AUTUMN 2021 ISSN 2752-5996
EVENTS · PETS · HOME & GARDEN · RECIPES · AND MORE!
Norfolk
Autumn Events Reptiles
Spooky or Sweet? Christmas
Prep Your Pudding! Norwich Food
New Kids on the Block
Win!
£25 Assembly House Gift Voucher
The Scary Tale of Stingy Jack
A U T U M N 2 0 21
Welcome to Autumn We have another packed edition this autumn, with all your local event listings, a spooky tale to get you in the mood for Halloween, the latest Norwich foodie news PLUS another chance to win a fabulous prize. A big welcome to all the new and returning local businesses joining all our existing locals. There really is a lot on offer around Norfolk and I know readers enjoy discovering what’s available to them locally. If you’d like to support our Handy magazine, please shout about us! When you get your magazine take a photo and tag @MyHandyGuide in your posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We may even feature your pictures in the next issue!
Lee
Editor, Handy editor@myhandyguide.co.uk
About Handy Handy is Costessey’s local magazine, but it is also enjoyed by many people in Norwich and beyond. Handy is packed with articles, recipes, competitions, local advertising and much more. Got something you’d like to add to our magazine? Please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!
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The Scary Tale of Stingy Jack
Ever wondered where the practice of carving pumpkins came from?
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Norwich Food News
It’s been another tough year, but there have been some fabulous new foodie places popping up around Norwich.
Autumn Events in Norfolk
Blazing fire shows, haunted tales, retro party nights and Christmas experiences. Here’s what’s happening in Norfolk this autumn.
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Reptiles - Spooky or Sweet?
Despite many people having them as pets, a reptile phobia rated 2nd in the top 10 most common phobias.
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Win £25 to spend at Assembly House
Congratulations to Elleni in Old Costessey, who won the Odelish treat box in our summer issue! Could you be our next winner?
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A Shed Load of Value
We have some useful tips for keeping your garden shed contents safe.
Free Advertising with our early bird offer!
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Prep Your Christmas Pudding!
October is the best time to start your Christmas pudding prep Zena takes you through her tried and tested recipe.
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editor@myhandyguide.co.uk www.myhandyguide.co.uk
Deadline for winter edition: 26th November 2021 Handy is published by Wensum Media. The publisher accepts no responsibility for the views, claims or accuracy of its advertisers or contributors, or for any loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing or non-publication of any advert. This publication may not be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the express permission of the publisher. Printed by Fakenham Prepress Solutions.
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HALLOWE E N
The Scary Tale of
STINGY JACK A
lthough Halloween celebrations will no doubt be a little different this year due to the effects of coronavirus, we can still expect to see carved pumpkins peering out from the windows and doorsteps of homes up and down the country as 31st October approaches.
The ghoulish faces carved out of the orange fruits and illuminated by candles will be a reassuring sign that whatever else is going on in the world, Halloween is still on its way. But what does this peculiarly pagan practice mean and how has it come to be part of our modern lives? The practice of decorating pumpkins comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack, Jack the Smith, Drunk Jack, and Jack of the Lantern. Known throughout Ireland for his drunkenness, laziness and lies, Jack was drinking in his local pub on All Hallows’ Eve when he ran out of money. Outside, he met the Devil who, hearing of Jack’s legendary evil deeds and silver tongue, had decided to put him to the test. Realising that the end was nigh, and the Devil had come to collect his soul, Jack asked for a final request money for one last drink.
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The Devil agreed and changed into a silver coin which Jack promptly - and shrewdly - put into his pocket next to a crucifix. Trapped by the holy symbol, the Devil was forced to give in to Jack’s demand - freedom if he spared Jack’s soul for 10 years.
