Poets with international and national reputations, young up and coming talent and local writers are heading for Wells-next-the-Sea from Friday May 7 to 9 for Poetry-next-the-Sea’s annual festival, Singing, Saying and the Spirit www.poetry-next-the-sea.com, including the first performance of this year’s Faber New Poets.

Ronald Blythe’s Desert Island Choice (Saturday 8th May) is a sell out, but tickets are still available for all other events.

Poetry-next-the-Sea has secured a real coup with the first performance of this year’s Faber New Poets Tour - Sunday 9th May at 1pm. Joe Dunthorne, Sam Riviere and Tom Warner Faber New Poets 2010 will be joined by one of last year’s winners Jack Underwood. The group has strong links with Norwich and Norfolk.

The Faber New Poets programme supports pre-first collection writers. It offers a package of financial assistance, mentorship and pamphlet publication. This year’s Faber New Poets Pamphlet will be published on 20th May.

Joe Dunthorne’s debut novel, Submarine (Penguin) has been translated into eight languages and is being made into a film by Warp Films. He is also a striker for the England Writers’ Football Team. Sam Riviere is currently working towards a PhD at UEA and Tom Warner is a graduate of UEA’s MA in Creative Writing. Jack Underwood is a graduate of Norwich University Collage of the Arts and is working on a PhD in Creative Writing at Goldsmith’s College.

The winners of Poetry-next-the-Sea’s annual Open Poetry competition will be revealed at 11am on Saturday 8 May, when they share the stage with Angus Sinclair, Laura Elliott and Julia Webb winners of the Norwich Café Writers Commission.

Full details of all events are below and are also listed at www.poetry-next-the-sea.com. Brochures can be picked up in local libraries. For further information and ticket bookings tel. 01328 711813, email suzy948@btinternet.com.

Festival season tickets, for all events except workshops are £36. Festival season tickets for Friends of Poetry-next-the-Sea are £30.

Poetry-next-the-Sea - Singing, Saying and the Spirit - Programme

Thursday 6th May

Pre-festival event 7pm The Granary, Alderman Peel Student’s Off by Heart Competition.

All other events take place at The Maltings

Friday 7th May

7.30pm, £10 - poetry reading with award-winning writer Pauline Stainer and Grey Gowrie, former Chairman of the Arts Council of England.

Saturday 8th May

9.30am Schools Off by Heart Competition, £2 or for family groups of up to four, £5. Students from primary schools in Blakeney, Burnham Market, Hindringham, Langham, Walsingham and Wells-next-the-Sea recite poems from memory following Coral Rumble’s workshops held earlier this year.

10.30am to 12noon, £12 - Exploring the Music in Words, Voice Workshop with Cecilia Evans.

The workshop is designed for anyone who wants to develop techniques for reading poetry to an audience. Participants should bring a short poem of their choice.

10.30am - 12.30pm, £15, Poetry Workshop with Jo Shapcott

11am, £5 - a morning of poetry with Angus Sinclair, Laura Elliott and Julia Webb winners of the Norwich Café Writers Commission, along with the winners of the 2010 Poetry-next-the-Sea Open Poetry Competition. Poetry-next-the-Sea competition sponsored by Norfolk Community Foundation.

1pm, £10 - novelist, essayist and literary critic Ronald Blythe discusses with Kevin Crossley-Holland the poems that he would take to console him on a desert island. Sold Out

2pm, free - fringe event. Explore the overlap between poetry and the visual in this event outside The Mermaid’s Purse, devised by local sculptor Polly Ionides.

5.30pm, £10 - Jo Shapcott, President of the Poetry Society and Professor of Poetry at Royal Holloway College reads with Jon Stallworthy former Professor of English Literature at Cornell and Oxford Universities.

8.30pm, £6 - Hugh Lupton, Psalms from the Horse’s Mouth, Singing and Storytelling. Since the earliest times there has been a strong, almost a magical connection between people and horses. When we are in the presence of horses an old memory is wakened in us. This programme of words and music explores and celebrates the ancient relationship between man and horse.

