Village People Norfolk/Suffolk Border Late Summer 2012

Late Summer 2012

HOMES • GARDENS • OUT & ABOUT • JOBS & MONEY • HEALTH • LOCAL SERVICES

Dirty Dancing

Have a field day with family pages 46-47

comes to town

Observing the

TRIALS OF LIFE NEW Wildlife feature

Don’t let card charges take the shine off your holiday

WIN a stylish PAIR OF WELLIES

Plus

q WIN a Publishing Contract q Waveney Springs and Open Studios q Latest Film Reviews

q Mellis Phone Box more exciting than Dr Who! q Local Pub & Book Reviews q Crème de la crème convertibles

The independent magazine for village people on the Norfolk/Suffolk border

www.conservatoriesetc.com We are here

Find us behind the Police HQ

2

Haydon-Webb bespoke Furniture Finest craFtsmansHip • Quality • best materials

We pride ourselves at Haydon-Webb on making beautiful bespoke furniture; from a small occasional table to a complete kitchen.

Each piece is made individually at our workshop in Debenham.

If you have an idea or design for a piece of furniture, or a complete kitchen, bedroom or study, come down and see us at our showroom or view our gallery online.

Contact us and together we can turn your dreams into reality.

Haydon-Webb

Unit 2, Meadow Works, Kenton Road, Debenham, Suffolk, IP14 6RP

01728 860219

www.haydon-webb.com 3

ST R NO YLE AN NEW W S & GE AV C O AI OL F LA OU BL R E S

Your dream kitchen... an affordablereality

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date offer endpt 2012 30th Se

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Visit our showroom: 66 Northgate St, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1JD

View our credentials at

Call for a FREE Estimate: 01284 724300

4

www.dreamdoors.co.uk

Garden Jottings from Ken Meadows and Hedges Go Wild Norfolk’s Historical Heroes Summer Activities Latest Film Reviews

Contents

7 11 21 23 27

WIN

a STYLISH PAIR of WELLIES! Page 15

OUT & ABOUT 30 33 35 40 42 45 66

Mum’s the Word visit Aldeburgh Ladies Who Lunch – or do they?

Dirty Dancing comes to Town Mellis Phone Box English Vineyards Wildlife, Observing the Trials of Life Village Notice Board

SHOPPING 46 Have a field day with family at Chapelfield 50 Book Reviews 52 Top Tips for Choosing Art

JOBS & MONEY

60 Investing During the Debt Crisis 63 Smart Money Secrets

SERVICES

Late Summer 2012

HOMES & GARDENS

65 Helping the Bereaved Stop Unwanted Mail 69 WIN… A Publishing Contract 73 Crème de la Crème Convertibles 75 Refreshing Waters 76 Thinking of Advertising?

76 Local Business Directory 78 Waveney Springs & Open Studios

HEALTH & BEAUTY 55 Health Q&A: suffering from constipation?

59 Astrology Forecast

Editor’s Letter

W

elcome to the new look Late Summer edition of Village People! We are delighted with our fresh new cover design and hope that you like it too.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to get in touch!

Summer 2012 has been all about celebrating being British, with the Diamond Jubilee, the London Olympics and even a Brit in the Wimbledon final. Now is the time to be proud of your community and support local businesses – they need you!

As always, all the best local offers can be found in Village People, so make sure that you read from cover to cover to find these exclusive deals.

46

45

35

At Village People, we love everything local! We’re different from other magazines because we deliver to rural communities rather than towns, reaching over 140 villages in South Norfolk.

If you run a business and would be interested in reaching this unique rural market, then give us a call for a friendly chat. Advertising in Village People is simple, and with 71,000 readers, you are sure to get noticed!

Enjoy!

Lily Goulder 0330 660 0325 editor@village-people.info

5

Home & Garden

Learn To Dance

Ballroom & Latin classes for couples, beginners and the more experienced dancer

Hoxne Village Hall Monday Nights Starting September 2012 Private Lessons & Wedding Dances by arrangement For details please ring

01379 740339

Anglia Chimney Sweeps • Fully certified and insured • Smoke draft tests as standard • Triple-filtered vacuum • No mess, no dust, no fuss • Insurance-recognised safety certificates

Tel 07711 458575 Or 01379 644770

www.angliachimneysweeps.co.uk

Mike Smith Gardenworks All types of garden work undertaken

• Grass Cutting • Border Maintenance • Garden Design • Supply & Plant Service • Hedge Cutting • Fencing Services • Garden & Shed Clearance • Ponds Installed • Odd Jobs • Trees - Pruning Crown Reduction Deadwooding Felling 30 years experience • No job too large or small Competitive Rates • Friendly Reliable Service

t: 01379 870140 m: 07860 473518

e: mikesmith1951@gmail.com • www.mikesmithgardenworks.com

PD Garden Services Ditch and pond cleaning/clearing Garden clearance/maintenance Small tree work Hedge trimming/removal Fencing Gutter cleaning Gravel driveways Log splitter available • Fully insured

Call Paul 01379 652903 07827015215 pdgardenservices@aol.com

6

Garden Jottings from Ken Every four years the world goes crazy as country challenges country in a battle of national pride, all for a collection of metal discs.

Yes folks, love it or loath it, the Olympics are on and it’s our turn to host this immense sporting event, with millions of viewers across the globe tuned in, it’s a chance to showcase Britain and the things we are best at – which is gardening of course!

Just for the fun of it, put on your best commentator’s voice and quickly read out loud. . .

“So they’re are up and running with Heucherella Gunsmoke. Leading the way is the Russian Vine covering a great distance very rapidly, deserving its nickname of `Mile a Minute’, but coming up a close second is the vigorous North American Virginia Creeper, well known to put on a colourful finale.

Over in the marathon, endurance is the name of the game and you can’t beat a couple of conifers, Ginkgo Biloba and the recently discovered Australian Wollemi Pine, both have shown their stamina by surviving as a species since the dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

Back on the track, the blousy Clematis are making their way over hurdles, with good selection this spectacle will be repeated later in the season, other contenders include Honeysuckle and Rose, these adaptable climbers are also scaling heights over in the archery.

Talking of heights, Hops are the traditional player in the pole vault, without doubt making up an essential part of any sports viewing.

“

All of these outstanding plants and hundreds of others in our gardens help maintain our Nation’s reputation as a green and pleasant land. Call in soon and we’ll help make your garden a real winner too!

”

Headlines are regularly made in the high jump, which is still dominated by Leylandii, always determined to rise above the bar, but also looking good are a pair of exceptional natives, Holly and Yew, both strong and dependable but just a little bit slower on take-off.

The equestrian events are once again attracting a good following of avid gardeners, with wheelbarrow and shovel at the ready they’re hoping to win tasty prizes from the results of the vegetable rowing contest, scooping the equivalent of horticultural gold, a great example of re-cycling.

With so many classes it’s impossible to predict any outcomes, but keep a look out for Phormium Tenax, this bold New Zealander should do well in the fencing with its strong sword-shaped leaves.

In the shot putt, exotic Cannas are showing good potential forming hard marble-sized seeds (affectionately known as Indian shot) after shooting flowers all summer long.

Tough and reliable choices are needed for the harsher contact sports, I favour the richly bronze-coloured Physocarpus Diabolo and the elder Sambucus Black Lace to give a knockout display, and put your money on Buxus, it just won’t be beaten in the boxing, edging around the ring with such style.

For the Javelin, Astelia Silver Spear gets my vote with its metallic coloured strap leaves boldly sticking out of the ground at jaunty angles, and over in the aquatics, elegant Lilies and beautiful Iris are winning admiring looks as they stream ahead with golden Marsh Marigolds left standing in the margins.

Superb performances all round!”

Cheers Ken The Garden Enclosure, Banham your champion for British grown plants!

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

Inspiring plant selections, plant sourcing & garden advice, gardening sundries, pet supplies, gifts .... & more!

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

parking & stress free shoppin g!

7

Home & Garden

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by Joan Garnham, Waveney Tree Specialists

T

here was not much chance to sit in the garden and admire your handywork during June but, with a bit of luck, when you read this, July will be a bit more like summer.

Most of the calls we get during July and August are concerned with hedges and trees that have grown too large and are causing shade; either in the caller’s own garden or from a neighbour’s. If the trees are in the owner’s garden it is easily solved. We go and have a look and advise the best way to deal with the situation.

This does not always involve removing the trees; good results can be achieved by pruning and crown lifting.

If removal is recommended, just remember that you will have many years watching a new tree grow and thrive – not all is lost.

It is a completely different story if the growth is over the boundary. The frustration caused by this can result in lengthy disputes and in the worst scenario –

Hedge req to be re uired by law duced to 2m

Flaming June!

lawsuits. The Anti-Social Behaviour Act part 8 2005 defines what constitutes a high hedge. A hedge is a line of two or more trees or shrubs.

Anything over 2m or wholly or predominantly evergreen may be considered a nuisance. This is at the discretion of the local council. Application may be made to the council for an ASBO to be served – but – be warned there is a charge of £400/application and the council may decide against you.

The best way to deal with the situation is to imagine your neighbour’s quality of life and talk with them about whether your garden is causing them distress.

Get sound advice from a recognised tree surgeon or landscape gardener and work together to solve the issue.

Result – everyone is happy.

Above all, enjoy what is left of the summer

9

Home & Garden

A Complete and Comprehensive Tree Care Service since 1907 For over 100 years, Bartlett Tree Experts has led both the science and services that make your landscape thrive. No matter the size or scope of your needs, our arborists bring a rare mix of groundbreaking research, global resources and a local service approach to every task at hand. Trees add so much value to our lives; Bartlett adds even more value to your trees.

Tree & Shrub Pruning | Planting | Tree Removal Tree Stock Surveys | Woodland Management Health & Safety Reports | Disease & Insect Control For a free consultation please contact your local arborist Elliott Brydon

01245 248 033

ebrydon@bartlettuk.com www.bartlett.com 10

Meadows and hedges:

go wild!

A

t the Botanic Garden we have a strong collection of British wild flowers, focused on the different ecological communities of Cambridgeshire.

The Fen Display demonstrates the transition in the vegetation from deep open water with waterlilies through to reedbeds, wet margins and woodland (fen carr). Opposite, the Limestone Mound - yellow and blue with rock roses and meadow cranesbill, demonstrates some of the huge array of British wild plants that can be found on chalk and limestone (calcareous) soils, conditions which predominate particularly in our Eastern region.

Nearby is the Cambridgeshire Hedgerow, modelled on a boundary hedge of the ancient Hayley Wood in west Cambridgeshire. One section was ‘laid over’ this last winter, a technique that consists of cutting into stems of hawthorn and other woody species, bending them down and holding them in place with hazel stakes. This encourages a mass of new shoots to grow up from the stems giving a dense impenetrable base to the hedge, which increases its effectiveness as a barrier, and its desirability as a nesting site for birds. The flora is typical of old hedgerows of the area; including guelder rose, spindle, hazel, dogwood, with dog rose and bryony scrambling through. The hedge bottom

flora is a species-rich habitat and includes bedstraw, wood avens, common knapweed and woundwort, and supports a wide array of insect and bird life.

