A survey has shown more than 40 per cent of parents are illegally fronting, and I am sure they must know its against the law...


Many parents know fronting is illegal, and really believe they stand to save over £180 pounds.

Don't forget if a driver is found to be fronting they could have all or part of their claims refused by their insurance company, complete with their policy cancelled and face a prosecution for fraud and leave them with a criminal record.

Perhaps the current economic situation is causing more people to jump on the bandwagon and try fronting, but parents must realise that it may seem harmless to do this but in long term are helping towards prosecution and the chance of not obtaining insurance in the future, and setting poor examples to their children.

Through doing this parents are not helping their young drivers to the importance of responsible driving.

It is a known fact the quicker younger drivers start their own insurance and start their own no claims discount by being the main driver, the more affordable this will make insurance for them in the future...

"I was never really a Barclay Boy. I was too young in 1970 to be properly involved in any shenanigans that may have gone on in that part of the Carrow Road ground. But even at eleven years of age, I knew it was the place to be. With our first season behind us, when we watched from the South Stand, my pal and I graduated to the Barclay with ease - we just slipped quietly around the corner in fact. A few more friends joined us, so we had our own little gang, all the same age, and week by week we got closer to the pukka Barclay Boys, to be found slap bang in the middle of that all standing terrace.

I can't easily recollect any footballing memories from the 1970-71 season. Ron Saunders was settled into his position as manager. We finished mid table as we always seemed to do. Attendances were anywhere between ten and fifteen thousand. But I saw little football, despite going to every Saturday match. At less than five feet tall, it really was, come to think of it, pointless standing on the Barclay terrace. Especially as we crept more and more towards the centre. Early on, we worked out that you didn't want to be too near the front. In moments of unrivalled excitement, the crowd were prone to falling forwards en masse, and at eleven years old that was a pretty scary thought. But higher up on the terrace we were totally dwarfed. I used to have to stand on tip toes just to get a few glimpses of play. If I saw a shot being lined up, I rarely knew the outcome until the crowd reacted. If on another occasion I saw the ball bulging the back of the net, I would have to ask those around me who had scored. I went to Carrow Road each week but I didn't catch much action.

The attraction of the Barclay to us kids was of course the singing, and the chance to be in with the 'hard nuts'. Neither I, or any others in our gang, were troublemakers. But we loved being close to those that were. I loved chanting 'Sing Up The River End'. And 'Aye O, Aye O, We Are The Barclay Boys'. And perhaps my favourite 'You're Going In The River'. Shouting abuse at the caged opposition supporters further along the terrace. Pointing lofted fingers at them. I remember once being led right into the centre of the Barclay so I could get a closer look at the ringleaders - the ones who decided where the fights were going to take place. If something was going off after the game, word spread on the terrace. Plans were drawn up. Rendezvous points agreed. And a small group of them were the decision makers as to which song should be sung next. Half a dozen would get things started, then the rest would pick the song up and join in. I was frankly disappointed. Though older than me, these people were still young men. Quite what I expected I am not sure! Possibly not as fierce as I maybe thought they would be. Dressed in their cherry coloured Doc Martens, some looked like they needed a good meal - it was of course the original skinhead era. There were more followers than instigators, and had my Barclay career lasted any amount of time I would have surely been one of the former. But the impression I am left with all these years later, is that Norwich were never ever in the big league when it came down to hooliganism. The likes of QPR, Birmingham City and Millwall for instance all visited Carrow Road that season. I just always felt that other clubs had many more instigators than we had. I saw many scuffles in and around the ground, especially down Riverside and outside Thorpe Station. I was always appalled just how quickly 'the followers' legged it in the opposite direction at the first sign of trouble. Any anticipation of a major battle often faded as we realised the best on offer was a minor skirmish.


