MNR has arranged the loan of the historic London&North Eastern Railway’s Beavertail observation coach from the “Rail Vehicle Preservations”, located at the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire.

Coach E1719 will be visiting the MNR for June and July and is intended to be in service on 4/5 11/12 June and 9/10 16/17 July as well as other selected dates.

A £5 supplement will be payable on top of the normal train fare, to travel in this carriage for one return journey, with full sight and sound of the hauling locomotive, immediately attached.

Further details of the MNR may be found on our website www.mnr.org.uk.

Design for Today (1965) is a fascinating slice of British design history from future Chariots of Fire director Hugh Hudson. Commissioned by the Central Office of Information (COI), Design for Today takes a cultured look at the various ways in which modern industrial design made its impact felt in everyday 60s British life.

This clip is taken from the Volume Two of the COI Collection from the BFI, which brings together films from the Central Office of Information (COI) and surveys the subjects of architecture, design and fashion.

Purchase the DVD here: http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/-/2155/1422/-/12699228/COI-Collection-Vol-2-Desig...

A wellbeing day for young people is to be held on the 31st May from 10am-6pm in the Forum, Norwich. The event is free to attend and people can drop in at anytime throughout the day.

The wellbeing event will bring together local organisations that support the emotional, physical and sexual health of young people.

The event will offer young people the opportunity to try out creative activities that can have a positive impact on wellbeing, such as graffiti, music, kung fu, yoga and break dancing. 45 minute taster workshops will run from 11am, visit the Forum on Tuesday 31st to sign-up for a free taster session.

Samuel Harbrow, Early Intervention support worker at Norfolk and Wavney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said:

'It is hoped that this event will challenge stigma and dispel some of the myths around mental health and mental health services. The youth wellbeing fair is an exciting opportunity for young people to try out new activities'.

A range of information for young people about local services, how to access them and tips for managing personal wellbeing will be available throughout the day.

From 12pm-3pm the event will offer a Human Library. This is an opportunity to ‘borrow a person’ to find out about their lives. ‘Books on loan’ will include young people who use local mental health services and people who work within mental health such as nurses and social workers.

Professionals who work in mental health services, such as nurses, social workers, doctors and psychological therapists will also be on hand to answer questions about their work, and mental health in general.

The event has been organised by the Central Norfolk Early Intervention Team, in collaboration with young people who use this service. At the event, the team will be carrying out a survey, which can be completed anonymously, to gather young people's views on mental health services, and how they think they should be. The results of the survey will help inform the future development of mental health services locally.

Check out the Central Norfolk Early Intervention team page on facebook for further information:
www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Norfolk-Early-Intervention-Team/125829344150336

Norwich Twenty Group’s (N20G) spring exhibition Twin Visions, staged with artists from Norwich’s twin city, Koblenz, will take place in the atrium of The Forum in Norwich from Monday, May 23 to Sunday, May 29 2011, free admission. The exhibition is open daily 9am to 6pm (10am to 5pm on Sunday), www.norwich20group.co.uk.

Fifty artists from N20G and six artists from Koblenz are contributing to the show. Rory McShane, Chairman N20G said: "We are really excited to be staging Twin Visions at The Forum. It is the first time that N20G has shown work there. We are particularly pleased to be hosting artists from Koblenz. This is an opportunity for us to return the favour that the city of Koblenz gave us in April, when 18 N20G artists exhibited in the magnificent setting of Haus Metternich in the medieval centre of the city."


"Twin Visions will be a lively show, reflecting the depth of talent and ideas within the group, which has gained a substantial number of new members in recent years. There will be an invigorating mixture of painting, printmaking, sculpture, textile pieces, mixed media and photography. It will also be very interesting to compare the work of German and British artists."

Helke Steibel, one of the Koblenz artists said: "We are looking forward to the exhibition at The Forum. We are sure that there will continue to be a very good link between the N20G artists and Koblenz artists. The exhibition at Haus Metternich was an excellent start to our collaboration."

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 and Laurie Rudling.