We are also experimenting this summer with different wildflower meadows. To mark the Olympics, a field of gold meadow flowers will shine up at Station Road with some additional sunflowers self-sown from last year’s display. Along the new curving path through the research plots we have broadcast sown a patriotic mix of red white and blue to fly the flag in flowers for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee! The mix features red flax, shirley poppy, red orache, bishops flower, baby’s breath and cosmos with cornflower, larkspur and purple tansy.

The elegant curved ground in front of Cory Lodge has been sown with a mix that has been carefully balanced for colour and succession of display, so do come and enjoy our meadow floras throughout the summer.

They should be looking stunning in time for our late ‘til 8pm openings every Wednesday this July, with Sounds Green cushion concerts courtesy of the Cambridge Summer Music Festival, starting at 6.15pm.

Juliet Day, Cambridge University Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden is open 10am – 6pm April to September. Adult admission is £4.50 (Giftaid admission £4.95) or join the Friends, get free admission & help the Garden grow!

For news and events, detailed information about the Garden or to discover this week’s Plant Picks from the Head of Horticulture, please visit www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

11

Home & Garden

Clive Lewis

Home and Garden Services

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Delivery/collection service.

Call Anytime

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12

Home & Garden The Small Tree and Garden Company All Tree Work, Landscaping & Garden Maintenance

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GROWERS OF QUALITY PLANTS AT COMPETITIVE PRICES

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Home & Garden

14

WIN

With the sun finally shining, the British summer has begun, meaning more of us have been getting up close and personal with nature – and all the muck it can hit us with!

At Village People, we are all too aware that the weather in ‘Ole Blighty’ is not to be depended on, so in our latest giveaway we are protecting one lucky reader from the elements.

Whether you’re a regular at the local shows, an avid gardener or a daily dog walker, we all know that there is nothing handier to have about than a pair of wellies.

The lovely floral wellies below are the prize for one lucky reader, in the size of your choice - but that’s not all! Thanks to www.thewellyshop.com we are also offering a 10% discount for all readers on anything on their website, which is valid until the end of September. Just add the code CZUEZ509 at the online checkout to claim your discount.

To be in with a chance of winning these gorgeous wellies, just answer this question correctly:

Which famous member of aristocracy pioneered the Wellington boot? a) Prince Charles b) Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. c) Henry VIII

Email your answer to competition@village-people.info including your name, address and shoe size!

Closing date for entries is 31 August and the winner will be chosen at random. Usual Village People rules apply.

15

Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

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Carpets in stock from £12.49 sqmt fitted with a free stain and wear warranty.

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Eddie Bolland Tiling Services

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• Competitive rates for a reliable & professional service

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• For friendly advice from an experienced Wall and Floor Tiler

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17

Home & Garden

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Beck Row, IP28 8DH 1-5 bedroom homes Tel: 0844 248 1222

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18

Home & Garden Would you like an honest, dependable and AFFORDABLE cleaner to clean your home?

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19

Home & Garden Purpose Built Boarding Cattery Fully Licensed, Insured & Heated

First class treatment!

Uplands Way Vets is a long established practice with clients throughout Norfolk and Suffolk. We care for all types of animals including household and exotic pets, farm animals and horses.

Call 01379 642 865 for further information.

Collection & delivery service available Call Angela or Mike 01379 388 979 cats@hillcottagecattery.co.uk www.hillcottagecattery.co.uk

Hill Cottage Cattery Worlingworth Road, Horham, (near Eye) IP21 5EF

Uplands Way Surgery Diss 01379 642 865 Connaught Surgery Attleborough 01953 454 945 George Hill Surgery Stanton 01359 251 730

For a full list of services visit www.uplandswayvets.co.uk

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* £1 off with this advert No.1 stockist for your pet & animal feed supplies Sawmills Road, Diss (01379) 650444 * T&Cs apply

20

Norfolk’s

historical heroes!

I

t is relatively easy for anyone to name at least one Norfolk Hero as there are several Norfolk pubs named “The Hero” even with a certain person’s name on the sign. That person is, of course, Admiral Lord Nelson. He was born in Burnham Thorpe, a tiny little village in North Norfolk, the son of the village Rector and went on to become one of this country’s greatest naval commanders.

What we often forget is that there are a lot of less well-known heroes from Norfolk. A county which was home to a huge number of fascinating heroes, there are innumerable tales to be told. They include such people as Harry Cator, James William Adams, Arthur Cross, William Morduant Marsh Edwards, David Auldgo Jamieson, Sir Arthur Knyvet Wilson and Derek Seagrim, all of whom received the highest reward for valour in England, the Victoria Cross.

Some people that we can equally call heroes include Elizabeth Fry and Sarah Martin for their work in the prison service reforms, Henry Blogg, the lifeboat man from Cromer, or Hugh Seagrim who won the George Cross fighting the Japanese.

One commendable heroine was Nurse Edith Cavell who was shot for her involvement in helping many soldiers to escape from Belgium during WWI. Born in 1865, she was the daughter of the Reverend Frederick Cavell and his wife Louisa who lived in the Norfolk village of Swardeston. As with many Victorian vicar’s daughters, Edith grew up in beautiful surroundings and she was very lucky to receive a good education and to be able to spend time painting, playing tennis, dancing and doing the sorts of thing that young ladies did in those days. She became a governess and, as she had a flair for languages. She took a European holiday with a legacy she had

received and returned with a great interest in nursing and, in 1890 took a place in Brussels.

Returning to Norfolk and then to a London Hospital for training, Edith took up her nursing career, which, in those days was no easier than it is today! Hours were 7am to 9pm with half an hour for lunch.

Pay was £10 a year!

In 1907, Edith went back to Brussels and was soon in charge of a training school for nurses. In late 1914, two stranded British soldiers turned up at this training school, looking for shelter on their way to Holland and they started an underground lifeline for soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. Edith was pleased to help, but, by August 1915 she was arrested. The brave Nurse Cavell was shot on October 12th.

The outcry that followed surprised everyone, not least the Germans and Nurse Cavell was acclaimed as a martyr and, although she was buried in a simple grave in Belgium, she was exhumed after the war and brought back to her beloved Norfolk where she was buried at Norwich Cathedral. The area where she is buried is called Life’s Green and beside the Cathedral Gate is a monument to one of Norfolk’s most beloved women.

If you would like to know more about Nurse Cavell or any of the other heroes mentioned in this article, make sure you check out www.norfolk-tours.co.uk , which contains countless fascinating tales behind the county of Norfolk, including some of its more horrible history! Contact glynn@norfolk-tours.co.uk for more information, and make sure to check the website for old photographs, blogs and more information about local and family history research.

21

Home & Garden

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Summer activities 1. Discover your sea legs!

On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September, Great Yarmouth’s South Quay plays host to the colourful 2012 Maritime Festival. You’ll have the chance to admire and climb aboard a variety of vessels, both modern and traditional, and there’s also a huge range of street stalls,

Here’s a few of our suggestions to make the most of the last few weeks of summer…

demonstrations and exhibitions to explore.

Three different stages will be showcasing a plethora of seashanty music and songs, performed live by bands from all over the UK and Europe. You can even try your hand at some traditional maritime skills such as net mending, basket

2. Get back to basics If you’ve always fancied yourself as a bit of a Ray Mears or Bear Grylls, then this is just the thing for you! The CanoeMan School Of Wilderness runs 1 and 2-day bush craft courses at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in South Walsham.

These outdoor courses teach some of the basics of bush craft and survival techniques such as fire making (no, you can’t bring matches!), water purifying, knife skills and back-country cooking. There’s also the opportunity to stay overnight in a shelter you’ve built yourself. Clearly, not one for the faint hearted!

More details can be found at www.thecanoeman.com/bushcraft.asp 3. “Oooh” and “ahh” What better way to spend a Wednesday evening than ooh-ing and ahh-ing over a fantastic open air firework display…for free! Every single Wednesday evening for six whole weeks the skies over Great Yarmouth will be illuminated by a fantastic summer firework spectacular.

The evening kicks off at 8pm on central beach with music and entertainment before the fireworks begin at 10pm.

Although you’ll get a great view from most places along the sea front, Britannia or Wellington Pier are the perfect viewing spots. Catch this free event on any Wednesday night from 25 July to 29 August.

weaving and rigging.

And if all that makes you a bit peckish, you can quell your hunger with local herring, traditionally smoked kippers, Norfolk sausages, fish and chips, Norfolk beer and sweets and ice cream.

Go to www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/ maritime-festival/ for more info.

4. Go retro on the railway Get dressed up in a smart WW2 uniform or your best 1940s party dress and pay a visit to the 1940s Weekend on The Poppy Line (North Norfolk Railway). It promises to be jam packed with 1940s music and bands, jitterbug dancing, spam sandwiches, air raid sirens, cups of tea, and - of course – plenty of steam trains.

Don’t forget your gas mask!

15 to 16 September, Sheringham . For more, go to www.nnrailway.co.uk 5. Get rained off If the weather continues to be disappointing, fear not! Norfolk and Suffolk boast plenty of indoor leisure centres that will soon have you smiling again.

Felixstowe Leisure Centre has an array of indoor activities; including, an indoor swimming pool, gym, health suite and a 6-rink bowls hall. There’s also a cafe on site, for when you’ve worked up an appetite.

The Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich is ideal for those of you with plenty of energy. It has an indoor climbing wall, 3 dry ski slopes, golf, a tobogganing slope and a high ropes course. For those who prefer things to be a little more sedate, The Lodge restaurant offers a comfortable place to relax and enjoy a meal. www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk/centres/felixstoweleisure-centre/ www.suffolkskicentre.co.uk/

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Home & Garden

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Films review

We check out the best of the new releases Brave

Think Mulan meets Braveheart for the latest Pixar film, which tells the tale of a fiery Scottish heiress hell-bent on remaining single.

Forced to marry by her parents, this princess is determined to make her own way in the world, and seeks help from a witch who will grant her wish, yet she is unwittingly thrown into the presence of a very large and very angry bear. This latest fairytale is a humorous, exciting and memorable story about compromise and the ultimate family dispute.

Must see!

Release: 17th August Director: Mark Andrews/Brenda Chapman Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connollly, Julie Walters

The Expendables II

Although the first in this series divided audiences with its weak plot and gory violence, there are high hopes for this second offering by Sylvester Stallone.

Taking a slightly more backseat role, Stallone has hired Simon West to fill his boots as director, in another all-action, celeb-packed movie full of oldschool wise-cracks and unbelievable fight scenes.

Although missing Mickey Rourke, this film features the usual suspects, including Jason Statham and Jet Li along with cameos from Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Release: 17th August Director: Simon West Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren

Dr Seuss’The Lorax

From the imagination of popular children’s author Dr Seuss, The Lorax tells the story of Ted (Zac Efron), a 12 year old boy trying to win the affections of the girl of his dreams, Audrey (Tyler Swift).

To do so, he needs to find her a Truffula Tree, in a town devoid of trees.

Ted embarks on a journey to find the elusive Truffula tree and accidentally incurs the wrath of The Lorax, a pint-sized creature determined to protect the forest.

Ted becomes determined to restore the Truffula Trees to his town…can he succeed? This latest animation from Chris Renaud, the director of Despicable Me is fun for all the family.

Release: 27th July Director: Chris Renaud Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Danny DeVito, Ed Helms

The Bourne Legacy

Jeremy Renner takes over as the new Bourne for the fourth film in the series, filling the boots of Matt Damon alongside the usual suspects of Albert Finney and Joan Allen as Dr Albert Hirsch and Pam Landy respectively. The plot for the latest conspiracy thriller has been kept under wraps, with the only hint given that our new hero will be named Aaron Cross, who will ‘experience life-or-death stakes that have been triggered by previous events.’ Expect political conspiracies and action galore!

