AWARD WINNING INTERNATIONAL BELLYDANCE TEACHERS TO VISIT SUFFOLK FOR INSPIRATIONAL DANCE EVENT

Zahara Belly Dance is hosting a Summer Day of Dance on Sunday 1st August – a day of workshops taught by a range of teachers from all over the UK and also an award-winning belly dancer from the USA.

Starting at 10am at Ufford Park Hotel, Woodbridge, a variety of workshops will run throughout the day until 4.45pm with a break at lunchtime. There will be a chance to showcase your skills at an ‘Open Dance’ session at the end of the day.

The day is structured with varying levels of classes so anyone can participate in sessions to suit their experience - from recent starters to advanced dancers who have more than two years.

Afterwards there will be an evening ‘Hafla’ with a Middle Eastern Style Dinner, special performance and music and dancing throughout the evening. Tickets are £20.00.

For more information or to book call Henrietta on or email Henrietta@zaharabellydance.co.uk

HOTEL SERVES UP SPECIAL DISH TO HONOUR LOCAL HEROES

A Norfolk hotel has paid tribute to local heroes at a summer fundraising event in Coltishall.

Thanks to the generous people who attended the event at The Norfolk Mead Hotel £10,000 was raised to split between two charities, Help for Heroes and MacMillan Cancer Support.

The event was hosted by Jill and Don Fleming, owners of The Mead and organised with a team of helpers. Jill commented: “We’re really pleased that we were able to raise so much. Our own Anglian Regiment has suffered so many terrible losses in Afghanistan that we really wanted to acknowledge what they have done and help those injured to get better.

“We were also really honoured to have the Colonel in Chief of the Royal Anglian Regiment, Colonel James Woodham with us on the day to speak about Help for Heroes, and that really added to the occasion.”

About the second charity supported on the day, MacMillan Cancer Support, Jill added: “Unfortunately most of us know someone affected by cancer and that’s why we also wanted MacMillan to benefit. We really want to thank everyone who supported us and these charities on the day.”

For the adventurous there was a car treasure hunt and also a display of veteran army vehicles lovingly restored by their proud owners. Magical Ed provided entertainment for the guests followed by a very successful auction.

The highlight of the afternoon was the talk from Colonel James Woodham who had recently returned from Afghanistan.

Two particularly notably high bids were placed for special treats when Sous Chef Richard Harpur volunteered to cook for winning guests in their own homes, securing additional funds for the charities of £1000 and £750 for each evening.

The event was not the first time the hotel has honoured local heroes. After recently renaming their restaurant The Norfolk Restaurant, the rooms were renamed after high flying historical characters of Norfolk such as Douglas Bader who flew from Coltishall and stayed within a stone’s throw from the hotel in World War II. Others acknowledged in this way for their place in Norfolk’s history include Admiral Lord Nelson, Elizabeth Fry, Edith Cavell and Robert Kett.