I have to say our gang soon got bored of the Barclay way of life, another indication that we really were too young for it. Negotiating a safe journey to and from the ground was always a challenge. Often we were too scared to go via Riverside for fear of 'going in the river'. And I remember Lower Clarence Road being a trouble hot spot if we went that way, as some of the opposition fans arrived by train, that was their route to the ground too. You needed eyes in the back of your head that is certain. But we never ever got into any bother - the thugs left us alone because we were too small ! Our attention turned to another game - hide and seek. Each week we would get to the ground earlier and earlier. Often we were first to queue at the turnstiles, which I think opened at 12.30. Once into the empty ground a couple of lads would go off and the rest of us had to find them. You could go anywhere in those days from the corner where the Barclay met the Main Stand to the opposite corner where the River End met the Main Stand (apart from the opposition cage which needed a de-tour through the back of the Barclay). As more people came into the ground it was easier to hide of course. But we got behind the burger vans and under the concrete stairways. And chased each other, weaving in and out of the fans as they walked to their places on the terraces. Truthfully, we were a damned nuisance. We often got shouted at. I remember once frightening the life out of an old man as I emerged from under the staircase leading into the South Stand. He threatened to report me and said we would all be banned from Carrow Road. I can also remember a period when we used to sneak a football into the ground and have a kick about in the tunnel behind the South Stand, until supporter traffic made it impossible. By about 2.30 we used to retreat back to the Barclay, squeeze our way onto the now packed terrace, and get down to the singing. I would go home totally cream crackered from all the running around. I used to fall asleep during The Generation Game and my Mum once asked if I went to the football to watch, or did I actually get to play for the Canaries!

The following season, the 1971-72 promotion campaign, I left the Barclay. I had the opportunity to watch City from the Main Stand and spent much of that year gaining illegal entry into the ground, though that is a tale for another time. By the following season I was back, though the gang had split and it was largely a return to being me and my original pal. We stayed in the Barclay until the mid seventies. Football took over. We grew taller and saw much more of the games. We were in Division One for some of that time too and the club were starting to move forward. The singing continued though we dropped the ruder and viler renditions. Suddenly it all seemed rather juvenile, and as we went from thirteen to fifteen years of age, our main worry each match was that City would win and not lose. The game was great back then and I came to realise just how much Norwich City Football Club meant to me.

As it still does today!"


Credit to:
aitch www.canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com

These clips were taken along side my photographic projects during May 2010

For a high res image go to: www.wildaboutimages.co.uk

© Paul Bunyard

NHS Norfolk is encouraging people in north Norfolk to join their local Workout Project, to improve their long-term health and their local environment.

The North Norfolk Workout Project is delivered by conservation volunteering charity BTCV for North Norfolk District Council.

Lucy Macleod, NHS Norfolk's Consultant in Public Health, said: “The North Norfolk Workout Project is an enjoyable way to a more active life, and we would encourage anyone interested to find out more.

“You will be improving your own long-term health and also benefitting your community. It's also a good way to socialise and make new friends, which can contribute to an overall healthier lifestyle.”

The scheme is run with additional funding and support from Natural England through Access to Nature as part of the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces Programme, NHS Norfolk and the North Norfolk Community Partnership.

Activities are organised later this month at North Walsham, Cromer and Holt, among others.

Mark Webster, project officer, said: "The North Norfolk Workout Project only began less than a year ago, but our volunteers have already made a substantial difference to their environment.

"Activities have included a variety of work at sites in North Walsham, Cromer and Holt, as well as learning more about wildlife by doing a seaweed survey at West Runton and birdwatching at Blakeney.

"Anyone over 16 is welcome to volunteer, and anyone who has physical, sensory or learning difficulties, mental health or long-term medical conditions is particularly welcome."

Volunteers also aiming to complete at least three 'Community Challenges' in north Norfolk each year which could involve clearing and improving access to a local open space. They welcome suggestions for future projects.

"North Norfolk District Council (NNDC)was very pleased to obtain the funding for this project," said Penny Bevan Jones, NNDC's Cabinet member with responsibility for health.

"The Council provides a range of opportunities for people to improve their health and well being such as leisure and sports centres, the Time of Your Life mobile gym and Fit Together walking and activities. The Workout Project offers another way for people to get active as well as improve the environment and we are delighted that so many people have already taken part."

Nick Clarke, of Active Norfolk, said: "We are moving away from the traditional sport model of people becoming more active. There are lots of different ways for people to increase their amount of physical activity.

"We recommend conservation activities because we find their volunteers exercise without really knowing it - because it's so enjoyable. It's free to take part, and helps the environment at the same time."

For more details on how you can join the North Norfolk Project call Mark on 01263 516 336 or visit: www.btcv.org./norfolk

To find out more about other activities and initiatives across the NHS Norfolk locality which can support you to lead an active, healthy lifestyle, call the NHS Norfolk Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 587 4132, or visit: www.norfolk.nhs.uk/pals/index.html

Two fabulous performers from Rig-a-Jig-Jig at the Norfolk History Fair at Gressinghall. Keeping Norfolk's traditional music alive here with the fiddle and the dulcimer

Tom Green was a comedian and arranger of pantomime harlequinades at the Brighton Aquarium, where it is likely he ran into director G.A. Smith as he exhibited his early films. Smith employed Mr. and Mrs. Green to perform in his comedies at 10 shillings a time.

