Twisted By Andrea Kane

A brilliant book, i loved it, i liked the characters and the storyline.

From Goodreads - The acclaimed author of "Dark Room" is back with the first novel in a brilliant new series of romantic thrillers that takes readers inside the FBI and the life of a hostage negotiator.

The Tenth Chamber by Glenn Cooper

What can i say a fantastic sensational book, i couldn't put it down - it had everything, murder, mayhem, archeology, great story, good characters - what more can one ask!!

From Goodreads - Abbey of Ruac, rural France - A medieval script is discovered hidden behind an antique bookcase. Badly damaged, it is sent to Paris for restoration, and there literary historian Hugo Pineau begins to read the startling fourteenth-century text. Within its pages lies a fanciful tale of a painted cave and the secrets it contains - and a rudimentary map showing its position close to the abbey. Intrigued, Hugo enlists the help of archaeologist Luc Simard and the two men go exploring. When they discover a vast network of prehistoric caves, buried deep within the cliffs, they realize that they've stumbled across something extraordinary. And at the very core of the labyrinth lies the most astonishing chamber of all, just as the manuscript chronicled. Aware of the significance of their discovery, they set up camp with a team of experts, determined to bring their find to the world. But as they begin to unlock the ancient secrets the cavern holds, they find themselves at the centre of a dangerous game. One 'accidental' death leads to another. And it seems that someone will stop at nothing to protect the enigma of the tenth chamber

An Axe to Grind by A A Fair

Being unable to find this book on Goodreads, i did a search on Fantastic Fiction and found it was a  pseudonym used by Erle Stanley Gardner.
This is a book in the  Donald Lam and Bertha Cool series, i have to say i wasn't terribly impressed, it was set in wartime America, and i felt it wasn't portrayed very well.

The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing

This the book of the month for April in the Book Club Forum, a strange book, i didn't really enjoy it, but i couldn't put it down.

From Goodreads - Doris Lessing's contemporary gothic horror story—centered on the birth of a baby who seems less than human—probes society's unwillingness to recognize its own brutality.Harriet and David Lovatt, parents of four children, have created an idyll of domestic bliss in defiance of the social trends of late 1960s England. While around them crime and unrest surge, the Lovatts are certain that their old-fashioned contentment can protect them from the world outside—until the birth of their fifth baby. Gruesomely goblin-like in appearance, insatiably hungry, abnormally strong and violent, Ben has nothing innocent or infant-like about him. As he grows older and more terrifying, Harriet finds she cannot love him, David cannot bring himself to touch him, and their four older children are afraid of him. Understanding that he will never be accepted anywhere, Harriet and David are torn between their instincts as parents and their shocked reaction to this fierce and unlovable child whose existence shatters their belief in a benign world

Pied Piper by Nevil Shute

This was a Book Club Forum Book of the month, it was an unusual book for me, and i did enjoy the writing style and the characters.

It is the summer of 1940 and in Europe the time of Blitzkreig. John Howard, a 70-year-old Englishman vacationing in France, cuts shorts his tour and heads for home. He agrees to take two children with him.
But war closes in. Trains fail, roads clog with refugees. And if things were not difficult enough, other children join in Howard's little band. At last they reach the coast and find not deliverance but desperation. The old Englishman's greatest test lies ahead of him.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

This is being read for Hunstanton Town Read, a great read, a thoroughly enjoyable story, i loved the storyline and the characters.

From Goodreads - Angelfield House stands abandoned and forgotten. It was once the imposing home of the March family--fascinating, manipulative Isabelle, Charlie her brutal and dangerous brother, and the wild, untamed twins, Emmeline and Adeline. But Angelfield House conceals a chilling secret whose impact still resonates...

