Lot of talk at the moment about the new element to the Learner test as from this coming October 2010.

It is the Independent Drive.

The Examiner will stop the test Candidate on the side of road, they will give the driver a series of directions, all in one go, for example follow road signs to a certain place, and they may also be shown a diagram of the road layout.

It is not the end of the world if the candidate can not remember every direction, a double check with the examiner is ok..

In order to have a good 10 minute independent drive during the test, the candidate will only get one other exercise to do i.e Reverse to the left.....Turn in road...Reverse park....Bay park.. and of course an Emergency Stop which is carried out on random tests...


This has been introduced to help the new driver to think more for themselves, and to find their way about ,as during driving lessons they have been told where to turn and go by their Trainer.

Sat Navs not allowed.......see video below for more info:

RAFA Commemorating 90 Years of The Royal Air Force
As you know, April 1st 2010 marked the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force. On this momentous day RAFA launched a celebratory website dedicated solely to this occasion.

The ‘Microsite’ carries news and reports on 90th anniversary topics and, more importantly, enables you to view and share details of forthcoming regional or national celebratory events with other members by submitting them directly to the site.

RAFA Areas, Branches and Members may be celebrating the anniversary. You can share the details of an event to take place this year or provide details and pictures of one that has taken place. Please visit the site for more information.

> View 90th Anniversary events by region
> Read about the history of the formation of the RAF

RAFA's South East and Eastern Area are holding an event entitled 'Beating the Retreat- a Sunset Ceremony' at RAF Uxbridge on June 28th 2010. For further information please click here

In conjunction with this RAFA will be commemorating the anniversary by holding a Candlelit Carol Concert on December 11th at Peterborough Cathedral, click here for further information.

To visit the RAFA website - please click here

Email General Enquiries: Click here

MIKE DANIELS DRIVER TRAINING is offering Learner Drivers a chance to earn a L 2 BTEC award in Driving Skills as they learn to drive.

Mike says it is so important to change the way people learn to drive and with the technical help from The Drivers Ed Company, (who supply all the online theory courses) this has got to be the way forward to safer driving in the future.


Most accidents were caused by driver error, and remember about 20 per cent of newly qualified drivers will have accidents within the first 12 months of passing their test.

So to give the new driver coming onto our roads a better understanding, and gaining the skills to drive a car
Mike believes the Theory and Practical knowledge of the BTEC in Driving Skills is the best.

What is a BTEC?
This is a recognized academic qualifications supervised by the EDEXCEL examinations board, and is equivalent to the GCSE Level.

All driving courses are a designed to cover all aspects of driving complete from the Novice driver through to the Advanced driver.

The CEO of the Drivers Ed Company says from trials we have conducted and similar courses overseas we are confident the BTEC in Driving Skills will improve drivers chances of passing tests and reduce them being involved in accidents so early in their driving careers.

We are all delighted that MIKE DANIELS DRIVER TRAINING will be offering the BTEC in Driving Skills to all their customers....

Please give Mike a call and discuss BTEC and you could be on your way to a safe driving career with BTEC in Driving Skills added to your CV.

Tel: Bungay 01986 893025 Mobile: 07860 452421

email: Danielsm80@aol.com

Web site: www.danielsdrivertraining.co.uk

Also see: Mike’s Driving Hints

On BBC 1’s National Lottery programme on Wednesday 2nd June, presenter Carole Machin announced that the search was on to find the public’s favourite Lottery funded projects of 2010. A local project, Stuff Stigma, is flying the flag for Norfolk, having reached the semi-final stage of this highly prestigious award.

All of the projects through to the semi-final have until June 18th to attract public votes, which will take 21 projects through to the final of the Awards later in the year. Stuff Stigma, which campaigns to challenge the stigma and prejudice faced by people with experience of mental health problems, is in the ‘Best Health’ category.

Oz Osborne, Project Manager of Stuff Stigma said:

“Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 of us and many people report that the stigma and discrimination they face is a huge barrier to getting the support they need to work towards recovery. Every vote we get from the public will issue a challenge to this prejudice, and will help us to change negative attitudes towards those with experience of mental health difficulties.”

Stuff Stigma is part of the national Time to Change campaign and is managed by the mental health charity Rethink. The project was the brainchild of Wymondham-based author and activist Robert Ashton, and has been gaining local and national acclaim since he launched it in 2006.

