Italian Students Take Pancake Challenge at Maids Head Hotel Norwich

Maids Head Hotel Pancake Challenge - 28 February 2017

Students from Istituto Tecnico per il Turismo G.Mazzotti, Treviso in northern Italy, took part in a pancake challenge at the Maids Head Hotel, in Norwich, to mark  Shrove Tuesday 2017.

The Italian students were victorious in a timed pancake making competition, against a team comprising staff from the Maids Head, The English Experience and Liftshare.

Linzi Rawson, Sales Manager, Maids Head Hotel explained: “The English Experience asked if we would host the group of 40 Italian students and take them on a tour of the hotel. As it was Shrove Tuesday, we decided to also introduce them to our pancake tradition. Head Chef, ‘Magic’ Marcin Pomierny gave a pancake making demonstration, then two teams made as many pancakes as they could in 10 minutes, with the Italian students coming out on top. We were really pleased to work with The English Experience on this visit, along with Liftshare, who are also hosting the students.”

The Italians, whose school focuses on languages and vocational training for careers in the tourism industry, are in Norwich for a fortnight studying with The English Experience.

Cristina Pastrello, English teacher with the students from Treviso said: “We do not have pancakes in Italy on Shrove Tuesday, so today was an excellent way to open the students to British culture at first hand. It is my first visit to Norwich. I am enjoying my stay here. Norwich has retained its character much better than other British towns, especially the local shops.”  

Iris De Longhi, one of the students who took part in the pancake challenge said: “I really enjoyed learning about and cooking pancakes, and also tasting the Head Chef’s pancakes, which were very good.”

Carol Syder, Director, The English Experience added: “We have been working with the tourism school from Treviso for 15 years. Industry visits in Norwich, like this one to the Maids Head and to Liftshare, are becoming more and more popular and valuable as the students develop their vocational skills.”

Maids Head Hotel Norwich Retains Top Platinum Grading at Loo of the Year Awards

 Mandy Ames and Erwin Mullari with the Maids Head's Loo of the Year certificates 

The Maids Head Hotel in Norwich has retained top platinum grading for its public toilets in the annual Loo of the Year Awards, along with a special Attendant of the Year Award for cleanliness.

The Loo of the Year Awards have been identifying the best in Britain since 1987, and are recognised as standard setters for all those who provide ‘away from home’ facilities for staff, customers and visitors.

During 2015, the hotel invested £140,000 in fully refurbishing all public toilets, including the addition of an accessible toilet near the Wine Press Restaurant and new gents’ toilets close to the Minstrel Suite, the main function room. The completed refurbishment reflects the heritage of the hotel with a contemporary twist.

The Maids Head received an unannounced visit from a Loo of the Year Awards inspector and was assessed against 100 judging criteria including signage, décor, fixtures and fittings and overall standards of cleanliness and management.

Christine Malcolm, General Manager, Maids Head Hotel said: “We are very proud of to have retained our platinum status in the Loo of the Year Awards. This is excellent recognition for our housekeeping team, led by Mandy Ames. Erwin Mullari has overall responsibility for keeping the toilets looking at their best, and the Attendant of the Year Award is well deserved for all his hard work.”

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

Star Night at Fairhaven Garden, Norfolk Broads

The Milky Way above Happisburgh Lighthouse, Norfolk: Shaun Reynolds

It’s Star Night at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, at South Walsham in the Norfolk Broads, on Saturday, February 18, 2017, from 7pm.  Telescopes will be set up for viewing the night sky. The evening is being run in partnership with Norwich Astronomical Society.

Do bring your own telescope and wrap up warm, but no torches as they destroy night vision. The evening also includes an illustrated talk from Shaun Reynolds ‘In search of the Milky Way’, a guide to where, when and how to look for the majestic Milky Way, together with photographing it around Norfolk, Suffolk and the UK's incredible coast.

Star Night entry is £3.50 adult, £2 child. Hot snacks, teas and coffees served in the tearoom from 7pm.

Also at half term Fairhaven is running family activities in the garden: Signs of Spring Week and Design a Den Week. Both are from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 February, 10am to 4pm daily, and are included in the entry charge: adult £6.50, concessions £5.90, children £3.75 (under 5 free).

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

The garden is open daily all year 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day and closes 4pm during the winter), also open Wednesdays until 9pm from May to the end of August. Free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales.

There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden and boat trips (April to October, additional charge). Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance, mobility scooters available.

Norwich School Students Publish Fine City Colouring Guide

L to R: Melissa Thomas, Reservations Co-ordinator Maids Head Hotel, Tom Osborn Managing Director Inceptum Norwich holding his grandfather's painting Winter Sports in Norwich and Victoria Hood, Deputy Head of Sixth Form Norwich School.

Inceptum Norwich, a business formed by a group of year 12 students at Norwich School, who are taking part in this year's Young Enterprise Programme’s company scheme, have produced and published, Norwich: A colouring guide for a fine city, featuring 15 historic buildings and locations throughout the city (price £5.99).

The Maids Head Hotel in Tombland, one of the buildings in the colouring guide, is selling the booklet at hotel reception. Guests on the Maids Head’s Historic Norwich package receive a copy in their room. The hotel has also combined with Inceptum Norwich to offer dinner for two for the best coloured-in booklet. Completed guides should be handed-in at hotel reception by February 28.

Some of the other historic buildings featured are Augustine Steward's House, Norwich Castle, both Cathedrals and The Great Hospital. The booklet includes a map/trail guide and information about each building and location. There are line drawings of the buildings for colouring in, plus colour photographs as a guide.

The booklet’s cover is a painting of Winter Sports in Norwich, by the late Frank Ashworth, grandfather of Tom Osborn, Managing Director of Norwich Inceptum.

Tom Osborn said: “The objectives of the booklet are to encourage all ages to learn about Norwich, get active and follow the trail, and also experience the de-stressing aspects of colouring. We would like to thank the Maids Head for their support and Irina Vakh from HSBC who has been our business mentor.”

Inceptum Norwich team at the Maids Head Hotel, centre l to r: Melissa Thomas, Reservations Co-ordinator Maids Head Hotel, Toby Barber Company Secretary Inceptum Norwich, Tom Osborn Manging Director Inceptum Norwich and Linzi Rawson, Sales Manager Maids Head Hotel.  

Linzi Rawson, Sales Manager, Maids Head Hotel said: “We are really pleased to help Tom and his colleagues with their Young Enterprise project. The colouring guide is an excellent way to encourage people to get out and about and discover Norwich’s heritage. We are looking forward to receiving lots of completed booklets for our competition.”

Victoria Hood, Deputy Head of Sixth Form Norwich School and link teacher for Inceptum Norwich added: “The students have been a delightful group to work with and very professional the whole way through. I have been very impressed with the team work and the final product.”

Norwich: A colouring guide for a fine city is also on sale at Jarrold Norwich.  

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