There aren’t many things in life that are free. From basic life essentials such as clean water to how we spend our leisure time, almost everything has been taken, twisted and commercialised for profit.
If it was possible to bottle fresh air and sell it at enormous cost I’m sure someone, somewhere would do it.
In fact, even as I write this, I can’t help thinking that depressingly, someone, somewhere probably has jumped on this bandwagon already.
But all is not lost, as I discovered during a trip across the border, from Suffolk into Norfolk, at the weekend to visit an exhibition in Norwich that had everything going for it.
When you’re looking for a fun, free, family day out you might not expect it to involve Lego (especially if you’ve visited any of the brilliant, but pricey, Legoland theme parks in the past).
But the Brick Wonders exhibition at The Forum ticks all these boxes - and more.
Curated by artist Warren Elsmore, it features 500,000 Lego bricks, crafted into models of some of the world’s greatest landmarks, from the Great Wall of China to the Grand Canyon and the Egyptian pyramids, to name just a few, along with the centrepiece of a giant model airport, complete with working runway lights and the ‘International Space Station’ hanging overhead.
For young - and old - Lego fans there’s also a ‘build’ table to bring your own creations to life and a graffiti wall to ‘write’ on with Lego, plus screens showing Lego animations.
Congratulations to The Forum for staging this inspirational free event as well as another, showing the First World War photography of Olive Edis, who had studios in Sheringham and was the first-ever accredited female war photographer.
You can see the Brick Wonders exhibition until Sunday (January 21), 10am-4pm. The Olive Edis exhibition runs until January 31.
? On the subject of toys, thanks to Lotte Sherman, who wrote about keeping her toddler great-granddaughter entertained with empty boxes, tubs, corks, small bottles, bubble wrap and whatever “seems safe and hygienic”.
Lotte adds: “When she’s bored of them they can be disposed of and no money lost.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here