The Devil's Grave

Back on the east coast of Norfolk in England the fishing communities prospered, and great fleets hauled in full nets from the mighty herring shoals. It was said that in the biggest harbour at Great Yarmouth during the fishing season, so large was the fleet from all over England and Europe, that you could walk over a mile across the tightly moored ships and smell the gutting of the herring, carried out by thousands of women who came to the area.

Not all the communities joined in the new way of life. The little village of Sea Palling got on with its laying of crab cages and harvesting the reeds for thatching. Babies were born, old folk died, and the seasons moved across the wide horizon.

Memories remained and legends were created. Along the beach where they say there was once a causeway, even the tough grass never grew. Folk from the villages around never liked to walk on that stretch of coast, especially when the winds change direction and came from the north-east to send their salty sprays crashing upon the land.

If the locals are not too frightened they will tell how on such nights a ghostly spectre can be seen rising from the marshes. A body of a beautiful woman ascends from the badlands, tempting in form and singing to those who would listen. But when the unwary approach, the woman turns into a horrible, cruel and evil reincarnation of the devil, slimy body crying out for mercy and deliverance from her eternal damnation in the muddy pit of the earth.

The Devil's Grave is not marked on any map. It is said that if the ghost of Lady Camilla has recognition in spoken or written word, her power will return and haunt the old district of Lothingland.
– Anon

Taverham Brass Band returns to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham on Sunday 4 July 2010, to launch the garden’s Summer Music Season with a selection of classic hits and songs from the shows. 
This open air concert is from 2pm to 4pm. Normal admission charges apply, adult £5, concessions £4.50 and child £2.50, under five free. There is no additional charge for Summer Music events.

Other events in the Summer Music Season are:

Sunday 11 July, The Castaways, sea shanties and folk songs, 2pm to 4pm.

Sunday 18 July, Top Brass, brass band quintet, 2pm to 4pm.

Sunday 25 July, Norwich City Concert Band, 2pm to 4pm.

Sunday 1 August, 11th annual Green Festival, fun for all the family – a day of local and traditional crafts and activities, 10am to 5pm.

Sunday 8 August, Touch the Earth, spiritual folk band, in concert, 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday 11 August, Razz Day, family fun with Razz the clown, 2pm to 4pm

Sunday 15 August, Norfolk Reed clarinet quartet, 2pm to 4pm.

Sunday 22 August, Magic Folk, folk music for everyone, 2pm to 4pm.

Wednesday 25 August, Children's Day – The Story of the King Oak – activities based around the Norman era when the oak was just a tiny sapling, fun and games from 11am to 3pm.

Sunday 29 August, Sutton Jazz Quartet in concert, 2pm to 4pm

Sunday 5 September, Dixieland Jazz Trio, 2pm to 4pm

There is wheelchair access to most of the garden, including the events area. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance; mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction. The garden is open daily all year, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), also open Wednesday and Thursday until 9pm to the end of August; free parking and free admission to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is organic, only garden leaf soil, farmyard manure and the product of the annual dyke clearance are used as fertilisers. There are 30 species of tree, and more than 95 species of bird, 11 species of butterfly and six species of dragonfly have been recorded. The garden was created by the Second Lord Fairhaven from 1947 until his death in 1973. A charitable trust was then set up to care for the garden, and open it to visitors.


Tel. 01603 270449/270683

Get set for summer at Pleasurewood Hills, the region’s biggest and best theme park. A magical, 50-acre world of family fun and excitement awaits - with new shows, fantastic rides and a whole host of fabulous entertainment. Pleasurewood really does have something for everyone, whether you’re young or simply young-at-heart!

As ever, this summer season at Pleasurewood Hills offers visitors a day out to remember. For adrenalin-junkies, there’s the white-knuckle thrill of ‘Enigma’, ‘Wizzy Dizzy’ and ‘Thunderstruck’ rides and of course, ‘Wipeout’ - the tallest, fastest and most extreme rollercoaster in the East of England. Dare you take a breathtaking, nerve-jangling journey along 900 feet of twisted steel at speeds touching 50mph and pulling over 5Gs!

Or perhaps you might prefer a more sedate trip around the park on the alpine chairlift or aboard one of our two railways.

