Search

Loading...

Recent Posts

Blog Archive

Thursday, 25 March 2010
Norfolk's Unique Beauty Celebrated in Sheringham Art Exhibition

The unique qualities of Norfolk's coast and countryside are celebrated in the latest North Norfolk Artspace exhibition, which runs at Sheringham Little Theatre from March 24 to April 2010.

Entitled Beautiful Norfolk, the show features paintings by well-known local artists Mike Thody, Gita Dickenson and Eric Hopkins, with subjects ranging from crab boats at Cromer, to the lake at Blickling Hall.


Eric, 83, trained at Salisbury College of Art and went on to teach painting at the Royal Army College in Germany in the 1950s before working as sculptor and carver for a London memorial company.

His work has been exhibited many times at the Mall Galleries, London, and at galleries in Norfolk and Bath.

Eric, who is a member of the Royal Society of Oil Painters and the United Society of Artists, moved to Overstrand 36 years ago and is currently working on a book featuring paintings and pencil studies reflecting his love of Norfolk.


Gita trained as an artist in her home country of Latvia and, since moving to Cromer, has concentrated on producing oil paintings capturing the charm and beauty of her adopted home.

Also on show will be work by painter and sculptor Mike Thody, who gained a fine art degree and an MA after retiring from a 35-year career as a building surveyor and architect.

In 2008, Mike, who lives at Hempstead, near Holt, shaped a 12-foot-tall figure based on the Roald Dahl character the BFG from a fallen oak tree at Holt Country Park.


Other sculpture projects have included a commission by English Heritage to create an installation at Mount Grace Priory in Yorkshire, while painting subjects range from a series of studies of Norfolk churches, to Cromer's Hotel de Paris and boats at Wells-next-the-Sea.

Beautiful Norfolk runs at Sheringham Little Theatre until April 20th.
For more information visit www.northnorfolkartspace.co.uk or phone 01263 823633.


NCN-JODA

Pleasurewood Hills Family Theme Park

Easter Chocolate Egg Trail
Easter Sunday, 4th April 2010
Follow the Easter Chocolate Egg Trail through the leafy parkland where 12 extra-special eggs have been hidden. Each one holds a key word to make up a sentence and the clever children who unscramble the puzzle and solve the twelve-word sentence can enter a prize draw by taking their completed entry forms to Woody’s Candy cabin before 3pm. Each correct entry will be rewarded with a mini chocolate egg. The competition prizes are a giant teddy bear and a fabulous chocolate egg, one prize each for a lucky boy and girl!

Easter Bonnet Parade
Easter Monday, 5th April 2010
A great way for both children and adults to get creative and make their very own Easter bonnets. Pleasurewood Hills will provide the bonnets and all the colourful material, ribbons, bows and glitter, so you’ll have everything you need to make a fantastic creation which you can wear in the end-of-day parade. And there’s even more Easter fun to be had, as children can also stuff toys, or make cardboard ducklings, chicks and rabbits.

Entry to the Easter events is £14.50 for children aged three to eleven and £16.50 for adults. Pleasurewood Hills is open at Easter from 10am to 5pm.
Website: www.pleasurewoodhills.com
Telephone: 01502 586000

NCN-GS&ML
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Targetfollow present
Rosie Greenhalgh
at the Theatre Royal, Norwich
24th March 2010 - 31st May 2010


You are invited to a private view on
Tuesday 23rd March 2010 from
5pm - 7pm.

Adnams Bar
Norwich Theatre Royal
Theatre Street
Norwich
NR2 1RL

Please RSVP to
antonia.kiki@targetfollow.com or
01603 216535.


www.targetfollow-arts.co.uk


NCN-GSF


Monday, 22 March 2010
We are the Dog Days of Summer and we want to entertain your punters with our crowd pleasing Bluegrass/Folk/Punk/Rock Drinking songs


Songs from our set include:

Dead Ringer for Love (Meatloaf), Gangsters (The Specials),
New River Train (Traditional), Hot Corn Cold Corn (Traditional)
Wishing Well (Free), Bring me to Life (Evanesence)
Fat Bottom Girls (Queen), Jolene (Dolly Parton)
Whiskey in the Jar (Thin Lizzy), Turn the Page(Bob Seger)
...Plus More

We are now booking shows for 2010 so please contact us with your available dates

Email: thewildgirl@hotmail.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thedogdaysofsummeruk


NCN-SSSP

Norwich Rose To The Challenge!

