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Tour of Britain comes to Norwich - 16th September
(02/09/2010)
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The Tour of Britain is the UK's biggest professional bicycle race and a centrepiece of the British sporting calendar, attracting over a million spectators to the roadside in 2008, and hundreds of thousands more on television and via the internet. The Norfolk stage of the race, at 190km, is the longest stage, with much of it on small, exposed roads, similar to those in Belgium and the Netherlands.
In celebration of the race coming to Norfolk, 16 September, The Forum is putting on a day of cycling related activities.
8am-10am Enjoy a healthy snack and join the team to help create some bike art banners on Millennium Plain. This event has been made possible by funding from Norfolk County Council
10am-4pm Free bike checks, demonstrations, giveaways and info with Cycles UK and The Wilier Road Show. The Energy Savings Trust and Norwich Cycling Campaign will also be on hand to offer advice on cycling initiatives. The cycle paramedics will also be on display to promote their sponsored cycle.
1pm-3pm Watch a stop motion film of the Cycle Art banners being created in Fusion, the giant digital gallery at The Forum.
On Friday 17th September look out for 30 cyclists from the East of England Ambulance Service, some of whom are based at The Forum, who will be following the official Tour of Britain stage 6 through Norfolk. Their goal is to raise money for specialist, lightweight life saving equipment for all cycle response units.
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Produced in Norfolk Pickles and Preserves Day at Wroxham Barns
(01/09/2010)
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Produced in Norfolk’s award-winning Farmers’ Market returns Wroxham Barns on Saturday, September 11, from 10am to 1pm, with a special Pickles and Preserves Day celebrating the EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival.
Jim Marshall of Norfolk’s Finest Foods and Chris Gates of Burlingham Hall Produce will be offering free tips and advice on how to preserve food the old fashioned way. Jim Marshall produces a large variety of chutneys and pickles and is always trying new recipes and Chris Gates creates herb jellies from his own garden and orchard.
Jane Miller, Director Produced in Norfolk said: "If you grow your own vegetables and need imaginative uses for a bumper crop, getting the whole family making pickles and preserves can be one of the best ways to continue enjoying the bounty of the harvest when summer has gone."
Wroxham Barns is one of Norfolk’s most popular visitor attractions offering a range of shopping and crafts, together with activities for younger family members including the award winning Junior Farm. The restaurant-café serves breakfast, morning coffee, lunches and afternoon tea, all freshly made, using local, seasonal produce where possible.
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First Fairhaven Garden Dog Show
(24/08/2010)
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Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham is staging its first Dog Show on Saturday, September 11 from 10.30am to 4pm.
The event, which is sponsored by James Wellbeloved and Acle Post Office, is a fun day for all dog lovers and a great opportunity for local residents to demonstrate their pride in their dogs.
There are 10 categories in the Dog Show including best puppy, waggiest tail, best trick, scruffiest mutt, prettiest bitch and most handsome male. It costs 50p to enter each category and all proceeds will go to local rescue centres. There is no need to enter in advance, just bring your dog along on the day and join in the fun.
Other activities are terrier racing, doggy dancing with Barbara and Snooker, agility displays, behaviour advice and children’s entertainment. The Dogs Trust, F.A.I.T.H Animal Rescue Centre and Pets as Therapy will all be at the show, along with doggy stalls and a pet photographer.
Admission is £2 adults, £1 children and dogs free. The Dog Show is being staged next to the main car park. There will be plenty of free parking.
Full List of Dog Show Categories
11am best senior dog (over seven)
11.20am best puppy (under one)
11.40am waggiest tail
12noon best trick
1pm best rescue
1.20pm prettiest bitch
1.40pm handsome male
2pm scruffiest mutt
2.30pm best in show
3.15pm awards presentation
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, also signposted from Acle, tel. 01603 270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk.
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. Admission: adult £5, concessions £4.50, child £2.50 (under 5 free). 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.
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Marriott Launches ONLINE BOOKING
(19/08/2010)
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Sprowston Manor, A Marriott Hotel & country club goes live for ONLINE TEE TIME BOOKINGS for visitors.
Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club, situated in rolling countryside on the outskirts of Norwich. Based around a quintessential 16th century English manor house, it offers a palatial haven for golfers and leisure enthusiasts alike.
The golf facilities comprise a fine 6,547-yard 18-hole golf course and a spacious 25-bay floodlit driving range. The course was extensively re-designed by Ross McMurray of European Tour Design in 2003 and has subsequently been used as a venue for two PGA EuroPro Tour events and in July this year played host to the Trilby Tour as seen on TV. Two resident PGA-qualified professionals work out of the driving range, offering lessons to members, hotel guests and other visitors.
Marriott, the world’s seventh largest online retailer, has drawn on its extensive ecommerce skills to launch a new revamped version of www.marriottgolf.co.uk.
Featuring a fresh and modern new look, the website has been specifically redesigned to include an online booking facility that gives golfers the option to reserve a tee-time at a time and date of their choice at any one of the eleven Marriott Golf Resorts in the UK. In addition, any golfer who reserves a tee time online this summer will receive a free Strokesaver for the course he or she has booked.
Visitors to the site will also be able to take advantage of all the latest special offers, cast their eye over an extensive library of course images, check local information relating to individual resorts and view up-to-date Marriott news.
“Marriott is recognised for its high-level of accommodation, championship golf, restaurants and service and we believe that the new updated website, complete with online booking, will make golf even more accessible to our guests than ever before,” commented Alison Ainsworth, Marriott Senior Director of Golf, Leisure & Spa Operations Europe.
“As a global leader in our field, we feel that it is crucial that we have a fresh, modern website that truly reflects the quality of the Marriott brand. Currently worldwide consumers spend over 3 million hours per month on our existing websites,” she added.
Marriott Hotel & Country Clubs offer its customers an exceptional golfing experience. Each destination boasts at least one championship course, with several having hosted The Solheim Cup and leading events on The European Tour. These first-class resorts also provide non-golfers with a haven in which to relax and unwind with acres of beautiful surroundings and superb leisure & spa facilities. Add to this a fantastic choice of restaurants offering first-class food with friendly service and you have the complete golf and leisure destination.
The Marriott portfolio of golf resorts in the UK include: Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club in Hertfordshire, Breadsall Priory Hotel & Country Club near Derby, Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club near Edinburgh, Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club in Warwickshire, Hollins Hall Hotel and Country Club in West Yorkshire, Meon Valley Hotel and Country Club near Southampton, St Pierre Hotel and Country Club near Chepstow, Tudor Park Hotel and Country Club in Kent, Worsley Park Hotel and Country Club near Manchester and Lingfield Park Hotel & Country Club, Surrey.