In response to the news that the project is in the running for this national award, Robert commented:

“Shortlisting Stuff Stigma for this exciting award not only endorses the great work done by Oz and our volunteers; it also shows that at last, attitudes to mental health are changing. Voting for Stuff Stigma is much more than a vote for one project, it’s a vote for a more equal and inclusive society. I started Stuff Stigma because I was angry about prejudice. If it makes you angry too, please take a few minutes to vote and show your support for this campaign.”

One of the ways Stuff Stigma seeks to challenge attitudes and behaviours is to work in partnership with many other local organisations, and has been responsible for creating a new anti-stigma community Forum, which organises local activity.

Maggie Wheeler, chair of the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, a partner organisation, said:

"In the Trust we see the effects of stigma on people's lives daily. It is hard enough to live with mental illness without people discriminating against you for it too. We are so proud of being part of bringing this campaign to the local population encouraging people to talk about what can feel a difficult subject."

To vote for Stuff Stigma, visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or call 0844 686 5951. Calls cost 5p from a BT landline but may vary from other networks.

For those who like their humour daft and thoroughly unsophisticated, this silent short will be a delight. The titular Daisy enters a face-pulling competition ('dial' - as in watch dial - is neglected slang for a face), but on the big day she falls victim to toothache. When her husband returns from the contest triumphant, the distinctly unladylike Daisy vows revenge in the next competition. But her impromptu rehearsal on a train causes chaos among her fellow passengers, and things only get worse after she is arrested for disturbing the peace...

Director/lead actress Florence Turner was an early Hollywood star, who briefly operated her own production company in Britain in the mid-1910s. Back in Hollywood in the late-1920s, she appeared alongside Buster Keaton in 'College' (1927), before her star faded. (Mark Duguid)

Big hearted staff at NHS Norfolk are planning to take part in a 50-mile sponsored bike ride, raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

They're taking part in the Norwich 100/50 bike ride on Sunday, June 6th. There are two courses, one of 50 miles and the other of 100 miles.


Paul Carlsen said: "I have been doing this bike ride since 2006. It is fun but it can be hard work, especially if you have a heavy bike.

"I would hope we can get round the 50 miles in four hours."

Their course, the 50-miler, will take them out past Reepham, sweeping round past Blickling Hall and back into the city.

The Stresses of Modern Life.

In these days of uncertainty it seems that almost every one of us, both young and old, suffer from some kind of stress. Care must be taken not to confuse it with the normal worries that are all part of life and without which there would be no incentive to do our best for those near and dear to us. We should worry if our children hurt themselves or are late home or we forgot to get a loaf of bread or something when we do the shopping.

The stress now being referred to is quite different. It is a concern that takes precedence in your mind and affects everything else. It was reported recently ‘not having enough money’, having overtaken ‘weight loss’, was now people’s top worry. In some cases both of these afflictions could be self perpetrated but the stress of modern day living for all ages certainly is not.

For ordinary people, the tragedy is that they can do nothing about it. They go to work and earn the money to support their family but how much of what they receive is theirs. A great deal of it, tax, insurance, pension etc. is deducted before they have access to the balance but then there is still the mortgage or rent, services and other committed payments.

What is left is yours! – Except for things like the VAT you have to pay on most goods and services.

Would it be much better for everyone if all the deductions were made at the same time before wages and salaries were paid? They all finish up in the same big purse anyway for distribution as our elected government thinks fit.

Did You Know?

Years ago it was never as complicated and worrying as it is today. Very few people were overweight because the food they had was fresh and natural and they couldn’t afford too much of it. Also, just as important, they ate little and often, at least three times a day sitting around a table.

As they had barely enough money for necessities they didn’t have the same worries over cash folk have today. They only bought what they had the money to pay for and often had to decide what was most essential. Things that were out of their price range were not considered and therefore they never had expectation of anything outside their budget.

National Insurance and Employment stamps were paid for and stuck onto every employee’s card before they were given their wages. Then they only had their rent to pay to a private landlord. Unless of course, they lived in a tithe cottage.

Compared to today life was very simple and looking back we often think how boring and tedious it must have been. With no modern aids in the house and everything having to be done manually.