The Start of the first race of Norwich Sport Relief 2010

Photo courtesy of
:

Alison Sutton
www.norwich-scraphappy.blogspot.com

Dining Out In NGS Style

The Norfolk National Gardens Scheme Garden Party is one Summer party not to be missed. The Old Cottage, Colby Corner invites visitors to a enchanting musical evening on the 10th July 2010, 6pm until dusk. Supper, drinks and music will ensure the evening will flow.

This is the first time that a Norfolk NGS garden has provided such a event. The host, garden owner Stuart Clarke is offering the scenic garden dining (a two course meal) to raise funds for the worthwhile charities of the National Gardens Scheme. With all the concerts attracting crowds to Norfolk, this is a musical selection to compete. It includes: Colby Hand Bells, Rod Davidson - The Celtic Harp, Trix and Stix - A percussion group, Hoofbeat - A street band. For those who enjoy the concerts, picnics in the park and dressing to dine (or not if chosen) book this NGS garden party now!.

Garden owner Stuart Clarke said “The garden is large enough for everyone to wander around during the evening or to just sit and enjoy the music and company. Many people enjoy visiting during the different seasons. This will give many the heavenly experience of the garden at night and much more”.

Norfolk NGS County Organiser Fiona Black said “This is an ideal fund raising opportunity for the nursing, caring and gardening charities of the National Gardens Scheme. The gardens that open are of high quality, character and interest, this musical evening will certainly provide that”.

Tickets cost £22 per adult. To book contact Stuart Clarke 01263 734574 or visit www.norfolkgardens.org Early booking is essential.

Visit your local Tourist information or garden centre, nursery or open garden to pick up a Norfolk NGS Garden Guide or visit www.norfolkgardens.org. If your garden is of high quality, character and at least forty-five minutes interest Contact County Organiser Fiona Black to discuss opening your garden. Tel 01692 650247

Click here for more NGS Norfolk News


- Joe Swift - The New President of the National Gardens Scheme

Joe Swift, the well known garden designer and TV personality who has presented BBC2's Gardeners World since 1998, has joined the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) as President. Joe has had considerable first-hand knowledge of many NGS gardens and has filmed in several for various TV programmes, including 15 episodes of the popular BBC2 ‘Open Gardens’ series. One of Joe’s first duties as President was to host the launch of The Yellow Book 2010 at the Royal Festival Hall with Manor House Farm, Wellingham, Norfolk featured on the front cover.

- The NGS has 3700 gardens that open for charity. It is renowned for its gardens of high quality, character and interest.

- Charities which benefit from the NGS are: Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Crossroads Care and Help the Hospices, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, The Royal Fund for Gardeners’ Children, NGS gardeners’ careership (the National Trust) and Perennial - Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society.

- Founded in 1927, The NGS has raised more than £25 million for charity in the last 10 years.

- The success of the National Trust’s careership programme can be measured by the number of post-careership gardeners that are now employed by the Trust and by major private owners. Many have risen to the horticultural heights of Head Gardener.

- The Old Cottage, Colby Corner, nr Aylsham NR11 7EB
The garden created by Judith Clarke is being redeveloped following her death in April 2008. The work will take approx 2yrs to produce a lower maintenance garden. Visitors are being invited to see the progress and purchase plants that are being removed. May for perennials and shrubs, July for exotic plants.

Founded in 1927, The NGS has raised more than £25 million for charity in the last 10 years.
www.norfolkgardens.org


NCN-R
Over recent weeks almost every time we turn on the television or open a newspaper we have been confronted with reports on bullying. It even went so far as to be used in an attempt for political gain. Perhaps the instigators should have looked up the definition before proceeding. The dictionary states a bully as being ‘a cruel oppressor of the weak’. If you are going to take up this role it is a good idea to ensure your victim is not nearly as strong as yourself.

Did You Know?

There has always been bullying but until now it was generally related to the younger members of Society taking advantage of anyone who had a particular weakness. The bully was defined as a blustering, overbearing noisy fellow who got his pleasure by intimidating and abusing someone with a known frailty. It could be a physical or mental ailment or something to do with their family’s Social standing or if there was nothing else, even the colour of their hair or their accent was enough. When the least sign of vulnerability had been identified these people could always find a way to terrorise and torment a victim.

