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Events,Events, RRecipes,ecipes, AArtrt 2 A SPECIAL PLACE NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014

Working together for a precious place

his newspaper comes to you from the Norfolk Coast NORFOLK COAST PARTNERS Partnership – a team of or- ganisations working togeth- Natural Ter to look after this area of outstand- TEAM TAKE ACTION Norfolk County Council Look out for news of what we’ve ing natural beauty - one of a family District Council of protected areas which extend across been doing to keep the Norfolk Borough Council of King’s Lynn the world. Coast beautiful this year. and West Norfolk The coast has a wide range of land- scapes, from surprisingly hilly chalk natural processes at work to maintain Borough Council ridges and heathlands to expansive the unique seascape and landscape that Broads Authority saltmarsh. The sea is ever-present and we have. Environment Agency in a constant, dynamic relationship This year’s edition of the Norfolk English Heritage with the land. In early December last Coast Guardian focuses inland, on the year a huge storm surge caused much Norfolk Coast’s freshwater secret – a change on the coast and damage, with set of chalk rivers so precious they National Trust flooding due to a combination of tide are some of the world’s rarest habi- RSPB The Norfolk Coast Partnership, South Wing at Fire Station, and weather. tat. As well as articles from a range of Road, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 8BB Country Land and Business Association Thanks to accurate prediction, partners on the work happening to T: 01328 850530 E: offi[email protected] clear warnings and swift eective ac- protect them, throughout the paper National Farmers Union w: norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk Twitter: @NorfolkAONB tion, no human life was lost. Due to you’ll hear from the Partnership’s sta Community Representatives the scale and force of the flood, you team about ongoing work and special AONB Common Rights Holders The Norfolk Coast Guardian is published by Countrywide Publications may find certain coastal paths out of projects. on behalf of the Norfolk Coast Partnership. Editor: Lucy Galvin. action, but much is repaired, and the Led by Tim Venes, the team work Wells Harbour Commissioners Designed and produced by: Countrywide Publications early signs are that nature is repairing out of Fakenham to liaise with part- The Wash and North Norfolk Coast T: 01502 725870. Printed by Iliffe Print on sustainable newsprint. European Marine Site itself well along this dynamic coast. ners around the coast. Estelle Hook is Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. However, The challenge in the future will be policy and partnership officer, Steve and the publishers can accept no responsibility for any effects arising there from. Views expressed are to work with communities to build Tutt provides business support, Kate National Trail those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Norfolk Coast Partnership member organisations. All material copyright Norfolk Coast Partnership 2014. NCP 03/14 – 60K in sustainable resilience. Due to the Dougan and Mark Hubbold are part- Norfolk Rivers Trust scale of the issue, hard ‘defences’ are time community and external fund- Articles available in large print: please contact not always a practical solution – our ing officers, and Lucy Galvin handles Norfolk Association of Local Councils best hope is to work carefully with the communications (also part-time). 01328 850530 or via website www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014 A SPECIAL PLACE 3

£1.3M has been awarded through the The project will reinstate the Nine rivers: government’s Catchment Restoration natural bends to allow the Fund to improve nine of Norfolk’s The focus is on the Gaywood, 6 rivers to clean themselves, nine facts chalk rivers – the Glaven, Babingley, Glaven, Babingley and remove non native species Chalk rivers are incredibly Stiffkey, Gaywood, Hun, Mun, Ingol, until April 2015 after which it to enable native species to important for wildlife as, having Heacham and Burn. is planned that further funding flourish, enable flood plains All are welcome to get been filtered through chalk, the will be sought for work on the to develop to store water involved through the 1 water quality is potentially so other five smaller rivers. and work to decrease silt project’s walks, talks, 8 workshops and family good. They are also very rare. 3 and pollution in the rivers. 5 events.

Some are in poor condition This funding was won 7 Communities are working together Contact Norfolk Rivers due to pollution and silt run by the Norfolk Rivers to learn about their rivers, share 9 Trust to find out more: 2 off from roads and farms, over 4 Trust with the support their concerns and in time form [email protected], straightening, abstraction of of the Norfolk Coast self sustaining groups that can telephone 01263 862657, water and invasive species. Partnership. ‘manage’ the rivers when the grant Twitter @9ChalkRivers or cash runs out. check www.norfolkriverstrust

Nine rivers run through it Toad at on the . Jack Perks

Norfolk is a county defined and bordered by big rivers. Yet along the coast flow nine small, perfect treasures. Laurence Rose leads the way Taking action for clean, clear rivers into our rivers edition – and David Diggens offers a special welcome. Rivers are a lifetime obsession for me – their mysterious environment, and fantastic relationship with the world around them. It started with a school project looking at salmon, and it goes on today - we still don’t know how eels rossing into the county over chalk provides nutrients and clar- of non native species, over straighten- get to the Sargasso. the Nene or the Waveney, ity for a world inhabited by precious ing and reduction in fish stocks. I love our Norfolk chalk rivers’rivers complexitycomple and flexibility as ecosystems. My past the massive network wildlife like water voles and, increas- The Norfolk Rivers Trust and dream for the Norfolk Rivers Trust is to ssee the chalk streams of Norfolk running of the Broads, the Norfolk ingly, otters. Teal and shovelers dabble other conservation groups aim to clear in all weathweathers,e and rich in iconic species like brown Ccoast at first sight seems riverless, in the wet plashes at the edge of the improve natural functioning of the trout, eeeelsls anandd lamprey. shaped by the sea alone. river; small patches of reed attract reed rivers which can help reduce local- It’sIt’s a greatgre time to be in river restoration. We Travelling clockwise round the and sedge warblers in summer and ised flooding and restore aquifers, have a marvellousm team working for the long coast you may not notice, in sequence, water rails, even the occasional bittern enhance water quality and improve term.ter It is our opinion that we would like the Gaywood, the Babingley, the In- on a winter feeding foray. habitats. These rivers are characteris- toto see cleaner rivers, with strong natural gol, the Heacham, the Hun, the Burn, Many of these rivers flow through tic features of a man-made landscape, ppopulationsop of fish, mammals, insects and the Stiffkey, the Glaven and the Mun. small floodplains and wet woodland of mills and hedges, crops and cattle. birds withwith water of the highest quality. This is Yet these chalk rivers - none much of alder and willow – itself a scarce Restoring their former glory is not not a utopianuto dream, but a pragmatic approach to a balancedbalan natural environment. longer than ten miles from source to habitat. The sound of goldfinches about re-wildling, but re-balancing. WorkingWorkin closely with local communities, the sea – are incredibly rare. There are feeding in the alder tops is often ac- In the meantime, they remain havens NorfolkNorfolk CoastCo Partnership and other partners, we only about 200 such in the world, companied by the calls of siskins and of relative tranquillity where there is aarere takingtaking aaction to restore these gems. I hope you 160 of them in Britain, and Norfolk lesser redpolls. always the chance of sighting some- enjoy readingreading aboutab them, and get involved if you can. is particularly lucky to have such a The chalk rivers of the Norfolk thing special. concentration. Coast have suffered damage to habi- DavidDavid DiggensDiggens has been Director of Norfolk Rivers To explore on foot is to discover tats and wildlife, poor water quality Laurence Rose is Senior Sites TrustTrust since itit was founded in June 2011 a subtle and gentle landscape. The and quantity, build up of silt, invasion Manager for North Norfolk, RSPB 4 RIVER NATURE NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014 Clean, clear and To keep the coast The special waters beautiful, we won of chalk rivers £1.5m last year Discover the support an incredible rivers at one of Tim Venes, Norfolk Coast the great events Partnership Manager: “The Norfolk range of life, writes Coast Partnership staff team work planned for this hard to bring in extra money to Jonah Tosney year – look after the coast – and are very successful. he rivers of central Norfolk see page 21 Last year we worked with our are made unique by their partners to bring in over £1.5million bedrock: chalk. Permeable, external funding for conservation it acts as a sponge, absorbing Trainfall, filtering water and releasing it and enhancement of the coast – over five times more than our though springs and fissures. running costs – which also helps the This means a constant supply of local economy. clean, mineral rich water, and less of A substantial amount is going the floods and droughts associated towards the restoration of the with other bedrocks and steeper river coast’s wonderful chalk rivers, valleys. The chalk which feeds Nor- as featured in these pages. But folk’s rivers stretches across eastern funding will also improve views England and Normandy, but is not by undergrounding power cables, found anywhere else. help local businesses promote The constant flow of clear, mineral sustainable tourism, research the rich water provides an ideal environ- effects of climate change on the ment for the growth of aquatic plants, coast and develop off road cycling such as water crowfoot, starwort, fool’s A chalk bed means clean, mineral-rich water at Warham on the River Stiffkey. Photo Jack Perks and horse riding routes. watercress and water parsnip. Steady Another key action is to produce flows also provide continually wet riv- Britain but now seriously endangered tive waters. Perhaps the most beauti- mer, including the many species of fly a shared management plan for and with the 19 organisations along the er margins which harbour water mint, by the arrival of the American signal ful of these are the banded demoiselle and midge. coast so they can take a strategic, hemp agrimony and marsh marigold. crayfish. damselflies (pictured right) which can The abundance and diversity of in- shared approach to managing it.” Amongst these plants, a huge vari- Chalk streams are also noted for be seen dancing over the water in sect life helps sustain the communities If you’re interested, take a look ety of molluscs and crustaceans thrive, their rich insect life, and many spe- mid summer. These jewelled preda- of fish that inhabit the river. Most of at our website norfolkcoastaonb.org. building shells and skeletons from the cies of mayfly, caddis-fly, dragonfly tors feed on many of the less glam- these species, the trout, eels, lamprey dissolved calcium. Largest of these is and damselfly spend their early life orous inhabitants of the river which and sticklebacks probably colonised the white clawed crayfish, native to stages feeding in the richly produc- also emerge from the water in sum- the rivers from the sea following the