Sunday 9th May

11am, £6 - Jon Stallworthy, War Poetry after Auschwitz

1pm, £5, award-winning Faber Poets, Joe Dunthorne, Sam Riviere, Jack Underwood, Tom Warner introduced by Kevin Crossley Holland.

3pm, £3 - Open Floor event, hosted by Jenny Cunningham. Read your own work in a mutually supportive environment. All welcome, whatever your experience.

A year after the swine flu virus first came to the UK in April 2009, health experts from NHS Norfolk are reminding people of the continuing importance of getting vaccinated against swine flu and are warning that the virus has not gone for good.

Members of the public are being made aware of the ongoing vaccination campaign for vulnerable patients, in preparation for a possible rise in cases during the coming winter flu season.

The number of new cases of swine flu in Norfolk has declined considerably since they reached a peak last summer, with less than a handful of suspected cases per week in NHS Norfolk’s area.

But health experts are encouraging vulnerable people who have yet to receive their vaccination to ask for one now, to reduce their risk of catching the virus later in the year when flu viruses tend to be more prominent.

NHS Norfolk’s Assistant Director of Public Health, Jonathan Williams, explained that despite the significant fall in cases, the virus has not gone away. He said: “The number of people contracting swine flu is now very low. However, viruses do not tend to disappear - they have peaks and troughs in the numbers of people they effect at different times and in different conditions.

“The swine flu virus is still in the community, which means it is still possible to catch it, particularly if you are in one of the known vulnerable groups. We expect swine flu to be around for years and to become another regular seasonal flu strain, so we may see a rise in people contracting the swine flu strain of flu towards the end of the year, when flu viruses tend to effect more people.

“It is essential that people who are eligible to receive the vaccine do so, to greatly reduce their chance of catching the virus in the future. Most people will have built up some immunity to the swine flu virus, as with most viruses in the community, but some may still be vulnerable to catching the virus during the winter flu season at the end of the year.”

The eligible groups for the swine flu vaccination are those who are known to be most vulnerable to the virus, they are:
- Individuals aged six months and over who are in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups;
- Pregnant women;
- Household contacts of immuno-compromised individuals;
- All children aged from six months to five years old.

Patients in these groups should have already received an invitation to be vaccinated by their local GP surgery, but if you have not yet received your swine flu vaccination you can call your GP surgery to discuss this and arrange an appointment.

Members of the public, including those not in the above vulnerable groups, should continue to follow the Catch It, Bin in, Kill it message, which encourages people to reduce the spread of diseases by using a tissue when they sneeze, throwing it in the bin and then washing your hands. This will help to reduce the spread of swine flu and other viruses.

Anyone who believes they, or a family member, may have swine flu should visit their GP. The symptoms of swine flu include:
- a fever or high temperature (over 38°C), plus two or more of the following;
- unusual tiredness;
- headache;
- sore throat;
- shortness of breath or cough;
- loss of appetite;
- aching muscles;
- diarrhoea or vomiting.

For more information about swine flu and the symptoms, go to www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx or call NHS Norfolk’s Patient Advise and Liaison Service (PALS) team on 0800 587 4132.

Well I suppose the day was not far away, yes in car WiFi, just recently released to a 3G network.

The network generates a in car mobile wireless hotspot using a MiFi adaptor. So only Passengers can enjoy using their laptops on the way to the shops.

It states NOT TO BE USED WHILE DRIVING, BUT I really wonder if this will be a warning, is there too much hi-tech now coming into the motor vehicle.

Our mobile phone use in car is a real worry as I have mentioned many times before, only this week I have had a Gentleman tell me he quickly answered his Mobile phone while driving and went straight through a Red traffic light at a Pedestrian Crossing. This upset him so much he had to find a parking space and find a coffee shop to relax,lucky for him he missed the person crossing the road...

Research shows over 25% of people are interested in having internet in their cars,mainly people travelling to work to check traffic and e-mails on route.

Will we see a higher percentage of drivers now "tailgating" in order to pick up the WiFi signal from the vehicle in front.....I really hope not...



Billy Connolly, the well known Scottish Comedian can now be downloaded, so his voice will get you anywhere in the world.

YES downloaded onto a TOM TOM Sat Nav, this is available to over 40 million users..

Please note when he says "Turn around when possible" he does mean turn the entire car around !!!!

