Waterfront Life – March/April 2019

ISSUE 27 • MARCH/APRIL 2019

Lifestyle Magazine for Ipswich Residents, Businesses and Visitors

www.waterfrontlife.co

Proud supporter of

Cover photo by JIM BREWIN

WATERFRONT Life

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As I write this, the UK has just experienced its two hottest February days in recorded history.

20 degrees was seen in parts of Suffolk, and Ipswich truly earned its ‘South of France’ comparison, with the sun glistening off the water as visitors adorned outdoor café seating everywhere. Then…normality was restored, when midweek brought the rain in abundance. Ah well, it was nice while it lasted!

Editor’s WORD

The slow improvement in weather, in addition to both waking up and leaving work in daylight, has definitely got us looking forward to spring/summer.

Our new office up on Ransomes Europark has a lovely balcony overlooking… well, the train track, but we’re certainly planning some alfresco working days in the coming months!

CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 info@waterfrontlife.co www.waterfrontlife.co FB & IG @waterfrontlifeips TWITTER @waterfront_life

Wishing all our readers a fabulous spring, and a very happy Easter!

Danielle Stewart

Contents...

LEISURE........................................... 3-14 #WFLVIEWS................................... 15-27 STYLE GUIDE................................28-29

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It’s great to see so many wonderful things happening in the town at the moment, and we’re always very humbled when we are considered to provide a great platform for the word to spread. Now that the Cornhill project has been completed, it will be fantastic to see those water fountains in action, as a programme of events in the square also begins to take shape.

Hoylwells Park has a plethora of activities for the whole family – including the annual Holi festival – many of which are free or very low cost, so make sure you head down and check them out.

EVENTS GUIDE............................. 30-31 TRAVEL.......................................... 32-35 FOOD.............................................36-38

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LEISURE

FRITTO MISTO, AIOLI

THE VIEW FROM THE

SALTHOUSE WRITTEN BY DANIELLE STEWART

One way to determine whether the restaurant you are visiting has a chef worth their salt, is by seeing how much the front of house staff know about the menu they serve. After all, the craft of cooking is something chefs are incredibly passionate about; and this enthusiasm for portraying incredible food should be shared.

Each month, the Salthouse holds a taster night for its team. Here, they learn all about the dishes that head chef, Luke Bailey, has created; where the ingredients have been sourced from, how every component complements each item on the plate, and showcasing the incredible variety of seasonal flavours Suffolk has to offer.

Wines are also paired with each dish, so that the front of house team can confidently recommend suitable bottles to go alongside.

Luke has been an advocate of foraging for his ingredients for over a decade. Growing up around the river banks of the Deben, he joined funghi expert Peter Jordan in hunting out the most delectable and sought-after wild mushrooms in our very own county; bringing them back to his kitchen and discovering an exciting new approach to cooking. Nowadays, he frequents the same spots, as well as exploring new ones, to replenish his stocks of sea vegetables, elderflower and wild garlic – a Spring delicacy here in Suffolk, and an ingredient that will be widely featured on the hotel’s menu in the following months.

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BURRATA, BLOOD ORANGE, FENNEL, PISTACHIO

HOMEMADE BREADS, WHIPPED TRUFFLE BUTTER

BEEF FEATHERBLADE, PARSNIP MASH, BROCCOLI AND SPINACH, FINE BEANS

SEATROUT, ROMESCO SAUCE, ANYA POTATOES, SEA VEGETABLES, FENNEL

PORCINI TAGLIATELLE, CIMI DI RAPA, PARMESAN CREAM

SPECIAL OFFERS

Local ingredients aren’t Luke’s only passion in his craft. Travelling the world has opened his eyes – and palate – to some sensational flavours, incorporated into dishes such as the Moroccan spiced butternut squash and red lentil soup with yoghurt and harissa; a popular dish on the Salthouse’s current menu, and a dish derived from his learnings during time spent with natives in the North African country. Luke has also been fortunate enough to spend time under world-renowned Nordic chef René Redzepi at four-time ‘world’s best restaurant’ Noma, Copenhagen – where his passion for foraging is shared.

MOTHER’S DAY

Afternoon Tea 1pm – 5pm Booking Recommended

SPRING BREAK

March & April B&B and Afternoon Tea £179 for 2 guests

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WORD ON

the

Saints

THE TERRACOTTA TERRACE WRITTEN BY CATHY FROST

The terracotta coloured range of buildings in Silent Street have looked down St Peter’s Street to the Waterfront for over 500 years.

Built at the end of the 15th century as an inn or lodging house, the large timber-framed building consisting of 45 – 47 St Nicholas Street and 1 – 9 Silent Street has been interpreted by architectural historian Leigh Alston, as “one of the most complete and important early Tudor inns anywhere in Britain”.

When the inn was extended in the early 16th century, a finely decorated hall was added to the left of the original inn and accessed through a new entrance porch which extended out into Silent Street in the position of the current shop window. The merchant responsible for this high-status extension is unfortunately not known, but his merchant’s mark can still be seen on the carved corner post.

Much later, probably in the late 18th or early 19th century, the original inn was divided into separate residences and became numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9 Silent Street.

In the 1840s, the shop at number 3 Silent Street was occupied by John Crispin and his family where they ran Crispin & Co, tailors, drapers and hatters. Following the Crispins, the Day family ran their greengrocery business here until 1886. By the turn of the 20th century William Duvall, a bootmaker was living and working at number 3. The shop remained a bootmaker’s until 1936, with the Proctor family taking over in 1910 and Abbott family in 1931. In the 1940s, Tom and Myfanwy Cook opened the College Gateway Bookshop which they ran until the 1980s when the Cox family acquired the business and ran the bookshop until 2015.

Although the shop has stood empty since the bookshop closed, the arrival of new owners in 2017 has seen a period of research and rejuvenation. Whatever the future holds for this wonderful building, it is sure to be part of the vibrant community of the Saints.

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HOLYWELLS

What’s happening in HOLYWELLS WRITTEN BY LIZ HARSANT People sometimes say “I’ve never been into Holywells Park” and, because I use it every day, I look with utter surprise that they have missed what I consider to be the most beautiful Park in our town – or indeed in the whole of the UK! Although a lot of money has been pumped into the Park, it still retains that beautiful, peaceful, restful place we users all love.

However, it is a busy park and has a very active Friends Group. I am the Secretary and have been for a long time. I first joined the Group back in 2000 and we have gone from strength to strength: all of us have a deep love of the Park and have become long lasting friends.

This year we started with a Wassail event.

Very low key, but was held on January 6th (the Twelfth Night) and took place in the Orchard, which was given to the Friends many years ago by the Council. We held hands and walked round the apple trees, singing and giving thanks to the health of the trees in the hope that they will provide a bountiful harvest this autumn.

The Friends have a full schedule for this year, starting with our Spring Event on 23rd March, which will be a great event: with nature trails, an egg roll and other interesting activities – all a little secret at the moment! Come along and see what we have to offer and what fun it can be. The Welcome Spring Event is from midday to 3 p.m.

Whilst the Friends Group are busy with events, so are the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. By the time you read this article, they will have run weekly Wild Tots sessions in the Park; allowing young children to explore. They also run practical conservation activities for young people aged 11 to 16, including surveying skills and citizen science projects.