River Glaven near Glandford Ford. Photo: G. Braybrook/Norfolk Coast The Glaven: source of inspiration Community Photographer Carl Sayer on how a zone. Many important creatures tic off Bermuda. The resulting larvae in water mills. special group look after use the Glaven’s network of watery drift on the Gulf Stream for at least Eel numbers in the Glaven have places. Otter and water vole are com- three years before they run into Brit- been dropping, in line with a UK- one gem of a river, flowing mon and fishes such as brown trout, ish estuaries as elvers or “glass eels”. wide decline in eel populations over from to bullhead and stone loach are found These tiny see-through eels then the last 25 years. To help the amaz- Blakeney and home to the throughout. Importantly the river is head up-river to live in all kinds of ing eel the RGCG is looking at the mysterious eel home to the nationally scarce brook places - streams, ditches, lakes and Glaven from the eel’s view, removing lamprey and the declining European even the most isolated of field ponds barriers to its migration and improv- eel, while in certain places the rare that have no surface connection to ing habitat. In the past local people The Glaven is a beautiful little river while-clawed crayfish also thrives. the river system. How eels find their used to talk of a river black with el- and its valley, which takes the form The story of the eel is nothing way into remote ponds is poorly vers in spring and eels were widely of a big curve, is never very far away short of inspirational. It spawns in the known, although it is said they can caught for food by eel catchers and from the Norfolk coast. It begins as Sargasso Sea way out in the Atlan- travel through the damp grass at night. for fun by local children. These things small springs and ditches in the villag- So next time you slip over on a short- are no more and the RGCG aim to es of and Baconsthorpe to Incredible journey: Eels travel cut back from the pub get your torch help the eel as much as possible so the east and Gunthorpe to the west, from Bermuda to Blakeney. out and have a look! that it might become a prominent and embraces the sea in Blakeney Pit Photo Jack Perks Eels can live for up to 30 years part of local culture once again. where its waters mix with its sister (and maybe much longer) and can The life story of the eel shows the river the Stiffkey. grow to quite a size (3 feet and over) importance of valuing all aquatic hab- For over a decade the River where food resources are abundant. itats and of undertaking of conserva- Glaven Conservation Group At some point, however, they tion work at the water-catchment (RGCG) have worked along- feel the urge to spawn and scale. For more information on the side partners to conserve get back to the ocean. Eels and the RGCG please all aquatic habitats in the heading to the sea take on a see www.riverglaven.co.uk Glaven valley including beautiful silvery sheen. In the river, its tributaries the past local people used Dr. Carl Sayer is a Senior Lecturer and floodplains, associ- to catch them en-masse in in Freshwater Ecology at ated lakes and ponds and cleverly constructed eel University College and the immediate coastal traps (or “racks”) installed a co-founder of the RGCG

