Mr Prinsley will talk about ‘What can surgeons do for deafness?’ During his time in Norfolk, Mr Prinsley has introduced bone-anchored hearing aid devices and the use of lasers in surgery for deafness. He writes regular articles about ear disorders and balance problems. A recent feature for the British Medical Journal identified the possible dangers to hearing for people who play golf.

To book a place at the November 3 event contact Karen Shepperd at NDA tel 01603 404440 (suggested donation for attending the evening is £5).

Frank Eliel, Chairman of the Friends of NDA said: "NDA as a charity relies on donations for most of its income, backed by some welcome financial support from Norfolk PCT and charitable trusts. In these difficult times none of these sources is assured."

"It costs just £15 a year to be a Friend of NDA (£28 a couple)," continued Mr Eliel. "As a Friend you will know that you are helping secure the future of a vital charity that has served the people of Norfolk since 1898. Our Friends will also be invited to social events and lectures that will give them the chance to meet each other, have fun and learn about the latest research into issues surrounding hearing loss."

Tony Innes, Chairman of the NDA added: "I would like to thank the Friends committee, led by Frank Eliel, for their support. For many of our clients NDA is a lifeline fulfilling more than 6000 appointments a year and offering our services free of charge. The Friends are going to play a key role in helping the charity maintain its proud record of caring for Norfolk residents for more than 100 years. Peter Prinsley is a good friend and it was my pleasure to work with him for many years. I am delighted that he has agreed to come and talk to us."

Christopher Doggett, Group Finance Director, Jarrold and Sons Ltd said; "Jarrold is pleased to support the launch of the Friends of NDA. I have been NDA Treasurer and Trustee for six years and view the creation of an active Friends group, with supporters from the local community, as an important development in securing a sustainable future for the charity."

The launch of the Friends of NDA is being supported Mr Richard Jewson, HM Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk and Patron of NDA, Cozens-Hardy LLP, Jarrold and Sons Ltd, M+A Partners and Mills & Reeve LLP.

This video clip was taken along side one of my photographic projects it includes a Bullfinch feeding on berries all clips were taken with a Canon 7D DSLR and a Canon 500mm Lens.

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

Many GP practices across the county are receiving stocks of the vaccines and some have begun organising flu clinics.

Dr Patrick Thompson, chairman of the patients' champion organisation Norfolk Local Involvement Network (LINk), is one of those who have already had the jab - and he is urging others to have it too.

Patrick, of Gorleston, is 70 and diabetic. He recently had his vaccination at Timber Hill Health Centre in Norwich, and is pictured with nurse Clare Thompson.

"If we are going to lead by example I think it's a good idea for everybody to have the vaccination, to eliminate as much illness as possible through the winter months," he said.

"I would also like to see children and grandchildren encourage their parents and grandparents to have it, so that they don't get ill either."

Jonathan Williams, Assistant Director of Public Health at NHS Norfolk, said: "If you are called up for a flu vaccination we urge you to take advantage of the opportunity. If you don’t hear and you think you should have the vaccine please ensure that you call your practice for an appointment.

"We have to take influenza seriously, it can be a particularly nasty virus and in some cases be life threatening. If you have any questions or concerns you should ask your GP for advice."

Pregnant women are also included in this year's vaccination programme.

Mr Williams said: "Women who are pregnant, and the child they are carrying, can suffer serious symptoms. Statistically there is a greater risk of them being admitted to hospital so we strongly advise they have the vaccination.

“The vaccine has been rigorously tested and is safe. If you have any queries, please ask your GP or midwife."

Seasonal flu is responsible for the deaths of about 8,000 people a year - many of them elderly. In the average winter, up to 15% of the population will be affected by seasonal flu.

The vaccination does not offer 100% protection from catching seasonal flu, but out of every 100 people immunised, 70 to 80 will be protected.

Those at risk who are eligible for the vaccination include adults and children between six months and 65 years old, who suffer from heart or chest diseases, or diabetes. Typically, fewer than half those under 65 in at-risk groups take advantage of the free jab, leaving thousands vulnerable.