To reserve your tee-time at any Marriott Golf venue visit www.marriottgolf.co.uk
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Festival Director secures prestigious appointment in Australia
(17/08/2010)
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Jonathan Holloway, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival has been appointed Artistic Director of the prestigious Perth International Arts Festival in Australia.
After closing the programming for the 2011 Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Jonathan will be leaving the organisation and moving to Australia in the New Year, and will be responsible for the artistic direction of four Perth International Arts Festivals, 2012-15, annually each February.
Jonathan has led the Norfolk & Norwich Festival since late 2004, during which time it has seen a transformation in its breadth and scale of activities. As well as its long-standing strength in world-class classical music, jazz and contemporary music the Festival now embraces contemporary dance, circus, burlesque, the visual arts, literary events, a children’s festival and a large programme of free events. The Festival also delivers Creative Partnerships working with more than 15,000 young people year round in more than 45 schools in Norfolk, and Norfolk Open Studios.
Since 2005 the Festival has seen audiences increase from 35,000 to 330,000, turnover increase by over 550% and ticket sales triple to over a third of a million pounds to make it the fourth largest city arts festival in the UK. Artistic highlights have included presenting the UK premiere of Jordi Savall’s Jerusalem; being one of three world cities (London, New York, Norwich) to present Michael Clark’s Stravinsky Project with full orchestra; commissioning/premiering major works from Circa, Jonathan Dove, Les Sept Doigts de la Main, Andy Sheppard, Kurt Perschke, Gwilym Simcock, Ephémère, Arve Henriksen, Joby Talbot, No Fit State Circus, Taylor Mac and Alain Platel; presenting rare UK appearances by John Cale, Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, Dawn Upshaw, Osvaldo Golijov and Teatro de los Sentidos.
Prior to joining the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Jonathan was head of the Events Department at the National Theatre, one of the four artistic producing departments, working closely with Trevor Nunn and then Nicholas Hytner. He was the founding artistic director/producer of Watch This Space, the National’s acclaimed festival of free international outdoor performance; artistic director of the National’s Festival of Lights, a series of arts and live events exploring multi-cultural London; and was a programmer and producer of children’s theatre, site specific dance and education projects.
Jonathan Holloway said “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Director of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, guiding it through a period of transition and huge growth. Norwich is a wonderful city filled with amazing people, and both the city and the surrounding area create a tremendous backdrop for the arts. The level of interest and support for cultural activities in the area is fantastic and has enabled the Festival to grow in many directions and appeal to a much wider range of audiences whilst bringing more world premieres, UK premieres and exclusive events to the region. I am now working on the programme for the May 2011 Norfolk & Norwich Festival, which will be my seventh and last, and remain optimistic and excited by the possibilities in the East of England.
“I have always said, casually, that there is only a handful of jobs in the world that I want to do at this time. Perth International Arts Festival in Western Australia, is one of them. It is already one of the world’s great Festivals, and I believe that I can do extraordinary things there, in another of the world’s most beautiful places.”
Caroline Jarrold, Chair of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Board said “We will be very sorry to see Jonathan leave the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, he has been an inspirational leader, built up a very strong team around him and has brought some extraordinary programming to the city. Under Jonathan the Festival has developed to become a significant national and international arts event, and we are confident that we can maintain that momentum into the future. Jonathan has led the Festival for over six years, which is longer than any of his predecessors, and we can well understand the excitement of his new challenge in Perth. Who knows, Jonathan’s move to Australia might also provide opportunities for more transnational collaborations!”
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Norwich Twenty Group @ The John Innes Centre
(16/08/2010)
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Norwich Twenty Group’s (N20G) autumn exhibition, showcasing more than 120 works, opens at the John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich, on Saturday, August 28. The exhibition runs to Wednesday, September 15 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.
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Get Hands-on with the Stormin’ Normans in Norfolk
(03/08/2010)
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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!”
For further information click here
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School’s out for summer
(29/07/2010)
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Summer is here, the schools are out and Norwich City Council has an exciting programme of outdoor events to keep children entertained.
Kids’ activities, outdoor theatre and Punch & Judy are coming to parks and open spaces in communities across the city - and the even better news for parents is that they are all free!
Getting back to earth is the theme for this year’s KidZones, where children can create gardens and flowers, marvel at big bugs, have a go at hula-hooping and play rounders with friends. Other activities on offer will include circus skills, dance, music and face painting.
The events are open to children aged up to 12 and are held on each Wednesday in August. Venues are: Pilling Park (4 August); Waterloo Park (11 August); Eaton Park (18 August) and Sloughbottom Park (25 August).
ChildPlay also makes a return with a host of theatrical performances in city parks. This year’s shows are:
• The Wind In The Willows, Waterloo Park, Friday 30 July, 3pm. For children aged three to 12 and families
• Alakazam, Waterloo Park, Friday 6 August, 3pm. For children aged three to 11 and families.
• Red Riding Hood, Waterloo Park, Friday 13 August, 3pm. For children aged three to seven.
• Pinocchio, Waterloo Park, Friday 20 August, 3pm. For young and old.
• Pass The Bucket, Waterloo Park, Friday 27 August, 3pm. For young and old.
• Comic Medieval Tales For Kids, Heigham Park, every Sunday in August, 11am. For young and old.
Last but not least, East Anglian treasure Professor Jingles will be delighting children with his Punch & Judy shows at locations around the city as part of our summer programme.
Vicki Blake, senior events co-ordinator at Norwich City Council, says: “Parents are always looking for ways to entertain their children during the summer break and these events are a great way of doing that. All these activities are free and they give families a chance to get out and enjoy our fabulous parks and open spaces in the good weather.”
To see the full programme, visit www.norwich.gov.uk and to keep up to date with all our annual events you can sign up to the Norwich City Council events page on facebook.
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Norfolk’s Heritage Open Days events brochure launches on Monday, 2nd August
(29/07/2010)
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Members of the public will have the chance to delve into Norfolk’s fascinating and sometimes hidden heritage, with the launch of this year’s Heritage Open Days (HODs) programme featuring 215 free events celebrating Norfolk’s heritage between 9th and 12th September.
The brochure covers Heritage Open Days events in Norwich, Greater Yarmouth, South Norfolk and the Broads. The brochure – detailing all events and how to book – will be available from 2nd August in cultural venues, tourist information centres, libraries, post offices, cafes and shops across Norfolk. It can also be downloaded from www.heritagecity.org/hods from 2nd August and copies can be emailed and posted out free of charge – send requests to info@heritagecity.org or call 01603 305575.
