Light Fantastic Photography Exhibition at Fairhaven Garden Norfolk Broads

Visitors to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham, Norfolk Broads, can view the finalists in the garden’s ‘Light Fantastic’ photography competition on display in the tearoom until Friday, January 11, when the winners of the adult and under 12 categories will be announced. All photographs entered in the competition were taken at Fairhaven. The garden is open every day over the Christmas period, but is closed on Christmas Day.

Photograph by David Balcombe, adult finalist

Wildlife photographer, Peter Mallett who headed the judging panel, which chose a shortlist of eight adult entries and three under 12 entries, said: “The judges were particularly impressed with the way photographers had thought about the theme when composing their entries. This was particularly evident in some of the under 12 photographs.”

The winners’ prizes will be:

Adult – a Kata press reporter bag from Wex Photographic, a print of the winning photograph framed by Peter Mallett, plus a year’s Fairhaven Garden family membership. The photograph will also feature on the cover of the local Village Book.

Under 12 – an Olympus VG-130 compact Camera from Wex Photographic, a print of the winning photograph framed by Peter Mallett, plus a year’s Fairhaven Garden family membership.

Photograph by Callum Lewis under 12 finalist

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk, tel. 01603 270449.

The garden is open daily all year (closed Christmas Day), free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales. There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance, mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

Greater Yarmouth Tourism Reveals Seaside Nostalgia Success

Greater Yarmouth Tourism launched its 2013 campaign on Tuesday 11 December in the historic Grade I listed  St George's Theatre to an audience of more than 200 tourism professionals, representing businesses in the Borough. St George’s Theatre reopened in November following a £8 million refurbishment programme.

Great Yarmouth now attracts more than 5 million visitors to the resort per annum and tourism comprises nearly 30% of the borough’s workforce.

Councillor Colleen Walker, Her Worship the Mayor of Great Yarmouth, unveiled the 2013 brochure. The brochure’s art deco style cover with a modern twist celebrates the increasing interest in the British seaside and growing nostalgia for childhood holidays.  The 2013 TV advert, filmed at a range of Great Yarmouth locations over summer also had its première at the event.

Councillor Michael Jeal, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Business and Vice Chair of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority, revealed the 2011 economic impact of tourism figures, which demonstrate that the ‘stay and daycation’ trend continues in Great Yarmouth.  The number of visitors to the resort is now 5.085 million (4.408 million in 2010), with the value to the local economy up at £531,865,000 (£501,358,000 in 2010). Employment in tourism related jobs is also up to 10,262 (9,551 in 2010), comprising 29.3% of the workforce (27.3% in 2010).

The full results for 2012 will not be available until next year but the performance of
www.great-yarmouth.co.uk with unique visits breaking half a million by the end of November, up 29% on the final total for 2011, supports the trend for continued growth.  In addition, online accommodation bookings and booking value have doubled since the website launched in 2009.

Councillor Michael Jeal said: “This year will long be remembered for the success of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The weather had an impact on the start of the season in Great Yarmouth, but the summer and early autumn saw the resort celebrating in style with the Olympic Torch Relay, Maritime Festival, Heritage Open Days, Out There Festival, the Tour of Britain cycle race and the International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring Convention.”

“Tourism is vital to the economy of the Borough,” added Councillor Jeal. “It is equally vital for the public and private sectors to continue to work together to capitalise on the renewed interest in the British seaside holiday. We have impressive growth in visitor numbers and employment, but slower growth in the overall tourism income. Money continues to be tight, so we must maintain our focus on improving quality combined with value for money.”

Great Yarmouth is a top ten UK seaside resort, which attracts more than 5 million tourists and day-trippers a year. With 65,000 bed spaces across the Borough, a third of all holiday nights spent in Norfolk are tourists staying in Greater Yarmouth. Nearly 25% of all holidays nights spent in Norfolk and Suffolk combined are taken in the Borough of Great Yarmouth.

St George’s Theatre  is a Grade 1 listed building; originally a chapel completed in 1721.  St George’s Trust runs the theatre on behalf of Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority (GYTA) is a unique public / private sector partnership, founded in 1994. It brings together all partners from both the public and private sector to ensure that together we can collectively provide a better resort to help businesses survive and flourish and ensure that jobs are created and sustained.

Photograph left to right: Ken Sims Chairman Greater Yarmouth Tourism Authority, Cllr Colleen Walker, Mayor of Great Yarmouth and Cllr Michael Jeal Cabinet Member for Tourism and Business.

St Seraphim’s Chapel – Orthodox Christian Faith and Railway Heritage in Walsingham Norfolk

St Seraphim's Trust (est. 2005), based in the former Walsingham Railway Station Norfolk, home to St Seraphim’s Orthodox Chapel since 1967, has received a stage one Heritage Lottery Fund Grant.

The grant is being used to develop plans for a full Heritage Lottery bid in spring 2013 for funds to interpret and present to visitors the story of St Seraphim’s, a centre for traditional Orthodox Icon painting for more than 40 years, along with the building’s railway heritage (1857-1964).

St Seraphim’s Orthodox Chapel is located next to the coach park in Little Walsingham and is open daily. “Visitors are always very welcome,” said Project Manager Sylvia Batchelor. “We are very interested in finding out how visitors respond to the chapel and our heritage. This will help with the development of our plans.”

St. Seraphim’s Trust aims to build on the long tradition of Orthodox Icon painting carried out by Father David (d 1993) and Leon Liddament (d. 2010) at the chapel for more than 40 years. Their icons were highly regarded and can be seen in churches and homes throughout the UK and worldwide. The icons of early British saints including local saints were an important part of their work

“We are delighted to have been invited to stage an exhibition of Father David and Leon Liddament’s Icons in The Hostry, Norwich Cathedral in December 2013,” said Sylvia Batchelor. “This will bring their work to a new audience and help raise the profile of our project in Walsingham.”

The project will make the chapel and the rest of the building, including the surviving station platform and the large garden behind the platform, fully accessible to all visitors. Plans include a display area for Father David and Leon Liddament’s Icons, and workshop spaces where courses and events will be held to enable people to learn about iconography and its role in the Orthodox Christian faith.

Work has already begun to develop a community garden, a natural space to complement the spirituality of the chapel and provide a calming and natural reflective environment for use by pilgrims and the local community. A viewing hut has been established from which visitors can see all the religious sites in Walsingham.

“We particularly need a key volunteer to help manage the garden and volunteers to work on St Seraphim’s archives,” added Sylvia Batchelor.

The story of the Orthodox faith in Walsingham began in the 1930s when emigré Russian priests visited the Anglican Shrine. A Pan-Orthodox Chapel was established at the Anglican Shrine in 1945. But the growth of interest in the Orthodox faith led to the development of St Seraphim’s Chapel in the old railway station in 1967. Father David, the priest in charge led a Lay Brotherhood of St Seraphim and created the Icon workshop. Further growth in the Orthodox community saw the opening of the Holy Church of the Transfiguration in Great Walsingham in 1988.

For more information about St Seraphim’s Trust and the chapel email Sylvia Batchelor Project Manager, or Jessica Knights Project Administrator, t. 01328 820610.

Photographs
Top: St Seraphim's Chapel
Bottom: Jessica Knights and Sylvia Batchelor

50 Christmas Trees in a Church Dickleburgh Norfolk - the winning trees

The ninth annual 50 Christmas Trees in a Church at All Saints Dickleburgh, drew to a close on Sunday, December 9, with the prize giving for the most popular trees voted by visitors to the festival.