In this film, Green is on his own performing what is known as a 'facial', that is a piece direct to camera showing changing facial expressions. The ability to get close up to the star was a great advantage that film had over the stage and early film-makers were keen to exploit it. Here Tom Green quaffs a glass of beer and gets progressively drunker and more leery. (Bryony Dixon)

Norwich is known as a city of history, culture, shopping and a tourism destination. Now it is becoming known for its collection of gardens of quality and character and interest as another new garden opens in Norwich this year for the National gardens Scheme. Norfolk a county known for its magnificent rural gardens and its great horticultural product now has an urban area that has NGS city gardens to visit.  They are all accessible by public transport.   Discover what is over the garden gate and hidden behind the city’s walls!

A popular place for many years and still a favourite, attracting visitors annually, is the Bishop’s garden open 1 -5 on the last Sunday in June, 27th admission £3, children free.   It is a four acre walled garden dating back to the 12th century.
The Bear Shop, Elm Hill, Norwich is opening for the first time for the National Gardens Scheme, the location featured in many famous films. It is open 11 - 4.30, Admission £3 or combined with Strangers Hall £4.50, children free.  The garden is considered to be based on a design by Gertrude Jekyll, a small terraced garden behind a C15 house in the historic Cathedral Quarter of Norwich..

Strangers Hall is a quarter of an acre garden hidden  behind  the home of wealthy merchants and mayors of the 16th and 17th Century.  It is an unexpectedly peaceful oasis in a busy part of the city. Strangers' Hall museum, St Gregory's' Church and the Maddermarket Theatre provide a historic boundary to the garden.

Just outside of Norwich, Heronsbridge,  Bawburgh Road, Marlingford opens with  4 Mill Road on the 11th July.   It is open 11 -5 with a combined admission of £4, children free.  There is a story to this garden (ask the owner). The River Yare runs the length of the garden, with plenty of wildlife especially the kingfisher. The beds are a mixture of herbaceous perennials and shrubs. There are fruit and other trees, one old ash  which is kept for nesting birds and other inhabitants.

North Lodge, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich opens twice  on the 18th and 25th July, 11 -5, admission £2.50, children free.   A town garden of 0.1-acre to Victorian Gothic Cemetery Lodge, (not open), created from a barren area with challenging triangular plot over the past ten years. Strong structure and attention to internal vista including Gothic conservatory, a formal pond, pergola, and classical-style summerhouse with  predominantly herbaceous planting.  Adjacent is associated historic parkland cemetery also worth a visit.

The Exotic Garden opens on the 1st August, 1- 5, admission £4.50 with the renowned “Will Giles featuring his “Exotic city garden” covering approximately 1 acre on a South facing hillside. It includes a new ½-acre garden with the largest treehouse in Norfolk.  In high summer the garden is a riot of colour among towering architectural plants such as cannas, bananas, aroids, palms etc giving the garden a truly subtropical feel, especially with its use of houseplants as bedding. New xerophytic garden (desert garden).

To end the Norwich garden trail is Plovers Hill outside the city at Buckenham Road, Strumpshaw.  It is open on the 8th August  11-5, admission £3.50, children free. It is the home of assistant county organisers James and Jan Saunt,  a 1-acre garden of contrasts, small C18 house (not open) with RIBA award winning orangery.  The gardeners pride and joy is the formal lawn hedged with yew and lesser species, huge mulberry, gingko, liquidambar and Japanese bitter orange, herbaceous borders with a range of varied plants, garden sculpture and water feature.  It has a kitchen garden with orchard and soft fruits.

James Saunt said  “The NGS gardens posses a beautifully tranquil atmosphere in and just outside of the city centre.  More and more city garden owners are transforming their homes to incorporate green or tropical gardens. It is also interesting to find large gardens within Norwich.  For many years only a few gardens have opened regularly.  The awareness of “The National Gardens Scheme Yellow Book” and the increased interest in garden design and grow your own has led to many gardeners becoming enthusiasts and aiming for high standards.   It is very rewarding for them to achieve the recognition of the NGS and share their  gardening passion with  visitors while raising money for worthwhile charities”.

For more garden days out ideas visit your local Tourist information, garden centre, nursery or open garden to pick up a Norfolk NGS Garden Guide or visit www.norfolkgardens.org.

