Village People South Norfolk edition - Late Summer 16

AUG / SEP 2016

South Norfolk edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

HARLESTON SUMMER OF SWIFTS TOUR DE NORFOLK

ITNS TO W IGH

FL licante A aga

al or MNorwich from

Days gone by

amazing images of Palgrave WIN tickets to see Mark Ronson “Ladies who lunch” visit Eye Fashion, ‘life’s a beach’

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CONTENTS AUG / SEP 2016

Out & About 8

Good news from our region

13 WIN tickets to see Mark Ronson at Newmarket Nights 16 Harleston’s summer of swifts 19 Charity cycle ride Tour de Norfolk 20 Bressingham Hall gets a new lease of life 23 Entertainment 40’s & 50’s style at Norwich Theatre Royal 25 Hethersett Art Group, ready to welcome new members 26 Dunston Hall antiques fair

Home & Garden

41 Exercise your brain cells with our crossword 44 Memories of Palgrave

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46 Does your pet need to lose weight?

50 Life’s a beach – beautiful buys for your holiday 56 We review the all new Fiat Tipo 59 “Read all about it” medical advertisements 63 Old Buckenham cycling festival – a fun filled weekend 65 Read part 3 of the Stowaway Cat 66 Village notice board 71 The Prince’s Trust – 40 years of changing young lives

73 Newlyweds Reunited 74 Spotted a stag beetle? Help us to save the UK’s largest land beetle by recording your sights

Health & Beauty 79 Health Q&A: superfoods and the effects they have on the body 81 Wymondham 15 year old completes the three peak challenge for charity

28 Ladies who lunch visit Cocoa Mama in Eye

83 Refreshing Waters watch as warrior dancers take to the stage

33 Why do property sales fall through?

Shopping 84 Regional reads – what we are loving this issue

35 Is your water as hard as nails?

37 Garden jottings from Ken 38 On your plot – enjoying a time of abundance in the garden

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88 Homewares – It’s time for a garden party

Jobs, Money & Business 91 Smart money secrets – bag a better return with an offset mortgage 93 WIN a trip to the sun with Flybe 94 Find a local business or service in our directory

44 Are you looking for a particular product or service?

Check out our Local Business Directory on pages 94 & 95

BE L BUY OCAL, Sup LOCA bus port loc L ines al commses in our unity

5

CARPETS SEAGRASS SISA VIN R VIN TI ES SAFET F OORING

making luxury affordable 01379 70 190 WWW E EF OORING CO INFO

E EF OORING CO

FIND US 6

ROAD STREET E E

Welcome

I can’t believe how popular our new website has been – the “What’s On” section has gone crazy! We’ve had over two hundred local events posted in the first three weeks of our new website going live. With the Village Notice Board pages in the magazine bursting at the seams, our online database is the place to look if you want to know everything going on around you. And if you are planning a local, charity or fundraising event and need some brilliant FREE PR in the local area, do hop onto our website www.village-people.info. It’s fast becoming the one-stop shop to keep up to date with “What’s On” locally.

I had the pleasure of meeting local historian Dennis Kare r n and Lily at Cross recently and seeing his impressive collection of Latitude’s press launch local postcards. We want to share with you a handful of For lots more loc al events log on to his amazing village scenes from days gone by and are www.village-p eople.info starting our new feature with the village of Palgrave. and save us in your favourites Dennis is an active member of Norfolk Postcard Club who meet regularly in Trowse. For anyone interested in local history, or postcard collecting, or both, do consider attending the club’s next event on 14 September (contact details in the feature).

This summer we’re offering you the chance to win return flights for two to the sunny beaches of Spain, travelling from Norwich International Airport to either Alicante or Malaga. Which will you choose? To enter just head to www.village-people.info and follow the links.

And finally, who saw us on BBC’s ‘Have I Got News for You’? If you’d like to know what host Gary Lineker said about us, jump online and you need series 51, episode 7. What an honour to be asked!

I’ll be back at the end of September.

Lily Goulder editor@village-people.info 01284 788623

Lily

WIN Flights to Alicante or Malaga from Norwich

Advertise with us!

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

AUG / SEP 2016

HOMES • GARDENS • OUT & ABOUT

Norfolk/Suffolk border edition

JOBS & MON COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

OF THE YEAR

DAYS GONE BY

AUG / SEP 2016

HOMES • GARDENS • OUT & ABOUT

JOBS & MON COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

amazing images of Palgrave

amazing images of Palgrave

TOUR DE NORFOLK

HARLESTON SUMMER OF SWIFTS

INTO W IGHTS

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South Norwich edition

OF THE YEAR

DAYS GONE BY

WIN

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AUG / SEP 2016

HOMES • GARDENS • OUT & ABOUT

JOBS & MON COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

HARLESTON SUMMER OF SWIFTS TOUR DE NORFOLK

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IN W S TO IGHT

te Alican a ag or Malwich

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Harleston summer of swifts WIN tickets to see Mark Ronson “Ladies who lunch” visit Eye Fashion, ‘life’s a beach’

Tour de Norfolk WIN tickets to see Mark Ronson “Ladies who lunch” visit Eye Fashion, ‘life’s a beach’

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @vpmagazine

South Norfolk edition

OF THE YEAR

NEXT DEAD LINE

Oct / No v (Autumn )

31st Aug

ust

Days gone by

am azin g im ages ofPalgrave WIN tickets to see Mark Ronson “Ladies who lunch” visit Eye Fashion, ‘life’s a beach’

issuu.com/villagepeoplemag Visit our website to find out more www.village-people.info Read all our magazines

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Good News FROM OUR REGION NORFOLK APPRENTICES TOP NATIONAL CHALLENGE A team of apprentices from Norfolk have finished 4th in the national finals of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge. The Apprentice Network Norfolk Team (ANN) was made up of 9 apprentices from South Norfolk Council, Norfolk County Council, Alan Boswell, Poultec and Iceni Healthcare and their mentor.

The 4-day event in Cumbria

included numerous teambuilding challenges including orienteering, high ropes, raftbuilding on Lake Windermere and even rescuing a sheep!

At the prize-giving, ANN was placed fourth – a great achievement considering that some of them had never met before and worked in completely different organisations.

Ben Gaskins, the Poultec training and team mentor, said: “Apprenticeships are a vital part of any organisation and to see our apprentices getting this far in the search for the apprentice team of the year makes us all very proud. This is a huge achievement for both our organisation and the individuals involved.”

From left: Harry Ringer, Jordan Batterham, Kieren Buxton, Nicolle Sarpong, Chelsea Ellis, Bill Mumford, Jessica Whyte, Katie Lomonossoff, Chris Betts

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GISSING CHILDREN’S CENTRE RATED AS OUTSTANDING Gissing Children’s Centre, a community pre-school nestled in the South Norfolk countryside, is “over the moon” with their recent Ofsted inspection.

They received their third consecutive grading of “outstanding in all areas” (such as leadership and management, quality of teaching and outcomes for children) with comments including: •

“The setting provides a rich and vibrant environment”

•

“Children flourish and make excellent progress” • “The setting places the highest priority on working closely with all families” • “Staff skilfully interact with children and go to considerable lengths to ensure children’s individual needs are well met.”

You can read the full report online or contact Linda Nash to arrange a visit on 01379 677300 or lindamarynash@yahoo.co.uk.

CONGRATULATIONS TO IAN COLMAN, MBE Local travel expert, Ian Colman from IC Travel, has recently been awarded an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. As you may know, Ian has organised excursions, directed the Taverham Brass Band, supported the Scouting organisation, led on local parish councils and chaired a governing body (amongst other things) for many, many years. He received this honour for his services to the community. We think you’ll agree that it is entirely deserved! We hope you will continue to book your excursions using IC Travel, especially now they have such an honoured man to lead them! www.ictravel.co.uk or 01603 868680

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

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THETFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL ANNUAL EXHIBITION Thetford Grammar School have recently held their annual art, design and technology exhibition to showcase the diverse creative talent at the school. Students exhibited paintings, prints, sculptural pieces and fantastic textile creations alongside their impressive sketchbooks. They also showed work from the Arts Award Scheme, which inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents. It’s creative,

valuable and accessible – a scheme Thetford Grammar School are proud to be associated with.

The time and effort that had been put into achieving such a high standard of work was evident: beautiful pieces of furniture, photography, sculptures and fabrics were all exhibited.

The pupils will now wait for the external examiners to visit the exhibition and grade all the hard work. Good luck!

FULL STEAM AHEAD Station Bistro, at Wymondham Railway Station, is a hidden gem in Norfolk and if you haven’t already been, you are in for a treat.

The hard-working team of ten are headed by Kate and Simon and their mission is to ensure that ‘first class’ customer care together with superb food is provided to all visitors.

You can be seated in either the charming surroundings of the elegant ‘Bistro Room’ or you can take a step back in time and experience the delightful train carriage setting for your refreshment or meal. Both rooms boast real coal fires during

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RIDDLESWORTH HALL PREPARATORY SCHOOL BECOMES A FOREST SCHOOL

15% OFF the winter cold snaps to add to the atmosphere.

The new vintage style restaurant area is now open and to celebrate we are offering readers 15% off a “full steam ahead” breakfast (Mon-Fri up to 11.30am), or evening main meals (excludes drinks).The voucher is valid for up to 4 people and you will need to take your magazine in to qualify.

We hope you’ll agree that the Station Bistro is a great place to eat in Norfolk and that their offerings are a long way from the famous ‘British Railway food’!

Riddlesworth Hall Preparatory School in Diss has been officially recognised as a Forest School, with two accredited teachers providing regular outdoor sessions which are proven to increase learning and improve physical and emotional wellbeing.

The independent school, which caters for boys and girls aged two to thirteen, has always encouraged fun outdoor activities and learning within the school’s woods and parkland. It has now taken this one step further by providing training for two of its teachers

to become accredited Forest School practitioners.

The Scandinavian-inspired Forest School ethos has been developed to provide a different approach to using the outdoor environment for teaching in the UK. It uses the natural world to help bring traditional curriculum subjects to life.

Headmaster, Paul Cochrane, said: “You also see the children come alive when they are playing and learning in the woods, and we believe that happy children work harder and achieve more.”

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Win TICKETS to see Mark Ronson

International superstar Mark Ronson will be bringing his acclaimed live DJ set to Newmarket Nights on 5 August – and we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away!

Ronson’s back catalogue is second to none, having released some of the most successful hits of the past decade, including ‘Oh My God’ featuring Lily Allen, ‘Stop Me’ featuring Daniel Merriweather and ‘Valerie’ featuring Amy Winehouse. In 2014, he released a track that would go on to be one of the bestselling singles of the 21st century; ‘Uptown Funk’ featuring Bruno Mars.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to see Mark Ronson at Newmarket Nights, simply log onto

And where better to see him than at Newmarket Nights?

The event combines a funfilled evening at the races with a spectacular concert in the informal and relaxed open-air setting of one of the world’s most famous racecourses. Other artists performing this year include Busted, Tears for Fears, Jess Glynne and Little Mix but tickets are selling out fast!

www.village-people.info Competition closes 31 July 2016.

Usual Village People rules apply.

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Out & About

Enjoyable Days Out throughout the Year!

Major Attractions, Events & London Theatres Date

Show/Venue

Depart

Cost

Wed 3rd Aug

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

8am

£65 (£45 Child)

Thurs 4th Aug

Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) Tour

8am

£43 (£32 Child)

Sat 6th Aug

Cadbury World – Birmingham

8am

£37

Fri 12th Aug

Jess Glynne @Newmarket Races

3pm

£50

Sun 14th Aug

Legoland – Windsor

7am

£52

Thurs 8th Sept

Beth Chatto Gardens

8am

£25

Sun 11th Sept

Duxford Airshow

9am

£48 (£38 Child)

Thurs 15th Sept

Phantom of The Opera

8am

£60

Sat 17th Sep

Wicked the Musical

8am

£65

Thurs 22nd Sept

Cambridge & Botanic Gardens

8am

£20/£25

Sun 25th Sept

Imperial War Museum London

8am

£23

Wed 28th Sept

Lion King

8am

£65

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Redwings Horse Sanctuary A fun, free family day out!