Dickleburgh Good Companions’ tree was the winner in the adult category and Gissing Children’s Centre won the children’s category. The Nick Arnull Plate for the most innovative tree was awarded to Daisychains, a charity that supports families who suffer from, or have ever suffered from, postnatal depression.

Funds raised from the event will go to WheelPower; a charity that provides sports wheelchairs for young disabled athletes.

Rev’d Norman Steer, event organiser said: “This has been the best Christmas Tree festival we have had so far. We began with the visit of Paralympic athlete Danny Nobbs for our official opening. His inspirational attitude, determination to do well, warmth and love for sport shone out of him and set the tone for a fabulous week. Many more children’s groups visited than before to sing carols and listen to Christmas stories and we had lots of regular return visitors.  We look forward to working with WheelPower to secure a sports wheelchair for a young Norfolk athlete and will soon start planning for 50 Christmas Trees 2013.”

Photograph captions:
Top: Dickleburgh Good Companions
Middle: Gail Webster Daisy Chains
Bottom: Gissing Children's Centre

Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Guided Walks - Fairhaven Garden Norfolk Broads

Join Ian Guest, Head Gardener at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham in the Norfolk Broads for a guided walk in the garden on Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 26 and New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, both starting at 11am.

Garden admission, including the guided walks, is adults £5.50, concessions £5 and children £3 (under 5 free). The walks last 1½ hours and a complimentary mince pie and glass of mulled wine will be on offer at the end.

Highlights include the massive 950-year old King Oak and other ancient oak and beech trees, the views across South Walsham Inner Broad and the opportunity to look out for kingfishers. Learn about the history of the garden, the collection of plants introduced by the 2nd Lord Fairhaven and the organic working methods still used today.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham NR13 6DZ, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, t. 01603 270449.

The garden is open daily all year, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), tearoom, gift shop and plant sales. There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance, mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

50 Christmas Trees in a Church Dickleburgh opened by Paralympian Athlete

Norfolk shot putter Danny Nobbs, who represented GB at the Beijing Paralympics, opened the ninth annual 50 Christmas Trees in a Church  festival at All Saints Dickleburgh, South Norfolk on Saturday 1 December.

He was accompanied by two London 2012 Games Makers, Cathie Davies, who fenced for Wales in the 1998 Commonwealth Games and Mandy Dutton from Pulham Market, along with Annie Chapman, organiser of the annual Ladies Tractor Road Run, who took part in the Torch Relay.

The festival runs daily until Sunday 9 December, open 10am to 7pm (closes 4pm on 9 December for prize giving). This year 50 Christmas Trees in a Church is supporting WheelPower, a charity that provides sports wheelchairs for young disabled athletes.

Admission is adult £3.50, senior citizens and concessions £3, pre-booked groups £2.75, children under 16 free.


Christmas Trees of all shapes and sizes, some handmade featuring special seasonal messages, will decorate the church, contributed to the event by local businesses, community organisations and children’s groups. The event has a competitive edge, as each organisation that enters has the chance to win prize money in the visitors’ vote for the best trees. There is also a special award for the most innovative tree.

Morning coffee, light lunches and teas are served every day throughout the festival in Dickleburgh Church. Rooms (next to the church).

Photograph left to right Annie Chapman, Cathie Davies, Danny Nobbs and Mandy Dutton.

Jimmy & Riddlesworth's Christmas Pickle - new short story by North Norfolk writer Roger Chamberlain

Jimmy & Riddlesworth's Christmas Pickle is a new Christmas short story for children and adults by North Norfolk writer, Roger Chamberlain. Published by Norwich-based, The Tagman Press, it is now on sale for £0.99 at Amazon for Kindle readers.

Two elf brothers, Jimmy and Riddlesworth work for Santa Claus delivering presents every Christmas. Unlike the other elves they are banned from the workshop, as they have no natural ability to make toys – or skills to make anything else for that matter!

Last December, when they arrived at the North Pole to start work, Santa and the other elves had disappeared along with all the completed Christmas presents. To save Christmas, Jimmy and Riddlesworth decided to make and deliver as many presents as they could.

Were you one of those people lucky enough to receive one of their presents last year?

You don’t know? Well, this story will explain everything!

Link to Tagman Press website

Meet Father Christmas and his reindeer at Fairhaven Garden

Meet Father Christmas and his reindeer at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, on Sunday, December 9 from 11am to 5pm.

Follow the woodland trail and find Father Christmas in his traditional yurt with his reindeer Comet and Blitzen, also enjoy children's crafts in the elves workshop, live music and a Christmas mini-market selling gifts and food goodies. Don’t miss Father Christmas arriving on his lawnmower at 11am.

Garden entry is adult £5.50 and concessions £5; child £5 to visit Father Christmas and receive a present (includes garden entry). Booking advised, t. 01603 270449.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction. There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities should telephone in advance; mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

The garden is open daily all year (closed Christmas Day). Free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales.

Norfolk Paralympian Danny Nobbs to open 50 Christmas Trees in a Church Dickleburgh

Norfolk shot putter Danny Nobbs, who represented GB at the Beijing Paralympics, will open the ninth annual 50 Christmas Trees in a Church festival at All Saints Dickleburgh, Norfolk on Saturday December 1 at 6pm.

Danny will be piped into the church by Bob Rayson, accompanied by two London 2012 Games Makers, Cathie Davies, who fenced for Wales in the 1998 Commonwealth Games and Mandy Dutton from Pulham Market, along with Annie Chapman, organiser of the annual Ladies Tractor Road Run, who took part in the Torch Relay.

The festival then runs from Sunday, December 2 to Sunday, December 9, open daily 10am to 7pm (closes 4pm on December 9 for prize giving). This year 50 Christmas Trees in a Church is supporting WheelPower www.wheelpower.org.uk, a charity that provides sports wheelchairs for young disabled athletes. Admission is adult £3.50, senior citizens and concessions £3, pre-booked groups £2.75, children under 16 free.

Christmas Trees of all shapes and sizes, some handmade featuring special seasonal messages, will decorate the church, contributed to the event by local businesses, community organisations and children’s groups. The event has a competitive edge, as each organisation that enters has the chance to win prize money in the visitors’ vote for the best trees. There is also a special award for the most innovative tree.

Morning coffee, light lunches and teas are served every day throughout the festival in Dickleburgh Church Rooms (next to the church). Group visits are very welcome.

Event organiser Rev’d Norman Steer said: “I love the Christmas Trees. It is a good week for me. The church expresses its love in a way that people can understand. I want visitors to be themselves and know that they are welcome and will be cared for during their visit. The best part is the smiles on the faces of all ages when they leave. We are aiming to raise enough money to fund a new sports wheelchair, which will go to a young athlete in Norfolk. I would like to thank Eastern Counties Access Solutions and TWP Designs for sponsoring the event and Active Norfolk for their support and advice. ”

Dickleburgh village is to the north of Diss, just off the A140. For group bookings and further information tel. 01379 854245, www.50christmastrees.com.

David Dane's Broadland in Print - exhibition at Fairhaven Garden Norfolk

Broads artist David Dane returns to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, for the second year running with Broadland in Print, an exhibition of giclee prints, from Saturday, November 24 to Sunday December 2, open daily 10am- 4pm, free entry to exhibition.

