In for a Penny, in for . . . well 75p actually

Walking past one of the many pound shops in Great Yarmouth there's a sign in the window.

"SALE NOW ON" ??

And on the subject . . .

I used to know a lot of the traders in Regent Road. This is the main thoroughfare from the market to the seafront and full of "novelty" shops and tourist stuff.

One of my regular customers was next door to a pound shop (no, not the one with the sale). I was chatting away when all of a sudden there was a scream/shout from next door and the sound of things being thrown.

"Don't worry" says my customer, "It's him in the pound shop",

"At least once a day somebody asks the price of something in there and he's getting a bit tired of it"

I went back the following week, the pound shop was closed.

from: The world's worst debt collector

Norwich Twenty Group’s (N20G) autumn exhibition, showcasing more than 120 works, opens at the John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich, on Saturday, August 28th. The exhibition runs to Wednesday, September 15th and is open daily, 10am to 5pm, with free admission, www.norwich20group.co.uk


The exhibition features the work of more than 40 of Norfolk’s top artists, from traditional figurative painting to abstract painting, sculpture, stone carving and imaginative site installations.

As well as the exhibition of large works, there will be an opportunity to pick up many small items in the Art Bazaar. All Art Bazaar items are donated by N20G members to raise money for the group and are sold for £15.

New Members exhibiting with N20G for the first time are Martin Laurance, Keith Pomeroy and Julia Sorrell.

N20G reviews the Final Degree Show at Norwich University College of the Arts each year and invites three young artists of exceptional talent to join the group as 'licentiates'. This means they become members of the group for one year free of charge and are qualified to take part in exhibitions. This year’s artists are Emma Armitage and Lorna Johnson.

Rory McShane Chairman N20G said: "Our autumn exhibition celebrates the rich mix of styles and ideas coming from some of Norfolk’s top artists and will be a colourful, energetic and original show."


"The group, as the name suggests, was originally made up of 2O artists from Norfolk who came together to discuss work and ideas. We have now expanded to more than 80 artists, following a series of highly successful exhibitions and collaborations, and include recent graduates from Norwich University College of the Arts and new members with long established reputations such as Derek Morris."

Norwich 20 Group

N20G was formed in 1944 comprising professional artists from the Norwich School of Art and Design. The group is no longer limited to 20 and now has more than 70 members, several of whom exhibit regularly in the West End and abroad. All aspects of the practice of contemporary fine art are represented e.g. sculpture, print, photography and painting.

Over the years the membership has included nationally known artists, for example, Bernard Reynolds and Jeffrey Camp. Colin Self has taken an active role as have numerous art historians and architects. Mary Newcomb, one of Britain’s best loved artists, famous for her visionary ruralist paintings, who died in 2008, was a member of N20G for many years. Her work often sold at exhibitions for around £20. It now changes hands for five figure sums. Current N20G members include Andy Campbell, David Holgate, Ros Newman, Vanessa Pooley, Louise Richardson and Laurie Rudling.

Humanity First Pakistan is working around the clock with the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) in the north-west areas, and directly in Punjab and Sindh. HF has dispatched over 500 family tents, crates of blankets, boxes of household supplies including buckets, sheets and shoes, and a range of surgical supplies.


400 water survival boxes provided by Rotary charity WorldWaterWorks in the UK are being dispatched to various affected areas. Each Water-Survival Box contains water filtration as well as essential survival kits including tools, buckets, filters, sanitary kits, torches, and cutlery. These items help a family to re-establish themselves in temporary shelter when they have lost all of their possessions. The HFPK team is training villagers on the use of equipment in the boxes. Reports from the delivery team that went to Taru Jabba towards Peshawar suggested that flood marks could be seen to a height of 14 feet, and all of the local houses were turned to rubble.


Earlier, aid consignments were sent to Dera Ismail Khan, Taunsa, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pabbi and Muzaffargarh. The local team is also preparing packs of non-perishable food to last a month for displaced families. Two truck-loads of food rations for 400 families have already been distributed. HF PK is planning to provide weekly food parcels for 550 families (3,000 people approx) for the next 3 months in Punjab, Sindh and the north-west.

A team of HF doctors has also been active doing 3 medical camps each seeing on average 200 patients a day. The serious threat is the spread of cholera, malaria, diarrhea and other diseases such as dengue fever, measles, polio and scabies. Already 36,000 cases of diarrhea are reported, and this is backed-up by the experiences of our team. Our medical team is already treating minor injuries and illness, but we are planning to distribute malaria nets, water treatment kits and medical prevention kits.

