Norfolk Travel Trade Manual 2012 – Broads launch with Grand UK Holidays

Norfolk Tourism’s Travel Trade Manual 2012, the 13th edition of the essential guide to group travel in the county, was launched on November 17 at Wroxham Barns, with the help of a coach full of Grand UK Holidays customers, from Eastbourne, en-route to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular.


The travel trade manual is packed with information on places to visit and stay, meal stops, guided tours and special events. Go to www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/groups to plan itineraries and order a copy of the manual.

Norfolk is the closest major holiday destination to London and is under two tours by train direct to the Olympic Park, making it the ideal base for groups heading for a day trip to the Games. Train services from Norwich and Diss in the south of the county go to Stratford. Trains from King’s Lynn and Downham Market in the west of the county go to King’s Cross, and will be connected to the Olympic Park by the six-minute Javelin® service.

Lydia Smith, Director Norfolk Tourism said: “The Travel Trade Manual is the essential group guide to exploring our rich and diverse county. The Olympic Park is an easy day visit from Norfolk. Rather than stay in London, which will be very busy next year, combine a trip to the Games with a break in our county. We have 90 miles of stunning coastline and the beautiful Broads, as well as peaceful countryside with atmospheric medieval churches, picturesque villages and historic market towns. We have a great mix of attractions plus Norwich, a top 10 shopping destination that is easy to explore on foot, with fantastic historic buildings round every corner.”

Norwich based company The UK Holiday Group http://www.theukholidaygroup.com/ brings thousands of customers to Norfolk each year through its brands Grand UK Holidays providing escorted holidays for the over 55's, Grand UK Hotels, which has a portfolio of 13 properties, and also its group travel division Just for Groups!. Sales Director, Harold Burke said: “Norfolk has always been a prime destination and the company offers tours and events throughout the region with many based at its own property, the Nelson Hotel in Great Yarmouth, and other Norfolk locations such as Potters and Warner's.”

“Popular tours include 'Royal Norfolk' which features Sandringham House & Garden, the 'Rivers & Railways of Rural Norfolk' which features the Museum of Norfolk Life, the 'Poppy Line' - North Norfolk Railway, Wroxham and a Norfolk Broads Cruise and the 'East Coast Safari' with an exclusive Banham Zoo guided tour.”

Photograph: Grand UK Holidays customers at Wroxham Barns

Swaffham ‘Calendar Girls Style’ Calendar Supports Church Restoration Appeal

Eleven Swaffham businesses including the George Hotel and The Greyhound Inn are in a special ‘Calendar Girls style’ 2012 Calendar in aid of St Peter and St Paul Church Swaffham’s restoration appeal http://www.facebook.com/pages/2012-Calendar-Launch-in-aid-of-Swaffham-Church/202887466440395?v=info. The calendar features ladies from the church and staff from the businesses.

The church is staging a fundraising Christmas Tree Festival from Tuesday, November 29 to Thursday, December 8, daily 10am to 4pm featuring 20 trees trimmed by local charities.

Calendars are available in the church and at Pedlars Gold, Market Cross Bistro, Starlings and Just Hair in Swaffham or call 01760 721237 email keithcreed@aol.com.

Beccles Books – Talk from Anthony Grey Author of The Hostage Handbook

Anthony Grey, journalist, author and founder of Norwich based The Tagman Press, http://www.tagmanpress.co.uk/ will be speaking at Beccles Books on Thursday, November 17 from 7pm.


Mr Grey will be talking about his two years captivity in China at the time of the Cultural Revolution and will be signing copies of his book about his experiences – The Hostage Handbook.

Beccles Books is at 1 Exchange House, Exchange Square, Beccles NR34 9HH,
tel. 01502 716806.

Whispering Reeds Dane Dane’s Seventh Biennial Broads Exhibition

David Dane is staging his seventh biennial exhibition of oil paintings, inspired by the Broads, at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, from Saturday, November 26 to Sunday, December 4, open daily 10am to 4pm.

The exhibition titled, Whispering Reeds, features 20 original paintings of the Broads, including a collection of eight paintings of Wheatfen, the nature reserve at Surlingham created by the late Ted and Phyllis Ellis. Whispering Reeds is sponsored by Norfolk Country Cottages, whose Chairman, Richard Ellis is Ted Ellis’ nephew. Entry to the exhibition is free. Normal entry charges apply to the garden.

David Dane explained: “One of my first memories of the Broads is standing by a reed bed and being fascinated by the gentle swishing sounds of the breeze stirring the reeds. Over the past four decades that I have lived and worked as an artist, there are few paintings that have not included reeds, if only on the roof of a cottage. Unfortunately, there has been a substantial loss of reed in many areas of the Broads since my childhood. I remember well the excitement when large ‘huvvers’ would break off reed beds on the Broads and float into narrow channels and staithes.”

“Thankfully, reed is still to be found in many areas of Broadland,” added David Dane. “To my creative mind, reed is the most elegant and beautiful plant in the world. From the vibrant green in early summer, to the russet of autumn and winter, whispering reeds will continue to inspire me.”

“My sincere thanks go to Richard Ellis of Norfolk Country Cottages for his support and the company’s sponsorship of this exhibition and to David Nobbs, the warden of Wheatfen for his advice and assistance. Phyllis Ellis was a great supporter of my early exhibitions and I am very pleased to be featuring the Wheatfen collection this year. I would also like to thank Whispering Reeds boatyard Hickling and the River Green Café Trowse for their help and Louise Rout and the team at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden for hosting Whispering Reeds.”

Jenny White writing about David Dane’s work in Artists and Illustrators magazine said: “David Dane’s Norfolk is a land of mystery, poised between this world and the next.”

