Latest news with #Gorleston
BBC News
14 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Talking, crying and laughing at Gorleston bereavement cafe
A moment is seared into Thomasina Scott-Greenard's after the sudden death of her 19-year-old son Oliver, she walked into her local supermarket only for it to be "like the parting of the Red Sea - people turned their backs on me because they didn't know what to say".Five years earlier, Oliver's father and Mrs Scott-Greenard's husband, Simon, had also died, at the age of describes losing them as "cataclysmic", but says the depths of her grief also led her to understand how important it was to talk openly about almost 14 years after her son's death and with time to volunteer, Mrs Scott-Greenard, 57, has launched a weekly bereavement cafe in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk. Reflecting on both her shopping trip following the loss of her son in November 2011 and the ethos that has been the springboard for the cafe, she says: "I think it's better to say something than nothing."Unfortunately, part of our Britishness is that we don't like to talk about death. "But we should talk about it because we're all going to die; we're all going to know somebody that dies. "It's up to us to support each other, so we don't mourn their loss alone. No-one should be alone." The cafe at Gorleston's Pavilion Theatre is run as a discussion group, rather than providing professional grief support or on topics such as what to do with a loved one's ashes and administration is offered, but the cafe is also a sanctuary to share experiences and memories, talk, laugh and Scott-Greenard, who lives in nearby Ormesby and has since remarried, says the fact she had two other children, Elliott and Isobel, and a busy job helped her cope at the time, but she has always been aware how some people were isolated in their grandmother-of-two says she also coped by throwing herself into volunteering for different causes after her husband died days after being diagnosed with renal cancer, and then the unexpected death of her son from an epileptic seizure while away with a determination to get people to talk about a subject that is often shied away from, she started running a weekly bereavement cafe in Martham for the county library service last then suggested launching another independent cafe at the theatre, where he works. "I call it my 'Dead People Club' because... a lot of people don't understand what the word bereavement means," says Mrs Scott-Greenard."But if you break it down, everybody here has got a dead person that we like to talk about. "We don't want to forget - and we can share what we've been through together." The cafe is open to anyone grieving for a loved one, regardless of when they died. Sue and Paul Davis lost their son Steve on 2 March and have been keen to talk to others as they try to make sense of their emotions. He was 32 when he suddenly collapsed at their home following a series of epileptic mother had desperately tried to save him before the paramedics arrived."You can't ever describe the depths of it - it's just devastating," says Mrs Davis."People understand because they've all suffered a bereavement of some kind."Thomasina, because she lost her own son, I find she can understand how I'm feeling."I think although family help, they don't fully understand what it feels like to lose your own child."You can talk about anything - you can be yourself." Other people in the group have taken pleasure in companionship and building new friendships after losing their partners. Gloria Briggs, 77, had been married from the age of 17 for 52 years when her husband died of a short illness. "We did everything together and everything was about our family," she says."You'll never get over it - you can't - but you live with it a bit better."She says the cafe has made her "get out and meet other people", and see she was not the only one to have lost a has given her a common bond with Carol, 68, whose mother and husband died weeks apart in going to grief counselling, Carol felt she needed more support, so visited the cafe after spotting a social media post."I fit in here very well - we've all been through similar," said Carol, who did not want to disclose her surname."When you're bereaved, yes, you've got family and friends - they try and be sympathetic - but I think I put a lot on other people."I think they got a bit fed up with listening to it, whereas here, you can cry."After spending last year wearing black clothes, she says the cafe's family atmosphere has been restorative."I look forward to putting my make up on, doing my hair, wearing something pretty," said Carol. "I thought, 'No, I'm gonna be a bit brighter now and be back to who I am.'" The free bereavement cafe is held on Wednesdays between 10:00 and 11:30 at Gorleston Pavilion Theatre. Norfolk County Council also runs a series of free bereavement cafes, at locations including Martham. If you - or someone you know - has been affected by grief, child bereavement or end of life care, you can find information and support at BBC Action Line. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Pedestrian in serious condition after struck by car in Gorleston
A pedestrian has been hospitalised with life-threatening conditions after he was hit by a car, police incident happened at about 23:15 BST on Saturday on Shrublands Way, Gorleston, Norfolk, and involved a black Nissan injured pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was taken to Addenbrooke's Police has appealed for any witnesses to contact them. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Surgeons plot epic Norfolk circuit in bid for new £800k x-ray system
Spinal surgeons from Norfolk's largest hospital have plotted an epic summer challenge in a bid to secure a new £800k x-ray system for the department. Members of the spinal surgery team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are set to complete a circular route of Norfolk on water, foot and bicycle which will see them visit all three of the region's main hospitals. Setting off on Monday, the team is set to travel by river from Norwich to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston - rowing as close as possible to the sister hospital. A map showing the route the surgeons will take (Image: NNUH) From there, they will walk from Gorleston to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, taking the coastal path to visit Cromer Hospital along the way. And the final leg of their epic challenge will see them cycle from the QEH back to the N&N - with the challenge taking place across June. They are taking part in the challenge to raise funds to purchase a new x-ray system for the department capable of taking images with a 70pc reduction in radiation exposure. Tom Marjoram (Image: NNUH) Consultant spinal surgeon Tom Marjoram said: "This is especially important in children who are more vulnerable to radiation exposure, especially to the abdomen and pelvis. "It also allows images to be taken in one picture rather than having to stitch them together, which reduces the chance of errors and increases measurement accuracy." The equipment- a low dose x-ray imaging system - costs in the region of £800,000 - with the challenge taking place during Scoliosis Awareness Month. Mr Marjoram added: "This system will help reduce waiting times for diagnostic imaging and will mean that patients who require regular repeated scanning, especially from children, will receive low doses of radiation across their lifetime, reducing the possibility of long-term harm that comes from radiation exposure." To support the appeal, visit