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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT HOLYWELLS PARK Fridays throughout the year, 10:00am – 11:30am WILD TOTS Discover Holywells Park through exploration and play with a different wildlife themes and Forest School type activities each week.

AGE: 18 MONTHS – 5 YEARS

So back to how these events are run: The Friends Group make a very minimal charge for refreshments and sometimes only ask for donations. Everyone gives up their own time to prepare for these events, and behind the scenes it really does take a lot of organisation. At the same time, Ipswich Borough Council run events and the Friends will help with these days by providing refreshments – this includes the Holi event which is in April and always very popular.

Do look at our website to see what we are offering in the park and do try and come along. www.holywellspark.org.uk

FRIENDS OF HOLYWELLS PARK EVENTS 23rd March, 12 noon – 3:00pm WELCOME SPRING 7th April HOLI (FESTIVAL OF COLOURS) Saturday 22nd June, 2:00pm – 4:00pm SCARECROWS AND BLOSSOM

COST: £4

Saturday 9 March, 1:30 – 3:30pm YOUNG WARDENS Hands on practical conservation skills, surveying techniques and citizen science projects.

AGE: 11 – 16

COST: £3

Friday 12 April, 9:30am – 3:30pm WILD HOLIDAY CLUB Discover Holywells Park’s wild side through exploration, games and wild activities.

AGE: 6 – 11

COST: £15

Saturday 13 April, 1:30pm – 3:30pm YOUNG WARDENS Hands on practical conservation skills, surveying techniques and citizen science projects.

AGE: 11 – 16

COST: £3

Tuesday 16 April, 9:30am – 3:30pm WILD HOLIDAY CLUB Discover Holywells Park’s wild side through exploration, games and wild activities.

AGE: 6-11

COST: £15

All events are available to book at holywellspark.org.uk/events/

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MYSTERY SHOP Report

ESCAPE IPSWICH LOCATION: ORWELL PLACE TIMING: WEEKDAY AFTERNOON

The January slump can hit everyone – and when you work in a team, the effect is felt by all! To liven up the office and get everyone motivated again, why not indulge in a bit of team building? For this Mystery Shop, we got the Waterfront Life and Student Life teams together for a bit of bonding (or so we hoped!), to tackle an escape room. Did we manage to make it out in time (and stay one happy family in the process?). Here’s our review…

LOCATION Escape Ipswich is tucked away out of sight, down Foundation Street in the Unicorn building. Its location and reserved exterior provides a sneak preview of what is in store on the inside! Upon entering, you are immediately met with a flight of stairs – giving the impression this activity isn’t overly accessible to all. We didn’t see a lift at any point during out visit, so this somewhat lets it down. However, being so close to the Waterfront and the town centre means it could be a great day out combined with a meal in a local restaurant: something you don’t often get with venues of this type usually located in out-of-town industrial areas. 4/5

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SERVICE

FUN FACTOR Several of our group had taken part in an escape room before – some were even regulars! But none had attended this particular venue before, so we were given the lowdown on what we needed to do in our room – Contagion – before being shown to it. This location has six different scenarios to choose from, so you can return multiple times and experience something completely new! After being shut in the room – one of the hardest of the six – it was then time to start investigating the clues. A TV screen provides prompts when needed to help you on your way if you seem to be stuck. Needless to say, we can’t share anything in detail, but there were many raised voices AND high fives during our time inside! We managed to work together to crack the room in 41 minutes out of the allotted 60 – just 6 minutes short of beating the room record! With minimal prompts, we were pretty pleased with our efforts. 5/5

VALUE FOR MONEY An escape room isn’t the cheapest activity if you’re looking at money vs time spent, but it certainly ticks the boxes for team building and using your problem-solving skills. At £20pp (£15pp for under-16s), it’s at the higher end of the budget, but the laughs and ridiculous arguments over someone’s bad maths skills are priceless. Plus, they offer a deal in conjunction with Pizza Express; which allows you to include a meal for £34pp. Refuel your tired brain with some dough balls! 4/5

“

As a seasoned escape-roomist (escapist from rooms? Who knows), I was really looking forward to this event and it didn’t disappoint overall, despite the first impressions.

We all agreed we would want to return and crack one of the other rooms (mainly to try and beat the record time!), so we will definitely be making a comeback in 2019!

OVERALL SCORE

4/5

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“

First impressions weren’t outstanding – when we arrived just before our booked time, the door was locked, with no answer! We called the number we had been given for them, and waited for a call back as the lady investigated what was going on. We were then informed that the person due to be there had had car trouble and would be with us in 15-20 minutes. We sat in a local coffee shop while we waited; but for anyone on a stricter schedule, this may have caused issues. Once inside, however, the service shown was great – very friendly and informative without being robotic. It near enough made up for the initial events! 3/5

SPONSORED BY

RESTAURANT

of the year 2018

We were delighted to host our second annual Restaurant of the Year Awards Evening for 2018, on Wednesday 23rd January 2019 at Old Custom House (home of Associated British Ports (ABP) on the Waterfront). This year proved even more difficult to judge than 2017; with an array of new venues popping up throughout the year, putting our reviewers to the test!

As ever, a number of local mystery shoppers were selected in Spring 2018 to undertake four stages of judging, with the final ten venues being invited to our Awards Evening for the announcement of the results in each category:

CATEGORIES: BEST BEST BEST BEST BEST BEST

SMALL COVER INC. TAKEAWAY DESIGN & STYLING CUSTOMER SERVICE WINE & DRINK FOOD OVERALL VENUE

As last year, our finalists ranged from small, independent eateries to larger high-street chain restaurants, with each venue showing a strong sense of customer service, high-quality food and drink, and exceptional standards of interior and exterior design and cleanliness.

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THE FINALISTS WERE

APPLAUD

AURORA

BISTRO ON THE QUAY

CASABLANCA

The Awards Evening consisted of a drinks reception with canapés, followed by an Auction of Promises; raising funds for Student Life’s mental health workshops in Suffolk schools. Over £1,100 was successfully bid on a number of auction lots ranging from household items, to priceless local experiences.

Following the Auction, the Award for each category was presented by a supporter of both Waterfront Life and Student Life: C ATHY FROST

Owner of Loveone R ACHEL GILBEY CHUTNEYZ

DOORSTEPS

Former president of the University of Suffolk SU and director & co-editor of Student Life PAUL AGER

THE FORGE KITCHEN

THE GRAZING SHEEP

Divisional Port Manager for ABP R EV TOM ROUT

Vicar of the Waterfront Churches R OB EVANS

MARINERS 1900

ZIZZI

Area Manager for Makro (sponsors of Restaurant of the Year 2018).

AND THE WINNERS ARE. . .

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WINNERS B EST SMALL COVER INC. TAKEAWAY

The Grazing Sheep B EST DESIGN & ST YLING

Aurora B EST CUSTOMER SERVICE

The Grazing Sheep B EST WINE & DRINK

The Forge Kitchen B EST FOOD

The Forge Kitchen B EST OVERALL VENUE

The Forge Kitchen

We would like to again congratulate each of the worthy finalists for their stellar performance in the competition, and to each Award winner for their exceptional delivery in each category.