Unfortunately, because bullies were usually big and physically strong, they invariably had a good deal of support from others around them whose main concern was to ensure they did not become the chosen victim. These practices were commonplace in most school playgrounds and it was surprising how the children that were picked on tolerated the abuse and did nothing about it. No doubt most of them were too frightened to say anything because they knew that if they did, very few of their companions would be brave enough to support them.

However, most bullies have always had weaknesses. That is why they act in such a way towards other people. Their most common frailty is cowardice. If the smallest victim had enough spirit to retaliate straight away and perhaps give the bully a sharp kick in the shins or a knee somewhere else, he might receive a hit in return but he can almost guarantee that this particular overbearing fellow would turn his attentions onto someone else and be unlikely to trouble him again.

After their school-days there is still a role for these bullies. Having got away with it at school they are always on the lookout for a suitable fall guy. These individuals, some of whom were and possibly still are hired to intimidate and frighten people to do or procure something when they have no wish to, still find a place in our Society. They now have lots more ways to contact vulnerable people and unfortunately, for many of them it seems to have become a business.

Perhaps we now need a new definition for bullying or should all categories of intimidation, like striking fear into someone or influencing them with threats or violence, remain under this heading? No doubt at least some of those guilty of such actions first practised the role while they were at school where there is evidence that it still goes on. In those early years we all quite rightly, always had sympathy for the victim.

Would we be able to assess the situation better if we also looked into the background of the aggressor? - What sort of home do they come from? - Do they act the same way at home or are they suppressed? - Are they from a single parent or broken family? - Have they themselves been bullied? - What are their ongoing ambitions? – Is there any way they can be helped?

In days gone by boys would often fight in the playground, sometimes over the most trivial things. On other occasions it might be over a more serious issue like the pretty girl in the Third Form. If at any time they were caught in the act they were punished. A few days later, it was not unusual to see those same two boys playing happily together as if it had never happened. From an early age the majority were able to sort out the problems they had at school themselves and never involved their parents. They seemed to easily forget all about them when they were at home with their family. Nevertheless, bullying did go on.

Perhaps, even at a very young age, for some children our animal instincts predominate and they are already looking for an opportunity to move up the ranks and become a leader. Then again, it could be they are sadly missing something in their life that they see others have.

Whatever the reason, if we are to have any hope of stopping the prevailing harassment being inflicted on many of our citizens by some unscrupulous individuals, a remedy must be found to cure all forms of so called bullying early in the lives of all our youngsters.


valley lad - [SEVENTY-NINE]





NCN-DVV
Saturday, 20 March 2010

Norfolk The Great Outdoors at Easter

Bird watching, boating, walking, cycling, horseracing, river trips, gardens, lamb feeding, heritage railways and Easter Egg Trails

- Norfolk is packed with great ideas for the Easter Holidays.

“We are looking forward to a very busy Easter in Norfolk,” said Lydia Smith, Director, Norfolk Tourism. “Our new Outdoor Norfolk Campaign, www.visitnorfolk.co.uk outdoors is encouraging visitors and local residents to get out and about in the county and go walking, boating, birdwatching, canoeing, cycling, fishing and horseriding at more than 100 locations, using public transport like the CoastHopper bus or The Bittern Line railway whenever possible. Norfolk with its endless skies is the place to enjoy the great outdoors.”

Here is a selection of Norfolk’s Easter offerings:
- The Veranda Resort Burnham Market International Horse Trials, Sussex Farm Burnham Market PE31 8JY, 1st to 3rd April www.musketeer.co.uk
- Explore the North Norfolk Coast and the Norfolk Coast Footpath using the CoastHopper bus www.coasthopper.co.uk
- Ride The Bittern Line from Norwich to Sheringham and hop off at intermediate stations for a circular walk www.bitternline.com/walks2.htm
- Visit RSPB Titchwell Marsh www.rspb.org.uk or Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Cley Marshes www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
- Go cycling around Thetford Forest www.bike-art.com or The Norfolk Broads www.thebroadsbybike.org.uk


- Visit Wretham Lodge, East Wretham and Desert World Gardens, Santon Downham, both gardens open in aid of the National Gardens Scheme on April 4th and 5th, www.norfolkgardens.org
- Enjoy racing on Easter Monday, April 5 at Great Yarmouth Racecourse, www.greatyarmouth-racecourse.co.uk and Fakenham Racecourse www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk
- Feed the lambs at Junior Farm Wroxham Barns www.wroxhambarns.co.uk and Snettisham Farm Park www.snettishampark.co.uk