Stoves and fireplaces cleaned and blacked, mats taken up, hung over the linen line outside and given a good beating with a carpet beater. For the weekly wash, water was boiled in the copper and everything washed by hand in a tin bath before being mangled and then hung outside.

There were no cars to carry the shopping home. All they had was a shopping basket. If there were a lot of things they might ask for the errand boy to deliver them. Every kind of shop had an errand boy which was a job usually done by schoolboys as a way of earning their pocket money.

Not many got a regular hand out from their parents and this quickly taught them how to handle their assets and appreciate the things they had to work for.

Suppose the whole population decided to become thrifty and followed the example of our great and great-great grandparents, buying only what we had the cash for. A mortgage would be the only loan to repay and the most you could expect to borrow would be about 12.5% of the annual income of one of the couple applying.

Unfortunately, even the poorest would still have to pay the multitude of taxes, some of which many of us are not aware of and even if we were we wouldn’t understand how they worked.

How many of us know what goods and services are subject to VAT and think about it when we buy something?

It is quite obvious reverting back to the old ways wouldn’t work. If we did so, we would probably be worse off than we are now: -- However, the present practice of getting deeper and deeper in the red and eventually having nothing but debts to pass on to our children doesn’t work either. – At least this way, in future years there will be no worries about inheritance tax!!??

valley lad - [EIGHTY-TWO]

Home Composting from Garbage to Garden

Would you like to learn about composting and worm composting?

Do you need help establishing a compost bin in your household?

Feel you could do more to help Environment and reduce waste treatment costs?

I can help you!

I am a Master Composter, which is a volunteer trained through a Scheme developed in a partnership between Norfolk City Council and Organic Garden to promote composting among local communities.

There are around 500 Master Composters in UK, developing efforts to help people who would like to start a compost project or giving information in a wide range of situations.

I can offer free advice on how to start composting, what does it take, what is it for, and what kind of options are available.

If you are already making compost, and have any kind of doubts, please feel free to email me your questions, and I will be happy to help you.


I am also available to attend seminars in organizations, schools or events, raising awareness of the benefits of composting, encouraging more people to compost at home and support those already composting to ensure they are successful in their home composting activities.


Feel free to browse my webpage to get more information. It will be updated weekly, with all kinds of explanations on how to do it, events and informative blogs to help you through.

Just email mastercomposternorwich@hotmail.co.uk

or visit

www.mastercomposternorwich.spaces.live.com

www.homecomposting.org.uk

This is a service completely free of charge.

Sandra Almeida

07531255230

Please see more information below:


Who are Master Composters?
Master Composters are volunteers who encourage people in their local community to start composting at home, and offer support to people who are already home composting and may be having difficulties or need encouragement.

Anyone can be a Master Composter - you do not have to already be an expert in composting as Master Composters are trained in 'how to compost' before they start their activities. There are Master Composters of every age group and they come from a wide variety of backgrounds. This contributes to the effectiveness of the scheme - Master Composters can reach parts that other compost promoting activities cannot reach as they talk to their friends, family and neighbours, attend village fairs and it has even been know for a Master Composter to hold a compost-themed children’s birthday party!

Examples of volunteer work carried out by Master Composters:

Talks:
- Schools - those with gardens and those that don't, which may need encouragement
- Youth groups - especially those involved with voluntary work in the gardening world
- Allotment groups and gardening clubs
- Young Farmers groups
- Horticultural societies
- Guest speakers at evening classes in Gardening


Demonstrations:
- Schools
- Neighbourhood events e.g. village fetes, fund raising events and Community days.
- Local garden centres
- To your next-door neighbours
- Set up a home compost demonstration site

Written articles:
- Promotion in the local press - the benefits of home made compost
- Articles in the gardening section of the local paper
- Promotion of the local sales of green waste compost
- Newsletters for allotment groups or local resident community groups
- Articles in Parish/Community/ Church Magazines (see later for examples)

Other promotion ideas:
- Help promote future sales of compost bins
- Help develop education programmes for schools and colleges
- Help at council run roadshows
- Help design leaflets
- Contribute to websites

Other ways to help:
- Set up a community composting site
- Help run a community compost site

I’m after wee a bit of help with a slightly strange request. Hopefully it’s something you will find - “interesting”

Paramotor pilot looking for land to fly over

I fly a Paramotor - If you’re not 100% sure what this is (but I think you probably do) Essentially I fly a big parachute / Paraglider wing (soft & floppy), with a very small engine on my back for thrust. No Chassis, no wings or frame as such.