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Visit our Norfolk centres: Redwings Aylsham, Spa Lane, Aylsham, NR11 6UE Redwings Caldecott, Beccles Road, Fritton, NR31 9EY FOLLOW THE BROWN TOURIST SIGNS!

Open 10am to 4pm every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays)

Visit www.redwings.org.uk or call 0870 040 0033

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Harleston’s Summer of Swifts

A project to celebrate and help Harleston’s threatened colonies of swifts has been launched by the community group, Harleston’s Future.

The celebration will include a huge decorated swift mobile in St John’s church, town-wide flag displays and construction of nesting boxes for the swifts.

Colonies of swifts are expected to return to Harleston in May to reclaim their homes under the eaves of local buildings. Swifts are unobtrusive when nesting and make perfect, quiet neighbours, but unfortunately many will find that their nesting spaces have been blocked and more modern developments offer no alternative for rearing their young.

Volunteers at SwiftAction Harleston are providing crucial support for returning swifts by making and installing new nest boxes around the town. The first boxes will be installed at Harleston Primary School, Archbishop Sancroft High School and the Malthouse Court retirement complex with more to follow in the coming weeks. The aim is to have at least 100 new nest sites available by 2017.

But while that has been happening, the town’s youngsters, and some of its oldest residents, have been busy designing and making two magnificent art installations to celebrate the birds’ return.

Lucy Elton, church warden at

St John’s, Harleston

The first installation, a beautiful mobile, is now in place in St John’s church, where it will remain until the swifts migrate again in late July and early August. This huge mobile includes more than 400 cut-out card swifts, decorated by school pupils and threaded by members of the Malthouse Court craft group. If you look closely, you’ll see that each swift bears a message from the student who designed it. One reads:

“Dear swifts, never give up, never give up. If the weather knocks you down, get back up. Never give up, you can do it.”

The second installation, a fabulous street show Th of up to 80 flags, will be hung in the town fr from early May. These flags represent the birds themselves themselv as well as the countries which they have ha flown over on their way back to Harleston.

It promises to be another Harleston spectacular fr from Flag Force, and a summer ‘must see’ for ev everyone in the area.

Sw SwiftAction Harleston invites everyone from the town and beyond to make a detour to see these installations. Keep your eyes on the sky for fo sightings of the beautiful swifts, and, while in town, take advantage of Harleston’s watering holes and other attractions.

Year 8 students at Archbishop Sancroft High Schoo l, who designed and printed their own swift flags for display in Harleston town centre

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For further information call Ian Carstairs on 01379 853413 or Lesley Rock on 01379 854897.

We’ve fabulous ales direct from the cask and great food, ranging from traditional pub grub to a brilliant daily specials board. And, weather permitting, you can eat out in our lovely beer garden.

Look on our website or Facebook The Queens Head, Eye, Suffolk for special summer events – BBQs, music, beer festivals, quiz nights and general fun!

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Out & About

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Family cycle ride puts the wheels in motion for Norfolk cancer charity A new charity cycle ride will give cyclists the opportunity to raise money for Big C whilst discovering the beautiful Norfolk countryside. The first leg of Bullards Tour de Norfolk cycle sportive will take place on Sunday 25 September and comprises four different routes of 20, 35, 70 or 100 miles.

The event is part of Big C’s Challenge 35, an initiative to encourage fundraising in celebration of the charity’s 35th anniversary and have some fun at the same time.

To sign up visit www.tourdenorfolk.co.uk and keep up-to-date on Facebook and Twitter.

Starting and finishing at the Norfolk Showground in Costessey, the entire route is on-road and provides a great opportunity to progress your cycling. It caters for leisure cyclists who want to enjoy a designated route around the county, as well as elite cyclists. It is also a different way to take a picturesque tour of the historic towns and villages of South Norfolk.

There will be plenty of support vehicles and marshalls along all routes as well as food and drink stations. Food stalls, children’s entertainment and music will keep the family occupied at the showground as they cheer on the cyclists.

RS

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OW N E

The new era of The Boars, Spooner Row, is about fine ales and wines, great food, good times and good people.

Head Chef, James Stewart and his team pride themselves on preparing realistically priced, classic food from ingredients sourced locally where possible. Our menus change regularly and are supplemented by daily blackboard specials. Children can choose half portions of many meals or from the ‘Little Piglets’ Menu. On Sundays we roast!

Find us just off the A11, 20 minutes south of Norwich in the small village of Spooner Row, NR18 9LL. For menus and opening times please visit our website: www.theboars.co.uk Bookings: 01953 605851

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Bressingham Hall ge gets a new lease of life Bressingham Hall was bought by Alan Bloom 70 years ago and soon became the iconic centrepiece of the famous Bressingham Gardens, along with the plant nursery and steam museum, which Alan himself founded.

After Alan’s death, the Hall fell into decline until his son, Adrian Bloom, decided to restore ore it to its former glory.

“It’s rather like Grand Designs in reverse”, says ys Adrian, who master-minded the project. “We e haven’t gone in for a new build but we have breathed life into an ancient one”.

Now the resplendent oak High Barn has been re-roofed, non-essential buildings have been torn down and cow yards have been re-made into courtyards, all within a nail-bitingly tight budget.

But the transformation of the Hall and its 18th century barn was not trouble free.

Dry rot in the Hall meant that new central heating, re-wiring, re-plumbing and redecoration were essential. So too were “new” antique furnishings to accentuate the elegance of the Grade II listed Georgian building.

20

This beautiful home is now available for anyone to rent for a short or long stay and the splendid High Barn is

perfect fe fo for events fr from weddings ddings to workshops. rkshops “We hope we have given our lovely old buildings a real new lease of life”, Adrian says. “It’s great to think that Bressingham Hall and its gardens will provide pleasure for many people for years to come.”

For more information ring Jill Hodgson on 01473 780330 or visit thebressinghamgardens.com

Really great burgers

Makes 4 burgers

B

arbeque season is in full swing, and food rarely tastes better than when cooked outside and enjoyed with family and friends. Home-made burgers are the icing on the ‘BBQ cake’; delicious and with real flavour, incredibly quick and easy to make, and you know exactly what’s in them! Simply so much better, and tastier, than shop bought.

Ingredients 450g minced beef (not too lean as the fat keeps the burgers together, and tastes great!) ½ large onion, peeled and chopped finely 2 tbsp double cream (or thick plain yoghurt) 1 tbsp chopped chives 1 tbsp chopped parsley 1 fat garlic clove, crushed Sea salt and black pepper 1. In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together well (with your hands is best).

Season with salt and black pepper – burgers need plenty of seasoning or they will be bland, so go for around ½ tsp salt and several grinds of the peppermill.

2. Shape the meat into burgers around 2.5cm thick and 8-10cm diameter, no need to be that precise though, and cook on the barbeque for 4-5 minutes each side for medium, longer if you prefer.

“Barbeque tonight anyone..?”

Try really hard to leave them alone and not to immediately poke and prod the burgers until they need to be turned – leaving them alone will allow them to seal in all their juices and stay moist and tasty.

3. Serve in pitta pockets or buns with onion and relishes.

So easy. So tasty. So try them...

Make double and freeze ahead for next weekend’s barbeque!

Try these tempting variations too: For Cheese-burgers, whilst shaping the burgers add a large marble sized piece of mozzarella into the middle and mould the meat around it (the mozzarella will ooze out as you’re eating).

For minted Lamb-burgers, use lamb mince along with chopped mint and rosemary – just mouth-wateringly delicious. A redcurrant jelly goes really well with these.

For Chilli-burgers, when mixing the burgers add in 1 tsp dried chilli flakes, or 1 chopped green chilli (or chillies) to your taste!

You can always up the garlic too of course...

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AUG/SEPT

BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00

Sun 7 August ABBA MANIA Top tribute with all the hits £7 - £20.50 Tues 9 August JOE RINGER BAND 28-piece big band perform Michael Buble hits £7 - £18 Sat 27 August OPEN DAY Access all areas. Loads of activities, tours and talks – ideal for families Free Sun 28 August KILLER QUEEN Recreation of Queen live £7 - £23.50 Wed 31 Aug – Thur 1 Sept PEPPA PIG’S SURPRISE Brand new live show from children’s favourite £7 - £16 Fri 2 – Sat 3 September GILBERT & SULLIVAN The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company with The Mikado (Fri) and Pirates of Penzance (Sat) £8 - £35 Sun 4 September SUE PERKINS Sparkling wit and great stories £7 - £24.50

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Mon 5 – Sat 10 September THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT Ruthie Henshall and The Overtones star in celebration of music and dance from the 1940s and 50s £8 - £33 Sun 11 September ASPECTS OF ALICE Talented young people from the Chermond School of Gymnastics £7 – £17.50

Tues 20 September THE BLUES BROTHERS The finest soul, blues and rhythm ‘n’ blues revue around £8 - £25 Wed 21 – Thur 22 September DANIEL O’DONNELL Charming singing star £8 - £42.50

Mon 12 – Sat 17 September THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Favourite rock ‘n’ roll musical £8 - £37.50 Sun 18 September JOAN COLLINS Stories and secrets £8 - £35 Mon 19 September SALLY MORGAN Star psychic £7 - £24.50

Sat 24 September DR HOOK All the hits £8 - £27.50 Tues 27 Sept – Sat 1 Oct PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy £8 - £27.50

Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk TH E AT RE ST R E E T, N O RW IC H N R 2 1 R L

Pride and Prejudice

Wed 3 – Sat 6 August HIGH SCHOOL PROM QUEEN 200 local young people star in new family musical £7 - £12

Entertainment 40s & 50s style A

with Ruthie Henshall and The Overtones

ward-winning Ruthie Henshall has starred in some of the most successful musicals of the past three decades and now the songstress is returning to her home turf in That’s Entertainment at Norwich Theatre Royal from 5-10 September.

Helping the four times Olivier-nominated musical theatre artist bring the golden 1940s and 50s era of music alive on stage will be one of Britain’s favourite vocal harmony groups, The Overtones.

The sparkling song and dance extravaganza will feature Hollywood’s all-time greatest hits from legendary composers such as George Gershwin, Lerner and Loewe, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Rodgers and Hammerstein, with numbers ranging from That’s Entertainment, Puttin’ On The Ritz and I Got Rhythm, to There is Nothing like a Dame, You’ll Never Walk Alone and more – and there will also be a right royal knees-up with a special tribute to London’s pearly kings and queens.

Ruthie Henshall was brought up in the region and has enjoyed a multi-award winning career which has seen her star in popular West End musicals like Cats, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Chicago and Crazy For You, which catapulted Ruthie into a major musical West End star. She is also in high demand as a concert performer, touring and performing extensively in the UK, the USA and Australia.

The Overtones are one of Britain’s top vocal harmony groups, covering genres from doowop and Motown to modern-day R&B and pop.

They recently celebrated their fifth consecutive Top 10 UK album and have sold over one million albums. They have performed at major events and concerts and are seen regularly on national TV, including a performance at the Queens’ Jubilee Concert in front of 250,000 people. They have also appeared at the Festival of Remembrance and in London’s Hyde Park for major shows, plus sell-out shows at the London O2, Palladium and Hammersmith Apollo.

That’s Entertainment is produced by David King for Spirit Productions, who also produced the Puttin’ On The Ritz show seen at Norwich Theatre Royal last July, and New Jersey Nights which wowed audiences in February.

Another upcoming Theatre Royal show guaranteed to entertain in late summer is The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company with The Mikado and Pirates of Penzance on 2 and 3 September, featuring Norwich panto stalwart Richard Gauntlett.

We will also welcome Pride and Prejudice from 27 September to 1 October, which sees actor Felicity Montagu (seen regularly on television as Alan Partridge’s longsuffering PA, Lynn, in the series which was filmed in the city) in the role of Mrs Bennet.

That’s Entertainment runs from 5-10 September 2016. Tickets are £8-£33 and are available from the box office on 01603 630000 or book online at www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk.