All people aged 65 and over qualify for the free annual seasonal flu jab. In addition, adults and children aged six months to 65 years who have the following conditions are deemed to be at risk and should contact their GP for the free jab:


People who had the seasonal flu vaccination last year will need a new seasonal flu jab this winter because the virus changes every year and the vaccine needs to match the latest version of the virus.

Your GP surgery will invite you for your seasonal flu vaccination. If you haven’t been invited yet, contact your GP for more information, or visit http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/Flu

Many regulations are discussed during Trailer towing courses and there are many specific items which can be overlooked, and could cause injuring to yourself or other road users.


Cars, car derived vans ( named after a car such as Fiesta van Astra van ) and motorcycles towing trailers must not exceed 60 mph ( unless a lower speed limit is shown) on a Dual carriageway or Motorway.

On a single carriageway the national speed limit for a vehicle (as above ) is 50 mph unless stated lower.

A vehicle towing a trailer must not use the outside lane of a Motorway, unless of course if signs tell you to where the nearside lanes may have roadworks.

You must not leave a trailer on the road at night without lights.

You must not let the trailer cause an obstruction.

Always secure the trailer by applying the handbrake.

You cannot tow more than your licence allows, and not tow anything heavier than the vehicle manufacturer allows.

Distribute the loads evenly in the trailer and secure properly.

Do not tow with passengers riding in a trailer  ( including caravans ).

Always pull in where safe to let other drivers pass do not cause long queues of traffic.

You are not allowed to use a parking meter zone when towing a trailer or caravan.

If you have Grandfather rights to be able to tow ( passed driving test before 1st January 1997 ) and intending to buy a trailer or caravan it is money well worth spent in re training and getting used to towing.

Always keep a minimum of 4 seconds when driving behind a vehicle, it takes longer to pull up.

Eleven local fruit and vegetable traders are taking part in the Change4Life Market Stalls Project, a pilot programme running across the East of England.

Seven of those traders are in the areas served by NHS Norfolk and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. They have been provided with a free starter kit of Change4Life materials which they can use as incentives to boost sales of fruit and vegetables on their stall.

The initiative, the first of its kind in the country, launches this month and aims to help more people reach the recommended target of five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day.

Mike and Debs Read run a fresh fruit and veg stall on Norwich Market, with their son Brendan. Brendan said: "Shopping at the market means you can get really fresh fruit and veg with service and advice you won’t get elsewhere.

Market stalls also taking part are in Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Thetford, Harleston, Aylsham, Wymondham, Fakenham, Attleborough, Rickinghall, Beccles and Diss plus a number of stalls in Essex.

Alex Lynch, Change4Life Coordinator at NHS Norfolk, said: “We’re delighted to offer our local traders this unique opportunity to benefit from a well-loved national brand. These traders are at the heart of the community and so are perfectly placed to help people make healthier choices when they’re shopping. We hope they’ll be ambassadors for Change4Life’s healthy lifestyle advice.”

Tracey Read, Health Promotion Practitioner at East Coast Community Healthcare, said: “Eating at least five portions of fruit and veg every day is key to a healthier lifestyle and can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Currently though, only around a quarter of adults in England are getting their recommended 5 a day.”

The project is a development of the Change4Life Convenience Store Programme, which launched in the region in November 2010. After improving the merchandising and range available, all of the selected convenience stores recorded an uplift in sales of fruit and vegetables.

It follows the announcement earlier this month of the Government’s ambitious new plan to tackle obesity, which saw a bid to slash five billion calories off the nation’s daily diet.

Change4Life is a nationwide movement which aims to help us all, but especially children, eat well, move more and live longer. For more information visit www.nhs.uk/Change4Life or call 0300 123 4567.


First try getting them to put some greens in their mouth by offering something small, like a sticker, as a reward. Next time get them to swallow just a mouthful, then two, and so on. You could also try ‘disguising’ veg, mix a handful of peas into mashed potato, or add some finely chopped peppers to a pizza.

Vegetables don't taste so good and lose some of their vitamins as they get older. If they go a bit soft, just boil, stew or mash them. Frozen veg keeps longer and the vitamins are preserved so it’s just as good for you as fresh. Steaming and microwaving are good ways to cook most veg. If you’re boiling, don’t use too much water or cook them for too long, five minutes is enough for most veg - otherwise they’ll go soggy and lose nutrients.