Unlike Chelsea you can walk in the gardens and will have ample opportunity to talk to the garden owners who like all gardeners are generous in sharing their knowledge and expertise.


Garden designer Claire Agnew welcomes visitors to see her award winning Chelsea “Reflective Garden” recreated at her own home. Also in this 6-acre oasis there are woodland walks and a lake, together with herbaceous, Italian, bog, water, wild, verdant, sunken and parterre gardens all flowing from one tempting vista to another.

The contemporary walled kitchen garden and front garden were designed and planted by Chelsea winner Arne Maynard. The garden incorporates large herbaceous borders, trained fruit, vegetables and a traditional greenhouse.

Also opening on the Bank Holiday weekend are two gardens with inviting woodland walks and plenty of garden features to admire.

Has a seven acre garden on a steep chalk slope with woodland walks, formal terraces, shrub borders and walled garden creating a garden of contrasts.You can sample the homemade teas while enjoying splendid views across the Stiffkey valley and to the coast

These expansive landscaped gardens and park are attributed to an 18th century garden designer, Humphry Repton. There is a collection of mature trees with woodland walks around a stream and a mill pond, as well as more recently planted borders and working vegetable garden to enjoy on your visit.

The first evening opening of the year is at Chaucer Barn and there is the option of wine in addition to the traditional homemade teas whilst enjoying the views over rolling hills to the woodland beyond.

This five acre garden has been created by owner James Mermagen in the ruins of a farmyard with a knot/herb garden, walled herbaceous borders and a contemporary topiary garden are just a few of the features to see..

If your garden is of high quality, character and at least forty-five minutes interest Contact County Organiser Anthea Foster to discuss opening your garden. Tel 01328 701341

For more garden day out ideas visit your local tourist information centre, garden centre, nursery or open garden to pick up a Norfolk NGS Garden Guide.

The proposed merger with Suffolk Mental Health Partnership (SMHP) will be on the agenda when the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust's board of directors meet in public in Lowestoft next Thursday (May 26, 2011).

At the public board meeting the Trust’s acting chief executive, Andrew Hopkins, will present an update about the proposed merger with SMHP and provide an update on the cost improvement programme. The public will hear details of the Trust’s Annual Plan 2011-2012.

The public board of directors meeting will start at 10.00am in The Kirkley Centre, 154 London Road South, Lowestoft, NR33 0AZ. The meeting is anticipated to finish at 12.40pm.

The board of directors hold their meetings in public quarterly and the papers for the public meeting can be accessed on the Trust website at: www.nwmhft.nhs.uk/en/AboutUs/Freedom-Of-Information/How-we-make-decisions/Board-of-Directors-meetings/

Now even bigger, the event takes place at the Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane, Old Costessey, Norwich.

No entry charge, free car park. It starts at 2pm and goes through to 10.30pm. Free dance in the evening with a Fireworks finale. Licensed Bar.

The Fete goes from 2pm until 5pm, approximately, and has around 60 stalls.

There is an old car display, featuring veteran vehicles and cars from the 50's and 60's. There are brand new cars too. Win a Mini competition.

There is a boating lake for model boats and a Titanic Exhibition, a football penalty shoot by Norwich City CSF, a Golf gallery, many stalls selling plants, hanging baskets, jams and preserves, toys, sweets, tombolas, gifts, cards and stationery and pet foods. There is an Art Exhibition. There are animal rescue groups.

There are special interest and hobby displays, including Dance (Ballroom, Latin, Jive, Zumba, Line Dancing), Flower arranging, Models, Pets, Sewing, the Bridge Club are showing you how to play and the youth groups such as Scouts and Guides, and the Boys and Girls Brigades will be there. Baby and Toddler and Nursery groups will be there. The WI, Lions, housing and local church organisations will all be involved.

Of course there are stalls selling all types of delicious foods, home made cakes being especially popular. There is a Barbecue, a Cafe selling hot and cold drinks, Ice Cream vans, hot dog stalls, rock and candy, home made Cup Cakes, and Sweeties.

Most important for some: there is a Beer Tent.

We hope to have a Car Boot area too. Book in advance.

There are various displays happening during the afternoon and it is planned to have a Jazz group, Gentle Exercise demonstration, a Line Dancing display, a Zumba Dance display, a display of Korean Martial Arts and a demonstation of Wrestling!

From 7pm in the evening there is a FREE dance in the main hall and outside on the patio. The Fairground will be open throughout. Fantastic rides, including Dodgems and Waltzer-style terror.

There will be a Fireworks display at about 10pm to finish off a marvellous day.

There is a large fairground with lots of rides for all ages, including Dodgems.

Enquiries 07770 447 876 or 01603 748339.


Event by Costessey Parish Council, The Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane, Old Costessey, NORWICH. NR8 5AH.

"After getting the commission and having said yes I'd love to do it - I hadn't seen the film, I had no idea it was nearly two hours long and of course silent, is really silent, there's nothing there, nothing to help you..." (Simon Fisher Turner, composer)

In this film, Simon talks to us about the challenges of creating a new score for the BFI's recent restoration of The Great White Silence. Shot over the period 1910-1912 by Herbert Ponting, this remarkable film depicts Captain Scott's fatal quest to claim the South Pole. By connecting materially with the actual artefacts of the expedition, such as the ship's bell, gramophone music from the time, hymns from the team's memorial service, and the sound of silence recorded in Scott's hut in Antarctica, Simon explains his highly original approach to the project. Add to this mix his own recordings of sea, wind and wildlife, a string quartet and male soloist; he shows us how eloquently he manages to bring Ponting's incredible imagery to life.

They will be selling Antiquities & Collectables that have been donated to them in their Various Charity Shops during the year and as part of their urgent fundraising. But they do urgently need additional donations to help their very worthy cause

For additional information there are never less than 600 animals in their care from Dogs to Cats, Hamsters to Horses, Budges to Peacocks, Geese to Ducks, & various wildlife species.

P.A.C.T rescues, rehabilitates, & where possible re-homes, neglected, injured & abandoned animals. Their speciality is 'problem animals', 'victims of physical or mental abuse', they are coaxed back to health overcoming their behavioural distress & restoring their dignity. In most cases these poor creatures would have had no option other than euthanasia.

The Norfolk Anglers Conservation Association (NACA) is holding its annual open day event at the renowned Bawburgh Lakes Fishery just outside Norwich on Sunday 5th June 2011 between 10:00am and 4:30pm. Entry, coaching and demonstrations are free, with plenty of parking for the public to enjoy watching and meeting experienced anglers, fish with qualified angling coaches and watch many demonstrations.

All juniors must be accompanied by an adult.

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

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

Demonstrations will be ongoing and include:

• Pike fishing including handling/ welfare, lure fishing and trace making in conjunction with members of the Pike Anglers of Great Britain (PAC) and Norwich Pike Anglers Club (NPAC)
• Carp fishing with Korda Carpfest team including Dawia, Trakker, Delkim and Mainline Baits
• Pellet fishing
• Tench fishing
• Pole fishing
• Feeder fishing with Nick Larkin of Nisa feeders
• Fly fishing
• Pond dipping
• Guided bird watching
• Nest box making
• Rod building
• Bee keeping

Displays to help promote the following:

• Norfolk Anglers Conservation Association
• Norfolk Non-native Species Initiative
• Environment Agency
• County Angling Action Group (CAAG)
• Angling Trust
• Harper Fine Angling Books


Coaching Sessions

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

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

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

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

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

Sat Nav NR9 3LZ

Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail 2011 – The Journey

By Lizzie Meadows

Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail has taken place every three years since 1997 and is a highlight on the South Norfolk arts calendar for arts and garden lovers alike. Drawing visitors from around the world and attracting widespread press coverage, from humble but perfectly formed origins, the Trail has grown organically and this year will feature works for sale from over sixty artists and exhibited in the gardens of privately owned village houses.