- Take a river trip in Norwich on City Boats www.cityboats.co.uk
- Join Easter Egg Trails at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, April 2nd to 5th, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk, Blickling Hall, April 4th and 5th, Felbrigg Hall, April 4th and 5th and Oxburgh Hall, April 3rd to 5th (all National Trust) www.nationaltrust.org.uk or take the Bure Valley Railway’s Easter Eggspress, April 2nd to 5th, www.bvrw.co.uk
- Catch The King’s Morris dancing at Snettisham, Heacham and Thornham on April 5th, tel. 01553 768930.

Indoor Ideas
- Visit Dragon Hall, Norwich’s magnificent medieval merchant’s trading hall www.dragonhall.org
- Clive Webb and Danny Adams return to Great Yarmouth’s Hippodrome Circus with ‘Circus Hilarious, Keep Britain Laughing’, April 2nd - 7th, www.hippodromecircus.co.uk
- Visit the exquisite Anderson Collection exhibition at The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich www.scva.ac.uk or Watercolour in Britain: Travelling with Colour at Norwich Castle Museum and Gallery, www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk


Watch it, Slackers, at Cinema City’s New Club

Cinema City has launched a brand new free-to-join club for students, aptly named the ‘Slackers Club,’ set up by TV Channel E4 and Cinema City, which will offer their student members the chance to attend special screenings every month.

All students need to do is flash their student ID card and the cinema will provide them with a shiny membership card that will get them into one free screening per month, where they can watch brand new E4 shows, classic movies or catch a sneaky peak at a film yet to be released.

The next free monthly screening for the Slackers Club is Kick-Ass, showing on Mon 29th March, at 1.30pm. This funny, screw-ball, high-energy adventure, directed by Matthew Vaughn and produced by Brad Pitt, tells the story of average teen Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), a comic book fan who decides to take his obsession one step further and become a real-life superhero.

He chooses the name ‘Kick-Ass’ for his alter ego, puts together a suit and mask ensemble, and starts work fighting crime. There’s only one snag; Kick-Ass has no superpowers! His life quickly becomes complex beyond his wildest dreams as he inspires numerous copycat superheros, meets crazed vigilantes and does battle with a scheming mob boss.

Book online at www.picturehouses.co.uk or by calling 0871 704 2053.


Kids’ Club: Every Saturday at 10.30am. Creative activities, fun and games are followed by a children's film at 11.00am. The Club is suitable for 3 - 15 year olds.

Big Scream takes place every Tuesday and Thursday at 11.00am. Doors open at 10.30am.

At Big Scream club, sponsored by Benpanthen, films are screened exclusively for parents with babies under one year old. Enjoy the latest releases from a regular programme accompanied by baby in a safe and comfortable environment.

Contact Details for Cinema City:-

Cinema City, Norwich
St Andrew's Street
Norwich NR2 4AD
cinema Tel: 0871 704 2053
Restaurant reservations 07504 356378
Email: cinemacity@picturehouses.co.uk
www.picturehouses.co.uk


NCN-CALI

see more videos via our BlogPod


NCN-EVC

Friday, 19 March 2010

Five weeks to go until Deepdale Backpackers & Camping host the North Norfolk Coast Earth Day on Thursday 22nd April.

The day is shaping up nicely, with over 40 exhibitors booked and more will be announced before the event. 6 artists have already confirmed they are taking part in the Scrap Heap Art Challenge and the Shaping Norfolk’s Future Business Breakfast is filling up nicely.

8am to 10am - Shaping Norfolk's Future Business Breakfast
10am to 4pm - Exhibition, Talks and Workshops
9am to 4pm - Scrap Heap Art Challenge

Registration
required

Free Entry

This year the range of exhibitors is even better than last year. Visitors can attend the event for Free. As well as the exhibition, there are talks throughout the day on various subjects (programme will be announced next week), demonstrations and of the Scrap Heap Art Challenge.

The day is an excellent way to gain knowledge for your business or your home. Business advisors like the CLA, Catchment Sensitive Farming and Business Link will be on hand to advise and direct you to the best sources of information for all your environmental issues. The Energy Saving Trust will be on hand to help homeowners save money on their electricity, gas and other utility bills.