Broadland in Print features giclee prints on canvas and fine art paper of many popular paintings from David Dane’s original oils exhibitions, including the late Eric Edwards, wherries and wherry yachts and winter in the Broads.

The ethereal and atmospheric Broadland images created by David Dane have taken the Broads landscape to a worldwide audience for more than 40 years. Jenny White from Artists and Illustrators magazine commenting on David Dane's work said: "David Dane's Broadland is a land of mystery, poised between this world and the next."

This empathy for the landscape expressed in David's work is a result of a life-long love affair with the Broads. He has lived in the area since the age of five, exploring the waterways and marshlands and gradually developing his own particular artistic style.

In the 80s and 90s, much of David's work was put into print by Rosenstiels of London. But since then, he has mainly concentrated on his biennial exhibitions of original oils. For 12 years these were held at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Ranworth Broad information centre. However, the most recent exhibition Whispering Reeds was held at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in November 2011.

"A selection of prints, included in the 2011 exhibition, were well received," said David Dane, "so, with the support of Louise Rout and the Fairhaven team, I decided to return with a print only exhibition this year. I am a conservationist and environmentalist. It is my greatest wish that others may experience the true beauty and fragility of our natural world through my paintings."

Louise Rout, Manager Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden said: "We are really looking forward to David Dane's Broadland in Print following the success of Whispering Reeds. The exhibition will be staged in our visitor reception building, which doubles as an exhibition and workshop space during the winter."

For more information about David Dane see www.dfdaneoilpaintings.co.uk, tel. 01692 584938.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk , tel. 01603 270449. Garden entry is adult £5.50, concessions £5 and child £3 (under 5 free).

The garden is open daily all year (closed Christmas Day), free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales. There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance, mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

Image: Daybreak at Sutton Fen by David Dane

New Fairhaven Primrose Collection Planting Day – Thursday 15 November

The gardening team at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, Norfolk, is launching the new Fairhaven Primrose Collection on Thursday 15 November. Some 1,000 of the new primroses, created for the garden by local primrose expert Howard Lupton, will be planted from 10.30am.

Visitors are very welcome to join in the celebration and plant some primroses, but should come equipped with their own gloves and trowel.

This new variety of primrose, ranging in colour from white to lilac and purple, will flower in February and March, when 5,000 of the plants will be in place.

The Fairhaven Primrose Collection will also go on sale at Fairhaven Garden from 15 November. Plants are £1.20 each, three for £2.95, or five for £4.50, with 10% of sales going to the Lymphoma Association www.lymphomas.org.uk.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk, tel. 01603 270449. Garden entry is adult £5.50, concessions £5 and child £3 (under 5 free).

The garden is open daily all year (closed Christmas Day), open 10am to 4pm during the winter, free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales. There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance, mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

Miracle in Kigali - ebook edition published

An ebook edition of Miracle in Kigali has been published by The Tagman Press www.tagmanpress.com.

The ebook is available on Amazon, Kobo, Waterstones.com and Apple iBooks. For more information and links to ebook stores click here:  
http://bit.ly/VuncpB

To buy Miracle in Kigali (traditional printed version) click here:  
http://bit.ly/YKDcTr

Fairhaven Garden Norfolk, Halloween Spooky Trail, Wednesday, October 31

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham invites you to scare yourself silly on its haunted trail round the garden – the 13th annual Halloween Spooky Trail, on Wednesday, October 31, from 6pm to 8pm.

Admission is adults £5.50, senior citizens £5 and children (age 3-16) £3. Visitors can go round the trail as many times as they dare and should bring their own torch.

Thundermental fire artists will be in action. There will also be children’s entertainers and The Rockin’ Monks will be back with a selection of spooky songs. Watch out for Dracula appearing from his coffin, the Grim Reaper and zombies, mummies and witches on the trail, along with a firework finale at 7.45pm.

Hot soup, sandwiches and snacks will be on sale in the tearoom. The Halloween event is not suitable for dogs.

Visitors can also take part in Gruesome Guess Who Week, daily from Saturday, October 27 to Sunday, November 4. Answer all the clues to the Gruesome Guess Who quiz to win a prize (normal entry charges).

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk, tel. 01603 270449.

The garden is open daily all year (closed Christmas Day) 10am to 5pm, free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales. There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance, mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

Tagman Press Roadshow Heads for Cromer

The Tagman Press makes its debut at COAST, Cromer and Sheringham Arts Festival http://www.casaf.co.uk/programme2012.htm on Thursday 1 November, 3.30pm at The Virginia Court Hotel, Cromer http://www.virginiacourt.co.uk.

Anthony Grey, who was an Eastern Daily Press reporter in Sheringham in the early 1960s will read from his new book The Hostage Handbook, and will talk about his time as a hostage in China during the Cultural Revolution in the late 1960s.

New Tagman author, Roger Chamberlain will be reading from his short stories. His story A Message for Freddie, which reflects on an incident during his childhood in Sheringham, will be published as an ebook by The Tagman Press at the end of October.

Afternoon Tea, costing between £3.95 and £9.95, will be served at the event, details here: http://www.casaf.co.uk/2012tea.pdf.

For further information and bookings contact The Virginia Court Hotel,
t 01263 512398, info@virginiacourt.co.uk.

http://tagmanpress.blogspot.co.uk

Enjoy The Taste of Autumn at Raveningham Gardens Norfolk

The Taste of Autumn at Raveningham Gardens (near Loddon, Norfolk) on Sunday 7 October, from 11am to 5pm, is a celebration of the autumnal fruits of the garden, hedgerow and woodland, with Raveningham’s walled vegetable garden, glasshouses, orchard and herb garden at its heart. Meet local producers and enjoy talks and tours on fungi, herbs, fruit and vegetables. Entry is £10 a car, www.raveningham.com.

Jekka McVicar, known as’ the queen of herbs’, will be giving talks on the Spice of Herbs. She has won a record 62 RHS Gold medals for her herb displays at Chelsea Flower Show and created Jamie Oliver’s herb garden. More than 600 species of culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs from around the world are grown at Jekka’s Herb Farm in Gloucestershire.

Richard Hobbs, a regular contributor to BBC Radio Norfolk’s Garden Party, will be giving tips on Autumn Gardening. Fungi expert, Neil Mahler will lead fungi forays in the park, advising on what to pick and cook and what to avoid.

The Bacon family and their gardening team will give tours of the walled kitchen garden – discover Raveningham’s vegetable gardening secrets, hear about the history of the garden and buy garden produce. More than 30 different vegetables are grown during the year, including old-fashioned varieties like salsify and scorzonera (both root vegetables). Pride of place in the orchard goes to the 200-year old Queen Charlotte apple tree. There is also a working Victorian melon pit, along with the herb garden created by Susan Bacon. Grapes, peaches, figs and plants are grown in the glasshouses.

Visitors will be welcome to explore the 18th century walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses, arboretum and herb garden at their leisure and enjoy contemporary sculpture throughout the gardens, as well as walk round the lake created to mark the Millennium. Raveningham’s 14th century church will be open.

Tea, cakes and apple pie made from Raveningham apple trees, along with jams and jellies made from the fruit’s of the estate’s hedgerows and local honey will be on sale. There will also be a hog roast.

Local nurseries and producers attending include Humpty Dumpty Brewery, Walnut Tree Garden Nursery, Blacksmith Cottage Nursery, Jelly Cottage Plants, English Willow Baskets, Fielding Cottage goat’s cheese, Norfolk Sloe Company, East Norfolk Trading Company (cider) and Breckland Orchard.