Louise Rout, manager Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden said: “We are pleased to be hosting David Dane’s exhibition. I hope visitors to Whispering Reeds will take to the time to explore our garden, enjoy the tranquillity by our broad and reflect on David’s work.”

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

There is wheelchair access to 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.

To contact David Dane tel. 01692 584938,

Painting: The Reedcutter's Cottagewww.dfdaneoilpaintings.co.uk.

Visit Norfolk – Closer than you think to London 2012

Norfolk Tourism has launched a microsite http://www.visitnorfolk2012.com/ to promote the county as a London 2012 base for visiting the Games.

Norfolk is the closest major holiday destination to London and is under two tours by train direct to the Olympic Park. Train services from Norwich and Diss in the south of the county go to Stratford. Trains from King’s Lynn and Downham Market in the west of the county go to King’s Cross, and will be connected to the Olympic Park by the six-minute Javelin® service.

The microsite is a one-stop shop for visitors arranging a holiday in Norfolk combined with a visit to the London Games. It features information about Games venues and transport, as well as links to accommodation in Norfolk, things to do and key events including the Cultural Olympiad and Torch Relay in the county. An interactive map of Norfolk helps plan a stay.

Norfolk Tourism is also running a series of competitions on http://www.visitnorfolk2012.com/ to win short breaks to the county in 2012. The first competition (open from November 12 to December 16) features Norwich, with two nights at De Vere Dunston Hall, an evening meal at Three Ways Lebanese Restaurant and a free pass to the city’s attractions, including Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery and the historic Dragon Hall.

Lydia Smith, Director Norfolk Tourism said: “The Olympic Park is an easy day visit from Norfolk. Rather than stay in London, which will be very busy next year, combine a trip to the Games with a break in our county. Explore the Broads, Britain’s magical waterland and the historic city of Norwich, which is also a Top 10 shopping destination. Or head to the beautiful North Norfolk Coast and visit King’s Lynn and nearby Sandringham, HM the Queen’s home in Norfolk, or base yourself in Great Yarmouth and enjoy the family fun on the seafront.”

Jo Artherton, Marketing Manager BeWILDerwood and Norfolk’s London 2012 champion added: “Norfolk has attractions to suit any age or interest as well as an exciting programme of special events. Our attractions and hotels are providing large screen TVs, so visitors can keep up to date with the action in London. There’s also a BBC Big Screen outside Chapelfield Shopping Centre in Norwich, where you will be able to capture all the atmosphere of the Games.”

Part of the VisitNorfolk 2012 campaign, run by Norfolk Tourism and its partners and funded by Norfolk County Council, the microsite has been designed with support-in-kind by Norwich based award-winning creative digital agency Selesti.

Take Part in Dickleburgh Church Eighth Annual Christmas Tree Extravaganza

The eighth annual South Norfolk Christmas Tree extravaganza, 50 Christmas Trees in a Church, is set to take place in Dickleburgh Church from Sunday, December 4 to Sunday, December 11. The Christmas Tree festival is open daily 10am -7pm, except Sunday, December 11 when it closes at 4pm for the prize giving.

Local organisations, businesses and children’s groups still have the opportunity to enter decorated trees in the event and win cash prizes. To enter a tree contact event organisers, Rev. Norman Steer and Rosemary Steer, tel. 01379 854245.

Proceeds from the event will support Send a Cow http://www.sendacow.org.uk/, a UK based charity that helps African families grow enough food to eat, sell their produce and develop small businesses that last.

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

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

Event organiser Rev 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.”

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

Former Norwich Hotel School Head – Working with Young Chefs in Bulgaria

Mick Cooper, former Head of the Hotel School at City College, Norwich visited the city last Thursday with three young people from a children’s home in Bulgaria. The visit was part of the work of Mr Cooper’s Phoenix Inspire NGO http://www.phoenix-inspire.org/, set up in Bulgaria in 2008 to teach catering skills to young people at the children’s home in the village of Novo Selo, Vidin region, the poorest region in Europe.

The visit to Norwich included an overnight stay at De Vere Dunston Hall and trips to Debut Restaurant, City College and Norfolk & Norwich NHS University Hospital catering.

Mick Cooper explained: “I visited Novo Selo and its children’s home in 2008. The children had no opportunities and faced a difficult future after leaving the home aged 20. There were no jobs in the area – as many as 80% of the young people ended up working in prostitution. I thought that I could do something, so sold up and moved to Novo Selo and set up the Phoenix Inspire NGO.”




“The children never had Christmas presents or birthday parties. But thanks to supporters in the UK, we have been able to ensure that these significant dates are celebrated. We also teach English and catering skills to the children. They are now motivated and can see that they have a future”



“The reason for the visit to England was to show Maria, Iglika and Elvis the variety of jobs available in the catering industry,” added Mick Cooper, “four star hotels like Dunston Hall, hospitals, restaurants and cafes.”

Denis McEvoy, General Manager De Vere Dunston Hall said: “Mick Cooper’s work in Bulgaria is inspirational. I was pleased to welcome his group to Dunston Hall and support the education work that he is doing in Novo Selo.”

For more information about Phoenix Inspire see http://www.phoenix-inspire.org/. To contact Mick Cooper email mick@phoenix-inspire.org.

Photograph taken at De Vere Dunston Hall: front L to R Maria Petrova (16), Iglika Aleksieva (13) and Elvis Milkov (18), the students from the children’s home; back L to R Latinka Petrova (social worker), Mick Cooper, Valentin Asparohov (translator) and Denis McEvoy General Manager Dunston Hall.