THANK YOU Thanks to Daisy Jackaman for providing her stunning vocals to complement the evening, VIP Balloons for their perfectly themed balloon displays, Prestige Bars & Catering for a delicious selection of canapés, GB Imagery for capturing the night in photographic form, and KF Removals for his assistance in transporting our seating for the evening! Finally, to our sponsor Makro, as without their support our Awards would not happen.

GB Imagery is a local enterprise trying to bridge the gap between small Suffolk-based businesses and professional photography and videography. We’re passionate about creating imagery you can be proud to associate with your brand.

At Prestige we like to do things a little differently. Spectacular bars, sumptuous food, friendly staff. We like to think that we do things for our clients as we would want it done for us. No fuss, easy, understated quality.

GEORGE@GBIMAGERY.CO.UK 07756 478692

INFO@PRESTIGEBARS.CO.UK 01473 719787

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DAISY JACKAMAN Daisy is an incredibly talented young singer/songwriter from Essex. She has performed in numerous highprofile venues in the Suffolk and Essex area and can regularly be seen on our very own Waterfront, delighting diners with her smooth vocals in Aurora.

DAISY.JACKAMAN@BTINTERNET.COM 07745 948981

WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMMENCING RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2019 IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS – THE QUESTION IS: HOW WILL YOUR FAVOURITE VENUE DO THIS YEAR?

We would like to extend a special thanks for Kevin at KF Removals for his assistance in a last-minute task prior to our Awards evening.

We contacted Kevin at very short notice, after we were unable to collect the chairs for the evening, provided by Ipswich Academy. Kevin was able to fit our job in around his existing commitments: collecting from the school, delivering to Old Custom House, and collecting the next day (and very early at that!). He and his team did a fantastic job in ensuring our hiccup was dealt with smoothly and efficiently; saving the ROTY team from any further stress!

KF Removals provided a professional, friendly and extremely reliable service and we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Kevin and his team to anyone looking for removal services in the area.

Reliable, local service for all removal needs.

From full house moves, office moves and even single items.

Please ring Kevin for a free quotation

07917 681437

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ENJOY FRESHLY COOKED FOOD IN A RELAXED & FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT We at The Grazing Sheep are all about high quality, freshly cooked food, and in 2019 we will continue to share this passion for food with you. Julian has now created a new menu, following the latest trends and using even more locally sourced produce.

You will still find our fantastic breakfast options like the Full Monty, the very popular Avocado & Poached Eggs on rye bread, as well as freshly-baked pastries. For lunch, you’ll find a selection of deli breads from around the world with amazing fillings; sharing platters; several vegan dishes; and as always, Hopewell Bakery will continue to tempt you with delicious gluten-free cakes. Our juices are freshly squeezed from fabulous varieties of local heritage apples and – of course – Spanish oranges.

If you are a coffee drinker, you may like to try our new coffee additions based on Spanish varieties and styles. Not content with the Cortado? Start your day with a wonderful Café con Leche (a milky white coffee). If you are a latte fan, you will love our Café Manchado, and if you have a sweet tooth, the Café Bon Bon is perfect – a wonderful espresso, sitting on top of condensed milk (a speciality from the Canary Islands).

We are a Licensed Premises and have a selection of Wines and Beers (all Mediterranean of course) to enjoy with your food, and especially to accompany our already famous Tapas. Our Pop-up Tapas evenings will be starting again very soon.

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#WFLVIEWS

BACK TO THE FUTURE We were delighted to be invited to the burial ceremony for a time capsule containing some of the county’s most important historical artefacts and memoirs.

Taking place at the site of The Hold – Suffolk Record Office’s new premises from spring 2020, as well as playing host to new auditorium and teaching facilities – the burial was one of nine taking place in the county on the morning of 28th February; with Lowestoft, Felixstowe and other towns participating in the ceremonies.

The Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre (IWIC) hosted the morning’s events, where we were able to hear from representatives from each of the organisations that have contributed an item to the capsule.

Ipswich Museum spoke about the many wonderful pieces that had passed through the doors of the museum over the years, including the infamous Wool-I-Am woolly mammoth replica – fitting that one of their contributions was a toe bone from the same historical beast.

Ipswich Historic Churches Trust, Ipswich Archaeological Trust and Ipswich Building Preservation Trust discussed their work within the town; looking at the incredible array of centuries-old buildings that grace our streets – photographs of which have been buried in the capsule. Ipswich Maritime Trust, Ipswich Society and Ipswich Arras Association also provided some unusual

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and interesting anecdotes of local life – both historical and current – with letters, photos and items carefully chosen by each, added to the archive. We were blown away by four confident and eloquent pupils from Cliff Lane and Clifford Road Primary Schools, each lending their voice to speak about the items their schools had chosen to donate to the cause.

Suffolk Record Office spoke passionately about its future at The Hold; with a stateof-the-art strongroom well underway at the site; allowing a further 20 years’ worth of archives to be held in addition to its current nine miles of shelving at its current Gatacre Road premises. Ipswich Vision Board chair Terry Hunt closed the speeches with a fitting summary of both past and modern life in Ipswich, with the frequently cited ‘oldest continuously settled town’s’ constant progression and transformation, moving the area well into line with some of the bigger UK cities.

Following the speakers, we moved outside into the site of The Hold; where a reinforced trench had been dug. The mayor Jane Riley joined the primary school children to commence the burial of the capsule, by shovelling spades of ground back into the trench that will become home for the time capsule for the next 100 years.

Port Development I was delighted to move into my new flat just off the Waterfront a couple of months ago. Never before have I lived by the water, so it makes a pleasant change.

However, I see it as my job to campaign for things that will make Ipswich an even better place to live.

One of these priorities is transport. For me, the overriding infrastructure priority needs to be a northern bypass! When it comes to campaigning for this I plan to leave no stone left unturned. So far I’ve met with officials from the Department for Transport on two occasions and the County Council leader, to make clear my strong support.

Interestingly, I also had a long chat with the Secretary of State for International Trade about it as well. Stressing to him the importance of a northern bypass from the perspective of our country’s largest and busiest sea container port: the Port of Felixstowe.

This issue needs to be covered from multiple angles and I will not shy away from being robust in calling for significant financial investment from the Government. Ipswich needs and deserves better transport infrastructure and less traffic. Rest assured, I’m on the case!

TOM HUNT Conservative, Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Ipswich www.tom4ipswich.com

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ART EAT FESTIVAL Art Eat Festival has been awarded a grant from The Big Lottery Fund to work with Zoe Power and produce a community mural in Ipswich. The project’s aim is to address and raise awareness of local issues as well as improve public spaces.

Mural design workshops will be led by Bristol community artist Zoe Power in collaboration with local organisations Emmaus Suffolk, 4YP, Inside Out, Suffolk MIND at Quay Place, YMCA Trinity Group and Suffolk County Council. High hopes are that the mural designed in the workshops will create a positive, uplifting message which is relevant for everyone to enjoy.

Zoe Power says; “I’m very excited to be working with Art Eat Festival. It’s extremely rewarding working with local people to create a bright and positive landmark for the community to take pride and ownership in.”