NORFOLKK COCOASTAST GUGUARDIANARDIAN 20201414 RIVERRI NATURE 5

Flowing freely once constant more ice age, and haveave since been jjoinedoined bbyy achieved in places without a loss of ag- For the first time in a century, fish other fish, includingcluding the bullhead and ricultural productivity. In other places and eels can migrate along the stone-loach. EEachach of these sspeciespecies has on the Nar and Babingley, Wensum Glaven. slightly differentent habitat rerequirementsquirements and Glaven, Stiffkey and Burn, hidden Like many lowland rivers, it has in terms of fastast and slow water, clean stretches of unspoilt magical and a legacy of being ‘re-engineered’ gravels or silt beds, each of which are unique habitats remain. by humans with its bed lowered and channel straightened for met in a naturallyrally diverse .stream. drainage, and its course diverted The rivers are also home to a vari- Dr Jonah TosneyTosney is and impounded for milling. ety of birds andnd mammals.mammals. TheThe water- NineNine ChalkChalk Rivers With a range of partners, the vole, which hasas approachedapproached extinction ProjectProject OfOfficer,ficer, Out & Wild Trout Trust has been involved in much of thethe rest of England,England, still NNorfolkorfolk Rivers TruTrustst about over the past decade in freeing the thrives in NNorfolk,orfolk, pprobablyrobably ppartlyartly wwww.norfolkww.norfolk river to follow natural processes due to the manyany miles of suitable habhab-- rriverstrust.orgiverstrust.org top tips again – to the benefit of flood itat, but also due to the lesser numnum-- protection and wildlife. bers of Americanrican minmink.k. TThehe minminkk Removing artificial banks may be kept aatt bbayay in NorNorfolkfolk by tthehe Before you go has allowed natural flooding, otters, who are now once aagaingain which in turn protects properties • Dress for the weather downstream in times of high present across tthehe countcounty.y. TThehe aaquaticquatic and be prepared with rainfall. Gravel and “woody debris” plant-life andd marsmarshyhy river eedgesdges sensible shoes and have been added so fish can also provide exceexcellentllent ffeedingeeding areas waterproof clothing in spawn, and to improve habitats for moorhen,, teateall anandd thethe secretive case the weather turns. woodcock andd snipe, aallll rereliantliant on tthehe for species such as native white- • If you are on your own clawed crayfish, brook lampreys, continuous flowow ooff ccleanlean wwaterater in aandnd let someone know where around the river.ver. bullheads, eels, brown trout, water you are and roughly what voles and otters. Over the ccenturiesenturies the rivers have time you will be back. made way forr agricuagriculturelture anandd hhaveave A major project saw a • Look at the route on a been straightenedtened anandd ddredged,redged, 400-metre reach which had been map prior to your visit to straightened and moved to the drained and eembanked.mbanked. FFallenallen check that there is public edge of the floodplain restored trees, an importantportant source ooff access. to its natural form, by entirely shelter and fofoodod hhaveave bbeeneen • If you are going to redigging it with pools, riffles, and removed, and in other placplac-- visit privately owned land meanders and blocking off the es trees have beenbeen pplantedlanted ask permission from the former channel. to drain springsrings anandd landowner first. Mills present major barriers to wetlands. RReversingeversing Chalk streams are noted for their • Use sustainable fish which migrate to complete these processessses is rich insect life: a Banded Demoiselle. transport. their life cycle, such as sea trout difficult, but pos- Photo: Jack Perks and eels. In 2013 a project at sible, and cann bbee Glandford Mill improved river habitat and installed a fish pass, designed to assist sea trout, trout and other species in swimming How rivers keep us dry over a fall in height of about a metre. Rivers go on a journey from source to the rest comes from the surrounding land The chute has baffles on the sea. But on their way, they are in a deep and via tributaries to the river. base, which slow down the water relationship with the land that they flow The land area which ‘supplies’ each flow so fish can swim up the slope. through – protecting us from flooding as river is called a catchment. These link and A mat of bristles, positioned on the well as providing rich areas of nature. join with each other, and vary greatly in vertical wall at the side of the pass, 2 A huge amount of water finds its size – from the ’s 3,200 km to enables eels to move upstream. 2 way into each river according to natural the River Stiffkey at 134km . Water flowed down the pass geography and our human use of Understanding how these catchments for the first time in early March, surrounding land. For example, the river work is critical to managing flood risk, as opening up a route for fish Stiffkey rises near , where the well as natural ecology and diversity. migration for the first time for at flow is only a few litres per second, yet near Farming, forestry and other factors least a century. its outfall at the Stiffkey Marshes it has influence the rate at which water runs been recorded at 870 litres per second. So off land, which in turn influences how • The work on the Glaven a tiny amount of the Stiffkey’s maximum quickly the watercourse reacts to rainfall. has involved the River Glaven flow comes from its source. Like other rivers This affects how much sediment from the Conservation Group, Norfolk Rivers surrounding land enters watercourses, in Trust, Wild Trout Trust, Norfolk turn changing the ecology and diversity Coast Partnership, Environment NAME THAT RIVER of the watercourse. This sediment may Agency, Estate, Norfolk also have been exposed to chemical Wildlife Trust and Professor Richard Rivers often share – or have several pesticides and/or pollution from roads and Hey, Streamwise Ltd. Studies – names. There are six or seven urban settlements, which all end up in the of the restoration have been ‘Blackwaters’ in Norfolk alone, and catchment’s watercourse over time. undertaken by Dr. Carl Sayer and locally, what people know as In recent years Norfolk County Council, team (University College London), Beck is also called the . working with the Environment Agency, Dr. Kate Heppel and team, Queen Flood managers at Norfolk County has taken a catchment-based approach Mary University of London and Council are trying to get a list of all to managing water to bring together Professor Gordon Copp and team, names of all rivers, streams and brooks. all the sectors (agriculture, drainage, Centre for Environment Fisheries Please send the names of watercourses flood risk, water treatment etc) and local and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). you know, no matter how small, communities that influence the catchment www.wildtrout.org together with their location and to identify local issues and priorities. your contact details to: Tim Jacklin is Conservation [email protected] Graham Brown, Flood and Water Officer (Wild Trout Trust) Manager at Norfolk County Council 6 RIVERRIVER NATURENATUR NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014

Love the coast? Streams Turn your appreciation into action! Kate Dougan, Norfolk Coast Partnership community and of life external funding officer: “Wild, seemingly empty expanses are one of the Norfolk coast’s most precious David North on four of his favourite features. We are all important riverbank creatures, and how to spot them in helping to keep these spaces special. As a start, do join our Norfolk ivers are always going some- and ears open, you are guaranteed Coast Friends – a network of where, never still, always some fascinating wildlife encounters. people who share a passion for the R changing: they ripple, gurgle, Maybe a mallard with ducklings, area. It’s a light-touch team with a ooze and bubble their way towards a coot or moorhen quietly brooding focus on keeping people informed – the sea. Changeability and move- their eggs, their nest tucked under and listening. ment is their nature and their hyp- overhanging branches, or a gem-like Membership is free and you can notic fascination. If, like me, you dragon or damselfly dipping into the do as much or as little as you wish. enjoy leaning on bridges or wan- water, perhaps flying as a tandem pair The partnership’s five elected dering along bank-side paths then as they lay eggs onto shallowly sub- community representatives you will come to know their wild- merged water plants. take a more formal role, sitting life. on partnership forum and A river is a fish’s world, a king- David North is Head of People and management meetings. They fisher’s hunting ground, an otter’s Wildlife at Norfolk Wildlife Trust bring invaluable local knowledge roadway, a swallow’s momentary to the table, as well as providing a drink and a mayfly’s summer danc- listening ear if you’d like to contact them.” ing ground. North Norfolk’s chalk Contact me at kate.dougan@ rivers provide a rich, diverse and norfolk.gov.uk or call 01328 850 very special habitat to thousands of 530 if you’d like to become a species, some rare and threatened, If you move quietly, others widespread and abundant. Friend. Find out more about the with eyes and ears community representatives at All fascinating, and all dependent “ http://bit.ly/1lVsK9E on the quality of the river’s water open, you are and on its continued flow. guaranteed some Mark Hubbold, Norfolk Coast So where to start? And what to Partnership community and look for? fascinating wildlife external funding officer: “The These are four of my favourites. encounters. Norfolk Coast Partnership’s All are present along Norfolk’s chalk Sustainable Development Fund rivers but none are easy to find. As (SDF) has around £15,000 to help with much wildlife it’s as much a projects which will bring sustainable case of them finding you. All you environmental, social and economic can do is give the river time ” prosperity to the area. - and of course hours spent This year, among other things, alongside Norfolk’s chalk we are helping communities to rivers are never wasted. restore two heritage attractions. If you move qui- The first is the Langham Dome, a etly, with eyes distinctive local landmark used to train anti-aircraft gunners due to open as a museum in the summer. Also supported is the Rescue Wooden Boats at Stiffkey, a local charity which restores vessels and has a museum already open at High Sand Creek, Stiffkey.” We are taking applications for the Sustainable Development Fund for 2014-15. Contact us on 01328 850530 or aonb@norfolk. gov.uk to discuss further. Friendsoflanghamdome.org Rescuewoodenboats.com

Fund to help local projects NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014 RIVER NATURE 7