Many new drivers we work with and practice with Sat Navs think it is just them that need to turn round ... honest because people always do what they hear!!

You can be sure arriving with Mr Connolly because he once commented

"HOW does the Driver of a Snow Plough get to work?"

Safe Driving

Delving into the shadier corners of jazz, bluegrass, blues, cabaret and pop, Taboo-Be-Do! offers a shamelessly light-hearted celebration of the outrageous, the ill-considered and the downright inappropriate.

For this eye-opening, foot-tapping, laugh-out-loud journey through 100 years of politically incorrect music, Terence Blacker and Derek Hewitson of the guitar duo Something Happened are joined by the sensational Victoria Hart, recently described by the British Theatre Guide as ‘Monroe-esque in beauty and bursting with musical talent'. Victoria was discovered whilst a singing waitress in London and was invited to sing at a party for A-list celebrities including Brad Pitt and hosted by George Clooney.

Recent sell-out performances include London’s King’s Head Theatre and Aldeburgh Literary Festival.

‘Relaxed, funny and enjoyably provocative - I was delighted on all affronts.’
- Neil Innes

‘I enjoyed it hugely... This is a show whose time has come.’
- Libby Purves
www.myspace.com/somethinghappened2

The 3rd annual North Norfolk Coast Earth Day happens this Thursday, hosted by Deepdale Backpackers & Camping and Deepdale Farm in Burnham Deepdale on the beautiful north Norfolk coast.

Over 40 organisations, including renewable technology installers, conservationists, advisors and trainers will be on hand to help you learn more about a sustainable lifestyle from greening up your business and home to building sustainable buildings and caring for the environment, nature and wildlife in your locality.

Deepdale holds the North Norfolk Coast Earth Day each year, as they believe that the environment is key to their success. People come to visit Deepdale throughout the year because of the beauty of the north Norfolk coast and its uniqueness. Unless the businesses accommodating and serving those visitors continue to care for the environment around them, then the area will become ruined and no longer supply a living for those working there.

The North Norfolk Coast Earth Day is a chance to share the knowledge and experiences of developing the eco-friendly facilities of Deepdale Backpackers & Camping, including the campsite, backpackers hostel, group hostel, tipis and yurts.

Visitors can meet many organizations who have helped with the development of the facilities at Deepdale and see first hand the facilities Deepdale offers and the environmental steps they have taken to be sustainable and reduce their impact on the local environment.

2010 is the first year for the Scrap Heap Art Challenge, where artists are creating sculptures from the recyclable waste of Deepdale. They will be building their creations throughout the day and visitors can watch the artistic process. Some artists may even be looking for volunteers to help at various points throughout the day.

Visitors can attend any of the 6 presentations happening in the Granary throughout the day. Subjects include Insulating Solid Walls, The Norfolk Diet, Renewables, Green Energy Investment, Feed in Tariffs and CRed. We suggest visitors sign up for places, as each presentation can only accommodate 30 and we don’t want people to miss out. Please contact Deepdale Information - Tel: 01485 210256 to book. You can also sign up for tours of Deepdale, to learn more about the technologies in use and the facilities. There will also be demonstrations of solar hot water systems, biomass and cob building.

To start the day, Shaping Norfolk’s Future are holding a business breakfast from 8am to 10am, to help businesses network and discuss sustainable tourism. Jason Borthwick, one of the creators of Deepdale, is due to be speaking at that breakfast. Places are limited, so if you’d like to attend the Business Breakfast then you need to register by contacting Fiona Atkins - Email fiona.atkins@shapingnorfolksfuture.org - Tel: 01603 638307

North Norfolk Coast Earth Day is FREE to attend and is open to visitors from 10am to 4pm on Thursday 22nd April. The team at Deepdale are looking forward to you visiting their ecofriendly facilities and sharing their knowledge and experience.

NHS Norfolk is urging people across the county to take the opportunity to get active and support the Bespak Grand East Anglia Run (GEAR) next month.

NHS Norfolk is proud to be a sponsor of the event, which is being organised by King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, and takes place on Sunday, May 2.

