FANN13 – The 2013 Norwich Lecture – Thursday 7 November at University of East Anglia

Norfolk Association of Architects’ 2013 Norwich Lecture will be given by internationally renowned Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira on Thursday 7 November, 6.30pm for 7pm in Lecture Theatre 1, University of East Anglia, Norwich

The lecture is in association with UEA and is supported by RG Carter. The lecture is free, no booking required.

Álvaro Siza Vieira accolades include the 2009 RIBA Gold Medal, the Venice Biennale's Golden Lion, the Pritzker Prize and the International Union of Architects Gold Medal.  The event brings FANN13, the Festival of Architecture in Norwich and Norfolk to a close. For more information see www.fann.org.uk

Great Yarmouth Graveyard Walk – Heritage Walks Autumn Holiday Special – October 31

Great Yarmouth Minster

Great Yarmouth Minster and its graveyard is the setting for The Graveyard Walk at 2pm on Thursday, October 31. 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. 

Places must be booked in advance on 01493 846346 or at Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre, Marine Parade. Prices: £6.50 adults, £4.50 children (7-16), under 7’s free; 10 paying people minimum required for the walk to go ahead. Price includes refreshments.  Walk lasts approx. two hours. 

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 and merchants lie side by side next to six listed memorials.

For more information about Great Yarmouth’s Heritage Walks see www.heritage-walks.co.uk. 

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden - Norfolk Broads - October Half Term Activities

It’s Grow Your Own Oak Tree Week at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham in the Norfolk Broads from Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3, daily 10am to 5pm. Head into the garden and forage for your own acorn, then take it away in a recycled pot filled with Fairhaven leaf soil.

Then on Tuesday, October 29, it’s Bird Day with the RSPB, from 11am to 3pm. Prepare your garden for birds this winter by making bird feeders and bird boxes (small charge for bird box).

Normal entry charges apply for both activities: adult £6, senior citizen £5.50 and child £3.50 (under five free).

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

The garden is open daily all year, 10am to 5pm  (10am to 4pm during the winter and 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.

Fairhaven Garden - Norfolk Broads - Halloween Haunted Trail – Thursday, October 31

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham in the Norfolk Broads invites you to scare yourself silly on the spooky trail round the garden – the 14th annual Halloween Haunted Trail, on Thursday, October 31, from 6pm to 8pm. 

Enjoy watching fire artists and live music from The Grim Reapazz. Watch out for Dracula appearing from his coffin and zombies, mummies and witches on the trail, along with a firework finale at 7.45pm. 

Tickets cost, adults £6, concessions £5 and children (age 3-16)  £3.50. Visitors can go round the trail as many times as they dare and should bring their own torch. Ticket only event, to book t. 01603 270449. Hot soup, sandwiches and snacks will be on sale in the tearoom. Please note this event is not suitable for children under 3, pushchairs and dogs.

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

The garden is open daily all year (closed Christmas Day) 10am to 5pm (closes 4pm in the winter), free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales. 

Maids Heads Hotel Norwich – Young Polish Head Chef Launches First Menu

Marcin Pomierny (28), the new Head Chef at the historic four-star Maids Head Hotel in Norwich, has launched his first seasonally inspired menu, entirely sourced from Norfolk suppliers.

Marcin, who trained as a chef in Poland, has worked in Norwich since 2005. He arrived in the UK with minimal English, secured a job as a kitchen porter and has learned the language and the British way of running a kitchen on the job, to become a Head Chef in just eight years. He was a finalist in the Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef of the Year competition in 2008.

Marcin Pomierny and David Lovett

Marcin leads a young brigade of six. David Lovett (25), Sous Chef, is also new to the Maids Head. A self-confessed tearaway as a youngster, he left school with no qualifications, but was inspired to pursue professional cooking as a career when he began as a kitchen porter in Norwich aged 18.

Highlights from the new menu:
Starters
Norfolk rabbit & chicken terrine, celeriac remoulade, spicy chutney and toasted sourdough bread.
Dill salmon gravlax, blini, pickled cucumber, beetroot & caper dressing.
Main Courses
Pumpkin & potato gnocchi, wild mushrooms and runner beans, mixed leaf salad.
Seared fillet of sea bream, saffron turned potatoes, buttered spinach, crispy leaks and sauce vierge.
Desserts
Pear tarte tatin, clotted cream ice cream.
Hazelnut parfait, vanilla marshmallow, candied hazelnuts, shortbread, chocolate sauce.

Marcin Pomierny said: “Working at the Maids Head gives me the opportunity to be creative. I test all new dishes with staff before they go on the menu. I am planning to develop some Maids Head signature dishes based on traditional English food and am very keen to secure a second AA Rosette for the restaurant. I am very happy to teach my team and help them progress, focussing both on the method of cooking and its presentation.”

David Lovett added: “I like to make dishes that people can’t make at home. It’s all about the texture and creativity. Marcin, who is know as ‘Magic’, is a very hard worker and creates a good atmosphere in the kitchen making it a strong team.”

Christine Malcolm, General Manager the Maids Head Hotel said: “We run a very busy multi-faceted catering business combining the restaurant, lounge and bars with special functions, conferences and weddings. Marcin and David have brought energy, creativity and passion to our kitchen and share our ambition to make the Maids Head one of the top food destinations in the region.”

For more information about the Maids Head Hotel see www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk,
t. 01603 209955.