180 norfolkmag.co.uk INTERIORS Joel’s Noël North is actor Joel Beckett’s home from home at Christmas, he told Tony Hall

Words and pictures: Tony Hall

MAIN LIVING: Sofas from DFS, designed by French Connection; coffee table from Ikea; bean bag from Camden Market, London; Eames armchair from Conran Shop London; unit from Ikea; picture by Catherine Clancy; silver lamp from Kartell; Moorish lamp from Lombok London; lantern from BTOI at ; 01328 713093; Christmas tree lights from John Lewis

EDP NORFOLK December 2017 181 school, pursued his already great interest in acting, graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University and then doing a post graduate course for a year at The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, in London. “I got an agent and got my first-ever audition doing a commercial for Greene King beer,” said Joel. “In between jobs I worked for my father’s business in design and ran the studio. My first real break on the small screen came in 2000, when I landed the part of Lee in The Office. Various film andT V roles followed. In 2004 I got the part of Jake Moon in EastEnders, a part I played for two years. Because I have a scar on my nose, I have often been cast as the baddie, a gangster, a drug dealer or by contrast a policeman, but I’m a nice guy really. “A lot of my work over the years has been in voice-overs for commercials, GUEST BEDROOM: Bed from In this busy world it’s only natural for documentaries and TV promos. I run John Lewis; bedding from people to want to escape the rat race. For my own company, Twisted Productions, Habitat; cushion from John rest and relaxation they often gravitate to producing films for corporate industry Lewis; wall of boards from Norfolk Reclaim: 01328 the country for holidays and, of course, for media alongside my other work, which 864743; black vase, try Christmas. For actor Joel Beckett, who has a means I live in London a lot of the time. Hamptons @ the barn: 01362 home in the county, it’s naturally Norfolk. “However I have always been a country boy 688094 Well-known for his roles on TV, including at heart and when my grandfather was taken MASTER BEDROOM: Bed Jake Moon in EastEnders and Lee in The ill my dad suggested I come up to Norfolk to from John Lewis; bedside Office, Joel, born in Cambridge and educated look after him while he got better. He was a tables from Ikea; throw from at Bedford School, already had family links real fun character. For six weeks we would John Lewis picture by Harry Cory with Norfolk as his grandfather came to go out to lunch and he taught me all about Wright, Smokesilver, live in in 1992. Joel, on leaving seafood and wine. Often we would go to The : 01328 730382; holly vase from Southwold Pier Home Shop: 01502 722105; fish from Barefoot Living: 01328 738100

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KITCHEN/DINING AREA: Kitchen units from Howdens; table from John Lewis; chair by Tolix; picture by Harry Cory Wright. Try Smokesilver, Burnham Market, 01328 730382; ‘Norfolk Good Idea’ poster from The Print Club London; tiles from Topps; wooden floor from Norfolk Reclaim: 01328 864743; wallcolour; Ammonite from Farrow and Lifeboat at Thornham; just super times. I later. It now has two bedrooms to the front, Ball; woodwork, Mole’s became firmly hooked on this beautiful north a greatly enlarged kitchen diner and a Breath Grey from Farrow and Ball; drawer unit from Norfolk coast, so naturally in recent times new area, the sitting room, complete with Burnham Pine Tel: 01328 when the opportunity of buying a holiday bi-fold doors overlooking the attractive 738009; picture frame from home came up here I jumped at the chance.” garden, which is a natural sun trap. Barefoot Living: 01328 “My friend Joanna Tennant had a “I love one-floor open-plan living,” adds 738100; lamp, homemade by Joel with wood from Norfolk fisherman’s cottage atN orth Creake. It had Joel, “creating lots of space for family and Reclaim; 01328 864743 no real central heating and was small, but friends. It’s like a beach house, cosy, but I used to come up on a Friday night, bring flows through with lots of entertaining FAMILY BATHROOM: a film, and come and relax, in beautiful space. I used builder Matthew Sands Tiles from Topps Tiles; blinds from Hillarys; bath and suite surroundings with friends. I knew instantly from North Creake, who was excellent, from Bathstore I loved it all. My first visit toT he Hoste brilliant on communication so I didn’t 4 Arms was memorable; about 30 people in the bar, really buzzy and I got chatting. “It was a great time with Paul Whitham the owner and Emma Tagg, the general manager, making everyone welcome. I felt at home, so I decided to look for a house. Initially I had in mind a two-bed cottage, but ended up with a four-bed family home. “I really wanted a cottage in Burnham Market, but it was well out of my price range, even then. I renovated the property, but after four great years in the village of North Creake, I decided I needed a new project and was fortunate in buying this single storey cottage in 2015.” Joel’s choice of property is admirable. Set on the edge of the village, bordering rural countryside, he started the renovation in October 2015 and finished four months