The GEAR is 10 kilometres/6.2 miles long. It is a one-lap course around the centre of King's Lynn, via paths and roads. Anyone wishing to take part must be 15 years or older.

Harry Collins, Race Director, confirmed that more than 1,100 people have entered already and hundreds more are expected to sign up before the day.

He said: "It's a very popular race. You have to be there to appreciate how good the atmosphere is in the town on the day. Everybody comes to cheer everybody on."

Lucy Macleod, Consultant in Public Health for NHS Norfolk, said: "We are proud to sponsor the Grand East Anglia Run. The event is an inspiration for people to take more exercise - and we would encourage anyone who has already signed up for the run to join a free training session before the race.

"Lack of exercise can lead to an increased risk of obesity, and associated conditions including diabetes and heart disease. Currently a third of people in Norfolk are overweight or obese, and we welcome all initiatives that help reverse this trend.

"The GEAR is a good opportunity for people to exercise outside, and make new friends through a common interest.

"If you are not able to take part this time, why not go along and support the runners? You may be inspired to join in next year!"

The GEAR begins in Tuesday Market Place, King's Lynn. The course takes runners around the town and through The Walks, finishing back in the Tuesday Market Place.

Competitors can enter as individuals, as part of a team or as an affiliated athletics club member, and there is still time to put yourself forward.

Paul Higham, a Senior Information Analyst at NHS Norfolk, will compete in the GEAR, and is hoping for a speedy time and a top 10 finish.

Paul has been running for the past 10 years, clocks up about 50-60 miles a week, and is a member of the Norwich Road Runners.

He has won three of his last four races - a Valentine's 10k, Reedham 10 miler, and Frettenham 10k. He also completed the Singapore Marathon and Prague Half Marathon last year. Most recently, on Good Friday, he came second in the Bungay 10k.

The cost of entry for the GEAR is £18 for unaffiliated runners and £16 for athletics club members. Runners must be aged 15 or over on race day.

A social run with race director Harry Collins in preparation for the race has been organised for Sunday 18th April at 9.45am for a 10am start.

Then, Wednesday 21st April, there's a free training session from 7pm to 8.30pm, followed by a question and answer session and advice on preparation for race day.

For more information on these events, or to enter the GEAR online, visit its website at www.grandeastangliarun.co.uk

To find out more about other activities and initiatives across NHS Norfolk’s area which can support you to lead an active, healthy lifestyle, call the NHS Norfolk Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 587 4132.

With an award-winning Jazz Club in Soho, the Hyde Park cabaret room Pizza On The Park, and the well-loved Maidstone venue, Pizza Express has a celebrated history of promoting world class jazz. Now The Forum is to host another incredible night of live music, providing a unique dining experience that will include first class waiter service, candle-lit tables and full Pizza Express menu upstairs and down.

Celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary this year, triple Grammy nominated transatlantic super group Acoustic Alchemy features the twin guitar signature sound of Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale, together with Fred White on keys, Greg Grainger on drums and Julian Crampton on Bass.

They’re strong favourites on Jazz FM and the station’s managing director, Richard Wheatly, speaks highly of them: ‘We play a lot of Acoustic Alchemy’s music. They’re one of the station’s favourite and most popular artists and I have to say, mine, too. If you like their music, don't miss out on the chance of seeing them live. They’re simply fantastic.’

That’s a strong endorsement!



We're delighted to offer you 241 on all full price tickets (usually £25 each) plus 241 on all main meals*. Phone the Bookings Line to take advantage of this exclusive special offer on 08456 027017 (Quote 'Forum Jazz').

*241 on main meals offer for 'Live Jazz and Dinner at The Forum' ticketholders only. Valid on 11th April and 25th April 2010.

The Forum: Doors open 6.30pm, show starts 8pm

Further info: click here

241 Exclusive Offer: £25 for 2 tickets, available from the Pizza Express Bookings Line 08456 027017

'Of Dreams and Cities', a major new film season at BFI Southbank, offers an array of architectural treats in celebration of the RIBA's 175th year, looking at architects, architecture and cities - http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_sou...

'New Town' is an entry in a Central Office of Information-sponsored animated series featuring the everyman character Charley, and promotes an escape from grimy, smoggy towns and arduous commutes to work. With the highly distinctive animation style of husband-and-wife team Halas and Batchelor, this short aims to explain the rationale behind the planning of the new towns, with their enticing offer of green open spaces and a type of housing to suit everyone.

Building skywards - Manhattan-style - is quickly ruled out for us Brits; "Don't be silly, I'd never get me pram up there" pipes up a member of the unseen chorus of unhappy city-dwellers. But considering the urban sprawl now devouring the south-east of England, perhaps skyscrapers were the way to go after all. (Simon McCallum)

25th April - Hedgehog Workshop: hedgehogs from a hedgehog rescue centre will be brought into The Garden. There will be a talk and hedgehog houses will be made. A pair of hedgehogs will be released into the Garden.

6th June - 4am Dawn Chorus: followed by bacon butties & strong tea/coffee.

13th June - Bee Event: An Apiarist will bring honey bees and give a talk. This will be followed by a Workshop for making nests for mason and lone bees which will be carried out by Karen Jones and James Malt. £1 charge for each nest taken away.

At all Events entrance fee £2 - members and accompanied children go free.



Sunday 25th April - first Sunday teas of the summer season with music from the female vocal ensemble Akabella at 2.30 - 4.30pm.

Sunday 20th May - Classical pieces from the Payne family and afternoon teas 2.30-4.30pm

Sunday 27th June - Norwich Community Choir and afternoon teas 2.30 - 4.30pm

On the 40th anniversary of Earthday, here at Deepdale we decided to celebrate by bringing a little artistic creativity to the program! We have invited a diverse group of artists to take up the challenge of creating pieces on the day from the recycled items from the campsite and hostel as well as some items donated by May Gurney’s of Sheringham and North Norfolk County Council, and Deepdale Farm too.

The Scrap Heap Art Challenge will be judged by a small panel of judges, who will be looking for creativity, unusual use of recyclable materials and even audience participation. “As a judge I’ll be looking for an artwork which makes me stop and think”, said Andrea, one of the judging panel. “As a viewer I want something that makes me go ‘wow’, and as an organizer, what I really want to see are pieces that make the rest of the audience go ‘wow’ and then leave them thinking about what they can to do with their own refuse!”





The Scrap Heap Art Challenge is part of the North Norfolk Coast Earth Day at Deepdale Backpackers & Camping and Deepdale Farm in Burnham Deepdale on the beautiful north Norfolk Coast.

Entrance is FREE to visitors. The art challenge begins at 9am and the exhibition begins at 10am.

For more information on the North Norfolk Coast Earth Day, please visit www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/earthday

We’re delighted to offer you 20% off all Comedy Store at The Forum tickets for April and May.

The Forum has enjoyed a monthly visit from The Comedy Store since 2001 bringing packed audiences and the cream of stand-up comedy from around the globe.


Wed 21st April: MC Ben Norris will introduce three other funnymen in the form of impressive political satirist Nick Doody, controversial Geordie Gavin Webster and storytelling genius, Tommy Campbell.

Wed 19th May: A consummate stand-up, MC Roger Monkhouse exerts a masterful control over any audience. Joining him are the deceptively laid-back Dave Fulton, street-wise former club DJ Michael Smiley, and the bold humour of Quincy.

Phone the Theatre Royal Box Office (01603 630000) and quote ‘Forum Friend 2’ to receive your discount.

Further info: 01603 727907 or click here

Tickets: £12.50 (NUS £10.50) available from Theatre Royal Box Office 01603 630000

Approaching a bend, looking ahead you need to change your position on the road, in order to reduce speed we brake very smoothly, at this point we may need to just lift off the power in good time without any braking by reducing speed naturally, and turn into bend by using acceleration sense and keeping in the gear and driving a eco way.

Your choice of gear gives you the correct response from the engine which will take you through the curve of the bend. You may be travelling in 5th gear approaching a 2nd gear corner so why use intermediate gears when not needed just get the speed down and change from 5th to 2nd

Now coming into the bend you have correct speed, correct gear, the hands are in the correct position on the steering wheel, and with the minimum setting of acceleration, it now means the car is balanced to respond to you steering a steady curve.