23

Out & About

7pm - 1am 3 Course Dinner | Close-up Table Magician Live Band - ‘Sophie G and The Good Times’

To find out more call our Christmas Party Planner on 01953 715319 or visit www.applewoodhall.co.uk

REputations high

BE TREWE

Riddlesworth Hall A CIEG SCHOOL

“Our job is to nurture every child as an individual, we find their niche strengths and create magical childhood memories along the way.”

Paul Cochrane, Headmaster Join the next generation at Riddlesworth Hall.

Scholarships currently available for academic, music, art and drama students.

Call +44 (0) 1953 681246 Visit www.riddlesworthhall.com

24

New members welcome at Hethersett Art Group

Hethersett Art Group, also known as Paint With Us, is always looking to welcome new members. This informal, friendly group meets on Thursdays from 1.30pm until 4pm in Hethersett Village Hall on Back Lane.

Left: Mary Nicholls painting in oils Below: Watercolour by Sue Vaughan

There are currently 25 members ranging in age from 30 to over 70 and coming from many areas including Norwich and South Norfolk. The membership fee is £50 a year, payable half yearly. The first meeting is free of charge and the group would welcome both beginners and experienced artists. Members do their own thing, painting in all mediums, but everyone is willing to help and encourage one another. There is a small library of books and DVDs that can be borrowed and a monthly sale of art materials.

Past exhibitions, held annually, have been popular local events with over 100 paintings of all levels exhibited. Radio Norfolk appeared at the exhibition one year whilst recording their Treasure Hunt programme. The group enjoys two lunches a year together and have been known to paint in the hotel grounds before lunch.

For more information contact Carol Towells (01603 810713) or Sue Vaughan (01603 810581) or visit the Facebook page: Hethersett Art Group. New members will be warmly welcomed whatever their artistic experience.

THETFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL The small, friendly school that gets results for individuals

OPEN EVENTS Whole School Open Morning Saturday 15 October 10.00am – 1.00pm

Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 3 November 7.00pm – 9.30pm 2015 Results: A Level A*-A 40%, A*-C 87% GCSE A*-A 34%, A*-C 91% “One of the top performing schools in the country” We are a 3½- 18 co-educational independent day school Please call 01842 752840 or email: hmsec@thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk www.thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk Please enquire for information about our bursary scheme

25

THE ANTIQUES FAIR

at Dunston Hall, Norwich Dunston Hall Antiques Fair has gained such a reputation that it attracts some of the leading dealers in the trade. The fair also hosts two of television’s favourite antiques experts, Mark Stacey and Cheryl Brown.

Mark Stacey prides himself on offering an eclectic selection of quality antiques rather than specialising in any one particular field. At the June fair, Mark offered for sale…

A rare cut-steel fob depicting a bust of George III, which was probably created to commemorate his 1760 coronation.

A rare ra primitive oil pain painting depicting Princ William of Prince Augustus Duke of Augustus, Cumber Cumberland circa 1780, third son of George II. He wa famous for was his defeat of the Jacobite Jac rebellion which earned him the nickname ‘Swe William’ by ‘Sweet his supporters and by his Tory opponent ‘The Butcher of Culloden’.

A delightful naïve treen snuff box, circa 1860, modelled as a frog. Of good colour and patination, it was most likely commissioned by a local wood carver.

A highly unusual pottery figure by M.T Cheyne of Chelsea, 1928. In the 1920s and 30s, Chelsea produced many potters who created handmade, highly decorative original pieces, the most recognised being Charles Vyse. This figure is a rather comical subject; a dandy gentleman who appears to be dressed as a dinner table, striding out whilst grasping the neck of a swan!

Mark travels the UK and Europe sourcing his interesting pieces and is always happy to advise customers old and new. Pop along to the next fair to see what exciting pieces he has on offer.

Cheryl’s expertise is in the field of art deco – an art movement involving a mix of decorative art styles of the 1920s and 30s. With over 30 years of experience in the trade she too always has a wonderful selection of original and desirable pieces on offer: figures, lighting, tableware, jewellery and much more...

Over the last 18 months I have focussed on many of the dealers that attend the fair and their stock: fine jewellery, nouveau/deco jewellery, silver, clocks, glassware, metal, furniture, maps, militaria, oriental art, bronzes, paintings and inkwells. So if you are looking for something special to add to your collection then the Antiques Fair at Dunston Hall is well worth a Ant visit. visit Thanks, Susan Thanks

Next antiques fair is Sunday 18 September at the Dunston Hall Hotel, A140 Ipswich Rd, Norwich, NR14 8PQ 26

www.norfolkfairs.com

07596 436260

Out & About

Hethersett

Old Hall School

Independent day school for girls 3-18 and boys 3-11 with boarding for girls from 9

Discover Hethersett Old Hall School

15 HOURS A WEEK FUNDED PLACES AVAILABLE

Join us and we will GUARANTEE your child’s promised 30 hours a week for September 2017!

We are currently enrolling for our Summer School Flexible hours (Mon-Fri 8-6pm) Only ÂŁ4.00 an hour

01953 603333

office@hummingbirdpreschool.co.uk www.hummingbirdpreschool.co.uk

Small classes, wide horizons From nursery to sixth form - call to arrange a tour of our happy, high-achieving school.

01603 810390 enquiries@hohs.co.uk

Eden Meadows Riding Centre Riding lessons for adults and children from 5 years (of all abilities) in our purpose built indoor arena.

Adults trying something new, or re-kindling a childhood passion, can enjoy a fun and relaxing sport.

For the more serious rider advanced tuition is available, providing a good workout as well!

Tiny Tots fun classes now available for 3-4 yr olds

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

BE TREWE

Please call for information and brochure.

Friendly, family-run business Sandy Lane, Rocklands, Attleborough NR17 1EN

01953 483545 info@eden-meadows.co.uk www.eden-meadows.co.uk

Call in for a fabulous selection of

Riddlesworth Hall A CIEG SCHOOL

Licensed by Breckland Council

www.riddlesworthhall.com

27

Ladies Who Lunch COCOA MAMA, EYE

Broad Street Eye, Suffolk, IP23 7AF • 01379 870688 • www.cocoamama.co.uk On a cold winter’s day in 2013 I dined at the Queen’s Head in Eye and regretted the fact that it was far too cold for us to have a wander round the town. This time – it being the first day of summer and all that – we set off early to allow wa certain amount of poking about and rummaging.

Eye boasts a selection of interesting and varied shops like Poppy’s, a tiny gem of a shop. One room is filled with gifts, toys, pictures and jewellery and an upstairs room boasts Poppy’s Dress Agency with rails of lovely pre-owned dresses, coats and children’s wear. Eye’s old Midland Bank is now an arts centre and coffee shop with a display of paintings and the most deliciously strong coffee.

But Cocoa Mama called from further down the street, so we hurried along – the‘first day of summer’was actually freezing!

It’s not a large shop; there are two small dining areas of about three or four tables each and the rest of the shop is filled with displays of chocolates fit to melt the heart of any‘we-never-eat-sweet-things’disciple.

We were greeted with a cheery welcome and shown the lunch options displayed on a brown paper roll hanging on the wall. This is a light lunch establishment rather than a full scale restaurant, but we were able to choose from a selection of paninis, two different soups, a selection of salads and some savoury scones. So I chose a chicken and pesto panini with salad and my friend had the sweet potato soup. There was no dispute about afters, just two of the shiny domed Belgian chocolates each.

Service was brisk and we were soon tucking in. My panini was piping hot and included a liberal amount of pesto – lovely! The salad garnish was very large and elegantly varied.

Crisps and pumpkin seeds completed the plate full and the salad dressing came in a separate jug, which I always like.

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My friend’s soup was a generous serving and came with bread, an olive oil dipper and a small dish of seeds. Having exceeded my caffeine ration for the day at the old

Midland Bank, I asked for a saintly glass of water and my companion chose a rose lemonade which fizzed intensely and tasted of summer.

Our chocolates were delicious and worth taking time over; my café crème one was made with a strongly flavoured filling, as was my caramel one. My friend’s ginger one was milder, but still delightful.

One good thing about a light lunch is the light bill that results from it – perfect if you wish to take home a box of chocolates as well. You can choose each one; little shiny jewels with tiny decorations on top and the thickest ever chocolate coating.

Bottom line: £18.45

Home & Garden

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For a friendly and professional IT service for PC & Apple Mac call Joe Richards at

EACH gift in every Will makes a difference Contact M addy Dodsworth on 01223 204913

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Windows VC Wood Aluminium Doors VC Wood Aluminium Conservatories Roofline Secondary Glass and Glazing!

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Home & Garden

Else Heating & Plumbing Oil and Gas Installation * Breakdowns * Servicing

* 24 hr call out * Powerflush

Bathroom & Kitchen Fitting Fully Insured

Contact Eugene Else

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Excellence in Electrical Delivering a Reliable & also Reputable service across Norfolk & Suffolk

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JASON PECK 01508 488 007 • 07718 206 110 enquiries@excelelectrical.co.uk www.excelelectrical.co.uk

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01379 644639 0791 60 67

Home & Garden

Cabinville Garden Cabins www.cabinville.co.uk

6 201 TS R O HU WF NE HERD EP SH

QUALITY AT DISCOUNT PRICES Home Office • BBQ Cabins • Gym • Games Room • Teenagers Own Space Garage • Workshop • Art Studio • Music Room • Treatment Room Fast Delivery & Full Support from a company that cares For advice and information contact our friendly expert team Cabins on display (View by appointment only)

01379 687 467

Church Farm, Church Lane, Bressingham, Diss IP22 2AE

WYMONDHAM’S HOME FURNISHINGS

Jarrolds can offer expert advice and great prices on all aspects of home furnishings and are very proud to have been part of the historic town of Wymondham since 1988.

LINENS HOUSEWARES FURNITURE CARPETS & RUGS CURTAINS COOKSHOP UPHOLSTERY SOFT FURNISHINGS BEDS MATTRESSES LIFT AND RISE ELECTRIC CHAIRS PLUS FREE CAR PARKING CLICK & COLLECT

MIDDLETON STREET, WYMONDHAM 01953 603251 JARROLD.CO.UK

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Home & Garden

THINKING OF SELLING?

andrew p r love

FOR ALL YOUR REMOVAL & STORAGE REQUIREMENTS

architecture . design . planning cherry tree farm wymondham road bunwell norfolk nr16 1nb 

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planning applications & building regulations submissions alteration works, extensions & conversions architectural design consultation & drawings specialist in listed buildings & conservation work site supervision & management excellent local knowledge and contacts domestic & commercial projects

South Norfolk

Design Award winner 2011 & 2013 for innovative and ecologically aware architecture please contact us on

t: 01953 789911 m: 07771 855225

e: info@andrewprloveadp.co.uk www.andrewprloveadp.co.uk

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REMOVALS & HOUSE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTS

John Ryder Removals and light Haulage is a local family business based in Wymondham, offering reliable removal services throughout the uk along with light haulage and house clearances.

• Removals & stoRage • Domestic Homes oR office moves • fRee estimates & aDvice • 3.5 ton & 7.5 ton veHicles • full Packing seRvice • fully insuReD • 7 Day seRvice

Call 01953 605553 www.johnryder.co.uk

Est 1987

3 White Horse Street, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0BJ

Why do property sales fall thorough?

What is the most common reason for a sale to fall through?

There are many reasons why sales unfortunately ly fall through, but often it is simply because the potential buyer has a change of heart. Often people view a property and fall in love with it, agree a price and then deliberate further and realise that perhaps the property isn’t for them.

What should your agent do to try and prevent this from happening?

It is important your agent ensures a purchaser knows all the facts about the property and have viewed it at least twice before proceeding.

Get your agent to accompany prospective buyers ers around your property so they are on hand to answer queries as they arise. It is also a good idea to instruct your agent to keep the property on the open market until the purchaser has committed themselves by instructing a survey and searches via their solicitor.

When a chain is involved, what is the best course of action and what can your agent do to try and salvage the situation?

Being in a chain is often challenging as there are so many elements that you are not in control of.