Kingfisher Have fun pond dipping Britain’s most colourful bird, most encounters with this species are a flash of blue, perhaps All you need is a net and a small tray of pondwater so you One thing you probably won’t catch in a small pond is accompanied by a piercing can examine your captives without hurting them. Sweep your a fish; mobile and hungry, they need quite a lot of water. whistle. Dawn, or at least the net gently and empty it carefully into the tray. There will be However, even the smallest pond can help some of our larger first few hours of morning light, creatures of all shapes and sizes for you to watch and identify. aquatic animals: frogs, toads and newts are all becoming seem to provide the best chance The secret of success is not to stir up the mudmud.. The quietquiet,, scarce and are glad of anywhanywhere at all to lay their eggs, of encountering a kingfisher. stealthy hunter catches the most! especially with floatingfloating plantplantss to shelter their tadpoles. Newts ‘Fly-bys’ are memorable, but to The very small, speedy animals are waterater fleas, althoualthoughgh areare amoamongn our most beautiful wild sit and watch one dive, catch tiny, they are not the bottom of the foodd chain; thetheyy eat even creatucreatures; their tadpoles have distinctive a minnow or stickleback, then smaller animals and plants, keeping the waterwater clear. Bigger and featheryfeath gills. return to its perching post with many legs like a shrimp, the water hhog-louseog-louse is another TTakea care of your minibeasts and to knock its prey hard a few pond cleaner, eating dead plants; femaleses carry their putput them back as quickly as you can. times to stun or kill it before babies in a pouch! One of the weirdest mminibeastsinibeasts is MaMake sure there’s enough cool carefully turning it head first and the leech – watch it change its shape fromm a blob waterwa in your tray and a few leaves swallowing it makes a perfect to a thread. Only the very rare medicinal lleecheech can fofor shade; never leave them in wildlife day. bite humans, pond leeches are harmless. hhot sun. Remember pondwater Pond snails, like small whelks, and curlyly ramshorn iiss also home for the tiniest and Otter snails are easy to catch when they surfacece to breathe. mostmos deadly animals: germs, millions Whirligig beetles whizz round the surfacee too, but they in every drop.drop. Don’tDo swallow the water, or pond Otters are often elusive, shy and dive rapidly – be quick to net one. Mosquitoesuitoes dip with open woundsw or if you’re poorly; wash nocturnal but not always! Young and horseflies are unpopular once they leaveeave yyourour hands afterwards.afte Even small ponds are otter cubs can be playful, reckless the pond as adults, but their sinister wrigglyggly ddangerousangerous for toddlers, so never leave young and apparently oblivious of a larvae are vital food for aquatic predators.rs. cchildrenhildren unsupervised.unsu Look after yourselves quiet observer. You need luck, You might catch larvae of stoneflies, andand the minminibeasts, and have fun pond and lots of it, but the chances of mayflies or caddis flies too, but only dipping!dipping! seeing an otter in Norfolk have advanced netters will corner the bigger never been better. Most views dragonfly or the fierce great diving beetlee Andrew CannonCanno is owner of Natural are of a broad, grey-brown head nymphs. Don’t leave those in your tray wwithith Surroundings,Surroundings, thet Wildflower Centre at Bayfield slipping through the water before smaller animals or they will eat them! www.naturalsurroundings.infowww.naturalsur diving with the long, broad-based tail leaving a ‘v’-shaped ripple in the water. European eel Eels were once an important Help us Out & local food source and present about in such good numbers in some of Norfolk’s rivers and coastal keep track top tips marshes that people made a living catching them in nets (eel sets), or spearing them in Underfoot the reedbeds and marshes with of invaders • Don’t walk too close to barbed glaves. Norfolk eels were Mike Sutton-Croft on the the river banks. Some are once exported to London in very steep and may be huge numbers but today the threat of non native species difficult to get out of. species is considered globally to the rivers endangered. • After heavy rainfall Giant hogweed See page 4 for more on eels. Invasive non-native species pose a major the floodplain can turn threat to the rivers of Norfolk. In fact marshy – and be deeper than it looks. If the Water vole they are considered one of the greatest considered a desirable ornamental plant. sap sensitizes the skin which can lead to ground feels spongy ‘Ratty’, the famous character threats to biodiversity worldwide, sec- It forms dense stands of vegetation 2-3m blistering when exposed to sunlight. keep to the edge away from ‘The Wind in the Willows,’ ond only to habitat destruction. in height that shade out species of native To manage these species effectively from the river. was of course a vole not a rat. Some of the worst culprits in Nor- plant. A prolific nectar producer, bees we need up-to-date and accurate in- Looking rather like an aquatic • Fords are great places folk include: will preferentially visit these plants. This formation on their distribution. That’s guinea-pig, rounded, brown to paddle but be aware Signal crayfish - The American sig- reduces seed production in native plant where you come in! If you see any of and bright-eyed, sadly they are that cars still use these nal crayfish was first introduced to Great species and biodiversity as a whole. In the above species when you’re out en- still sometimes killed by people and make sure young Britain in the 1970s to farm for food, winter, it dies back, leaving river banks joying Norfolk’s countryside then you mistaking them for a rat. The children are supervised. but quickly escaped in to the wild and bare and susceptible to erosion. should inform the Norfolk Non-native first sign that a water vole is adapted well to our environment. Not Giant hogweed was first introduced Species Initiative. You can do this more near can be the distinctive and only does the signal crayfish reach a larg- to the UK in 1893. Originating from quickly and easily than ever before using very loud crunching, like a child er size than our native crayfish but it is the Caucasus mountains, it can grow up ‘That’s Invasive!’ – a new smartphone eating a celery stick. The source also more aggressive, meaning that it can to 5m in height with each flower pro- App that has been developed as a part of the noise will be a water easily out-compete the white-clawed ducing up to 50,000 seeds. It rapidly of the RINSE (Reducing the Impact of vole sitting on its haunches crayfish for refuges and resources. In ad- grows to dominate an area, excluding Non-native Species in Europe) project, chewing noisily on cut stems of dition, the signal crayfish also carries the native species. It also poses a threat to which is part funded through the EU. plants such as water plantain, the stem held neatly between crayfish plague, a fungal disease which is public health as a toxic chemical in the The App uses your phone’s camera and fatal for the white-claweded crayfishcrayfish bbutut in-builtin-built GPSG to submit a record which front paws. Though water voles Signal crayfish have declined massively, many not the signal crayfish. MManyany Norfolk is then verifiedv by an expert before bankside areas along our North rivers now contain populationslations of signalsignal beingbein logged on relevant local and Norfolk chalk rivers are still crayfish, while only a handfulndful of whitewhite-- nationalnatio databases. It is available excellent places to spot one. clawed crayfish populationstions forfor AndroidA and iPhone handsets Though if it spots you first remain, normally in the mmoreore andand canc be downloaded at www. then a plop and a few ripples isolated areas such as chalkk rinse-europe.eu/smartphone-appsrinse-eu may be the only clue that rivers. AlternativelyAlterna you can e-mail your ‘ratty’ is still messing about Himalayan balsamam sightingssightings to [email protected] on the river. was introduced to the UUKK in or use NorfolkNo Biodiversity Informa- Kingfisher: WildStock 1839 as an ornamental plantlant at Kew tion Service’sServi online recording tool at Water vole also on cover: Jamie Hall gardens and first recordedd in the wild in www.nbis.org.ukwww.nbis Eel: istockphoto.com 1855. With its attractive pinkpink flowers Otter: Mark Ollett and intriguing explodingg seed pods,pods, Mike Sutton-CroftSutto is co-ordinator of it is easy to see why thisis could bbee NNorfolkorfolk NonNo Native Species Initiative  8 OUT & ABOUT NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014 Discovering our rivers