The initial response package is for around 10,000 people, but the scale of the response is increasing. The rehabilitation phase will include deployment of water hand-pumps and secure shelter over the next 6 months.


The second consignment of 200 Water-Survival Boxes left our depot in Somerset on Friday 13th en route to Heathrow. On Saturday they were loaded onto a PIA (Pakistan International Airways) flight to Islamabad that was scheduled to arrive there that night.

The following e-mail was received this morning from Humanity First UK:


Attached are the latest two Operations Reports from Humanity First and photographs showing the first consignment of Water-Survival Boxes on arrival in Islamabad and as they were leaving for the first distributions – HF Operations Map below.


Given the logistical capability of Humanity First both in London and in Islamabad we have agreed to pack a further 200 WSBs for despatch next weekend, and for which sufficient funds are available.


Funding support received since 1 July amounts to some £42,000 (of which the bulk has been donated by Rotary Clubs specifically for the Pakistan Floods appeal). A non-Rotarian ‘friend of Chelwood Bridge Rotary’ made a personal donation of £3000 which he has gift-aided – a tremendous boost to my Club colleagues as we keep the production line going. To date 60 Rotary Clubs outside District 1200 (and 22 in D 1200) have forwarded donations – for which we are very grateful. By my reckoning that leaves about 1760 Clubs in RIBI we would love to hear from! Seriously, I am aware that many Clubs have been out raising funds over the past two weeks and more events are planned, but for those Clubs that have not yet dipped their toes in the Worldwaterworks water I hope you might yet be persuaded to give us your support too.

We are also indebted to the help of fellow District 1200 Rotarians from Chippenham, Bathavon, Bath West and Sherborne Castles for their physical help packing boxes last week. Tomorrow Inner Wheel teams fromDorchester and Wrington Vale (both in Rotary District 1200) will be packing with us.

It is likely that this emergency will continue for some weeks and Rotarians in Chelwood Bridge and District 1200 are standing by to respond. A further consignment of essential survival items has been ordered and should be delivered during next week. We will then be dependent on incoming funding to sustain this operation and to replenish our stock holding ready for the next emergency. As all the practical work and management of the project is carried out by unpaid Rotary and Inner Wheel volunteers every pound received is used to pay for the boxes, water-purification kits, the other contents, and the cost of air freight.


Yours in continuing Rotary humanitarian Service

Hugo Pike PHF
Chairman – Worldwaterworks Limited
PP – RC Chelwood Bridge, D 1200.

This early Peter Greenaway/Michael Nyman collaboration is nominally a COI-commissioned documentary about Britain's coastline, but you'd guess the director and composer in a millisecond. It's a veritable encyclopaedia of marine imagery, both still and moving, accompanied by a barrage of eccentric statistics. Some of these date the film: Milton Keynes now has several Japanese restaurants. (Michael Brooke)

The complete film is included (in HD) as an extra on the BFI's new Blu-ray release of Greenaway's 'A Zed and Two Noughts': http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/acatalog/...

Backpackers from around the world visit, work and live in London, but very few backpackers visit the East of England - it’s time to change all that.

It’s estimated that over 90% of all backpackers travelling the world visit London at some point during their travels. Despite the proximity to London, the East of England fails to draw in backpackers. In the whole of the East of England there are less hostels than in Newquay (Cornwall), yet the East of England has just as much to offer as the South West and other backpacker hotspots. Residents and regular visitors to this fine region already know that there is a surfing culture, other excellent watersports, beautiful countryside, superb arts, thousands of years of history, tasty food, quaffable drink and so much more, with a short journey time from London.

The backpackers who do travel out of London to other location in the UK, primarily travel to Scotland, Wales and the South West. Jason Borthwick is developing this marketing group to divert backpackers into the East of England.

“We have everything that backpackers are looking for in this region, but without shouting from the right rooftops we’ll never attract significant numbers of them into this beautiful part of the world.” said Jason Borthwick. “The East of England Backpackers Network is about linking all those great organisations that already exist and putting them under the noses of the backpackers in London. The East of England offers everything I was looking for when I backpacked the world and I know this group will be a success, we just need to get enough organisations involved and shout loudly enough about this great region.”