Nicholas Bacon said: “This is our first Taste of Autumn event at Raveningham Gardens. It is our wish that over the years this occasion will become a major educational and celebratory moment for the Autumn Garden.”

Raveningham Gardens NR14 6NS is signposted off A146 at Hales,
t. 01508 548152.

Photograph: the 200 year-old Queen Charlotte apple tree.

Unlaced at Wymondham Arts Centre – clothing and the female form

Wymondham Arts Centre is staging Unlaced – clothing and the female form, an exhibition of work by Norfolk artists, curated by Krys Leach, from Tuesday 18 September to Sunday 30 September, open daily 10am to 5pm (Sunday 12noon to 5pm), free entry.


The exhibition features David Cottrell (paintings), Helen Dixon (ceramics), Krys Leach (paintings), Tracy Myers (prints and digital), Elaine Nason (paintings and prints), Emily Spragge (cyanotypes), Rebecca Spragge (corsetry), Louise Richardson (made objects) and Sarah Wilson (etchings).

Vivienne Weeks, former chair of the Norwich Textile and Costume Association is also including dresses, hats and shoes from the 1880s to 1980s to complement the artists’ work, notably a muslin dress with bustle from 1880 (at the end of restricted clothing), a Christian Dior gown from 1954 in bronze taffeta, presenting the vision of the ultimate woman and a Jean Paul Gaultier creation (c 1980), which features the outline of the ‘perfect female form’ suggesting hidden promise.

Krys Leach, curator said: “The female image is one of the most evocative forms of art. Her body has dictated style - in art and fashion - but it has also been moulded by it. Some of the work is innovative and eye-opening. Some is witty, and some is just ravishing. It all adds up to a vibrant celebration of a subject that is as enduring as it is varied.”

Professor Arthur Lucas, Chairman Wymondham Arts Centre said: “Two exhibitions each year are presented for the Arts Centre by an invited artist. We are very pleased that Krys Leach accepted the invitation to curate our September show. Unlaced is a departure for us, a themed exhibition in a variety of styles and media. We are grateful to the Friends of the Wymondham Art Centre for underwriting this exciting show, which will be a highlight of a strong season.”

Wymondham Arts Centre is at Becket’s Chapel, 2 Church Street, Wymondham NR18 0PH, email info@wymondhamarts.com, www.wymondhamarts.com.

Image: Poppy by Rebecca Spragge.

Great Yarmouth Heritage Open Days 6 to 9 September

An exciting programme of free tours and drop in events is on offer in the Borough of Great Yarmouth during Heritage Open Days weekend, Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 September.

Many of the buildings involved are not normally open to the public. Explore The Beating Chamber in Gorleston, a relic of the herring fishing industry and go on a behind the scenes tour of Gorleston Pavilion Theatre.

Visit HS Smokehouse, one of the few traditional smokehouses left in the UK and operating in Great Yarmouth since 1852. See the chapel and ward space in the former Royal Naval Hospital, which was built to accommodate Nelson’s sailors, but was eventually used to care for Naval staff suffering from mental illness.

Tour St George’s Theatre, now in the final stages of restoration work. See The Masonic Royal Assembly Rooms in Albert Square and go on a Tales from the Churchyard guided walk and hear the stories behind the memorial stones in Great Yarmouth Minster’s churchyard.

Walk from Reedham to Polkey’s Mill and Reedham Marsh Steam House, or visit Morse’s Wind Engine Park at Repps with Bastwick, the only collection of historic wind pumps in the UK.

Pick up a Great Yarmouth Heritage Open Days leaflet at the Tourist Information Centre, tel. 01493 846346, or download a copy of the leaflet from www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/heritageopendays.

Family Fun at Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival, on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September, celebrates the town’s proud maritime past and our maritime future, with lots of fun, family activities, www.maritime-festival.co.uk. The Festival takes place on South Quay and runs on the Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm; activities and entertainment are free (except for river trips). A donation of £1 per visitor towards Festival costs is welcomed.


The Festival is a riot of colour and sound, with Shanty and maritime music performed throughout the weekend at three different venues on South Quay: the Main Stage, The Fo'c'sle and in Horatio's Bar.

Meet Admiral Nelson, Mrs Hamilton, Lofty the Lighthouse and Horatio Herring and enjoy military re-enactments from East Norfolk Militia and Inner State, punch and judy shows with Professor Pulson and face painting and balloon modelling.

Explore the tall ships Mercedes and Tres Hombres, see Collective Spirit, a 30-ft sailing boat fashioned from hundreds of donated wooden objects and enjoy a river cruise to the Outer Harbour on MV Coronia.

MV Coronia was built in Great Yarmouth and was originally called the BRIT after Britannia Pier. It started life doing seal trips, then in World War II, Coronia rescued 900 troops from Dunkirk, before working at Scarborough as a pleasure cruiser. Sailing trips are available on Saturday and Sunday, at 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm, adults £5, children £2.50 (tickets on sale at the Festival).

Visit Natural England’s underwater world, located next to a huge deckchair that can easily seat the entire family. Have a go at making seahorse pencil toppers and starfish magnets, do wildlife brass rubbings and colouring and find out about Norfolk’s national nature reserves at Winterton-on-Sea and Holkham.

Discover the weird and wonderful creatures that live in the sea Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s stand and make herring kites and sharks tooth necklaces from fossil teeth dating back millions of years.

The RSPB has three marquees packed with things to do; craft activities include making a butterfly, bird or whale and playing the migration game; there’s also a pin-badge lucky dip!

Have a go at net mending in the demonstrator’s marquee or create a medieval town wall with Norfolk Records Office.

Meet the National Trust and make a nautical badge or mask, check out the wild touchy feely table and take the rock pool challenge; also pick up a copy of the Trust’s 50 things to do before you’re 11¾.

Ken Sims, Chairman Greater Yarmouth Tourism Authority said: “We are looking forward to another busy Maritime Festival weekend packed with the sights and sounds of the sea. South Quay is going to be a hive of nautical activity from tall ships to sea shanties and maritime crafts and art.”

Photograph: MV Coronia

Raveningham Gardens Norfolk Open August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday

Raveningham Gardens, near Hales, is open Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday, 26 and 27 August, 2pm to 5pm. Enjoy the herbaceous borders, 18th century walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses, orchard, arboretum, herb garden, contemporary sculptures, 14th century church and views across the new lake established at the turn of the Millennium; tea and cake on sale.


Raveningham Gardens is also open on Thursday 30 August, 11am to 4pm. Admission is adults £4, concessions £3.50 and children under 16 free. The gardens (NR14 6NS) are 10 miles south east of Norwich, signposted off the A146 at Hales, then B1136, tel. 01508 548152, email office@raveningham.com, www.raveningham.com.

The Taste of Autumn, Raveningham Gardens’ special EDP Adnams Norfolk Food & Drink Festival event is on Sunday 7 October from 11am to 5pm. Entry is £10 a car.

The Taste of Autumn, with the walled vegetable garden, glasshouses and orchard at its heart, is a celebration of the autumnal fruits of the garden, hedgerow and woodland. Local producers will show food, oils and drink and explain its culinary and medicinal purposes. There will be talks and guided tours on subjects such as fungi, herbs and vegetables.

The Mudeka Foundation Norfolk Coast Path Walk 23-27 August

Anna Mudeka, Trustees and friends of the Norfolk-based Mudeka Foundation are doing a sponsored walk along the full length of the Norfolk Coast Path, from 23 to 27 August, to raise money for the foundation, which supports Aids orphans and underprivileged children in the Harare area of Zimbabwe.