If your garden is blooming, now is the time to contact County Organiser Fiona Black to discuss opening your garden.for the NGS.  Tel 01692 650247. Or visit the NGS team in the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural tent at the Royal Norfolk Show 30th June & 1st July 2010.

NHS Norfolk is making sure you've got a really healthy option if you are looking for something to eat at the Norfolk Show next week.

The Joy of Food team will be in the Food Hall offering delicious food that is fantastically healthy too!

Joy of Food's Caroline Seaman said: "The Norfolk Show is all about celebrating Norfolk's rich association with good food.

"There is always lots to eat at the show. Our mission this year is to offer individuals and families the best value healthiest option. Come to us and we guarantee to give you two of your five portions of fruit and veg for the day."

The morning menu at the Joy of Food stand will see fruity flapjacks and a portion of juice for £1.50 and at lunchtime they will be serving two varieties of tasty salad wraps at £2 each.

The Joy of Food stand will be staffed by Joy of Food trainers, overseen by the project's co-ordinator Mary Iginla.

NHS Norfolk's lottery-funded Joy of Food initiative has been running for two years and promotes healthy eating, correct portion sizes and offers real help and support to people wanting to make the switch to healthier eating.

Caroline said: "Enjoying a wide range of different foods and eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day are important to give you more energy and protect your short and long term health and wellbeing. Reducing your salt, sugar and fat intake is also vital to maintaining a healthy diet.

"The social pleasure of sharing food with friends and family is also really important."

Joy of Food provides cook-and-eat programmes in communities, offering easy recipes, top tips on saving money and information about balanced diets and food labels.

Contact the Joy of Food on 01603 257219, email: joyoffood@norfolk.nhs.uk or go to www.norfolk.nhs.uk

One of the most exciting events in Norfolk calendars is just around the corner - 2010’s Royal Norfolk Show. Wednesday 30th June and Thursday 1st July will see tens of thousands of people descend on the Norfolk Showground on the outskirts of Norwich for the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association’s highlight of the year.

The show is officially the largest agricultural show of its kind in the United Kingdom, with nearly 100,000 people visiting last year’s show over the two days.


There are plenty of different things to do and to see, with a fantastic variety of livestock competing across the showground - horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits and cavies, as well as copious trade stands, a dog show, a sheep shearing show, large food hall with cookery theatre and other exciting spectacles. This year’s Grand Ring programme includes motorcycle trick riding, the RAF Falcons free-fall parachute team, RAF pipes and drums, hound displays, horse and trap competitions and a new event for this year - scurry driving, a thrilling competition in which pairs of ponies are driven through a tricky course of cones and hazards against the clock.

Local Tom

WOW yes we said it would. We got the info onto motoring hints sometime ago, we mentioned the dangers:see our previous article - in-car wifi are you sitting confortable?
 

This Sunday saw the advert for the new Renault Master Van complete with PIVOTING SEATBACK TABLE to hold your LAPTOP.

This table is fitted next to drivers left arm, where just taking your eyes off the road you can view the computer screen.

The Sat Nav is fitted above the interior mirror, making the driver to constantly look to his left.

Also the possible chance of Mobile phones being used,  YES we all agree the company vehicle is todays office, but road safety has got to be of the first most importance, how on earth are safety experts giving the go ahead for this to happern..

Drivers must not be allowed to take their eyes off the road, to use hi tech equipment, we all know how dangerous todays driving can be..

The new Jaguar has a TV screen on the facia panel so passengers can watch but this is not in the view of the driver, it is angled towards the passenger side...

Was it not a few months ago a HGV Driver was involved in a major road accident, whilst watching a DVD where the player screen was facing forward to the driver.

As skilled drivers we must always remember the word COAST
 
                 C -- Concentration

                 O -- Observation

                 A  -- Anticipation

                 S --  Space

                 T   -- Time

CONCENTRATION  is the KEY word in todays modern motoring,  and that's looking where we are going, gaining a BIG PICTURE, Scanning, watching what other drivers are doing.. ( not checking the laptop screen ) and of course always checking behind, people do travel much too close..

As regards SPACE if you are driving leaving no space around you this is where the ACCIDENT will occur

                NO SPACE  = CRASH

Dont forget at 30mph you are travelling 44 feet per second, the crash will occur within your thinking distance

and this is not the time to deal with all the hi tech in the vehicle...

Drivers cannot afford to take the eyes off the road...


A WARNING TO COMPANY MANGERS...

You must have a policy in place... get your drivers to sign a letter to say YOU WILL NOT RING them in the Vehicle whilst they are driving,  and you DO NOT WANT them to ring whilst they are driving.

