Let’s start with an admission, I wasn’t actually born in Norfolk. I was born in Bury St Edmunds but my parents moved north of the border in 1990. I enjoyed the fruits of our local education authority via Poringland Primary School, Framingham Earl High School and City College Norwich before securing work experience at Anglia TV where my media journey began. Shuttling for a year or so between Magdalen Street studios (now Epic studios) to work on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff and Anglia House on Prince of Wales road to record ‘Trisha’. During this time I never lifted my head to appreciate the true wonder of our county’s great outdoors, I was too busy learning my trade, enjoying the bright studio lights and the whirlwind that remains around such facilities. Fast forward a decade and a half and I need little encouragement to venture out of the fine city to our glorious coastline to fully appreciate what’s always been on Norwich’s doorstep.
Dan with his dog Pepper
The lure of further education and employment resulted in prolonged periods of time away from Norfolk. Three years in Sunderland followed by another three years in Leeds resulted in trips home being reserved for special occasions such as Christmas. Each visit, however, would always generate a smile on my face when I had crossed Sutton Bridge to be welcomed by the “Norfolk, Nelson’s County” sign – a reaction I’m pleased to say has survived the test of time.
Before I joined the Mustard team I was working full time at another channel based in Peterborough. You’ll be reassured to learn I’ve always made sure my residence is east of Peterborough and a stone’s throw from the A47 for easy access back to Norfolk… well, as easy as the A47 allows it to be. For various reasons and theories, in the years following the millennium, the recording and broadcasting of TV programmes slowly but surely moved from Norwich to the more fashionable media hubs of Manchester and London, meaning the odds of me working again in my chosen profession “back home” were becoming more and more slim.
Cue the Local TV Network and Mustard TV! I joined the team a month before launch in February 2014. I felt extremely lucky – and still do – to be able to make television all about my home county. It is through work that I have been introduced to inspiring individuals and organisations that open up and maintain the wilds of Norfolk for locals and visitors alike; for this I give eternal gratitude to Nick Acheson of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and similar enthusiasts. I have seen first-hand the progression of the new Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre at NWT Cley Marshes and the secrets of the Broads on filming trips with Nick. I’m still astonished to this day of Nick’s array of bird calls, I swear he’s part turtle dove. I now split my professional time evenly between Norwich and Peterborough, but spend increasing amounts of my spare time in north Norfolk.
I felt extremely lucky – and still do – to be able to make television all about my home county
Dan Bancroft
It’s turned into a personal challenge to cover as much ground as possible along the north Norfolk coast with my partner, Emily and three year old black cocker spaniel, Pepper. It is just over an hour for us to reach some of our favourite spots; the journey always begins with loading the dog into the boot with wellies and waterproofs for company then making the tricky decision of whether to take the A149 or A148 to reach further afield. Inevitably the landscape of the A149 gets the nod. For the last few years we have taken a Christmas break in Southrepps, a perfect base for exploring Cromer, Mundesley and Happisburgh to name but a few. It is fair to say December is not Cromer’s busiest tourist month (despite delivering a most excellent Winter Show extravaganza at the Pier. A variety production I hugely enjoyed last Christmas, top work Olly Day and co), leaving plenty of open beaches for Pepper to burn off some steam chasing the tide in and out whilst Emily and I do our best to keep up. I’ve noticed this time of year Cromer does seem to attract those with the artistic touch. Last visit we passed at least three brave souls clutching their pallets sheltering behind the breaks on the beach. Admittedly I’m sure the framing of beach huts, cliffs and beaches must be irresistible to those with an experienced eye for such things.
Strandline dominanted by whelk eggs and Flustra foliacea, photo by Tabitha Pearman
When the tide is out Wells-next-the-Sea has similar features that can drain the energy of even the most willing of legs; both human and dog alike. As appealing as the train seems, I don’t think Pepper would be a fan so we tend to access the Wells coastline by driving along the bank to the designated car park. It’s a short scamper up the and down the sandy steps to the beach where the landscape appears to go on forever. You don’t have to cover much ground to lose any assembling crowds, I recommend aiming at the horizon and keep walking, the sand levels rise and fall where you can tip -toe your way to wilderness. What I do not recommend is doing the same but in canvas trainers, a mistake I only made once.
Venturing slightly in-land a recent revelation for Pepper and I are the royal grounds of Sandringham. A very accessible car park invites visitors to meander through acres of scrub and woodland. Some of the plant life looks more at home in Jurassic park than Norfolk, and it doesn’t take much to lose your bearings. Fortunately there’s a rather imposing brick wall to keep any disorientated individuals a safe distance from her Majesty’s begonias. I wonder if it’s too late to propose a joint 90th birthday party between The Queen and NWT, I do love a good buffet.
Professionally, 2016 life at Mustard TV is allowing me to present more and more features out and about in Norfolk, so the wellies will continue to live in the boot until further notice. Personally, I’m intrigued to expand my Norfolk horizons and spend more time on the broads, these waterways are so unique and I certainly haven’t done them justice. It will be interesting to see if Pepper has her sea legs.