Try making it easier to eat - chop an apple into wedges and take the core out rather than giving it to them whole. You could also try giving them a dollop of lower fat yogurt to dip them in too - it will seem like much more fun.
There are so many exotic varieties available now too, so it’s easy to be experimental. If you find something that baffles you, ask the shopkeeper or stall owner, or look it up on the internet if you know the name of it - you might find a new favourite.

Potatoes are a vegetable, but they don't count towards your 5 a day. They are classified nutritionally as a starchy food. That’s because when eaten as part of a meal, they are generally used in place of other sources of starch, such as bread, pasta or rice.

Potatoes are a good source of energy, fibre, B vitamins and potassium. Although they don’t contain much vitamin C compared to other vegetables, in Britain we get a lot of our daily vitamin C from potatoes because we eat so many.

LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY
Morning jazz with the WSM Quartet, sessions from the Norwich Ukulele Society, the Norwich Barber Shop Harmony Club and Jonathan Wyatt and his Big Band. Also pre-vinyl sounds from DJ 78.

We currently have approximately 70 people joining us for a pre-ceremony carvery with others joining us afterwards to collect or present their award along with members of NBO and others from the boating fraternity.

Our sponsors this year are Bookers Wholesale of Norwich, Spectrum Hygiene, Wagg Petfoods, Honeysuckle Cakes, Absolute Signs and Graphics, Mag-it, Rosamaly Guest House in Hunstaton, Richgrafix.co.uk, The Bridge Inn at Acle, Tipples Brewery, Tidings Newsagents in Horning, The Pipe Club of Norfolk, Graphically4U and Celebrations4U.

Amongst our guests are many of the sponsors who will present their individual awards to the winning recipients.

The winners will not be disclosed until the ceremony, although they have been informed. A list of the winners will be forwarded to you after the ceremony which we are happy for you to publish.

Any publication wishing to send along a reporter/photographer is very welcome to do so. Please contact Sue 07870896182 or Pete 07894533234 so we can arrange time to speak with you.

ForumNorwich.co.uk

“I am delighted that Neil has agreed to give this inaugural Robert Sainsbury lecture. Neil's crucial impact on the intellectual understanding and public appreciation of the arts, both nationally and internationally, has been a remarkable achievement of his Directorship of the British Museum. The launch of SIfA marks an important moment in the development of the University's outstanding offering in the arts. It also underlines the enduring debt that we owe the Sainsbury family for allowing us to realise our vision for the study of art and the public dissemination of our work and collections” - Vice-Chancellor Professor Edward Acton, University of East Anglia.

Since his appointment as Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor has been widely credited with a major enhancement of the Museum’s external position, particularly developing its regional and international activities. His recent Radio 4 series, A History of the World in 100 Objects, and the associated national project, including events featuring objects in the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts’ collections, have done a great deal to advance the understanding of world art and brought museum collections to a wide public. His previous roles include director of the National Gallery and editor of arts periodical The Burlington Magazine.

The Robert Sainsbury Lecture will be an annual highlight in the Sainsbury Institute for Art’s (SIfA’s) programme. The first lecture from Neil MacGregor will also formally mark the launch of SIfA, a new venture based at the Sainsbury Centre, chaired by John Mack. SIfA formally brings together the activities and expertise of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, the School of World Art Studies and Museology, the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures and the Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas. Together these organisations are unique in the range of perspectives they offer and are at the forefront of research, innovation in teaching and public engagement. The Institute will develop an integrated approach to art as a global phenomenon through a combination of disciplinary approaches, exhibitions and programming.

As part of COAST 2011, the Cromer and Sheringham Arts Festival, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts will be running a free workshop entitled ‘Starting with the Elephant...’.

Beginning with the West Runton mammoth fossil bones (found in the glacial steppe and which date back 500,000+ years), the workshops will explore the deep history of the area. 

Artists, scientists and local experts will be on hand to guide visitors through the geology, biodiversity and artistic potential of the beautiful landscape around The Old Brickworks, West Runton. 