ZOE POWER MURAL DESIGN WORKSHOP DATES M on 27 May 11–1 and 2–4pm Quay Place, Key Street T ues 28 May 2–4pm Quay Place, Key Street T ues 28 May 11–1pm – 4YP Lower Brook Street 12 – 25 year olds) W ed 29 May 11–1pm – 4YP Lower Brook Street (12 – 25 year olds) W ed 29 May 2–4pm Emmaus at The Dales, Dales Road F ri 31 May 11–1 and 2–4pm Inside Out at Gippeswyk Hall, Gippeswyk Ave PLEASE CALL 07990 802776 FOR MORE DETAILS

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ALL IMAGES CREDITED TO SWPIX.COM

SUFFOLK TO HOST OPENING STAGE OF 2019 OVO ENERGY WOMEN’S TOUR Suffolk will host the opening stage of the 2019 OVO Energy Women’s Tour on Monday 10 June, marking the fifth time that the race has visited the county.

“We are proud to have secured the race in Suffolk for this year and next. This is in no small part due to the success of the previous stages hosted in Suffolk and the strength of our relationship with the race organisers, SweetSpot.

The county also becomes the first venue to be confirmed for the 2020 edition of the race, with the news that Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council will partner with event organisers SweetSpot Group in a two-year deal to bring the UCI Women’s WorldTour event to the county in both 2019 and 2020.

“The Women’s Tour and events like it all contribute to our ambition to make Suffolk England’s most active county. I hope that this year’s race inspires even more people to take up cycling and take part in the wide range of events Suffolk has to offer, such as Women on Wheels as part of an active and healthy lifestyle. It is always a much-celebrated event in Suffolk’s Sporting Calendar, greatly enjoyed by local communities.”

Cllr James Reeder, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Health, said: “We are delighted to welcome the OVO Energy Women’s Tour back to Suffolk for a fifth year, and our fourth time of hosting the Grand Depart.

In a joint statement, Cllr TJ Haworth-Culf, Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Cabinet Member for Customers, Communities and Leisure and Cllr Michael Ladd, Waveney

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District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Tourism said: “It is incredibly exciting that the OVO Energy Women’s Tour is returning to East Suffolk for both 2019 and 2020 as we know our local communities, businesses and schools enjoy getting involved in this sporting spectacle. We are committed to increasing people’s participation in sport and the Women’s Tour will no doubt inspire more people to take up cycling and improve their health and wellbeing.”

In its four previous visits to Suffolk, the OVO Energy Women’s Tour is estimated to have attracted in excess of 250,000 spectators to the roadside and created a net economic impact for the county’s economy of in excess of £3.5 million.

Almost 70% of spectators surveyed following last year’s opening stage, between Framlingham and Southwold, said that the event inspired them to cycle more often.

Commenting on the announcement, OVO Energy Women’s Tour Race Director Mick Bennett said, “We are delighted to be able

to confirm that Suffolk will host the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in both 2019 and 2020. Suffolk have been involved as a host venue since the first edition in 2014 so the extension of our partnership for a further two editions of the race shows the support in the county for the event and their aims to get more people more active.”

This June will mark the fourth time that the OVO Energy Women’s Tour has begun in Suffolk with Bury St Edmunds, Southwold and Framlingham having each hosted the Grand Depart of Britain’s biggest women’s procycling race.

Further details of the 2019 Suffolk stage, including the Start and Finish venues for Stage One, will be announced in early March, ahead of the announcement of the full route for the OVO Energy Women’s Tour.

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CHANGING PERCEPTIONS OF

IPSWICH

One of the roles of the Ipswich Vision is to challenge the perception of Ipswich. Whilst the town has seen a great deal of investment over the last few years, with improvements to both the Waterfront and the town centre, the town still suffers from a negativity in certain quarters. Much of this stems from the groundswell of press regarding the health of our high streets.

But Ipswich is so much more: it can be unexpected, exciting and engaging. The town has at least 15 different cuisines to try; you really can eat yourself around the world.

Ipswich is home to a rich artistic community – including 7 Arts Council funded organisations, recognised internationally for the work and performances they are creating.

A few examples include Dance East based on the Waterfront, in the Jerwood Dance House – a centre for dance and performance art. Red Rose Chain Theatre: famous for bringing Shakespeare to life in the Forest at Jimmy’s Farm during the summer. Pacitti Company; the organisers of Spill Festival, which returned to Ipswich in Autumn 2018. One of the highlights of the Festival was the Clarion Call, a collaboration with 14-18 NOW on the Waterfront.

UPDATE COURTESY OF THE IPSWICH VISION

We are lucky to have four theatres in the town, from Noel Coward at the Red Rose, The John Mills Theatre (home to Eastern Angles), the amazing Panto at the New Wolsey, and world-famous comedians and touring shows performing at the Regent. A tiny snapshot of the breadth and depth available in town: we are the Cultural Capital of Suffolk.

Last year saw an interesting mix of festivals in the town – something to suit a wide range of budgets and tastes. Spill, Maritime Festival, Pulse, Ipswich Music Day, Global Rhythms and the Mela. Many of these events took place in some of our beautiful parks and many will be returning this year. Have you visited Christchurch Mansion, a treasure trove of art, architecture and local history, and currently hosting Rodin’s, The Kiss, or gone to see our life size Mammoth, Wool.i.am at the Ipswich Museum?

There are so many other sides to Ipswich, if you fancy something more active why not take to the river, learn to climb, go bowling or try out trampolining!

For more information on what’s on visit www.allaboutipswich.com and www.ipswichentertains.co.uk

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ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE, TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH WRITTEN BY LOUISE SHADBOLT

We all know that working alone can be quite challenging, and in order to have a successful business like Anglo Norden, you need a team of hardworking and loyal people around you to deliver your vision.

Sometimes it can be a struggle finding that open door to get ourselves into a career, but it is often not as difficult as you might think! Anglo Norden prides itself on creating employment opportunities for those in its immediate area: it relies on people who are based in the Ipswich area, which opens up potential jobs for local residents.

We are all very aware that we spend more time at work than with our own families; so it is important that the correct person is hired for the job, to ensure that they are the right fit for, and enjoy working as part of a team. Anglo Norden’s priority when hiring somebody new is ensuring this person shares the same ethics when it comes to its business: putting the customer first. No matter what role you undertake, customer service is key: whether it is initially speaking to customers, processing orders, arranging shipping, or resolving any problems that may arise during the process.

You would be forgiven for thinking that in order to carry out a role in an industry specific company such as this, you would require a certain level of training or

certification. Surprisingly, this is not the case. Anglo Norden believes that on-the-job training is the most effective tool in learning a new role within the timber supply sector; particularly in relation to the systems it operates, or dealing with its loyal customer base, geographical locations, or the vast range of products offered to the timber industry. Attending a training course and being shown a presentation whilst useful, is often not as beneficial as working with others, seeing, learning and doing the job, picking up the practical elements first hand.

Most of the jobs within Anglo Norden are driven by a reasonable understanding of mathematics, from pricing and building orders in cubic metres to making loads up to make legal weight restrictions, a good grasp of mathematics is very important but not impossible to learn.

Anglo Norden is extremely proud of the quality and knowledge of its staff and is always looking to add to that. If you are keen to learn, Anglo Norden is keen to teach: every day is a school day!

21 • M A R CH / A P R I L 2019 • WATERFRONT LIFE

WATERFRONT Port

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE WRITTEN BY DANIELLE STEWART

Behind every great organisation lies an incredibly diverse and talented workforce. Leading into the future of port operations are a team of skilled apprentices; eagerly learning and adapting to the challenges of everyday life on the port. I met with James Drury, an engineering graduate currently in his final stages of his four-year apprenticeship with ABP. Educated at Stoke High School and undertaking a subsequent Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering at Suffolk One, the progression from school to port in 2015 was a natural step for the 21-year-old – following in the footsteps of his mechanical engineer father.