Some of the best installers of renewable technologies are attending the event. Visitors can find all the information they need on solar panels to heat hot water, PV to generate electricity on your roof, a wind turbine for your garden or farm yard. Farmers and landowners might consider an anaerobic digestion system. You could even book an energy assessment for your business or property to identify the best way to save costs from the Norfolk Energy Consultancy.

The Norfolk Master Composters will be helping you with all your composting issues, while the Home Grown Revolution show you the best way to grown your own veg. The RSPB will help you attract wildlife to your garden. Edwards Eco Building are showing how to build cob buildings and earthen ovens for your garden.

“It is wonderful to be a part of something that can have such a positive effect on the way individuals view and treat the world we live in. Education and awareness are the key factors in making the changes necessary to combat global warming and the inevitable peak oil catastrophe.” said Andrea Bramhall of Deepdale Backpackers & Camping.

Deepdale Backpackers & Camping are looking forward to hosting this wide range of organisations. Of course you can have a look at the eco-friendly facilities of Deepdale, and learn more about how they reduce their energy costs, run a more sustainable business, yet offer excellent quality accommodation.

You can follow the event in two ways, either at the Deepdale Farm website - www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/earthday or if you use Facebook, then search for North Norfolk Coast Earth Day.

NCN-GKB

Thursday, 18 March 2010
click to enlarge
c.1910

Diss Smockmill

Diss smockmill stood on the corner of Stuston Road and Victoria Road, having been erected on the site of an older postmill that was often known as Chase's Mill and had been destroyed during a gale in 1839.

The 5 storey mill had an 8 sided tower with a boat shaped cap that had a pettticoat, gallery and a 6 bladed fan. The 4 double shuttered sails each had 8 bays of 3 shutters, drove 2 pairs of French burr stones and were struck by rack and pinion. The upright shaft was made of cast iron.

A separate building stood adjacent that housed the steam roller mills.

c.1911

Rose Lane composite mill & Stuston Road smockmill during the flood in August 1912

c.1915

3 mills on Stuston Common c.1915

The above photograph shows the army from Diss Camp 51 about to give a demonstration with Maxim machine guns on Stuston Common with several civilians looking on.

Diss smockmill and steam roller mill is to the right, the steam chimney and Rose Lane composite mill to the left of centre and the sails of Victoria Road towermill are just visible on the left horizon above the back of the horse.

A quote from the past . . .

NARROW ESCAPE
Last week a young man of the name of Dykes, in the employ of Mr. Rush, miller of Diss, was caught by the gripe taking his handkerchief about his neck, and carrying him up; it must have proved fatal, but some person below, hearing his cries, suddenly stopped the mill, which would otherwise have, by coming in contact with the upper beam, severed his head from his body. - Norwich Mercury. The Times - 9th November 1840.

For more history about this mill and many others, please visit - www.norfolkmills.co.uk

Meet The Real Easter Bunny,

And Win Some Chocolate!

Everyone loves the Easter bunny, but did you know you can meet the real thing at RSPB Minsmere nature reserve this Easter?

From Friday 2 to Sunday 4 April 2010, families can part in the Minsmere Easter bunny hunt. As well as watching wild bunnies, there’s a quiz trail with chocolates at the end. Costs for this event are £2 per child or 50 pence for Wildlife Explorers members. Normal entry fees apply for adults. Booking is advisable to prevent your bunny hopping off. The event runs from 10 am to 3 pm.

Following this event, families can also hop into spring at Minsmere with a programme of craft activities from Monday 5 to Thursday 8 April. After getting mucky making funny mud faces, you can make your own booming bittern or plant a sunflower for the summer. Costs are £5 per person, or £3.50 for Wildlife Explorers members (free for RSPB member adults), and the event runs from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm.

RSPB spokesman Ian Barthorpe said, “This is a great opportunity to see real, wild bunnies, enjoy a fun day in the countryside, and perhaps even spot some unusual wildlife. The bunnies often sit beneath the feeders outside the visitor centre, eating spilt sunflower seeds. Spring is a great time to visit Minsmere. Perhaps you’ll even hear a bittern booming.”

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no 207076, Scotland no SC037654.
RSPB Minsmere is open daily. The visitor centre opens from 9 am to 5 pm. The RSPB Shop is open 10 am to 5 pm. The tearoom is open 10 am to 4.30 pm. Entry to the visitor centre is free. There is a charge for non-members to use the nature trails and birdwatching hides.
For a full list of RSPB events on the Suffolk coast see www.rspb.org.uk/events.