       By their nature the coast’s nine chalk rivers are quiet and hidden. Gemma Clark outlines how to visit the four that are most accessible – and how you can get involved. HOLME NEXT THE SEA BURNHAM WELLS NEXT BLAKENEY BURNHAM THE SEA OVERY STIFFKEY River Glaven MARKET ivers have long been intimately connected with their local HUNSTANTON River Burn LOWER SEDGEFORD HOLT communities, and drawn visitors from near and far. BODHAM Stiffkey Mundesley Beck If you’d like to visit, try out some of the ideas here. They are River Heacham MUNDESLEY R SOUTH CREAKE based on safe and public access spots to some of the most beautiful SNETTISHAM places. There’s lots to see and many contrasts like the difference between WOLFERTON NORTH the confluence of the Gaywood and the Great Ouse to that of the FAKENHAM WALSHAM Stiffkey with the Blakeney Channel. The Gaywood reaches the quay FLITCHAM in the historic Hanseatic Port of Kings Lynn, with the busy modern Babingley Brook AYLSHAM port just a short distance down the river. Contrast that with the col- NORTH WOOTTON River Gaywood lection of boats moored in the channel by the remote Stiffkey quay, a

wild landscape where the marshes meet the sea. KING’S GAYTON If you want to get more actively involved, the new River Guardian LYNN WROXHAM scheme seeks to both build and tap in to this resource – see page 16 for details. MAP KEY DEREHAM There are lots of special river events this summer – see page 21. MAIN SETTLEMENTS SETTLEMENTS NEAR TO THE SOURCE AND THE SWAFFHAM Gemma Clark is Community Involvement Officer at the Norfolk Rivers MOUTH OF RIVER NORWICH Trust. Twitter: @9ChalkRivers Website: www.norfolkriverstrust.org INTER TIDAL ZONE

River Glaven From the source at Swanton Novers, the Stiffkey a long-demolished mill; the low grass covered upstream from Little gently flows through the countryside linking wall is part of the remains. The green beside River Glaven Ford. the villages of Swanton Novers, , the bridge leads down to the river and is a good G Braybrook/Norfolk Houghton St Giles, Little , place to watch the ducks or stop for a picnic. Community Photographer and Stiffkey, amongst others. Use the Coasthopper bus to the Stiffkey Village Stores bus stop; Stiffkey Bridge is on Stiffkey and walk Bridge Street, a short walk from the bus stop. By walking along the Norfolk Coast Path and returning with the help of the Coasthopper, Walsingham via Houghton St Giles fords walk you can find the point where the Stiffkey joins There are four fords within walking distance of the Blakeney Channel between Morston and Houghton St Giles, including one close to the Stiffkey. Slipper Chapel. The high numbers of crossing The Stiffkey emerges on the coast (grid ref places in such a short stretch of the River TF988440) at the sluice to find its way out to Stiffkey indicate historic popularity of this area sea by flowing into the Blakeney Channel. When with pilgrims walking to Walsingham. walking along the coast path, in addition to Fords vary year round; on a wet winter day fabulous views over the marshes on the seaward you might find them rushing across the roads side of the path, pause at Stiffkey Fen, a great in full flow with the footbridges the only way bird watching location. across. To enjoy a pleasant 2.5 mile return walk, use Stiffkey picnic spot and circular walk the Norfolk Green service to Little Walsingham From the headwaters at Baconsthorpe near The first ford is at Letheringsett and With the help of public footpaths, there is a and walk to Houghton St Giles via public access the castle to , the River Glaven easy to get to by public transport. Catch the 1-mile river and hill circular walk starting from on the disused railway line which starts from flows for nearly 11 miles through its beautiful Sanders Coaches service 46 from Holt to Stiffkey Bridge with good views from Home Hill Station Road (grid ref TF932368 post code valley. Letheringsett and walk along Riverside Road across the river valley. NR22 6DG) and finishes close to the Slipper to the ford, passing Letheringsett Mill on the Start beside the bridge (postcode NR23 Chapel in Houghton St Giles. There is a pay and Search for the source way. Enjoy a picnic from the seat or grass area 1QP, grid reference TF971430) also the site of display car park in Little Walsingham. The Glaven starts as a chalk stream flowing beside the river and ford (postcode NR25 7JE, into Selbrigg Pond. At Baconsthorpe Castle, grid reference TG060383). small streams lead from the moat and lake The alternative picnic spot is in a field through a field beside the castle and join beside the ford at Glandford (NR25 7JR, a stream flowing east into Selbrigg pond. grid reference TG046414). Natural seating River Stiffkey Baconsthorpe Castle is a free English Heritage has been provided in this meadow beside site with a small car park (postcode NR25 the river which you can reach via a half a 6PS, grid reference TG120380; the castle is mile or so walk beside the river from Natural signposted from The Street in Baconsthorpe). Surroundings. At Selbrigg Pond, a larger stream leaves the pond under the road before meandering See where the river meets the sea at through the valley around Holt on its way Blakeney to the sea. Selbrigg Pond is beside a road By walking along the Norfolk Coast Path, between High and Hempstead, (post you can reach the closest point to where the code NR25 6NF, grid reference TG107389 Glaven meets the sea in the Blakeney Channel. Enjoy a stunning 2.5-mile walk following the Picnics by the river coast path from to Blakeney, There are two lovely spots where you can enjoy using the Coasthopper bus to return to your sitting peacefully by the river, both close to start point. fords. Jack Perks NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014 OUT & ABOUT 9

The meandering starts in Flitcham Castle Rising pooh sticks and flows west through Castle Rising to merge A few miles west the river passes close to the with the Great Ouse just north of Kings Lynn. Here village of Castle Rising. It is a pleasant, easy are a couple of good spots where you can visit the 2.25-mile return walk from the church of St Babingley. Lawrence down to Babingley Bridge (grid reference TF673255) with fine views across the valley on Abbey Farm bird hide the way. The bridge is a great place to play pooh A bird hide overlooks the river, pond and sticks, surrounding meadows close to the source of the To find the bridge, follow the road east of Babingley. beside Abbey Farm, Abbey Road, the church (look for the National Cycle Route Flitcham, PE31 6BT. (OS grid reference TF736266). 1 waymark at the start, postcode PE31 6AF). In addition to daily access to the bird hide, Abbey Shortly after passing the church, a gate closes Farm holds an annual open day on the first the road to traffic. Walkers and cyclists can enjoy Sunday every July. the tarmac lane in peace down the hill to The bird hide has a small parking area, Babingley Bridge. or reach it using the Norfolk Green X8 service There are several bus services from Kings Lynn to the Flitcham A148 bus stop, approximately calling at Castle Rising: parking available at the River Gaywood 1.25 miles from the farm. Castle. Helen Shearer/Norfolk Community Photographer Community Helen Shearer/Norfolk

Starting in the village of Gayton, the winds its way through Kings Lynn, River Babingley providing an excellent wildlife corridor linking nearly half a mile, passing allotments on the far green spaces within the town. side of the river, across Loke Road and through recreation grounds to Gaywood Road, across the Kings Lynn urban walk road to Littleport Terrace. Then there is a short By using a bus from the town centre and getting diversion away from the river around Morrisons off on Wootton Road, there is a really interesting and the train station to reach The Walks. Emerge 2.5-mile linear town river walk to explore. from The Walks to cross London Road onto Mill Catch the Norfolk Green 10 or 11 service to Fleet and finally South Quay. the Marsh Lane stop on Wootton Road (post It will help if you have a town map! code PE30 3AB) and then follow the river from Stand where Mill Fleet reaches the Great Riverside to the point where it flows into the Ouse near the corner on South Quay at low tide Great Ouse at South Quay. and watch the Gaywood flowing into the river. From the bridge on Wootton Road, follow the Gaywood via Riverside, along the edge of • River Ingol: visit the Ingol on a special nature the sports fields, then River Lane, Swan Lane, a trail at Snettisham Park – for more details see public footpath through urban green spaces for page 17. Susan Reid/Norfolk Community Photographer Community Susan Reid/Norfolk NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014 CYCLINGCYCLING 1111 Pedal power From coast and marsh to rivers and streams, on the Norfolk Coast Cycleway you are never far from water. Steve Tutt is your guide.