Now Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield's past--and the mystery of the March family starts to unravel. What has Angelfield been hiding? What is its connection with the enigmatic author Vida Winter? And what is it in Margaret's own troubled past that causes her to fall so powerfully under Angelfilds spell

Hunstanton Town Read

ONCE upon a time libraries consisted of rows of books on dusty shelves, where silence was the order of the day.
But now they are an integral part of the community with visitors who are just as likely to be hiring a DVD or CD, or surfing the Internet, as they are to be looking for a book.
And sharing the belief nothing compares with a good read, more than 40 people have joined Hunstanton library’s Town Read project to read and share Diane Setterfield’s novel The Thirteenth Tale.
The book is a mystery inspired by the books Diane enjoyed in her youth, in which she describes how a reclusive author, Vida Winter, famous for having written twelve enchanting stories, actually spent six decades writing a series of alternative lives for herself.
Now old and frail, Vida is ready to tell the truth about her extraordinary existence and the tragic past she has kept secret for so long.
She reveals to Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her own painful past, the story of her life, which she had intended to keep hidden forever.
Town Mayor Carol Bower was one of those collecting a copy of the novel from the library on Saturday morning.
She said: “I was here last summer for the reading challenge for children, in which they choose at least six books to read over the school holidays to complete the challenge and gain a certificate and medal.
“It’s different to the Town Read for adults, because the children select the titles themselves.”
The Town Read runs until the end of February and more residents can join in by obtaining a copy of the book from the library or calling 01485 532280.
Participants can discuss and share their opinions about the book at coffee mornings, which will be held at the library on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, March 3.

The Mask of Atreus by A J Hartley

It was a good interesting book, with likeable characters, twisted and turned along the way, i did begin to see who the 'villain' was but it in no way detracted from the story.


From Goodreads - An obscure museum's dead proprietor lies in a secret room surrounded by one of the world's most astonishing collections of Greek antiquities. Only a priceless Mycenaean death mask has been taken, along with the bones of a legendary hero thought to exist only in ancient myth. Looted by the Nazis, the treasures are still being sought by those whose dreams of glory remain undefeated.

The mask is an unparalleled discovery that will be a force for devastating retribution in the wrong hands. But by the time museum curator Deborah Miller learns the truth, it may be too late not only to save herself--but to reveal to the world the awesome secret she's uncovered

Pack Holiday Prep Day

On the 6th April we go on Pack Holiday with Heacham Brownies, so today we had a Pack Holiday Prep Day and we learnt what sixes we would be in, sorted out our activity uniform and made things to take on Pack Holiday.

We arrived at 10am and got into our sixes the theme this year is Penquins and we will be doing the Penquin Challenge.

We decorated Charts.

We made Napkin Rings and learnt how to use Napkins

We then made Badges

We then made placemats backed with the Graces

We also played Pack Holiday Games

We also sorted our our Pack Holiday Activity Wear.

After Lunch, we learned about Brownies Own and what to is was, and then we had a mini Brownies Own.

Then we practiced Graces from our place mats

We then had a short parents meeting, and went home.

An Invitation to Union Baptism

This week at the Coffee Morning Cliff bought over a poem to me that he had written coming upto the 1st Anniversary of My Baptism, which took place 13th March 2011.

An Invitation to Union Baptism

Minister David's welcome
To the Baptism
of four candidates
to be bathed in the waters
not from the sea
nor the Euphrates of Jordan
Just Anglian Water
at thirty degrees

With hymns and prayers
David conducts
a reverent friendly
Praise the Lord
Baptism

Carol, Dawn, Joanna and Sandy
their testimony revealed
moving personal declarations
of their pathway
to be blessed
and gently submerged
by the minister
in the welcome waters
of the Baptist faith

enfolded in a pool of hope
coming together
of God body and soul
they emerge
faith declared

service over
I must away
leaving with mustering thoughts
of a quadruple
Union Baptism - March 2011

By  Clifford Nicholas

Pain so much Pain

It is now 5.30am another sleepless night, the pain in both knees and my left hip is incredible, it has been gradually getting worse for the past 2 weeks, when i have a  busy day, the pain becomes unbearable.

I know it is osteo arthritis that has spread to my other knee and hip.

It is a good job i moved from the flat i would not have been able to cope with the stairs or getting in and out of bed (not that the bed issue will be much of a problem, i can foresee quite soon having to stay up all night like before). 

I need to look for a job, but i am so worried that i won't be able to cope, i need a job for money and company. Otherwise i will be bored and lonely. What am i to do? 

I get little sympathy at home, i don't even get asked how i am, can i help you etc, just common sympathy and courtesy.

I was really looking forward to starting Art and Craft Club today, as Bob is out i would have to walk and don't know if i can make it, but not to go, is letting it beat me which i have been determined not to do, if i let it beat me, it will rule my life then i would be in a downward spiral to complete despair with no way back.