How do you speak to their Wife, Partners when their loved ones were killed when they crashed as you were giving details over the phone to them.

The Police can check back the last call into the vehicle, remember the Corporate Manslaughter rules.

This must NOW also include to NOT SEND E-MAILS...

Make your Drivers to receive calls by voice mail, leave the phone off while driving.

Also tell them if they stop to answer a call make sure they SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE and most of all TAKE THE KEY OUT of the IGNITION, YES you will still be fined if the key is in the ignition... £60 pound three points on licence.

DO NOT PERMIT OR CAUSE DRIVERS to use a Phone in the vehicle, yes HANDS FREE are very dangerous you can not concentrate, and drive at the same time, you will be involved the message coming over the phone.
 
It all comes down to driving without due care and attention...

NHS Norfolk is proud to launch Start4Life in the county - encouraging mothers and their babies to better health.

Start4Life is part of the government's Change4Life initiative, aimed at inspiring everyone to be more active and eat more healthily.

Start4Life will be launched alongside the East of England breastfeeding framework - a strategic document which sets out how NHS Norfolk and its partners will encourage more mothers to breastfeed - at Dereham Children's Centre on Monday 21 June from 10am to 12 noon.

The event will be attended by various health and social care professionals, as well as two breastfeeding mums, and all media are invited.

Jonathan Williams, Assistant Director of Public Health, will be championing the Start4Life initiative for NHS Norfolk.

He said: "It is never too early to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and Start4Life encourages this from birth onwards. It is a philosophy that NHS Norfolk is proud to promote.

"Start4Life offers a wide range of advice for new parents, and parents to be, in order for them to give their babies the best possible start in life. NHS Norfolk will endeavour to spread its message for healthy living."

Tips for new parents include:

* Why mum's milk is better for mum and baby
* Every day counts - why every day of mother's milk can make a difference to health
* No rush to mush - how to tell when your baby is ready for solid food
* Taste for life - why a variety of food for your youngster now could prevent fussy eating later in life
* Sweet as they are - how to avoid giving your baby a sweet tooth
* Baby moves - why it's important for your baby to be active

Jonathan Williams added: "It is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle from an early age. Research has shown that children who are overweight or obese are more likely to remain so as adults, putting themselves at risk of a range of health problems.

"By following the Start4Life philosophy now, parents are giving their babies a headstart to a healthier life in the future."

For more details on Start4Life visit: www.nhs.uk/start4life

Fantastic 2 for 1 offer at the Marina Theatre WAITING FOR GATEAUX

Fed up with the World Cup already? 

Prefer cake to football or just enjoy a good laugh? 

Norwich City Net and Waveney Valley Blog has teamed up with the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft to offer our followers two seats for the price of one on next weeks comedy Waiting For Gateaux - Starring former Emmerdale actress and host of You've Been Framed, Lisa Riley. 


Just print this page and take to the theatre box office or quote Waveney Valley Blog 241 by telephone and receive one free ticket for every full priced seat purchased!*

Set in a run-down village hall, WAITING FOR GATEAUX follows the members of failing slimming club - 'Mo-tivators' - whose only agenda is to meet friends, have a gossip and eat cake!  As they struggle to shed the pounds in anticipation of appearing in a new reality TV-show, their showbiz aspirations are thwarted when they fail to resist the temptations of fast-food and media executive, Sophie, reveals she has an ulterior motive.

What follows is a parodic siege of visual comedy spliced with traces of Reservoir Dogs, The Great Escape and Dad's Army!

Building on the comedy traditions of the late Ayckbourne and Godber, Waugh and Wood are remorseless in their pursuit of laughs, and the gags fall thick and fast in this unmissable comedy about friendship, frostbite and French fries.

*Regretfully as this is a late availability offer it is not valid in conjunction with any other offer or concession of for seats already purchased. Subject to availability.

As Diabetes Week continues until 19 June, NHS Norfolk is promoting a service in the county to support those with the disease.

A freephone helpline, manned by a group of diabetes patients who have been trained and mentored to act as patient advisors, can offer support to others in the same situation across the county.


Anyone in Central Norfolk who has diabetes is welcome to call the line on 0800 0320 087.

Our cases studies below and picture links (above) are of two people who volunteer to work on the helpline.

The area the phone line covers stretches from Cromer to Diss and Thetford to Fakenham, and since it was set up in 2005, it has taken hundreds of calls. Anyone from outside the Central Norfolk area who calls for advice is referred to a contact more local to them.

