Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile Hosts East of England Electric Bike Rally

The top UK electric bike manufacturers will be in Great Yarmouth on Saturday, May 5, from 10am to 5pm, for the East of England Electric Bike Rally.

The event staged on the seafront in the Sea Life Centre Gardens, and organised by The Electric Bike Shop Gorleston (owned by Transport Electric UK) and Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Tourism Division, will give visitors the chance to ‘have a go’ on electric bikes along the seafront cycle lane, meet the manufacturers and view the full range of UK electric bikes and accessories.

“Our event at Great Yarmouth provides a great opportunity for people to find out about the benefits of our developing technology and have some fun test riding bikes safely along the seafront cycle lane,” said Kim Peach, the CEO of Transport Electric UK.

“We have always believed that electric bikes are the answer for people who wish to get about either for work or pleasure. A trip to the supermarket is easily made without the cost of a second car or expensive fuel costs. This will be one of the top electric bike events of the season; anyone interested in electric bikes will be amazed at the progress that manufacturers have made over the last year.”

Manufacturers at the rally on Saturday, May 5 include Raleigh, Byocycles, Wisper, EBCO, Batribikes, Freego, Powacycle, Kudos, Erolling Bikes, E-Motion, Hero Eco and Storck Raddar.

Riders must be 14 years of age and test rides will be at the discretion of the manufacturers.

Alan Carr, Head of Tourism, Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: “The Electric Bike Rally is going to be a fun event, which will open our eyes to the potential of this environmentally friendly form of transport. I am really looking forward to having my first ride on an electric bike on the day.”

For more information about Transport Electric UK see http://www.transportelectricuk.com/ and Greater Yarmouth Tourism see http://www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/.

Photograph attached Kim Peach, Transport Electric UK on a Claud Butler 1-36.

Raveningham Gardens – Special May Day Bank Holiday Openings

Raveningham Gardens near Hales in South Norfolk is opening on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 6 and Monday, May 7, 2pm to 5pm. Viburnhams and early flowering shrubs will be on display; also explore the 18th century walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses, arboretum and herb garden, enjoy the contemporary sculpture throughout the gardens, and visit Raveningham’s 14th century church; tea and cakes on sale on May 6 and 7.

Raveningham Gardens, Raveningham, NR14 6NS is also open all Thursdays, 11am to 4pm, from 28 April to the end of August, admission adult £4, concessions £3.50 and children under 16 free. Tel. 01508 548152, http://www.raveningham.com.

Wroxham Barns Supports Macmillan Bure Valley Walk

Participants in Macmillan Cancer Support’s Bure Valley Walk on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April who start their walk at Bure Valley Railway’s Wroxham station, along with Macmillan staff and volunteers working on the event, will be given a voucher for a cup of tea at Wroxham Barns. For every voucher redeemed Wroxham Barns will donate £1 to the charity.

The Bure Valley Walk, which runs alongside the Bure Valley Railway and includes a journey on the railway, is a key fundraising event for the charity in Norfolk. More than 500 people took part in the walk last year, which raises money for Macmillan’s work supporting people with cancer and their families.

For more information about the Bure Valley Walk go to www.macmillan.org/walking or contact Helen Chapman, Macmillan Fundraising Manager, mob 07793 579365.

Ian Russell, Director Wroxham Barns said: “We will be working with Macmillan throughout 2012 and wish the Macmillan team and walkers a successful weekend.”

Wroxham Barns tel 01603 783762, www.wroxhambarns.co.uk.

Brass at the Barns - Wroxham Barns the Broads

Saturday 5 May – Brass at the Barns, in aid of the RNLI, with Hellesdon and Sprowston Brass Band - an evening of music from the shows and light classical pieces at Wroxham Barns, 6pm for 7pm start. Ticket £10. Barbecue available plus Uncle Stuart's Brewery Bar, bring a chair. Event organised by Wroxham & District Branch of the RNLI, box office tel. 01692 630349, http://www.wroxhambarns.co.uk.

Primrose Spectacular at Fairhaven Garden, South Walsham

It is wild primrose time at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham. Thousands of wild yellow primroses will be at their best until early May. The garden is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

As well as wild primroses visitors will see massed white wood anemones and can also enjoy three miles of footpaths (all easy walking), intersected with water filled dykes.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction. The garden, tearoom and shop are open daily all year, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), tel. 01603 270449, http://www.fairhavengarden.co.uk/. Entry charges: adult £5.50, senior citizen £5 and child £3, under fives free.

There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including the 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 Graveyard Walk – meet Great Yarmouth characters from the past

Great Yarmouth Minster and its graveyard is the setting for The Graveyard Walk at 2pm on Wednesday 11 April. Meet at the Fishermen’s Hospital gates at the northern end of the market to hear fascinating stories about characters laid to rest in this large consecrated area next to the medieval town wall.

