Susi Hancock - The Desert
The ever-changing kaleidoscope of light, patterns and colours waiting to be discovered at Pensthorpe Natural Park creates a rich vein of material for budding photographers.
Wells photographer Julia Rafferty’s Portfolio Development Course, based at the 700-acre nature haven near Fakenham, has grown rapidly from a one-day standalone experience, to a six-week course in each academic term of the year, run in the morning for starter students and in the afternoon for the more experienced.
“People are clamouring for places,” said Julia. “Pensthorpe is a photographer’s delight. It has so many inspiring environments to work with all year round; it is amazing. There is a rich diversity throughout the seasons – in the wildlife, the vibrant colours of the wonderful gardens, in reflections and in the abstract patterns of light playing through the trees onto the surface of the river and lakes.
“We’re always finding lots of new things to photograph – and it’s a thrilling way for photographers to develop their skills, whether beginners or more experienced,” she enthused.
An exhibition of the course members’ most recent work has opened in the Pensthorpe Exhibition Room (free entry) during the Park’s opening hours. It will be on show until Spring 2018.
For further course information contact Julia Rafferty at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Exhibiting Photographers
James Brown, Swannington. Fireworks & Pink Haze
Susi Hancock, Swaffham. Seeds & The Desert
Michael l’Anson, Deopham. Tulu, Prepare for Landing & Waiting for Winter
Maggie Mole, Cringleford. Lizard Skin, Quiet Reflections & Japanese Anemone in the Pink
Bruce Page, Sheringham. Reeds, Floral & I See You
Rhonda Pike, Norwich. Enchanted Wood & Millennium Garden in Winter
The small team at Black Shuck Gin, based in Fakenham, continue to amaze EAAA with their generosity and kindness.
As well as supporting the charity with a limited edition gin this year and other various fundraising activities, they have spent their time during the lockdown tirelessly working with government authorities to produce a very much needed Alcohol Based Hand Sanitiser.
This has been donated to regional air ambulances, care homes, schools and key workers to help save lives during the pandemic. Black Shuck Gin have made a huge impact on EAAA and on the wider community.
Patrick and Sarah Saunders of Black Shuck Gin said: "We were thrilled, honoured and proud to hear that we had won the Most Inspirational Business Category in the East Anglian Air Ambulance Inspiration Awards. All of the nominees were outstanding and we thoroughly enjoyed reading all of their stories."
From pre-historic to present day – North Norfolk Visitor Centre celebrates official opening and introduction of fun new 'Discover Zone'
The North Norfolk Visitor Centre was officially opened on Monday 10 February, with an exciting reveal of the brand new look for the tourist information hub. As well as the traditional visitor information service the centre now also includes a “Discovery Zone,” a fantastic new resource which forms part of North Norfolk District Council’s “Deep History Coast” initiative.
Council members, project partners, staff and business Ambassadors gathered for the celebration, which included a screening of the new DHC film and representatives on-hand to discuss the key project elements from fossil hunting to the upcoming mammoth Marathon.
North Norfolk District Council’s Chairman has invited Norfolk Wildlife Trust to be his Charity of the Year, with money raised supporting conservation grazing and family learning.
Dr Clive Stockton has a personal life-long association with nature and wished to support a charity that specifically works to conserve the fragile habitats of Norfolk and raise awareness of the importance of wildlife.
Funds raised by NNDC will be used in two key areas of NWT’s work across Norfolk: to support conservation grazing with rare native breeds and to extend engagement with young children in Sure Start centres.
Conservation grazing with native breed cattle, sheep and ponies protects important areas for wildlife. Without regular grazing, many of our rare and fragile habitats and the species they support would be at risk of being overwhelmed by more dominant plants. NNDC has already shown its own commitment to conservation grazing through the establishment of its Bagot goat herd, 15 of which are on long-term loan to NWT in the Brecks.
Members of Pensthorpe’s Junior Board, and their siblings, were the first to try out Pensthorpe Natural Park’s new mud kitchen and trial some of the activities for its new summer event, Nature’s WILD Tribe.
The outdoor mud kitchen is the latest addition to WildRootz and the 4.3 feet wide kitchen was built onsite by the team in four days. Featuring four bowls, utensils such as spoons and whisks and a tap, it is made from recycled materials, including an old wheelbarrow and uses some of the reserve’s old signage as blackboards.
Kelly Lovick, Play Manager at Pensthorpe Natural Park, came up with the idea of the mud kitchen and comments: “Messy play is not only important to support with the development of fine motor skills, but is also a fantastic sensory experience and great for imagination and role play. It also creates nostalgia for adults, so all ages, including mum and dad, can join in the muddy fun! When I was young we didn’t have the technology that children do now, so I was always making mud pies and getting dirty in the garden. That’s why we wanted to build our own mud kitchen and it is such a simple and fun thing that adults can enjoy with the children.”
The first Pensthorpe Bird and Wildlife Fair was held on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2019 at Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham, and attracted around 2,500 visitors.
Celebrating Norfolk as the birdwatching capital of the UK, visitors were treated to talks, guided walks, demonstrations, book signings and around 50 exhibitors being in attendance.
Highlights included guest appearances from nature and wildlife experts including Simon King OBE, known for his work on Big Cat Diary and Springwatch, and Mike Dilger, The One Show wildlife reporter and presenter on Nature’s Babies.
Simon King OBE said: “The natural world is a constant source of inspiration and Norfolk is prolific as being the most amazing county for birdwatching and nature as it is buzzing with wildlife. Pensthorpe really is the hub for that and May is a busy time for migrating species so the Fair was held at the perfect time of year. I’ve enjoyed a great weekend celebrating nature in the county.”