Volunteers are not trained to give emergency or medical advice, but can offer words of encouragement and support - because they've been in the same situation themselves.

Angela Young, Diabetes Network Manager for Central Norfolk, said: "It is working amazingly well. Quite often people want to speak to somebody who has got the condition, and learn that it's not the end of the world. We feel the helpline complements good clinical services."

Some 2,300 people in Norfolk are diagnosed with diabetes each year, yet thanks to lifestyle changes and/or medication, they can carry on with their normal lives.

In total, about 31,000 people in Norfolk (excluding Great Yarmouth and Waveney) have diabetes, and that number is constantly rising, as Dr Nigel Thomson can testify.

The GP, who is based at The Lawns Medical Practice in Diss, is also co-chair of the Diabetes Network for Central Norfolk.

He said: "In 2007, the prevalence of diabetes in Norfolk was 3.8 per cent across the county. It has a higher prevalence in the north and the west of the county, which may be because people live longer in those areas or may be due to other reasons.

"In my own practice the prevalence of diabetes has increased significantly - rising from 3.8 per cent to 4.6 per cent within two years."

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is less common, and makes up about 10 per cent of all diabetes cases nationally. It develops if the body cannot produce any insulin. This is a hormone which regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) in the cells of the body.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin does not work properly. It accounts for about 90 per cent of people with diabetes and is often linked with other conditions, such as obesity or high cholesterol.

Dr Thomson added: "Everyone is generally less active than they used to be, and we tend to do less manual work as a society now. The increase in Type 2 diabetes is due to a combination of less activity, possibly with greater availability of food and a resulting increase in obesity.

"But diabetes can be treated with diet, exercise, and medication. We have patients in their 90s with diabetes. It is not all doom and gloom - far from it."

Diabetes Week is organised by the Diabetes UK charity. For more details, visit www.diabetes.org.uk

For further information on diabetes visit NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk

Case study 1:
Annette Thompson, who is in her 50s, and lives near Acle, was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes six months after she was married - some 36 years ago.
"I was devastated. I thought life as I knew it would end, but it did not," she said. "Life goes on. Diabetes is something you learn to live with."

Annette currently injects herself with insulin five times a day, yet continues to live a normal life. She has travelled extensively, including Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and has played badminton and tennis competitively. Today she remains active, walking her dog and gardening, and is looking to return to playing tennis next year.

Annette became a volunteer for the telephone support line four years ago.
"I thought it was about time I gave something back to a system that has looked after me so well," she said. "Sometimes it's just good to chat to someone who has gone through it and understands what it's like to live with diabetes. Sometimes it's passing people to the right area to get them the help they need."

Her advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar position is simple.
"Don't panic, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't take everything in during your first visit," she said.
"Chat to as many people as you can - it's reassuring."


Case Study 2:
Dave Rea, 56, of Norwich, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 12 years ago, during a routine health check.

When he saw an advert five years ago for the post of Patient Champion he jumped at the chance to offer support - and the benefit of his experience in living with the condition to others.

"I try to encourage people with diabetes to take a positive view," he said.
"My group of Patient Advisors use their many years of experience of living with diabetes to talk non-medical problems through with people."

Dave explained that, in addition to himself and Annette, about fourteen other people with diabetes man the phone line. They are of all ages, and so hopefully anyone who calls can be put in contact with an advisor who has experienced a similar situation to themselves.

Dave controls his diabetes through tablets and diet. He remains active through walking, and does everything he always used to. "I have got a bit of a can-do attitude. If you can it’s preferable to face up to the problem and sort it out as best you can," he said. "Some people do take diagnosis of diabetes and it’s ongoing problems very badly, and that's where we are able to talk to people and give them the reassurance that it's not the end of the world."

 

Slow Food Aylsham members and their guests paid a visit to Letheringsett Water Mill in mid June 2010 when Mike Thurlow, who with his wife Marion restored the mill to working order some 23 years ago, gave a guided tour and milling demonstration.
 
Letheringsett is the last remaining water mill in Norfolk to produce flour which can now be bought in many outlets across the county.  As one Slow Food member commented, traditional flour milling - a process which can't be hurried - in many ways reflects the ethos of the international Slow Food movement which seeks to promote an alternative to today's fast-food, fast-life culture.

The evening visit was a resounding success with all of the 16 visitors, thanks in no small part to a thoroughly entertaining and informative commentary by Mike Thurlow.

