Special Norfolk Food Festival Preview Event with The Maids Head Hotel and Winbirri Vineyard Friday 30 August 2013

The Norfolk Food Festival kicks off at the end of the month with a packed programme of events across the county from 31 August to 6 October.

The Maids Head Hotel and Winbirri Vineyard are running a special Food Festival preview event on Friday 30 August.

The Wine Press @ Wensum restaurant at the Maids Head Hotel

The event starts at the Maids Head Hotel in the historic Cathedral Quarter in Norwich, where you will be collected at 1.30pm and taken to the Winbirri Vineyard at Surlingham, in the Norfolk Broads, for a tour with wine tasting, cheese and nibbles. Then return to the Maids Head Hotel for a three-course Norfolk wine and dine menu featuring Norfolk dapple soufflé, rump of Smallburgh lamb and Norfolk rhubarb parfait. Each course will matched with a Winbirri wine.

Winbirri Vineyard Surlingham Norfolk

The cost is £60 per person including transport to and from the vineyard, tour and dinner at the Maids Head Hotel. To book tickets t.01603 209955, email events@maidsheadhotel.co.uk.

Norfolk Food Festival is running a special competition for two tickets to the event and overnight stay at the Maids Head, which is believed to be the oldest hotel in Britain. For competition details go to www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk, detail to enter is 23 August. 

More to appreciate in Great Yarmouth – new official free tourism app

Tourism bosses today launched the new official Great Yarmouth app, available free for iPhone and iPad users. The new tourism app is suitable for phones and tablets running iOS6 and is available from the app store now. Search for ‘Great Yarmouth’ and look out for the ‘i heart GY’ icon. An Android version will follow soon. 

Left to right at Sara's Tearoom: David Helsdon – Tourism Events Manager, Cllr Michael Jeal – Chair of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority, Lyn Bird – Marketing & Systems Assistant, Ken Sims – GYTA Marketing Director & owner of Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, Alan Carr – Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority CEO, Albert Jones – GYTA Director & owner of Great Yarmouth PleasureBeach, Sally Davies – The Southern & Matt Smith – Sara’s Tearooms.

There’s everything that visitors to the borough of Great Yarmouth need for a great day out or stay on the new tourism app. Covering the whole borough, from Hopton-on-Sea in the south, to Winterton-on-Sea in the north and Repps-with-Bastwick and Clippesby in the west, the app is packed with useful information about the entire resort, as well as the most up to date information about what’s on. 

The app features in-built maps, images and information to help visitors plan their holiday, from details about activities such as boat trips, swimming pools and golf, to tourist attractions, food and drink and entertainment, as well as where to stay, car parks, toilets and cash machines.

The app uses a combination of phone signal and GPS to identify the user’s location and reference it against the attractions and facilities on the maps. Users can choose to view the information in a list ordered alphabetically or by nearest location to them or on a map. A blue marker on the map shows where they are in relation to the items displayed.  The app was developed by Norfolk firm pocketi as a free trial.

The maps and information are stored on the phone, so there is no need to constantly download data, saving on charges and helping reduce battery usage. Free updates will be available from the app store. 

The app currently includes all graded accommodation that advertise in the Great Yarmouth Holiday Brochure, along with all tourist attractions, cafés, restaurants and pubs on the tourism database.

The app has been tested by members of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority’s Marketing Group in locations all over the borough to ensure that the app is accurate in all areas of the holiday resort, not just on the seafront. More information will be uploaded over the coming months, including shops, takeaways, parks and gardens. 

Ken Sims, Marketing Director of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority and owner of Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens said: “We are always delighted to investigate the use of new technology to extend Great Yarmouth’s marketing reach to potential visitors and to make their holidays even more enjoyable once they are in the borough. The Greater Yarmouth Holiday Brochure can already be downloaded as an app, but given the high number of people now using smart phones to assist them with their holiday or day trip plans when they are actually here, the GYTA Marketing Group seized the opportunity to develop this more practical app, which will help guide people around the area.”

Councillor Michael Jeal, Chair of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority said: “The new official Greater Yarmouth tourism app is an excellent resource for all visitors to the borough. The GPS technology used in the app will help guide you to your accommodation, attraction, café, restaurant, car park and even the nearest cash machine and toilets.”  

For an immediate link to the app, users can go to the official Greater Yarmouth tourism website at www.great-yarmouth.co.uk and click on the App Store link, or for more information contact Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre t. 01493 846346.

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival Tall Ship Sailings on the Morgenster

Dutch square-rigged tall ship the Morgenster, one of the visiting vessels at this year’s Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, is also offering sailing trips.

Morgenster was built a sailing herring lugger. Launched in 1919, motorised and extended in 1927, she fished for herring until 1970. Then she went into the sport angling business, before a brief interlude as pirate radio vessel, Radio Del Mare.  The current owner and skipper Harry Mueter, bought the Morgenster in 1983, restored her and she began life as a sail training vessel in 2008.

Booking for the Great Yarmouth cruises is now open online at www.maritime-festival.co.uk, or Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre, t 01493 332200.

Sailings depart from the south end of South Quay and last from 2½-3½ hours.
Thursday 5 September at 9am and 5pm – £32 per person
Friday 6 September at 6.30pm – £35 per person
Saturday 7 September at 6pm – £39 per person
Sunday 8 September at 6pm – £39 per person.

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival, on Saturday 7 September (10am to 6pm) and Sunday 8 September (10am to 5pm), celebrates the town’s proud maritime past and our maritime future with visiting ships, live music, street entertainment, arts, crafts and children’s activities.

The Festival takes place on South Quay; activities and entertainment are free (except for river and sailing trips). A donation of £1 per visitor towards Festival costs is welcomed.

