closing date Wednesday 14 February.

Usual Village People rules apply.

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STOP PRESS very limited space left in the

LOCAL DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTANTS Bradford House Accountants ANIMAL SERVICES Paws Indoors ANTIQUES Olde Time APPLIANCE REPAIRS Norfolk Appliances ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING Andrew P R Love Architecture Nigel Myhill ARTS & CRAFTS Gillian Marklew BATHROOMS AHM Installations Coopers Bathrooms and Heating Creative Bathrooms Supreme Bathrooms BUILDERS MERCHANTS Norfolk Gravel BUILDERS, HANDYMEN & SUPPLIERS Berry Smith Property Maintenance Cooks Building Services Ltd Day 2 Day Building Services Ivan Hurren Kevin George Osborn & Kent Construction Ltd VSF Ltd CARE & MOBILITY Able Care Agency EACH Hethersett Hall Prestige Nursing Limited Contact Care CARPENTERS & JOINERS Hunter Solutions EA Ltd CARS, CARAVANS & GARAGES Caravan & Trailer Services Highfield Garage Home Tyre Norfolk Paul Trailers Ltd CLEANERS Crystal Clean Home Cleaning Vacancies

82 26 37 34 34 74 17 34 60 24 24 63

38 41 33 70 60 36 20 80 50 80 76 51 36 62 3 35 15 60 23

COMPUTER, WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES Bailiwick IT Ltd 84 JM IT Services 36 Philippa Green Web Design 84 Teknik Computers 63 DAYS OUT, TRAVEL & HOLIDAYS Cynthia Grimmer 54 Eastons Holidays 21 Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens 9 IC Travel 12 ELECTRICIANS Ashley’s Electrical Services 39 Harling Electrical 55 Ian Myhill Electrical 70 ICD Electrics 26 Kitchener Electrical Services 33 Wilson Electrical & Plumbing 62 ENTERTAINERS Stewart Hull 51 ESTATE AGENTS, LETTINGS & PROPERTY Howards (Estate Agents) Ltd 8 FINANCIAL, INSURANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL SERVICES Boon Brokers 4 Fortyhill Financial Solutions 84 Money and Mortgage Solutions 84 S Jarrett Bookkeeping 84 The Mortgage Forum Limited 11 FOOD & DRINK Barford Beef and Lamb 15 FUEL MERCHANTS Diss Firewood 37 Larkins Fuel Merchants 34 FUNERALS Co-op Funeral Department 75 Rosedale Funeral Home 76 GARAGE DOORS, GATES, SHUTTERS & AWNINGS Cooks Blinds & Shutters Ltd 29 Exclusive Garage Doors Ltd 38 GARDEN SERVICES Arkscape 38 Bespoke Outdoor Spaces 30 Broadland Tree Services 41

C J’s Garden Machinery 41 Easton Countryside Services 58 Foundry Nurseries Ltd 38 Jack Grice Garden Services 26 Lake and Pond Aquatics 62 LG Tree Services 55 M Wild Tree Services 41 Noble Paving East Anglia 13 Pristine Paving & Garden Design 45 Resin Drives 2 The Garden Enclosure 40 GROUNDWORKS, DRAINAGE & SEPTIC TANKS Chris Harmer Groundworks 33 D J IRELAND 26 HAIRDRESSERS Barber Shack & Scissor Happy 17 HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS Coltishall Clinic Ltd 74 Footsure 76 Indigo Dyslexia Centre 17 SES Coaching 84 Yare Valley Speech & Language Therapy 76 HEALTHCARE Spire Norwich Hospital 79 HYPNOTHERAPY Steve Horrocks Hynotherapy 26 JEWELLERS Sonkai Retail & Bespoke Jewellers 70 JOBS Hales Group Ltd 82 Home Cleaning Vacancies 4 & 72 Key Education Services Ltd 82 KITCHENS Dream Doors (Norwich) 49 Supreme Bathrooms 24 LOCKSMITHS Kingfisher Locksmiths 54 OPTICIANS Cecil Amey Ltd 81 PAINTERS, DECORATORS & STOCKISTS Decorumm 42 Peter Jones 58 Peter North 74 Steve Crowland Painting 60

Village People is a trading name of Village People Magazines Ltd. Village People accepts no liability for loss, damage, or difficulties resulting from contracts made through the magazine, nor from errors, omissions or claims made by advertisers. Publication of any entry does not imply a recommendation. Readers must make their own enquiries to establish the credentials of each entry. Magazine, adverts, design, layout and content Copyright © Village People Magazines Ltd. 2008-2018

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next issue to feature local businesses PEST CONTROL Bracken Pest Control 33 Lady Mole Catcher 41 PLASTERERS PMC Trade Group 62 PLUMBING, BOILERS & DRAINAGE Bernard & Skeet 9 Chris Clarke 33 D G S Ltd 29 E H Group 24 Mark Lloyd Home Solutions 37 P & D Tank Services Ltd 24 Wilson Electrical & Plumbing 62 REMOVALS Van and a Man 15 RESTAURANTS, PUBS, HOTELS, CATERING & FUNCTIONS 1066 at the Chequers 15 Fredericks Fine Foods 66 ROOFING Anglia Roofline Co Ltd 38 Eastern Roofing 42 PAC Roofing 62 Projects 4 Roofing Ltd 6 The Roofing & Scaffolding Company 62 SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, EDUCATION & CHILDREN Hethersett Old Hall School 17 Home Tutoring Norfolk 15 Homeopathic College 81 Hummingbird Preschool 17 Norwich High School for Girls 56 Tots Town 17 SECURITY Malthouse Security Ltd 21

Sky High Security SEWING, DRESSMAKING & SOFT FURNISHINGS Norfolk Upholstery Ltd The Sewing Box The Sewing Room SHOPPING, BUYING & SELLING Jarrold John Doe Carpets & Furniture Ltd Myhills Pet & Garden SKIP HIRE Norman Wenn Skip Hire SPORT, FITNESS & RECREATION Anchorage Pool Brave Allstars Mangreen Trust STORAGE Attic Access Norfolk STOVES & FIRES Raven Stoves Norfolk Woodburners TAXIS 5 Star Norwich Station Taxis THEATRE & CINEMA Theatre Royal WATER SOFTENERS & SALT A D Veale WILLS ASP WILLS LTD WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES Cloudy 2 Clear Windows Conservatories etc. Ltd Gr8 Glass

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