Slow Food is a not for profit, international membership organisation with over 100,000 members in 132 countries.  Slow Food Aylsham, a branch of Slow Food UK, was established in 2004.  There are more details at www.slowfoodaylsham.org.uk

Shout for England Feat. Dizzee Rascal & James Corden Shout (c) (C) 2010 Simco Limited under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited

The Sainsbury Centre will be celebrating the launch of its major new exhibition unearthed, with a special Late Shift event on Wednesday 23 June from 6pm - 9pm. The exhibition, which features over 100 prehistoric figurines from the Balkans and Japan, has been the inspiration for the evening, which includes a puppetry workshop from Norwich Puppet Theatre, animations by students from Norwich University College of the Arts (NUCA), chance to see how clay figurines were fired in a primitive pit-fire and a showing of Screen Play by acclaimed director Barry Purves. Visitors will also be able to watch a demonstration of flint knapping by experts Val and John Lord who have been working with Culture of the Countryside, the Sainsbury Centre’s 3-year community outreach project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Admission to the event is free and includes chance to see the Centre’s new exhibitions, unearthed and Henry Moore Textiles.

The Late Shift is a regular event in the Sainsbury Centre’s busy programme, which offers established and regionally-based artists chance to perform.

“Our June Late Shift promises to be very exciting with an eclectic mix of contributions including music from Tom Conway and Cakes and Ale, workshops from Norwich Puppet Theatre, animations from NUCA students past and present, flint knapping demonstrations and more. We hope people will come along to see what’s happening, visit the new exhibitions or just soak up the atmosphere!” - Liz Ballard, Late Shift Co-ordinator.

The programme for the evening is closely linked to the unearthed exhibition.

“The puppetry and animations at the Late Shift will create new opportunities to experience the figurines in the exhibition, bringing them to life. We have used contemporary artwork in unearthed to stimulate fresh questions about how the miniature affects people’s perceptions - the puppetry and animations at the Late Shift will enrich this” - Andrew Cochrane, a curator of the unearthed exhibition.

BA Animation students and alumni from Norwich University College of the Arts will be showcasing their work and visitors will also be able to see an animation commissioned for the unearthed exhibition by artist Sarah Beare. The work which is entitled, Playing in Time, brings to life clay figurines made by artist Sue Maufe against a swirling backdrop of patterns similar to those used to decorate ancient Japanese ceramics. The film can also be seen on the Sainsbury Centre’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/TheSainsburyCentre).

A film by Barry Purves will also be shown at the event. Purves is an Oscar and BAFTA nominated director usually, but not exclusively, working with animation. He has animated on and directed many series’ for television such as The Wind in the Willows, Rupert Bear, and most recently, Bob the Builder. The film being shown at the Late Shift entitled Screen Play is a stop-animation based on the Willow Pattern Story. “There was also an extraordinary commercial based on the film - as it happens I believe it was only shown in the East Anglia region before it was withdrawn as the public thought the product, toilet duck, smelt terrible!” explains Barry Purves.

During the evening Norwich Puppet Theatre will be running a drop in workshop (6.30pm - 8pm). Visitors will be able to try their hand at making a pop-up puppet inspired by the figurines in the exhibition.


“The Puppet Theatre is delighted to be contributing to the Late Shift in June, giving people of all ages chance to learn more about puppetry as an art form and bringing to life the objects in the exhibition. We also hope to raise people’s awareness of the Theatre, which is 30 years old this year and has just been awarded an Arts Council grant for two new productions” - Ian Woods, General Manager, Norwich Puppet Theatre.

At the Late Shift event people will be able to see how ancient figurines were fired. Visitors are invited to join Sue Maufe in opening a primitive kiln and digging up the fired objects (outside the Centre, weather permitting). Maufe has been commissioned to make individualised biscuit-fired figurines as a ‘physical ticket’ for visitors to the exhibition, enabling them to experience the tactile quality of the ancient figures they will see on display (subject to availability). They will, should they wish, be able to break their figurine and add it to a heap of fragments in the gallery (reminiscent of the archaeological sites where figurines have been found).

The Late Shift will also be celebrating a chalk and flint project by the Sainsbury Centre’s community outreach project Culture of the Countryside. Visitors will be able to see a film about flints made as part of the project by Matthew Robinson, which includes footage from the East Anglian Film Archive, and will be able to enjoy a flint knapping demonstration by experts Val and John Lord. The couple began their prehistoric technology research projects in 1975, when they were engaged by the Department of the Environment (now English Heritage) to take custody of Grimes Graves, the Neolithic flint mining site at Lynford in Norfolk. They strove to master the art of flint knapping, and as they progressed, they willingly shared their newly gained knowledge with members of the public. John went on to become a professional flint knapper and his projects have included providing 160 tonnes of knapped flints for the wall that now surrounds the super-structure above the underground shopping mall at Norwich Castle.