Release: 17th August Director: Tony Gilroy Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Albert Finney, Joan Allen

27

Home & Garden

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Fast Facts

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illage People is thrilled to have so many lovely readers – but sometimes numbers are hard to put into context. So we have come up with some fun facts to help visualise what these figures really mean!

71,500 readers = Our readers would fill 90% of the Olympic Arena! If only we had all managed to get those sought after tickets…

Village People magazines cover an area of 700 square miles = this is equal to the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya. Luckily there weren’t any lions roaming the Norfolk / Suffolk border last time we checked.

Village People deliver to 28,500 homes = total number of balls used by the male tennis players at Wimbledon!

It’s really important to know what people think about our magazine, so Village People recently ran a survey to find out more about you! So, what did we discover?

Over half of you keep Village People in your house until the next edition arrives. This is 60 days – the average number of rainy days per year in Crete. We can only dream of weather like this!

Our average reader is 49 years old – the same age as Johnny Depp!

29

Mum’s the word Carrie Barrett lives in Blo Norton, near Diss, right on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, with her husband and two children Maisie (8) and Olly (5). She has been dining out and about in our area for many years, seeking out restaurants that offer great value, quality and above all else are child friendly. If you would like Carrie to visit a particular pub or restaurant just get in touch with us at Village People Magazine and we’ll ask her to visit.

With the kids summer holidays almost upon us, and the promise of better weather to come (it can’t get any worse!), I thought for this season’s edition I would head over to one of our favourite spots - Aldeburgh. A quintessential English seaside town on the East coast of Suffolk, this small town was a thriving port and shipbuilding area in the 16th century, later changing to a fishing village and seaside resort.

With so many places to visit in and around the area, you could stay for a day or even a long weekend. Orford Castle is just around the corner, also the amazing ‘House in the Clouds’ and the wonderful village of Thorpeness with its superb boating lake.

So my choice this month was a difficult one as there are many great places to eat in and around Aldeburgh. I decided to opt for my most favourite which captures my heart with both their culinary offerings and also their stunning locations.

The Brudenell – Aldeburgh

01728 452071

www.brudenellhotel.co.uk This 4 star hotel and restaurant is set in the best location, right on the beach at the quiet end of the town. A privately owned hotel, it was recently renovated in 2010. It has a very fresh seaside feel to it, decorated in a nautical theme and yet keeping the character and elegance of the old building.

Whether you just want to pop in for afternoon tea in the drawing room overlooking the beach or to eat on the restaurant terrace, it all feels very welcoming, especially for families.

The drawing room has games and toys that children can play with, and the childrens’ meals are all freshly prepared with as much thought and effort that goes into the rest of the menu. Head Chef James

30

Barber has created the “Just for kids menu” which features a variety of child friendly dishes that kids will love! What I love about this place is that they understand that kids are always hungry so they have decided to stay open all day long from breakfast to bedtime and serve food throughout! There are lots of starters priced from £2.50 for soup to £3.95 for a prawn cocktail; main courses are from £4.25 for two soft boiled eggs with soldiers, to £6.75 for goujons of Suffolk chicken with wilted spinach and seasonal new potatoes.

For the adults in the group, Chef James also offers a beautiful menu. Of course, being a small fishing village, freshly caught local fish factors highly on the menu, as well as seafood and free range meats delivered daily. The menu is diverse and changes regularly offering something to whet everyone’s appetite.

If you are looking for somewhere special to have a lazy lunch with stunning views then I believe you will not be disappointed with this choice.

The Crown Inn – Snape 01728 688324

www.snape-crown.co.uk We first visited this pub at Christmas time with friends, and with its roaring open fires and cosy country décor it is one of my favourite pubs around the area of Aldeburgh.

It’s an old 15th century smugglers inn and has beautiful inglenook fireplaces and original brick floors.

The pub boasts their own allotments and also rears its own animals for the meats used in their menus.

Aldeburgh There is a large garden for al fresco dining in the summer and The Crown is only a five minute walk from Snape Maltings, with its gift shops and beautiful homeware shop and deli.

The children were very much welcomed in the pub although we did take our own colouring pens and paper as they do not provide these.

One of the reasons that I love this restaurant is that children are given so much choice. They can have ½ portions of anything on the menu at half the original cost. To me this is perfect as my children love to eat the same as Mummy and Daddy and we don’t always want to go down the chicken nugget and chips route!

Adnams Brewery own the pub, but the landlord and lady, Gary & Theresa Cook, ensure that the atmosphere is welcoming and they uphold the charm of this wonderful little country gem.

Ives Ice Cream Parlour – Aldeburgh 01728 452264

see my dilemma when trying to decide on just one!

The ice cream offered is one of the best selections in Suffolk, and they are all made with no artificial flavourings or colourings.

You can also purchase coffees and teas and soft drinks in the shop; however do bear in mind that during the winter the shop is only open at the weekend.

So whichever restaurant you eat in, you must save room for the most delicious ice cream you will ever taste! Be warned that during peak season the queues for the parlour are very long….but I so think it’s always worth the wait!

Usually I offer a coffee shop or something similar as my third choice, however I couldn’t write about Aldeburgh without mentioning this special place.

I am actually not a fan of ice cream, but I defy anyone to go in here without coming out with one! The big decision is deciding which flavour to go for with over 30 to choose from including my favourites: lemon meringue; cherry; raspberry pavlova and amaretti! You Caring for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years Flexible sessions throughout the year from 7:45am to 6pm

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• Dedicated Baby Room providing a homely environment for babies aged 6 weeks to 18 months • Fully funded sessions for 15 hours a week for 3 & 4 year olds • After School Club & Holiday Club for 5 to 11 year olds • 3 large, safe and secure outside play areas • Nutritious home cooked meals • Indoor heated swimming pool & lessons with a qualified instructor • Highly qualified, experienced, friendly & caring staff • Ofsted inspected & accredited with the ‘Every Child a Talker’ award Please contact us for a prospectus and further information

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31

Out & About

Diss Auction Rooms

'SHOWING ALL OLYMPICS' on 3 screens

Leading Provincial Auction House - Est. 1857 Over 2000 Lots every Week- Fridays & many Saturdays Antique, Collectable & Specialist Auctions Buyer’s Premium 12.5% Bidder’s Bistro open during viewing & sale days Large on site car park

Monday Nights Steak Night 10 oz rump, hand cut chips, onion rings, mushrooms, peas & grilled tomato £8.50 BEER FESTIVAL WEEKEND 7th -9th SEPT Open All Day Everyday, Food Served Daily, 12.30-2.30pm & 6.30-8.30 pm

01379 740638

Roydon Road, Diss, Norfolk. IP22 4LN www.twgaze.co.uk

01379 650306

Parties, wedding plates, baby footprints & more Visit us to paint your own pottery masterpiece!

The Appleyard, opposite Banham Zoo, NR16 2HE

01953 457092

www.artfulpots.com

CRAFT & GIFT FAYRE www.wheeler-events.co.uk

Open all day everyday to residents & non residents Dinner dances, Weddings, Birthdays/Anniversaries All parties catered for Food served all day every day Sunday Carvery served 12.00-3.00pm Regular live music & themed nights

Tel. 01379 642244

www.parkhotel-diss.co.uk • info@parkhotel-diss.co.uk

32

15th September Jubilee Centre in Mildenhall 9.30am to 2pm

FREE ADMISSION In aid of Macmillan Cancer Care

Ladies who

lunch

M

y friend recently went to Australia for three weeks; she came back after 30 hours travelling door-to-door with a filthy cold that had the doctors baffled. Another friend enjoyed two weeks in Florida and came back really ill with a cold that kept her in bed for quite a few days.

Why am I telling you this? Well, not being one to be left behind with trends, I too went on holiday and came back ill. OK, it might only have been a long moist weekend in Torquay, but the ensuing cold and sleepiness guaranteed that I qualified; and I am still not right, so I don’t think it’s fair to inflict myself on any reasonable eating house for the near future. So, I am going to tell you about my experience of the first ‘Ladies who Lunch review that I went on for Village People and what turned out to be the most unreasonable eatery that I have visited. I went with the intention of writing about it for this magazine, but it came so close to being libellous we erred on the side of caution and I quickly went somewhere else instead. This then from 2009; the place has since changed hands: Lunch at this pub was a mixed experience, not altogether joyous. Inside the main bar area there was an authentic smell of cigarettes and beer, and a scattering of locals enjoying the traditional pub ambiance: in a nearby room a scabby dog and a baby (tightly swaddled so I can’t report on its condition) watched as a couple played pool. A man leaning on the bar was rolling a cigarette: for later, surely?

We were greeted by a young man who gave us a greasy menu each along with the news that there was a restaurant room available so we upped drinks and moved immediately. This dining room was spacious with nicely laid tables, each one sporting a replica tulip of the better sort. It would have been perfect for 1978; beige and brown wallpaper and lamps made from wine bottles in raffia baskets.

From the lunch-time menu - minus the fish which was still evidently still doing breast stroke in the North Sea - I plumped for bangers and mash; my companion chose gammon, eggs and chips. I was lightly anesthetised by wine by the time my Everestsized potato mountain arrived with three firm sausages balanced precariously on top. The whole edifice was drizzled sparingly with onion gravy. I had neglected to order a side dish of vegetables for myself (since when do vegetables constitute an ‘extra’?)

The serving of potato was actually more generous than it first appeared; once I broached the firm exterior I encountered an even firmer interior created by the tamping down of the hump with a meat tenderiser. It was a pity that the chef hadn’t used the same implement on the sausages. Slightly flambéed in a King Alfred sort of way, but definitely cooked right through and back again to ensure I didn’t get salmonella: it was more Damien Hirst than Keith Floyd. My friend charitably donated one of her cherry tomatoes to ease my suffering, and we soldiered on.

For pudding we decided to share a fruit berry cheesecake. We were immediately transported back to our adolescence - aided by the sixties music playing quietly in the background - by a taste and texture sensation we thought we would never have to re-live.

‘Brylcream’ we called it in those days. The worst sort of slimy gelatinous artificial ‘crème’ in pale day-glo pink, tasting of nothing really much, but ironically providing a peculiar aftertaste. The fruit coulis was suitably sharp, but a bit runny. Being a couple of almost war-babies (and at £4 the piece) we polished it off and hastily ordered coffee to follow; if the accompanying crème had ever been near a cow, it was a plastic one. Would I go again? Only if stranded in the area and starving hungry!

Back to normal next time - I hope!

33

Out & About

BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00 Tues 7 - Sat 11 Aug Matthew Bourne's PLAY WITHOUT WORDS Award-winning dance drama set in 1960s Chelsea £6.50 - £36.50 Sat 25 Aug OPEN DAY Access all areas, activities, family fun Free Tues 28 Aug- Sat 15 Sept DIRTY DANCING Smash hit musical gives you the time of your life £6.50 - £48.50

Tues 28 Aug - Sat 15 Sept DIRTY DANCING Smash hit musical gives you the time of your life £6.50 - £48.50 Mon 17 - Sat 22 Sept CABARET Will Young, Michelle Ryan star in decadent musical £6.50 - £45

Sun 23 Sept KATE RUSBY The defining voice of contemporary English folk music £5.50 - £21.50 Mon 24 - Sat 29 Sept MURDER ON THE NILE All star cast in classic Agatha Christie thriller £5.50 - £22.50 Sun 30 Sept STEWART FRANCIS Hilarious stand up (16+) £5.50 - £17.50

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

34

Matthew Bourne’s Play Without Words

AUG/SEPT

DIRTY DANCING With its iconic songs, classic lines and the most famous movie melon ever, the people of Norwich are in for a high-energy summer treat when Dirty Dancing takes to the stage at Norwich Theatre Royal on August 28.