HODs in Norwich is co-ordinated by Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART). Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of HEART, said: “This year’s brochure is our biggest yet, with a programme of diverse events including open buildings, guided tours, exhibitions, talks and music and dance performances across Norfolk – all of which are free of charge. It is a great opportunity for local people and visitors to learn and experience more about the fantastic heritage on our doorsteps.”
Alan Carr, Head of Tourism for Greater Yarmouth, said: “Great Yarmouth has a superb collection of coastal heritage buildings and architecture as a backdrop to wide sandy beaches and all that a traditional seaside resort has to offer. We are delighted to be participating in Heritage Open Days again this year, giving visitors and residents a superb opportunity to discover a rich maritime heritage in one of the UK’s most popular seaside resorts.”
Councillor Martin Wilby, Deputy Leader of South Norfolk Council, said: “There is so much to offer in South Norfolk whether its historic Caistor Roman Town, Wymondham Abbey and our many World War II Airfields or the fun of Norfolk Ski Club, Whitlingham Country Park and the stunning Wheatfen Nature Reserve. The Heritage Opens Days programme is a real gem for visitors and residents alike. We hope you enjoy them.”
Stephen Johnson, Chairman of the Broads Authority, said: “We are excited to be part of this weekend of celebration of Norfolk’s varied heritage, and proud that the Broads – Britain’s Magical Waterland – can engage interests from the Neolithic to the Arts and Crafts period. There should be something for everyone to visit and enjoy.”
Some of the events require pre-booking and due to their popularity and relatively limited capacity, it is recommended this is done promptly. However for over half of the events no pre-booking is required and visitors can just drop in on the day.
For more information visit www.heritagecity.org/hods or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/norwichheart.
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Norfolk Open Churches Week July 31 – August 8
(26/07/2010)
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Norfolk Open Churches Week 2010, Saturday, July 31 to Sunday, August 8, features more than 300 historic churches across the county, running a packed programme of special events and activities.
Enjoy the ecclesiastical car rally from Norwich Cathedral to Roydon Church, visit hidden gems like St Botolph’s Westwick, discover the atmospheric chapel of the 389th Bomb Group (USAAF) at Hethel, explore Sir Robert Walpole’s church at Houghton Hall and take a boat trip to St Benet’s Abbey.
Then enjoy an Open Churches Week special – Versio a top Finnish Choir is on a short UK tour to London and Norfolk. The 12-strong choir will present a programme of sacred European music from the 16th to the 20th century and some contemporary Finnish music at St Mary’s Church, Forncett St Mary, on Monday, August 2 (7pm) and St Andrews Church, Norwich on Tuesday, August 3 (7.30pm). There will also be master classes at St Andrews on Tuesday, August 3 (2pm – 5pm) and Wednesday, August 4 (10am – 1pm) – all welcome.
Full details of Open Churches Week are at www.norfolkopenchurches.com, or pick up the Open Churches booklet at TICs and libraries throughout the county. Open Churches Week features churches in the Diocese of Norwich and the Diocese of Ely (churches around Downham Market). For general information about Norfolk see www.visitnorfolk.co.uk.
Open Churches Week Highlights
Ecclesiastical Car Rally, Saturday, July 31 – The week gets off to a ‘roaring’ start with the third annual Ecclesiastical Car Rally on Saturday, July 31, featuring more than 60 cars. The oldest cars are a Humber Snipe 1930, Bentley Drop-head Coupé 1930 and a Rolls Royce 1932. The rally leaves Norwich Cathedral Close at 9.30am, then heads to Roydon via Swardeston, Mulbarton, Bracon Ash, Ashwellthorpe, Forncett St Peter and St Mary, Tibenham and Diss, finishing at lunchtime, followed by a short service in Roydon church.
St Mary’s Church, Forncett St Mary, open Saturday, July 31 to Sunday, August 8, 10am to 6pm. Church history exhibition and a concert with Finnish Choir Versio at 7pm on Monday, August 2 – tickets £6 and £5 for Friends of St Mary’s, tel. 01508 481856. The church has been revitalised by the local community led by Graham Prior. Unused since 1980, St Mary’s is being restored and repaired and brought back to life as a community building. The church is part 13th century with later medieval adaptations. Church address: Low Rd, Forncett St Mary, NR16 1HG.
St Andrews Church, St Andrews Street, Norwich, www.standrewsnorwich.org, open Saturday, July 31 to Sunday, August 8, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Concert with Finnish Choir Versio at 7.30pm on Tuesday, August 3 (retiring collection). Also master classes with Versio from 2pm – 5pm on Tuesday, August 3 and 10am – 1pm on Wednesday, August 4 featuring three of the pieces from the concert. The classes will include detailed work on interpretation, technique and style – all are welcome.
St Benet’s Abbey, Sunday, August 1 – The Bishop of Norwich, who is also Abbott of St Benet’s, will be conducting the annual service at the abbey at 3.30pm on Sunday, August 1. This year there is a boat trip to St Benet’s from Horning on the Southern Comfort, departing at 1.30pm and returning by 6pm. The Salvation Army Band will be playing on board. Boat tickets costs £5, tel. 01603 783096.
St Botolph’s Church, Westwick, www.westwick-st-botolph.co.uk, open Tuesday, August 3 to Saturday, August 7, 10am to 5pm; flower and vestments festival and launch of new guidebook. Services on Sunday, August 8, Holy Communion at 9am and Songs of Praise at 5.30pm featuring carols and hymns from the whole of the church year – Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Harvest, Communion and all time favourites. Contact Churchwarden Chris Sanham to choose your favourite, mob 07810 823149.
This 15th century church near North Walsham is a hidden gem. Only four people are active members of the church. The church is normally closed other than for services, but Churchwarden Chris Sanham (who has also written the new guidebook) is taking a holiday from his job as a Verger at Norwich Cathedral to run Open Churches Week at Westwick.
The exterior of the church tower features scared heart emblems that survived the reformation. There is also a 15th century painted rood screen depicting the apostles, which also survived albeit with scratched faces. A colourful bee-themed stained glass window, installed in 1885 with money raised from honey sales from the bee-keeping Revd Henry John Coleman, and two Victorian stained glass windows by Clayton & Bell (there are 10 at Norwich Cathedral) are in the church.
The church will be signposted during Open Churches Week from the North Walsham road.
Hethel Church www.mulbchurch.org.uk/Churches/Hethel and 389th Bomb Group (USAAF) Memorial Exhibition (including the old USAAF chapel) www.hethel389.co.uk, open Sunday, August 8 – the church will have displays relating to faith in wartime. Chaplain Captain Franklin Watts USAF will be at Hethel church all day. At 2.15pm there will be a guided walk from the church to the memorial exhibition. Chaplain Captain Watts will lead a short act of worship in the old 389th Bomb Group chapel, including singing a hymn accompanied by the chapel’s original harmonium that has been restored. He will also lead a 'short service for a summer afternoon' at Hethel Church at the end of the guided walk. The 389th Bomb Group chapel features a mural of Christ on the cross that served as the 'altarpiece' during World War II. Refreshments available at Hethel Church and 389th Bomb Group. Hethel Church, Church Lane, Hethel NR14 8HE.
St Martin of Tours, Houghton Hall Estate, www.houghtonhall.com, open August 1, 4 and 5, 1pm to 5.30pm. The Houghton estate church is opening for the first time during Open Churches Week. The church dates from the 12th century. Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister, who created Houghton Hall, rebuilt the tower in 1730. He and his two wives, his brother Galfridus and his successors the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Earls of Orford are all buried here.
Jennie Hawks, Historic Places of Worship Support Officer, Diocese of Norwich said: “Open Churches Week is our way of showcasing the wonderful, historic churches which have been part of the rich history of Norfolk for over a thousand years. It is also the time for local communities to show their pride in their church, which was the centre of countless villages for centuries, long before we had village halls and shops! Please come and enjoy them with us.”
Lydia Smith, Norfolk Tourism Director said: “Norfolk is blessed with hundreds of wonderful historic churches. Open Churches Week is a great opportunity to get out and about in the county, leave the car at home and visit local churches by foot, boat, bicycle and train.”
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Major new co-production, The Chalk Giants
(26/07/2010)
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The Chalk Giants, a Norwich Puppet Theatre and Indefinite Articles co-production funded by an Arts Council England Grant through the National Lottery, opened on Saturday 24 July. This major new show takes two traditional English folk tales, Jack and the Beanstalk and Jack the Giant Killer, as a starting point for a captivating new story told using chalk, puppetry, poetry, music and film. The Chalk Giants runs at Norwich Puppet Theatre until Tuesday 3 August (see Notes to Editors) before showing at the Edinburgh Festival in August as part of the East to Edinburgh scheme. It goes on tour to schools and other venues across the East of England this autumn. There are still some tickets available for performances at Norwich Puppet Theatre in July and early August .
The epic tale begins in the present with a film of puppeteers Sally Brown and Steve Tiplady and musician Jonathan Lambert on a nature walk at Hunstanton as they invite the audience to come with them on a tour through the ancient landscape of England. The production uses film shot at significant sites along the chalk escarpment which traverses southern England to tell parts of the story and to bring the landscape to life. The line runs from Hunstanton to Thetford (Peddars Way), along the Icknield Way to Wiltshire and down to Dorset (The Ridgeway). This prehistoric route for transporting goods, particularly flint, includes many ancient sites such as Stonehenge, the White Horse of Uffington and the Cerne Abbas Giant, where the tale ends.
The production has been inspired by chalk:
“We take materials as the starting point for telling a story. In the past, we have used clay, string, oil and dust. This time we were inspired to use chalk because it offered us the exciting potential to explore ideas about mark-making and the use of the drawn line for dramatic expression. It also defined the landscape that Steve grew up in; the wonderfully named Gog Magog chalk hills in Cambridgeshire” – Sally Brown and Steve Tiplady, Indefinite Articles.
The Chalk Giants begins with the creation of Jack, a puppet drawn in chalk which magically comes to life, and the discovery of some beans that are, of course, also made from chalk. At first, this appears to be the familiar tale of Jack and the Bean Stalk but soon it becomes apparent that there is a twist to the tale. Jack kills Blunderbog Cormoran, the giant at the top of the beanstalk, and begins a quest to rid England of giants. A fun, fast and furious tale ensues with Jack slaying giants across the land. However, is Jack the hero of the day? Blunderbog’s distraught wife and a wonderfully sensitive narrative leave the audience to decide.
The new production combines chalk together with shadow puppetry, a toy theatre, rod puppets, pre-recorded and live film, to give a cutting-edge contemporary performance of a traditional tale steeped in legend and imbued with a sense of England’s past. Guyanese-born poet, John Agard, has been specially commissioned to write a collection of narrative poems, dialogues and scenes, which are threaded through the story and add another layer of richness to the show. The Chalk Giants is beautifully augmented with music by Jonathan Lambert. The folk-influenced musical accompaniment adds vibrancy and an additional dimension to the production. Jonathan performs his compositions on clarinet, bamboo flute, and appropriately, a xylophone made from stone. Ancient lithophone sounds from a cave at Skiddaw in the Lake District are woven in and there are songs ideal for audience participation.
“We are delighted to have received funding for this new production. It marks the beginning of a new chapter at Norwich Puppet Theatre. Following core funding cuts in 2008, as experienced across the arts sector, the theatre has been reshaping itself, programming high quality puppetry and offering a wide range of educational activities. Our vision is to produce once more, high quality puppetry productions for regional audiences to enjoy. This will re-establish Norwich on the map as a centre for puppetry excellence – The Chalk Giants is our first step along this road. We hope people will support our latest venture and come along to see The Chalk Giants this summer!” - Nic Hopkins, Chair of the Board, Norwich Puppet Theatre.
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Brand new campaign to encourage people into Norwich this Summer
(23/07/2010)
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Today the city will see the launch of a brand new marketing campaign to promote summertime in the city. ‘Summer Fun for Everyone’ has been developed to promote the city and encourage people to use Norfolk County Council’s Park and Ride service. It will also help visitors make the most of their time here this summer.
Thanks to a partnership between VisitNorwich, the Park & Ride service and marketing specialist Anthony Reilly: The Creative Consultant, the new campaign will feature 15 money saving vouchers with fantastic discounts on things to do, food & drink and shopping worth over £200.
To take advantage of these great money saving offers, people will need to look out for the ‘Summer Fun’ advertisements that will be placed in various newspapers around the county over the next six weeks. To receive their FREE booklet of fantastic summer offers, they will need to cut out the advertisement, fill it in and take it with their valid Park & Ride ticket to the enquiry office at one of Norwich’s Park & Ride sites or Norwich Bus Station.