Exactly a decade after his first encounter with the Devil, Jack was walking home from the same pub when he came upon the Evil One again. Delighted to have outwitted the notorious drunkard, the Devil began preparing to take Jack’s soul to Hell. But the canny conman then asked if he could have one apple to feed his starving belly and, foolishly, the Devil agreed. As the Devil climbed the branches of a nearby apple tree, Jack surrounded the base with crucifixes - trapping the Devil again. Furious that he had been caught for a second time, the Devil demanded his release, but Jack refused unless the Devil agreed never to take his soul into Hell. The day came when the drinking, debauchery and gambling took its toll on Jack. As his soul stood at the gates of St Peter, ready to enter heaven, Jack’s way was
barred, and he was told he could not pass because of his sinful lifestyle. Broken-hearted, Jack had no choice but to present himself at the Gates of Hell and begged to be allowed to enter.
But the Devil, mindful of his pledge, could not take him in. Instead he tossed Jack an ever-lasting ember from the Flames of Hell and doomed him to wander the world between good and evil as a warning to others, with nothing but a glowing coal in a hollowed-out turnip to light his way. While turnips and potatoes were often used to replicate Jack’s Lantern in Ireland and Scotland, beets were more popular in England where the legend was also known as Will o’ the Wisp. This salutary tale travelled across the Atlantic with the thousands of Irish immigrants who fled to the USA during the Irish Famine of the mid-1800s. Once there, they discovered pumpkins were bigger and more plentiful. So, every Hallows’ Eve, they scooped out the flesh and carved out ghoulish faces on the gourds to guard their homes against the soul of Stingy Jack - and any other unwelcome spirits he may have picked up along the way…
Across 7 Fakes, falsifies (8) 8 Bar joining two wheels (4) 9 Type of breakfast cereal (6) 10 Picture (5) 11 The round before the final (4) 12 Interloper, stranger (8) 14 Jam-filled bun (8) 18 Greasy film on water (4) 20 Shroud (5) 22 Build again (6) 23 Layer (4) 24 Personal views (8)
Down 1 Excite, entice (6) 2 Hoarding (8) 3 Deep violet blue (6) 4 Help (6) 5 Molten fluid rock (4) 6 Accuse, assert (6) 13 Sleeplessness (8) 15 Rare, intricate flower (6) 16 Of little breadth (6) 17 Root vegetable (6) 19 Cruel (6) 21 Diversify, change (4)
Summer 2021 answers
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EVENTS
Autumn Events SAT 9 OCT, 5PM
MON 1 NOV - SAT 6 NOV
Fun & Fireworks
Rocky Horror Show
16th Norwich Sea Scouts, Old Costessey
Norwich Theatre Royal
Search: Norwich 16th Sea Scouts SAT 9 - SUN 10 OCT
National Country Show Live Norfolk Showground A great day out for the family, with country shopping, entertainment, food, animals, live music, activities and more. nationalcountryshow .co.uk THU 21 OCT - SAT 6 NOV
Fire on the Water The Venetian Waterways, Great Yarmouth A magical, blazing display of fire installations and sculptures.
norwichtheatre.org WED 3 NOV - THU 4 NOV
Low Bang Firework Event Wroxham Barns wroxhambarns.co.uk FROM SAT 6 NOV, 9AM-5PM
Christmas Craft and Gift Fair The Forum, Norwich Pop-up mini-market with Christmas gifts, handmade jewellery, photographic prints and much more. jabbawockycrafts.co.uk FRI 19 NOV
80s & 90s Party Night
FRI 22 - SUN 31 OCT, 11AM - 8PM
St Andrews Hall, Norwich Rewind and celebrate with an 80s and 90s themed retro party.
Hanted Deepdale
retropartyexperience .co.uk
outtherearts.org.uk
Dalegate Market, Kings Lynn A spooky, enchanted, theatrical event telling stories of myths and ghosts of Norfolk. Performances all day.
FROM SAT 4 DEC
The Christmas Experience Wroxham Barns wroxhambarns.co.uk
deepdalehalloween.co.uk
WED 8 DEC - SUN 9 JAN
SAT 23 OCT - SUN 31 OCT
Dick Whittington Pantomime
Pumpkin Festival Wroxham Barns Pick your pumpkin and carve in an undercover barn. Also a night time experience on 29-31 Oct. wroxhambarns.co.uk
Norwich Theatre Royal norwichtheatre.org WED 15 DEC, 7.30PM - 9.30PM
UEA Choir Christmas Carol Concert
The Halls, Norwich
St John the Baptist Cathedral, Unthank Rd The combined choirs of UEA perform well-loved Christmas carols.
facebook.com/groups/ NorwichBeerFestival
uea.ac.uk/music-centre/ events
MON 25 - SAT 30 OCT
Norwich Beer Festival
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Please remember to check with event organisers for the latest information.