However, the key to your agent running a successful sale in a chain is to maintain clear and regular communication with all parties involved throughout the whole chain. This is not a service you get from all agents. Online only agents or agents you pay an upfront fee will charge you extra for managing the

sale. This is where most good independent agents come into their own and have the expertise to help keep all the sales in the chain on track.

If a chain does break down, then the best advice is to put the property back on the open market straight away. Some vendors are happy to wait for their buyer to sell again but they need to consider that the buyer’s property may take longer to sell than their own. Each case is unique and entirely depends on the customer’s timescale and their readiness to accommodate what could be very good buyer.

With thanks to Jonathan Wood from Sowerbys, Norwich.

Selling & letting property across South Norfolk

01603 294161

www.sowerbys.com 33

Home & Garden

DIRTY CARPETS? UPHOLSTERY? Most carpets dry within the hour Unbeatable results, removes almost all spots and stains

WATER SOFTENER SALT AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES

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Is your water as hard as nails?

W

hen you purchase a property in East Anglia one thing that is rarely taken into consideration is how incredibly hard the local water is. Your home may look sparkly-clean on the day you move in, but it doesn’t take long before the high concentration of chalk, scum and limescale in the water all take their toll on your appliances, your hot water system and your skin.

Treating the water supply before it damages your home is nothing new. Water softeners were invented around 1900 and have seen countless design changes over the years. Yet the basic but highly effective ion-exchange concept has remained entirely the same – the principle is still taught to chemistry students across the country today. What has changed is the size and efficiency of the latest equipment.

In days gone by, water softeners would only be found in more palatial properties, with the daily salt regeneration being a manual chore of the household staff below stairs. Today, modern machines are fully automatic, occupy little more space than an under

sink pedal-bin and some don’t even require mains electricity to operate. Gone are the days of the hernia-inducing 25kg sacks of salt, which have been replaced with new 4kg salt blocks.

With salt consumption nsumption lower than ever before, ore, no routine service work required and long warranties for complete peace of mind, modern water softeners are now easier to have installed into your East Anglian home than ever before.

With thanks to Clive Stevens from A D Veale

He doesn’t have a Scale Problem...

Water Softener Sales & Installations Service, Maintenance & Repairs Salt Deliveries Drinking Water Systems Filter Cartridges & Taps

Do you?

Call us today 01953 533012

We are a locally based, family run Company, established for over 35 years offering a fully independent and professional service dealing with the regions hard water problems.

www.adveale.com 35

Home & Garden Professional Fruit Tree Pruning NIGEL PAYNE Specialising in restoring old fruit trees Also wall trained and espalier Apples and Pears pruned October to April Plums and other ‘stone’ fruit when in leaf

01359 253545 07816 130934

nudgepayne@hotmail.com www.fruittreepruning.co.uk

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Garden Jottings from Ken

he weather, it’s a national obsession, we talk about it, we moan about it, we put up with it, but secretly we love our climate, for although it’s a constantly changing and unpredictable beast it shapes our green and pleasant land.

As a trained horticulturist I’m very aware of the needs of plants and the conditions they need to make them grow, and by matching the right plant to a suitable position you can help them thrive and perform to their full potential.

Whatever space you have there’s a plant choice to suit, hot and sunny, cool and shady, wet, dry, windy or sheltered. As I write this the sun is shinning so naturally my thoughts turn to plants that love it hot and dry, many of these have silver or grey foliage to help reflect light and reduce transpiration from the leaf surface. They look fantastic combined with white and blue flowers, helping to conjure up a relaxing Mediterranean-style garden. Lavenders are a great example, once established they thrive in poor soil baked in sunshine, giving off their scent when brushed or crushed, but remember to choose English varieties (angustifolia) for winter hardiness. Other choices could include tall and stately perovskia (Russian sage), repeat-flowering nepeta (catmint) and sedum (ice plant) for late summer colour, plus beautiful bearded irises (we have a selection of bare-root plants available throughout the summer months).

Sunny days rarely last long, often ending with a sudden heavy downpour, try to save as much of this precious resource as possible in water butts which come in a range of sizes from 100 litre slim-line tanks to jumbo 250 litre ones. Reliably moist ground gives an

opportunity to pick from a variety of thirsty plants, hemerocallis with long strap-like leaves and edible blooms, astilbes which put out showy plumes of flowers in shades of pink, white or red with dwarf or tall varieties to choose from, heavenly hostas, dramatic rodgersias, and even the enormous Gunnera manicata, giant spiny ‘rhubarb’ with leaves big enough to use as an umbrella, all these love a soggy soil.

Here in the east, strong cold winds can be a major issue for some gardeners, so for exposed sites some super tough choices may be required to take the brunt of the blast and provide some shelter for more delicate individuals. Shrubs such as potentilla, philadelphus, buddleja and spirea all have summerflowering varieties, and to make your windbreak even more colourful mix in a few varieties of berberis, purple leaved corylus (hazel) and choose straight or contorted stems and variegated forms of Cornus alba (dogwood). Once these have settled in and established you’ll be able to plant to their front side with a colourful selection of perennials or other plants to complete your border, but don‘t forget to support them with link stakes or canes to stop the flowers from flopping over.

Cheers, Ken

The Garden Enclosure at Banham

The best for your garden whatever the weather!

INDEPENDENT GARDEN CENTRE & GIFT SHOP 01953 888043 www.gardenenclosure.co.uk

Inspiring plant selections, plant sourcing and garden advice, gardening and floristry sundries, pet supplies, gifts… and more!

Find us at Banham Zoo, NR16 2HE - outside Zoo ticket kiosks Open Thursday to Monday 9.30am to 5pm (10am to 4pm Nov to Feb)

Fill y Summoeur with r colour!

37

OnYour

PLOT

HARVEST TIME AT THE KITCHEN GARDEN

ENJOY A TIME OF ABUNDANCE IN THE GARDEN

This is a time of abundance, so keep picking and harvesting your fruit and vegetables. If you’ve got too much, swap with others or freeze for the months to come.

August is the last month to sow salads outside, so make the most of it with some rocket, lettuce and sorrel. Fruits like raspberries, blackberries, tayberries, early apples

and pears should be ready to harvest – if they come off the tree easily then you know that they are ripe.

Pick vegetables when they are young and the plant will reward you with more produce into the autumn.

Another good tip is to freeze dry your herbs so that you can continue using them throughout the winter.

J K Anderson NDF F. ARBOR. A

P J Anderson ND. ARB

• Stump Grinding • Tree Surgery Specialists • Woodchippings • BS 5837 Tree Surveys • Lantra Tree Safety Inspections • Garden Design & Landscaping • Grounds Maintenance • Access Hire The Limes, Rothbury Rd, Wymondham

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You are totally protected

GENERAL PEST CONTROL RATS MICE WASPS

01603 334041 334 www.pest-force.co.uk

LOVELY LAWNS It’s common for lawns to go a bit brown at this time of year, but try not to water your lawn unless it’s absolutely necessary. Instead, raise the blades on your mower and leave fine grass cuttings on the lawn to help protect it.

Mulching mowers are good for this job because they cut the clippings very finely.

In September, mow less frequently and begin preparing your lawn for next year. Start by scarifying, which involves raking out the dead moss and grass

from your lawn. It’s hard work and probably best done with a machine. Improve drainage by spiking the lawn with a garden fork, add a dressing of compost and feed with some autumn lawn feed.

A high phosphate feed may be beneficial for lawns on thin soils because it strengthens the roots for winter. Avoid spring lawn feeds because they promote new growth which probably won’t survive the winter.

KEEP YOUR WATER FEATURES FRESH It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a cooling water feature or pond. In hot weather, water evaporates more quickly, so keep your ponds and water features topped up – the birds will thank you for it. If the weather is warm and still, you may also want to aerate your pond by leaving a fountain on.

At this time of year, algae grows quickly. You can combat a green

pond by removing any debris so that there are fewer nutrients for algal matter to feed off. Barley straw pads are also a good way to control algae in your pond.

Use a net or rake to remove any blanket weed from your pond and cut back any aquatic plants where necessary. Towards the end of September, net your ponds before the leaves start falling.

BUY DIRECT FROM THE GROWERS

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Roses from

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Bulbs available from mid September

Trees

Fruit Trees

Fruit Bushes

Selection of pots

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Autumn and winter Bedding

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01508 470357 39

DO YOU NEED A CLEANER? home-maid is a local family run cleaning agency and can provide you with a regular weekly clean for just

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Exercise your brain cells 1

2

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8

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11 12 13

14 15

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19 20

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22 ACROSS 1 Small booth (5) 4 Hard coating (7) 8 Coach (7) 9 Animal gem (5) 10 Calcaneus (4) 11 Wave (8) 13 Retail outlet (4) 14 This place (4) 16 Deep well (8)

23 17 20 21 22 23

Jerk (4) Giver (5) Go forward (7) Central focus (7) Old coin (5)

DOWN 1 Vegetable source (7, 6) 2 Declaim (5) 3 Sovereign (4)

4 5 6 7 12 13 15 18 19

Vigorous (6) Ecstasies (8) Conjure up (7) Unenthusiastically (4-9) Preserve (8) Deeply evil (7) College grounds (6) Huge sea (5) Liquid food (4)

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 6) Imp, 8) Ornamental, 9) Ant, 11) Inkwell, 13) Trend, 14) Serfs, 15) Republicanism, 16) Money, 18) Enter, 19) Darning, 20) Ode, 23) Physically, 24) Ire. DOWN: 1) Bog, 2) One, 3) Amend, 4) Snow-blindness, 5) Falls, 7) Manifester, 10) Freeholder, 11) Insured, 12) Leaning, 17) Yacht, 18) Enact, 21) Ill, 22) Eye.

Answers in the next issue 41

Bathrooms Kitchens Design & Installation

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42

Norwich Bathroom and Kitchen Showroom 2 Heigham Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4TE Tel. 01603 219957 | Email. norwich@n-b-k.co.uk

Long Stratton Bathroom Showroom 2 Cooper Court, The Street, Long Stratton NR15 2XG Tel. 01508 531188 | Email. longstratton@n-b-k.co.uk

Diss Bathroom and Kitchen Showroom Carmel Works, Park Road, Diss IP22 4AS Tel. 01379 640812 | Email. diss@n-b-k.co.uk

Thorpe End Bathroom Showroom Plumstead Road, Thorpe End, Norwich NR13 5AJ Tel. 01603 219957 | Email. thorpeend@n-b-k.co.uk

Home & Garden

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a d esi

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LOCAL HISTORIAN

Memories of Palgrave I

n this new series, 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 Palgrave.

The Norfolk Postcard Club meets regularly in Trowse in Norwich and new members are very welcome. To find out more please contact Ian Hurst on 01263 825053. The next meeting is on 14 September.

1910 Lion Street

1908 Bells laid out for people to view after being recast at Whitechapel foundry before being re-hung in the tower�

1915

The post office moved from the side of Church Farm to the opposite side of the road, Mrs Linda Green was grocer, draper and post mistress.

44

1910

W Baldwin, dealer in horses and exporter of worn out horses to the continent

1950

Post office

1910

1903 The houses on the right were knocked down and part of the churchyard was removed to make the road straighter

Football team 1930/31 – Arthur Anness, Harry Bond, Ronnie Ford, Jack French, Dick Cross, Fred Johnson, Angus Gresswell, Frank Thurlow, Joe Eagle, George Clarke, Dennis Howell, Arthur Howell, Don Manning, Derrick Green and Jim Baldwin

Dennis’ grandma lived in the house on the right so these children could be his aunts and uncles.

Dennis is also the author of several local history books and readers can still purchase Diss and District from the Tourist Information Centre in Diss.

If readers have any local postcards of Diss or the surrounding villages, please get in touch with Dennis after 7pm on 01379 651897.

©

45

Does your pet need to lose weight?

This issue, we are focusing on obesity in cats and dogs. The negative effects of obesity become increasingly apparent during the warm weather as overweight pets can struggle to exercise and breathe effectively.