So, I’m looking for landowners and or other people with some authority over local land who might give me permission to use their land from time to time.

You may have seen me once or twice flying over Tacolneston area from time to time in recent months.

I have flown from a friend’s farm locally and will continue to do so from time to time - but don’t want to use the same farm & fields too often.

I also fly from an airfield over at Cromer where I did my training and am a member of the club there.

I’m looking for more take-off & landing sites in and around the area. Can you Help?

The key to a good site is it’s openness (not surrounded on all sides by tall trees or electric pylons etc. and accessibility with my car - from which I can unpack my equipment & smooth & level enough to walk on. EG a drilled field and or stubbles can be OK.

You will be able to see, on YouTube video below, in detail just what it is I am talking about.



About 3 minutes in to this 8 min video, you can see me take a 2nd flight but this time with the camera with me - giving a Lennie’s eye view of things.

This was filmed just a few weeks ago over at my friends farm near the mast.

Do you think you might be able to help?

Please feel free to call me or let me have your number so I can call you.

PS I tend to take off & then land in the same spot between 15 & 50 minutes later rather than do any Cross country stuff.
PPS. I’m properly trained and have the proper insurance in place.


Regards,

Lennie Pincher
Email me: lp@quarum.net
Telephone: 01953 789133

On Tuesday June 1st the British Driving Test will be 75 years old, driving licences were introduced in 1903, but it was not until 1935 a compulsory driving test was started.

The Motor Car was becoming very popular and many road accidents were developing.

The first person to pass the test was a Mr J Beene and the number of road deaths was decreasing.

During 1934 there were 7,343 people killed on the roads, and there were 1.5 Million Cars.

In the present times there were 2,538 deaths on our roads in 2008 and we now have about 34 Million Cars, so the driving test has helped to save many lives.

In order to maintain high standards it is essential we make our roads the safest in the world, and keep to assessments and testing.

The test is always properly checked and monitored, and up dated, this coming October we will see the introduction of the Independent Drive where the Candidate on test must show the Examiner that they can find their way about without instruction...

During World War 11 all tests were suspended, and the Suez Crisis Driving Examiners were used to monitor the Fuel Rationing.

The Norfolk Anglers Conservation Association (NACA) is holding its annual open day event at the renowned Bawburgh Lakes Fishery just outside Norwich on Sunday 6th June 2010 between 10:00am and 4:30pm. Entry, coaching and demonstrations are free, with plenty of parking for the public to enjoy watching and meeting experienced anglers, fish with qualified angling coaches and watch many demonstrations.

All juniors must be accompanied by an adult.

The Environment Agency will be the main sponsor of the event.

Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead, and not allowed to foul the fishery.

Demonstrations will be ongoing and include:

- Pike fishing including handling/ welfare, lure fishing and trace making in conjunction with members of the Pike Anglers of Great Britain (PAC) and Norwich Pike Anglers Club (NPAC)
- Carp fishing including rig making, marker float casting, spodding plus a NASH tackle stand with Tony Duffin and friends
- Watch the sparks fly with electricity and carbon rods by EDF energy
- Learn to long distance cast with Terry Houseago
- Pellet fishing with Paul Cordy of Cordy’s tackle
- Tench fishing with Justin Grapes
- Fly tying and casting with Norfolk & Suffolk Fly fishers Society
- Guided bird watching and nest box construction
- Pond dipping

Displays to help promote the following:

- Norfolk Anglers Conservation Association
- Norfolk Non-native Species Initiative
- Environment Agency

Coaching Sessions

There will be an emphasis on newcomers, young and lapsed anglers, who will be able to fish with the ADB and PAA qualified coaches that will be set up on Bawburgh, Finger and Semons Lakes to provide instruction. There is no age limit and no fishing tackle or bait is needed, fishing licences to cover anyone fishing on the day are also supplied.

Bait for the coaches will be sponsored by Angling Direct and Sensas.

Bring a picnic or just come for a walk in the surrounds of this beautiful Conservation site, managed by NACA. Food and refreshments can be purchased from the barbecue which will be served throughout the day.