Smaller adventurers, meanwhile, will love our great selection of fun rides. And naturally, Woody Bear will be on hand to meet and greet all our guests when the Park opens each morning. Incidentally, if you haven’t yet heard, Woody has joined the social networking website, Facebook. He already has well over a thousand friends from here in the UK and all over the world. Why not add your name to the growing list?

As we always say here at Pleasurewood, you’ll come for the rides and you’ll stay for the shows. We offer a range of first class performances - all included in your entrance fee. Be wowed by the spectacular Circus and Street Arts show which includes urban street dance from “ STYLE BEYOND”, showcasing some of the world’s finest break dancers and performers from Hungary and also includes a breathtaking display of BMX dare-devilry! Pleasurewood Hills is also proud to present the acrobatic finesse of Anastasia the talented gymnast who shows her agility and hand balancing acts performed before your very eyes. The Comedy act is performed by David Massot from France which includes Music performances with percussion instruments, special magic acts and interactivity with the audience.

And don’t forget, we also have the Sea Lion Show. Be amazed by Claude, George and Marcus as they demonstrate their power, agility and intelligence. Then there’s the cheeky and hilarious Parrot Show.

When the action gets too much and you just need a sit down or something to eat, Pleasurewood offers a great range of restaurants and shops where you can sample an excellent choice of hot and cold food and drinks. Over the winter months, we’ve been working hard to source fresh and healthy ingredients from the local area for our restaurants and we’re sure you’ll be delighted at the results.

Pleasurewood Hills opens daily at 10am and tickets can be bought at the park gate on the day of your visit or pre-booked online. In addition, discounted vouchers can be collected from many tourist information offices in the region, giving visitors an even greater value day out!

For full opening times throughout the season, check out the new website - www.pleasurewoodhills.com.

Taken along side one of my photographic projects at Cley, Norfolk.
For a high res image go to: www.wildaboutimages.co.uk
© Paul Bunyard

Follow the Norfolk National Gardens Scheme Secret Garden trail this summer. Many of the gardens hold the mystery as in the book “The Secret Garden” and admission for children is often free. Parents and children are invited to peep over the garden gates and explore. A lot of the gardens have many features that interest children, woodland walks, nature conservation, exotic, tropical gardens, vegetable plots, unusual grasses and the special secret garden look.


On the 1st August “The Norfolk Secret Garden Trail” entices you behind the gates of Bergh Apton Manor or through the walled gardens of Holme Hale Hall. Or for those who enjoy the tropical climates disappear among the jungle garden in Will Giles famous Exotic garden in the city of Norwich.

On the 8th August “New” garden Dunbheagan, Westfield invites visitors to explore it’s one and a third acres of flower garden richly planted for year round interest and still providing oodles of colour into late summer. It has rare and unusual plants, ponds, rockery, island beds, exotic bed, ‘Heaven and Hell’, gravel beds, carnivorous plants. Paths and stepping stones invite you to explore more. Music from Reepham ensemble will provide a tranquil backgpund to a garden day out.

Also on the 8th August, Severals Grange, Wood Norton shows the perfect example of how colour, shape and form can be created by the use of foliage plants. Plovers Hill, Strumpshaw provides a garden of contrasts with an award winning orangery surrounding an 18th century house. Open on the same day and on the 22nd August, Chestnut Farm, West Beckham entices you to enjoy the exuberance of summer, including herbaceous borders, summer flowering trees and shrubs spread over three acres to explore.


Norfolk NGS County organiser Anthea Foster said “Now is the time of year when gardens in Norfolk are reaching their summer peak. With warm sunny weather forecast take the opportunity to enjoy the splendours and sights of some truly fabulous gardens and at the same time help raise much needed funds for the charities that the National Gardens Scheme supports. Families and garden enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with not only new garden Dunbheagon but many other regular gardens open providing a garden trail of interest across the county”.


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.


August Gardens:


08-Aug-2010
Plovers Hill
Buckenham Road
Strumpshaw NR13 4NL
Open: 11-5 Adults: £3.50 Child: free

Chestnut Farm
Church Road West Beckham NR25 6NX
Open: 11-5 Adults: £4 Child: free

Severals Grange
Holt Road Wood Norton NR20 5BL
Open: 2-5 Adults: £3 Child: free

Dunbheagan
Westfield NR19 1QF
Open: 12.30-5.30 Adults: £3.50 Child: free

22-Aug-2010
Chestnut Farm
Church Road West Beckham NR25 6NX
Open: 11-5 Adults: £4 Child: free

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

Norwich Action Team

NHS Norfolk is encouraging even more people to ‘follow’ the organisation on Twitter, joining the 935 people already receiving updates from the Primary Care Trust via the social networking website.

Since May 2009, NHS Norfolk has been leaving messages, or ‘tweets’, to update its followers – fellow twitter account holders who opt-in to automatically receive these updates – on http://twitter.com/nhsnorfolk.

These short messages help to keep people informed on the latest news and press releases, ongoing health campaigns and even updates on the number of local dentists who have availability for NHS patients.

Almost 400 tweets later, the number of followers has reached around 935 people. NHS Norfolk is now encouraging even more people who are interested in receiving the tweets to sign up, so as many people as possible receive the updates as soon as they are posted.

Trish Turner, NHS Norfolk’s Director of Communications and Engagement, said: “NHS Norfolk is keen to connect with members of the public and keep them informed with the latest news and campaign information. Twitter is just one way that people can receive these updates, but as we often send several messages each day, it is a good way for people to know instantly what the latest local health news is.


“The number of people receiving these updates is now around 935 and we are still getting an extra four or five followers every day. But if more people decide to receive our updates it will not only help us reach the 1000 mark even sooner, but it will mean more people will be up-to-date with the latest news from NHS Norfolk.


“For anyone who doesn’t want to receive our Twitter updates, NHS Norfolk’s own website is regularly updated with important information about latest news and ongoing campaigns or people can attend our public Board meetings which occur every other month.”

To view NHS Norfolk’s twitter page and sign up to become a follower, visit http://twitter.com/nhsnorfolk

Alternatively, you can access information about local health campaigns and services at www.norfolk.nhs.uk or by calling NHS Norfolk’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 587 4132.

Active Norfolk and NHS Norfolk have joined together to promote "parkrun" - an exciting new initiative to get people of all ages more active.

The first parkrun takes place on Saturday 7 August at 9am, in Eaton Park, Norwich.

Parkruns are 5km long, timed, and free to enter. They will continue to be organised at Eaton Park each Saturday, from 7 August onwards.

The initiative is being funded by Active Norfolk and NHS Norfolk, and both organisations are delighted to bring it to the county, along with the help of the City of Norwich Athletics Club and a number of very dedicated volunteers.

Lucy Macleod, NHS Norfolk's Consultant in Public Health, said: "Parkrun has proved a great success elsewhere in the country, and we are hopeful that it will be equally popular in Norfolk.


"Today's sedentary lifestyles can lead to a risk of developing serious illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. But often it's easier to become more active than you think, and parkrun is a great example of how easy it can be.


"We would urge everyone to go along and give it a try. It's an enjoyable way to get some exercise, in a great setting."

Nick Clarke, Physical Activity and Health Co-ordinator for Active Norfolk, added: "We are very happy to support parkrun. It's a fun way to work towards those 60 active minutes a day and anyone can join in, whether you're an experienced runner or new to exercise. It's an all-inclusive, community-based feel-good event, and we are pleased to stage it in Norfolk."

All runners must register before the event and entries must be received by Friday 6 August. Visit www.parkrun.com for more information.

The Your Health section of the NHS Norfolk website has information on all aspects of healthy living - from eating well, being active and how to get support to stop smoking, to what is important in maintaining and managing your own health. Visit www.norfolk.nhs.uk to find out more.

For information about healthy eating projects and those designed to get you more active, call the NHS Norfolk Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 587 4132.

To find out more about activities organised by Active Norfolk visit: www.activenorfolk.org, or call 01603 697011.

A giant multi-coloured ‘rainbow’ scarf more than 30m long will be draped from the balcony of City Hall, Norwich, this Friday (July 30) as part of the annual Norwich Pride celebrations.

Norwich Pride celebrates the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and this year’s parade takes place on Saturday, with events throughout the day.

The scarf is the brainchild of Helen Simpson-Slapp, who is both a well-known local artist and city employment lead for Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Hundreds of people across Norfolk have knitted squares for the scarf, which contained at least 1500 squares at the last count. ‘Knit-ins’ have taken place at pubs, offices and church halls since March. Progress has been publicised on Facebook, and squares have been received from all over the world.


“I wanted a way for people from all walks of life to be part of Norwich Pride, and the response has been amazing,” said Helen.

“I particularly asked churches to be involved, and we have had knitting groups from all over the country busy making squares.”

The scarf will be collected from St Gregory’s Church, on Pottergate, at 1pm on Friday, and carried to City Hall, where it will be hung from the balcony. Councillor Jeremy Hooke will say a few words, and the Rev Philip Young, from St Thomas’ Church, will bless the scarf.

When the scarf is taken down it will be broken up into blankets, which will be sold to raise money for charity.

www.norwichpride.org.uk

This summer the Sainsbury Centre’s exciting events programme includes lots for free activities for families. The annual Family Fun Day on Sunday 1 August from midday until 4pm, in association with Norwich Evening News, will include live performances, creative activities, fun and games. This year’s theme, Explore the World, links to the Sainsbury Centre’s extraordinary collection of world art, which comprises objects from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. From Tuesday 27 - Sunday 5 September from 11am - 4pm the Sainsbury Centre will be offering artist-designed drop-in activities for families to do together as part of the Centre’s Object of the Holiday series. Family Fun Day, Object of the Holiday activities and admission to the gallery is free. The Centre is closed on Mondays including August Bank Holiday Monday.


Every school holiday the Sainsbury Centre offers Object of the Holiday activities for families. This holiday the activities all link to the Mini Museum, a group of small objects in the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection that were personal favourites of Sir Robert Sainsbury.

“Sir Robert Sainsbury was especially fond of small sculptures, a selection of which he arranged in a special display cabinet in his bedroom. Its composition changed over the years until Sir Robert’s death in 2000.The final version has been recreated in the gallery so visitors may enjoy Sir Robert’s personal choice of fine miniature sculptures from many lands and many periods” - Emma Hazell, Assistant Curator (maternity cover).

Families will be able to spend the day at the Centre and enjoy the host of things on offer. At the activity table, which is kindly sponsored by The Hewett School, there will be artist-designed things to make and do (Tuesday to Sunday each week from 11am to 4pm). Amongst the activities will be the chance to make a Mini Museum. The Object of the Holiday activity booklet designed by artist Sarah Florence with support from the Centre’s guides includes fun facts about the Mini Museum, drawing activities, trails, word games, things to do when you get home and other challenges.
Children can also enjoy stories about Japan and the miniature inspired by the permanent collections and narrated by Sainsbury Centre guides (Tuesday 3 August - Saturday 8 August at 11am).


At Fun Day on Sunday 1 August there will be lots of fun and creative activities suitable for all the family, inspired by countries around the world that are represented in the Sainsbury Centre’s Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection. There will be the chance to make an Alaskan hunter’s hat and drop-in to a workshop with Chie Kutsuwada, one of the UK’s pre-eminent manga artists, and have a go at manga-style drawing. Fun Day will mark the end of a week-long residency at the Sainsbury Centre for Chie, during which she is running workshops and working on art projects in the galleries and Education Studio.

Throughout the event there will be live performances from Norwich-based band Brolly Folk and world dance workshops. There will also be a parade of classic Harley-Davidsons from the Iceni Motorcycle Club. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic, or treat themselves to an ice-cream or something from the BBQ. The Sainsbury Centre Gallery Café will also be open serving a range of drinks and light lunches.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming even more families to another great Fun Day this year and are delighted to be able to offer it for free. There’s something to keep everyone entertained so why not drop in and see what we have to offer?” - Emily Ward, Education and Events Officer.


This Fun Day, the Sainsbury Centre is also celebrating its participation in the BBC and British Museum project, A History of the World. The Antler Comb, currently on display in the Living Area gallery, is one of ten objects selected to tell the history of Norfolk and its place in the world. Visitors to the History of the World stand will find creative activities linked to the comb and an artist-designed activity trail to help them explore the Centre and collections.

In addition to the activities outside visitors will be able to enjoy a display of artwork by children from years 4 and 5 at Valley Primary School in Norwich. The work was made on a special visit to the Sainsbury Centre supported by Bayer Crop Science. Amongst the other things to do inside will be tours of the gallery’s permanent collections by the Sainsbury Centre’s guides. Children can also pick up one of our activity booklets, full of puzzles, activities and fun facts, or use one of our gallery trails to explore the Centre’s collections. During Fun Day, there will be free admission to the Sainsbury Centre’s two special exhibitions (usual price £4, concessions £2, family price £8, concessions £6): Henry Moore Textiles is an exhibition of Moore’s fabric designs from the 1940s and 1950s, while unearthed brings together small prehistoric ceramic figurines from the Balkans and Japan for the first time.