T

he stage version of the movie has been a massive hit during its UK tour so far, attracting excitable people who sing at the top of their voices, dance around as if their lives depended on it, and finish the show with their energy spent…and that’s just the audience!

Dirty Dancing has proved a true theatrical phenomenon, with audiences enjoying every minute… and now it is heading to Norwich from Tuesday August 28 for a threeweek late summer run!

So far, Paul-Michael Jones aka Johnny, has experienced some highly excitable audiences, with female theatregoers getting slightly carried away!

He said: “You get all sorts shouted all the time. It’s just that kind of atmosphere – we get a lot of hen parties in too. It’s a lot of fun and we really feed off the vibe – it makes it a better show but you can’t actually react to it. Sometimes it is really hard not to smile or start laughing.”

Paul-Michael is following in the footsteps of the legendary Patrick

Swayze whose performance in the hit movie version transformed him into a global superstar.

But he wants to put his own spin on the part of the hunky dance instructor and says the production is very true to the film.

He said: “The producers have purposely tried to make it as close as possible to the movie. As for Swayze himself, I didn’t try to copy him or watch the film while I was rehearsing but, at the same time, I didn’t try to waver too far away from him because that’s what the audience want to see.”

One of the men responsible for bringing the show to the stage is producer Karl Sydow, who was approached about adapting it for the theatre. He sought his daughter’s advice, and she told him to go for it.

Karl managed to attract the film’s original screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein to the project and

the show got its premiere in Sydney in 2004, receiving an incredible audience reaction.

Karl said: “Audiences who go to musicals often arrive whistling the songs. The Dirty Dancing crowd come whistling the dialogue.”

“When people love something that much they come with high expectations, but I’ve always believed there is nothing you can’t recreate on stage.“ “The film has 118 separate scenes and while theatre can’t use those same techniques right from the start, I was clear that we had to deliver everything the film had plus a little more. Fortunately, I think we’ve achieved that.”

It is a formula that worked selling well over a million tickets worldwide. . .and counting.

And for anyone wavering about coming along, Karl has a clear message.

He said: “Initially some people said, ‘Why would anyone go and watch a stage version of Dirty Dancing when they can buy the DVD?’ I’ve always found that an extraordinary attitude. People go to the theatre for an experience.”

Box Office 01603 630000 For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Tickets £6.50 - £48.50

35

Out & About

The Sussex Coast Sunday 19 – Saturday 25 August

ys

7 Da

Chatsworth Hotel *** Worthing £535

36

I

Choosing your ideal holiday destination

f you haven’t booked your summer holiday yet, there’s no need to despair as there’s plenty of availability still for 2012, especially if you’re prepared to be flexible on dates.

So the question is… where to go? Do you stay in the UK and bask in the glory (and hopefully the sunshine) or do you head for a European hotspot or even somewhere a bit further afield?

To help you make your choice for an unforgettable summer holiday in 2012, here are four great suggestions: Spain Spain has been a favourite destination for European holidaymakers since the early 1960s and still continues to delight to this day. Visitors flock to Spain each year to enjoy its great weather, delicious food, friendly locals and interesting culture. Many fall so completely in love with it that they choose to re-locate, just to enjoy this fantastic lifestyle on a year-round basis!

Spain is a vast country with an enormous variety of regions to choose from. Depending on what you are looking to enjoy from your holiday, you can soak up the sun on the Costa del Sol, experience the culture, buzz and gastronomic treats in the vibrant cities of Barcelona and Valencia, enjoy island living in the Balearic Islands, marvel at the Moorish delights of Andalucia in Granada and Cordoba, or learn to dance in the birthplace of Flamenco Seville. Each area has its own charms and you will be able to discover hidden treasures in each and every one.

Germany

From the fairytale castles of the Rhine and the dramatic scenery of the Harz Mountains to the poignant wartime legacies of beautifully restored cities, Germany is a country of fascinating diversity which everybody should experience. From the hanseatic north to the timeless, rural Black Forest, the revitalised cities of the east to the alpine splendour of Bavaria there is so much to see!

Relax on the waterways, enjoy a scenic ramble or immerse yourself in history.

France There is a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ about France which keeps people coming back for more. Certainly, the combination of great food, wonderful wine, rich cultural heritage and history makes the country one of the top short-haul destinations for European visitors.

There is a huge variety of places and holiday options to choose from in France, all with their own identity and hidden treasures to discover. Holiday makers can choose from skiing in the Alps, visiting the castles in the Dordogne, touring the châteaux and walled cities of Brittany, living the high life in the up-market ports and towns of the Cote d’Azur, or the visiting the vineyards of Provence, to name just a few.

Italy

Colourful, magic, friendly - there are so many words to describe this wonderful country that, quite simply, has something for everyone. Where mountains rise over sparkling blue lakes, where vineyards cling to fertile hills and medieval buildings cast shadows down sunlit cobbled streets.

Where you can laze away the day on a sun drenched beach or explore at leisure in some of the most exciting cities in the world. This is Italy, dramatic, beautiful and vibrant, with tradition and culture.

For a taste of la dolce vita, why not head to the wonderful cities of Rome, Florence and Venice. Alternatively, for the scenery seekers amongst you, the Italian Lakes attract some of the first package tourists from the UK and they continue to be popular for their beautiful setting, mountain views and great transport links for visiting local sights.

So, with so many exciting destinations to choose from, where will you go?

by Claire Easton-Smith

37

Sherbourne House – Under New Ownership

T

he privately owned country house, built around 1740, is now under new ownership.

Sherbourne House is a popular choice for family celebrations and business meetings, where Doris and Toby will continue to provide a friendly atmosphere of comfort and relaxation for their guests.

The energetic young couple, each with in excess of 15 years experience in the hospitality industry, have worked at many top restaurants in various countries around the world including Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and also at the prestigious ski resort of St. Moritz in Switzerland. In addition Toby has served for half a year as a chef on the German cruise ship Aida.

Serving locally source, freshly-cooked high quality international cuisine, including authentic Bavarian dishes at Sherbourne House is now their main priority.

The main restaurant is now open to non residents, or for a more private dining experience you have the option of one of two smaller dining rooms.

Being situated in Norwich Road, Attleborough , close to the A11, Sherbourne House offers the perfect location for business meetings. The Main Room can accommodate 22 delegates in most conference styles

38

(theatre 30); the Middle Room up to 8, the Drawing Room up to 6.

Over a period of time Toby and Doris are planning an extensive programme of refurbishment at the hotel.

Wedding Parties, Christenings, Funerals, Business Meetings - Sherbourne House is the perfect location.

Out & About Gardens|Garden Centre|Steam Museum

w w w. br e s s i n g h a m . c o . u k

Open Mar 28th - Nov 4th daily from 10.30am visit www.bressingham.co.uk for further details - Tel 01379 686900

Help! Volunteers needed Bressingham is South Norfolk’s largest tourist attraction and is a charity with a mainly volunteer staff preserving a unique steam collection and gardens which has provided enjoyment for the whole family for over 50 years.

Bressingham always needs more volunteers from 18 to 80, if you have any spare time to give we have jobs of all types and sizes. Mechanics, engineers, gardeners, track layers, plumbers, ticket sellers and retail to name just a few.

Call us on 01379 686900 or email info@bressingham.co.uk for details and help us keep the wheels of Bressingham turning.

39

MELLIS PHONE BOX MORE EXCITING THAN DR WHO’S

T

he poor old faded and sad-looking Mellis phone box is to be given a new lease of life. Hilary Beal, stained glass artist and colour therapy guru, has turned it into a mind enhancing kaleidoscopic capsule.

David Wadlow already an old hand at stained glass

24 budding artists, all from Mellis and ranging in age from 12 to 70, have spent recent months quietly visiting Hilary’s garden studio for tuition in the time honoured skills of cutting, grinding and lead foiling the beautiful French mouthblown glass donated by Hilary.

The result is a myriad of wonderfully coloured stained glass panels each depicting its creator’s idea of Mellis Common with wild flowers, birds, bees and rainbows. Each section has taken its creator over 20 hours of painstaking work to make, and each central panel is unique while the border is a unifying leaf design.

Multiyork sponsored the Mellis Festival, where the phone box was officially opened by Martha Kearney, and contributed to the costs of metalwork to frame the new panels.

The interior boasts an Astroturf floor and a swivel chair. We are also hoping that someone will be kind enough to donate a chandelier. Seriously!

Those participating have found it enormous fun to learn an exciting new skill, work alongside their neighbours and make new friends in the process.

Rebecca Clark holding up her finished work to the light

Hilary says she hopes to encourage people to slow down as they come through Mellis and take in the quiet beauty of the Common.

Hilary can be contacted on h.beal@me.com

Hilary Beal of MellisArts, stained glass artist (centre) with (l to r) Enid Peacock, Jennifer Farley, Roy James, Chris Scott and Emma Tamsett.

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Out & About

41

English vineyards I

n a recent issue of Village People, I wrote about the little vineyard at Thelnetham near Diss, owned and run by the Gillis family. I also mentioned that their wine had won prizes and that they had started producing a very appreciable prosecco-style sparkling wine, which is just coming onto the market now.

But Thelnetham is not the only English vineyard beginning to produce sparkling wine, or ‘bubbly’. Several of the ‘East Anglian’ vineyards listed on the English Wine Producers’ website are experimenting very successfully with this new variety of wine.

It’s not just in East Anglia that these exciting developments are taking place; at this year’s blind tasting of English and one Welsh ‘bubbly’ wine (the second of its kind) there were 90 representatives from different vineyards across the southern part of the country, together with a handful of foreigners.

The previous year (2011) there had been only 52. The organisers of this event, Jancis Robinson and her fellow Master of Wine and English wine specialist Stephen Skelton, had been impressed by the quality of what was on offer. She did point out that English sparkling wine is generally made on too small a scale to be cheap – and remarked that the retail price of the wines they tasted ranged from £16 to £30, with most in the low twenties, more than the basic

42

By David Seddon

champagne on special offer in the supermarkets – but suggested that, ‘so long as you like your fizz dry and very crisp’, they offered at least comparable quality.

Robinson complimented the wines she tasted, describing them as generally ‘extremely well made’, with really fresh vibrant fruit, just the right amount of bubble (not the aggressive froth that can plague cava) and none of the excessive sweetness that mars many proseccos - used in champagnes to attempt to cover up tartness and under-ripeness. Thanks to the relatively cool English climate, acidities are uniformly high, and the big question is how to compensate for this. As Champagne’s winemakers know well, there are basically two ways; sweetening the blend before it goes on the market and/or ageing the wine, either in the lees left by the second fermentation in bottle that creates the bubbles in the first place and/or in bottle once those lees have been disgorged. Age is the big healer of the high acidity that marks young wine.