rom the Gaywood in through the River Stiffkey to explore. King’s Lynn to the Bure The Holt explorer route offers in Great Yarmouth, the a chance to investigate the River Norfolk Coast Cycleway Glaven from ‘mouth to source’. From is always near a river. Pick Cley-next-the-Sea to its headwaters Fup a map guide to help you identify at Lower Bodham and Baconsthorpe them all as you ride, and to explore along with other small streams that the wide selection of ‘loops’ from the flow into it this can easily be trans- main route. formed into a Glaven explorer. On the Walsingham and Wells Historically there were 11 water loop, for example, you can cycle along mills on the Glaven - few remain, most of the Stiffkey valley, observing with only Letheringsett still opera- its progress from the many bridge tional and open to the public. Rivers on cycleway crossings or fords. Cley Quay alongside the iconic Rivers crossed on Norfolk Shaped like a figure of eight, this Cley Mill provides a photographic Coast Cycleway (west to east): route is about 40 miles – but like all backdrop to the Glaven’s exit towards Gaywood (King’s Lynn), explorer loops, simple to adapt to suit the sea. Follow the cycleway link to Babingley (NE of Castle Rising); (Ingoldisthorpe); interests and abilities, and with lots to Cley from east of – do take Ingol Heacham (Sedgeford); Hun (Ringstead); National Trust see. extra care through the village. Burn (Burnham Thorpe), Stiffkey At the old three-arched bridge in Following the river inland there’s provides information on how way or by post from the partnership (Wighton, Binham); Glaven Stiffkey there was once a watermill a short diversion towards Wiveton (Wiveton); Mun (Mundesley) to plan and make the most of this office (address on page 2). – look out for remains in the grass and across what is sometimes referred and Bure (Great Yarmouth). interesting area. Some cycle hire businesses can below. On towards Warham, the val- to as Storms Bridge, named after the provide a delivery/pick up service ley floor is easy to follow, across a fine merchant who built the original in Norfolk Coast Cycleway particularly to accommodation pro- bridge entering the village and yet the early 1300s. Copy’s Green (east of Wighton) is viders. If you have to take your bike another leaving towards Wighton. Visit the church and walk along to the intersection of Sustrans Hull to to a start point by car please park Join the national route 1 along- the churchyard walls overlooking the Letheringsett follows with its Harwich National Cycleway Route considerately and preferably choose a side the river valley into Great Wal- valley towards Cley to imagine the working water mill followed by a 1 and Regional Route 30. National designated car park as your start point. singham – stop to try out the local scale of this river in time past. Next ford crossing before following the Route 1 heads inland through Wal- produce used at the Walsingham barns village inland is the quaint Glandford. river through to . The cy- singham, Fakenham and on to Nor- www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/cycling café. The enthusiastic can delight in The ford is not suitable for cycling cle route continues through Edge- wich with route 30 following quieter a childhood thrill moment, cycling through but you get a fine view of field and onto Hempstead and Ba- roads through to Cromer and onto through the ford (there is a footbridge the mill from the footbridge. consthorpe. Although you may never Great Yarmouth. alternative) en route for Little Wals- St Martin’s Church and the Shell quite identify the river’s exact starting Cycleway route maps cost £2.50 Cycle route more ingham. Museum owes much to Sir Alfred Jo- point, enjoy the wonderful Bacon- and are available from Tourist Infor- At Walsingham Farmshop, you can drell and a carillon of 12 bells plays sthorpe Castle and the views over the mation centres along the route, some popular than ever try lots of local produce under one hymn tunes three hourly between surrounding countryside. campsite, cycle hire and other busi- Steve Tutt, Norfolk Coast roof. On the route out of Walsingham, 6am and 9pm. Nearby the Art Café, If you’d like to go further east to nesses, on-line purchasing at Sustran Partnership business support past the ‘Slipper Chapel’ towards Bar- Birdscapes Gallery and CleySpy are Mundesley and look at Mundesley Trading www.sustransshop.org.uk/ assistant: “It’s fifteen years since sham, there are more fords alongside worth a visit. Beck, the Quiet Lanes explorer products/5353-norfolk-coast-cycle- we launched the Norfolk Coast Cycleway, and today, with an upgraded map and more loops and links, it’s more popular than ever. The signed route follows Sustrans National Cycle Network Hull to Harwich route 1 between Kings Lynn and Wighton. From Copy’s Green the regional route 30 leads through to Cromer, following the coast to Great Yarmouth. Ten ‘loops and links’ from the route are also detailed, ranging from the 40 mile Wells and Walsingham explorer to the six mile Caister Castle loop.” A comprehensive, weather proof map is aavailablevailable for purchase fromrom Sustrans at justst £2.50. Norfolk Coastast cycleway http://:// bit.ly/N6dffR. Cycle map for sale from http://bit.t. ly/1iAxGAr Cheri H Crosley/Norfolk Community Photographer Community Cheri H Crosley/Norfolk 12 WALKING NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014

Let us help you explore off the beaten track Estelle Hook, Norfolk Coast Partnership policy and partnership officer: “Exploring the real Norfolk Coast – off the beaten track and in the peace and quiet and fresh air, out of your car – is easy thanks to special guides we’ve produced. For a start, why not try one of our Explore More walks – designed to take you to lesser known places, by good public transport – and with great food and drink. The short online guides include basic details, pictures and a map. For people with varying abilities – and those with toddlers in push chairs – we have easy access walks too. We’ve also developed four Explore More cycle routes to show you where you can take your bicycle off-road, exploring lesser known parts of the area – as well as places where you can pause for a drink or bite to eat. © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Finally, for local businesses, Ordnance Survey 100019340 we’ve produced a great new website yournorfolkcoast.org.uk with an interactive map so that visitors can be provided with everything they need to enjoy the coast in a sustainable way.” Explore More walks http://bit.ly/1khVxlK Easy access walks Walking into the past http://bit.ly/1nLtw7D Explore More cycle routes http://bit.ly/1iApTCI Fancy a walk which not only provides some of Your Norfolk Coast the best views on offer in the but www.yournorfolkcoast.org.ukw.yournorfolkcoast.org.uk wraps a unique story lost in time? Let us introduce you to the , says Helen Timson