These are just some of the great offers that are included:
• Enjoy lunch at Mackintosh’s Canteen and get 10% off the total food bill
• Hop on a City Sightseeing tour bus and a child will go free with every paying adult
• Get 10% off all ‘Back to School’ purchases at Pilch Sports
Councillor Adrian Gunson, Cabinet Member for Travel and Transport at Norfolk County Council, said: “Norwich has the biggest Park & Ride service of any city in the country and it is a well-used facility providing wonderful opportunities for easy travel by public transport. We are delighted to be working with VisitNorwich to give shoppers and visitors to the city even more reason to use our Park & Ride service this summer.
“By using Park & Ride, motorists and their passengers can forget about the worry of trying to find somewhere in the city centre to park. They can take their pick from a number of journeys into the city, all at a very affordable price, and enjoy a leisurely day out.
Clare Millar, Head of VisitNorwich said: “Norwich is the perfect place to visit whether you are with your family or out and about on your own or with friends. With such a great variety of things to do, there is always something for everyone. Alongside the many free activities and entertainment on offer in the city, the Summer Fun booklet will help your money go even further with great discounts on some of our favourite places to shop, eat and visit.”
Anthony Reilly, The Creative Consultant, said: “'Summer Fun for Everyone’ is a really inclusive initiative; designed to get both visitors to the area and local people alike excited about visiting Norwich on Park & Ride. The breadth of partners on board contributing special offers for the free booklet showcases the exciting range of things the city has to offer.”
For ideas and inspiration of what to do this summer and details of all the money saving vouchers included in the free book, visit www.norwichsummerfun.co.uk.
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Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden Eleventh Annual Green Festival
(22/07/2010)
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Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham is staging its 11th annual Green Festival on Sunday, August 1, 10am to 5pm. An action-packed day of entertainment and fun environmental activities is on offer in this beautiful Broadland garden. Admission is adult £5, concessions £4.50 and child £2.50 (under three free).
Green Festival visitors will go on a woodland trail and will meet the 950 year-old King Oak, many other ancient oaks and beeches and the spectacular giant gunnera plants. Fairhaven gardeners will be demonstrating traditional Broads management practices like dyke clearing and leaf soil turning.
Other activities include bird watching with the RSPB, Norfolk Wildlife Trust woodland games, Razz the Clown, Stevie Spud’s circus school, music from The He Hews, The Pedant’s Revolt Morris Dancers, The Green Man Storyteller, making Green Man masks, face painting, canoe hire and have a go archery with The Canoe Man (additional charge), Garden Organic, Norwich Bat Group, Wing and a Prayer bird rescue sanctuary, master composting demonstrations and a wide range of craft stalls featuring Norfolk produce and handmade goods.
Boat trips on the Fairhaven Private Broad and South Walsham Broad on the ‘Primrose’ will be available all day (additional charge).
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, tel. 01603 270449/270683, MailGate has detected a mismatched link to "www.fairehavengarden.co.uk" appearing as www.fairhavengarden.co.uk.
There is wheelchair access to most of the garden, including the Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance. Mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.
The garden is open daily all year, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), also open until 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday until the end of August. There is a tearoom, gift shop and plant sales.
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Take the Norwich 12 challenge as part of London 2012 Open Weekend
(20/07/2010)
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Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) is inviting you to take the Norwich 12 challenge on Saturday 24 July as part of London 2012 Open Weekend – a series of sporting, arts and cultural challenges across the UK from 23-25 July to lead the nation into the countdown to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Norwich 12 challenge is also part of Discovering Places, the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad campaign to discover the local environment. The Discovering Places programme is principally funded by the National Lottery
through the Olympic Lottery Distributor and
delivered in partnership between The Heritage
Alliance and London 2012.
Norwich 12 is the UK’s finest collection of
individually outstanding buildings from the Norman, medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras, and the Norwich 12 challenge involves answering questions at as many of the 12 buildings as possible. It is a chance to learn more about Norwich’s heritage while getting some exercise – you can take the challenge at a leisurely pace or run between the buildings if you are feeling more energetic!
To take part all you need to do is collect an entry form from the stand outside The Forum on Millennium Plain between 12-4pm on Saturday 24 July. There are prizes on offer depending on how many questions you answer, and those managing to answer all 12 questions correctly will be put into a draw to win a family ticket to Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery.
The Norwich 12 challenge joins hundreds of other Open Weekend challenges including the chance to have a go at an Urban Triathlon on Chapelfield Plain, and a Four Sport Challenge at Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre. Now in its third year, Open Weekend will take place every year until the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games enabling everyone across the UK to share in the excitement of the 2012 Games and actively celebrate the two-year countdown by challenging themselves to try something new or take an interest to another level. Full listings of events can be found at www.london2012.com/openweekend.
Sophie Harrison, Communications Officer at Norwich HEART said: “We’re excited to be involved with Open Weekend and Discovering Places for the first time this year. By combining culture and sport, the events appeal to a wider range of people and we hope that the Norwich 12 challenge inspires people to get out and about and discover more about Norwich’s heritage.”
Open Weekend is part of the Cultural Olympiad and this year’s event follows the success of the last two years, which has enabled over 1 million people to take part in sport, arts and cultural events across the length and breadth of the UK.
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Norwich Heritage Open Days is back with a bumper events programme
(19/07/2010)
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Heritage Open Days (HODs) – England’s largest and most popular voluntary cultural event – is back in Norwich and will run between Thursday, 9th and Sunday, 12th September, with around 150 free events celebrating the city’s fantastic heritage for everyone to enjoy.
HODs celebrates all of Norwich’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to events and interesting properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. There will be open buildings, guided tours, exhibitions, talks and music and dance performances across the city linked to the theme.
There are over 20 new events for this year including: Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse opening their doors; tours of Eaton Park; the opening of the training ship Lord Nelson by the Norwich Sea Cadets; an exhibition by the Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society in The Mall; tours of a 15th century undercroft of an 18th century house on St Giles Street; tours looking at the history of the gaol at Norwich Castle; guided walks around the Cathedral Quarter, Mousehold Heath and industrialised Norwich; a day celebrating Norwich Market at The Forum. Most of the old favourite events will also be back including tours of the Great Hospital and Earlham Hall.
HODs in Norwich is co-ordinated by Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust, a private, charitable trust set up to act as an umbrella organisation for all of the heritage on offer in Norwich.
Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of HEART said: “Heritage Open Days is a great celebration of our heritage and culture and with such a wide and varied events programme this year we hope there is something for everyone.”
