Big Lottery Fund Joy for Norfolk Deaf Association

Celebrating at NDA HQ: Aliona Laker CEO NDA, Clayton Anderson, Tracy Mabbitt, Pam Spicer, John Marcus and Tony Innes Chairman NDA.

Trustees, staff and volunteers at Norfolk Deaf Association (NDA) are celebrating a £284,991 grant from the Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities programme.

The grant secures the future of the charity’s vital Hearing Support Service (HSS) for the next three years and includes the purchase of a new minibus for the Listen Here! mobile clinic, which visits towns and villages and sheltered housing throughout Norfolk. The HSS celebrated its 20th anniversary in April.

Thirty-six trained volunteers fulfilled 10,100 HSS appointments in 2012/13, up from 7162 in 2011/12. The volunteers help people affected by hearing loss, advising them on the use, cleaning and maintenance of hearing aids.  Home visits are offered for those with limited mobility, and there are 39 static clinics and 28 mobile clinics provided by the Listen Here! Bus. The mobile clinic also visits 25 sheltered housing complexes.

Aliona Laker, Chief Executive of the Norfolk Deaf Association said: “The grant from the Big Lottery Fund is wonderful news for our staff and volunteers and the people we support in the community. The funding means that we can look forward with confidence for the next three years, recruit and train more volunteers, maintain our programme of static and mobile clinics and quickly respond to the increasing demand for home visits. Our work plays a vital role in overcoming feelings of isolation for people in Norfolk with hearing loss. Knowing that someone can help you with the operation and maintenance of your hearing aid can really help improve your day to day quality of life.”

“If you think you would be interested in becoming a volunteer please contact us at the NDA office” added Tony Innes, Chairman of the NDA, “We will offer you training, a supervised introduction to the work we do and then regular training updates so you can maintain professional standards. Our volunteers find it very enjoyable and fulfilling.”

Dr John FitzGerald, Head of Audiology, Norfolk & Norwich NHS University Hospital said: “This is really great news for hearing aid users across Norfolk. The Listen Here! Bus, static clinics and home visits provide a vital link for many of our patients who struggle to get to the hospital for help with hearing aid maintenance. Knowing that the NDA will continue to provide this outstanding local service into the future will be of great re-assurance to these patients.”

Diana Gee, HSS volunteer said: “I went deaf in my twenties and am now in my seventies. I moved to Norfolk 20 years ago and the help I received from the HSS made a big difference. I have been a volunteer for 16 years now. The support from NDA means a great deal to people and gives them confidence. Volunteers normally operate generally within a five-mile radius from home. I enjoy meeting clients and have between two and four appointments a week.”

The HSS is NDA’s largest service and is supported by the Norfolk & Norwich NHS University Hospital, which provides supplies and training. The service also receives some funding from North Norfolk, Norwich and South Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Groups as well as a number of Grant Making Trusts and individual donations.

Static Clinics include Blakeney, Coltishall, Fakenham, Gorleston, Holt, Ludham, Sheringham and Wells-next-the-Sea.

Mobile Clinics include Acle, Aylsham, Bunwell, Dereham, Diss, Harleston, Hingham, Hoveton, North Walsham, Reepham, Stalham, Swaffham, Taverham, Thetford, Watton and Wymondham.

NDA also runs an Assistive Listening Devices advice and support clinic on Thursday mornings between 10am and 1pm at the new NDA headquarters, 120 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RT.  This is ideal for anyone thinking of buying equipment to enhance hearing. A wide variety of equipment is on display including induction loops, wireless listeners, flashing and vibrating doorbells, vibrating alarm clocks, smoke alarms, telephone amplifiers and mobile phones.

For more information about HSS clinics or home visits or volunteering contact Pam Spicer, Hearing Support Service Co-ordinator on 01603 404440, email nhss@norfolkdeaf.org.uk or visit the website at www.norfolkdeaf.org.uk.

Norfolk Deaf Association was founded in 1898, originally as a benevolent society. The charity aims to improve the lives of young people and adults with all degrees of hearing loss through information, support, awareness and communication. The key services are Hearing Support Service, Befriending Service, Tinnitus Support Group, Deaf Awareness Training and Hard of Hearing Club.

Autumn Colours Tour at Fairhaven Garden Norfolk Broads - Sunday, November 17

Enjoy the spectacular autumn colours at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham in the Norfolk Broads, with its mature oak and beech trees, on this guided walk with Head Gardener Ian Guest on Sunday, November 17 at 11am.

Garden entry is £6 adult; £5.50 conc, £3.50 child, under 5’s free, dogs 25p (to cover poop scoop); no additional charge for the guided walk.

There is also a Christmas Fayre on November 17 from 11am to 3pm (free entry) with Christmas cakes, jewellery, decorations, woodcrafts and more.

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

The garden is open daily all year (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.

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.