The Network want to hear from organisations who would consider joining. If you are interested all you need to do is fill out the 2 question questionnaire at:

www.surveymonkey.com/eastofenglandbackpackers

“The backpacker industry could be worth millions to the East of England. Not only will existing businesses benefit from a new market for their services, but this group will be a catalyst for the startup of many new backpacker hostels, other accommodation, travel, activities and attractions. With a kick start, we can really put the East of England on the backpackers map and expand the tourism industry in a whole new way.”

An application is being submitted to EEDA for grant funding to start the marketing group. If enough companies express an interest, then around £50,000 of grants could be unlocked and the East of England Backpackers Network could launch in January 2011.

Part of the development will include a design competition with the students at Norwich University College of the Arts to develop a marketing name, logos and other marketing materials.

Over 50 organisations have already expressed an interest in being involved. These include: Essex County Council, Harlow International Hostel, National Trails, Clippesby Hall, BeWILDerwood, Youth Hostel Association, cycle hire companies, museums, Awayadays tour company.

Joe O’Connor (21) a former student at Notre Dame High School, Norwich, who lives near Bunwell, is cycling from London to Paris with two university friends to raise money for Help for Heroes, the charity supporting British Armed Forces wounded personnel.

They set off from Big Ben on Saturday, August 28, head for Newhaven and catch the ferry to Dieppe, then cycle on quiet roads to Paris, camping en-route, and aim to finish their 350-mile marathon at the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday September 1.

Joe and his colleagues, Paul Wakelin and Ali Tucker, have just completed the second year of their BA (Hons) QTS Physical Education course at the University of Bedfordshire. They have reached nearly half their target of £3000 and are planning an online auction to raise funds, which includes celebrity donations – a boxing glove from heavyweight champion David Haye, a signed football shirt from Chelsea’s John Terry and a signed Formula 1 hat from Red Bull driver, Mark Webber.


Joe O’Connor explained: "We all know people who are in the Army and decided to embark on this project and raise money for Help for Heroes to show our support for the soldiers in Afghanistan, many of whom are the same age as us."

Joe has been going on regular 20-mile cycle rides from home in Bunwell as well as doing gym sessions at UEA. The trio has been sponsored by AJ Cycles in Bedford who provided discounted bikes and cycling clothing to help speed them on their way.

To donate money to the Help for Heroes London to Paris cycling marathon go to www.justgiving.com/studentcycle or email londontoparis2010@hotmail.co.uk.

For more information contact Joe O’Connor on 07763 745825.

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Barns near Stowmarket is offering a wealth of countryside entertainment for all ages throughout the holiday month of August.

There are up to three spectacular flying displays daily featuring powerful eagles, superfast falcons, silently beautiful owls and comical vultures from a cast list of over 80 birds of prey from around the world who reside at the Sanctuary: add in a Red Squirrel colony, Woodland Walk with chipmunk enclosure, quizzes & competitions for youngsters and peaceful retreats for a picnic amongst the owls and you already have the makings of an exciting day of discovery.

But the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary also pleased to announce a host of special extra attractions who will be with us throughout August to entertain visitors.


Every Wednesday & Thursday, Jenny's Ark Pet Zoo will be with there featuring rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, dragons, lizards, snakes and more to provide children with a close encounter of a different kind.

Then at the weekends a series of "Summer Sunday" specials will offer the Funforce Crew teaching circus tricks like hula-hooping, tightrope walking, plate spinning and limbo dancing, and Bouncy Castle Days with lots of safe but exciting activities and ever-popular face-painting for children.

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is based at Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal in Suffolk and is open to visitors every day of the year. It's a great place to spend the day - there are numerous craft & gift shops, a garden centre, driving range & 9-hole golf course, fishing lakes, caravan park and a coffee shop & restaurant, plus plenty of free parking. Stonham Barns is situated on the A1120 Tourist route not far from Ipswich and is easily accessible form the A14, A12 and A140 - simply follow the brown signs.

For more information and to download a FREE VIP PASS for Juniors, please visit the website www.owl-help.org.uk or call the Sanctuary on 08456 807897.

Bullfinch

Despite its distinctive colouring, the bullfinch is not often seen; it is a shy bird, keeping cover in hedgerows and bushes. Often the only clue to its presence is its call.

