The Northfolk Project

A new dawn and a new beginning. After more than 32 years with the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service my post was deleted due to down-sizing of local government, thank you bankers. I now I am doing my own thing, immersing myself in North Norfolk, its history, culture, and environment and working for the general good, whilst having some fun, making friends and to some extent making a living. My so-called 'Northfolk Project' is simply a portfolio of things designed to amuse me and do some good. Geology is featuring pretty heavily at the moment (hence the Field Guide to North Norfolk Geology within this site but I also want to start a brewery, write some books. And I haven't mentioned the ganseys. I'll tell you about those one day. I also still work for the Norfolk Museums Service from time to time. Do read on.

Martin Warren, Cromer, Norfolk

Geology Walks on the Ice Age Coast

North Norfolk has fascinating geology - and archaeology - and I have established an enthusiastic following for my public 'geology walks' at West Runton over the past 20 years.

Here is a quote from a recent email:
"Thank you Martin for a wonderful walk at West Runton today. Geology was something that, at school, I always felt should be interesting but could never get my mind around - your talk today proved it to be the fascinating subject that I felt it must be and has fired me up to learn more! It's the best 3 pounds I've spent in a long while!

And another...

Dear Martin,
Thank you again for yesterday's first class Geological Walk at West Runton. I have examined your web site and found it as interesting as the walk. The panoramic pictures of the cliff are particularly fine.

I look forward to your book and your beer!

Click here for details of the 2012 season.



The planned 2011 series is finished now but I am open to suggestions for more, either this winter, or next year:

• Winter walks - more walk, less talk?
• Fancy a longer "Walk with Martin"? Say from Cromer to Sheringham along the beach (6km)?
• What about a circular walk from Cromer through Felbrigg Woods (9km)?
• Or a more challenging Geology Walk on Overstrand-Sidestrand-Trimingham beach?
• Please email me with your reaction or suggestions at:



• martin.warren[at]talktalk.net

Talks

I give illustrated talks on various topics with geological and Norfolk themes:

• North Norfolk Geology: The Dynamic Coast
• The West Runton Mammoth: A Curator Goes Elephant Hunting.
• Once Upon A Time: a Curatorial Fairy Story
• Fossils and Fossil Collecting
• Museum Information Management
• Microbrewing: Ales Gas 'n Lager

Give me a call on 01263 513992 or email me on martin.warren[at]talktalk.net.

The Poppyland Microbrewery

I am a frustrated brewer. It is my ambition to establish a very small brewery in Cromer, to create extraordinary ales using local ingredients. These will be on sale in the Cromer Health and Farm Shop, The Rocket House Cafe, The Real Ale Shop at Holkham and also from the brewery and other places. No beer available at the moment but you can certainly buy a great selection of local Norfolk Ales from Andrew and Lisa's Cromer Farm and Health Shop, behind the church in downtown Cromer.

I have found a brewery site. It's very small but it is only 26 metres from my front gate! When Peter Allen decided to retire and close Allen's Garages in Cromer (established 1896) he sold the site for redevelopment to Anchor Homes of North Walsham. Unbeknown to me, he retained a small part in his ownership: the old West Street entrance and the adjacent office/shop. They were empty and he had no plans for them. While I hade been looking high and low around north Norfolk for a suitable site, this had been under my nose all the time. At 377 square feet it is barely large enough but barring accidents it is going to do me just fine. Read on.

For the latest news of the brews and developments at the Poppyland Brewery, read my blog: Poppyland Brewer

Museum Information Consultancy

As a retired museum professional (1976-2010) I offer my experience as a consultant to museums and heritage organisations large and small in the areas of museum information and collections management, especially the widely-used cataloguing software called 'Modes'. I still work for Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service as an occasional consultant and enjoy the honour of being a Research Associate so I retain links with the service and a have a continuing interest in the wonderful collections.