The bend now starts to open out so you can now gently apply more power, and once you have straightened the steering full power can be given

Adapting the system I P S G A you can stop changing gears in numerical order which many drivers done from the early thirties, when perhaps brakes were not as efficient as today and helping to decelerate the car

With today's modern technology brakes being more efficient it is much cheaper to replace the brake pads rather than a gearbox.

So brake to slow and select lower gear to go. Also if you are stopping for instance at a traffic light which has just changed to red keep in the gear you are in and stop without changing to unnecessary gears, then select 1st gear to move off from stand still...

We have many simple ways of driving, which takes a lot out of the work of driving a car, making more efficient driving.

There is nothing better than being in the correct gear at the correct time in modern driving, helping to maintain stability and control.

The driver must be in control of the car and not the car in control of the driver, by using and keeping to a system makes driving really interesting and by searching out for the big picture, i.e. forward planning becomes second nature leading to safer drivers.

The question always arises but my car is an automatic?
No problem the same applies many automatics are able to lock down by manual selection, by lock down to an intermediate gear approaching a bend this gives a better ride, and also prevents the gear systems from making different gear selections whist turning in the bend.

By locking down gears the I P S G A system still applies but just miss out the gear change element...

Safe Driving
Dont forget look in the rear view mirror before braking, and brake smoothly.

Poetry-next-the-Sea has arranged an exciting programme of poetry performances and workshops for its annual festival, Singing, Saying and Spirit held in Wells-next-the-Sea, North Norfolk, Friday 7 May to Sunday 9 May, www.poetry-next-the-sea.com.

Poets with international and national reputations, young up and coming talent and local writers combine to make Wells the destination for everyone from committed poetry fans, to visitors wanting to rediscover poetry for the first time since school days.

Celebrated East Anglian literary treasure, Ronald Blythe, will discuss with Kevin Crossley-Holland the poems that he would take to console him on a desert island. Grey Gowrie, former Chairman of The Arts Council, Jo Shapcott, President of the Poetry Society, Jon Stallworthy, Emeritus Professor at Oxford University and senior research fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford and award-winning Suffolk poet Pauline Stainer will all read from their published works. Jon Stallworthy will also focus on War Poetry since Auschwitz.

Norfolk’s Hugh Lupton will present an evening of the spoken word and song, Psalms from The Horse’s Mouth, reflecting on our magical relationship with the horse. Award-winning Faber Poets, Joe Dunthorne, Sam Riviere, Jack Underwood, Tom Warner will combine for a lunchtime session and Norwich Café Writers commission winners, Laura Elliott, Angus Sinclair and Julia Webb will work together at a mid morning event.

Winners of Poetry-next-the-Sea’s annual poetry competition will be announced, local schools will present a morning of recitation and all budding poets will be welcome to take part in an open event.

Rachel Hannyngton is this year’s festival artist. Her exhibition will look at the connection between poetry and painting, exploring the landscape of the head and the heart.

Full details of all events and activities are at www.poetry-next-the-sea.com. Brochures can be picked up in local libraries. For further information and ticket bookings tel. 01328 711813, email suzy948@btinternet.com.

Festival season tickets, for all events except workshops are £36. Festival season tickets for Friends of Poetry-next-the-Sea are £30.

Fiona Fraser, Joint Artistic Director, Poetry-next-the-Sea said: "Whatever your age, whatever your tastes, this festival has an appeal. There is a free Fringe Event, an Open Floor opportunity, and a Poetry Competition for all Norfolk dwellers. As a spectator you have the privilege of hearing some of the most renowned writers of our time. A performance by Hugh Lupton, the storyteller par excellence, or his workshop are both available. Jon Stallworthy, the editor of the Oxford Book of War Poetry, talks on a subject currently of great interest, War Poetry after Auschwitz. Ronald Blythe, the undisputed literary sovereign of East Anglian writers, will be there along with Kevin Crossley-Holland, Pauline Stainer, a star from Suffolk, Jo Shapcott and Grey Gowrie. The highly talented Festival Artist, Rachel Hannyngton, will provide a backdrop to challenge your perceptions. Wells is well supplied with eating places to satisfy your other needs and a Quayside, second to none, from which to gaze out to sea."