In order to assess whether or not your pet is overweight, they require a ‘body condition score’. The scoring system varies from breed to breed, but in each case, a score is given from 1-9, with one as severely underweight and nine as severely overweight.

There are also visual descriptors in order to ensure effective and accurate scoring. Pets of an ‘ideal’ weight (scoring 4-5) have a clearly defined and obvious waist. Many people see ‘ideal’ pets and think they are underweight.

The biggest contributor to weight gain is treats.

Human food is enormously calorific to cats and dogs and even if they are only given ‘a little bit’, it can have a huge effect on their weight.

Many vets offer free weight clinics where you can discuss how to help your pet lose weight and set realistic targets. Obesity can significantly shorten your pet’s life, so it’s really important to keep an eye on their weight. As a result, your pet will be more comfortable and more likely to live longer, so it’s good news for both of you.

With thanks to Emily Philpot RVN from Uplands Way Vets Ltd

59% of all dogs and 39% of all cats are obese or overweight

!

ED OVow on 2AA M VE s n P22 HA linic i am I tre) WEr Diss cessinghrden Cenew,

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Life’s a beach beach

The sun’s out so pack your beach bag and enjoy the east coast at its best

Beach dress with tassels Marks and Spencer £25

Floral beach towel Debenhams £20

A harmonious combination of rustic charm and contemporary style, Applewood Hall offers an undeniably unique wedding venue for your special day in the heart of Norfolk.

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of readers when looking for a trades-person or service only looked in Village People

iti ed lk fo AL or LOC Y N h • E ut H So ALT TH E F • HE O EY N

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have brought a product or service after seeing an advert in Village People

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What our advertisers say Advertising in Village People really works – but don’t just take our word for it!

Village People is a high quality publication, and helps us connect with a strong market for us.

Going directly into homes, and with a long shelf-life, it’s ideal for building awareness of our programme and helping us sell more tickets. It’s now an essential part of our marketing mix.

The fact that Lily and her team are friendly and well-organised is a bonus!

Theatre Royal Norwich www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Village People has built my business significantly over the last 3 years. I always ask new enquires how they found me and VP comes up all the time.

People I speak with really enjoy the magazine and all the editorial there is to read.

As a provider of care services to individuals in their own homes, many of whom are isolated and rural, it was vital that we found a source of communication that would reach these sectors in an eyecatching and interesting way.

We have worked with Village People since their launch 8 years ago and have been delighted with their flexible approach to our advertising needs, as well as their commitment to increasing their coverage in line with feedback from customers such as us.

The publication is professional and innovative and most importantly delivers the results we need at a price that is fair and competitive.

Nicola Mewse Robert Foulger Lake & Pond Aquatics 01379 652720 www.lakeandpond-aquatics.co.uk

Hales Group www.halesgroup.co.uk

I always know when the latest Village People magazine has dropped through the letterboxes, our phone gets even busier!

When I ask customers where they’ve heard of us, 9 times out of 10 it is through our advert in Village People. It is always good to hear readers praise the magazine too, giving me reassurance that I chose the best publication to advertise in!

I would definitely recommend this magazine to any local business if you are looking to grow your business.

Sylvia Smit h Ticketyboo Cleaning Agency 01379 871995 www.ticketyboocleaning.com We are getting lots of calls from Village People. The best ad / promotion we have done to date.

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Pop onto our website where you can read many more positive comments www.village-people.info

55

All-new Fiat Tipo

FIRST DRIVE REVIEW

Tested: Turin, Italy

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist Twitter @carwriteups www.carwriteups.co.uk

I

have a soft spot for Fiat. Okay, I’m meant to be objective – but you always remember your first car, right? And mine was a Fiat Panda. There’s no logic involved here – it’s pure emotion – and so, for me, the Fiat brand is synonymous with 1988 and my glorious first days of true motoring independence.

today with a brand new Fiat Tipo for 2016. Yes, the car is back from the dead and aims to replicate the early success of the former model.

The Italian auto-maker is blunt about its intentions: the all-new Fiat Tipo is a car without frills and, even

The same year I got that Panda, a new Fiat was unleashed – the Tipo. The five-door hatch was boxy but appealed to the media and the masses, winning the European Car of the Year award in 1989.

Sadly, the adoration didn’t last and the Fiat Tipo went to the great scrapyard in the sky when it was replaced by the Fiat Bravo and Brava in ‘95.

But Fiat must have been listening to The Stone Roses at some point – particularly the track ‘I Am The Resurrection’ – because here we are

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56

though it’s more or less emulating Dacia’s marketing strategy, its real competitor is the likes of the Skoda Rapid Spaceback.

Now, I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the all-new Fiat Tipo is, in my opinion, better looking than the Czech-made car. This is due to its elegant nose design, and neater overall shape. The Fiat Tipo’s price begins from a remarkably low £12,995 on the road, which is bound to shake up the British motoring market.

The outside of the Tipo really doesn’t ooze ‘budget’ by any means. It’s only when you step inside that the ‘no frills’ element kicks-in. It’s the plastics at knee-height on the doors and the dash that give the game away. The synthetic material is so cheap that it sounds hollow and scratches if you run your fingernails lightly over it. But, as with many things in life, there’s light and shade – all 2016 Fiat Tipo models receive six airbags, electric windows, DAB digital radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

The all-new Fiat Tipo gets things right again when it comes to room, with good leg and head room for all passengers. The hatchback’s load-area is seriously decent, too – class leadingly so at 440 litres. In realworld terms, that’s more than enough space for the weekly shop and a couple of toddlers’ buggies.

Call: Kevin Jarvis m: 07773 280 772 free: 0800 772 0772 www.cleaningdoctor.net/norwich

All things considered, the all-new Fiat Tipo is mediocre to drive and its cabin quality isn’t the best. But it does look good; it has bags of room; it’s comfortable and it comes loaded with kit. So even though 2016’s Fiat Tipo has a few negative points, it still represents good value for money.

PROS‘N’CONS Value-for-money √ Comfort √ Space √ Interior plastics X Cornering X FAST FACTS Fiat Tipo 1.6 Multijet II 120 Max speed: 124 mph 0-62 mph: 9.8 secs Combined mpg: 76.3 Engine layout: 1.6-litre 4cyl diesel Max. power (bhp): 120 CO2: 98 g/km Price: £17,995

A11 Self Storage is an ideal, convenient place to use if you require some short term storage, or like many of us today need to store items on an indefinite longer term basis.

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Home & Garden Oil Tanks Supplied and installed Pipe Work Gauges Fuel Pumps Spares 24 hour call out

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58

Complete service including plumbing, tiling & flooring Worktop & Door Replacement

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Read all about It:

Medical Advertisements In the fourth article in her current series, Sarah Doig explores the classified advertisements ertisements in nineteenth-century newspapers which offered miracle cures in an age before the National Health Service.

I

n England, we often take the NHS for granted. Everyone, regardless of background or income, can receive medical or surgical treatment if they need it without having to worry about whether they can afford it. However, in Victorian England it was your social class which determined the type of healthcare you could get. The wealthy upper classes paid for private medical treatment at home or in a practitioner’s consulting room. The middle classes might also be able to pay for their treatment, although it was no doubt these families who were the main audience for the numerous adverts offering cures for all manner of medical complaints.

In 1886, the Thetford and Watton Times carried a fullcolumn advert paid for by R. Ceily of Church Plain, Great Yarmouth. His product, “Ceily’s Worm Powders”, had apparently “cured thousands of persons who were troubled with fits, agues, nervousness, wild dreams, sickness, diseases of the stomach etc”. These claims are backed up by testimonials from satisfied customers such as M W Marshall, who writes to Mr Ceily: “I am thankful to say your valuable medicine brought a tape-worm from me, one 100 feet long.

I could not work, but I now enjoy perfect health”. A miracle cure, indeed!

Another classified advert, this time in the Bury and Norwich Post in 1892 headed “Influenza! Influenza!”, caught my eye, not least because the cures were “St

Outpatients in a Victorian hospital

King Charles II curing scrofula Edmunds Sloe Gin” and “Cinnamon Cordial” offered

by F E Jennings of Bury St Edmunds. Jennings appears to be cashing in on the latest claim that drinking beverages with cinnamon in them destroys the ‘flu germs. It seems to me a rather enjoyable way to try to fight off the dreaded ‘flu.

And finally an advert appeared in our local newspapers in 1866 under the rather curious title of “Hope for the Afflicted” and advertises the services of Edward M Smith MD, practitioner of botanical medicine. In the advert he claims “Scrofula or King’s Evil [a kind of tuberculosis of the neck, supposedly cured by the touch of a king], Glandular Swellings, Abscesses, Cancers, Tumours, Scurvy, Leprosy, and all Affections of the Skin, with all External Diseases, successfully treated and cured...” Of course, we know now that some of the more serious diseases mentioned here could not possibly have been cured by this nineteenth-century attempt at herbal medicine. But Dr Smith certainly seems to have been successful in plying his trade, as he proudly announces that he has moved from Providence Place, Diss to a new, grand residence in Norwich.

Sarah Doig offers a professional family, house & local history research service. For more information visit www.ancestral-heritage.co.uk

59

Anglian Polymer Clay Guildd The Anglian Polymer Clay Guild are a group of clay enthusiasts who meet every two months in Wortham Village Hall. They make a range of items, including miniatures, sculptures and jewellery.

According to members of the guild, polymer clay is an exciting, inexpensive and versatile PVC based plastic, which can be used to make an enormous variety of things, and, best of all, it can be hardened in an ordinary domestic oven. It was first used as a child’s ’s craft material more than fifty years ago. What is most exciting and interesting is that, since then, talented artists and craftspeople have expanded its possibilities and created some beautiful and amazing work, much of which can be seen on Pinterest and Facebook.

The Anglian Polymer Clay Guild has been running for several years, and its members share skills and ideas at ClayDays and other events. ts.

The group is always very keen to recruit new members, so, whether you are experienced, or a complete beginner, you will receive a warm welcome from the group. The next ClayDay is on Sunday 18 September. The cost is £5 for the day, which includes tea and coffee. e.

To find out more, visit www.anglianpcg.co.uk, where you can see more examples of the group’s work and sign up to the newsletter if you’d like to receive reminders about the ClayDays.

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Home & Garden

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62

Old Buckenham Cycling Festival Buoyed by the success of last year, where crowds in their thousands watched the Tour of Britain flash through Old Buckenham, Diss & District Cycling Club and Breckland District Council have decided to make this an annual event, expanded into two days of cycling festival fun.

The Old Buckenham Cycling Festival will be held on 3-4 September and will offer a fun-filled weekend for cyclists as well as the whole family.

There will be a beer festival, live music, a funfair, numerous trade and craft stalls and food to suit everyone: a BBQ, curry van, hot dogs, ice cream, fish and chips as well as teas and cakes.

Diss & District Cycling Club are also organising ‘Crit Racing’ on closed roads around the village green on Saturday 3 September. This super 1.1km circuit is part of the Eastern Road Race League Criterium Championships, under the rules of British Cycling.

Unique to East Anglia, the ‘Ford Anglia Series’ will feature a 25 and 50 mile course incorporating some of the best rural fords and gravel roads in East Anglia.

This vintage-style cyclo sportive is designed for older style bikes, with riders dressed in vintage or era specific cycling clothes.

On Sunday 4 September there will be a ‘Classic Sunday’ featuring classic cars, buses, motorbikes, bike jumble, jazz band and Morris dancers.

To find out more visit www.obcycling.org or search for OBCycling on Facebook.

Found what you are looking for?

To find answers to life's important questions, carry on reading.

For the following free booklets  Israel - key to world peace  Creation or evolution?  The Bible is true  Why baptism really matters  Heaven and hell  Introducing the Christadelphians request your selection online at www.TheChristadelphians.org.uk

To locate activities arranged by the Christadelphians nearest to you visit www.ukchristadelphians.org.uk __________ For a free monthly magazine on Bible topics (for 6 months) make your request online at www.gladtidingsmagazine.org

or write to FREEPOST, THE CHRISTADELPHIANS

63

Home & Garden

Derek Hardaker Professional

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64

PART 3

The Stowaway cat Su had a feline something wasn’t right…

M

r Curtis was a man of few words, but he obviously intended to bestow the ones he chose slowly, at intervals, for maximum impact. I was eager to be getting on with my gardening and did not have the patience to wait for him to construct his thoughts.