NCN-TMM

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

ROAD SAFETY PAST AND PRESENT

I wonder how many of you can remember way back when, perhaps the date the Driving Test was introduced!!

1931 :
Saw the first edition of the Highway Code


1934 :
Driving test was introduced


1935 :
The 30mph came to our towns and villages


1960 :
The MOT Test was started


1965 :
The introduction of the 70mph limit


1965 :
It was compulsory to fit Front Seat Belts to cars built in Europe


1967 :
The Breathalyser Test was introduced


1983 :
Regulations for the Drivers and Front seat passengers to wear Seat Belts (Transport Act of 1981)


1989 :
Compulsory for children to wear rear seat belts


1991 :
Compulsory for adults to wear rear seat belts


2000 :
Saw the setting up of targets for road safety by 2010


2003 :
Hazard perception test for new drivers added to driving test


2003 :
Illegal to drive while using a Hand Held Mobile Phone


2006 :
Road Safety Act 2006 legislation for child seats


2007 :
Second phase Road Safety Act introduced


2008 :
Corporate Manslaughter Bill (making companies aware of their drivers safety)


2009 :
Driver CPC introduced


LEFT HAND DRIVE IN THE UK
Left hand driving in the the uk, no this is not driving on the left side for the first time after years of being on the right side.

This is using a left hand drive vehicle on the British Roads, this gives a completly new aspect to viewpoints in driving.

There is a lot of concentration and observation required,so keep a close eye on door mirrors and monitor to where you are sitting on the carriageway. It is so easy to drift to the middle of the road as you have been
used to driving left of the centre line.

The biggest dangers with a left hand drive is to overtaking, you must leave plenty of room from vehicles in front before you attempt to pull out..front seat passengers can help in your judgements.

One of the biggest problems is turning left as your view from the right is obscured, a major problem is changing gear the right hand is just not used to doing things like this when driving.

During early days while parked on side of road just practice gear changing as much as possible, a real word of warning dont change gear as you meet on coming traffic, because if you miss a gear you could steer off course into their lane..

In 1969 a research team found out countries who drive on the left had a lower accident rate.

When holding back to give way to on coming traffic in built up areas, leave plenty of space in order to move out, returning back to the left side quickly and safely, extras mirrors on the right side are really useful.

DYING FOR A CALL
Just a very important reminder.. dont forget drivers who are caught driving a car while using a hand held mobile are likely to be stopped and charged, this will result in a £1,000 pound fine for car drivers, this will raise to £2,500 for goods vehicle and coach/bus drivers, plus 3 penalty points on the licence.

Don't forget also switch off the engine if you do stop and talk on the phone while sitting in the vehicle.

While travelling around the countryside on a daily basis there seem to be more and more drivers, holding a phone near their ear and driving.... :(

D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

NCN-ADDT
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
A wonderful photo of a Barn Owl
Photographed on Mothering Sunday near Aylsham

Photo courtesy of:

Alison Sutton

www.norwich-scraphappy.blogspot.com


Send in your own norfolk wildlife photos to:
email@norwichcity.net


Exchange Radio 87.7FM, based at Hospital Radio Norwich and staffed by school students and youth organisations (ages 5 to 19), is on air from 9am to 8pm, Tuesday, March 23rd to Thursday, March 25th. This is Exchange Radio’s sixth spell on air.

The FM frequency broadcasts 15 miles around Norwich, but the radio station can be heard throughout Norfolk online at www.exchangeradio.co.uk. Twenty-one schools and youth organisations from around the county are taking part.

Each school or youth organisation has an hour-long slot. The students plan and produce their own programmes and have the chance to broadcast live as well as use some pre-recorded material.

New this year is White Woman Lane Junior School, Norwich who will be interviewing Norwich North MP Chloe Smith live during their programme at 9am on Thursday, March 25th.

Ella Sharff and Robert Bull, Barnham Broom Primary School,
taken during their training session with Mike Sarre, Hospital Radio Norwich

Old hands, Barnham Broom Primary School, whose Head Teacher, Keith Wright is a Hospital Radio Norwich volunteer, return at 10am on Monday, March 23rd with an hour of music chosen by the students and parents along with news, weather and travel updates.

Oriel High School, Gorleston will have presenters in the studio at 10am on Wednesday, March 24th linking recorded items including Facebook - friend or foe, the impact that the images of women in magazines have on girls, the school’s scholarship scheme with Greshams School and recorded music and interviews from school bands.