Having already qualified in the academic aspect of the apprenticeship, James was able to add to his existing knowledge by undertaking an advanced version of the mathematical and electronic principle qualifications during one day a week spent at college. James admits that, whilst the basic principles of these qualifications help within his role, the vast majority of his skillset has come from carrying out on-the-job tasks.

On a regular day at ABP, James can find himself servicing cranes, resolving breakdowns, vehicle electrical maintenance

and a whole host of other tasks. It’s not always easy, even with a wealth of knowledge and skills: James recalls an occasion when a digger required a new starter motor, but it was inaccessible due to its unusual design – so a panel was required to be cut out of the digger’s framework in order to complete the task. Problem-solving plays a large part in this complex role, and James often finds himself presented with challenging assignments to find solutions for. His favourite part of the job? Jumping in a cherry-picker to fix lighting towers!

James loves the variety ABP offers within its operations and enjoys working in a highly skilled and experienced team of engineers – the average age of the workforce back in 2017 was 49. The future looks bright (no pun intended!) for James’ career, and he looks forward to his hard work paying off when receiving his certificate of qualification in August this year.

To celebrate National Apprenticeships Week (4th – 8th March), ABP are giving their apprentices the chance to reverse roles – by spending one day shadowing a manager within the organisation, and the following day vice versa. Could we see Port Manager Paul Ager atop a cherry-picker this month?

Watch this space!

22 • M A R CH / A P R I L 2019 • WATERFRONT LIFE

WATERFRONT Legal

ASBESTOS CONTINUES TO CAUSE THE LOSS OF LIVES WRITTEN BY PHOEBE OSBORNE

Currently 4,500 people in the UK die each year from asbestos related diseases, half of which die from mesothelioma, a fatal form of lung cancer caused by inhalation of asbestos dust. Other asbestos diseases include asbestos related lung cancer, pleural thickening and asbestosis which can also lead to death.

Most people who have been exposed to asbestos never suffer any illness, but those who do develop symptoms 20, 30 or 40 years later, are diagnosed during retirement or whilst working to care for families. It is no longer only construction workers, plumbers and carpenters who are being diagnosed, in the last decade an increasing number of their spouses, along with teachers, former pupils, and nurses have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, showing you do not need to work directly with asbestos to be at future risk.

When someone is diagnosed with an asbestos disease they should contact a solicitor to seek advice about bringing a legal claim against their former employer.

We regularly obtain payments using the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS) – this is available where the defendant company has no insurance, or when no defendant company can be found.

Sadly some victims are only diagnosed with mesothelioma at inquest, but it is not uncommon to settle a claim after death, based on witness evidence and investigation work.

PHOEBE OSBORNE Phoebe is a Solicitor specialising in asbestos related disease claims. She is recognised by the Association of Personal Injury Solicitors (APIL) as an accredited Litigator.

T: 01473 849949 E: phoebe.osborne@ashtonslegal.co.uk

for all your legal needs 01473 849949 23 • M A R CH / A P R I L 2019 • WATERFRONT LIFE

WATERFRONT Residential

QUAYSIDE THE MILL IPSWICH

£250,000

2 bedroom DUPLEX apartment situated in the Ipswich marina area, within walking distance of the Railway station and town as well as the vibrant Waterfront with Cafes, Bars and Restaurants..

The top floor of this apartment comprises of open plan kitchen/diner & lounge with door out to enclosed balcony with partial waterfront views.

No Onward Chain

Nicholas Estates• 01473 215743 • www.nicholasestates.co.uk

A FRESH START WRITTEN BY REV. TOM ROUT

It was once common for people to ask their local vicar about baptism (sometimes also called ‘christening’).

There was a time when baptism was viewed as a kind of spiritual insurance policy – the idea being that baptism booked you a place in heaven.

Nowadays there’s less cultural pressure to get baptised, and we’re able to be clearer with people what baptism is really all about. Very simply it’s about making a fresh start. (Not any kind of fresh start, mind. There are a great many personally significant lifeevents, that baptism wasn’t designed to mark) Baptism is specifically about making a fresh start with God. Many people know they’ve gone wrong at points along life’s way and wish they could start over. The good news is, God promises us a fresh start, and a new life with him, if we reach out a hand to Jesus.

Baptism is God’s way of marking that promise to us in a tangible and public way.

It’s a powerful symbolic act performed in church with water. (The amount of water doesn’t matter. Some give you a little splash, while others submerge you completely!) But it’s more than mere symbolism. It’s real!

If we take baptism at face value, believing God’s promise to us, then God is true to his word – we’ll have a fresh start with God that transforms our lives.

For me, the most memorable baptism was probably the first one I took, as a trainee vicar in Leicestershire. A couple were asking

for baptism for their son. But as we talked the father said he’d not been baptised. We discussed how important it is for parents to set an example for their children to follow in. So the father decided there and then that he’d like to get baptised too. He’d do it with his son, to mark the beginning of a journey with God that they could both go on. We’re still in touch with that family, and father and son are still following Jesus to this day.

The ‘still following’ bit is important. After all, there’s no point making a fresh start, unless we mean to go on. That’s why we encourage people to come to church for 6 months before thinking about baptism for their children. That gives people time to consider the implications of making a fresh start with God – throwing yourself fully into life with God’s family, the church.

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WATERFRONT History

ALL ABOUT…

SUFFOLK RECORD OFFICE & THE HOLD Time capsules – capturing the present for the future WRITTEN BY AMY RUSHTON People sometimes assume the Record Office is only interested in preserving documents from the past; however, our mission includes collecting a record of the present, preserving it, and making it accessible for the use and enjoyment of future generations.

This means we will never stop collecting (and our collections never stop growing!).

The Suffolk Local History Council’s ‘Parish Recorder’ scheme is a key means by which the Record Office is able to gather these snapshots of the present at a local level (see https://slhc.org.uk/recorders/) – something only possible through the dedication and hard work of the many volunteer ‘parish recorders’.

More recently, we’ve been working on another way to capture the present: by developing a series of time capsules around the county!

With 2019 seeing the development of ‘The Hold’ AND the 900th anniversary of the oldest item in the collections (the Royal Charter of

The Eye Charter (IRO/HD1538/7) of 1119

King Henry I to the monks at Eye) we thought it was an appropriate year to capture Suffolk life, with a view to people retrieving the capsules 100 years from now.

So, working with a team from the Suffolk Graduate Partnership Scheme (www.risinghighsuffolk.org.uk) we’ve worked with local schools, community groups, sports clubs, and other organisations to gather content for capsules at: ury St Edmunds B Eye Framlingham Felixstowe Haverhill

Ipswich Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket

Participants have produced letters, drawings, diary extracts, oral history recordings, photographs, and small artefacts for inclusion. Anything that people feel is important about where they live, or what they would like people in 100 years to understand about Suffolk life in 2019!

Among other things, the team ran activity sessions with many schools to generate content. For example, at Langer Primary School in Felixstowe, exercises included learning about Felixstowe 100 years ago (which included trying a delicious Pea Soup recipe from 1919!), capturing Felixstowe as it is now, and designing inventions for the Felixstowe of the future (from flying cars to robotic unicorns and more!).