I have seriously considered going to the Doctors (which is rare for me to even think of it), then think what is the point, first they would tell me to lose weight, then most likely  prescibe NSAIDS and i could not afford the prescription  since i have no income whatsoever now.

The pain is incredible and i just see no way out, it reduced me to tears last night, which is unusual in it self, and i wasn't even given any kind of compassion or sympathy.

I get little sympathy at home, no one to say - how are you, can i help you, or a massage of the painful area, just common sympathy and courtesy.

Dyspraxia

When Sophie was in pre-school, she was diagnosed with Verbal Dyspraxia. When she was 7, the family was informed that she would never speak intelligently and a year later she was transferred to a Special Needs School. Over the last few years there has been an amazing improvement in Sophie’s language. 

However, as Sophie’s skills developed, other Dyspraxia symptoms started to develop. Some of the symptoms are behavioural. She is very jealous of her brother, loses her temper, asks probing question and won’t give in till she gets a satisfactory answer.

These are all symptoms of Dyspraxia.  The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Union for their support of Sophie. She is due to see a Doctor at the hospital shortly to be re-assessed.

What is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is generally recognised to be an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement. Associated with this may be problems of language, perception and thought. Other names for dyspraxia include, Clumsy Child Syndrome; Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD); Minimal Brain Dysfunction: Motor learning Difficulty; and Pereceptuo-motor Dysfunction.

What is Verbal Dyspraxia?

Speech may be immature or unintelligible in early years. Language may be impaired or late to develop. The primary difficulty is in making and co-ordinating the precise movements, which are used in the production of spoken language, which results in severe and persisting speech production difficulties. The condition is termed developmental verbal dyspraxia: it may occur in isolation or in conjunction with general motor difficulties.

Below are some symptoms of Dyspraxia, these are by no means exhaustive.

• Is late in reaching milestones e.g. rolling over, sitting, standing, walking, and speaking
• Has difficulty in keeping friends; or judging how to behave in company
• Has difficulty in walking up and down stairs, Poor at dressing and personal hygiene.
• Reacts to all stimuli without discrimination and attention span is poor
• Unable to remember and /or follow instructions, Is generally poorly organised
• High levels of excitability, with a loud/shrill voice, Unable to stay still
• Tendency to become easily distressed and emotional and prone to temper tantrums
• May constantly bump into objects and fall over
• Continued messy eating. May prefer to eat with their fingers, frequently spill drinks, Problems with co-ordinating a knife and fork
• Persistent language difficulties (as Sophie says ‘I don’t like hard words’)
• Sensitive to sensory stimulation, including high levels of noise, tactile defensiveness, wearing new clothes
• May be slow to respond and have problems with comprehension
• Limited concentration. Tasks are often left unfinished
• Difficulties in adapting to a structured school routine
• Sleeping difficulties, including wakefulness at night and nightmares
• Physical symptoms, such as migraine, headaches, feeling sick

Demise of Hunstanton’s Long Standing Shoe Retailers

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Posted by Stella Gooch of Hunstanton-on-line
Photos provided by Jacksons Shoes