This project was inspired by the Trustees’ trip to Zimbabwe in March, when they visited schools and met children who have to walk nearly eight miles a day for the chance of having an education.

Elisabeth Louis, Mudeka Foundation Trustee, said: “We want to understand what it is like for these children who do not have any choice but to walk miles to school. But we also want use our expedition along the Norfolk Coast Path as an opportunity to raise more funds, so we can help more Zimbabwean children with their education.”

“We were deeply effected by the situation in Zimbabwe and are doing all we can to work with schools there. We are very happy to give talks about the foundation and explain how we support these children in need.”

For more information and to register to join the walk, or make a donation, go to www.mudekafoundation.com/events. Under 16s taking part in the walk must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information about The Mudeka Foundation, contact Anna Mudeka tel. 01362 822194, mudekafoundation@gmail.com or Elisabeth Louis m. 07748755164.

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival hosts boat created from 1200 wooden objects

Collective Spirit, a 30-ft sailing boat fashioned from hundreds of donated wooden objects and created by Lone Twin, one of Europe’s leading performance companies, is visiting Great Yarmouth for the Maritime Festival on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September, www.maritime-festival.co.uk.


Items donated for Collective Spirit’s construction include a tiny piece of the Mary Rose, a sliver of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar, timber from HMS Victory Nelson’s flagship, a plank from the London 2012 Velodrome, several hockey sticks, a salad server in the shape of a spanner, and a Victorian policeman’s truncheon.

The Lone Twin Boat Project Norfolk Tour is part of Norfolk - Looking Forward to 2012, the county's partnership programme to make the most of the opportunities from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Collective Spirit is one of the South East region’s contributions to the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, as part of the Arts Council England’s Artists’ Taking the Lead project.

The Maritime Festival takes place on Saturday 1 (10am to 6pm) and Sunday 2 September 2012 (10am to 5pm) on South Quay when a mix of traditional and modern maritime vessels, including the Tall Ships Mercedes and Tres Hombres, will be moored on South Quay for visitors to admire and go aboard. Land-lubbers who prefer to keep their feet firmly on terra-firma will have plenty to keep them entertained.

The Festival is a riot of colour and maritime music, with a large main stage featuring a variety of performances and two other entertainment areas. Shanty and maritime music will be performed throughout the festival at three different venues up and down South Quay, the Main Stage, The Fo'c'sle and in Horatio's Bar with a packed programme of artistes. The Festival is free, but a £1 donation per person is welcomed.

Collective Spirit is also visiting Folk East (24-26 August) and Wells Festival (7-9 September).

Rhythms – North Norfolk Art at Salthouse Church

North Norfolk based artists Jacqui Dorras and Lizzy Harvey are staging a joint exhibition, Rhythms, at St Nicholas Church Salthouse from Saturday, August 11 to Monday, August 27. The exhibition, inspired by the rhythms of North Norfolk’s coast and countryside, will be open daily from 10am to 5pm, free entry (opens at around 11am on Sundays after the church service).


Jacqui Dorras from Thurgarton and Lizzy Harvey from Briston both work in the art department at City College Norwich on a job share basis. “We support and encourage each other in our work, have similar interests in nature and are both experimental in our approach, “ explained Jacqui Dorras. “There is a rhythm and harmony in our art, although it is very different.”

“Staging a joint exhibition in the magnificent interior of St Nicholas Salthouse, with its beautiful natural light, is a natural development for us,” continued Jacqui Dorras. “I last exhibited my work some six years ago, following workshops that I led at Carrow House with young asylum seekers, so the Salthouse show is very much a new beginning for me.”

Jacqui Dorras’ mixed media work at Salthouse will focus on the rhythm of the sea. She is currently producing new work on lead, copper, linen and wood; the lead piece is being drawn with wire, which will be gently hammered, without touching the surface. The items will be submerged in the waters off the North Norfolk Coast. The daily ebb and flow of the tide will complete the process of drawing. Carvings depicting sea forms and items created from objects gathered from the sea will also feature in the exhibition.

Lizzy Harvey added: “I worked in watercolours for many years but now enjoy using a variety of media, including techniques associated with textiles; stitch, print, dye and pattern, thus the work has become more process led and diverse. I gather inspiration from the hedgerows, trees and fields, the patterns and forms and rhythms. This work has been done in the past year specifically for Salthouse and is my response to four seasons in the North Norfolk countryside.”

Lizzy Harvey is a member of Norwich 20 Group www.norwich20group.co.uk and exhibits at the group’s spring and autumn shows, most recently at The Forum in Norwich. She also exhibited at Salthouse 09 and 10.

Photograph: Jacqui Dorras securing her work to let the sea finish the drawing process.

Two Tall Ships for Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival

Visitors to the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival, on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September, will be able to go aboard two fantastic tall ships the Dutch square-rigged two–masted Brig Mercedes and the Spanish tall ship Tres Hombres, as well as enjoying all the other entertainment on South Quay. The festival is organised annually by Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority.


The 32-metre, two-masted square-rigged schooner, the brigantine Tres Hombres, was named after a collaborative project between three friends and began service in December 2009, pioneering the modern-day use of sailing ships as cargo vessels. She maintains a shipping route for cargo transport between Europe, Atlantic islands, the Caribbean and America. In addition to her capacity for 35 tons of cargo, she can accommodate a crew of five professional sailors and 10 trainees.

The massive brigantine Mercedes is a German registered Tall Ship, which was fitted out in Holland and began sailing in 2005. It combines the latest technology in a modern, yet very traditional tall ship, which can also welcome wheelchair users. It was designed to provide sailing in unashamed luxury with comfortable lounges, deck saloon and bar.

The Mercedes will also be offering 2-3 hour sailing trips from the south end of South Quay on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 August and Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September. Tickets for the sailings are available online at http://www.maritime-festival.co.uk/, from the Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre on Marine Parade or by telephoning 01493 332200.

Sailing times are as follows:

Thursday 30 August at 9.00am and 17.30 (3-4 hour sailing)

Friday 31 August at 10.45am and 18.30

Saturday 1 September at 19.00 and Sunday 2 September at 19.30

All sailing’s are 2-3 hours in duration; tickets cost £35 with the exception of the Thursday evening 3-4 hour sailing which is priced at £42. The exact trip duration will be dependent on tide and weather conditions.

Ken Sims, Chairman of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority said: “Sailings on tall ships at previous Maritime Festivals proved very popular with visitors who were keen to experience life under sail out on the high seas. We are delighted to welcome back the Mercedes to this year’s Maritime Festival and look forward to exploring the Tres Hombres”

The Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival will also feature music, street entertainment, arts, crafts, children’s activities and refreshments, http://www.maritime-festival.co.uk/.

Photograph: Tres Hombres - by Hajo Olij

Wroxham Barns Norfolk - Calves Celebrate this Sporting Summer

To mark 2012’s summer of celebration, the staff at Junior Farm Wroxham Barns have named this season’s calves with distinctly sporting names: Ainslie, Daly, Hoy, and Redgrave.


Young visitors can bottle-feed the new arrivals daily throughout the summer at 11am and 3pm. Will Ainslie, Daly, Hoy, or Redgrave be the fastest drinker on the farm?