Access to the event is in New Road between Bawburgh Village and Bowthorpe, approximately 4 miles west of Norwich. Turn off from A47 bypass on to the B1108 Watton Road signed ‘Colney and N&N Hospital’ then head towards Watton, taking the first right down Stocks Hill to Bawburgh Village. New Road is immediate right turn after the bridge; follow the road back under the A47 with the Fishery entrance a further 100 yards on the right.

From Bowthorpe, New Road turn is directly off the perimeter Chapel Break Road.

Sat Nav NR9 3LZ

For updated information please visit NACA website www.norfolkanglers.co.uk

see more videos via our BlogPod

Deepdale Café is extending their opening hours to include evenings as well!

Based at the bustling Dalegate Market site on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast at Burnham Deepdale, Deepdale Cafe and it’s hard-working team of staff are preparing for the first evening openings of the Summer.

As the Bank Holiday weekend approaches they’ll be offering their classic fresh Cafe fare in the evenings as well. Kicking off from Thursday 27th May throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, including Monday! Then onwards from Thursdays to Sundays with the promise of additional evenings as Summer approaches. With their evening serving times from 5.00-8.30pm, they will now be open from 7.30am right through to 9.30pm sharp making sure their Campsite neighbours enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

As always they will look to send guests away fully fed and watered, whether it be following a 3 course meal, a tub of their weekly “Campers Special”, or a starter accompanied by a glass of Pimms on our picnic benches. They might even let you pop in for a late night slice of cake if you’re lucky!

Have a look at their sample menu and see what you think...

Being a fully licensed premises they will have tempting tipples a plenty! Whether your weakness is a glass of wine, local bitter or jug of Pimms (complete with a straw!).

They hope their evening openings will become another highlight of what has become a fantastic stretch of coastline for all things tasty and delicious. They’ll happily take bookings for tables or welcome customers popping in following a late afternoon stroll.

Sample Menu

Carrot and Coriander Soup, with Crusty Bread
Warm Crispy Bacon, Mushroom and Black Pudding Salad
Smoked Mackerel and Horseradish Mousse, with Toast and Salad
Creamy Binham Mushrooms, with Garlic Bread
Deepdale Prawn Cocktail, with Brown Bread and Butter
Classic Greek Salad, Feta Cheese, Olives, Tomatoes and Cucumber

Stir Fried Sweet Chilli Chicken, with Egg Noodles
Pan Fried Sea Bream, with Crab and Spinach Linguine
Beer Battered Cod, with Chips, Peas and Tartare Sauce
Marinated Lamb Skewers, with Wedges and a Yoghurt, Mint and Cucumber Dip
Broad Bean, Pea and Parmesan Risotto, with a Mixed Salad
Homemade Burger, with Mustard Mayonnaise and Chips

CAMPERS SPECIAL - available to take away and eat back at the ranch...
Beef Bourguignon, with Mash and Vegetables
Vegetable Moussaka, with Sauteed Potatoes

Deepdale Fruit Platter with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
Vanilla Crème Brûlée, with Seasonal Fruit
Baileys Cheesecake
Rich Chocolate Tart
Orange Drizzle Cake
All puddings can be served with cream or a scoop of Ronaldo’s Ice Cream....

KIDS

Fish and Chips
Chicken Wrap
Burger and Chips
Sausage, Chips and Beans
Tomato and Cheese Pasta

Great Tit

The Great Tit is the biggest, brightest and nosiest member of the Tit family.

Characteristics
Great Tits are easy to recognise, with a broad black line (broader in the male) down its otherwise yellow front. The neck and head are black with white cheeks and ear coverts. Upper parts are olive. It has a white wing-bar and outer tail feathers. In young birds the black is replaced by brown, and the white by yellow.

Habitat
Their preferred habitat is forest, parks, gardens and farmland hedgerows. The Great Tits nest is usually in a tree or wall but it is not averse to a nest box, letterbox or drainpipe.

Behaviour
The Great Tit is a vocal bird, it has a vast variety of distinct calls (in the region of eighty different calls), and some of them uncomfortably shrill to the human ear. The most familiar call is a "teacher, teacher", also likened to a squeaky wheelbarrow wheel.

The Great Tit is extremely adept at finding ways to reach food and they are primarily insectivores. They prefer protein rich caterpillars during breeding season to feed their young. A study published in 2007 found that Great Tits helped to reduce caterpillar damage in apple orchards by fifty percent.
B.A.B.


www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife