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Teaboy Snippets… News

Wolterton Extravagant draws visitors from around the UK to Norfolk

Tickets selling fast for ‘extraordinary’ charity fundraiser on 16 September 2017

Champagne, live classical and rock music, a three course buffet, a ‘dress to impress’ masked dance (masks optional!) and a chance to see one of Norfolk’s great houses … The Wolterton Extravagant, at Wolterton Hall on September 16, promises to be one of the great social events of the year – and it’s already raising thousands for Hospice Ethiopia, a Norfolk-based charity doing great work for desperate people in Ethiopia.

Why ‘Extravagant’? “Because it’s going to be different, special and, we hope, extraordinary,” says Sue Mumford, chair of Hospice Ethiopia UK, the charity organising The Wolterton Extravagant. (more…)

The Wolterton Extravagant: Trump signs up

“Fabulous” Norfolk charity fundraiser looks to bow-wow its guests

On September 16 2017 one of Norfolk’s great country houses, Wolterton Hall, will open its doors for the Wolterton Extravagant – a charity fundraiser in aid of Hospice Ethiopia. Alongside a champagne reception, a three-course feast and lots of live entertainment, there’s the chance to win some exclusive prizes. And Wolterton’s very own Trump is looking to bow-wow guests in a special prize draw.

Trump is a rather beautiful pug. He had a traumatic start to life but was rescued, as was his sister Coco, by the Hall’s new owners, Peter Sheppard and Keith Day. Now, as befits the top dog at a magnificent country house, he lives a rather more urbane lifestyle, rubbing shoulders with the great and the good and not above taking a nap on an antique sofa, surrounded by portraits of the Walpoles, who built the Hall back in the 18^th century.

Fittingly, Trump cuts a magnificent figure. Guests at the Extravagant will be invited to guess just how magnificent – with the chance to win an exclusive weekend break on the Wolterton Estate for whomever gets closest to his real weight.

The prize weekend promises to be special. Peter and Keith are restoring the Hall and its grounds to their former glory. As part of the project, they are converting a selection of the outlying buildings into luxury holiday cottages – the winners will be amongst the first to visit and will be able to enjoy the rambles through one of Humphrey Repton’s finest landscape designs.

“Trump is an absolute cutie, a real gentleman – certain other Trumps would be much more popular if they took their cue from him,” says Sue Mumford, chair of Hospice Ethiopia UK. “The Extravagant is going to be fabulous – it’s all about having fun while we raise funds for this truly amazing cause. We’re hoping the ‘Guess the Trump’ game will tickle everyone’s funny bone – and encourage them to put their hand in their pocket, of course!”

The Wolterton Extravagant takes place on September 16 2017, 7.30pm till midnight, and tickets cost £50, which includes champagne and food. There will also be a cash bar, dancing and an auction of promises including holidays, artwork and jewellery. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.hospiceethiopia.org.uk or contact Clare Glenn, 01263 734853 or info@hospiceethiopia.org.uk

More information:

Tim Morgan, The Publicity Works – tim@publicityworks.biz / 01263 761000

Sue Mumford, Hospice Ethiopia UK – info@hospiceethiopia.org.uk / 01263 768699

The Wolterton Extravagant: spectacular Norfolk event to raise funds for Ethiopia charity

“Extraordinary venue” hosts event for Norfolk-based charity bringing hope to thousands

Take one of Norfolk’s great country houses, currently enjoying a multi-million pound renaissance. Add a Norfolk-based charity that’s bringing hope to thousands in Ethiopia. Add a group of dedicated volunteers determined to create an unforgettable event that will raise thousands for the cause. And you have The Wolterton Extravagant.

As patron of the event, Lady Dannatt MBE will be there. She says, “Ethiopia has a population of around 100 million, but only one hospice: Hospice Ethiopia. Its staff work tirelessly to deliver care to the dying. However, what’s really important is the training Hospice Ethiopia is conducting, so that other medics can help many thousands of desperate people, and their families.

“This is an extraordinary venue for what we hope will be an extraordinary event to support an extraordinary charity.”

The Wolterton Extravagant will include a champagne reception, three-course buffet meal, an auction and live music, both classical and rock. There will also be a bar and lots of other entertainments – including the opportunity to buy G&T using the official ‘best gin in the world’, courtesy of Bullards of Norwich.

Wolterton Hall was recently sold by the Walpole family to Peter Sheppard and Keith Day, who are currently restoring it to its former glories. When they heard about the idea for an event for Hospice Ethiopia, they were only too happy to offer the Hall. “It’s an amazing building with a wealth of history and beautiful rooms and grounds, including a fabulous marble ballroom,” says Sue. “The restoration is bringing it all back to life, making it the perfect venue for a spectacular event. We’re so grateful to Peter and Keith.”

The Wolterton Extravagant takes place on September 16 2017, 7.30pm till midnight, and tickets cost £50, which includes champagne and food. For more information and to buy tickets visit hospiceethiopia.org.uk or contact Clare Glenn, 01263 734853 or info@hospiceethiopia.org.uk

The Grauniad downsizes

Sad news that the Guardian is to downsize from its current Berliner format to standard tabloid. I know we’ll get used to it but I really like that larger size – seems just right. But costs are king… They blame falling circulation and the cheaper cost of printing tabloid, plus they say it’ll be more flexible, which I guess means they can produce more supplements about holidays in Cuba and dental hygiene recruitment.