Shanty and maritime music is performed throughout the weekend at three different venues on South Quay. Visitors will be able to go onboard Dutch square-rigged tall ship the Morgenster, which will be also be offering sailing trips.

Steam tug Challenge, the last steam tug to work on the Thames will be in port. The Challenge, part of the National Historic Fleet, is best known for the role she played in Operation Dynamo, evacuating troops from Dunkirk in 1940.

Visitors will be able to meet Admiral Nelson, Mrs Hamilton, Lofty the Lighthouse and Horatio Herring; enjoy military re-enactments from East Norfolk Militia, street theatre from Inner State, punch and judy shows with Professor Pulson and face painting and balloon modelling.

For more information see www.maritime-festival.co.uk.

South Walsham Open Gardens Day, Norfolk Broads - Sunday 4 August

Seventeen gardens in South Walsham in the Norfolk Broads have clubbed together for an open gardens day on Sunday 4 August in aid of the village defibrillator appeal, which has been inspired by local resident Michael Cooper.

The open gardens day runs from 11am to 5pm and costs £5 for adults, children free. Visitors should head for the Village Hall on School Road, opposite the entrance to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, to pay, pick up a map of the open gardens and park their car.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is offering a cream tea at £4 on the day, with 50% of proceeds going to the defibrillator appeal and will also be staging a plant sale with a donation to the appeal. Fairhaven's sensory garden is included in the trail, but normal entry charges will apply for the rest of the garden and the open-air Summer Music concert in the Glade, from Norwich band The He Hews (2pm to 4pm).

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

Wherry Yacht Charter Sailings with Fairhaven Garden and St Benet's Abbey, Norfolk Broads Saturday 3 August

Wherry Yacht Charter is offering two sailings in the Norfolk Broads in partnership with Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden  and St Benet's Abbey on Saturday 3 August. For more information and to book t. 01692 630674 or email bookings@wherryyachtcharter.org,
www.wherryyachtcharter.org.

Photograph: The Broads Authority

The trips cost £25 per person and include entry to Fairhaven Garden and depart at 9.30am and 2.30pm. Both sailings start from Fairhaven and head for St Benet's Abbey. Passengers will be transported from the garden to their wherry on board Fairhaven's boat, Primrose. When the wherry arrives at St Benet's Abbey, there will be time to explore the site before the return journey.

St Benet's Abbey: photograph Ed Grapes/Diocese of Norwich

The 9.30am sailing will return to South Walsham and passengers can then enjoy exploring the garden. Passengers on the  2.30pm sailing are encouraged to enjoy the garden first. The second sailing returns to Ranworth, with a walk back through the garden at the end of the day.

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

New Multi Purpose Bird Hide Opens at Fairhaven Garden, Norfolk Broads

Students from Acle Academy life skills course were at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in South Walsham, Norfolk Broads, on 23 July to officially open a new multi purpose bird hide in the garden.

Led by tutor Jeremy Bryant, the students made the new hide in sections at school, then visited the garden to complete the construction work. The hide also doubles as an education space with a pond-dipping platform outside. It is fully accessible for visitors in wheelchairs, includes a door at the front, which opens out onto the pond-dipping platform and was made with funds from the Ranworth Trust, donated to the academy for construction projects.

Acle Academy students with tutor Jeremy Bryant and Jane Cator, Ranworth Trust

Louise Rout, Fairhaven Garden Manager said: “This is a superb addition to the facilities in the garden and replaces an old structure recycled from our original shop, which had seen better days. We really value our relationship with Acle Academy. The school has worked with us on a number of successful projects over the last four years. The hide and pond-dipping platform greatly improve our education facilities and provide a comfortable space for birdwatchers. It adds to the nearby willow enclosure, which was also created by Acle Academy students as an open-air classroom.

Louise Rout added: “Thank you very much to Jeremy and his team for all their hard work. You should be very proud of what you have created for our visitors. Thanks also go to students from Easton College and our gardening team who dug the new pond at the front of the hide.”

Jeremy Bryant, Acle Academy tutor said: “This has been a great experience for my students, developing and completing a construction scheme away from school.  We have been working on it since Christmas. We have been pleased to help Louise and Fairhaven, by creating a project of lasting value for the garden and its visitors.”

Tim Phillips Headteacher Acle Academy added: ”This has been an excellent real project for the students. They have developed skills that they will be confident to use in future. They can also see that their work is valued at Fairhaven and learn to appreciate this special place.”

Liam Aston (15) Acle Academy student said: “I feel really proud of our work. It’s been a very good experience. It’s great that other people will enjoy it. I’ve also got on with people from school who I didn’t really know, as we worked together.”

Jane Cator, Ranworth Trust said: “I think the bird hide is superb and has been a very worthwhile education project for the students. They have build an excellent facility.”

 Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden t. 01603 270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk
   

Great Yarmouth Heritage Walks – Summer Holiday Specials

Explore historic Great Yarmouth on two special summer holiday guided walks. Join the South Quay and St George's’ Walk on Wednesday 31 July and The Graveyard Walk on Wednesday 28 August, both at 2pm.

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.

                                                   St George's Theatre

The South Quay and St George’s Walk on 31 July (approx. 2 hours) starts from the Fisherman’s Hospital Gates in the Market Place and looks the stunning architecture and stories of South Quay, once described as the finest quay in all of Europe, along with tales of the Tolhouse, the country’s oldest gaol and St George's Theatre.

The Graveyard Walk on 28 August (approx. 2 hours) also starts from the Fisherman’s Hospital Gates. Hear fascinating stories about characters laid to rest in this large consecrated area next to the medieval town wall.

                                         Great Yarmouth Minster

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 full programme of Heritage Walks see www.heritage-walks.co.uk, or pick up a leaflet at Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre.