News from Local Businesses - All Things Norfolk
News from Local Businesses (119)
Tuesday, 15 May 2018 00:00
Fairhaven's New 'Essential Essentials' Provisions Shop
Written by Paul Dickson
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, at South Walsham, has opened a small provisions shop in its tearoom to provide 'essential essentials' for local residents and visitors on boating and self-catering holidays in the area. Louise Rout, Fairhaven Garden Manager explained: “We were very sad when our village shop closed last September. Some villagers asked us if we were going to run a shop, but we don't have enough room. However when visitors on boating holidays came up from South Walsham Broad at Easter and asked if we sold bread or milk, we decided that we would experiment with a small range of 'essential essentials' for visitors on holiday and also our local residents. If demand grows, we can always expand the range and bring in items like cut ham."
Wednesday, 25 April 2018 00:00
Maids Head Hotel Norwich Achieves AA Four Star Silver Award
Written by Paul Dickson
The Maids Head Hotel in Tombland, Norwich, has achieved a Four Star Silver Award, for the first time, in its 2018 AA overnight inspection. The hotel's Wine Press Restaurant has retained its Two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence. The Maids Head is the only hotel in the City of Norwich with a Four Star Silver Award. The Maids Head's Silver Award was secured thanks to an increase in the AA merit score to 83% and acknowledges the quality of the hotel's physical attributes. The Silver Award is given to highly recommended hotels and was introduced in 2015.
Six members of staff at the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich have had babies in recent months. The new arrivals, parents and siblings were invited to the hotel for a special afternoon tea celebration on April 12, hosted by General Manager, Christine Malcolm. Christine Malcolm explained: “In my 10 years at the Maids Head, we have never had such a large group of new arrivals. So we decided to bring them all together and mark the births with a celebration afternoon tea. To add to the togetherness, Rose our Events Co-ordinator gave birth to her daughter, Mia, on the same day that Malgorzata, wife of Head Chef 'Magic', gave birth to her son, Miesko.”
Wednesday, 14 March 2018 00:00
TV Naturalist to Headline ‘Wild About the Wensum’
Written by Rachael Shakespeare
TV presenter, author and naturalist, Nick Baker, is set to open The Pensthorpe Conservation Trust’s* annual community event Wild About the Wensum on Saturday 12th May 2018. Intrepid explorer and natural history expert Nick, who has famously presented Weird Creatures (C5), The Really Wild Show (BBC One) and Springwatch Unsprung (BBC Two), will officially open the event, meet members of the public and even host a bug hunt for kids! Wild About the Wensum, now in its twelfth year, is a special one-day event held by the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust with the sole focus on encouraging people of all ages, especially families who often don’t get the chance to be outdoors, to enjoy the beautiful Wensum Valley, within which Pensthorpe Natural Park is located.
Wednesday, 07 March 2018 00:00
Fairhaven Garden's Ancient King Oak's Crown Gets a Trim
Written by Paul Dickson
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden's ancient King Oak, believed to have been a sapling at the time of the Battle of Hastings and one of the oldest trees in Norfolk, has been given a 'trim' to ensure it's long-term health. Four years ago, the King Oak's crown was suffering from die-back and was reduced in size to help stabilise the tree. The path was also moved away from the garden's champion tree to give it more breathing space. Visitors' feet were compacting the roots and suffocating the tree. Matt Jordan, Fairhaven Garden's Head Forester explained: “We give the King Oak an annual health-check, along with regular visual inspections, looking for broken limbs and aggressive fungi. The tree has survived so long, because it was actively pollarded for many centuries and…
Wednesday, 07 March 2018 00:00
Four Famous Flamingos Retire From City Life to Relocate to Norfolk
Written by Rachel Shakesspeare
After living the high life at The Roof Gardens in Kensington, London, four flamingos have put their high society days behind them and have relocated to Norfolk. Flamingos Bill, Ben, Splosh and Pecks, have taken up permanent residence at Pensthorpe Natural Park, a 700-acre modern nature reserve in north Norfolk, which already has a dedicated Flamingo area and is home to thousands of bird and wildlife species. Upon arrival the birds entered a pen adjacent to Pensthorpe’s existing flock of 25 so that the two groups could get acquainted. After a few days living as neighbours the London birds were integrated with the resident flock under the careful watch of Chrissie Kelley, Head of Species Management at Pensthorpe.
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.
The gardening team at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham, has embarked on phase two of a 120-metre path renewal project in the West Garden, thanks to a successful Pound a Plank fundraising campaign. The aim is to complete the project by early February. Phase one of the scheme was completed in May, but the gardeners needed a further £7,000 to finish the work. The money has been raised through Gift Aid donations added to the garden entry charge, Pound a Plank donations, collection boxes, a second hand book stall, and a grant from Broadland District Council.
Monday, 20 November 2017 00:00
North Norfolk’s stunning Springwatch setting can be yours for the day
Written by All Things Norfolk Team
For three years it provided a stunning backdrop for millions of TV viewers who watched entranced as BBC TV’s Springwatch showpiece provided a ‘through-the-keyhole’ view of nature. Now Pensthorpe Natural Park’s spectacular setting, with its glorious window onto the Wensum Valley’s wildlife wonderland,is available for hire to individuals, families, training groups or business enterprises. A two-year restoration project has transformed the former Springwatch recording studio into an intimate new venue for weddings, events, conferences, and corporate functions.
Wednesday, 08 November 2017 00:00
New Massage Hut at The Grove offers the perfect retreat for all
Written by The All Things Norfolk Team
The Grove Cromer is teaming up with The Massage Hut to offer hotel guests and visitors holistic massage therapy seven days a week, in a tranquil wooden cabin surrounded by trees and birdsong. The Massage Hut is a team of four therapists – Christy, Pat, Jason and Ashlee - who all qualified with the Massage Training Institute, a qualification that is recognised by the UK regulatory body for complementary healthcare practitioners, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). This means that as well as being able to offer relaxing pamper sessions, therapists are trained to understand and work with clients who have short and long term health issues.