he route in itself is pretty The family themselves took their spectacular, and passes along name from the village of Paston and what has been described as we in turn have named this trail after the finest stretch of raised them. Tcoastline in the east of England. It is in Norfolk Trails will be offering total 22 miles long and is within close some guided heritage walks this sum- proximity of 14 churches. Add an ex- mer, taking in some of the most inter- tra seven miles to ensure you visit all esting churches along the way. Keep these fantastic buildings. an eye on our website for dates and There are particular highlights details of how to book: www.nor- Volunteers on a Norfolk trail. England Coast along the way, such as the glimpses folktrails.co.uk under Paston Way. of wall paintings at St Margaret’s of However, if you’d prefer to take in Join the trails team Path update Paston. The combination of the sur- the route in your own time, we have viving art in the churches considered taken the work out of planning your Norfolk Trails are looking for without the invaluable support of our Work continues on the England with the Paston letters gives a vivid walk; our website will help you get volunteers for a variety of roles. volunteers so please get in touch!” Coast Path in Norfolk, a 41km insight into medieval life. the best out of walking the Paston there are plenty of opportunities for For more information visit stretch between ’s These private letters between the Way with easy to use public transport interested people to get involved, www.norfolktrails.co.uk and click on sandy beaches and Weybourne’s Paston family were written between information and ideas of where to particularly in the coastal and volunteering. Email: norfolktrails@ cliff tops. 1422-1509 and appear to be the old- stop off for those all important water- inland region from Cromer to Great norfolk.gov.uk. Telephone: (01603) It will be one of the first est remaining letters of personal cor- ing and lunch breaks! Yarmouth. 222765 or (01362) 869403 stretches of the ambitious round- respondence from this period record- Recent improvements on the Pas- In order to help them maintain Twitter: twitter.com/NorfolkTrails the network they are looking Facebook: facebook.com/NorfolkTrails England route and should be open ed in Britain today. ton Way and the Norfolk Trails web- for volunteers to become Trail later in the year. On reading the letters it is clear to site have been funded from Europe by Rangers. No qualifications or TOURISM RELATED BUSINESS For updates on all three see that the family were out for bet- the Interreg IVA France (Channel) - stretches of Norfolk coast previous experience are necessary, If your business is in proximity to one terment at any cost and as such rose England programme. path being prepared see www. just enthusiasm. The majority of of the Norfolk Trails, and it would from peasantry to aristocracy within naturalengland.org.alengland.org. volunteers walk their section of the benefit from attracting more walkers, uk/coastalaccess.astalaccess. two generations. They give an insight Share your Paston Way experiences on route (usually between 3-5 miles) please get in touch. Norfolk Trails into life in Norfolk during troubled Flickr, Twitter @NorfolkTrails and four times a year, once each season, offer free advertising, advice and in times. Facebook. For further information: and fill in a report form on their some instances free training courses Most of the Paston Letters are now Paston Way/Norfolk Trails findings. Full training and support is to help you. held at the British Library, some at www.norfolktrails.co.uk given. Contact Norfolk Trails for more the Bodleian Library, Oxford, whilst Helen Timson said: “We really information on 01362 869403 or others remain in Norfolk at the Helen Timson is Trails Officer, couldn’t maintain these routes [email protected] Record Office in Norwich. Norfolk County Council NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014 WALKING 13

Out & Pathways about top tips

General tips • Keep dogs on leads to history near cattle and keep out of their way. • Leave gates as you Footpaths and green lanes are an important part of find them or follow our historic landscape, and can help us to understand instructions on signs. the history of Norfolk from the medieval period • Take your litter home. • If cycling be aware of onwards. Sarah Spooner explains horses, walkers and farm animals and slow down. he Pathways to History once part of the road network, and • Stick to paths and use project, based in the School only became footpaths and bridleways stiles, gaps and gates – of History at the University in the 20th century. The roads in do not climb over walling of East Anglia, has been in- north Norfolk were properly surfaced or through hedges as Tvestigating the history and archaeol- between the 1920s and 1940s - green this damages the field ogy of our public rights of way. Vol- lanes are simply old roads which were boundaries. unteers have surveyed footpaths to not surfaced. Many of these lanes Walsingham Lane. Photo: Sarah Spooner identify historic features, including probably have their origins in the veteran trees, and researched footpaths medieval period, although it can be houses. The owners of these estates ly easy to do in the 18th century. day. However, some do still survive as using old maps and other documents. difficult to date each one individually. were enthusiastic about the benefits This means that some parishes like green lanes and can be recognised by It is difficult to ‘date’ footpaths any Jericho Lane in Plumstead (starting at of Parliamentary enclosure, a process Houghton, and Raynham the number of veteran trees and the earlier than the 16th century, as this TG 130 348) is a good example of a which actually removed many tracks in north Norfolk have very few pub- diversity of wild flowers along them. is when the first maps using reliable bridleway which was shown as a road and footpaths as the countryside was lic rights of way. In the south of the Some paths and lanes are sunken, but survey methods were produced. If on 19th century maps. re-organised and new, straight sided county, where there were fewer large research suggests that this has more to we want to go further back, into the fields were created out of the old landed estates and country houses, do with the type of soil rather than medieval period, we can instead look The age of landed estates open-field strips. Landowners also the footpath network is much denser. indicating how old a path might be. at the archaeology of footpaths and During the 18th and 19th centu- closed footpaths and roads close to Parliamentary enclosure also meant A green lane leading from St Mary’s green lanes. ries north Norfolk was dominated their mansions and landscape parks, that new footpaths and roads were Church at Great Snoring into Wals- Our footpath network has been by large landed estates and country a process which was comparative- created, often very straight and with ingham (starting at TF 944 345) is a shaped by a number of different his- wide verges. New Lane, near Salt- very good example of a lane which al- torical periods: house Heath (starting at TG 078 424) most certainly dates back to the medi- is a classic example of a path created eval period. It has lots of large, veteran The 20th century during this period – ruler straight, and oak trees, old hedgerows with cop- The many changes to the landscape with a name that points to its recent piced maple and wildflowers at cer- during the 20th century affected our history. tain times of year. Although it is dif- footpath network. In fact, it was only ficult to say for certain, this lane (and during the 1950s that the footpath The medieval period others like it) may have been used by network was officially recognised The landscape of north Norfolk in medieval pilgrims visiting the shrine with the creation of the ‘definitive the medieval period was dominated at Walsingham. map’ which records all public rights of by a mixture of open fields and com- To find out more about the Path- way. The Second World War also had mons, churches and monasteries like ways to History visit the project web- an impact on footpaths, as many were Binham, or the great medieval pil- site - www.uea.ac.uk/history/path- closed around new airfields and other grimage centre of Walsingham. The ways military sites – over 20 kilometres of footpath network has changed a great roads and paths were closed in the deal since the medieval period, and Sarah Spooner is Lecturer in area around Sculthorpe airfield. Many there would once have been far more Landscape History, School of Northrepps Forest. of Norfolk’s green lanes were actually paths and tracks than there are to- History, UEA Holt Country Park Open all day throughout the year

Do you run a business in the Norfolk Coast area? Would you like to reach new customers? Free advice, marketing and great ideas at yournorfolkcoast.org.uk 16 OUT & ABOUT NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2014

If you want to get afloat on a river, Jess Tunstall says your best bet is to Solar powered Ra at Whitlingham Country Park. Take the train Broads Authority