From Algeria to Zimbabwe – an extraordinary route to the Norfolk Coastal Path

Norfolk woman changes career to promote walking and glamping

Ginny Wilson-North has followed an odd career path, even by Norfolk standards. She started out as a hairdresser, running a successful salon, and ended up as a disaster-area rescue worker for RAPID UK, deployed to earthquakes in Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia. She’s also part of the Red Cross’ psychosocial support team, helping British nationals who’ve been involved in crises overseas, this has taken her to Algeria, Calais and Zimbabwe. Now her career path’s taken yet another turn: she’s setting up a walking and glamping (glamourous camping) holidays company, specialising in the Norfolk Coastal Path. (more…)

Foodservice PR in splash for Hospice Ethiopia

“Hospice Ethiopia is an incredibly worthy cause,” he says. “It’s not sexy or trendy, but it’s helping people who are truly desperate. Ethiopia has a population of 100million. It has one hospice. Many thousands of Ethiopians have incurable diseases. They are dying in distress, often in pain, with nowhere to turn. Hospice Ethiopia is their only hope.”

Hospice Ethiopia provides free drugs, so that the dying have relief from pain. It provides medical attention to alleviate the worst symptoms. It gives support, so that patients can care for themselves and, in many cases, their children.

Tim says, “What’s really, really important is that Hospice Ethiopia is training doctors, nurses and other medics about palliative care – care for the dying – so that they can help the thousands more who need it, across Ethiopia.”

Hospice Ethiopia has no government funding. It needs £70,000 a year to survive. “It’s not much, in the great scheme of things, but they struggle to get it,” says Tim.

“All the money raised goes straight to Hospice Ethiopia. Every penny makes a real difference. Every donation makes a real difference. Please, splash your cash!”

You can donate at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/timandjohndotheswimathon

Theo Paphitis boosts new North Norfolk walking and glamping holiday company

MarGins wins Small Business Sunday award from entrepreneur

A North Norfolk‐based firm has received a business boost from retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, chair of Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue and a self-confessed ‘shopkeeper.’ Last week, Ginny Wilson-North, owner of MarGins, tweeted Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’ and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet by Theo to his 500,000 Twitter followers.

The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has 1700 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK. Theo re‐tweeted Ginny’s message to his more than 500,000 followers and as a result, MarGins had a surge in interest on their website, www.walkandglamp.co.uk. They are also profiled on the #SBS website (www.theopaphitissbs.com) exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners.

Ginny said, “We only set up the business in December 2016, so it’s great that we managed to attract Theo’s interest. It’s always tough to raise profile and this is a big boost for us.”

Walking is the perfect way to experience the Norfolk Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. “Our ‘walking and glamping’ holidays are designed to appeal to both dedicated trekkers and casual tourists looking for something a bit different – maybe that’s what appealed to Theo!” says Ginny. “Whatever their level, we try to make sure our guests have the time to relax and take in the breath-taking coastline and all it has to offer.”

Theo Paphitis, said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK. I wish MarGins every success.”

Anyone looking for a re‐tweet from Theo should tweet him about their business on Sunday between 5pm and 7.30pm and include the hashtag #SBS. Six lucky businesses are re‐tweeted every Monday at 8pm and then invited to enter their profile on the new website.

MarGins Walking and Glamping Holidays is based in Colby, North Norfolk. For more information visit www.walkandglamp.co.uk.

MarGins can be contacted direct by email, info@walkandglamp.co.uk, or phone +44 (0)7787 534809

When Cromer met Bollywood – and the sun shone

Our Gem of the North Norfolk Coast is always a little off beat but now it’s bang on trend. With more than 7 million views on YouTube the world is getting to see Cromer. It is the third installment from a series of comedy films starring Bollywood star, Akshi Kumar and was filmed on Cromer Pier in October 2015.

What’s more startling is that the sun shone for the filming allowing Cromer to really showing off. It’s good fun – the shots in Cromer begin about 1 min 15 secs in and dip in and out till the end. The video also has other Norfolk features including a windmill and some barns, but we’re not sure if the bouncing cars are common sights in Norfolk!

Take a look.

Callum’s band’s latest gets a bit of love…

Callum’s band, Morganway, gets a great review for their new single from CelebMix.com.
Check out the review, and the music, here.

Walk, glamp, relax on the Norfolk coast:

New glamping and walking holidays launched by MarGins

Walking is the perfect way to experience the Norfolk Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Now a new holiday firm, MarGins, has launched a selection of ‘walking and glamping’ holidays that will appeal to both dedicated trekkers and casual tourists looking for something a bit different.

There are three holiday options: a three day, 38 mile walk from Cromer to Hopton-on-Sea; a four day, 46-miler from Hunstanton to Cromer; and the full 84 miles of the Norfolk Coast Path from Hunstanton to the Suffolk border, taking six days. (more…)