Sophie Rice

I am an aspiring Journalist from Norwich with experience in radio, print, online and social media journalism. 

ReWork - We catch up with Kitty Perrin

14/12/23
One of my favourite things about our fine city is our amazing local music scene- it really is something to be celebrated!  And it seems as if I am not the only one who believes this talent needs to be recognised too! This year, ‘ReWork’ was launched, which aimed to empower our amazing local music scene, whilst also broadening the audience they reached. Hits from iconic musicians and bands (from The Beatles to Beyonce!) are given their own spin and ‘reworked’ by five local mu...

Ruby Sue's debut EP- 'Northern Boy'

04/01/24
One of my resolutions I set myself every year (which I know I will stick to!) is to continue to discover the incredible abundance of musical talent which exists in our fine city! From the brilliant buskers which line our cobbled streets to the range of open mic events which allow budding musicians to take to the stage for the first time, Norwich clearly is a city which will never be quiet! 
A few weeks ago, I caught up with local quirky pop artist, Ruby Sue, ahead of their...

The Clause

22/01/24
Too often, the importance of independent venues is underestimated- they continue to support emerging artists on their journeys as musicians, allow the musical community to thrive together and provide us fans with brilliant nights of live music! 
This week marks ‘Independent Venue Week’, allowing us to celebrate the abundance of incredible independent venues that exist across the UK.
 This Sunday, as part of their exclusive tour for Independent Venue week, 4- piece alternat...

Ben Lawrence

11/02/24
Time and time again, the power of music is misjudged. Just by pressing play on an album, we can temporarily escape the stress of everyday life and realise that we are not alone.  
Last November, local indie folk artist Ben Lawrence released his debut album, ‘O Wide World’, after losing his twin brother Dan to cancer in 2016, taking us on a journey of life, loss, hope and adventure, to inspire us all to ‘keep on moving’! 
I recently caught up with Ben to discover his journe...

Cam T

28/02/24
In a world which can often seem too dark, music can be our source of light to guide us to better days.  
This Thursday, local melodic musician, Cam T, will be releasing his new single, ‘Heal’, providing us with a handful of hope to make us realise that brighter days are on the horizon, and it’s ‘okay to not be okay’! 
I recently caught up with Cam T to discover where his love for music came from, the inspiration behind his new single, as well as his dreams for 2024!  When...

Ziggarettes - Funeral

01/03/24
From Voodoo Daddys and The Merchants House, to The Brickmakers and the Waterfront, our fine city will never be short of an abundance of incredible grassroot venues, providing a platform for aspiring musicians to take to the stage for the first time! 
This January, after touring our fine city last year and establishing an amazing presence in the heart of our local music scene, local cowboy dream- pop band, Ziggarettes, released their debut single, ‘Runaway’! 
But this relea...

ReWork: Revealed

07/03/24
Bowie: a musical icon whose innovation, fashion and personas completely altered the history of music as we know it.  
Whether we’ve been feeling ‘Under Pressure’ recently, or questioning if there really is ‘Life on Mars?’, there truly is a track for everyone from Ziggy Stardust himself! 
On the 15th March, ‘ReWork’ will return to the Puppet Theatre, allowing us to experience the music of The Thin White Duke as we’ve never heard it before! 
The night will see the best loca...

Marc Valentine - Basement Sparks

08/03/24
I don’t know about you, but some days it can feel as if I am living under the constant gaze of society, unable to escape the persistent pressure of needing to know where I will be taking my next step in life. 
But do we ever realise the importance of letting the course of life flow naturally, trusting the process and embracing what the future holds? 
For singer- songwriter Marc Valentine, this has been key to his journey as a musician! From pathing the way as the frontman...

Swim School

18/04/24
Too often, the abundance of expectations that accompany life can be overwhelming- some days it can feel as if the world is against us all. 
However, it is days like this in which I turn to music, and the power it holds to unite a world which seems to separate many of us. 
Next Monday, Swim School will be taking to the stage of the Waterfront (for a sold-out show!), as part of their headline tour to celebrate the release of their powerful new EP, ‘Seeing it Now’. 
Last wee...

Maple Ward

22/04/24
Since June of last year, Norwich Puppet Theatre has been home to an incredible gig series which celebrates the talent from our local music scene- ‘ReWork’- with local musicians, duos and bands being able to put their own spin on hits from musical icons such as Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles. 
This Friday, Althea Rose, Damp Matches, Jack and the Giants and Maple Ward will be taking to the stage of the Puppet Theatre, as they rework the hits from Paul Simon! 
A few wee...

Jack and The Giants

22/04/24
Since making its debut appearance last June, ‘ReWork’ has taken the local music scene by a storm, providing local artists with a platform to showcase their musical talent, by allowing them to rework the hits from a range of musical icons! 
This Friday, ‘ReWork’ will make its return to Norwich Puppet Theatre, with Althea Rose, Damp Matches, Jack and the Giants and Maple Ward taking to the stage to put their own spin on the hits from Paul Simon! 
When did your journey as a b...