Meanwhile, pupils from Eye Primary School explored the history of the old grammar school (founded in 1471) and included the school tie, historic photographs, and the grammar school song, which includes the beautiful lines:

Ancient that picture of work and leisure Romantic the thought that these rooms evermore Will hallow the secrets and know all the pleasures Of many of those who have gone on before

Pupils from Langer Primary Academy learning about the history of the Seafront Gardens for their capsule

By the time this article is published, the capsules will have been buried (on February 28th). But that’s not the end of the project; another capsule is already under development for Stoke by Nayland, and later this year the Record Office will start working with partners to develop ‘digital history trails’ around each location, taking in some of the important The Ipswich capsule, historical buildings which will be buried in the grounds of The Hold and features.

People will be able to follow the trails using their smart phones, as well as by traditional means. We hope the first trail will be launched on Suffolk Day 2019 – details will appear at www.thehold.org.uk nearer the time!

STYLE

THE POWER

SUPPORTED BY

of the SUIT FASHION EDITOR PAM DAVIS

We know all the benefits of wearing a finely tailored suit – it makes you feel refined and put together. Suits are no longer considered part of just a male attire: they are definitely – as with so many other items – unisex clothing.

Traditional styles are often too masculine, too stuffy, with shoulder pads and certainly not flattering. And I’m willing to bet the last time you even thought about the suit that’s stuffed at the back of your wardrobe it was for a job interview, and then you threw it right back into its hiding place!

Suits are precious investment pieces in any wardrobe. You don’t have to worry about your look, as this outfit can be worn from work to special parties. It’s an easy-to-style apparel, that has an incredibly strong appearance. A suit is the epitome of stylish—and it makes getting dressed a doddle!

The great thing about suit is the easiness of styling. As you can buy plain coloured design and wear it with your favourite bags and accessories.

A double breasted jacket is the perfect way to add a commanding and powerful element to your work ensemble.

Personally, I love suits with high-waisted trousers and side pockets. I love having fun with different colours and styles. Depending on our body shape, we can choose from boyfriend inspired sizes, loose-fit trousers, as well as fitted, edgy and slim ones.

There are suits to suit every style, featuring cool colours, leg lengths, widths and shapes.

Whether you’re into pastels or bold colours, prints or textures, there is something out there for both men and women.

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SUIT STYLES THE CHECK Set yourself apart with various check patterns – perfect for work to evening wear.

DRESS IT DOWN To keep yours from looking too formal, pair a matching blazer and trousers with a simple white tee, and throw on some Vans or white sneakers.

If your job (or the occasion) allows it, swap out the trousers all together in exchange for tailored shorts.

GO BOLD Have fun with colours: you can go from classic white and black to purples, greens, yellows... the list is endless. Be brave with different textures and patterns, too!

CROP IT Cropped suits with some playful shoes completes this look. Even a Bermuda length (think: cut right above the knee, but fitted through the thigh) will make any suit look way more casual.

MIX & MATCH Great way of mixing and matching contrasting jackets and trousers for a super stylish look.

ACCESSORIES Don’t forget accessories are the key to completing any outfit. Add jewellery and accessories: keep it bold, and eye-catching.

TURTLENECK Layer your suit with the classic turtleneck for that transitional time between winter and spring.

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WATERFRONT Live WRITTEN BY GRAHAM CLEAVER

Graham Cleaver is a director of Ipswich Community Radio (ICRfm), where he presents the Monday Breakfast Show. 105.7fm, online, Radioplayer and Tune In apps.

Spring begins on the Waterfront with a flowering of live music gigs sure to chase away any vestiges of winter gloom. Our premier live venues burst with opportunities over the next two months to hear familiar artists and discover new ones – hard to know where to start…

Well, let’s start with the Greatest Living Englishman. Certainly, this may be his own description, but columnist, poet and musician Martin Newell could be said to live up to the title. Those of us who have been around the Ipswich music scene for a while will have fond memories of Mr Newell fronting the early incarnation of prog pioneers Gypp. I saw the band, which also featured local guitar hero Ian Peppercorn, many times; since then I have been entertained and stimulated by Martin Newell’s newspaper columns, both in the Nationals and in the EADT, and his fine poetry, much of which pays homage to our part of the world and its folk tales. Martin escapes from his beloved Wivenhoe to play St Peter’s on March 22nd; the evening will feature his poems and also his music with the excellent Hosepipe Band (great pun, guys).

The following evening at the same venue provides a chance to hear another stalwart of local music, Nick Lightbody, with his band – er – Lightbody. They’ll be presenting their recent album ‘Never saw It Coming…’ with a lineup augmented with brass and strings.

The Steamboat has a massive programme of fine music over the next two months, from local punk heroes Red Flag 77 to The Toasters, a well rated ska band from New York, and taking in the lovely Reb Capper among many others on the way.

Another highly rated singer/songwriter, Keith Sadler, launches his new album at the Cycle Café on March 29th.

Two fine folk acts grace the Sailing Barge Victor’s cosy cabin – the Harbour Lights trio play in March, with the Silburys (local favourites Silbury Hill augmented to a four piece) in April.

Finally, Crisium, a fascinating band spanning classical, rock and prog, and demonstrating fine composition and playing, are at St Peter’s in March and at the start of May with two different shows.

Well worth a listen.

Check the gig guide for more delights for your live music diary, and the venue websites for more details.

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GIG GUIDE MARCH 2019 Sun

10

Isaac’s Steamboat Waterfront Bar Bistro

Rich Young Sounds On Sunday: Ady Johnson 14:00 Stephanie Jane Oliver 15:00

Fri

15

SB Victor Steamboat St Peter’s

Folk On The Boat: Harbour Lights Trio 19:30 £18 inc. supper Open Mic Night Spacecake – support: Tom Parkes Doors 19:00 (standing only gig) £5

Sat

16

Steamboat St Peter’s

Aartwork 20:00 Crisium – Letters From the Voyage 20:00 £10

Sun

17

Briarbank Isaac’s Waterfront Bar Bistro

Sunday Jazz 13:30 The Shamrock Brothers 15:00, The Blarney Rovers 19:00 Hope Murphy 15:00

Fri

22

St Peter’s

Martin Newell and the Hosepipe Band 19:30 £10/£8 concs.