Characteristics
The Bullfinch is a bulky bull-headed bird; the male is unmistakable with his bright pinkish-red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail, and bright white rump. The black bill is short and thick. The female and young birds have grey-buff underparts.


Habitat
Bullfinches are usually found in woodlands, orchard and hedgerows. The birds mainly breed in woodlands but also in parkland and gardens.

They build nest in bushes or trees using twigs, moss and lichens, and laying between 4-7 eggs.


Behaviour
Bullfinch mainly feed on seeds and buds of fruit trees, which has made them a pest in orchards.

They often raid orchards to strip fruit trees of their young buds. When they visit the garden they usually take seed from a hanging seed feeder or suet cake.


The pleasant song of this unobtrusive bird contains fluted whistles and is a quiet warble. However, you are more likely to hear its call, which is a piped "phew".
B.A.B.

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife

Norfolk is one of England’s greatest Norman counties. To celebrate our Norman heritage Norfolk Tourism and BBC Learning are co-ordinating a wide range of special events and activities from August to October as part of BBC Hands on History and to tie in with the BBC’s Norman season on TV, radio and online.

Do some medieval time travel at Castle Rising Castle and Pensthorpe Nature Reserve. Explore ‘The House of The King’ – Norwich Castle. Design and create your own Norman arch at Binham Priory and go to a Stormin’ Normans event in a Norfolk library. Then become a Norman at the Norfolk Archive Centre, explore King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Norwich’s Norman roots and meet the oldest oak in Norfolk – a sapling at the Battle of Hastings – at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden and much more. Pick up a Normans in Norfolk leaflet at TICs and libraries or download the leaflet from www.visitnorfolk.co.uk.

BBC Norfolk has produced a special Norman Walk at Castle Acre where you can walk in the footsteps of the Norman invaders and explore the landscape carved out by the conquest. Go to BBC Norfolk www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk for a printable map, audio guide and a new family adventure trail.

Madeleine Forrester, Regional Manager, BBC Learning said: “Our partners in Norfolk have developed a fantastic range of special events to allow residents and visitors to the county to get under the skin of Norman Norfolk. I hope to see lots of people exploring Castle Acre on our BBC Norfolk Norman Walk and taking part in exciting Stormin’ Norman events across the county.”

Lydia Smith Director, Norfolk Tourism said: “The Normans had a big impact on Norfolk and their legacy is everywhere to be seen in our wonderful churches and castles and on the streets of Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn and Thetford. The special Normans in Norfolk events programme provides a great opportunity to discover what the Normans did for us!”

Norwich’s role as the county capital dates from the post Conquest era when the Normans built the castle and Bishop de Losinga moved his headquarters from Thetford and founded Norwich Cathedral. Norwich became England’s second largest medieval city and today is our most complete medieval city.

King’s Lynn was founded by Bishop de Losinga in 1101 around St Margaret’s Church. The town was initially known as Bishop’s Lynn, following the granting of its charter in 1204, and became an important port and member of The Hanseatic League. Great Yarmouth also has a long history and had its rights confirmed in a charter from King John in 1208.

Some 30 early medieval castles can be traced in the Norfolk countryside, the greatest survivals are at Norwich, Castle Rising and Castle Acre. Thetford Castle was dismantled in 1173, but the castle mound, one of largest in the country, survives.

As Norfolk settled down to Norman rule, the Barons turned their attention to their ‘souls’ and hundreds of parish churches and many monasteries were built. Norfolk has the largest collection of medieval churches in the world.

Thanks to Richeldis de Faverches’ vision of Mary the mother of Jesus, which ‘took her in spirit to Nazareth, and requested that a replica of the Holy House at Nazareth be built’, Walsingham became one of the most important medieval pilgrimage centres in Europe. Today it is home to the national Anglican and Roman Catholic Shrines.

Binham Priory www.binhampriory.org (near Wells) was founded c.1104 by Pierre and Albreda de Valognes, although the building was not finished until the middle of the 13th century. The very impressive parish church, which shared the site, survived the 16th century Dissolution of the Monasteries and is open daily in summer 9am to 6pm.


Castle Acre (near Swaffham) is a planned Norman settlement comprising the castle (English Heritage), church, village and priory (English Heritage) established after the Conquest by William de Warenne, www.english-heritage.org.uk.