Methwold High School presenters will also be linking a series of recorded items at 1pm on Wednesday, March 24th, featuring an item on Methwold’s relationship with a school in Nairobi Kenya trailing a visit there in July, a comedy sketch, a history of the Olympics looking forward to 2012 and an interview with a member of staff about child soldiers.

Mike Sarre of Hospital Radio Norwich supervises the broadcast output and trains the young broadcasters in programme preparation, interviewing and recording techniques.

Diane Sutcliffe, Project Co-ordinator from The Exchange explained: "The content is entirely up to the schools and youth organisations. Some include poetry, music, interviews, drama or work to a specific theme. It is a very valuable experience as it improves confidence and self esteem, as well as developing the students’ range of enterprise learning e.g. creativity, using initiative, communication, innovation and team working."

The Exchange, www.norfolk-exchange.org.uk, tel: 01953 601439

The Exchange exists to support schools and businesses to work together in achieving effective partnerships.




NCN-BFM
Monday, 15 March 2010

see more videos via our BlogPod

Saturday, 13 March 2010
www.maddermarket.co.uk

MADDERMARKET THEATRE

Menacing strangers gatecrash

‘The Birthday Party’


Two mysterious strangers terrorise the resident of a seaside boarding house as Harold Pinter’s classic play ‘The Birthday Party’ is performed at the Maddermarket Theatre, in Norwich, this month.

The play centres on Stanley, a former piano player who lodges with a couple in an English seaside down. But one day two strangers arrive on a mission - and turn Stanley’s birthday party into a nightmare.

‘The Birthday Party’ was the first full-length play written by Pinter, who died at the age of 78 in 2008 after a distinguished career spanning more than half a century.

Yet his career was almost strangled at birth thanks to the critical hammering given to ‘The Birthday Party’ on its London debut in 1958. The show was pulled after just eight performances, and Pinter seriously contemplated giving up writing.

The hostile reception given to the play was in part due to the author’s reluctance to provide convenient and clear-cut answers to all the questions it raised. Happily, Pinter’s ‘comedy of menace’ survived these early traumas to be hailed as one of the great works of 20th century drama.

Michael Stanislaw’s production of ‘The Birthday Party’ runs from Thursday, March 18th to Saturday, March 27th, with performances nightly at 7.30pm, plus a matinee at 2.30pm on March 27. There is no performance on Sunday, March 21.

Tickets cost £12, £10 and £8, and can be bought in person from the box office at the Maddermarket Theatre, in St John’s Alley, Norwich, or by calling 01603 620917.


Contact us...
The Maddermarket Theatre
St. John’s Alley
NORWICH
NR2 1DR

Useful numbers and email addresses:
- Email: mmtheatre@btconnect.com
- Administration Number: 01603 626560
- Box Office: 01603 620917
- Education Dept: 01603 628600
- Education Dept Email: mmtedu@btconnect.com
- Costume Hire: 01603 626292


NCN-CTS
Friday, 12 March 2010

Norfolk IT Recruitment under new ownership

Norfolk IT Recruitment, now based just outside Norwich, has now undergone completion of its management buyout.

Norfolk IT Recruitment specialises in the placement of IT and technical staff to companies throughout East Anglia and nationwide. In addition to the buyout, the company has also recently undergone a full rebranding along with the launch of new website, www.norfolkitrecruitment.co.uk

Commenting on the announcement, Director Paul Watts said: “The acquisition of Norfolk IT Recruitment has been a very exciting time for us. With a proven track record over the last 3 years we aim to continue the good work and build further upon Norfolk IT Recruitment’s excellent customer service and reputation.

“We have an extremely extensive database of local candidates throughout all sectors of IT and currently work with some of the most respected companies in our region. Specialising in IT ensures we have in depth knowledge of our client’s needs along with strong relationships with our candidates.”

Cassandra Gardiner, Senior Consultant added “Our ethos at Norfolk IT Recruitment is to provide a personal but professional service while always exceeding expectations. We place great emphasis on long term relationships and our rates are highly competitive.

“We feel the market is starting to improve somewhat in our sector - There is undoubtedly a more positive outlook to 2010, with new vacancies come in thick & fast.

For further details phone 01603 715968 or visit www.norfokitrecruitment.co.uk

NCN-RS