Look out for the free events brochure in cultural venues, tourist information centres, libraries, local post offices, cafes and shops across Norfolk from 2nd August. Events will also be listed on www.heritagecity.org/hods from 2nd August and you can keep up-to-date by following HEART on Twitter – www.twitter.com/norwichheart and on Facebook. To receive a brochure by post or email at the start of the booking period, call 01603 305575 or send your name and email or postal address to info@heritagecity.org.
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Norwich to host its own 2013 celebrations!
(16/07/2010)
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Norwich is already a city of culture and the city council and leading arts and cultural organisations are heralding a new era of collaborative working thanks to the bid.
And the city can announce that some of the creative ideas that were included in the bid and helped get us into the ‘fantastic four’ cultural cities will still happen in the run-up to and during 2013.
• To mark the start of the year of the UK City of Culture we will release 2,013 paper lanterns into the skies each containing the hopes and
wishes of a Norwich resident – a Norfolk & Norwich Festival event.
• We will work with the Britten Sinfonia and Norwich Theatre Royal on a ‘Festival of Britten’ to celebrate Benjamin Britten’s centenary in 2013.
• Hundreds of young people will take part in a volunteer-led mass literacy project based on creative writing, led by the Writers’ Centre
Norwich.
• A 1,000-strong choir will perform at Norwich City’s Carrow Road stadium in a mass community event.
• We hope to get a youth orchestra from Venezuela to Norwich as part of the El Sistema/In Harmony Project.
• A new consortium that will bring together community-focused organisations such as The Garage, Future Projects and Norfolk &
Norwich Community Arts (NORCA) to develop the arts by bidding for funding.
• We will also be looking to work with the other three cities and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to see how we bring even more resources for culture into Norwich.
From 29 candidate places, Norwich was one of four finalists – along with Birmingham, Sheffield and Derry-Londonderry – and a result it has increased
its national profile, showcased its outstanding artistic talent and brought arts and cultural groups even closer together.
Despite the disappointment of not being named UK City of Culture 2013, the national competition has delivered huge benefits and will be used to market
the city as an attractive place to live, set up businesses and visit.
Tourism will be more important than ever in an increasingly difficult economic climate and efforts will be stepped up to proactively promote the city as a place to take a culture-filled break.
The positive experience of the competition will also be used to help shape how the city develops cultural activities over the next 10 years.
Councillor Steve Morphew, leader of the city council, said: “Norwich is already a fine city of culture and people should feel immensely proud of how it is perceived. We always said this was a ‘win-win’ for Norwich and we are already seeing more visitors coming to the city, something we need to
capitalise on in the current financial climate.
“I would like to thank everyone in the city who supported us and got behind our bid and urge them to keep promoting Norwich as a wonderful cultural city.”
Jonathan Holloway, director of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, said: “Armed with a set of extraordinary ideas, partnerships, collective vision, public energy and political will, we have everything but the name, UK City of Culture 2013.
“Of course, it’s sad that we didn’t win the title, but since it wouldn’t have come with funding attached, we can celebrate what the bidding process has already delivered: a newly unlocked appetite for year-round culture, proof of the value of cultural activity to the local economy and a new collective energy, passion and confidence in our unique identity and potential that has permeated right
across the city.
“Our job now is to mobilise the thousands of cultural institutions, businesses and people from across the world who believe that Norwich is already a city of culture and do it anyway!”
Peter Wilson, chief executive of Theatre Royal Norwich, said: "I congratulate those who constructed the bid and hope they'll take heart from this close call.
Let's find a new way to tell Norwich's story.”
Ian Johnson principal of Access to Music Norwich said: "We always saw this as a win for Norwich whatever the outcome. Let's have our own culture year to celebrate Norwich and its communities."
For more information, contact Richard Balls in Norwich on Thursday on 07920 450864 or Nikki Rotsos in Liverpool on Thursday and Friday on 07778 474857.
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Colman’s founder’s birthday celebrated with mustard-flavoured chocolate cakes
(13/07/2010)
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Colman’s Mustard Shop & Museum is celebrating the anniversary of the birthday of its founder, Jeremiah Colman on Friday, 16th July with mustard flavoured chocolate cakes.
The Shop will be celebrating with a large chocolate birthday cake with mustard flavoured chocolate icing and giving out bite-size chocolate cupcakes with mustard flavoured chocolate icing to customers while stocks last, produced especially for the occasion by Ninhams Ltd, a local producer of traditional cake mixes.
Jeremiah Colman was born on 16th July in 1777. A flour miller, in 1814 he took over a mustard manufacturing business south of Norwich. In 1823 he established J & J Colman with his nephew James, with the company making mustard, flour, starch and cornflour.
Jeremiah Colman laid the foundations for what is today a well-known and cherished global food brand, owned by Unilever. Colman’s still have a factory at Carrow, Norwich and Colman’s Mustard Shop & Museum – set up in 1973 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Colman’s – is today one of the city’s most cherished heritage attractions, now owned and run by Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART).
Nick Cook, retail business manager of Colman’s Mustard Shop & Museum, said: “The Colmans family members who founded and developed the company were visionaries who made a great contribution to the local economy and community and lasting legacy which we want to celebrate. The mustard-flavoured dark chocolate we already sell in the Shop is really popular, so we thought a mustard-flavoured chocolate cake would be appropriate and tasty!”
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Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden – Summer Music Season 2010
(02/07/2010)
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Taverham Brass Band returns to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham on Sunday 4 July, 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, tel. 01603 270449/270683, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk. 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.
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Tour your cultural city - in one minute!
(01/07/2010)
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A high-energy video showcasing Norwich as a vibrant cultural centre has been created by a young filmmaker to boost its bid to become UK City of Culture in 2013 - watch it here.
The film produced by 20-year-old Martin Watters was played to the judging panel in Liverpool during the city’s presentation earlier this month and brilliantly captures the gems in Norwich’s cultural crown in just over one minute.
Norwich is battling it out with Birmingham, Derry-Londonderry and Sheffield for the prize, which would be worth an estimated £215 million to the city and see it host a year-long international arts festival involving every community.
It is hoped the video - which can be seen on www.norwichcityofculture.co.uk and YouTube - will prove a powerful visual reminder of what Norwich has to offer and why it should be awarded the title in July.
“The video is really saying the confidence is there that Norwich can be the UK City of Culture in 2013,” says Martin. “Apparently it looked fantastic on the big screen they had in the boardroom in Liverpool and the team received some compliments after the presentation.”
To a brassy, jazz soundtrack, images of the city whizz along, fusing the heritage of Norwich Cathedral, City Hall and Norwich Castle with parkour groups leaping on and off scaffolding and walls and circus and cabaret performers wowing audiences across the city.