Castle Rising Castle www.castlerising.co.uk (near King’s Lynn) was built by William D’Albini. The keep was completed c.1140 and is among the finest surviving examples of its kind. Open 1 April to 1 November, daily 10am-6pm (dusk if earlier in October) also open throughout the winter.

New Buckenham Castle (near Attleborough) and New Buckenham village created by William D’Albini c.1145. The castle was completed c.1176 and the village is renowned for retaining its original medieval street pattern.


Norfolk’s Medieval churches – the county has more than 600 historic churches, with many Norman foundations, www.norfolkopenchurches.com.

Norwich Castle was established in 1067 by William the Conqueror as a Royal palace. Open – peak season (28 June -3 October), Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm, low season (4 October - 3 July 2011) open Mon - Sat 10am-4.30pm and Sun 1pm-4.30pm, www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.

Norwich Cathedral www.cathedral.org.uk is the most complete Norman cathedral in the UK, founded in 1096 by Bishop Herbert de Losinga. The main building and many of the monastic buildings were finished in 1140 by his successor Bishop Evorard de Montgomery.

Thetford Castle Mound comprises the remains of a Norman motte and bailey castle, built soon after 1066 and dismantled in 1173. It is one of largest man-made mounds in the country.

Thetford Priory (English Heritage) established in the early 12th century, this was one of the most important East Anglian monasteries and was the burial place of the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk for 400 years. Open daily, www.english-heritage.org.uk.

Walsingham www.walsingham.org.uk. This Norfolk village, ‘England’s Nazareth’ was one of the great medieval pilgrimage destinations and continues to this day as a Christian pilgrimage centre.

Wymondham Abbey www.wymondhamabbey.com – founded in 1107 by William D’Albini. As with Binham Priory, the parish church was built adjacent to the Abbey and survived the 16th century Dissolution of the Monasteries. Open April to November Mon-Sat 10am-4pm and Sun 2pm-4pm in July and August. Also open during the winter.



- Hunstanton Library, 14 August, 10.30am – 12noon or 2pm – 3.30pm. Stormin’ Normans, FREE, Find out fascinating, funny and surprising things about Norman life, make your own Norman shield and Bayeux tapestry, tel. 01485 532280.

- Castle Rising Castle, nr King’s Lynn, 14 and 15 August, 10am – 6pm. Medieval Time Travel 1066-1485, Black Knight Historical turns the clock back, experience the sights and sounds of medieval Castle Rising. Charges Adult £7, conc £6, child £4, tel. 01553 631330, www.castlerising.co.uk.

- Norwich Cathedral 17 August, 10am – 12noon 1st session, 12noon-1pm picnic lunch (bring your own), 1pm – 3pm 2nd session – It’s a Norman Monk’s Life. What was a Norman monk’s life really like – lots of fun hands-on activities – FREE, tel. 01603 218320, www.cathedral.org.uk.

- Norfolk Archive Centre, County Hall, Norwich, 17 August, 2pm – 3.30pm, Norman Treasures in the Archives! Find out about the history of the Norfolk Record Office and discover some of our treasures. Get behind the scenes and see our oldest document from William II. FREE, spaces limited. Please book on 01603 222599.

- Norfolk Archive Centre, County Hall, Norwich, 19 August, 2pm– 3.30pm, Become a Norman Solider! Make your own helmet complete with chain mail and find out about Norman Norfolk. FREE, spaces limited. Please book on 01603 222599.

- Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham 25 August, 11am – 3pm, ‘The life of The King Oak’. The garden’s Norman oak. Children’s Day with Norman-themed activities. Normal Admission, adult £5, conc. £4.50, child £2.50 9under 5 free) tel. 01603 270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk.

- King’s Lynn 26 August, 2pm – 3.30pm. The Role of the Normans, Norman Lynn, a guided walk though historic King’s Lynn, using documents from the Norfolk Record Office and King’s Lynn Borough Archives to find out about the rôle the Normans played in the town. FREE, spaces limited. Please book on 01603 222599.

- Thetford Library, 28 August 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1pm – 3pm – Norman Arts and Crafts – Norman shields and coins, mini tapestries, 3D castles, family crests and stories. Booking essential tel. 01842 752048.

- Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, nr Fakenham, 28-30 August, 10am – 5pm. Medieval Spectacular, experience the sights and smells of medieval Pensthorpe. Adult £9, seniors £7.50, child £5.50, family £25, Tel 01328 851465, www.pensthorpe.com.