The Broads: a magical to the Broads and protected waterland here are opportunities for wich. Go to www.bitternline.com for all kinds of boating in the timetables and lots of info about what The Broads, a member of the water levels rose, creating shallow national park family, is a mosaic lakes. Looked after by the Broads Broads, whether you’re a to do along the line, including walks of water, reedbeds, wet woodland Authority, the Broads is Britain’s seasoned sailor or you’ve and events. and grazing marshes, haven for an largest protected wetland and neverT been on a boat in your life. Once you reach Norwich you can incredible quarter of Britain’s rarest third largest inland waterway Small boats are for hire by the hour continue by train east and south-east species, like the huge swallowtail and covers 303 sq km in Norfolk or for a half-day or day - motor boats, across the grazing marshes to Great butterfly, the Norfolk hawker and Suffolk. 125 miles (200 km) electric boats, rowing boats, sailing YarmouthYarmouth anandd LowestoLowestoft.ft. DetaiDetailsls ffromrom dragonfly and the bittern, one of the of navigable waterway includes dinghies and windsurfers are all avail- www.wherrylines.org.ukwww.wherrylines.org.uk rarities of the bird world. the rivers Bure, Ant, Thurne, Yare, able. You can take a holiday staying YouYo u cacann also call NNationalational RaRailil The broads were formed in Chet and Waveney, plus the River on a motor boat or a sailing cruiser, EnquiriesEnquiries on 08457 48 49 50 for medieval times when peat was Wensum where it runs through the or you can take a boat trip large or The Electric Eel at How Hill National timetables.timetables. For bbusus timetatimetablesbles cacallll dug out to use as fuel for heating city of Norwich. There are also over small, including some with access for Nature Reserve. Broads Authority travelinetraveline on 0871 200 2233 or ggoo to and cooking; over the centuries 60 broads and other areas of open wheelchair users. www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk.www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk. The water. Here’s a taste of the trips on of- To book,k, contact Broads In-In- Acle aarearea FFlexibuslexibus alalsoso fer. These three Broads Authority formationon Centre.Centre. serves manmanyy BroaBroadsds boat trips run from April to October: • At WWhitlinghamhitlingham CountrCountryy Park at villages.villages. Book in ad- • Take a trip on electric, Edwardian- Trowse oonn the ededgege of Norwich yyouou vancevance - cacallll OURBUS style Liana, which runs from Hoveton can takee a tritripp arounaroundd WWhitlinghamhitlingham onon 01493 752223. Riverside Park, just next to the railway Great BBroadroad on solar boat Ra. TToo station, going along a tranquil stretch book, ccontactontact WWhitlinghamhitlingham VisitoVisitorr JessJess Tunstall is of the towards Coltishall. Centre. informationinformation officerofficer • The ElectricElectric EelEel glidesglides tthroughhrough at thethe BroadsBroads MORE INFORMATION the marshesrshes ofof thethe How HillHill Na- Authority tional NatureNature ReserveReserve near .Ludham. Broads Information Centre, To book,k, contact Toad Hole CottaCottagege Station Road, Hoveton NR12 8UR Museum.m. 01603 756097 / 01603 782281 Canoeoe hirehire is availableavailable through-through- [email protected] out the Broads.Broads. HireHire centrescentres includeinclude (open 1 April to 2 November) Salhousee BroaBroad,d, Barnes Brinkcraftaft at WroxWroxhamham Whitlingham Visitor Centre, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, and Banknk Boats at Wayford Norwich NR14 8TR Bridge oonn tthehe A149. More 01603 756094 / 01603 617332 details fromfrom the informa-informa- [email protected] tion centresntres llistedisted hhereere or (open all year) www.canoethebroads.co.uknoethebroads.co.uk Makee the jjourneyourney ppartart Toad Hole Cottage Museum, of your visit to thethe Broads.Broads. How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG The Bitterntern Line runs ffromrom 01603 756096 / 01692 678763 Sheringhamham through the [email protected] Broads withwith stations at Wor-Wor- (open 1 April to 2 November). Electric boat Liana on the River Bure. stead, HHovetonoveton & WroxhWroxhamam Tom Barrett/Broads Authority www.enjoythebroads.com and Salhouse,house, thenthen on to Nor-

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Roasted vegetable and Copy’s Cloud, Kale The art of Binham Blue sourdough and Spinach Tart The following recipe uses smooth and silky Copy’s toastie Cloud cheese from Mrs Temple. Matched with robust This is really simple to make and utterly delicious to curly kale or cavolo nero and some soft and buttery eat. The key is the salty and strong Binham Blue cheese baby spinach, this tart is an Art Café favourite. made in Wighton by Mrs Temple. This, matched with good food excellent sourdough bread from the Husk wood-fired Recipe bakery in Heydon, create a tremendous light dinner. Line an 11 inch tart tin with shortcrust pastry and I always roast more vegetables than I need whenever blind bake. David Lane shares some special recipes I make them so that they can be used for quick meals, To make the filling, wash about 150g of curly just like this one. You can vary the vegetables to suit kale or cavolo nero removing tough stems. Boil in orth Norfolk is not just fort to include gluten and dairy-free what you find at your local greengrocers. lightly salted water for 3 minutes, drain and leave about huge skies and stun- options. in cold water to refresh. Wilt about 250g of fresh ning scenery, it is also an I was born, bred and have lived my Recipe spinach (or chard leaves for added colour), drain e small butternut squash, two outstanding area for those whole life in north Norfolk and ap- Peel, deseed and chop one small butternut squash, two and squeeze well and coarselycoarsely chop. Slice oone whoN love to cook and enjoy food. preciate its beauty and relaxed way of o parsnips, one beetroot. Peel large onion, finely dice 1 clove of garlic and add a carrots, three shallots, two parsnips, one beetroot. Peels At Art Café in Glandford, we life more and more. The chance to set two cloves of garlic, leave whole. Place the vegetablevegetables handful of finely chopped thyme and parsleypa source as many of our ingredients as up a new café using fantastic ingre- into a baking tray and drizzlezzle with olive oil. Season with and sweat gently in hot oil until the onion is n the we can from the local area. There are dients and produce from wonderful sea salt and freshly crackeded black pepper. Roast iin the softened. so many great local suppliers that we Norfolk suppliers is the fulfilment of oven at 180 C for 45 minutes,nutes, or until the vegetables Lightly beat 3 large eggs, 200m200ml milk are spoilt for choice: flour milled at a life-long dream. just begin to caramelise. and 200ml double cream (you can use Letheringsett (one of the few work- The Art Café ethos of sustainable, Lightly toast four sliceses of really good sourdough soya alternatives here if you wish)wish), ing watermills in the country), is local sourcing also extends to the bread. together and season with a little ssalt and g pan over a medium heat baked into bread at the Husk Wood- inspiring selection of arts and crafts Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat some white pepper. alnuts until they brown lightly Fired bakery in Heydon; organic which are for sale in our gallery and and toast a handful of walnuts until they brown lightly Spread the onion, cchopped and release their aroma, set aside. In the same spinach and drained kale vegetables grow in abundance in the shop as well as our local events board ob of butter and a rich Norfolk soil and award winning to help you plan your day. The area is pan melt a generous knob of butter and a over the base of ththe tart tablespoon of olive oil. When the butter is case and scatter oover with cheeses are made in nearby Wighton. a destination for artists and art lovers d vegetables and foaming, add the roasted vegetables and 50g of crumbled Mrs Artisan coffee is roasted by the Grey and we are proud to part of the north them down just warm through, mashing them down just TempleTemple’s’s Copy’sCopy’s Cloud Seal Roastery in Glandford and our Norfolk arts scene. heat and add the a little bit. Take off the heat and add the cheese . Pour over the milk comes from a small, family-run Art Café is located at the heart of g of crumbled o toasted walnuts and 75g of crumbled egg mixture anda bake dairy farm only eight miles away. the beautiful Glaven Valley in Gland- d mix well. Binham Blue cheese and mix well. at 180 degreesdegr until We use influences from across Eu- ford near Holt in a traditional Nor- getable mixture Divide the cheesy vegetable mixture golden. rope, the Mediterranean, North Africa folk flint barn with a pretty and sunny of sourdough between the four slices of sourdough This tartart is e mix on the and the East to create delicious, fresh courtyard. The farmyard is the start toast, pushing down the mix on the delicious serveds e. Place in an and healthy, meat and fish free lunches and end point of numerous walks bread to keep it in place. Place in an warm or cold a baking tray c and snacks with a menu that changes through the picturesque hills of the oven or under a grill on a baking tray with a ggreen bling. daily. We also have wonderfully in- Bayfield estate. until the cheese is bubbling. salad anand ideal with a fresh dulgent cakes, pastries and scones to Serve immediately with a fresh for a picnpicnic. enjoy with our range of coffees and Visit our website for more information: green salad. speciality teas. We make a special ef- www.art-cafe.org.

The Norfolk Coast’s talented community photographers, working to a brief set by the staff team, produced some excellent work around the area’s rivers this year. Local The students are on a City and Guilds certified qualification with local talent photographer Julia Rafferty at Wells Library. To find out more contact Norfolk Adult Education via 0344 8008020 or email [email protected] 3DXOLQH&DWWRQ 'HERUDK1RUZRRG

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