Long established Jackson’s Shoes of Hunstanton was originally founded, in 1938, by George W Jackson (grandfather to Dawn & Debbie who turned out to be the final owners of the business).  George Jackson began by opening a Shoe Repairers in Front Street, Birstall, Leicester. It is believed the shop closed for a short while during World War II.  However, following the war, George began making sandals from plastic strips, with wooden wedge heels. These sandals were made in pretty colours and proved very popular after the dull days of the war.
In 1947, George Jackson opened a shop in Conduit Street, Leicester. Around this time, George also began selling Wide Fitting Glace Kid Shoes and the retail side of the business continued to grow and expand into family footwear, including the famous Tuf brand.  Twenty or more years later and George Senior had been joined by other family members. In the late 1960s, George’s son, George Junior and his wife Jill, opened a shop in Narborough Road, Leicester which had closed by the mid 1980′s.
Another shop was opened in Cavendish Road, Leicester and was run by George’s Wife Kate, and was later taken over by their daughter, Mavis and her husband Ken.
1 July 1972 saw the opening of the King’s Lynn Shop, in Chapel Street. By now George and Kate Jackson had completely retired, so the business was run solely by their daughter Mavis and her husband Ken. By offering the same friendly service and value for money this now established family business was as popular in Norfolk as it had been in Leicester.
In 1983, Jackson’s established a larger shop in Hunstanton, as the business had outgrown the King’s Lynn shop. In Hunstanton, the business continued to thrive at the hands of Mavis, Ken and other members of the family.  Jacksons Shoes celebrated both it’s Golden and Silver Anniversary in 1997 – marking a fantastic achievement of 50 years in business with 25 of those years in Norfolk.
Mavis and Ken decided to retire in 1998 having served 40 yrs in the business without a full weeks holiday!  Their daughters Dawn and Debbie then took over the business and on Saturday 25 October 2008, Jacksons the shoe people celebrated 70 years in business by having a day of 1940′s memorabilia and nostalgia. Customers who shared the celebrations were treated to a glass of ginger beer, cake, some old fashioned sweets and 1940′s music. Jowett Flying Fox named ‘PLUG’ was parked outside, drawing lots of admiring glances from passers by.
Business, however, had its downs as well as its ups and, after 73 years in business, Jacksons The Shoe People ceased trading on 18 February 2012 despite battling through many testing times such as the loss of Elmdale and Equity, difficulty of obtaining footwear, product quality deterioration and a significant economic downturn resulting in the closure of Hunstanton’s Woolworths store.
Despite the adverse trading conditions and without the benefit of any staff support (since 2011), Jacksons  struggled on.  Subsequently Dawn and Debbie introduced a Dress Agency for pre-owned clothing and shoes. However, this adjustment to their trading was not enough to ensure survival of the business and the two sisters were forced to make a heart breaking decision and ceased trading.
Both Dawn and Debbie extend heartfelt thanks to all past customers who supported Jacksons for the last 30 years in Hunstanton.

Hunstanton: Shoe shop closure may be foretaste

Jacksons The Shoe People 70th Anniversary, Hunstanton, outside the shop in Westgate, LtoR, Mavis Leeson, manageress Susanne Durston, Debbie Ward, Dawn Davies, Ken Leeson.

Published in Lynn News on  Thursday 1 March 2012 12:55
 

A SHOE shop which has been in Hunstanton for 29 years has ceased trading after warning before Christmas that it was fighting for survival.
Jackson’s The Shoe People, at Westgate, closed its doors for the last time on February 18, after 73 years in business, with director Dawn Davies saying she knew of other shops in the town struggling to keep going.
She said: “It’s been a gradual decline in Hunstanton since we lost Woolworths and it got so bad that we couldn’t survive – and I don’t think we will be the last.”
Jackson’s laid off its two staff, including one lady who had been with it for 27 years, before Christmas and then tried diversifying by introducing a dress agency, but it was not enough.
Mrs Davies said Jackson’s found it difficult to get quality footwear after two shoe brands went out of business, and on top of that came the demise of Woolworths and the effect that had on the town.
She said: “After fighting the economic downturn we can no longer continue to trade.”
Recently Kevan Fleming, owner of Legge menswear and women’s fashions in Hunstanton High Street, also warned that traders in the town were experiencing extreme difficulty because of lack of customers.
He said problems stemmed from three years ago when Woolworths closed, as that store had been the “heartbeat to Hunstanton” and when it closed it was “the biggest nail in the coffin” for the town.
Mr Fleming, who has been in business in the town for 36 years, urged West Norfolk Council to plough some of the revenue it received from Hunstanton, and particularly from car parking fees, back into the resort.
In December, Mr Fleming and Mrs Davies urged town centre manager Alistair Cox, who said Hunstanton had a loyal customer base and was performing above the national average for empty shops, to spend more time going around the shops and talking to the traders.
In response, a borough council spokesman said the authority realised traders were facing huge challenges and it was holding roadshows to work together with businesses to find ways to help keep its towns trading.
Jackson’s was originally founded in Leicester in 1938 and opened a shop in Chapel Street, Lynn, in July 1972.
The business moved to Hunstanton in 1983 and marked its 70th anniversary in 2008 by holding a day of 1940s’ memorabilia and nostalgia, with food, drink and music of that era.