Each Sculpture Trail follows a theme and 2011 features ‘The Journey’, purposefully celebrating the creation and building of a mediaeval church. The Journey will reflect that taken by mediaeval pilgrims and church builders using sixteen gardens and other staging posts. These will be connected by footpaths and tracks through Bergh Apton and the South Norfolk countryside and at each staging post, visitors will be entertained by a variety of musicians.

The selected sculptors were given the brief to explore the connections and continuity with the mediaeval past through figurative, abstract and representational work. Visitors will find the site specific pieces provocative, imaginative and unexpected. Alongside successfully established artists, Bergh Apton once again welcomes NUCA’s final year visual arts students who will promote their artistic paths to the future.

For the first time, a major emphasis will be on the dynamic and life enhancing skills and crafts used to create a mediaeval church and demonstrations of the heritage skills still available today such as flint knapping, calligraphy, heraldic art, book illumination and joinery. Demonstrations will take place throughout the trail but the programme will change daily.

The culmination of The Journey will be a mystery play, commissioned from and narrated by the internationally renowned storyteller, Hugh Lupton with members of the Bergh Apton Community playing key roles.


For further information please visit www.berghapton.org.uk

86101 should feature in this coming weekend’s Drags & Rescues event, in which 73109 is also diagrammed to take a role.

On 21st to 22nd May the MNR will recreate locomotive hauled trains from south of the Thames, with 9 hourly return services from Dereham to Wymondham.

73109 and MNR fleet locomotives 73210 “Selhurst” and 50019 “Ramilles” will provide the power. The MNR’s renowned Blue/Grey airbraked ex mainline fleet coaches will recreate the Salisbury and Exeter services, whilst the ex South West Trains 3CIG unit will provide the local services element.

Services commence at 9.30am at Dereham and 10.30am Wymondham. On Saturday only, MNR will run a 12.30pm demonstration freight train to Wymondham.
Last trains are: Dereham 6.30pm Saturday and 5.30pm Sunday;
Wymondham 7.20 pm Saturday and 6.30 Sunday.

The 3CIG enjoys a wide, well windowed compartment suitable for people in wheel chairs.

Fares for the South London weekend are……….
Adult £7, rover £10, 2d-rover £15, family £18, family rover £40, senior £6
Child £3.50, rover £7.50, 2d-rover £12.50

The Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, a charity based at the reserve famous for being the base for BBC Springwatch, is hosting the fifth annual action-packed ‘Wild About the Wensum’ day on Saturday May 21st from 10am to 5pm which sees the return of CBeebies’s green-fingered star, Jelly!

The event coincides with the 2011 International Day of Biodiversity which sees events around the world highlighting the importance of our habitat and wildlife.

Jelly from CBeebies says: "Looking after nature and the world around us is the most important thing and it doesn't have to be hard. Even little things make a big difference. That's why I am so excited to be coming back to the Wild About Wensum Event because there is always so much to see and do. This year is all about Butterflies, so join me in finding out how we can help to protect butterflies and see many more in our gardens!"

Visitors will find local craft demonstrations, butterfly mask making, face painting, hands-on archery classes, bird identification sessions with local experts and many more games and adventures. Music will be provided by Rig a Jig Jig. There will also be a hog roast and barbecue.

Kirsty Willingham, the event’s organiser at Pensthorpe says: “This one day event goes from strength to strength and provides the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to understand and appreciate the rich wildlife and fauna that is found in the Wensum River Valley. It is a day full of fun, education and enjoyment and is completely free to everyone. You just can't beat it.”

Commenting on the wild day out Tim Nevard, Trustee of the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust said: “'Wild About the Wensum' is an event for all the family and is a great opportunity to celebrate the natural history and heritage of the Wensum Valley. You can expect numerous activities including mini beast explorations, guided walks, nature quizzes, treasure hunts and so much more.

“The River Wensum is designated as a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) by the European Union and Natural England and we are delighted that Morrisons, Fakenham Town Council and Fakenham Learning Partnership are supporting this year’s event to help us conserve this fabulous, internationally-recognised landscape.”