EDP NORFOLK December 2017 183 interiors

F a c t f i l e need to come each week and check on JOEL’S NOEL progress. I knew I was in safe hands.” I ask Joel about his Christmas. “It’s very Owner: Joel Beckett much a family affair,” he replies. “There’s Property: A converted, my girlfriend Anna and I, my mum and extended rural bungalow dad, sister Charlotte, nephew Sam, plus her Built: 1930s husband’s extended family. We had 22 on Location: North Creake Boxing Day and went to The Duck in , Bought: 2015 a fantastic place, run by good friends Ben and Sarah Handley. I normally come up Moved in: 2016 about the 15th of December to get things Professions: Joel is an actor ready. On the 23rd generally we go to the and runs his own company, Twisted Productions, doing White Horse at Brancaster for mussels and films and voice-overs. chips; fantastic. Christmas Day is a walk Favourite room: “The on the beach, see the seals then a drink at kitchen/dining room. The Hoste, followed by lunch here. By the Everything leads off and it is 27th it’s a cocktail party with good friends literally the centre of my home. Mark and Richard so by the 28th it’s flop High ceilings, light, full of in front of the TV with cold meat salad. “ laughter and chatting.” “I think,” concludes Joel, “that the Favourite item: “The Eagle very relaxed atmosphere of Norfolk Picture in the living room, makes people very happy. They can painted by Catherine Clancy Frel. Also the pictures by Harry forget city life and just go for walks to Above: Joel at his back door Cory Wright. He got me into the beach or surrounding countryside, photography.” marveling at the views and nature. roof off. It never ceases to give me pleasure, Favourite interiors shop: “Whether it’s sunny or cold, both are followed by lunch at my favourite pub, The “Barefoot Living in Burnham beautiful. I found here so peaceful and felt Duck in Stanhoe. At home I love the kitchen Market. Well thought out, immediately at home. I took up photography dining area, as it is literally the centre of the appeals to both men and some eight years ago and am a great home; high ceilings, light, lots of laughter and women. Big and small pieces admirer of Harry Cory-Wright. I like going chatting. So as you see, life is a real joy and and not too expensive.” to Brancaster Marshes very early morning, every spare moment is naturally Norfolk.” w Favourite shop: “Gurneys capturing the colours and details as dawn Fish Shop in Burnham Market. breaks; there’s always something new. Joel Beckett’s Bluestone Cottage at North Great selection.” “I am into cycling; 40 mile rides around Creake is available for holiday lets. Contact: Favourite part of the the coast, I also love a day out in my old Land Barefoot Retreats, 01485 512245 or 01328 county: “Brancaster Beach. Rover, driving the country lanes with the 738847 www.barefootretreats.co.uk Grandfather introduced me to it and it’s still my favourite.” Favourite day out: “Roof down on the vintage Land Rover, motoring through the lanes. Stopping at a good pub for lunch. Never ceases to give me joy. Even my 71-year-old mum enjoys it!! Favourite waste of time: Sat on the balcony overlooking the marshes at the White Horse in Brancaster, with a good glass of white in hand. Favourite walk: “ Staithe. Over the dunes to the beach. It’s ever-changing and totally amazing.” Favourite pub: “No doubt about this. The Duck at Stanhoe. Fantastic owners, Ben and Sarah, who are friends. They run an amazing venue, good food, Ben is a great chef and Sarah a great hostess.” Favourite cafe: “Wiveton for coffee on a cycle ride.” Hobbies: “Photography of landscapes that I started eight years ago... particularly at Do you have a beautiful house, large or small, that you feel is worthy of a feature Brancaster Marshes at dawn. by Tony Hall? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please email There’s always something new. [email protected] or write to Tony Hall, EDP Norfolk magazine, Also cycling the north Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE; www.tonyhalleyepix.com Norfolk coast”

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