Event detail is subject to the weather. The event will take place inside the Sainsbury Centre if it is raining.

This clip was taken along side one of my photographic shoots on Elmley Marshes, Kent.

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

Norwich City Net VERY SPECIAL advertising offer!

This film is showing as part of 'Britain at Bay: Peace & War 1937-1940', a touring programme of films from the BFI National Archive. Visit http://www.independentcinemaoffice.or... for more information.

This early Dufaycolor documentary from Humphrey Jennings focuses on an August harvest in Sawston, Cambridgeshire. The old makes way for the new as the trusty old scythe bows down to the horse-drawn binder and plough. Hard work, flat caps and pipes abound as we see the workers downing midday ale for sustenance and taking a break at 5 to sit in the fields for a cup of tea brought to them by their wives. The 'playground of the town' and 'workshop of the country', alias the great British countryside, has never looked better.
For more information about Dufaycolor and 'English Harvest' see http://www.bftv.ac.uk/projects/dufayc...

Surviving the cut backs, tough times ahead.

It seemed a long time coming but at last summer arrived with clear skies and the sun blazing down. Just what we all needed to boost us up when all around us there is evidence of the hard times we are told we have to expect. According to the media everyone will suffer financial cut backs and many will not be able to manage. Things that we have taken for granted will no longer be available.

We all know this has happened before and after a struggle we came through it OK. I have no doubt we will do so again. Of course, there will be those who suffer more than others. Looking on a brighter side, there will be a great number of people who have to start working for what they get and in some cases, this could be a blessing in disguise. They will soon learn that those things we have to make a sacrifice to get are much more appreciated and enjoyed than any we are able to have at any time.
Anyone forced to go through a spell of having to manage on a meagre income that allows for few, if any of the luxuries we all take for granted, soon learns exactly what is really essential for a full and happy life. They might find that there are many things more important than money. History has proved that in a recession or any kind of emergency the hardship which ensues tends to draw people and whole communities closer together. 


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?

In 1939 when the Second World War started almost all the Class barriers that had always been so prevalent disappeared. Everyone’s ambitions and plans had to be put on hold. There was no certain future to look forward to.

People had to take one day at a time never knowing what was round the corner. It was surprising how quickly they got over the initial shock of coping with things like the blackout, being fitted and issued with a gas mask, not being able to travel freely and frequently being asked to produce their identity card. They soon adapted to the long queues that had to be tolerated at all kinds of shops as well as managing the family rations to ensure there was always something on the table at meal times.

Very often it would only be those at the front of the queue that reached the shop before supplies ran out. Nothing could be done except go home and return to the queue earlier tomorrow. This took up a great deal of time but it did make a big contribution to the bonding process. Many women had their men folk away in the forces or employed in the war effort on munitions, mines etc.
Everyone shared and helped each other in any way they could. In some streets, when there was no shelter near at hand, the residents had a rota so when the siren sounded they all hurried to an agreed neighbours house. This practice was changed later when the bombing became more frequent and many households were issued with their own air raid shelters.
If we consider what the past generations had to put up with at such times, our present situation might not seem quite so bad. It is true they didn’t have to suffer a Government who was undecided about what they could or couldn’t do. In most cases they had very little choice and had to be sure they got it right first time. Sometimes it was a matter of life and death and concerned everyone. Consequently, the response and support they received from the public in every quarter at the end of the 1930’s was something that is never likely to be repeated.

What can we do? 
For a start we might ask ourselves if we are really as bad off as we think we are? Then, whether we are or not, we could decide to be more appreciative and content with what we have. Make the time to consider what is really important, not just to you but to your friends, neighbours and the whole community. 

Perhaps there are things you can share. If there is nothing material it usually gives a good feeling of relief when you have someone who is impartial to listen to all the things that you worry about and often can’t discuss with those close to you.
 
We are constantly being told how important it is to change our lifestyle but with today’s financial and social pressures it is not easy to see how it can be done. Things have changed dramatically since those days of our forefathers and it is difficult to see how we could ever match that same close companionship without a major disaster of some kind to initiate it. However, even a tiny move in that direction now, could make a lot of difference to many families and communities in the future.

Why not look up The Five Ways To Wellbeing?  --  THEN AND NOW[71]. There is something there for everyone.


valley lad - [EIGHTY-THREE]