Independent shops, bars and cafes in the Norwich Lanes are also taken in on the fast-moving tour, as well as some of the city’s diverse arts venues, including The Theatre Royal, Cinema City and Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.
As the music and intense drumming reaches a climax, a glow lantern is released into the night sky and fireworks bring the film to an explosive finale.
“We wanted to show the buildings of Norwich but really surprise people,” says Martin, who also produced a three-and-a-half minute video for Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2010.
“There is a perception that the city is a quiet little place with two cathedrals and lots of churches and quite historical. So in the first shot we see a burlesque performer from one of the regular Bo Nanafana nights.
"You see The Forum and some shots of other iconic city buildings just to set the scene, but then it takes a look at what is happening with young people in the community at Future Projects, The Garage, NORCA and Open. After that the music creates the narrative for a full-on cultural spin.”
Footage for the official bid video was provided by Norfolk and Norwich Festival, Writers' Centre Norwich, World Class Norfolk campaign, The Forum Norwich, Open 247, Norwich Arts Centre, The Garage, Norwich and Norfolk Community Arts (NORCA), Norwich HEART, Norwich Puppet Theatre, C-Media, BBC Look East, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Future Projects, Bo Nanafana, Robert Vaughan, EPIC (Camera Hire).
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City’s art to go on show in shops
(29/06/2010)
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Windows around Norwich are set to blossom as a new project uses empty shops to display work from the city’s flourishing arts scene.
Norwich City Council and the City Centre Partnership (CCP) invited artists and cultural organisations to bid to take charge of a scheme to use the windows of empty shops to promote local artists.
And they can now announce Norwich Arts Centre was the successful bidder and will be designing, managing and operating the project, funded by a government grant.
This exciting project will build on Norwich's thriving arts scene, recently recognised with the city’s shortlisting to be UK City of Culture 2013.
Stuart Hobday, director of Norwich Arts Centre, said: "Norwich Arts Centre is delighted to have been given the Art in the Shop Windows project.
“We will be seeking to create a visual feast using more than 10 sites, for at least six months from October. We will be championing Norwich based artists in a variety of art forms such as photography, painting, video, animation and poetry.
“It will hopefully provide a great visual backdrop to the city in the busy winter shopping months and ensure the city retains a vibrant feel despite the economic hard times, as well as supporting the Norwich cultural scene.
"There will be open submission opportunities for artists, particularly photographers and painters with good incentives.”
He added that the project continued to build the centre’s portfolio of work supporting the creative talent of Norwich. The centre already runs the Escalator Music project, arranging grants for musicians and bands, as well as being the regional hub for developing performance poets.
Helen Selleck, Norwich City Council cultural development and events manager, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with the Arts Centre on this project. This is a great opportunity to use empty shops to showcase Norwich’s vibrant and thriving arts scene. This funding is a great opportunity for the art community of Norwich.”
And CCP manager Stefan Gurney said: “The CCP is delighted to be involved in this project which will brighten up and use empty shop fronts to enhance the streets of the city for visitors, residents and shoppers.
“We will be actively involved in this vibrant and exciting project throughout 2010, helping the Norwich Arts Centre management team.”
The city was one of the first places in the country to use colourful posters to liven up empty shops. Its approach has already been recognised nationally as best practice.
The aims of the scheme are to:
• Encourage the uptake of empty shops in the city.
• Use empty shops creatively to create a positive perception among businesses, local people and visitors.
• Raise the profile of local artists and art and cultural activity.
• Provide opportunities for both emerging and established artists to take part and sell and market their work.
• Cultivate collaboration and networking between people in the local cultural community.
• Develop the city’s profile as a city of culture.
• Establish a framework for the future use of empty premises.
The intention is for all installations to be complete by the end of October.
For more details of the full range of Arts Centre events, courses and exhibitions visit www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
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Homes on the Road - Special Event at Gressenhall
(24/06/2010)
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Head to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse later this month to discover more about the Gypsy Roma Traveller community and its way of life.
Visitors to the Norfolk County Council run museum are being invited to take part in the special one-day event, Homes on the Road, on Saturday, June 27, when they will have the chance to join the Gypsy Roma community in art, music and dance sessions.
Gypsy Roma Traveller storyteller, Richard O’Neill, will be regaling visitors with his wonderful tales, and passing on his years of experience as a storyteller.
Gloria Buckley, the first English Roma woman to be awarded an MBE, will talk about her traveller life. Also, members of the community will be on hand to talk about living in Vardos, Buccaneer and Touring caravans and will show visitors around their homes.
There will be a chance for visitors to try their hand at Gypsy Traveller crafts, construct a bender tent from willow poles and learn the basics of step dancing.
Councillor Derrick Murphy, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services with special responsibility for museums, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for communities in Norfolk to come together, and spend time finding out more about each other.
“Travellers represent one of Norfolk’s largest ethnic minorities and it is vital that the wider public has a knowledge and understanding of their heritage and culture, can hear about their stories and way of life firsthand and learn about the contributions these communities have made to Norfolk.”
Gressenhall already enjoys a strong relationship with Norfolk’s Gypsy Roma Traveller communities and has a permanent exhibition of artwork compiled by Gypsy and Traveller children, exploring their heritage.
Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris, Member for Necton and Launditch, which includes Gressenhall, said: "Everything the museum does, it does well and this event will be no exception with a wealth of things to see and do for all the family so I invite everybody to go along."
Learning officers at Norfolk County Council’s Museums & Archaeology Service have been working in partnership with members of the Gypsy Roma Travelling Community, Norfolk Traveller Education Service and Norfolk Arts Partnership for the past five years delivering events to Norfolk school children.
This event runs from 10am to 5pm and aims to increase awareness and understanding of Gypsy Roma Travellers offer an active, fun and educational day for both traveller and settled communities.
Admission is £8.40 for adults, £7.10 for concessions and £6 for children. Holders of Museum Pass enjoy free admission.
For more information on the Homes on the Road, telephone 01362 860563.
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Walk on the wild side in Norwich this summer
(17/06/2010)
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Ever wanted to learn more about the feathered friends and creepy crawlies, pretty plants and beautiful butterflies, which live in Norwich?
The first event of a summer series is being held next week, as part of Norwich City Council's support and celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity.
Why not come along and see what exciting things are living in the city that you might not have seen before?
Wildlife walks
Please note that places are free for all events, but numbers are limited on the walking events, so please book with the Norwich Tourist Information Centre before the event. You can call them on 01603 213999 or visit them at The Forum.