Eileen Calverley, manager Junior Farm said: “It’s going to be a great summer of celebration, so we thought our visitors would enjoy meeting calves with famous sporting names and have a bit of fun seeing who is the champion drinker.”

There are lots of other things to do at Junior Farm, from hobby horse racing with Barny the sheep, Junior Farm’s mascot, to Follow the Swallow activities with the RSPB, feeding guinea pigs, rabbits and pygmy goats and taking part in pony grooming and collecting eggs at the hen house. Visitors can also watch the farm staff feed the friendly pigs in the new piggery and enjoy a quiet moment in the bird hide, with its low level viewing panel for small children. There are good hand washing facilities for cleaning up thoroughly during visits.

Piggy’s Play Sty opened in the farm last year. It’s an indoor soft play barn for young children – a great place for them to let off steam, especially if it starts to rain. Don’t forget to meet Wroxie, the farm’s life-size mechanical cow, where the whole family can practice their milking skills.

Junior Farm is open daily 10am to 5pm; entry charge is £5.75 (under 2 free).

As well as Junior Farm enjoy a round on the 18-hole championship mini adventure golf course – ideal for a friendly family competition. Children will also love the funfair rides. Funfair rides and golf are individually priced (rides subject to weather).

The award-winning restaurant-café serves breakfast, morning coffee, lunches and afternoon tea, all freshly made, using local, seasonal produce where possible.

Wroxham Barns, http://www.wroxhambarns.co.uk/, tel. 01603 783762 is open daily 10am to 5pm, 10 miles from Norwich, take A1151 to Wroxham then follow brown and white tourist signs for 1.5miles on the Tunstead road. Free parking.

Sail Tall at Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival 30 August to 2 September

Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority is offering visitors to the resort the chance to ‘Sail Tall’ on the square-rigged two–masted Brig Mercedes, which will be alongside historic South Quay for the town’s annual Maritime Festival, taking place on Saturday 1 September and Sunday 2 September.

The Mercedes’ sailing trips are on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 August, as well as Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September. Tickets are available online at

http://www.maritime-festival.co.uk/ and from Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre, Marine Parade, or tel. 01493 332200.

Traditional rigged tall ships are elegant images of the high seas, and the Mercedes is no exception. The massive brigantine is a German registered tall ship, which was fitted out in Holland and began sailing in 2005. It combines the latest technology in a modern, yet very traditional tall ship, which can also welcome wheelchair users. It was designed to provide sailing in unashamed luxury with comfortable lounges, deck saloon and bar.

Ken Sims, Chairman of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority said: “We are delighted to welcome back the Mercedes to this year’s Maritime Festival. Trips on tall ships at previous Maritime Festivals proved very popular with visitors who were keen to experience life under sail on the high seas.”

Sailing Trips Information

Sailings on the Mercedes will depart from the south end of South Quay as follows:

Thursday 30 August at 9.00am and 17.30 (3-4 hour sailing)

Friday 31 August at 10.45am and 18.30

Saturday 1 September at 19.00 and Sunday 2 September at 19.30

All sailings are 2-3 hours in duration, tickets cost £35 with the exception of the Thursday evening 3-4 hour sailing which is priced at £42. The exact trip duration will be dependent on tide and weather conditions. Tickets are available on-line at http://www.maritime-festival.co.uk/ or from Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre on 01493 332200.

Raveningham Gardens Norfolk Special Agapanthus Weeks – July 30 to August 10

Raveningham Gardens, in south Norfolk, are famous for the large selection of agapanthus cultivars on display. There are special agapanthus weeks this year from Monday, July 30 to Friday, August 3 and Monday, August 6 to Friday, August 10, open 11am to 4pm (closed Saturdays and Sundays).


See white, blue and dark purple flowers with different sizes and contrasting colours included striped blue and white. The agapanthus varieties are one of Priscilla Bacon’s legacies in the garden; she was a keen agapanthus breeder.

Also enjoy the herbaceous borders, 18th century walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses, orchard, arboretum, herb garden, contemporary sculptures, 14th century church and views across the new lake established at the turn of the Millennium.

Raveningham Gardens are also open all Thursdays, 11am to 4pm, until the end of August. Admission is adults £4, concessions £3.50 and children under 16 free. The gardens (NR14 6NS) are 10 miles south east of Norwich, signposted off the A146 at Hales, then B1136, tel. 01508 548152, email office@raveningham.com,  http://www.raveningham.com/ .

Great Yarmouth Summer Fireworks on the seafront

Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority is celebrating the summer with six weeks of Wednesday evening entertainment, starting on Wednesday 25 July and ending Wednesday 29 August. Each Wednesday evening culminates in a spectacular fireworks display on Great Yarmouth seafront at 10pm.

Summer Wednesdays are a great time to visit the resort. Seafront attractions stay open until 10pm, so visitors can play crazy golf in the moonlight, wander round the illuminated Merrivale Model Village, enjoy some exhilarating thrills at the Pleasure Beach, or listen to free live music at the Sea Life Centre Gardens from 8pm, before watching the fireworks.

Bands booked for the Sea Life Centre Gardens are Beat Connection (25 July), The Claire Barker Band (1 August), Ignite (8 August), The Abba Babes (15 August), The Joe Ringer Band (22 August) and The Collective (29 August).

Ken Sims, Chair of the GYTA said: “Wednesday evenings are a relaxed, fun-packed, family time, with plenty for everyone to see and do until the superb fireworks finale over Central Beach, courtesy of Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority.”

Great Yarmouth, http://www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/ , is a top ten UK seaside resort, which attracts more than 4.4million tourists and day trippers a year, generating 5.3million staying bed nights. With 65,000 bed spaces across the Borough, a third of all holiday nights spent in Norfolk are tourists staying in Greater Yarmouth. Nearly 25% of all holidays nights spent in Norfolk and Suffolk combined are taken in the Borough of Great Yarmouth.

Art Alive at All Saints Church King’s Lynn – Artists and Angels

Art Alive in Churches, co-ordinated by the Diocese of Norwich, celebrates the rich cultural history in Norfolk’s medieval churches. This year’s exhibition, Artists and Angels, focussing on the painting and carving of angels, combining medieval art with modern practice, will be at All Saints Church, Hillington Square, King’s Lynn PE30 5HF from Monday, July 16 to Sunday, July 22, open daily 10am to 4pm. David Holgate, Norwich-based sculptor and stone carver will be running workshops on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22.


The Artists and Angels exhibition features images of angels from Norfolk’s medieval churches photographed by Paul Hurst, along with historical interpretation from Professor Sandy Heslop, Dr Spike Bucklow and others.

Churches to visit in west Norfolk with particularly good examples of angels:

 King’s Lynn Minster, angels on chancel screen, open daily dawn to dusk, http://www.stmargaretskingslynn.org.uk/.

 St Nicholas Chapel, St Ann’s Street, King’s Lynn (Churches Conservation Trust), angels in the nave roof, open Tuesday and Saturday until November, http://www.stnicholaskingslynn.org.uk/.

 St Peter &; St Paul Swaffham PE37 7AB, angels in nave roof, open daily 9am to 4pm.

 All Saints, Necton PE37 8HE, angels in nave roof, open daily, http://www.nectonallsaints.co.uk/.

 St Michael Great Cressingham, IP25 6NH, angels in nave roof, http://www.greatcressingham.churchnorfolk.com/.

 St Clement Outwell PE14 8RQ (Diocese of Ely), important figures in nave roof, www.achurchnearyou.com/outwell-st-clement. St Clement’s Outwell is of particular interest as work is beginning to determine whether the figures are Burgundian and of vices and virtues.