Free activities take place on the hour (changing every hour) from 27 – 29 October 2011, 10am – 4pm.

“It’s amazing how many different activities it is possible to do when starting from just one fossil. With all the different directions, there really is something for everyone at this event.” – Bee Farrell, Outreach Manager.


‘Starting with the Elephant...’ are a series of workshops run by the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts outreach and education team at The Old Brickworks, West Runton, which all share the common element of ‘The West Runton Elephant’ – a mammoth fossil found locally. On the hour, every hour (between 10am and 4pm) a new activity will take place, alternating between an art and science.

Art sessions will take place throughout the three days, at which visitors will be invited to contribute to the creation of a human sundial. The ‘fossil’ tablets that will make up its design will show the connections between the past, the present, and the future. There will also be University of East Anglia scientists and local experts running a variety of activities including a chance to watch a short film about the discovery of ‘The West Runton Elephant’ and the opportunity to use microscopes to examine fossils in detail. Visitors will also be able to discover how DNA from the fossil could be used to bring the mammoth back to life!

On all three days there will be an exhibition of related work, produced in workshops with Sidestrand Hall School, Cromer Junior School, and Cromer High School. The works, which were all created by local young people, look at identity, place and journeys.

A trail will run from The Old Brickworks to allow visitors to explore the local ecosystem, and people can tweet any questions they may have about the local environment to the #scvaScientists tag for an answer from an expert. During the afternoon on Saturday 29 October everybody is invited to drop in for a tea party to celebrate the end of the project and see the results of all the workshops. All activities are free of charge.

The news comes as World Osteoporosis Day takes place tomorrow. (Thursday, October 20 2011)

A three-year contract has been awarded to Care UK to provide the mobile DEXA scanning service following a considerable amount of work carried out by local GPs to propose and develop the service, which is due to begin in the next few weeks.

Care UK have worked closely with NHS Norfolk and the local Osteoporosis Society, and will offer the service to high risk groups.

Dr Tony Burgess, Vice Chair of the West Norfolk and Wisbech Clinical Commissioning Consortium, said: "We are delighted that people throughout West Norfolk now have their own mobile bone-scanning service, following many months of collaborative work with local health partners."

Healthy bones are largely down to your genes, however there are lots of other factors that can increase your risk of getting osteoporosis. People who may be at risk include:

Sue Crossman, Chief Executive of the West Norfolk and Wisbech Clinical Commissioning Consortium, said: "This service will give many more patients the opportunity to have local access to an early diagnostic test. Treatment can then be recommended as appropriate, potentially reducing the number of people with advanced osteoporosis and fractures in later life."

The scan involves a painless test to measure bone density, which will help to diagnose if you have osteoporosis. The scan can also determine the likelihood of a person developing osteoporosis in the future, giving them the chance to seek advice and/or treatment at an early stage.

Janet Ritchie, national radiology lead from Care UK’s specialist medical imaging team, said: “A DEXA scan is a really simple way of diagnosing osteoporosis, a disease that affects approximately three million people in the UK. Detecting it early gives sufferers a chance to work out a treatment plan to help strengthen their bones.

“Many people associate osteoporosis with older people. While this can be true, there are also a number of other risk factors that can increase your chance of developing the disease.”

The mobile scanning unit will be located in Docking, Swaffham and King's Lynn. The service will operate on a rotational basis every month and patients will require a referral from their GP.

Previously, DEXA scanning was only offered in Norwich and in Peterborough.

Ian Ayres, Executive Director of Delivery (West and Central) at NHS Norfolk, said: "Our aim is to increase the scale of care available at community level - an aspiration we made in our five year strategy for 2009-14, "Bold and Ambitious".

"Providing mobile DEXA scanning to people in West Norfolk is a valuable part of that, as it will enable patients to be scanned closer to their home."

If you feel you may have or be at risk of developing osteoporosis, speak to your GP in the first instance and they will advise if you should be referred for a scan. For more information about Care UK’s mobile DEXA service, visit www.careuksmi.co.uk

World Osteoporosis Day is organised by the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

For details, visit its website at: www.iofbonehealth.org