Funics Phonics Emily Cott I have three young children and I have been a primary school teacher for 15 years. When my son was two, I noticed that although he was talking lots, there were some sounds he was struggling to make. I used ideas from my phonics training to try and help him and this is what gave me the idea of ‘Funics’ - a fun group for preschool aged children that will help their speech development, letter recognition and early writing skills. I discussed the idea with Sarah, a fellow teacher and she was excited to be part of this new venture. Together we applied for funding from Norfolk County Council who were extremely supportive and allowed us to buy some excellent resources that will vary from session to session.
We have planned a series of fun sessions with exciting activities based around letters and the sounds that they make. A key point that came up in discussions with parents of young children over and over again was the worry they have about the terminology used in phonics classes once children start school. After all, not many adults talk about graphemes, phonemes and split digraphs in their everyday lives! So our aim in Funics sessions is to make sure children are having a fun time without even realising that they are learning valuable skills and also helping to build their parents and carers confidence and understanding of phonics terminology.
Funics Phonics will be taking place at St Andrews Church Hall, Eaton every Wednesday morning during term time.
funicsphonics@gmail.com • @funicsphonics
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PETS & WILDLIFE
Reptiles Spooky or Sweet?
Reptiles are often seen as scary, creepy creatures. In fact, a survey by gov.uk in 2014 showed, despite 800,000 homes in the UK house pet reptiles, that people with Ophidiophobia - a fear of snakes rated 2nd in the top 10 most common phobias. At Angelica’s Rainbow Sanctuary they are asking the question: Why are these animals scary? A survey, done by the Norwich not-for-profit, showed that people said they didn’t like the way reptiles looked and moved and more interestingly, it was the lack of knowledge about these animals that kept people fearful of them.
Amber the Bearded Dragon holds the track record for the AR Sanctuary reptile to change most people’s views of her species. Including, one Costessey resident who went from not being able to look at reptiles to holding Amber and gently stroking her head. Look out for local events and online activities to get involved in if you wish to face your fear, overcome your animal anxieties and embrace these, often misunderstood, creatures. BY LORA STEGGLES
This Autumn/Winter, AR Sanctuary has taken up the challenge of teaching members of the public the fascinating, unique and even sweet side of their scaly animal residents.
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FOOD & DRINK
Prep Your Pudding October’s the best time to start your Christmas prep – chutneys, pudding and cakes can all be made ahead of time and left to improve with flavour. My Christmas Pudding recipe is so utterly delicious and so suprisingly easy to make - simply weigh and mix, steam and save. Best made in October but you can make them anytime up until the day before, it will always taste nice. I’ve been making this recipe for over 25 years and people simply love it even the non pudding eaters!
CHRISTMAS PUDDING Serves 6 - 8 (approx. 1kg/2lbs) 110g chopped stoned prunes 160g currants 110g raisins 110g sultanas 80g plain flour 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 80g breadcrumbs 60g suet (beef or vegetarian) 80g dark brown sugar 1/4 or 2 strips grated or finely chopped lemon 100ml / 2 fl oz local Stout or Guinness 1 medium or large egg Touch of salt
Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, using a wooden spoon or clean hands. Spoon into a lined 1kg pudding bowl. For best results refrigerate overnight to allow the flavours to develop. Make sure the pudding is covered with a lid or tin foil and steam for 2 hours, keeping the water topped up. Cool in the pudding bowl. Rewrap in a piece of greaseproof paper and cloth or cling film. Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas Day and just as you’re serving the Turkey, simply microwave for several minutes or steam until warm.