Sat

23

St Peter’s

Lightbody doors 19:20 £10 adv/£12 on the door

Sun

24

Isaac’s Waterfront Bar Bistro

James Nunn 15:00 MJ Soul 15:00

Thurs

28

Steamboat

Folk at the Boat Jam Night 20:00

Fri

29

La Tour Cycle Cafe Steamboat St Peter’s

Keith Sadler – album launch party 19:00 £8/£12 inc CD Open Mic Night Solana 19:30 £8 adv

Sat

30

Steamboat

East Town Pirates with Witch Doktors, Pussycat and the Johnsons 19:00 £10

Sun

31

Isaac’s Steamboat

Chelsea Francis 15:00 Jazz Lunch with La Fontaine 14:00

GIG GUIDE APRIL 2019 Fri

5

St Peter’s

Swing Machine (Jazz by the Waterfront) 19:45 £10 adv

Sat

6

St Peters

St Peter’s Band – Bienvenido El Sol 19:30 £6 adv/£8 otd

Sun

7

Isaac’s Waterfront Bar Bistro

Jax and Co 15:00 Dionne Clarke 15:00

Thurs

11

The Steamboat

Polly Haynes 20:30

Fri

12

SB Victor Steamboat

Folk On The Boat: The Silburys 19:30 £18 inc. supper Open Mic Night

Sat

13

Steamboat

Reb Capper and band 20:00

Sun

14

Isaac’s Steamboat Waterfront Bar Bistro

Great Craic 15:00 Sounds On Sunday: Jade MayJean 14:00 Casper Clarke 15:00

Wed

17

Steamboat

The Toasters (touring NYC ska band) tickets – contact venue; 18:00

Sat

20

Steamboat

Punk charity fundraiser: Red Flag 77/Smart Alex/The Threat

Sun

21

Briarbank Isaac’s Waterfront Bar Bistro

Sunday Jazz 13:30 Retrobates 15:00 Irie J 15:00

Thurs

25

Steamboat

Folk at the Boat Jam Night 20:00

Fri

26

Steamboat

Open Mic Night

Sat

27

Steamboat St Peter’s

EMF/Dingus Khan Simply Swing – a little history of swing music 19:30 £12/£14

Sun

28

Isaac’s Lucky No. 7 15:00 Steamboat Jazz Lunch with La Fontaine 14:00 Waterfront Bar 31 Bistro Man 15:00• WATERFRONT LIFE • JA NSoul UA RY 2019

Travel Health is a complex area of medicine. Outbreaks can impact recommendations more frequently than you might think, so it is always important to seek expert advice before you depart. The ideal is 4-6 weeks before you go but remember that short notice advice is always better than no advice at all.

We know that many myths float around regarding travel health.

Can you tell your fact from fiction?

TRAVEL

E V A TR

H T L A L HE

1. “YOU DON’T NEED INSECT REPELLENT IF YOU DON’T GET MOSQUITO BITES” FICTION

Everyone is at risk from mosquitoes, the truth is that not everyone reacts to bites in the same way and it really does just take one bite. Particularly dangerous if you are in a country where malaria, yellow fever, zika or dengue are prevalent.

2. “I HAD MY VACCINATIONS YEARS AGO SO I’LL HAVE TO START FROM THE BEGINNING” FICTION

Many vaccinations offer long term protection, particularly if you’ve had boosters and some even offer lifetime protection.

There is rarely a need to start from scratch but you should always consult an expert who can advise further.

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3. “MOSQUITOS FIND US PARTLY BY SMELL. GARLIC, MARMITE AND VITAMIN B ALL HAVE ZERO EFFECT ON PREVENTING MOSQUITO BITES” FACT

This is true. Bite prevention is the only real way to protect yourselves in countries where mosquitoes are present. Multiple studies show that insect repellents with any of these four ingredients will work (if used correctly): DEET, Picaridin, PMD or IR3535. In addition, experts recommend wearing long-sleeved loose-fitting clothing, sleeping under mosquito nets and steering clear of standing water where mosquitoes are particularly fond of congregating.

4. “I WAS BORN IN MADAGASCAR AND MOVED AWAY TEN YEARS AGO. I VISIT MY FAMILY EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS AND CONTINUE TO TAKE ANTIMALARIAL TABLETS AS I KNOW I NEED PROTECTIONS DESPITE BEING BORN THERE”.

FACT

This is true. Protective immunity is far from guaranteed and usually only applies (in a limited way) to those who were born and raised in the malarial country and repeatedly exposed. Any immunity these individuals

would have had wanes rapidly on moving to a country with no risk of malaria.

5. “I’M TRAVELLING TO SOUTH EAST ASIA NEXT YEAR AND ASKED MY FRIENDS WHAT VACCINES I’LL NEED. AS THEY DIDN’T NEED ANY AND WERE OK, I’M NOT GETTING ANY EITHER” FICTION

One size does not fit all. People visiting the same destination, even on the same trip, can often receive different advice. This advice is based on medical conditions (past and current) and previous vaccination history, as well as on planned accommodation and activities.

The last thing anyone wants is to become ill whilst away or shortly after returning home.

Put simply, wonderful memories are the only souvenirs that you would want to bring back, and MASTA are perfectly placed to help make that happen. Visit one of our Ipswich clinics (we have close to 200 across the UK) and leave with that all-important peace of mind, knowing that you are as prepared as you can be for your travels.

Book your appointment at www.masta-travel-health.com

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BANGKOK TO BOMBAY IN 21 DAYS

WRITTEN BY AMBER DANIELS

When I left Sixth Form, I longed to travel the world on a gap year, but working part-time during my studies meant I couldn’t afford the lifestyle; I’m definitely not a ‘backpacker’, so hostel life wasn’t my ideal! So I put it off indefinitely, and before I knew it ‘life’ turned into ‘adulthood’.

When my boyfriend decided to take eight months out to travel around Asia in 2016; envy was an understatement. Fast forward four months, and on Boxing Day I rocked up at Heathrow with my backpack fully loaded (I succumbed to at least having ‘the look’ of a traveller…) and boarded my plane to Bangkok.

The next morning, I arrived bleary-eyed in Thailand’s capital. We spent two nights in a cosy hotel tucked away in a back street, just minutes from Khao San Road. If you’ve ever seen the film ‘The Beach’, you’ll know that Khao San is fondly referred to as ‘the centre of the backpacking universe’ – and it’s easy to see why. Teeming with market stalls, bars, street food and internet cafés; it really is the bustling hub of all things travel.

After our short stint in Bangkok, checking out the temples, tuk-tuks and eating questionable snacks (fried scorpion, anyone?) it was time to take the 8-hour trip via bus and ferry to Koh Phang-an; one of several islands in the Gulf of Thailand. New

Year’s Eve was just around the corner and the looming Full Moon Party on Haad Rin beach had me buzzing with anticipation.

But there is so much more to this tropical paradise than partying on the shore: hiring a 4x4 for the day, we took a drive around the island roads, stumbling across hidden beach coves, waterfalls and views that I had only seen in movies. For the vegans and healthfood lovers, Karma Kafe is well worth a trip across the island to sample the delicious menu of beetroot burgers, handmade

34 • M A R CH / A P R I L 2019 • WATERFRONT LIFE

energy bars and revitalising smoothies.

Despite #health, we did take a one-night trip to Koh Tao to join the infamous – and originally named – Koh Tao Pub Crawl: definitely a night to remember (if you manage to!) The only dampener on our Thai travels was the weather: it was unseasonably wet, with only two days of sunshine in the duration of our stay! After 10 days of island life, our time in Thailand was up. We spent a final night back in Bangkok before heading to our next destination: India.

Our first – and most obvious – stop was Mumbai. This was the most interesting and surprising part of my trip; for some reason, I had it in my head that India would be more Third-World than metropolitan, and while for the most part you could see the poverty and overpopulation of the country down every street and in every slum, there were beautiful pockets of nirvana everywhere we ventured. The highlight of a crazy 24 hours in Mumbai (where it took twice as long in a car to get anywhere than it did to walk – if you think London traffic is bad, wait til you experience this!): visiting the Gateway to India; a beautiful yet bizarre experience – we spent more time being asked for selfies by the locals than taking our own photographs.