Althea Rose

24/04/24
The power of live music is phenomenal- through a few songs, artists can connect with their listeners through powerful performances and communicate the passionate messages which lie beneath their music!  Here in Norwich, we will never be short of brilliant gigs we can go to, to witness this incredible power for ourselves! 
This Friday, Althea Rose will be taking to the stage of the Puppet Theatre as part of ‘ReWork’ the hits from Paul Simon!    When did your journey as a mus...

Damp Matches

24/04/24
Something that deserves to be celebrated about our fine city is our incredible local music scene, which continues to provide more opportunities for local musicians by the day! Whether it’s a follow and share on social media or a chance to play live in one of our many incredible grassroot venues, the support from our local music community is endless! 
Last month, Damp Matches brought their wild Indie Trash-Hop Alt-Rock music to Voodoo Daddy’s showroom, as they headlined ‘New...

Brown Horse

05/05/24
Music is the language of life- its lyrics are shaped by our own experiences, and it can be the voice we need to hear on the darkest of days to make us realise that we are not alone.    And nothing captures the power of this language greater than the albums created by bands, musicians and duos, which take their listeners through compelling conversations over the course of their soundtrack. 
To celebrate the release of their debut album, ‘Reservoir’, local country rock band,...

Dominyka - Rework Taylor Swift 8th June

05/06/24
When did your journey as a musician begin?
I've been into music for as long as I can remember myself but to be factual - I started singing at the age of about 3, according to my mum. She always played Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson's music videos and live concerts at home while I was growing up and I - absolutely stunned by their artistic craft and talent - was singing along into a hairbrush, imagining one day being on stage too.
How would you describe your music (is...

Ben Taylor promoter "This is Music"

05/05/24
Live music- an incredible opportunity for aspiring musicians to take to the stage for the first time and have access to a powerful platform which will allow them to connect further with the local music scene. 
From gaining new listeners and reaching a wider audience, to meeting fellow musicians and potential promotors, the connections which are possible for aspiring musicians from a gig or festival are endless! 
On the 16th June, ‘This Is Music’ will be bringing their incr...

Gabby Rivers - Rework Taylor Swift 8th June

05/06/24
When did your journey as a musician begin? 
 My journey as a musician began back when I was 12 (I am aged 21 now) I was at a musical theatre Saturday club from the age of 8-15 and whilst I was there I enjoyed the singing side the most. I said to my mum I would love to sing more outside of the theatre club. She asked in what way and I mentioned being a artist, performing in venues and so on. My mum found some open mic nights and before I knew it I was 12 years old singing in...

The Howlers

23/07/24
In my opinion, music is one of the most powerful forms of art- it can make us reminisce, laugh, cry (and even want to make a change!). But, more importantly, it helps influence and inspire the next generations of incredible musicians, bands and duos!
On the 25th September, The Howlers shall be coming to The Waterfront, as part of their UK tour to celebrate the release of their debut album, ‘What You’ve Got to Lose to Win it All’.
And, a few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to...

Ambulance workers in the east of England join rest of country in vote to strike

The EEAST (East of England Ambulance Service) have today (Wednesday, February 8) voted to walk out due to a dispute over pay, being the last trust to do so across England and Wales. 86 per cent of EEAST members who are part of the GMB Union voted in favour of striking and industrial action. However, there has been no decision on a date for strike action yet. This is the first time a strike vote has taken place with the EEAST, even though it is among one of the biggest Ambulance services in the U...

Attleborough, Hunstanton and Diss stores set to close after M&Co enters collapse

Five stores across Norfolk are set to be hit by the recent closure announcement of all 170 M&Co stores. This will include stores in Attleborough, Hunstanton, Cromer, Fakenham and Diss. The store went into a second administration in two years, on December 9, 2022, after its first collapse in 2020. Even though AK Retail Holdings have bought the brand, previously called Mackays, the shops have not been included in this deal. The closures, which are expected to happen in spring of this year and will...

Charity launches new campaign to mark World Cancer Awareness Day

Today marks the annual date of awareness but every three years a new focus is decided upon, with 'closing the care gap' decided for between 2022 and 2024. 

Cancer support charity Star Throwers, based in Wymondham, is aiming to raise £6,000 to help fund its free lymphoedema support sessions, through an online JustGiving page. 

This would allow them to fund 100 of the sessions to combat the condition, which can see fluid build up in the limbs after some cancer treatments.

Star Throwers...

5 coffee shops with character to explore in Norwich

This cafe presents a distinctive character, with plenty of plants and a unique mix of furniture, whilst embracing its 82-year history as a repair and sale shop for bicycles.

Their cellar is home to a range of events, such as Handlebar Unplugged, Vinyl in the dark and Poets in the cellar.

The Bicycle Shop in St Benedicts Street (Image: Newsquest)

With 317 games available, this plant-based coffee shop and cafe, which is also dog friendly, welcomes gamers of all abilities.

For a fo...

Night hike offers chance to see popular National Trust park at twilight

The night hike will take place at the National Trust's north Norfolk park on Monday, February 13 between 5pm and 7.30pm.

The moonlight will guide walkers along a three-mile trail among the 1,000 acres of woodland, using 'night vision' as their eyes adapt to the dark.

Sheringham Park is hosting a night hike (Image: National Trust)

To make this year's event better, there will also be a new addition of an infrared scope, giving walkers an unusual look.

Rob Coleman, from the Nationa...