The English wines tend to be young, in part because most producers are too young or too cash-strapped to be able to give their wines more bottle age, but also in part because so many keen and eager new producers are dying to test the market as soon as possible rather than give their first releases the bottle age from which they might benefit. As Jancis herself remarks: ‘to judge from our tasting, and from the technical analyses available afterwards, English winemakers in general have a horror of adding too much post-disgorgement sweetness, or dosage’. Stephen Skelton made the point that ‘English sparkling wine producers are wedded to dry’ and asked, rhetorically, ‘so, will you drink all 30,000 bottles yourself?’

In the view of the experts, the high acid and low sugar would be fine, if the wines had time to mellow a bit in the bottle, but a typical current vintage for English sparkling wine is 2009 – a good quality vintage, but arguably ‘a painfully young one’.

Thelnetham, for example, has already bottled and started marketing its 2009. By contrast, many champagne houses are currently selling their 2002 vintage wines. But the fact is that it is not only English winemakers but also increasingly consumers who actually prefer the drier younger wine. Interestingly, in the tasting, the 25 roses proved more popular on average

- and a new crop of ‘sparkling’ wines than the whites - possibly because they tended to be marginally sweeter, but also possibly because there is a growing interest in a drier rose, as well as a drier white.

Skelton is convinced that in terms of grape varieties, the future for the English sparkling wine industry lies in strict adherence to the champagne recipe of Chardonnay with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This may be true in the long term, but Jancis Robinson found that no fewer than four of her favourite seven wines had been made with the non-classic varieties Seyval Blanc and Reichensteiner that used to dominate English vineyards when grape ripening was so much less certain than it has become in more recent years.

The age of the vines may have had a positive impact on the quality of the wine, but it might also have been that the age of the wines was at least as important.

Three of them were 2006s (the year for which Thelnetham won a prize) – suggesting possibly, as the experts suggest, that somewhat older wines are better – or else, as I prefer to believe, that 2006 was just a remarkable vintage for English bubbly!

Jancis’ special selection included: • Ridgeview, Bloomsbury Merret 2006 • Davenport, Limney Blanc de Blancs 2006 • Breaky Bottom, Cuvee John Inglis Hall 2006 • Chapel Down, Blanc de Blancs 2007 • Bluebell Estates, Hindleap Blanc de Blancs 2008 • Stanlake Park Heritage Brut NV The overall favourite at the blind tasting of 90 English sparkling wines in March 2012 was the Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rose 2010 – a regular winner at the annual competition Bollicini del Mondo in Italy. It retails at £24.95 (£22.46 with case discount) from Camel Valley Ltd 01208 77959.

250 Best Wines, Wine Buying Guide 2012 Its not just wine buffs Jancis Robinson and Stephen Skelton who enthuse about English sparkling wine (see Village People Early Summer issue 2012). Oz Clarke, in his ‘250 Best Wines, Wine Buying Guide 2012’, suggests two excellent vintages of English ‘fizz’ (as he calls it), both as it happens from 2006! He recommends the Nyetimber (West Sussex) Classic Cuvee 2006 and the Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2006.

Of the first he remarks: ‘it was Nyetimber who started the whole idea of English fizz being able to take on – and beat – the world. In those early days – the 1990s – the wines were high in acid but aged on their yeast lees for so long that they became amazingly biscuity and rich. Nyetimber is now in the throes of developing a more crowd-friendly style. 2006 is a sort of halfway house. There’s some very ripe, almost raisined, fruit in there as well as the traditional deep flavours of loft apples, months old but still good to eat, and some syrupy yeasty roundness to soothe the customary Nyetimber acidity’.

Of the Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs, Oz says: ‘one by one, new stars are rising in the English fizz firmament.

I first heard the buzz about Gusbourne when people started whispering about a stellar Pinot Noir they’d tasted. But this is fizz, and 100 % Chardonnay, a hugely classy effort, easily matching Champagnes of a similar price, though developing a uniquely southern English character and style. It smells of blackcurrant leaves, ripe green apple, rosehip and summer hedgerows. Its acidity is fresh and tingling, not rasping, apple peel and boiled lemons; its richness is of rice pudding, cream and hazelnuts , and it will only get deeper and more fascinating if you age it a few years’. He suggests that the Gusbourne Brut Reserve is equally inspiring.

The Nyetimber Classic Cuvee retails at about £29.99 and is available from Waitrose, Averys, D Byrne, the Oxford Wine Co and other independents; the Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs is available through Armit at £29.99, Noel Young at £25.99 and the Halifax Wine Co at £24.50. The Brut Reserve is around £25 a bottle.

Not cheap, but still good value – for fizz!

For more information on East Anglian vineyards make sure you check out

www.englishwineproducers.com

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Out & About

44

Observing the Trials of Life

D

espite highly erratic and often unseasonal weather, summer is now in full swing. Swallows and swifts have arrived from their long journey from Africa and are filling the sky, flowers are in full bloom and our hedgerows are bustling with insect life.

This is the easiest season for wildlife as food is abundant and the days are warm.

During summer, many species of animal are taking advantage of the good conditions to raise their young. Parental techniques vary widely and as a photographer I often get fascinating insights into otherwise hidden worlds.

Take for example the nursery web spider. This small beige arachnid can be commonly found sitting on leaf tops keeping a sharp eye (or eight) out for unsuspecting prey. At first glance it may be presumed that the fearsome looking, husband eating female may not be up for a good parenting award, but a closer look shows otherwise. The mother nursery web spider actually carries out intricate and fascinating behaviours aimed specifically at protecting her young. After mating she lays her eggs into a silk cocoon ball which she carries around in her fangs. When they are ready to hatch she spins a silk nursery tent and releases the spiderlings into it.

She will guard this tent over the first few days of their lives, at which point her young will be large enough to disperse with a better chance of survival. Not bad at all for a 3cm long mother!

In many ways the beautiful kingfisher appears to be a less caring parent. Whilst they raise their young in an excavated burrow in the riverbank, upon leaving the burrow the fledglings don’t have much time to learn vital survival skills before being turfed out and left to fend for themselves. The harsh reality is that only a quarter of the young survive their first year, but this is enough to maintain overall population numbers and to disperse into new territories.

I was lucky enough to spend some time in June photographing puďŹƒns on a small island off Wales.

Again parental instincts shone through. I witnessed thousands of puďŹƒns tirelessly travelling back and forth between sea and land, risking being attacked by gulls and other birds. All to transport sand eels back to their young.

Observing the trials of life which animals have to endure is one of my favourite aspects of my job as a wildlife photographer. Summer is a great time to do this but the real race for survival begins in autumn when wildlife prepares for the long and tough winter ahead.

Jonathan Lewis is a wildlife photographer based in South Norfolk. His company, Norfolk Wildlife Photography, offers a range of local and international courses and tours. For more information please visit www.norfolk-wildlife-photography.co.uk or www.facebook.com/norfolkwildlifephotography

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46

Have a field day with family...

...enjoy over 90 fantastic shops, cafĂŠs and restaurants in our stunning shopping centre nestled in the heart of Norwich.

www.chapelfield.co.uk

47

Shopping

CorporateCrystal Norfolk Resists and Anglian Arts

Glass Engravers of Awards and Individual Items

www.corporatecrystal-uk.com Email: sales@corporatecrystal-uk.com or: norfolkresists@get-the-web.com Tel: 01953 681340

Fax: 01953 878065

Robert Clegg Norfolk Resists, The Brecks, Riddlesworth, Diss, Norfolk. IP22 2TE

handmade Turkmen carpets classic quality and style fair prices and fair trade principles PO Box 126, Bradenham, Thetford, IP25 7WY

e: altibolaq@btinternet.com w: www.altibolaq.co.uk t: 01362 822523

www.altibolaq.co.uk

You Can Brew It Your local Homebrew Shop 14 St. Nicholas St. Diss Plus Norfolk Pickles

Open Wed-Sat

01379 650772

www.youcanbrew-it.co.uk 48

Shopping

Acoustic Guitar by Martin Smith Surfer design Only £39.99

Summer is here. New Products for everyone and all Occasions

18v Drill/Driver Only £27.99

12V DeWalt Drill/Driver Only £92.99

102 Piece Drill and Screwdriver Bit Set Only £34.99

iPad Products 21piece ¾”Large Socket Set Only £64.99

Electronic Tool Kit only £29.99

PAD005 Aluminium Desk Stand of iPad2 only £ 19.99

Pad102 Wall Mount For iPad2 only £22.99

Desk top Mount For iPad 2 only £49.99

For more amazing products and prices please contact us below Visit our online shops for a wider range of products

www.acc-sees.com

www.loctek.co.uk

Or contact us directly to place orders and to purchase any of the above Special offers.

Call 01379 871820 email rloxton@acc-sees.co.uk Acc-Sees Ltd, Unit 4 Progress Way, Mid Suffolk Business Park, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7HU

49

Book reviews Norwich City – When Football was Football

A nostalgic look at the Canaries before the Premier League and satellite television, prior to the billionaire owners huge transfer fees and Sky-high wages.

Iain Dale

Haynes Publishing Hardback 978085733170

Bovril at half-time, muddy pictures and leather footballs and Saturday kick-offs at 3o’clock. In this world football isn’t a commercial “product”, foreign imports are relatively unknown and we stood at the Barclay End terrace.

£18.99

This social history of the US Army Air Forces in the UK between 1942-1945 deals not with specific aspects of combat but how wartime life in Britain affected the fighting men and ground personnel.

It looks at the psychology of life in a different country and the morale of the men, recording stories directly from those who lived and worked there. The strength of these interviews ensures a unique resource for social historians and essential reading for surviving veterans and their many descendants.

Beneath The Clouds Jackie Stuart

Poppyland Paperback 9780946148943 £12.95

Apple Acre Adrian Bell

Little Toller Books Paperback 9781908213075 £10

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Despite wartime austerity and unease, Adrian Bell and his wife went about their business in the Suffolk farming community where they lived, in a world of modest self-sufficiency shaped by the seasons. First published in 1942, this is an intimate portrait of a hamlet content to draw its strength from the land, absorbed in the tasks of rearing three children and struggling against more ancient enemies of weather and clay. This new edition contains Richard Kennedy’s pen and ink drawings from 1964.

We learn about football in the ‘good old days’, farming in the forties, and the best places in Norfolk to walk with the kids!

The final book in Patrick’s trilogy of East Anglian journeys in paint, his easel is set up both on board his traditional Norfolk dingy and on river banks, producing over 70 oil paintings. The book also features over 30 etchings showing the Broads as they were at the turn of the 20th century.

A charming journey of discovery along the rivers and backwaters, Patrick was inspired by dramatic skies, yachting scenes and conversations with people he encountered. A book to inspire us to seek out as yet undiscovered parts of this unique creation.

Boswell’s Broadland Patrick Boswell

Dudley Publishing Large Paperback 9780956522719 £20

Harry Hole is back in Oslo but his ghosts have a way of catching up with him.

Investigating an old case he discovers a trail of violence and mysterious disappearances, and at every turn he is faced with a conspiracy of silence. From the moment he steps off the plane. Someone is watching his every move and tracing his every call. Full of the usual punchy plots, narrative tension and surprising twists this is Nesbo at the height of his powers. Not for the squeamish.