After the Bombay bustle, we retreated to the serene coast of Goa. In contrast to the wet, tropical conditions of Thailand, Goa delivered the sunshine in spades.

It was here that we truly experienced Indian hospitality; staying in a family-run

apartment block a short walk from the white sandy beach overlooking the Arabian Sea. Savouring local delicacies in a beach shack was a welcome break from hours of sunbathing, and the beautiful weather got us out exploring; we headed to Dudhsagar Falls – an incredible 320m high waterfall, with a swimming area below and countless monkeys zipping around the rocks!

The final leg of our trip was a spontaneous 3 days in Anjuna and Arambol, in northern Goa. We read about the ‘hippy’ vibe of these two fisherman villages, and headed to the famous flea market to pick up some souvenirs of our trip. Home to one of the most beautiful beaches in India, Arambol hosts a ‘sweet water lake’, and if you go off the beaten track into the forest behind, you’ll stumble across a banyan tree that has an unusual attraction!

Three weeks in Asia was whirlwind, fascinating, and unforgettable: it just goes to show that you’re never too old to go ‘travelling’. And all on a budget of around £1,500 (including flights), it was a trip that anyone can do with a little saving, adventure and an open mind to their itinerary!

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FOOD

IMAGE CREDIT: EAT LIKE A GIRL

Spring-spiration Whether you’re keen for the kitchen, or prefer ready-made to rustling up, spring is a great time to start seeking out new ideas to turn those warming meals of the winter past, into some fresh, vibrant nosh. We’ve scoured the socials to bring you a selection of the best UK food bloggers online – check out their posts for some serious #foodinspo!

DELICIOUSLY ELLA

EAT LIKE A GIRL

If you haven’t head of Ella Woodward, where have you been? Here’s the low-down: after being diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome, Ella underwent a complete lifestyle change and now focuses solely on eating and creating whole, plant-based foods. On Deliciously Ella she features incredibly healthy versions of typically unhealthy dishes.

Irish-born Niamh Shields is a London-based food and travel blogger. She describes herself as a wanderer, and when she’s not wandering, she can be found in her kitchen or a restaurant or wine bar. Featuring plenty of gratuitous ‘food porn’ photos, Niamh’s posts are either her own recipes or those that she’s picked up on her travels.

Must try: raw brownies

Must try: kimchee quesadilla

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GREEDY GOURMET Greedy Gourmet was established February 2007 and has ever since been dishing out recipe posts and photographs that make your mouth water. With a tagline reading ‘Always thinking of the next meal’, Michelle has certainly got us flicking through recipe after recipe and planning what we’re going to be cooking up next.

Must try: slow cooker Nutella fudge

PINCH OF NOM Pinch of Nom not only has a banging selection of recipes, but they also update you on foodie news. They offer recipes for all of those fast-food chains we love and plenty of veggie and vegan offerings, too.

Must try: firecracker chicken

IMAGE CREDIT: GREEDY GOURMET

TINNED TOMATOES Jacqueline Meldrum calls herself ‘the Scottish vegetarian’, and Tinned Tomatoes features more than 500 vegetarian and vegan recipes. The name ‘Tinned Tomatoes’ is a reminder to Jacqueline that there’s more to vegetarian cooking than just that, as it used to be her staple ingredient when she first began creating recipes.

Must try: Oreo and caramel cheesecake

One to Watch:

IMAGE CREDIT: PINCH OF NOM

Each month, we’ll be bringing you a new food trend that is set to take the UK food market by storm! This spring, goat is making waves in the food industry in its many forms – think goat curry, goats’ milk and goats’ cheese all featuring highly on menus around the country.

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HOT CROSS

BUNS

by Paul Hollywood

We couldn’t let Easter go by without bringing you a staple of the weekend...Hot cross buns are perfect with an afternoon cuppa – serve lightly toasted with melting butter.

FOR THE BUNS 3 00ml full-fat milk, plus 2 tbsp more 50g butter 500g strong bread flour 1 tsp salt 75g caster sugar 1 tbsp sunflower oil 7g sachet fast-action or easy-blend yeast 1 egg, beaten 75g sultanas 50g mixed peel Zest 1 orange 1 apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped 1 tsp ground cinnamon

FOR THE CROSS 7 5g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

FOR THE GLAZE 3 tbsp apricot jam

1. Bring 300ml full-fat milk to the boil, then remove from the heat and add butter. Leave to cool until hand temperature. Put bread flour, salt, caster sugar and yeast into a bowl. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the warm milk and butter mixture, then add the egg. Using a wooden spoon, mix well, then bring everything together with your hands until you have a sticky dough.

2. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and knead by holding the dough with one hand and stretching it with the heal of the other hand, then folding it back on itself. Repeat for 5 mins until smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr or until doubled in size and a finger pressed into it leaves a dent.

3. With the dough still in the bowl, tip in sultanas, mixed peel, orange zest, apple and cinnamon. Knead into the dough, making sure everything is well distributed. Leave to rise for 1 hr more, or until doubled in size, again covered by some well-oiled cling film to stop the dough getting a crust.

4. Divide the dough into 15 even pieces (about 75g per piece). Roll each piece into a smooth ball on a lightly floured work surface. Arrange the buns on one or two baking trays lined with parchment, leaving enough space for the dough to expand. Cover (but don’t wrap) with more oiled cling film, or a clean tea towel, then set aside to prove for 1 hr more.

5. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix 75g plain flour with about 5 tbsp water to make the paste for the cross – add the water 1 tbsp at a time, so you add just enough for a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag with a small nozzle.

Pipe a line along each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses. Bake for 20 mins on the middle shelf of the oven, until golden brown.

6. Gently heat apricot jam to melt, then sieve to get rid of any chunks. While the jam is still warm, brush over the top of the warm buns and leave to cool.

38 • M A R CH / A P R I L 2019 • WATERFRONT LIFE

39 • M A R CH / A P R I L 2019 • WATERFRONT LIFE

Ipswich Woodbridge Felixstowe

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www.nicholasestates.co.uk

Cardinal Lofts

Mill House

1 Bed(s) £110,000

1 Bed(s) £119,995

Quayside, The Mill, College Street

Cromwell Square

The Foundry

2 Bed(s) £250,000 more details on page 24

1 Bed(s) £130,000

1 Bed(s) £145,000

Anchor Street

Neptune Marina

Capstan House

Neptune Marina

2 Bed(s) £190,000

2 Bed(s) £190,000

2 Bed(s) £255,000

2 Bed(s) £495,000

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Find full property details at www.nicholasestates.co.uk

The Shamrock

Neptune Square

The Shamrock

Neptune Marina

1 Bed(s) £695pcm

2 Bed(s) £895pcm

2 Bed(s) £1,800pcm

2 Bed(s) £1,850pcm

IPSWICH

15 Neptune Quay Ipswich IP4 1AX 01473 21574 3

EAST IPSWICH

WOODBRIDGE

46 Hening Avenue 24 Thoroughfare Ravenswood IP3 9Q J Woodbridge IP12 1AQ 4 0 •01473 M A R CH / A P R I L 2019 • WATERFRONT 288031 01394 610595 LIFE

FELIXSTOWE

173 Hamilton Road Felixstowe, IP11 7DR 01394 282828