- Castle Rising Castle, nr King’s Lynn, 29 and 30 August, 10am – 6pm, Medieval Feasts & Fighting with Buckingham’s Retinue. Adult £7, conc £6, child £4, tel. 01553 631330, www.castlerising.co.uk.

- Norfolk Archive Centre, County Hall, Norwich, 1 September, 2pm-3.30pm, Create a Norman Town - find out about Norfolk towns and villages using the Domesday Book. FREE, spaces limited. Please book on 01603 222599.

- Cinema City, Norwich, 11 September, 11.30am, Special screening of one of the BBC ‘Norman Season’ programmes Followed by The Normans - a talk by UEA History Professor. £4, £3 concessions, £2 Cinema City members, tel. 0871 902 5724.

- King’s Lynn 28-32 King St, 12 September, 10am– 4pm. Explore a Norman House c.1100 inside a Tudor and Victorian skin. FREE, tel. 01553 763983 or 01553 763044. 

- King’s Lynn 12 September, 10am – 4pm. The new town of Bishop’s Lynn. Walk from the Custom House to True’s Yard Fishing Museum visiting open houses. FREE, tel. 01553 763983 or 01553 763044.

- Norwich Millennium Library, 12 September, 11am – 4pm ‘Stormin’ Normans’ Castles and Kings, Ladies and Knights - Stories & Crafts Norman Stories: 11.30am & 2pm age 3-7 and Norman Crafts, ages 7-12 at 2.15pm and ages 3-7 at 2.30pm, FREE, tel. 01603 774774.

- Great Yarmouth, 14 September, 2pm – 3.30pm – Norman Roots, Great Yarmouth is a Norman town, founded originally by the Bishop of Norwich. Join a guided walk through the town using documents from the Norfolk Record Office to trace its Norman roots. FREE, spaces limited. Please book on 01603 222599.

- Swaffham Library, 18 September, 10.30am– 12noon. Stormin’ Normans, FREE, Find out fascinating, funny and surprising things about Norman life, make your own Norman shield and Bayeux tapestry. Suitable for 7-11 year olds. Places are limited so please book by calling the library on 01760 721513

- Dersingham Library, 23 September, 5.30pm – 7pm, Stormin’ Normans, FREE, Find out fascinating, funny and surprising things about Norman life, make your own Norman shield and Bayeux tapestry. Suitable for 7-11 year olds. Places are limited so please book by calling the library on 01485 540181

- Norwich Millennium Library, 25 September, 11am – The Mind of a Norman Bishop. A talk about Herbert de Losinga’s letters. FREE, tel. 01603 774786.

- New Buckenham, 2 October, 10am to 3pm, A Norman Day at New Buckenham based at the Village Hall (NR16 2AU) plus visit to the Castle, led by Norfolk Family Learning. Lots of fun Norman arts and crafts and play the BBC game ‘Battle of Hastings 1066’! FREE, tel. 01603 430223.

- Norwich Cathedral, 20 October – Bayeux Tapestry Challenge, FREE – this collaboration between HEART and Norwich Cathedral’s education team will give Year 7 students the chance to work together to create an exciting modern day version of the Bayeux Tapestry, based on the Norwich 12, www.norwich12.co.uk, and their place in the history of Norwich. For information tel. 01603 599577.


- Binham Priory every Sunday and Tuesday until 30 September, 2.30pm, Guided Tour of the Priory Church and Monastic Precincts (donations requested), www.binhampriory.org.

- Binham Priory daily throughout August, 9am-6pm, Design and Create your own Norman Arch (donations requested), www.binhampriory.org.

- Norwich Castle, 24 July to 4 September - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The House of the King - a selection of Norman themed drop in activities including costumed characters, guided tours, talks, object handling and crafts. Normal admission charges apply. www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.

- Norman Norwich Trail – HEART is creating a self-guided trail (for all ages), an exploration of Norwich’s fascinating Norman heritage on foot. Download from HEART’s website from late August www.heritagecity.org tel. 01603 599577.


This summer the BBC is celebrating the Norman era on TV, radio and online. Look out for The Norman Season on TV - BBC Two - The Normans, August, BBC Two - Domesday Book Special, August and BBC Four Dan Snow’s Norman Walks, August. Visit the ‘Hands on History’ website www.bbc.co.uk/history/handsonhistory to find information about Norman castles, churches and battle sites plus free spotters guides to print off for your day out plus family activities to download and get creative this summer, including creating a time capsule, building a castle and holding a medieval feast.




