Archive for May 2010
Carved Dragon at Dragon Hall, Norwich.
A Norfolk clergyman who actually lived in Dragon Hall is to be a special guest at the ancient hall’s Summer Garden Party next month.
Canon Michael McLean was a young vicar in the 1960’s when he was dispatched to a rectory in King St to cover for a colleague. It was only when he arrived that he discovered that his new accommodation was the centre section of a building that dates back to 1432! At the time Dragon Hall was split into tenement dwellings, shops and pubs with an extra floor level. What we can now see as The Great Hall in all its glory was split into 2 levels with extra rooms amongst the rafters, hiding the magnificent crown post roof from view. Michael’s room included the sole surviving dragon spandrel that was to give the building its name when it was rediscovered in later years, the carved dragon was often the last thing he saw before falling asleep.
Now retired, Canon McLean will recall his days (and nights) at Dragon Hall and how the surrounding area has changed at the Garden Party on Sunday 13 June.
There will also be enchanting medieval music from Norfolk based early music specialists Pearl in the Egg. The duo play authentic medieval music using instruments and costumes that are meticulously researched to be as historically accurate as possible to create a magical recreation of sounds from the middle ages. They have performed at special events and concerts all over the country in venues including The Tower of London!
Visitors are invited to join Canon McLean and Pearl In The Egg to enjoy afternoon tea in the beautiful courtyard garden of the former trading hall which dates back to 1432.
Pearl In Egg.
Summer Garden Party with Pearl In The Egg and special guest speaker Canon Michael McLean.
Sunday 13 June 3pm.
DRAGON HALL King St Norwich NR1 1QE, 01603 663 922.
www.dragonhall.org.uk
Dragon Hall is open to visitors Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12am to 4pm.
As the deadline for submission of the final bid to become the first UK City of Culture in 2013 passed, it was a fitting coincidence that in Norwich, one of the four finalist Cities, a 16-day long celebration of every aspect of the arts was coming to an end.
The Norfolk & Norwich Festival, which offers a plethora of events at various locations across Norwich and beyond, is an impressive testament to its organisers in that it seems to gain in popularity and scale with each passing year. Events attract a full range of ages from all walks of life, exposing the Cities’ residents and visitors to the different, diverse and dynamic in a familiar, yet for the duration, slightly fabulised setting. Equally, the fact that Norwich so enthusiastically embraces the festival is testament to us as a City, and our desire and capacity to embrace culture.
Beatles To Bowie exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery.
We have discussed the Norfolk & Norwich Festival regularly over the past month, in person, on Twitter, on Facebook, on our websites… As part of the Festival we as a family watched an amazing fireworks display, attended a Baby Rave, saw a giant inflatable Red Ball in a handful of locations around Norwich, visited 2 exhibitions and joined in a large Garden Party. It has been a fun couple of weeks and to be honest, we’re a bit sad that its all over.
The Ska Baby Rave.
Having a City-wide event that excites and unifies its residents is healthy and stimulating for a community, especially in such times of dramatic economic and political change.
RedBall at Norwich Fire Station.
Perhaps of course, it is not a coincidence at all that a festival highlighting Norwich’s wonderful ability to embrace culture is closing down for another year just as we submit our final bid to become recognised as a place of cultural significance. Lets consider some facts…
We have several excellent, critically-acclaimed theatres, arts centres, cinemas, colleges, libraries, galleries and museums, spanning in age and form from the Norman-built Castle Museum (originally constructed after William the Conqueror realised Norwich’s importance as a City) to the revolutionary Sainsbury Centre built by Norman Foster.
An ancient settlement, with a rich and varied history peppered with contributions from a multitude of different cultures, you have only to read the Wikipedia entry about Norwich to confirm that we are a forward-looking City with a ‘pioneering spirit’. Heck, we apparently hosted the first arts festival in Britain in 1772!
It follows then, despite the comedic stereotype of a Norfolk-yokel who shuns ‘outsiders’ and mocks the ‘arty’ or new, that we are actually a City that thrives on, and embraces, high culture when the opportunity presents itself. We build on an enviable historical foundation and blend it seamlessly with that which is considered to be the cutting edge for each subsequent historical age (example: the iconic inter-war City Hall that Hilter wanted to get his hands on and the stunning Forum in the same vista). Considered throughout history to have been second only to London in terms of importance, Norwich is not simply deserving of the title first UK City of Culture. Norwich defines it.
Though we’re not overly optimistic (sorry), football may ‘come home’ this summer. Perhaps in 2013, culture will come home as well.
St Peter Mancroft from the Forum.
Jarrold celebrates 240 years of independence and excellence.
At a time where empty shop units are an all too common sight on the high street, and where many a local business has succumbed to chain store takeovers, survival as a family-run and wholly independent store is no mean achievement.
Jarrolds has weathered the odd economic storm in its 240 year history, but today still sits proudly at the heart of the Norwich Lanes enjoying continued success as the city’s flagship independent department store.
Having notched up almost two and half centuries of trading, the business felt it apt to mark its successful past – and to look ahead to a bright future – with 10 days of celebrations.
The store today
Today Jarrolds offers a unique and contemporary shopping experience within 100,000 sq. foot over 5 floors, and with more than 50 departments. On offer is everything from beauty to books, fashion to furniture, computers to cookware and much more, indeed everything you would expect to find at a leading department store. The store also has 3 restaurants, including the award-winning Pantry, and its very own deli which champions local suppliers and producers.
Deli at Jarrold the Store, Norwich.
One of the main aims of the business is to offer the customer a range of individual and exclusive products, many of which cannot be found elsewhere locally. The team of buyers are always striving to source different and distinctive items and it’s this attention to detail, coupled with a traditional approach to good service, which gives the store such a special atmosphere.
Jarrolds is also known for its busy events programme that includes literary lunches, individual author events, beauty workshops, fashion shows, children’s activities, cookery demonstrations and deli tastings. Recent visitors include Gervase Phinn, Rose Tremain and Jodi Picoult.
Awards and accolades
Jarrolds’ success story has been recognised many times with a number of awards and accolades. In recent years, the store has been twice winner of the coveted Drapers Independent Store of the Year Award and last year won Walkers Children’s Independent Bookseller for 2009. The store has recently been nominated for Independent Bookseller 2010.
Exterior of Jarrolds, showing Ladies footwear department.
How Jarrolds is celebrating
The festivities kick off on Friday 21st May 2010 at 12 noon with live jazz from Vagaband to get everyone in the party mood. Throughout the store there will be many special event items to discover, including some great promotional offers and lots of gifts with purchases. Customers can get involved by taking part in the many competitions, food tastings and demonstrations
There will be lots happening in store everyday until 30th May – highlights include:
- A busy programme of looking-good events in the Perfumery and Beauty Hall.
- Fun events for Jarrolds younger customers in the Toy department including demonstrations and ‘design a toy’ competition.
- Special book events including Alistair Sawday signing copies of his latest book, Eat Slow Britain on Saturday 29th May and children’s favourite ‘The Gruffalo’ meeting his fans on 22nd May.
- Tempting food tastings in the Deli and Cookery demonstrations from the team at Lavender House, Brundall and The Assembly House, Norwich.
- Trevor Pitcher – photographer and the man behind some of our favourite local greeting cards, will be in store on 21st and 22nd May to answer questions and offer advice on taking local landscapes.
- Artist Alex Egan in store on 29th May – Alex’s beautiful countryside illustrations feature in The Wildcard Company’s contemporary range of greeting cards.
- Try your hand at bunting making! Jarrolds Haberdashery department has been working overtime to adorn the store for the party season. Go along and have a go at this fun activity.
- Historic guided walks with Norwich Heritage and Regeneration Trust (HEART) are taking place through the Norwich Lanes area on the 26th and 28th May.
- Selected gifts with purchase from some favourite brands on the fashion floor, plus fun competitions and live music on selected days.
Our local branches at Cromer and The Forum will also be joining in the fun with their own in-store events.
There will be a very special party atmosphere in store throughout the 10 days, and everyone at Jarrolds is really looking forward to sharing this special occasion with their customers and the people of Norwich.
Impressive outside frontage of Jarrold The Store, Norwich.
- 11/02/2012 - Love Looks: An Exhibition of Nudes plus sensual poetry and images February 11, 2012
- 11/02/2012 - Signs of Spring Week at Fairhaven Garden February 11, 2012
- 10/02/2012 - Coaching for a Great Life! Weekend Break in Norfolk February 10, 2012
- 09/02/2012 - A Beginner's Guide to Stargazing February 9, 2012
- 09/02/2012 - SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE ON TOUR February 9, 2012