 St Peter Upwell PE14 9AA (Diocese of Ely), angels on north side of nave, www.ely.anglican.org/parishes/upwell.

All Saints Church King’s Lynn http://www.allsaintskingslynn.org.uk/ - the parish of All Saints', South Lynn, is mentioned in Domesday Book, which indicates a Saxon church. The church was largely rebuilt in the 14th century, although the large transepts date from the 13th century. The nave has the original massive tie beams and queen posts of the medieval church, together with other medieval architectural features. All Saints has an Anchorhold on the south side of the chancel, which housed an Anchoress, from the 12th until the 16th century.

Art Alive in Churches 2012 is supported by the Town Close and Geoffrey Watling Charitable Trusts, Norfolk County Council, the Diocese of Norwich and the Bishop of Norwich’s Anne French Trust.

Jennie Hawks, Historic Places of Worship Support Officer, Diocese of Norwich said: “In medieval times the North Sea and English Channel were major highways for both commerce and art and crafts. Norfolk’s great medieval churches benefited from the work of visiting artists from Burgundy and Flanders as well as local craftsmen. We are very lucky in Norfolk that many examples of this craftsmanship survived the iconoclasm of the Reformation, post-Reformation and Civil War. Art Alive in Churches celebrates this rich legacy and brings it up to date with demonstrations from some of the county’s finest contemporary artists.”

For more information about Art Alive in Norfolk Churches see http://www.norfolkopenchurches.com/.

Photograph - Great Cressingham Church, credit Paul Hurst

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden – Summer Music in the Glade 2012

Taverham Brass Band returns to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, Norfolk, on Sunday July 1, to launch the garden’s Summer Music in the Glade season with a selection of classic hits and songs from the shows. This open-air concert is from 2pm to 4pm. Normal admission charges apply, adult £5.50, concessions £5 and child £3, under five free. There is no additional charge for summer music events.


Fairhaven Music in the Glade programme
All events are from 2pm to 4pm.

Sunday, July 1, Taverham Brass Band

Sunday, July 8, Sutton Jazz Quartet

Sunday, July 15, Norwich Accordion Club Band

Sunday, July 22, John Brown singer/songwriter

Sunday, July 29, The Castaways

Sunday, August 5, Norfolk Reeds Clarinet Quartet

Sunday, August 12, The Classic Dixieland Trio

Sunday, August 19, Great Yarmouth Brass

Sunday, August 26, The He Hews

Sunday, September 2, Any Swing Goes

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, http://www.fairhavengarden.co.uk/, tel. 01603 270449.

There is wheelchair throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance; mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

The garden is open daily all year (closed Christmas Day) 10am to 5pm, also open Wednesday until 9pm to the end of August; entry charges are adult £5.50, senior citizen £5 and child £3 (under five free). Free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales.

Theatre at Fairhaven – The Importance of Being Earnest

The Pantaloons are staging Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham on Friday, June 29 at 7pm (gates open at 6.30pm). Tickets for this open-air production are £9 adult and £5 child in advance, from Fairhaven Garden tel. 01603 270449, or £12 adult and £8 child on the gate.


Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece gets The Pantaloons treatment in this anarchic take on the classic comedy of manners, http://www.thepantaloons.co.uk/.

Bring seats and rugs and picnics - refreshments available.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, http://www.fairhavengarden.co.uk/.

Wymondham Music Festival Fortnight Norfolk – Saturday, June 23 to Sunday, July 8




Demon Barber Roadshow

 

The 17th annual Wymondham Music Festival Fortnight, Norfolk, June 23 to July 8 http://www.wymfestival.org.uk/, featuring 43 events, many of them free, kicks off with the combined jazz bands from Wymondham High and the Jazz Band of the Gymnasium Waldstrasse Hattingen in Wymondham Market Place at 10am on Saturday, June 23.

The first evening concert on June 23 features O Duo’s percussion extravaganza, 7.30pm at Wymondham Abbey. This is followed by the popular annual Midsummer Jazz Picnic with the DixieMix Band at Becketswell on Monday, June 25 (6pm - 9pm).

Concerts and events that follow feature Americana, classical, folk, world, jazz, swing, disco, funk, soul and early music in a range of venues across the town.

There’s the BBC Folk Awards 2009 Best Live Act winner, The Demon Barber Roadshow, with its high-energy mix of music and dance, as recommended by Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2, ‘The Demon Barbers are one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen, If you get a chance to see them – don’t miss it, they are brilliant.’

Jazz pianist Craig Milverton pays homage to 16 of the great jazz pianists, Cuarteto Guarachando present an evening of Afro Cuban music, son and salsa and Norwich’s Claire Barker Band bring in the disco, funk and soul.

There’s also The Kickstart Sessions, performances from young bands at Ketts Park Centre on Saturday, June 30 from 11am to 5pm, presented in association with SNYA Radio and Woodshack Rehearsal Studios.

Tickets for all concerts and workshops are on sale at the Book Fountain Wymondham, or email office@wymfestival.org.uk, tel 01953 601939. See http://www.wymfestival.org.uk/ for full Festival Fortnight programme details.

Festival Fortnight highlights

Wymondham Abbey:

O Duo, June 23 at 7.30pm – Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox, with their percussion extravaganza, a mix of popular classics and contemporary music played on marimbas, vibraphone and huge array of percussion.

 Eclipse, An Apple For My Love, June 27 at 7.30pm, music, songs, dance and legends of the British Isles including Irish jigs, English folk songs, Celtic legends, baroque grounds and Purcell songs – Joy Smith (harp), Layil Barr (recorder), Steven Player (dance) and Thomas Hobbs (tenor).

A Little Bit of Gershwin, June 28 at 7.30pm, Karen Harries (mezzo soprano) and Will Fergusson (piano), music from George and Ira Gershwin and their contemporaries.

Cuillin Sound, June 30 at 7.30pm, featuring Lynda Coffin (flute). Sarah Watts (clarinet) and Laurence Perkins (bassoon).

Explorers and Enchanters, July 1 at 8pm, Laura Cannell (recorders) and Carolyn Gibley (piano), 20th century music arranged for recorder and piano.

Wymondham Young Musicians’ Concert, July 2 at 7pm.

Jazz Piano Legends, July 5 at 7.30pm, Craig Milverton, UK Jazz Pianist of the Year 2010, pays homage to 16 great jazz pianists of the last 100 years.

Lunchtime recitals at 1.10pm on June 29 (Annabella Ellis 2012 Norfolk Young Musician), July 2 (music for two organs David Morgan and Anne Duarte), July 3 (The Clarinet Connection), July 4 (David Dunnett organ with American choir Musica Missouri – Independence Day special) and July 5 (Love found, Love lost – Tom Elliott baritone and Julian Haggett piano).

Wymondham Central Hall

Claire Barker Band, June 29 at 8pm – Norwich based disco, funk and soul.

Skyliner Band, July 4 at 8pm – 1940s dance with this nine piece band specialising in the big band music of the 1940s.

Cuarteto Guarachando, July 6 at 8pm, son, salsa and Afro Cuban music, Adriana Lord (vocals), Luke Rattenbury (guitar), Eddie Myer (bass and Juan Carlos Paez (drums).

The Demon Barber Roadshow, July 7 at 8pm, winner of the Best Live Act, BBC Folk Awards 2009, a high-energy mix of song, dance and musical surprise.