NHS Norfolk's Joy of Food team will be at the Spring Fling this week, helping visitors on the way to their 5-A-DAY.

Each visitor to the Spring Fling on Thursday 15th April is entitled to a hog roast lunch, consisting of pork in a roll, or a vegetarian option, and a drink as part of their admission fee.

This year, the Joy of Food team will be adding extra fibre to the meal, by giving away free salad as a filling.

Caroline Seaman, NHS Norfolk's Joy of Food lead, said: "Our team has attended the Spring Fling since 5-A-DAY began in Norfolk.

"This year we are going to be walking around the food area at the Spring Fling with big bowls of dressed salad - lettuce with locally-sourced rapeseed oil, lemon juice and black pepper - to add to visitors' hog roast lunches.

"Salad is a quick and easy way of adding fibre to the diet, and counts as a portion towards your 5-A-DAY. It's also a useful way of encouraging children to meet their 5-A-DAY - salad adds taste and works well when you put it into a roll and ask them to squidge it!"

The Joy of Food team will be easily recognisable at the event in their 5-A-DAY T-shirts, promoting the importance of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, and also answering any nutrition or Joy of Food queries.

And since this year's theme is "Fun With Food", Caroline will enter wholeheartedly into the spirit of the show. Visitors will see her dressed as a cabbage! Picture link attached.

The Joy of Food is a community-based programme funded by the Big Lottery, hosted by NHS Norfolk, to increase fruit and vegetable consumption by teaching basic food skills and raising awareness of the social pleasure of food. For more details, call 01603 257219.

Two 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.

Presentations, Tours & Workshops Programme

Please book onto all the presentations and tours at Deepdale Information. Places are limited to 30 and we wouldn't want you to miss out.

10.30am - Insulating Solid Wall Homes
Linzi Bagshaw - Mould Growth Consultants Ltd

11am - The Norfolk Diet
Sarah Pettegree - Bray's Cottage Pork Pies

11.30am - Renewables
Lori Baker - RenEnergy Ltd

12noon - Green Energy Investment
Mark Aspinall - Add Energy Ltd

12.30pm - Feed In Tariffs
David Wyllie - Mosscliff Environmental Ltd

1pm - CRed - 140,000 people can't be wrong
Matt Dolan - Low Carbon Initiative Centre

Presentations have limited places available. Sign up at Deepdale Information




8am to 10am - Shaping Norfolk's Future Business Breakfast
Registration required

10am to 4pm - Exhibition, Talks and Workshops
Free Entry

9am to 4pm - Scrap Heap Art Challenge


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.

NHS Norfolk is urging women to be tested for Chlamydia every time they meet a new sexual partner.

Julie Hughes, NHS Norfolk's Sexual Health Commissioning Manager, welcomed research published recently in the British Medical Journal, which warned that annual screening alone is not enough for women to protect themselves against the disease.

About 65% of all new Chlamydia diagnoses are in people between the ages of 16 and 24.

Many people who have Chlamydia do not realise - it is often called the ‘silent’ disease due to the lack of noticeable symptoms. In women it can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can cause infertility. If detected early enough, it can usually be treated with a dose of antibiotics.

Julie said: "We urge all young people between 15 and 24 to complete a Chlamydia test every time they begin seeing a new sexual partner. Young people should not only be tested after unprotected sex, but also after sexual contact. You do not have to have full sexual intercourse to contract Chlamydia."

She added: "Getting tested for Chlamydia is easy, confidential, painless and it is free on the NHS if you are between the ages of 15 and 24.

"A Chlamydia test kit is easy to obtain, and use. You just provide a urine sample in the pot and post it free of charge for testing. It is better to be safe than carry an infection which can cause problems later on.

"We welcome this research published in the British Medical Journal, and are keen to stress the importance of having regular tests for Chlamydia."

About 50% of men and 70% of women who have the infection will have no symptoms at all and many others have symptoms so minor, they go unnoticed.

Test kits can be also be obtained from a range of community outlets such as GPs and pharmacies, by logging on to www.areyougettingit.com, by texting "screen" with your name and address to 80010 or by phoning 01603 221830.

For more details about the research visit the British Medical Journal website at www.bmj.com