There’s the tomb of a sailor killed by pirates and a ghost story about an Egyptian princess. Hear about James Sharman (d.1867), the first curator of the Nelson Monument. Charles Dickens based the character Peggoty in David Copperfield on Mr Sharman, who served on HMS Victory at Trafalgar as a ‘pressed man’ and claimed to have carried Nelson’s body below decks.

See the monument commemorating those who died in the suspension bridge disaster of 1845 and discover the bricked up gate where some of Nelson’s sailors took their final journey, visit the town cemetery where sailors, merchants and the odd circus owner lie side by side next to six listed memorials. Explore the Minster and finish the walk with a nice cup of tea in the church.

Places must be booked in advance on 01493 846346 or by calling into Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre on Marine Parade. Prices: £6.50 adults, £4.00 children (7-16), under 7’s free. 10 paying people minimum required for the walk to go ahead. Price includes refreshments in the Minster.

Starts: Fisherman’s Hospital gates, Great Yarmouth Market Place.
Length of walk: Approx 1½-2 hours.

http://www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/whats-on/guided-heritage-walks.aspx

Women's Institute and Great British Pantry Ranges at Wroxham Barns

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and this year’s Olympic Games mean it will be a summer of garden parties, barbecues, picnics, afternoon teas and, of course, a great deal of bunting. So Wroxham Barns is now stocking two ranges celebrating the best of British food: products by The Women’s Institute and The Great British Pantry.

The Great British Pantry range, by Cottage Delight, offers traditional home-made flavours with Union Jack-themed labels. These include pots of preserves perfect for afternoon tea, such as Summer Berries and Sherry Trifle Extra jams, plus jars of clotted cream. There is tasty chutney for ploughmen’s and sandwiches, including Spiced Damson, Pear & Walnut, and Tomato & Onion, together with refreshing elderflower and ginger cordials. Plus three quirky sauces called ‘For Fish & Chips’, ‘For Bangers & Mash’ and ‘For Pie & Chips’ to accompany these much-loved British dishes. Other Great British Pantry products on offer at Wroxham Barns include Home Bake Scone Mix, Coffee & Walnut Madeira Cake and All Butter Empire Biscuits, with the range starting at £2.50 for Barley Sugar Sticks.

Also indisputably British, The Women’s Institute is associated with traditional values, high standards and a determination to wave the flag for home-made food. Having archived recipes since 1915, The Women’s Institute has developed a series of wholesome products which have passed its own rigorous taste tests. Everything is produced by independent family businesses sourced by the 7,000 strong WI groups, whether bags of plain flour or jars of caramelised onion or spicy tomato chutney. All the products come in clear, comprehensive packaging and have the WI seal of approval, and they make a great talking point. The Women’s Institute range starts with Butter Crumbly Oatie Biscuits at £1.99.

These fabulous foods are on sale now in The Pantry at Wroxham Barns, open from 10am to 5pm daily. Wroxham Barns is on Tunstead Road, Hoveton, Norfolk, NR12 8QU. Tel: 01603 783762, www.wroxhambarns.co.uk .

Birds of Prey at Junior Farm Wroxham Barns over Easter Weekend

Visitors to the Junior Farm at Wroxham Barns over Easter will be able to see some beautiful birds of prey. Two falcons, a hawk and a kestrel from Broadsview Falconry will be at the popular tourist attraction from Good Friday through to Easter Tuesday, as well as a baby Indian eagle owl. The birds will be at the farm from 10am to 4pm daily, so that visitors can see them up close, and there will be a flying display in the adjacent field at 3pm each day.

Entry to the Junior Farm is £5.75 per person (or £24 for an annual season ticket) and there is plenty more to see and do: customers can bottle-feed the lambs at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm daily, and visit the sheep, goats, donkeys and pigs including Trixie, a Gloucester Old Spot sow, who has recently had 11 piglets. There is also a hen-house where visitors can collect freshly-laid eggs, and a RSPB-approved bird hide overlooking the duck pond.

What’s more, customers up to the age of 10 can enjoy the farm’s indoor children’s play area, Piggy’s Play Sty, at no extra charge. This modern soft play area has a ball-pit, climbing frame, slide, shapes and bouncy toys.

Elsewhere on the Wroxham Barns’ site, there is a funfair, an 18-hole mini adventure golf course, a train and some brand new outdoor play equipment. The funfair, golf and train are individually priced, while the outdoor play area is free.

Wroxham Barns is open from 10am to 5pm daily and offers a range of facilities for adults, too, from a restaurant, coffee shop and brewery to shops, workshops and studios. Wroxham Barns is on Tunstead Road, Hoveton, Norfolk, NR12 8QU. Tel: 01603 783762; info@wroxhambarns.co.uk, http://www.wroxhambarns.co.uk.