BY ZENA LEECH-CALTON www.lovenorwichfood.co.uk love_norwich_food YouTube: Dyslexic Chef 18
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FOOD & DRINK
Norwich Food News BY ZENA LEECH-CALTON
It’s been another tough year for hospitality, so you would imagine there’d be no new places to shout about, but some amazing newbies hit Norwich earlier this year. DONER BEI TANTE ANNE 16 Wensum Street A vegan kebab shop, the owner Anne makes her own seitan for the kababs, uses authentic Turkish bread and piles on fresh salads and sauces. YARD NORWICH 6 Pottergate A pasta and cocktail bar on Pottergate. It’s extremely reasonably priced and has some lovely things on the menu including a Sicilian ice cream brioche sando for dessert. WILLIAMS KITCHEN 61a Aylsham Road Williams Kitchen is part of the new YMCA off Aylsham Road, with an attached soft play area. You can enjoy breakfasts, hot lunches like chilli plus homemade cakes and more. NEW NORFOLK PRODUCT UTTERLY COCO A new sustainably sourced chocolate bar maker. Visit www.utterlycoco.com or follow them on Instagram @utterly_coco
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Win £25 to spend at Assembly House
How do you fancy treating yourself or someone special with a meal, drinks, room nights or afternoon tea at Assembly House? To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is locate Lulu the cat somewhere in this issue. Once you’ve found her, enter your details at:
www.myhandyguide.co.uk/win Closes Friday 19th November 2021.
Good luck!
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HOM E & GARDE N
A Shed Load of Value Gone are the days when dads pottered about in the garden shed, tinkering with machinery, or finding new ways to keep unwanted insects off their vegetable patch. Don’t get us wrong, there’s no doubt that men still use the garden shed as a refuge - a means of escaping the hustle and bustle of a busy household. But nowadays that little wooden structure at the end of the garden is often seen as an extension of the living room, a place where a person can watch TV in peace or mess around on the internet. Of course, this newfound use means that the value of a shed’s contents has skyrocketed. According to insurer Swinton, the Great British garden shed is just as likely to house a laptop or tablet as the mower and weedkiller these days, something to seriously consider when it comes to insurance. If you’ve turned green and have ditched the car in favour of a bike, the chances are that you’re storing your two wheels in the shed. Alongside the bikes and laptops there are sprinkler systems, electric hedge clippers, cordless drills, strimmers, jet hoses, summer lights, gas barbeques, digital radios and even TVs. The value of this lot soon adds up.
Sheds full of top-notch gear are a goldmine for thieves so it’s important to keep them secure and locked up. Car boot sales are full of stolen bikes and fly mowers. If you leave your shed unlocked, then you might not be covered by your home contents policy, so it pays to keep your items under lock and key. It’s also worth keeping receipts as proof of purchase.
Tips for Keeping Your Shed Contents Safe • LOCK AWAY all tools and equipment and ensure your shed is securely locked when not in use - cover windows with wire mesh on the inside. • USE PLANT PROTECTION such as thorny shrubs on border fencing. • USE TRELLIS FENCING as a noisy and irksome deterrent to climbing and consider anti-climb paint for drains pipes and wall tops. • INSTALL SECURITY LIGHTING which comes on automatically. • EXTEND YOUR BURGLAR ALARM to cover outbuildings and sheds. • MARK EXPENSIVE ITEMS such as lawnmowers and bikes with your postcode. • CHECK HOME CONTENTS INSURANCE to see if it covers the contents of your garden and garden shed or summer house. • JOIN your Neighbourhood Watch scheme. • CONSIDER bringing the most expensive items into the house when you are away.