All of these walks start from the public car park below Zaks restaurant on Mousehold Heath, off Gurney Road. Please bring stout, comfortable footwear and outdoor clothing suitable for the day.
Insect and wildlife walk Tuesday 22 June 1pm to 3pm
An afternoon walk on the heath with Norfolk’s county butterfly recorder, Andy Brazil, to mark National Insect Week.
Management and wildlife walk Thursday 1 July and Tuesday 10 August 2pm to 4pm
Join a Norwich City Council Mousehold warden, to look at the wide variety of often threatened and scarce wildlife that inhabits the site and how management work is being undertaken to conserve this biodiversity.
Moth evening Saturday 10 July 10.30pm onwards and Saturday 7 August 9pm onwards
Join a Norwich City Council Mousehold warden, and use a light trap to catch and look at the beautiful and diverse species of moth that are living in Norwich.
Bat walk Wednesday 25 August 7.45pm to 9.30pm
An evening walk with a member of the Norwich Bat Group, to learn about these amazing creatures and try to identify species in the area, by using a bat detector.
Butterfly conservation days
Tuesday 27 July 10am to 5pm Wensum Park
Thursday 29 July 10am to 5pm Waterloo Park
Sunday 1 August 10am to 5pm Eaton Park
These tie in with the national Butterfly Conservation event Saving Butterflies Week, which this year focuses on the role local parks play in encouraging butterflies and moths to thrive in an urban environment.
At each location in the city information will be available about butterflies and moths, suggestions for plants which may attract them to gardens, and the special species that can be seen in Norfolk.
You just need to turn up on the day for the Butterfly events - there is no need to pre book.
In the event of heavy rain, the walks/talks will be cancelled.
To find out more about the International Year of Biodiversity please visit www.biodiversityislife.net or to see what’s going on closer to home www.norfolkbiodiversity.org
You can see what we are doing in Norwich by clicking through to the biodiversity page in our A to Z search on www.norwich.gov.uk
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Sculpture for Norwich – Inauguration of New Charity to Promote Public Art in Norwich
(08/06/2010)
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Sculpture for Norwich, a new charity established to promote public art and sculpture in greater Norwich, will be inaugurated at a special event in The Hostry, Norwich Cathedral on June 29. The event will be coupled with the launch of a public appeal for an initial £35,000 from local sources to help fund the charity’s first project: the commission of a sculpture to celebrate The Norwich School of Artists.
The charity, which has been formed out of The Norwich Society and Norfolk Contemporary Art Society (NCAS), has identified a site for its first commission on St-Martin-at-Palace Plain, with the help of Norwich City Council. The site is in front of the house where John Sell Cotman, one of the key members of The Norwich School of Artists, lived and exhibited his paintings.
The aim is to complete this initial commission for the Cultural Olympiad countrywide arts festival in 2012 and thus to form part of Norwich’s contribution. Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is also planning events that year to celebrate the Norwich School of Artists as part of the ‘Great British Art Debate’.
Keith Pollard, Chairman of Sculpture for Norwich said: "Sculpture for Norwich has been founded to promote the commissioning and installation of sculpture of high quality in public places in and around the City of Norwich. It will also aim by a variety of means to encourage a wider appreciation in Norwich of the benefits of public sculpture. The prospect of Norwich becoming the first UK City of Culture in 2013 provides a splendid context for our ambitions and we wholeheartedly support the bid."
Isabel Vasseur, a major figure in the public art movement since the 1980s will be the key speaker at the launch event, attended by an invited audience, on June 29. She has
co-ordinated visual arts festivals in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Gateshead, and was Senior Visual Arts Officer for the British Council. The topic of her lecture will be "Eyesore or Adornment, Memorials and Landmarks: an assessment of Public Art."
A website sculpturefornorwich.co.uk will be launched towards the end of June.
For more information about Sculpture for Norwich e-mail sculpturefornorwich@googlemail.com or tel. 01603 743165.
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Shop Norfolk at Wroxham Barns
(07/06/2010)
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Produced in Norfolk’s award-winning Farmers’ Market returns to Wroxham Barns on Saturday 12 June, from 10am to 1pm, with the best of Norfolk produce. Treat yourself to some great local shopping combined with a long lunch in Wroxham Barns restaurant café.
Meet Sheringham-based Emma Thorburn whose new business, Buns of Fun, creates colourful themed cup cakes and large novelty cakes for every occasion. Buy fruit and vegetables, all sourced from Norfolk growers, from Mark’s Market Garden, and bread, rolls, cakes, scones, shortbreads and cheese straws from Martham Bread and Roll Company.
Chat with Don Lear, The Bhaji Man who will be there with his spice kits and easy mixes that produce delicious spicy dishes, from aromatic appetisers like onion bhajis to authentic spicy curries.
Jane Cargill’s Foxley Wood quality pedigree Aberdeen Angus beef is a must, as is Tavern Tasty Meats, Norfolk’s only accredited rare breed butchers, supplying items like Gloucester Old Spot pork, gourmet sausages and home cured bacon.
Buy a punnet of juicy strawberries from Wood Berry Farm, pick up a herb jelly from Burlingham Hall Produce or one of Strety’s Quality Catering’s gorgeous pies.
Not to forget Wroxham Barns food and drink – Uncle Stuart’s Brewery and Beer Shop sells exclusive Wroxham Barns Bitter and Pilsener and a large range of beers from other Norfolk microbreweries. The Apple Shop stocks Norfolk cider and apple juice plus all things apple. Pop into the Country Food Store and browse through the range of local and specialist foods and The Fudge Shop, which is full of naughty treats.
No visit is complete without breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, also coffee and cake at any time, in the award-winning restaurant café. Everything is freshly prepared and cooked to order from quality local ingredients.
Produced in Norfolk, www.producedinnorfolk.com tel. 01603 241012, is a social enterprise founded in 2005 to promote and support local producers that are genuinely making their products in Norfolk. Its Farmers’ Market at Wroxham Barns won the EDP Norfolk Food Awards 2009 Best Farmers’ Market.
Farmers’ Markets are staged on the second Saturday of the month until December – future dates 10 July, 7 August, 11 September, 9 October, 13 November and 11 December.
Wroxham Barns, www.wroxhambarns.co.uk, tel. 01603 783762 is open daily 10am to 5pm, follow the brown and white tourist signs from Wroxham for 1.5miles on the Tunstead road. Free parking. Junior Farm admission £3.95 (under three free), 18-hole mini adventure golf and children’s funfair individually priced.
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