Kiddiwalks in Norfolk Angela Youngman Countryside Books Paperback 9781846742781 £7.95

Phantom Jo Nesbo

Harvill Secker Hardback 9781846555213 £12.99

Here is a book of twenty safe walks devised specially with children in mind. They are all short, (between 1 and 4 miles) circular, with not too many hills and climbs, with plenty of variety.

Nature trails to follow, woods to play hide and seek in, beaches to play on, birds and animals to spot and a host of places to explore. Each walk features a halt for refreshment: from picnic sites to cafes and family-friendly pubs. Some walks are suitable for buggies.

51

The golden rules

of picking a picture

Tim Charters from Picture Fair describes his top tips for choosing the right art for your home.

Choosing the right pictures for your walls can really add the finishing touch to a space, creating a point of interest and tying the theme of a room together. This is not about having a huge budget, more about making clever choices to add impact or dictate a style.

Shop online The great thing about the internet is that you can pick your picture in the room it’s destined for, giving you a far better idea of whether it will go.

Size matters

ht

A brig

e can

l imag

lourfu and co

act d imp

ad

The space in which a picture hangs is as important as the art itself. Make sure you measure this before you pick your piece – something too big could overpower a room, too small and it’s in danger of getting lost.

Mix and match

Enhance the existing design Pick something that will stand-out while enhancing the existing design elements. If the area is modern, minimal and neutral, why not choose something colourful and bright to add impact.

The art of matching If you want to go for a more cohesive look, with pictures dictating the colour of a room, choose a tone that’s in the image, but not the main hue and not prevalent along the border to ensure contrast.

A popular and effective trend is to hang a number of smaller pictures together on one wall, using a range of styles and frames. The trick here is to make the wall look stylishly jumbled – symmetry will not do.

Hit the right height If art is hung above furniture, such as a sofa or table, it needs to be high enough to clear people’s heads but low enough to feel connected with said furniture.

In general, pictures are often placed to high, so go unnoticed as they are out of viewers’ eye lines.

Be sympathetic to the space Choose art that suits the mood of a room; bedrooms should be relaxing, so something soothing and cool is best; social spaces, such as a dining room, can take a more-lively piece.

A relaxing image can fit wel

l in the bedroom

Picture Fair supplies a wide range of photography as wall art, printed on high quality canvas or paper. From city-scapes to rural scenes, a variety of images are available to choose at

www.picturefair.co.uk

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delivered in just a few days.

Shopping

hombaked children’s cakes & treats from the wild

GARAGE DOOR SOLUTIONS

breaking the mould of classic childhood cakes, we have introduced something new by incororating homegrown and local produce into tasty, wholesome, freshly-baked birthday cakes & treats for littleones. after many fruit & veg recipe scribbles and tasting sessions, we came up with a selection of fun & delicious flavours. not quite your 5-a-day, but close!

When fruit, veg & baking become great chums,we hope you fall head over heals for creature crumbs!

BLINDS & SHUTTERS LIMITED

t:01603 410304

BURNET ROAD, SWEET BRIAR IND EST NORWICH www.cooks-blinds.co.uk Door & Hardware Federation Incorporating DSMA & ABHM

all cake enquiries please contact t:01508 579133 e: creature.krumbs@hotmail.co.uk

WYMONDHAM’S HOME FURNISHINGS Jarrolds can offer expert advice on all aspects of home furnishing 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 & RISE ELECTRIC CHAIRS

7 Middleton Street Wymondham

01953 603251 www.jarrold.co.uk

53

Health & Beauty

We are a small private dental practice providing treatment in quiet, calm and comfortable surroundings.

This allows us to give you individual and personal attention, plenty of time and an excellent service.

We would like to treat everyone as we would like to be treated ourselves. Our primary goals are to help you achieve and then maintain a preferred level of oral health.

We hope and trust that your visit to the practice will be pleasant and relaxing.

You and your family are welcome here.

General and Family Dentistry Root Canal Treatment Implant Dentistry Partial /Full mouth Rehabilitation Crowns, Bridges and Dentures Tooth Whitening, Smile Makeover, Veneers Orthodontic Treatment

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Call for more information on 01379 897176 or visit us at www.botesdaledentalpractice.co.uk

Q&A health Q

I think I might be constipated. What do you recommend?

Trish Stephenson from the Natural Food Store, Exchange Street, Norwich says:

A

If you’re taking War and Peace into the bathroom instead of your favourite crossword puzzle, the chances are you are constipated.

Constipation occurs when food moves too slowly through the gastrointestinal tract. No exact frequency of bowel movements or amount of symptoms precisely defines constipation - some people have to strain to move their bowels, others feel the urge all too seldom – but the most common cause is usually dietary.

Here are a few tips to help you get things moving again: A high fibre diet is strongly recommended. A typical Western diet does not usually contain enough of the fibre needed to help the body rid itself of waste products.

Peas, beans, brown rice, wholemeal bread, jacket potatoes, raw vegetables and fresh or dried fruits are good fibre providers.

Secondly, drink plenty of fluids. Fluids expand and soften

Natural solutions for your health problems fibre allowing it to form bulk in the colon, which then triggers the urge to move your bowels.

Ideally, you should drink at least 2 litres of water a day, but not in coffee, tea or alcohol as these are all diuretics and will leave you feeling dehydrated.

Equally, if you are constipated you should try to avoid milk as this contains casein, an insoluble protein that tends to plug up the intestinal tract.

As with any diet, take regular exercise.

In particular, aerobic exercise such as walking, running and swimming will help to condition stomach and back muscles. Increased muscular contractions of the intestine should in turn help waste to move through the body.

A product called Lepicol can be most helpful. A combination of vegetable fibre taken from Psyllium husks and packed with Acidophilus, (the friendly good bacteria which will put your tummy back in working order) this is easy to take in fruit juice or water and really helpful for young and old alike. However if constipation persists, consult your GP. For more information or advice visit: www.shop-naturally.com or www.holistic-care.com

GIFT VOUC HERS AVAIL ABLE

01953 861210 – The Clinic On The Green Old Buckenham . Norfolk . NR17 1RG Osteopathy Massage/Sports-Remedial Physiotherapy Indian Head Massage Chiropody Reflexology Acupuncture Esoteric Healing & Massage Hypnotherapy Manicure/Pedicure Pyschotherapy Waxing/ Spray Tanning Homeopathy Decleor Treatments & Products Visit our website for a full range of treatments available:

www.thecliniconthegreen.co.uk

Sign up on our website mailing list to receive REGULAR OFFERS

55

Vintage caraVan For Sale

L

ovingly restored, ethel is looking for a new owner!

Perfect for a vintage stay-cation this summer, festival, playroom, me-time space, teenagers den, extra bed for guests, grown-up dolls house, Birthday present, you choose. . .

Ethel is a lovely Vintage Caravan from the very late 70’s. She has been given a kitsch new look with gorgeous Cath Kidston styled wallpaper and paint. The flooring has been renewed with a funky pink bubble gum vinyl.

The cupboards, dresser and kitchen area are all original.

The seat cushions have been re-covered with lovely taupe Clarke & Clarke dotty cotton. Bespoke new curtains are included for all windows and feature more of the lovely Clarke & Clarke fabric.

There is an electric hook-up point (240v) at the side and a good selection of working sockets inside.

Window seals are all tight. There are a few small dents and scratches on the outside but nothing you wouldn’t expect from a caravan of this age.

Some accessories pictured are included but not all as I’m sure you’d like to add your own touch!

Lots more detail and more photos are available so do contact me if you are interested. Viewings very welcome, approximately half an hour from Diss.

The table is original and has been updated with gorgeous oil cloth.

The long seats at the front can be used as two single beds or a slat makes it into a very large / king-size bed.

The kitchen area includes the original cooker, fridge, sink & cupboards.

In the bathroom, the pretty little original avocado sink & mirror unit are intact with the original toothbrush & cup holder!

Since buying her, she has not been very far with us as she is mostly used as a chill-out zone for the family but she towed fine the 50 miles from where we bought her (lights all work too).

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Offers over £2,000 Contact Lynn 07906 536311 baloo32@hotmail.com

Health & Beauty

Ask anything pay nothing Free mini varicose vein surgery appointments If you suffer from aching legs or are unhappy about the appearance of varicose veins our range of minimally invasive treatments could help.

At Spire Norwich Hospital you can talk directly to a vascular surgeon and ask anything you like. There’s no charge and no pressure to take things further.

To book or for more information

01603 255 614 www.spirenorwich.com

57

Health & Beauty

The

Cutting Cottage Hair Salon

A great spot for peace and quiet while you relax and get your hair and nails done Sarah opened The Cutting Cottage in 2009 and Tracey Dean has just joined and between them they have 38 years’ experience in all hairdressing techniques.

The salon also offers a range of beauty treatments with Lesley Tigi & kms products (also available to purchase) 3 Redbrick Cottage, Palgrave IP22 1AZ Open Tue-Sat (late night available) Ample Parking

I know you’re worth it......... do you?

01379 783003

Time for you?

Time for a new career?

With part-time weekend training The Homeopathic College of East Anglia provides a unique local oppor tunity for you to train to become a professional homeopath Work within Complementary Medicine as a professional practitioner using natural Homeopathic Medicine to improve your patient’s health and well-being

take a fresh look at

Complementary Health Care

A person centred approach to Reflexology Refl exology • Aromatherapy • Massage Why not book a FREE 30 minute consultation with Jill diCicco MFHT CNHC

T 01379 870 881

www.purpledove.co.uk • jill@purpledove.co.uk

Dentures Direct

GDC registered Dental Technician

to help you find solutions to any denture problem

The Homeopathic College of East Anglia is now accepting applications for October entr y A four-year part-time Licentiate course (10 weekends per year) leading to registration as a Professional Homeopath (LHCEA)

Time for your new future?

To request a prospectus, please contact:

The Homeopathic college of east anglia

34 Exchange Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1AX Tel: 01603 665173 www.homeopathic-college.com enquiries@homeopathic-college.com

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From simple repairs to full replacement dentures Home collection service available Contact us for an understanding, unhurried service for any denture related problem

01379 676560

Ancient Oriental Astrology for a Modern Life

Check out our forecast for August & September

9 Fire Star You may be feeling exhausted from the goings-on of the past few months, but rest assured that August finds you feeling more in control and focused. Your diligence, strength and hard work will pay off!

During September pay attention to your outgoings, as you may be tempted to splash out on socialising.

get carried away and juggle too many responsibilities.

5 Earth Star

Things are slowly picking up speed again. August is the calm before the storm; prepare yourself, clean your slate and tie up any loose ends, as September you will feel positive, upbeat and much more outgoing.

Opportunities will begin to present themselves to you - are you ready?

8 Earth Star Take a centred approach to things in August as you will find yourself stretched in all directions. Although you may be tempted to grab at everything that comes your way, be selective and don’t drain yourself. Major decisions are best slept upon or even better made during September.

7 Metal Star Keep going with the projects and developments of the past month; now is not the time to change tack, even if you feel you can. During September make a note to yourself to take time-out and allow yourself space to relax and bring your energies back to ground level.

6 Metal Star

If you’ve been feeling stifled recently, now is the time to ‘go for it!’ This is an important growth phase for you, so prepare no more, it’s time for action. You will feel more expressive, outgoing and spontaneous, but pace yourself. Don’t

4 Wood Star August is all about what lies within you, not what’s outside. You may feel unusually out of touch and uninvolved socially.