Swinton Spokesperson
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FOCUS ON COSTE SSEY
Doctor
Beechcroft Surgery 23 Beechcroft, Three Mile Lane NR5 0RS 01603 746683 Mon: 8am-1.30pm, 2-6.30pm Tue: 8am-1.30pm, 2-7pm Wed: 8am-1.30pm, 2-5.30pm Thu: 8am-1.30pm, 2-6.30pm Fri: 8am-1.30pm, 2-5.30pm Sat & Sun: Closed Roundwell Medical Centre 25-27 Dr Torrens Way NR5 0GB 01603 744014 Mon-Fri: 7am-1pm, 2-6pm Sat & Sun: Closed
Dentist
Beechcroft Dental Practice Beechcroft NR5 0RS 01603 747651 Mon, Wed, Thu: 9am-1pm, 2-5pm Tue: 9am-1pm, 2-6pm Fri: 9am-1pm Sat & Sun: Closed
Post Office
Old Costessey 10 West End NR8 5AG Mon-Sat: 7.30am-7.30pm Sun: 8am-3pm New Costessey 1 Upper Stafford Avenue NR5 0AB Mon-Fri: 9am-5.30pm Sat: 9am-12.30pm Sun: Closed Norwich Road 200 Norwich Road NR5 0EX Mon: 9am-12.30pm, 1.30-6pm Tue: 9am-12.30pm, 1.30-5.30pm Wed: 10am-2pm Fri: 9am-12.30pm, 1.30-5.30pm Sat: 9am-12.30pm Thu & Sun: Closed
Support
Age UK Norwich 01603 496333 ageuk.org.uk/norwich Citizens Advice 0800 144 88 48 ncab.org.uk Cruse Bereavement 01603 219977 cruse.org.uk MIND Mental Health 0300 330 5488 norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk Samaritans 116 123 free from any phone samaritans.org
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B U S I N E S S D I R E C T O RY
Pharmacy
Beechcroft Pharmacy 23 Beechcroft NR5 0RS 01603 749 222 Mon-Fri: 9am-1pm, 2-6pm Sat & Sun: Closed Costessey Pharmacy 192 Norwich Road NR5 0EX 01603 746 400 Mon-Fri: 9am-1pm, 2-6pm Sat: 9am-1pm Sun: Closed Roundwell Pharmacy 27 Dr Torrens Way NR5 0GB 01603 732950 Mon-Fri: 7am-9pm Sat: 7am-7pm Sun: 9am-12pm
Vets
Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership 162 Norwich Road NR5 0EH 01603 743725 chapelfieldvets.co.uk Taverham Vets Longwater Lane NR8 5AH 01603 747344 taverhamvets.co.uk Companion Care Vets Inside Pets at Home, Longwater Retail Park NR5 0JT 01603 513100 companioncare.co.uk
Library
Costessey Library Breckland Road NR5 0RW libraries@norfolk.gov.uk Mon, Wed, Fri: 10am-1pm Tue: 2pm-6pm Sat: 10am-4pm Thu & Sun: Closed
Council
Costessey Town Council Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane NR8 5AH 01603 742958 costesseytc.org Norfolk County Council County Hall, Martineau Lane NR1 2DH 0344 800 8020 norfolk.gov.uk South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House, Cygnet Court, Long Stratton NR15 2XE 01508 533701 southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Please phone to double check opening times.
Charities 07 Redwings Horse Sanctuary
Children & Families 09 Funics Phonics 10 Tiny Talk 10 Little Riders
Cleaning & Waste Removal 05 10 13 17 21
Rugs2Riches YorJunk Sparkle Norwich Gutter Pro Cheetah Cleaning
Community 10 Costessey Clean Up
Electrical, Heating & Repairs 05 10 13 21
Norfolk Woodburners Anglian Gas Services Anglia Safety LMB Electrical
Events, Travel & Leisure 08 08 09 19 21
The Flower House Lodge Farm Holiday Barns IC Travel Courtesy Taxis MRC Garage Services
Food & Drink 04 20 20 20
The Crown Sunny Sweet Treats Odelish Lodge Farm Kitchen Cookery School
Garden 13 15 22 23
Paul Thomson Arboricultural Green Thumb Norfolk Garden Sheds Sheds2Fencing
Health & Care 09 11 13 25 25 28
Helen’s Fitness Corton House Centenary Opticians CareLift Services Dena Brown Mobile Foot Care Home Instead
Home & Property 02 04 05 14 14 16 17 22 24 24 27
Russen & Hill Norwich Sunblinds AD Home Interiors R G Leverett Roofing & Roofline Norfolk Broads Exteriors JCS Decoration BBH Home Improvements Longwater Construction Supplies Rush Removals P.Nunn Installations Martin’s Carpets
Legal 11 Honey Wills
Shopping 12 PJ Pet Supplies 21 Avon 25 Yeomans Electrical
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