Cook's Corner Your monthly recipe to tantalise your taste buds COCONUT CAKE 4oz margarine 2 drops almond essence Rind of 1 lemon 3oz brown sugar 1 beaten egg 12oz plain flower Apricot jam Topping 1 beaten egg 3oz brown sugar 8oz coconut Grease a Swiss Roll tin.  Set oven to 350 F or Mark 4.  Cream fat and sugar and essence, rind and egg.  Add flour.  Press into tin.  Spread a layer of jam on top.  Then cover with topping (mixed together).  Bake for 20-30 minutes until firm.  Cool before cutting and store in airtight tin.

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

One of the most common queries handled by the Bureau is Attendance and Disability Living Allowance can be up to £62.25 per week.  Neither benefit is taxable or means tested but claimants frequently encounter problems even when their claim has been approved.

One client, in her 80s, received a letter from the Dept of Work & Pensions stating that her application had been approved.  She employed a Home Help and a Carer, upon the assumption that she would receive immediate Benefits, which unfortunately were not forthcoming.  Following a series of telephone calls she received two lots of arrears, up to September last year, but did not receive her full benefit until last April following intervention by the Bureau.  This already vulnerable client suffered hardship due to the failure of the Department to pay the Benefits immediately, to which they admitted she was entitled.  This failure on behalf of the Benefits Agency caused the client excessive hardship since she was paying for a Carer during this seven month period.

GETTING KIDS INTO NATURE - WHY KELLING HEATH'S NEW RECRUIT IS ON A MISSION

Kelling Heath's latest recruit is definitely closer to the wild side than the wayside.  26 year-old Fenella Perkins is the new Countryside Activity Co-ordinator working at the award-winning holiday park with a strong environmental focus.   Fen joins the team based at Kelling Heath Holiday Park at Weybourne in North Norfolk bringing with her a history of outdoor work and activities with children, and a passion for educating people about the great outdoors.

"I grew up near Watford," says Fen, "Very close to a major urban centre but I still enjoyed playing in the countryside and exploring outdoors.  I want to give children today the confidence to get outside to play and explore their surroundings, whether it's a local park or the glorious countryside that we enjoy here in North Norfolk"

She has previously worked for the National Trust at Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre where she worked closely with groups of school children from both urban and rural schools.   She looks forward to being able to continue this educational aspect at Kelling Heath through the ever-popular Acorn Club.

"With our innovative Acorn Club, children staying at Kelling Heath can explore our open heath and woodland areas, looking for and learning about local wildlife and creepy crawlies and also have the opportunity to make new friends.  I am very keen on crafts and hope to introduce several new courses where children can make something using the natural materials found on-site to take home as a reminder of their lovely holiday here, and also use their new creative skills again at home" she adds.

Fen will have a key role in Kelling Heath's latest initiative, Love Bugs; an insect appreciation program designed to help families banish bug-phobias and encourage children to fall in love with all creatures small.  This will be launched in June 2006 and will be an ongoing feature at Kelling Heath.

Kelling Heath Holiday Park is located amongst 250 acres of mixed woodland and rare open heathland in an area of outstanding natural beauty close to the North Norfolk coastline at Weybourne.  This award-winning park; managed by Blue Sky Leisure; is internationally recognised as a leader in environmental and sustainable tourism.

Commenting on Fen's appointment, Michael Timewell, Marketing Director of Blue Sky Leisure says, "Fenella was the stand-out applicant for the position of Countryside Activity Co-ordinator - she has a genuine passion for nature and is really keen to get children involved.  I am sure she will be an asset to the Kelling Heath team."