Use this time wisely; plan ahead and prepare, nurture yourself and build up your energy reserves. Spiritual practice and patience is advisable.

3 Wood Star August provides illumination and a romantic slant; where you may passionately glow and get noticed for you efforts.

September, by stark contrast, may find you feeling indecisive and cautious. Go with the flow however; it’s a necessary check on progress and time to focus on you and plan ahead.

2 Earth Star Try not to resist any sudden changes that happen in August - so long as they resonate true then just allow and trust your instincts and have faith it’s for the better. The ability to adapt and your strength to endure any changes will pay off in September; you may just get that break you were hoping for.

1 Water Star

August you will feel like celebrating your recent good fortune, but a note of caution; taking things easy may help you relax, but remain focused as you could easily undermine your recent efforts if people see you as neglectful.

Communicate clearly and be transparent.

To discover your Ki Star and for more information about Ki Astrology please visit www.freeflow-fengshui.com David Walters DIP. CHIRO Follow me on: twitter - @fengshuiflow facebook - facebook.com/ninestarki

59

InvestIng

DURING THE EUROPEAN DEBT CRISIS Are there opportunities for investors in what remains a tough and uncertain economic environment?

Unstable European Economy The credit crunch has hardly been out of the headlines for the last five years, and the European sovereign debt crisis of the last two years has merely served to intensify the media coverage.

Since the autumn of 2009, the European Union has been struggling with the mounting debts of some of its weakest economies, notably Greece, Portugal and Ireland. This has led to mounting fears among investors.

The crisis has even raised questions about whether the Euro can survive as a currency, placed strains on banks across the continent and forced cuts in government spending, putting several countries back into recession.

Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor has downgraded Italy and Spain by two points, and reduced Portugal’s credit to junk status, indicating that Europe’s debt worries are far from over. The risk of contagion from the sovereign debt crisis has been at the forefront of investors’ minds and held back global markets.

Is it a good time to invest?

Equity markets so far in 2012 have started on a much more positive note. This could be due to a realisation that there is a political will to resolve the crisis coupled with a strong desire among leaders to keep European Monetary Union (EMU) together.

Investors have become worried that there is worse to come and that share prices will decline no matter what the industry sector or market share of companies. As a result, they often buy and sell at precisely the wrong time.

The fear of missing out pulls investors in when markets are soaring, and causes them to sell when they have already fallen.

Exciting investment opportunities There are exciting and attractive investment opportunities out there. Take, for example, large blue-chip companies with a strong and healthy market position and a continuous record of generating profits. Such companies have proven their resilience and sustained long term prospects in a challenging economic climate.

Anglian Wealth Management 124 Thorpe Road Norwich NR1 1RT

60

www.anglianwm.co.uk

Investors should be looking at cash generative companies, with their strong balance sheets and more predictable profit streams. Some of the best opportunities today can be found in the telecom and pharmaceutical sectors.

Industries that manufacture and sell consumer staples, such as food, beverages, tobacco and household products are the safest places to invest in times of economic turmoil. These are typically the last products to be removed from the household budget at times when disposable incomes are being squeezed.

Corporate bonds are a promising asset class, with recent sell-offs presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

Exaggerated fears of mass defaults are presenting investors with unprecedented value in high quality corporate bonds, which offer much more attractive yields than those provided by gilts.

Commercial property continues to represent a highyielding and relatively stable asset class, presenting a valuable opportunity for investors to diversify their assets and ultimately be rewarded over the longer term.

Seek advice before investing After the events of the past few years, investors need no reminding that equity investing can be volatile. But history is clear - stock markets tend to rise over the longer term, despite short-term fluctuations. Good investment opportunities still exist for the prudent investor, across a diversified portfolio. Finding those opportunities requires the expertise of a skilled and experienced wealth management specialist in order to satisfy medium to longterm investment objectives.

Maximise your Investments If you’d like to make sure you’re getting the most from your existing investments or discuss new investment opportunities contact Ian Farrant for a FREE Investment & Pension review.

on 01603 752500 or email ian@anglianwealthmanagement.co.uk

Jobs & Money

Diss based HR Consultancy PA R AMO UNT HR Our support includes....

• Contracts of Employment • Policies, procedures, HR documentation • Redundancy, disciplinary, appraisals, grievances • Ongoing telephone and e-mail support For the peace of mind you’ve been looking for and to ensure you remain legally compliant, call Marion James today for further information on how we can help you.

Let us manage your HR headache!

Paramount HR, 6a Mere Street, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4AD Telephone: 01379 650296 marion@paramount-personnel.com www.paramount-hr.co.uk

Mears Care specialises in domiciliary care providing personal care through to help with domestic tasks for older people, people with disabilities, mental health issues and people with a terminal illness in the Norwich and South Norfolk areas.

Our Carers receive full training and mileage allowance to provide excellent support.

For our Norwich/Loddon branch we are currently recruiting in and around Milecross, Bowthorpe, Earlham, Heartsease, Silver Road, Mousehold, Tuckswood, Lakenham, Loddon, Poringland, Harleston, Hempnall, Scole, Bungay, and Ditchingham Tel: 01603 309060

E-mail: trina.eagleton@mearsgroup.co.uk

For our Hingham branch we are currently recruiting in and around Wymondham, Hethersett, Cringleford, Bunwell, Easton, Barnham Broom, Barford, Hingham, Bressingham, Roydon, Gissing, Aslacton, Great Moulton, Mulbarton, Diss, Costessey, Tacolneston, Newton Flotman, Tivetshall and Long Stratton Tel: 01953 850010

E-mail: josie.moore@mearsgroup.co.uk

61

Jobs & Money

K J ACCOUNTANCY A friendly and efficient service for the self-employed & small to medium business  Bookkeeping ~ Accounts ~ VAT Payroll ~ CIS ~ Tax Returns Tel: 01379 890502/01284 763687 Mob: 07788 408916/07718 257517

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We can help in the comfort of your own home. £20 per hour + 20p/mile

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PC or Mac Running Slow?

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

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62

Smart Money Secrets Don’t let card charges take the shine off your holiday

W

ith the summer holiday season in full swing it’s a good time to look at the charges you can incur when using your plastic abroad.

Debit and credit cards may be a secure and convenient way to pay when you’re away from the UK on holiday, but the fees and charges vary considerably, so it’s worth getting to grips with these before you head off to the airport.

If you use a credit card overseas you’ll need to bear in mind that most banks will add on a foreign usage fee of around 2.75% to 2.99% to all cash and purchase transactions however there are a few cards offering a better deal.

Credit cards from Halifax (Clarity), Metro Bank, Saga and Post Office don’t charge any usage fee, thus immediately saving you up to £3.00 per £100 of purchases.

However that’s only half the story, as on top of the usage fee, a typical credit card cash withdrawal will cost you around an extra 3% on top, so an ATM withdrawal of £100 currency equivalent can easily set you back a combined charge of around £6, so best avoided if possible.

Debit cards may be free to use in the UK but it’s a different story when you use them abroad and something that holidaymakers sometimes overlook, until the charges are debited from their account and then it’s too late.

As with credit cards there is a usage fee for debit card cash withdrawals and purchases (2.75% to 2.99%) plus an ATM withdrawal charge typically between £1.50 and £5.00.

The worst offenders are Halifax (£1.50 per purchase transaction), NatWest (£1.25), Lloyds TSB (£1.00), RBS (£1.25) and Santander (£1.25). If you’re looking for a fee free debit card for using overseas, then take a look at the cards from Norwich & Peterborough Building Society or Metro Bank.

With sterling looking much stronger against the Euro, your summer holiday may work out to be a little less expensive this year, so don’t go and spoil it by shelling out on unnecessary credit and debit card fees.

It’s worth spending a couple of minutes to check with your bank what the charges are for your particular plastic before you jet off, rather than getting a nasty shock when you check your account on your return.

At least if you understand the overseas charges, you can adapt your spending pattern accordingly – for example, you don’t want to be making cash withdrawals or purchases of £10 or £20 if you’re going to be hit with fees of £1.50 plus each time.

So as well as packing a good book, your sun tan lotion and your passports, make sure you take a card that’s not going to blow a big hole in your holiday budget!

Andrew Hagger – Moneynet.co.uk

But the charges that catch most people out are those levied for debit card purchases which are subject to the usage fee above, plus up to an additional £1.50 per transaction regardless of the amount.

63

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Helping the bereaved to stop unwanted mail

by Anne Beckett-Allen, Rosedale Funeral Home

M

ore than five hundred thousand people die in the UK annually – around fourteen hundred a day – and in excess of eighty pieces of direct mail are sent to each of them in the year after their death, causing untold suffering and anger to relatives Companies who send out direct mail have a moral and social responsibility to check their mailing lists, but many fail to do so. Most people who have lost a loved one go through various “stages” of bereavement. At first, people can be overwhelmed by shock, grief and disbelief but this can quickly turn to anger. Sending insensitive and often ill-targeted direct mail to people in this stage of grief can backfire badly and cause longterm reputational damage.

Rosedale is encouraging the relatives of anyone who has died to register with The Bereavement Register to help reduce the amount of direct mail that continues

to be sent after their death. This is especially useful at a time when so-called ‘impersonation of the dead’ – where individuals take on the identity of the deceased in order to gain illegal access to loans and credit cards is now recognised as the fastest growing identity fraud in the UK. In addition to allowing companies to cross reference lists and stop mailing deceased individuals, The Bereavement Register can also place flags on internal records to reduce the chances of criminals being able to open accounts or order goods in the deceased person’s name. If you would like to receive an information leaflet about The Bereavement Register, contact Anne Beckett-Allen at Rosedale Funeral Home, 63 Victoria Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4JE, telephone number 01379 640810 or visit www.rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk

Lifeline Alarm Service

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65

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fun! ve coffee, have Have cake, ha lping people ll go towards he Money raised wi and nationally. er both locally living with canc st pack, go to: e and order a ho To find out mor e an.org.uk/coffe www.macmill 46 45 602 12 or call us on 08

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Later Life Services

A Unique Care Home in a Unique Setting Offering Long Term Residence, Convalescence and Respite Care for Elderly Residents with Dementia.

The Beeches is an elegant country house set in two acres of wooded and meadow style gardens which provides peaceful surroundings and yet is close to all local amenities.

The majority of our bedrooms are on the ground floor and have the benefit of en-suite facilities.

Please call or email for further details or to request a brochure.

“We are here to help” West Harling Road, East Harling NR16 2NP Tel: 01953 717584 Email: thebeecheseastharling@btconnect.com Website: www.beechesresidential.co.uk

Dementia - Accident – Heart Attack – Stroke If one of these conditions left you incapacitated, who would then be making decisions on your behalf?

Your family or the Court of Protection?

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68

Calling All Novelists WIN a publishing contract

with new Norfolk Publisher!

I

n the same year that Norwich is celebrating its UNESCO City of Literature status, Rethink Press, a new Norfolk-based publishing business, is starting up to help writers get their work into print. To celebrate its launch, Rethink is holding a competition for fiction authors to get their novel published.

Set up by Lucy McCarraher, an East Anglian novelist and self-help author, Rethink offers an alternative route to traditional and self-publishing.