Norfolk Tourism is the county's established public and private industry partnership. Funded by its 55 partner organisations, the partnership is designed to act as a forum for all Norfolk's tourism businesses and local authorities, www.visitnorfolk.co.uk, tel. 01603 222846. See our free to use image library at www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/norfolk/image-library.aspx.

Evolving Tides from Peter Naylor on Vimeo.

Paul Holman Associates and the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft are delighted to announce details of this year’s talented cast in the town’s big Christmas pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Bringing charm, charisma and smouldering good looks to the production is the very talented Stefan Booth, who appeared in the hit serial drama Hollyoaks as the heartbreaking Jamie Nash, before leaving to spend time pounding the beat in The Bill as well as receiving critical acclaim for his appearances in musical theatre.

Stefan was a huge hit with judges and audiences in the popular Dancing on Ice competition which saw him spin, arabesque and butterfly jump his way into the final where he performed The Bolero in front of Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean, securing the runners-up place. He still enjoys ice skating and said that working with Jane and Christopher was an amazing experience.


Stefan who will be appearing in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as the dashing Prince, Said: “Pantomime is very special and such a magical experience for all the family. I’m really excited about the show and coming to Lowestoft. I’m a keen biker and photographer so I will be riding around the district getting to know the area. I’m bringing the family with me for Christmas and have found a wonderful quaint cottage for a cosy traditional family Christmas on location in Lowestoft!”


Joining Stefan in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be former Hi De Hi Yellow Coat Nikki Kelly. For eight series of the BBC show, Nikki brought comedy and laughter to our screens as Sylvia and has recently been seen at The Marina in the touring stage version of Hi De Hi as ballroom dancer Yvonne. Nikki will ensure plenty of boos with her powerful performance of the Wicked Queen!

Bringing bucket loads of comedy to the production will be former Big Breakfast and Richard & Judy reporter, Mike “Squeaky” McClean, following his enormous success as principle comic at the Opera House Manchester last year. With his natural talent for comic timing and his loveable personality, Mike will be dishing up madness and mayhem as Snow White’s best friend Muddles!


A DJ for XFM, Mike is a keen Manchester City FC follower and has played for Rod Stewart’s celebrity charity team. He said: “I was devastated when Man City turned me down. Not to play for them, but to work at their burger bar! I hear Lowestoft Town FC are doing extremely well so if they’re interested I’m willing to try out!”

There’s nothing like a Dame and Marina audiences will have plenty to laugh about when they experience some of the outrageous costumes Dame Dolly Dumpling has promised to wear! Giving new meaning to haute couture will be the creative Adam Daye, who many will remember from the TV hit impressionist show Who Do You Do. Adam has appeared with many of the country’s leading comics, including Ken Dodd, Frankie Howerd, Victoria Wood and Bob Monkhouse.


Home grown talent comes in the shape of Ipswich born Victoria Scott who stars as the fairest of them all, Snow White, and will be known to many in the region from her seaside specials in Cromer as female vocalist. Dancers and children from The June Glennie School of Dance will also be gracefully entering pantoland!

Victoria said: "I am very excited to perform in one of Suffolk's biggest professional pantomimes. As an Ipswich girl it's going to be so good to finally tread the boards of the Marina. Snow White is my favourite role and I cant wait to meet the rest of the lovely cast."


Every production needs a good director and this show is no different! The Olivier award winning Kenn Oldfield, possibly one of the country’s leading directors and choreographers brings his vast wealth of talent to Lowestoft. Kenn was movement director on the Harry Potter film Prisoner of Azkaban, and has directed West End to touring theatre from Joseph and Little Shop of Horrors to Chicago. His TV credits include choreographing Allo Allo, You Rang My Lord and Hi De Hi to name a few.

The new producers of the Marina Theatre’s pantomime, Paul Holman Associates, one of the country’s leading producers of the genre, are confident Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will have something for all the family to enjoy, with a cast full of talent through to the stunning scenery and colourful, creative costumes all brought to life with that extra special pantomime slap stick and audience participation, this pantomime promises to deliver and delight the young and young at heart!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs at the Marina Theatre from December 11 through until January 3. Tickets are on sale now and can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01502 533200. Ticket prices start from £5.00 with family tickets, group and schools rates also available.