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Gorleston chef learns new meals after Stena Immaculate donation
The chef of a community food bank said she had to expand her skill set after receiving a huge donation of meat and fish from a stranded oil Bridge lunch club, run by the St Mary Magdalene Church in Gorleston, Norfolk, relies on donations to offer up to 60 people a three course meal each week. It was recently given a cubic metre of food including oxtail from the Stena Immaculate which was struck by a cargo vessel in March."I did get really excited at the thought of that meat. It is very expensive and it is not the sort of thing we get usually," said Lottie Eaton. "I have learnt how to butcher an oxtail myself."She tends to prepare her menus six weeks in advance, but is having to adapt her cooking and the dishes on she was a chef at the club, she used the service as a client. "I used to come and have my meals here. I suffered with anxiety so I used to hide in the kitchen a lot and I found it a safe space. Now I run the kitchen."It has changed my life. I have now got my family back - it's not something I would have dreamed of 10 years ago." The Stena Immaculate has resided at the port in Great Yarmouth since 11 April, where it was towed to be inspected. Community lead for the food bank, Anna Price, believes the food is worth hundreds if not thousands of pounds. "We took as much as we possibly could. There's big slabs of frozen chicken wings, boneless chicken, loads of beef," she explained."I had, in my freezer for a while, massive slabs of really good quality beef... the thing we didn't know how to use or get rid of were the oxtails - but we are learning."The 47-year-old said it was like "Christmas had come early" for chef Lottie. For the past four years, David Williamson has been coming to the lunch club. He said: "Half of my money went on my bills... I didn't have the money to afford to go shopping."[Stena Immaculate] are not wasting the food... everybody is from a low income and they can't afford to go out and have a proper meal. "It brings a tear to my eye... people can walk away and say they've had a nice meal today." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘A nostalgic British holiday': The seaside town with one of Europe's best beaches – that gets country's first sunrise
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Published: Invalid Date, OUR new column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in your favourite holiday hotspots. This week we're heading closer to home with a staycation spotlight on Gorleston in Norfolk. 3 The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot often visits the seaside town. She said: "If you're craving a little nostalgic look at how we holidayed before the advent of package holidays to the Med, then Gorleston ticks every box. "I was entranced with this little slice of old-school seaside fun from the moment I saw my kids scamper onto the broad sweep of sandy beach. "We were blessed with a very untypically sunny day and after sandcastles were made and destroyed, it was an easy stroll through the lovely gardens in search of ice cream. "It may be just half an hour from the bright lights of Great Yarmouth but with my little ones in tow, the relaxed, family-friendly focussed Gorleston gave us a chance to pause and relax." MUST SEE/DO Just a few miles from the action of Great Yarmouth's Golden Mile, Gorleston-on-Sea offers a quieter stretch of golden sand with a huge bay. The coastal town features in Tripadvisor 's annual Travellers Choice Best of the Best Beaches list for 2025. It was named 23rd best beach in Europe and one of only two UK spots featured on the list. It boasts cliff-top gardens and a grand promenade perfect for walking and cycling. An unspoilt gem of a resort, it is easy to see why Gorleston's charm caught the eye of director Danny Boyle, who used it as a backdrop to feelgood film Yesterday. HIDDEN GEM The Gorleston Pavilion, an Edwardian seaside theatre, features an eclectic mix of plays, pantomimes, musicals and an unmissable Summer Show which runs every Tuesday from May 6 to October 7 this year. This gorgeous old theatre seats 300 cabaret style at candlelit tables and is all on one level, making it fully accessible to wheelchairs. Drinks are served to your table by friendly bar staff. Discover UK's Best Beaches: Hidden Gems Revealed The adjacent bandstand has summer concerts throughout the main season so you can bring a chair and a picnic and listen to the music while overlooking Gorleston beach. BEST VIEW The best views can be found from Gorleston's cliff top towards the southern end, providing great vistas of the sandy beach and the gentle rolling waves of the North Sea. RATED RESTAURANT Family-run The Shed Tapas on the quay side is a surprise treat and serves an excellent choice of small dish. Mediterranean tapas including favourites such as chorizo in cider, padron peppers, patatas bravas, garlic prawns plus daily specials. BEST BAR The Cliff Hotel's restaurant and bar is the place for beach views and drinks can be enjoyed on the terrace on warmer days. It's a fabulous spot to while away a few hours over a beer or glass of wine or two. It also serves a great range of cocktails. HOTEL PICK Cast and crew for Danny Boyle's Yesterday movie spent a month at The Pier Hotel and the hotel and beach both feature in the film. A key scene was shot from the balcony overlooking the beach, where 6,000 local people responded to Danny's call for a lively crowd to dance and have fun as the film's star Himesh Patel and a band performed The Beatles' song Help! for them. The hotel is just a few metres from the beach and has wonderful sea views, 21 bedrooms, an elegant restaurant and spacious bar. 3