The competition gives authors a chance to get their novels published within the next 12 months. Three prizes include: Best novel. A publication package worth £1,999 including marketing, PR and an author website Runner up novel. A runner up will also have their novel published Best East Anglian novel. A special publishing contract is on offer for the best novel set in, or about, East Anglia All shortlisted entries will receive feedback from the judging panel and an hour long telephone coaching session. All other entrants will be offered a discounted Rethink Press Publishing Contract.

Lucy McCarraher, who will be heading the judging, benefited from entering a similar competition herself. Her first family mystery, Blood and Water, was published by Macmillan after she entered the Richard and Judy ‘How to be published’ competition in 2004.

Now she wants to offer other writers the chance to get their novels in print and to discover some exciting new talent.

Lucy says: “Every year, thousands of writers with excellent books are rejected by traditional publishers for a variety of reasons. Some opt to self-publish, but this can be technologically challenging and many writers want the support of professionals to get their book into print.

“I really want to share my experience with other writers, and I love working with them as an editor and publisher to make their work the best it can be. I’m hoping to discover some bestselling talent and help other writers to experience the thrill of seeing their book in print.”

The other competition judges include Norfolk novelist, Amanda Addison; Sam Ruddock, literary blogger and programme manager at the Writers’ Centre Norwich (which is responsible for Norwich’s City of Literature status); and novelist and writing coach, Cate Sweeney.

The competition closes on 10th September To find out more and enter, visit

www.rethinkpress.com/novelcomp/

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Services

70

etyres

The Tyre Experts Come to You! It is no secret that with high fuel prices, increasing insurance premiums and the looming fuel duty tax hike in August, motorists are looking for numerous ways to make savings.

Martin, who runs the business with his wife Cathy, explained: “We have very low operating costs, which means our prices are often much cheaper than the leading high street tyre depots.” etyres also carry out puncture repairs and supply and fit car batteries. Its service is very popular with caravan and motor home owners, because they have their tyres fitted on their doorstep or at their storage depot, saving them the trouble of having to manoeuvre their vehicle into a tight space at a garage.

G

one are the days of driving miles to an oily depot to get new tyres fitted, dashing out of work or trying to keep the children occupied while the car goes up on the ramp.

Martin covers a wide area from Wymondham in the north down to Bury in the south and from Diss and Harleston in the east over to Thetford and Watton in the west, along with all the surrounding towns and villages.

For more information or to place an order, go online to etyres.co.uk or call 01379 790079

Whether you live and work in town or are way out in the rural wilds of the county, etyres - the award-winning mobile tyre fitting company, has arrived in the area to make getting new tyres easier and cheaper! etyres, winners of the 2011 Franchisor of the Year bronze award, has been operating a widely-respected network across the UK since 1999.

It brings the tyre experts to the customer’s door, whether they are at work or home, at a convenient time.

Because it operates with low overheads, prices are often cheaper than the traditional high street tyre depots.

Now, Martin Purvey has launched a brand new etyres branch covering South Norfolk and North Suffolk.

Martin explained: “Nobody likes buying tyres, but at least etyres can help to save its customers time and money – and a lot of hassle if they live in a rural location.

“Our customers can order online or on the phone by calling our National Sales Team, and they can specify a time they would like to have their new tyres fitted. Then they can sit back and relax or get on with their day while we come to them and fit their tyres.

“It’s simple and hassle free and once our customers have discovered us, they will never want to go back to using a traditional tyre depot.”

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Services

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72

CAR REVIEWS

Crème de la crème convertibles

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Editor • www.carwriteups.co.uk • Twitter: @carwriteups

C

onvertible sales ground to a halt in the 1970s, along with the British motor industry, which was the most passionate promoter of the breed. MGs, Triumph TRs, Austin-Healeys, open-roof Aston Martins and E-type Jaguars were all a mark of free-spirited Englishness. When they bit the dust, so did a little slice of British motoring romance. But drop-top cars were soon to make a magnificent comeback, never mind that their former British champions stayed firmly in their tombs. Nowadays even the one-time strait-laced car makers like to take their tops off. The two cars we’ve decided to showcase are not exactly conservative, or cheap, but they are the crème de la crème of the convertible market – in our eyes anyway!

New Mercedes-Benz SLK The new Mercedes-Benz SLK is an attractive car but you’ll only be able to demonstrate to one friend at a time that, in this case, looks keep pace with performance. It is a strict two-seater after all.

While the first Continental GTC was elegant and understated, the assertive stance of the new model delivers a more contemporary and muscular presence.

Indeed, the third generation SLK takes driving pleasure and open-air enjoyment to a new level. It blends lightfooted sportiness with stylish comfort, a striking sports-car design with total suitability for everyday use and top performance with exemplary ecology.

The four-seater luxury convertible features a fresh, spacious and sumptuous hand-crafted cabin, with softtouch leather hides, an extensive range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets. In addition, the GTC’s fabric hood is complemented by acoustic glass and under-body panels, for optimum noise isolation.

On the outside, the body of the new SLK emphasises its classic roadster proportions and puts them in the spotlight to thrilling effect. Behind the long bonnet there is a passenger compartment positioned far back, and a short tail end. Inside, the cabin is quite generous for a two-seater.

Behind the wheel, a wide track, sharp steering and retuned suspension provide an exhilarating and classleading drive. Bentley’s advanced all-wheel drive system features a new 40:60 rear torque bias (compared with 50:50 of the original GTC) minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing you to manage the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.

Under the bonnet, the SLK 350 harbours a powerful new 6-cylinder engine, featuring the standard-specification ECO start/stop function. This enables commendable efficiency without compromising on sportiness. In fact, it is up to 25 per cent more economical than its predecessor.

Yet the 306 bhp, 3498 cc lump can thrust you from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph.

And, amazingly, even if you flex the SLK’s muscle, the car can return up to 39.8 miles per gallon.

New Bentley Continental GTC

This compelling dynamic package is combined with a powerful 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine as well as a new QuickShift transmission, enabling superfast gear changes up to a top speed of up to 200 mph.

Price: £135,760

If truth be told, the potent pocket-rocket offers fun at the wheel in every respect, with no feeble compromises. It succeeds in uniting sumptuous seating and high-quality equipment with athletic prowess. All-weather driving enjoyment – with the roof open and closed, in leisure-time and everyday use – is also firmly anchored in the SLK’s genes.

With all these attributes the all-new SLK 350 from the German geniuses at Mercedes-Benz is surely one of the most refined and practical roadsters available on the market today.

Price: £44,225

73

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REFRESHING WATERS Divine encounters, miracle healings, enormous courage and heart-felt sacrifice

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

Sky’s the Limit for Life-Saving Couple

A

iling health meant Norman Illsley took early retirement when he was just 51.

He had spent 36 years working for the same company as an electrician since he was 15. “It was as if the world at large did not want to know but I knew God still had a purpose for my life,” said the member of Hope Community Church, Wymondham.

Since then there’s been a dramatic turnaround. Now the sky’s the limit as he helps raise £300,000 a month, with wife Helen, to help the East Anglian Air Ambulance charity save lives. Together the couple have put their faith and heart on the line to be God’s fund-raising ambassadors for two emergency helicopters.

The helicopters provide a fast ride to hospital for those who would otherwise be stranded after road traffic accidents, beach incidents and horse-riding accidents. Helen explains “It can mean the difference between life and death and save people from permanent injury.”

investment for their faith and time. They helped launch the Wymondham Helicopter Group and have seen purpose, enjoyment and an opportunity to share their beliefs. “With a free hand on the arrangements we also make the rules,” says Norman as the couple rule out swearing and smuttiness in a bid to be true to their faith.

Norman’s new purpose began to unfold with Helen while at their former Essex church. Besides becoming ardent fundraisers for a local cancer charity they hosted events for Christian celebrities to share their life-changing faith stories which they have also done at Hope Community Church.

The couple moved to Wymondham in 2004. “We looked around the county for a place to live and discovered Wymondham. We had never been here before but when we arrived at the market cross we looked up to heaven and knew God wanted us here,” says Norman.

For more information email helen.norman.i@uwclub.net

Photo courtesy of Julian Claxton Photography

In a few short years the couple have helped raise awareness for the charity and provide a vital £10,000 injection with numerous tribute concerts and events countywide that are booked a year in advance. They have also encouraged front-line rescuers, met those snatched from danger and death and forged friendships with countless supporters from all walks of life who attend the events.

“God has been with us in every way, opening so many doors where we have met so many people. It has been an incredible, privileged journey,” explains Norman.

It began with a few simple coffee mornings but has mushroomed into a major enterprise that has showcased some of the legendary greats from the swinging sixties this year. The Honeycombs and Vanity Fare have rocked around the clock at various Norfolk venues to keep the yellow helicopters airborne across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire and help provide night flights and a medic for every trip.

When the couple moved to Norfolk six years ago they were seasoned charity workers looking for a new community

75

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Getting Your Business Noticed Accountant / Book-keeping TaxAssist KJ Accountancy Aggregates Aggregates Agricultural Engineers David E Clarke & Son Animal & Veterinary Services Swallow Aquatics Hill Cottage Cattery Norfolk Dog Training Animal Feed Warehouse Uplands Way Vets Ltd Antiques & Auctions T W Gaze Auction Rooms Architect Andrew P R Love Keith Day Nick Clarke Arts & Crafts Susan’s Work-Basket Artful Pots Wheeler Events Corporate Crystal Bathrooms & Wetrooms Bathrooms by Design ClarkBuild Ltd Beds Diss Bed Centre Sound Sleep Ltd Car Services M G Motors

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Care Home The Beeches 68 Carpentry Bavlowe 25 Carpets, Flooring & Rugs Eye Flooring 17 Alti Bolaq 48 Chimney Sweeps Anglia Chimney Sweeps 6 Cleaning Time For You 19 Anglia Surface Care 70 Computer, Internet, Web & Design Services Quintex Software 62 Philippa Green Web Design 62 Bailiwick IT 62 Curtains, Blinds & Awnings Norwich Sunblinds 22 Cooks Blinds 53 Margaret Manser 19 Dance Lessons Learn to Dance with Helen Gilbee 6 Days & Nights Out Bressingham 39 Banham Zoo 44 Amazona Zoo & Thrigby Wildlife Gdns 41 Dentists & Dentures Botesdale Dental Practice 54 Marlborough Dental Practice 58 DIY Godfrey DIY 80

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Waveney SpringS

and Open Studios

T

he local art collective Waveney Springs will be holding their fifth annual Open Studios Art Trail this September, on the 15th & 16th and the 22nd & 23rd of the month.

Social events have also been, and are being organised, so that the collective can meet as a group to exchange ideas.

Due to the difficulties for the artists to visit each others’ studios during the annual trail, they are opening their studios to the group at a variety of other times. Some studios are also open to members of the public throughout the year.

The group comprises of artists who live and work within a ten mile radius of Diss around the upper reaches of the River Waveney. They aim not only to hold an annual Art Trail but also to give workshops and hold other exhibitions together.

In the run up to the latest Open Studios, the collective are hosting an exhibition at the Diss Corn Hall Gallery and throughout August will be displaying art in many shop windows in Diss.

The group have successfully organised a show at Redgrave and Lopham Fen and by the time this goes to press will have also exhibited at the magnificent Redgrave Church. Last Christmas, Waveney Springs also exhibited in their home base of Diss, displaying work in St Mary’s Church.

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If any artists or makers are interested in joining the group please make contact through the site before November 2012. www.waveneysprings.co.uk

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