Late Shift
Wednesday 23 June, 6pm - 9pm. Admission free and booking not required (includes entry to the special exhibitions). Puppet making workshop, drop in between 6.30pm and 8pm.

Grimes Graves also has a connection with unearthed. The exhibition includes the Grimes Graves Goddess, which is back in Norfolk for the first time since it was discovered in the 1930s.

The Grimes Graves Goddess
The Grimes Graves Goddess, on loan from the British Museum, is on public display for the first time in over 50 years. It was unearthed by A L Armstrong in Norfolk in 1939 and until the late 20th century was believed to have been 1 of only 3 human shaped objects dated to Neolithic Britain. In 1991 an investigation into the object was carried out by Gillian Varndell from the British Museum as part of a general reappraisal of the Grimes Graves material. Her findings suggest that the authenticity of the figurine is doubtful for a number of reasons: the excavation was never published; Armstrong's site notebook stopped abruptly on the day of the vital discovery and it was not recorded properly; most unusually, on the day of the find he had directed all other experienced excavators to leave the site; the figurine looked suspiciously freshly-carved, and Armstrong's team included an expert carver (similar objects made from the same chalk rock, such as an Egyptian sphinx, were among his possessions from the dig). Given that there is no known process to date chalk, it may never be conclusively proven. Gillian Varndell is an authority on the Grimes Graves excavations and will be speaking at the unearthed Study Day on 19 June.

The unearthed exhibition is also accompanied by a study day organised by Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures and the Sainsbury Centre which will be held at Norwich University College of the Arts on Saturday 19 June.

unearthed Study Day
The exhibition is accompanied by an exciting programme of academic and public events including artist-led workshops, family events and talks. A study day organised by Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures and the Sainsbury Centre and will be held at Norwich University College of the Arts on Saturday 19 June. For more information include the proposed programme for the day, visit the Centres website www.scva.ac.uk/whatson/specialevents/

unearthed Exhibition Dates, Times and Information
unearthed runs from Tuesday 22 June to Sunday 29 August 2010. NOTE NEW OPENING TIMES - The exhibition will be open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays including Bank Holiday Mondays), 10am to 5pm. Tel 01603 593199 www.scva.ac.uk

Combined Admission to unearthed and Henry Moore Textiles
£4, concessions £2
Family admission (up to 2 adults and 3 children) £8, concessions £8.

Sculpture for Norwich, a new charity established to promote public art and sculpture in greater Norwich, will be inaugurated at a special event in The Hostry, Norwich Cathedral on June 29th 2010. The event will be coupled with the launch of a public appeal for an initial £35,000 from local sources to help fund the charity’s first project: the commission of a sculpture to celebrate The Norwich School of Artists.

The charity, which has been formed out of The Norwich Society and Norfolk Contemporary Art Society (NCAS), has identified a site for its first commission on St-Martin-at-Palace Plain, with the help of Norwich City Council. The site is in front of the house where John Sell Cotman, one of the key members of The Norwich School of Artists, lived and exhibited his paintings.

The aim is to complete this initial commission for the Cultural Olympiad countrywide arts festival in 2012 and thus to form part of Norwich’s contribution. Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is also planning events that year to celebrate the Norwich School of Artists as part of the ‘Great British Art Debate’.

Keith Pollard, Chairman of Sculpture for Norwich said: "Sculpture for Norwich has been founded to promote the commissioning and installation of sculpture of high quality in public places in and around the City of Norwich. It will also aim by a variety of means to encourage a wider appreciation in Norwich of the benefits of public sculpture. The prospect of Norwich becoming the first UK City of Culture in 2013 provides a splendid context for our ambitions and we wholeheartedly support the bid."

Isabel Vasseur, a major figure in the public art movement since the 1980s will be the key speaker at the launch event, attended by an invited audience, on June 29th. She has co-ordinated visual arts festivals in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Gateshead, and was Senior Visual Arts Officer for the British Council. The topic of her lecture will be "Eyesore or Adornment, Memorials and Landmarks: an assessment of Public Art."

A website www.sculpturefornorwich.co.uk will be launched towards the end of June.

For more information about Sculpture for Norwich e-mail: sculpturefornorwich@googlemail.com or tel: 01603 743165.