“So will you look after the cat?” he asked, finally.

Well that was fairly direct and to the point, now it was my turn to hesitate. I stood up to deal with this in a more vertical position.

“Muffin, do you mean?”

“Course. He’s no trouble, only I’ve got a funeral to go to. Overnight.”

“Oh, sorry to hear that. Of course I’ll look after him.

He can come and play with Milly, she’ll love that.”

We made the necessary arrangements about keys and cat food and he hurried off across the garden.

“When do you leave?” I shouted after him.

“Half three, taxi’s coming to collect me,” he said proudly, and I marvelled at his certainty about finding a cat-sitter at fifteen minutes notice.

Later that evening, after I had finished working in the garden, I decided to go across to Mr Curtis’s house to make an initial survey. If I encountered any problems, such as the wrong sort of tin opener, I would have time to sort things out before Muffin died of starvation.

Milly had been right about Muffin’s strange smell after all.

I went through to the kitchen and discovered Muffin perched high up on the draining board, on top of seemingly every plate, cup, and bowl in the house.

It looked as though a mammoth weekly washingup session had recently been undertaken. He was peering at me and clearly considering the possibility of getting fed. He stepped delicately over the crockery and jumped down to the floor, purring.

“All right Muffin, dinner’s coming.”

I reached up to the cupboard over the washing machine and took out a tin of cat food. As I did this I inadvertently pushed the washing machine door closed with my thigh, trapping my skirt in the process: it was a full-skirted one, an old favourite that I was rather fond of, even though it did look inappropriate with welly boots.

“Oh no...”

I bent down to unlatch the door but it had no mechanical means of opening. This washing machine was probably the newest thing in the house; it was an electronic, push-button one looking magnificent and somewhat incongruous. I located the button marked ‘door open’, leaned back to avoid being knocked over, and pressed it. Nothing.

“Oh no!”

Part 4 continues in the next issue.

Copyright Susan Lidster

I let myself in and recoiled slightly from the smell.

It wasn’t of any particular origin, just an overall lowlevel fusty damp smell that permeated the whole house, overlaid with the least subtle air freshener that is was possible to buy.

65

Village Notice Board FREE BOWLS LESSONS

Wed 31st Aug 6pm East Harling Bowls Club (opposite the church) Need an interest this winter?

Why not try indoor shortmat bowling which is easy to learn, friendly & sociable.

We are offering 4 x 2 hr free sessions beginning on Wed 31 Aug Bowls will be provided, but please wear soft, flat soled shoes (or just socks).

Pauline Barsby – 01953 717275 thebarsbys@gmail.com www.harlingrecreationbowlsclub.co.uk

Rotary Park Alive Sat 13th Aug 5:30pm

Inspired by Nature’ Art Exhibition Sat 27th Aug 10am

Redgrave & Lopham Fen, Low Common Road, South Lopham, Diss IP22 2HX

Deborah Key – 01379 688333 redgrave.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org Sat 27, Sun 28 & Mon 29 August, 10am - 4pm each day.

Original artwork by over 20 artists will be on display in the Education Centre at Redgrave & Lopham Fen. All work, which will be for sale, will be on the theme of nature & wildlife.

Admission is free & tea/coffee, homemade cakes & snacks. Don’t forget your cheque book!

Saxlingham Nethergate Church Fete

17th September – 2 - 4pm New Rectory Garden

OP EN GA RDEN Sat 20th to Mon 22 August

10am to 5pm

Contact Dr Trevor Sayer on 01449 612079

Furze House, Harleston Rd, Rushall, Diss, IP21 4RT

Free Entry, BBQ, Raffle & Bar

Funds raised go to the radiotherapy dept at NNUH

Park Pavilion in Diss

Architectural Technologist Nick Clarke mciat

• • • • • •

66

Partial or Complete Service Extensions & Alterations Conversions & New Build Work on Listed Buildings Eco-Friendly Design Outdoor Design

Tel.01379 642555

New Buckenham

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY FETE Mon 29th Aug 1p

m Games, raffles, entertain ments, food & drink, white elephant, books, nearly new, jumble. carolyn.hupton@gma il.com / 07737 332458 FREE ENTRY & CAR PARK

Blo’ Norton’s Indian Prince H.H.FREDERICK DULEEP SINGH TWO DAY EVENT Sat 13th 10am to 5pm & Sun 14th 10am to 4.30 pm

ING

ANTIQUE VALUATION DAY Sat 20th Aug 10am - 10am to 2pm Wymondham Central Hall Run by Wymondham Rotary Club in association with TW Gaze (auctioneers)

St. Andrew’s Church Blo’ Norton & Village Hall

Church Flower Festival & talk Sat 13th 2-3 pm by Peter Bance, ticket only Village Hall Exhibition & informal talk Sun 14th 2-3 pm by Geoffrey Leigh

Refreshments & stalls

www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/ homepage.php?ClubID=511

Contact: Joan Kibble on 01953 681396 neil@neilkibble.plus.com

Summer Exhibitions at Wingfield Barns

12th Aug – 11am -4pm Wingfield Barns, Church Road, Wingfield, IP21 5RA Admission is free 01379 384505 / office.manager@wingfieldbarn s.co.uk

DISS WOOL SHED OPEN MORNING Tue 2nd Aug 10am

Diss Methodist Church Hall, Victoria Road, Diss

Music for a Golden Queen

Bring your friends & knitting to Diss Wool Shed Open Morning, have a cuppa & a chat Buy new wool for your next project Get donated supplies of needles, buttons etc Bring your knitted/stitched items to donate to charities See our displays of made items. Sewing area

Sun 7th Aug 4pm

Rickinghall Inferior Church, Bury Road, Rickin

ghall Features readings from the era & music played on instruments that were regularly heard at court A one-hour concert followed by home-mad e light refreshments Entry by ticket only (£10 adults, £5 under 16s)

Proceeds in aid of the Rickinghall Inferior

Church Fabric Fund

Tickets available from Jean Sheehan (01379 890237), Rickinghall Post Office & Redgrave Comm unity Shop

B R Decorating Services

For a friendly & reliable service

Interior & Exterior 40 years local experience No vat Call Brian on

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We always need any unwanted wool, needles , buttons, zips etc

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DJA Handyman Services Fencing www.djahandyman.co.uk Painting 07786 991333 Decks and Patios dave@djahandyman.co.uk Tiling Dave Allison General Garden maintenance Flat pack assembly Handyman, Property Garden Features and Garden Gar Maintenance Kennels, Cat houses, Hutches, etc Bathrooms Kitchens Carpentry Electrics

And more

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FUN & GAMES: THETFORD VOICES SINGING WORKSHOPS Tue 2nd Aug 9:30am Thetford Grammar School, Bridge Street, Thetford Two-day course for 6-16 yr olds: learn, sing and perform up-tempo songs celebrating the spirit of play, games, sport & just having fun. Tuesday 2nd 9.30 – 3.45; Wednesday 3rd 1.30 – 7.15 Toddlers’ Hour for 3-5 year olds. Tuesday 2nd 10 - 11 Mixed Voice Harmony Session for 15+ to young adult.

Tuesday 2nd 4.15 – 5.45 Closing concert for friends and families Wednesday 3rd 7.15 – 8 Main Course £10 for two days; other courses £3

Contact for info & application form John Weeks on 01842 820060 thetfordvoices@gmail.com

EYE PARISH CHURCH

ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION & SALE OF PICTURES Fri 26th Aug 10am St Peter and Paul Church, Eye

Thursday 25th Aug from 6.30pm – 8.30pm Preview Evening – with refreshments

Friday 26th Aug – Monday 29th Aug from 10am – 7pm Please note a later start on Sunday 28th Aug from 1pm – 7pm Raffle & homemade refreshments will be served Contact on Pinky Palmer 01379 870539 art.exhibition.eye@gmail.com www.eyeparishchurch.org

AUTUMN FRUIT FESTIVAL

Sat 17th Sep 10am All Saints Church, Thorndon Contact Mrs R. Jones on 01379 678226 Homemade jams, chutneys, marmalades & cakes Refreshments, Books & Gift Stalls Free admission Proceeds in aid of Church Fun ds

HARVEST SUPPER Sat 24th Sep 6:30pm

Hinderclay Villa ge Hall With Bar and Ra ffle £6 per person (kids £3) Proceeds shar ed between St Mary’s Chur ch & Hinder

clay Village Ha ll To book call Pa trick on 01379 898512

HARVEST SUPPER & AUCTION Sat 24th Sep 7:30pm

Tibenham Community Hall, Pristow Green Lane, Tibenham, NR16 1PX

Enjoy a tasty supper & then place your bid on locally produced items including foods, drinks & craftwork £7 entry Contact Joan Woodcock on 01953 860271 www.tibenhamcommunityhall.org

Carpet &

 upholstery cleaning  Car detailing Reliable &  professional Fully insured

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68

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KITCHEN & BEDROOM DESIGN & FITTING • JOINERY

FUNDENHALL DOG SHOW & FETE Sunday Sep 4th – 12 midday The Grange, Fundenhall

Live band, beer tent, cake stall, BBQ , games, vintage tractors The Hawking experience - oppo rtunity to handle hawks & owls Demonstration of falconry Free entry & parking Contact Sally Cocks on 07740 0517 08 / sallycocks@yahoo.co.uk

WYMONDHAM FLOWER CLUB OPEN MEETING 14th Sep – 7.30 pm

Central Hall, Wymondham, NR18 0QB

Demonstration by Mig Kimpton ‘Autumn Collection’ £12 per ticket Contact Linda Pope on 01953 789019 www.wymondhamflowerclub.org.uk

Norwich Playhouse on 27th Aug at 19.30

Bernstein’s fantastic score for the musical includes “Something’s Coming”, “Maria”, “America”, “Somewhere”, “Tonight” & “I Feel Pretty”

Contact Anna Goode on 01603 598598 anna@mixedvoice.co.uk

List your local event for FREE on our Village Notice Board Log onto www.village-people.info to send us details

1o00s

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Peter Cole General Builder & Roofing Contractor

All Brickwork, Carpentry and Roof Tiling Undertaken House Renovations and Maintenance Chimney & Roof Repairs Based in Ashwellthorpe near Wymondham 40 years experience. No VAT.

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The crew at Classic Covers is retiring Open on Tuesdays & Wednesdays for smaller jobs only. Rod & Hazel would like to thank everyone for their support over the past 16 years.

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Oil tanks supplied & installed Base preparation Old tanks removed

Call Rob on

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70

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THE PRINCE’S TRUST

40 years of changing young lives F

or 40 years, The Prince’s Trust has helped some of the UK’s most disadvantaged young people get their lives on track. Established in 1976, The Trust’s programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support they need to stabilise their lives, helping them develop self-esteem and skills for work. Since its inception, the charity has supported over 825,000 young people and currently helps over 100 more each day. While the growth of the organisation is the result of years of hard work from a wide range of people, its existence stems from the vision of one man.

At 27, HRH The Prince of Wales used his Navy severance pay to fund a number of community initiatives, which launched what was to become The Prince’s Trust. Twenty one pilot projects were established around the country including training young people as life guards and supporting exoffenders to run a fishing club.

is determined to show people they can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.

Joan says, “I had doubts in my mind about whether I could do this at all, and I didn’t know if there would be demand for it. However, my mentor helped me focus my idea and worked with me to develop my material. I’m now building my reputation and picking up new clients all the time.”

Thousands of young people learn the hard way but thanks to support from The Trust, they are able to realise and reach their potential. Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.

Since then The Trust has been developing and refining its programmes to give young people the tools and, more importantly, the self-belief they need to reach their potential. These include personal development programmes, industry specific training schemes, short engagement courses designed to inspire young people, and helping those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. The Trust also provides unemployed young people with the tools and training they need to set up in business.

23-year-old Joan Latta, from Norfolk, was supported by The Trust to establish her company, Cerebral Palsy Alive and Kicking, to raise awareness about living with disabilities. Joan was starved of oxygen for 28 minutes at birth, which left her with cerebral palsy, but with support from her family she worked hard to overcome her disability and develop a career as a teaching assistant. However, when her contract expired, Joan’s confidence was shattered and she struggled to see a way forward.

That’s when Joan approached The Prince’s Trust and was supported through the Enterprise programme to set up her business. By delivering inspirational talks, workshops and training, Joan

Joan Latta

71

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m: 07810 887591 e: chrisbelltye@gmail.com w: www.plasterersnorfolk.co.uk

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01379 676378

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72

NEWLYWEDS REUNITED

with the driver who took them on a journey of their lives

A

Colchester woman and her husband who fell in love and married after meeting on a National Express coach have been reunited with the driver who took them on the journey of their lives - a year after they first met.

It was a case of coach aisle to down the aisle for Patricia Lambert who met husband Geoff on a coach operated by local coach company Galloway a year ago.

To mark their special anniversary, and in what is believed to be a first for the coach company, National Express surprised Geoff and Patricia by naming the exact seats in which they first met in after them in tribute to their incredible love story. Galloway arranged for the same driver, Arron Slater, to unveil the surprise.

Twelve months ago Geoff and Patricia were both single and living on opposite sides of the world – Geoff in Auckland, New Zealand, and Patricia in Colchester, Essex. Geoff, 68, a widower for almost three years and Patricia, 66, divorced since 2000, said the chance encounter on a coach last May changed their lives forever.

Geoff was travelling from his home in New Zealand to visit family in Colchester, Essex and as fate would have it, Patricia boarded the same coach. Spotting a vacant seat next to Geoff, Patricia asked if she might sit there and he said ‘absolutely you may’ and helped her with her seatbelt. Over the next hours the pair chatted and discovered they were both single and enjoyed each other’s company. In Colchester they exchanged phone numbers and the couple carried on seeing each other for the two months Geoff was in the UK. They decided they just had to see each other again so Patricia booked a flight to New Zealand and, once Geoff was back, phone calls, texts and letters continued and feelings grew, so much so it was an easy decision for them to say ‘I do’. Patricia quit her job at a car dealership in Colchester and moved to New Zealand, the couple married in the garden of their house in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island on 28th December 2015, on a hot summer’s day.

Geoff said:“The amazing thing is neither of us had planned to be on that particular coach that day.

We both independently inde de ly changed our pre-booked e-booked travel arrangements only hours earlier.Was it fate or guidance from above?

“Both of us have known good and lasting love in the past, both have loving families as well as great friends, but at the time were enjoying basically secure and stable lives happily alone.”

Patricia said:“We found it very easy to talk to each other. I thought he seemed kind and interesting and he said I was attractive.We discussed all sorts of things - where we both came from, the General Election and the recent birth of Princess Charlotte. I actually use National Express coaches around three times a month for visiting friends and children, but I never expected to meet my husband on board!”

Galloway coach driver Arron Slater said:“I never thought I’d get to play cupid. It was great to see them again a year on and so clearly very happy together. Hopefully I can help others find love too!”

For more information visit www.nationalexpress.com or call 0871 781 81 81.

73

SPOTTED A STAG BEETLE? Help save the UK’s largest land beetle by recording your sightings.

L

ike many British species, it is becoming rare to catch a glimpse of the formidable looking, but friendly stag beetle (Lucanus cervus). Sadly, their numbers are dwindling across Europe due to loss of habitat and predators including cats, magpies and humans. In parts of Britain stag beetles are already extinct, so help is needed to prevent further decline. People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is asking the public to record any sightings of these iconic insects by taking part in their annual Great Stag Hunt.

Stag beetles emerge from mid-May onwards, and live in gardens, parks, woodland edges and traditional orchards. Stag beetles are prevalent throughout southern England and coastal areas of the south west, while they are less common in the north of England and the South Downs. PTES also want to hear from people living in areas that border the stag beetles’ known range, and that includes Norfolk.

beetles online at www.ptes.org/stagbeetles, which will help PTES’ wider conservation strategy.

Laura Bower, Conservation Officer at PTES says: “The Great Stag Hunt has involved thousands of people over the last 20 years. Gardens in particular are very important habitats, as stag beetles rely on decaying wood in contact with soil to feed on as larvae.

Volunteers can help by retaining dead tree stumps or building a log pile in their gardens to ensure there is a good supply of dead wood for female stag beetles to lay their eggs in. We hope to see more volunteers joining this year’s Great Stag Hunt to help reverse their population decline.”

For more advice on how to identify a stag beetle, to find out what to do if you find a stag beetle or dig up stag beetle larva, visit: www.ptes.org/ stagbeetles.

Stag beetles can reach up to 75mm in size, which makes them second largest of all UK beetles after the water beetle, but also easy to spot!

For the majority of their life cycle, stag beetles remain underground as larvae, feeding on rotten wood. They can remain as larvae for as long as 7 years, and once fully grown they build a large cocoon in the soil where they pupate before finally metamorphosing into their adult, more recognisable, form.

Last year’s Great Stag Hunt saw 5,796 recorded stag beetle sightings. There are no set rules for the Great Stag Hunt, just simply record any sightings of stag

As we walked through the bluebell woods, I thought he’d like this

When arranging a funeral, we know it’s the details that make the difference.

Here for you every hour of every day call our 24 hour careline on

0800 0744362 It’s the little things that count

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visit www.eastofengland.coop/funerals for your nearest funeral director

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78

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

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Q&A HEALTH Q: A:

I’ve heard a lot of TV chefs talking about superfoods, but what are they and why are they important?

Superfoods are a diverse collection of nutrient-rich foods such as berries, seeds, grains, vegetables and fruits, which can have a positive effect on your body. They tend to contain a large percentage of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and antioxidants. Unlike most healthy foods, which normally contain two or three particular nutritional properties, superfoods often have 12 or more.

The modern diet is often not as nutritious as it should be and this can have an impact on your skin, hair, immune system and even your emotional state. A daily diet that includes superfoods gives your body everything it needs to run smoothly and stay healthy.

Superfoods can be divided into three categories: Green superfoods: Green vegetables like leeks, broccoli and legumes, healthy bacteria such as wheat grass, and green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, kale and spinach.

Fruits and nuts superfoods: Blueberries, acai berries, cranberries, goji berries, mulberries, almonds, walnuts, coconut and raw cacao.

Herb superfoods: Nettle, Echinacea, ginseng, ginger, marigold, turmeric, anise and basil.

If you want to eat superfoods, it is essential to consume them in their raw, original state. In processing, many nutritional and healing qualities are limited or indeed lost completely. If you cook superfoods, it’s important not to overcook them. High heat can damage delicate water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and destroy antioxidants that reside in the pigments of plant-based foods.

Contact the Natural Food Store, 4 Exchange Street, Norwich, for more helpful information.

Tel: 01603 613228 www.shop-naturally.com

Mobile Hairdresser Ladies, Men’s & Children’s Cuts

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www.halesgroup.co.uk 80

15-year-old completes Three Peaks Challenge for charity Fifteen-year-old Katie Billham from Wymondham High Academy is one of 17 students taking part in a charity expedition to Ecuador with the aim of raising living standards and conserving wildlife.

To fund the expedition, which will take place in July 2017, Katie has been working as a cleaner and running charity events. But her latest fundraising event was a real test: Katie completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in 11 hours and 44 minutes!

The walk was 25.3 miles long with climbs of 4600 feet.

“I can’t believe I managed it - I am so proud of myself,” said Katie. Here’s her story: “We conquered the first peak, Pen y Ghent, in an hour and a half. The way up was more like rock climbing than walking and it was also really windy, which made it hard to stay upright at the top!

“The next peak, Whernside, was very, very hard. It was a long slog up, and then a really steep descent, which is absolute murder on the toes.

“Then finally, on to the last peak, Ingleborough. I was so relieved to get to the top that I actually ran to the final point!”

Katie would like to thank everyone who supported her, including her sponsors Anglia Elite, Spratts Coaches, Mulberry Bush Day Nursery, Paddocks Butchers and The Bird in Hand, Wreningham.

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Warrior Dancers Take the Stage Norfolk journalist, Sandie Shirley, spotlights the inspiring stories of men and women from the region and beyond that have seen them reach for victory. For more stories visit: www.refreshingwaters.co.uk

T

he tribal chants and dance of Kenya’s Osiligi Maasai Warriors have spellbound UK audiences, including royalty, during 14 annual tours organised by Suffolk pensioner John Curtin.

The African troupe has performed at Bury St Edmunds, Wymondham, Bawburgh and North Norfolk over the years, helping to bring new-found prosperity to their former drought-hit community.

Over 2000 national performances have raised funds to build a school, clinic, church and orphanage after John forfeited retirement to put his Christian faith to work, inspiring a legacy of giving by organising tours at schools, theatres and churches.

The retired theatre producer says he has a very simple Christian outlook: “I love people – love is what it is all about and God is love.”

He adds: “The charity, Osiligi Charity Projects, formed as a result of the tours, has been amazing, providing generous support for the building projects and 160 child sponsorships.”

The on-going building projects have also brought clean water and solar heating to the community and last year the money helped further an orphanage and safe house as well as child sponsorships.

During John’s first visit to Olepolos, the destitute community lived in huts made of cow dung, urine, mud and straw which were lit by dangerous kerosene lamps. “They walked five kilometres twice a day to get

water from a stagnant pool that was used by all the local animals. Their ‘church’ was an acacia tree. Their ‘school’ was a series of dilapidated buildings and the children had almost no text or exercise books,” he says.

Organising the annual tours from August to October is a huge task and shortly after the troupe’s return this year, he will begin bookings for 2017. “I could not survive without my faith but it is satisfying to see what has been achieved,” he says.

“Every member of the seven-strong troupe supports a large family so their earnings, including handicraft sales, are widely distributed. Each stunning performance is an unforgettable experience and since there are no PlayStations or other technological temptations, they learn to sing, move and jump, just like they live – in perfect harmony!

“They are humble and gentle and loyalty and friendship are everything to these devout Christian people. They love the comfortable, even luxurious UK accommodation, with hot showers, electricity, satellite TV and Kentucky Fried Chicken. They enjoy these the night before they go home yet the day they return it is as if the tour never happened.

“Together with their families they have no mains electricity and suffer repetitive droughts. They always have a smile on their faces, whatever the adversity and this, together with their love of life, must teach us all a valuable lesson.”

John Curtin with the Maasai Warriors

To find out more, visit www.osiligiwarriors.co.uk.

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Regional Reads

THIS ISSUE WE LOVE The Little Chicken Book Compiled by Alan Marshall

Mascot Media

ISBN 9780992991470 £12.95

L

The Land of the Broads Ernest Suffling, Christine Stockwell

Blackthorn Books ISBN 9780951664049 £12.99 This is the first reprint of a fascinating book originally published in 1892 as a guide to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. At the back of the book, you will find a very nice pull-out colour map of the Broads.

It’s great to see such a quaint and dated piece of publishing brought back to life.

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ast year Alan Marshall compiled The Artful Hare, a beautiful book showcasing the work of British printmakers inspired by hares. The Little Chicken Book has been created in the same vein; a catalogue of artistic styles from a range of printing techniques and interesting information about each artist. This book is a smaller, vibrant, full-colour gift book showcasing 54 British printmakers inspired by chickens and the farmyard using linocutting, wood engraving, screen printing, etching and collagraphy skills to create more than 160 colour prints. It also includes an index of artists and where they are based in the UK.

A Thorpe Hamlet Miscellany June Marriage

Thorpe Hamlet History Group

T

A Thorpe Hamlet Miscellany

his new publication by the Thorpe Hamlet History Group brings together 108 articles written by Norwich Blue Badge Tourist guide June Marriage for the St. Matthew’s Church parish magazine between 2005 and 2015. The subject matter ranges far and wide – from hot-air balloons filled with gas from Articles by June Marriage the gasworks at Bishop Bridge to the introduction of postcodes in Britain THORPE HAMLET HISTORY GROUP at the Thorpe Road sorting office, via hangings at Norwich Prison, events on Mousehold Heath, and many more. It includes 64 photographs and a map.

View our region from a different perspective with this fascinating selection of local titles from Chris Rushby of Jarrolds’ Book Department Norfolk for Photographers: 100 of the best places and locations Stephen Kelly

Kelly’s Guides ISBN 9780993553608 £7.95

T

his book offers much more than a traditional travel guide. These locations are not just photogenic; they are great places to walk and explore for the whole family. Many of the remote places can be difficult to access because the Broads are fringed by reed beds which grow to head height, but there are ways into this unique landscape, and this book will lead you to the county’s best spots. Some highlights include a landmark perfectly framed from a distance, a country house hidden across fields and a windmill reflected in a river. This book is aimed at the interested photographer with postcodes to get you there.

Hidden Riverside Norwich Steve Silk

Halsgrove ISBN 9780857042828 £16.99

M

any will have their favourite stretches along Wensum’s winding route.

This book aims to put all the pieces together – from rural Ringland, through the suburbs and into the historic city. By boot, bike or canoe, the Wensum is there to be discovered and this book reveals that there is fascinating history to learn about buildings, people and places along the way. Visually appealing, the full colour photographs taken from a canoe give a perspective of the city so rarely seen. It is a hidden gem.

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Vintage style radio House of Fraser £180

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Traditional wooden rounders set Dotcomgiftshop £29.95

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Jobs, Money & Business Self Assessment always a headache? Don’t worry, give it to us and get on with running your business.

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90

Smart Money Secrets

Bag a better return on your savings with an offset mortgage

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

W

ith savings interest rates stuck in the doldrums, now’s the time to find other (no risk) ways to earn a more rewarding return from your nest egg.

An offset mortgage is one potential solution and it’s simple but effective – basically, your savings balance is deducted from your mortgage balance and you are only charged interest on the net amount outstanding.

It’s a smart and tax efficient way to cut your mortgage costs, yet only around one in ten borrowers are currently taking advantage of this type of home loan.

It can be a big money saver and makes even more sense in times like these when interest rates on savings accounts are so low. By simply combining your savings and mortgage balances it’s possible to save thousands of pounds in mortgage interest costs and at the same time reduce the term of your home loan.

With interest rates on even the very best instant access and 1 year savings accounts struggling to break 1.5 per cent, for many people there’s far more to be gained by offsetting your nest egg against your mortgage balance which in many cases is being charged at upwards of 3 per cent.

A major reason for the poor take up is that consumers assume it’s a complex product and only suitable for those with large savings balances, but both of these assumptions are wide of the mark.

Along with Barclays and First Direct, Yorkshire Building Society is one of the main players in the offset market and unlike some rivals it allows offset to be used on its entire range of standard mortgage products with just a 0.2% loading on the rate.

To give you a taste of the savings you can achieve with an offset and to prove that it is a viable option for those with fairly modest savings or those who intend to save on a regular basis, the following numbers highlight the positive impact this strategy can have on your finances.

For someone with savings of a modest £7,500, offsetting this balance against a £100,000 mortgage at 3.00% would save interest charges of £7,753 and takes 1 year and 4 months off the term of a 25 year mortgage.

You don’t have to have a huge lump sum to benefit from offsetting, regular savings will work too.

In the past, people have chosen a standard mortgage without really giving it a second thought, but with a wider choice of competitive offset options and savings accounts paying next to nothing, it’s time that more borrowers took advantage of the financial benefits that offset can deliver.

91

Jobs, Money & Business

Make the most of your retirement

with equity release

Michael Boon is your local Equity Release Council member for professional independent advice.

Equity release schemes allow you to release tax-free cash from your home to boost your finances in later life

If you are interested in releasing a tax-free lump sum from your home then Michael will be delighted to guide you through the different types of equity release schemes available to find the best plan for your needs.

To find out more call Michael on 01508 483983 or visit www.businessmattersifa.co.uk

• Many clients use this money to repay an existing mortgage, make home improvements, buy a new car and even go on a holiday of a life time, while others may wish to offer financial assistance to their children or to improve their own quality of life in retirement.

• Business Matters is qualified and registered through the Financial Conduct Authority to offer a valuable equity release service for homeowners aged 55 or over.

• Business Matters only recommend approved schemes from The Equity Release Council.

BusinessMatters

This is a lifetime mortgage, to understand the features and risks ask for a personalised illustration.

Business Matters is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 301141.

Save £££’s off your home insurance with Priory Insurance Priory Insurance Brokers Ltd is a local, independent insurance broker and has been based in Wymondham for over 25 years. We offer a wide range of quality, affordable insurance products to both personal and commercial clients alike.

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92

WIN a trip to the sun with Flybe!

This summer we’re offering you the chance to win return flights for two to the sunny beaches of Spain. The winner will travel from Norwich International Airport and will get the choice of two fantastic destinations: Alicante or Malaga. Which would you choose?

Alicante Famous for its reliably sunny weather and stunning beaches, it’s no wonder Alicante is one of Spain’s most popular destinations. While its nightlife is legendary, that’s not all this city has to offer. Alicante is home to a 16th century castle with sweeping views of the city, breath-taking art galleries and an exciting culinary scene. A sunset stroll along the waterfront is the perfect way to start any evening in this beautiful destination.

Flybe operate up to 2 flights a week from Norwich to Alicante. Available for travel until 24 March 2017.

with shops and eateries, ranging from traditional family-run businesses to urban-chic centres of cool.

The Picasso Museum and the spectacular views from the 11th century Gibralfaro Castle are not to be missed.

Flybe operate up to 2 flights a week from Norwich to Malaga. Available for travel until 23 March 2017.

To enter, simply log on to www.village-people.info and answer this question:

In which country can you find Alicante and Malaga?

Competition closes on 30 September. The prize includes one pair of economy class return tickets from Norwich to Alicante or Malaga. Tickets are subject to availability. Travel period 1st November 2016 to 25 March 2017 excluding peak times.

Bookings must be made at least 28 days before the preferred date of travel. Entrants must be 18 years or older.

No cash prize alternative. For full terms and conditions visit www.village-people.info. To book flights visit www.flybe.com.

Image credit Spanish Tourist Office

Malaga Malaga is a holiday destination that has something for everyone – a balmy Mediterranean climate, pictureperfect beaches and a cultural scene to rival many larger cities. This arty provincial capital is brimming

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STOP PRESS very limited space left in the

LOCAL DIRECTORY ACCOUNTANTS Accounting Solutions TaxAssist Accountants ANIMAL SERVICES Thornwood Farm Boarding Kennels Swallow Aquatics Smylee Pets Eden Meadows Riding Centre Uplands Way Vets Paws 4 Training ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING Andrew P R Love Nigel Myhill Keith Day Architect Haven Land Planning Nick Clarke ARTS, CRAFTS & PAINTING Susan’s Work-Basket Olivia - paints from photographs BATHROOMS AHM Bathing nbk Coopers Bathroom & Heating BEDS Diss Bed Ctr & Furniture Warehouse Sound Sleep Ltd BOAT COVERS Classic Covers BUILDERS & HANDYMEN W P Fulcher Day 2 Day Building Services Peter Cole Phil & Co Miller Maintenance NS Hughes Construction David Papaj Property Maintenance Clarkbuild Norwich Ltd DJA Handyman CARE & MOBILITY Prestige Homecare Saffron Contact Care Mobility Superstore Ltd All Hallows CARPENTERS & JOINERS Adrian Bird CARPETS & FLOORING Eye Flooring CARS, CARAVANS & GARAGES Highfield Garage Wicklewood Auto Centre Mill House Garage

90 90 47 96 47 27 46 47 32 70 29 90 66 29 76 89 42 64 86 4 70 29 72 69 64 72 51 57 10 67 77 47 82 78 68 6 3 56 62

Anglia Caravan Engineering Services 50 Caroline’s Cars 72 CLEANERS Stuart’s Carpet and Car Care 68 Home-maid 40 Oven Gleamers 76 Cleaning Doctor 57 Grimebusters 34 COMPUTER & WEB DESIGN SERVICES Philippa Green Web Design 47 Bailiwick IT 29 CURTAINS, BLINDS, SOFT FURNISHINGS & AWNINGS Norwich Sunblinds 87 DAYS OUT, TRAVEL & HOLIDAYS Simonds Coach & Travel 14 IC Travel 14 Eastons Holidays 24 Redwings Horse Sanctuary 15 Banham Zoo 15 Dinosaur Adventure 18 Norwich Bridge School 18 Applewood Hall Christmas Party 24 Fairhaven 27 DENTISTS & DENTURES Marlborough Dental Lab 78 ELECTRICIANS Auber Electrical 66 Ashley Electrical Services 58 Ian Myhill Electrical 58 Dave Ramstead Electrician 76 Excel Electrical 30 Simply Electric Norfolk 69 ESTATE AGENT/LETTINGS Peach Lettings 34 Howards 32 Sowerbys 33 FINANCIAL, INSURANCE & LEGAL SERVICES EACH 29 Priory Insurance Brokers 92 Business Matters Equity Release 92 ASP Wills 9 Lexham Insurance 90 FUEL MERCHANTS Fielder Firewood Ltd 49 Shelfanger Firewood 76 Larkins Fuel Merchants 48 FUNERALS Rosedale Funeral Home 78

Co-op Funeral Services FURNITURE Diss Bed Ctr & Furniture Warehouse John Doe of Diss GARDEN SERVICES The Garden Enclosure Noble Paving East Anglia Ltd Eclipse Home & Garden Services CJ Garden Machinery Broadland Tree Services Lake and Pond Aquatics Cabinville Hempnall Lawnmower Centre A. Sillett Tree Surgeon Tree Creeper Arboriculture Foundry Plant Centre Nigel Payne Fruit Tree Pruning Arkscape Garden Landscape Services Lifestyle Paving & Landscaping Tree Fellas Les Balls Fencing L G Tree Services GB Driveways Smart Garden Offices GROUNDWORKS, DRAINAGE & SEPTIC TANKS Chris Harmer DNA Reynolds Services Breckland Contractors HAIRDRESSER Tina Mobile Hairdressing HEALTH & BEAUTY Hearing Care Centre Hypnobalance UK Footsure Coltishall Cosmetic Clinic Richard Sprong Reflexologist AROMA Beauty, Cosmetics & Laser Indigo Dyslexia Centre JOBS & VOLUNTEERING Home Cleaning Vacancies Key Education Services Ltd Hales Group KITCHENS Chris Rush Dream Doors Pavels Kitchens Voyager Kitchens nbk

74 86 2 37 60 36 76 38 56 31 58 36 36 39 36 36 51 43 58 77 36 48 88

36 72 64 79 11 78 78 79 81 82 79 12 90 80 58 52 89 61 42

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. 2008-2016

next issue to feature local businesses LOCKSMITHS Kingfisher Locksmiths 70 OPTICIANS Cecil Amey 81 PAINTERS, DECORATORS & STOCKISTS BR Decorating Services 67 Derek Hardaker 64 Just Paint & Décorate 76 PEST CONTROL Pest Force 38 PLASTERERS Chris Bell-Tye 72 PLUMBING, BOILERS & DRAINAGE P&K Plumbing & Heating 30 Barnards Heating Solutions 30 John Rushforth 30 C J Plumbing 30 Else Heating & Plumbing 30 P & D Tank Services Ltd 58 Broadland ENV Ltd 70 PRINTERS Primrose Press 72 RELIGION The Christadelphians 63 REMOVALS John Ryder Removals 32 Van & a Man 58 RESTAURANTS, PUBS, HOTELS, CATERING & FUNCTIONS The Queens Head, Eye 17 The Boars, Spooner Row 19 Station Bistro 20 Applewood Hall Weddings 50 ROOFING Breckland Roofing Ltd 70 PAC Roofing 57 Projects 4 Roofing 15 SCHOOLS, COLLEGES & CHILDREN Thetford Grammar School 25

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