Open-air Events

Wymondham High Jazz Bands, June 23, 10am to 12noon, Market Place

Midsummer Jazz Picnic at Becketswell, June 25, 6pm to 9pm, featuring Dixie Mix Jazz Band

Brother Pit, acoustic American music, June 30, 10am to 12noon, Market Place

Teddy Bears’ Picnic, July 1, 11am to 1pm, at King’s Head Meadow with live music and storytelling for young families.

Ben Grizzly and the Loose Leaf Drifters’ country style, July 7, 10am to 12noon, Market Place.

Festival lecture-recital

The Lute in England through Art and Music, with David Van Edwards and Peter Trent, Tuesday, July 3 at 7.30pm, Fairland Church Centre.

Festival Fortnight Finale Wymondham Baptist Church

Music for a Golden Queen, July 8 at 3pm, Hexachordia brings Festival Fortnight to a close with a feast of music popular at the court of Queen Elizabeth I.

Workshops

Wymondham Songfest 2012, June 30, 9am – 5pm at the Green Dragon, write, perform and record a song in a day with Johnny Steinberg.

Woodwind workshop with Cuillin Sound June 30, 1pm – 3pm, Abbey Hall.

An hour of Morris, Rapper and Clog dance moves with The Demon Barber Roadshow, July 7, 5pm, Central Hall.

Full Festival programme details are at http://www.wymfestival.org.uk/, tel. 01953 601939.

Follow the Swallow at Junior Farm Wroxham Barns

Wroxham Barns and the RSPB have joined forces to ‘Follow the Swallow’ at Junior Farm. A ‘Swallowcam’ has been installed in the farm’s goat barn to watch nesting swallows. Live footage of chicks that have now hatched is being screened to visitors in the small animals barn.


The birds stay at Junior Farm until the autumn, so there will be plenty of opportunities to watch the new brood grow.

The RSPB has developed special swallow activities, which will be run by the team at Junior Farm at weekends until the summer school holidays, when they will take place daily. There will also be monthly children’s swallow art competitions and the RSPB will be regular visitors during the summer.

Swallows are very agile small birds with dark, glossy-blue backs, red throats, pale undersides and long tail streamers. They are in the UK from March to October and migrate south in the winter. Female swallows sit on their eggs until they hatch. There are usually four or five chicks in each brood. Feeding them is a very busy job; five chicks can eat about 6,000 insects every day, so adult swallows can be seen flying around Junior Farm all day.

Ian Russell, Director Wroxham Barns said: “We are really pleased to be working closely with the RSPB at Junior Farm. We opened our hide three years ago to help visitors understand more about the birds on site and have had excellent support and advice from the RSPB. Our ‘Swallowcam’ will give both children and adults a greater appreciation of the natural world around them. It will also be fun watching the swallow chicks develop over the summer months.”

Joanne Hand, Regional Projects Manager RSPB said: “Follow the Swallow’ at Wroxham Barns is part of a busy programme of family activities being organised by the RSPB in the Broads this summer. We are bringing people and the wonderful broadland wildlife together wherever possible – both at our nature reserve at Strumpshaw Fen and in local communities and at Broads-based visitor attractions”.

Junior Farm is open daily 10am to 5pm; entry charge is £5.75 (under 2 free). Wroxham Barns, http://www.wroxhambarns.co.uk/, tel. 01603 783762 is 10 miles from Norwich, take A1151 to Wroxham then follow brown and white tourist signs for 1.5miles on the Tunstead road. Free parking.

Chamber Orchestra Anglia at Norwich Roman Catholic Cathedral, Friday June 22

Chamber Orchestra Anglia heads to Norwich Roman Catholic Cathedral for the eighth concert in the Norwich 12 series, in association with Norwich HEART, on Friday, June 22 at 7.30pm.

The programme features Bach’s Violin Concerto in E major, soloist Victoria Goldsmith and Mahler’s Symphony No.4 (chamber version), soprano Rachel Bowden. There will also be a poetry reading by Michael Ondaatje, author of The English Patient.

Tickets costing £15 (£5 under 16) are available from Norwich Theatre Royal box office, tel. 01603 630000, or online via http://www.chamberorchestraanglia.co.uk/.

Raveningham Gardens – Special June Rose Weeks

Raveningham Gardens near Hales will be open for two special rose weeks from Monday, June 18 to Friday, June 22, daily 11am to 4pm and Monday, June 25 to Friday, June 29, daily 11am to 4pm. The Edwardian Rose Garden was replanted in 2000 with repeat flowering roses and hybrid tea roses. Old varieties are displayed on the walls of the house.


Visitors can also explore the 18th century walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses, arboretum and herb garden, enjoy contemporary sculpture throughout the gardens and the huge herbaceous borders. Also visit Raveningham’s 14th century church. Tea and cakes are on sale on sunny days.

Raveningham Gardens, Raveningham, NR14 6NS is open all Thursdays, 11am to 4pm, until the end of August. Admission: adult £4, concessions £3.50 and children under 16 free, tel. 01508 548152, http://www.raveningham.com/ .

Photograph: Julia's Rose

Geoffrey Lefever North Norfolk Artist’s 30-Year Retrospective at Salthouse Church

Marsham abstract artist Geoffrey Lefever is staging a 30-year retrospective exhibition, featuring 40 works, at St Nicholas Church, Salthouse north Norfolk from Saturday, June 16 to Sunday, July 1. Geoffrey Lefever Selected Works 1982-2012 will be open every day from 10am-5pm, free entry (opens at around 11am on Sundays after the church service).


For 20 years, Geoffrey Lefever was a painter of expressionist landscapes and industrial landscapes in oil, but confronting the equivalent of ‘writer’s block’ in the late 1970s, he embarked on a three-year degree in fine art at Norwich School of Art and Design (now NUCA), emerging as an abstract artist focussing on collage and mixed media work.

Geoffrey Lefever explains: “The three years at art school were at times painful, being confronted by ‘self’ every day. In my final year, my work evolved towards abstraction by means of collage. My degree show works are the earliest in this 30-year retrospective.”

In 2001, Geoffrey was inspired by his daughter Jane’s fine art degree course at Nottingham Trent University, to complete a two-year fine art MA there. “My final show at Nottingham comprised large abstract works on paper hung away from the wall surface. My work has continued to evolve in ways that I had not envisioned. While still totally abstract, at times it tends towards minimalism, but always with an emphasis on structure and the significance of materials such as hessian, ash and paper.”

“For the past 11 years the annual Salthouse exhibition has provided Norfolk with the very finest in regional art, each show developed by an invited curator,” said Geoffrey Lefever. “I have been privileged to show my work there. The location of the church is quite inspirational on a rise overlooking the salt marshes. The sheer magnificence of the building and the quality of light off the sea makes this a very special setting for art works. I can think of no better venue for my retrospective show.”

Geoffrey Lefever has been a member of Norwich 20 Group since the 1960s. He has exhibited with the group in Norwich’s twin cities, Koblenz, Novi Sad and Rouen. He is a member of the Union des Arts Plastiques in Rouen and exhibited with them this spring. Geoffrey was part of the Four Abstract Painters show at Mandells Gallery, Norwich earlier this year and also exhibited with Norwich 20 Group at The Forum and The Apex, Bury St Edmunds in May.

For more information about Geoffrey Lefever see http://www.geoffreylefever.com/.

Photograph: Geoffrey Lefever in his studio