Bill Jordan, Pensthorpe’s co-owner said: “This is our fifth annual Wild About the Wensum celebration. Last year over 4,000 people attended the event and we hope that many more local people will take the opportunity to come on May 21st to discover this amazing natural world on their doorstep.”

Admission to Pensthorpe and the event is free on the day, with a nominal £4 parking charge per vehicle to help make it financially sustainable and to encourage car sharing.

Golfers are invited to enter teams of four for the golf day (£140 per team) on May 25. The day begins with breakfast rolls at 11am, followed by a 18 holes of golf (Texas Scramble), with prizes for the top five teams, plus additional prizes for nearest to the pin on all par threes and beat the pro on the 14th hole. Buffet meal and prize giving at the end of the afternoon.

The Variety Club May Ball on May 27 kicks off with a champagne reception at 7.15pm, followed by a four-course dinner in the Sunningdale Suite, with dancing to Dynamite and an auction and raffle. Tickets for the ball cost £45 per person or £400 for a table of 10.

Golf professional, Richard Tidy, who is co-ordinating the events said: "Last year we raised £10,000 from our first golf day and May Ball in aid of the Variety Club. It funded one third of the cost of a new Sunshine Coach. This year we are hoping to raise £11,000 for the Variety Club. We have already had a lot of interest from our golf club members who have signed up for both the golf and May Ball, but still have tickets and places for both events."

To book golf teams or purchase ball tickets contact Richard Tidy tel. 01508 473846, email richard.tidy@devere-hotels.com.

The Variety Club Children’s Charity, www.varietyclub.org.uk was founded in 1949 to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. The charity has raised over £200 million in the last six decades, supporting more than one million children and young people. The Variety Club provides Sunshine Coaches, electric wheelchairs, days out, equipment for children’s hospitals and more.

For more information about De Vere Dunston Hall tel. 01508 470444 or visit www.devere-hotels.com/our-hotels/dunston-hall

On the Road to Recovery

Last year we were really delighted with our rehabilitation rate of 48% of the injured birds that came in to the Sanctuary hospital. It is, however, a sad fact that a large number of the injuries we see to wild birds of prey are caused by road traffic accidents. There isn’t always a lot that can be done for a bird which has shattered bones colliding with a vehicle and sometimes the kindest thing to do is to ask our vet to relieve them from their suffering.

Sometimes tho’ luck is on the bird’s side, as was the case with a Little Owl found by a member of the public at the side of the road in Bramfield on May 2nd. Fortunately, close examination by one of our dedicated falconry team revealed no broken bones. However, the poor owl did have extensive facial bruising and both eyes were swollen completely shut. It seems most likely that the unfortunate bird had been caught up in the slip-stream of a vehicle, rather than being involved in a collision. Owls in particular can be pretty unstable in flight, in windy conditions. Owl feathers are designed to have a lot of movement in them, enabling the owl to fly completely silently and thereby catching their prey by surprise. Unfortuately this does mean they are easily caught out by a gust of wind or the draught caused by a passing car. This Little Owl’s injuries suggested that it had probably hit the ground fairly hard, hence the bruising and swelling.

A visit to our supporting vet confirmed the diagnosis and the Little Owl is now on a course of antibiotics and also eye-drops, which will need to be administered for an undetermined length of time.

This is one reason why our supporters’ donations and adoptions are so important to us; they enable us to continue to deliver the care & treatment that our hospital residents so badly need. We are very grateful indeed for everyone’s continued help and support.

Fortunately, regular volunteer Steve has been on hand to help Andy administer the medication – definitely not a one person job when you’re dealing with a wild animal. Despite their size, Little Owls can be really feisty!

It’s now just over a week since the little chap (chapess?) was brought into the Sanctuary and I’m very pleased to report that s/he is doing really well. One eye is now open and everything is looking far less bruised and swollen. The falconers are confident that, barring unforseen complications, this Little Owl will make a full recovery, so I really look forward to being able to report on its release!