Kevin Keable is behind Norfolk at its Best, an inspirational new book championing more than 80 charities doing great things in the county. Here he explains why he wanted to bring out the book and why the illustrated cover brings a tear to his eye every time
I’m husband to Karen, an artist, father to Charlie, an actor, and Olivia, an art history student. I am currently completing work on a 15 self-build housing estate – Long Four Acres Avenue in Bracon Ash and helping finish our new build home there. I also help my wife run the Southwold Gallery. I was previously owner of Oilennium Ltd, an eLearning development company, prior to it being sold to a FTSE company and before that many years in the oil and gas industry around the world.
What’s the idea behind Norfolk at its Best and what is your involvement?
I had the idea for a book, which could showcase many Norfolk charities and with the addition of inspirational quotations, could be a feel-good book to help lift people’s spirits, post the pandemic. However, it has grown to become a fund raiser and to offer more information about the charities contained within the book. From the basic idea, I’ve been lucky that a team of people have pulled together to make the book a reality: the Norfolk Community Foundation, the charities, the supporters and sponsors, packaging, and sales outlets.
What is the role of the Norfolk Community Foundation?
I knew Claire [Cullens], the CEO, and I’ve known about the Foundation’s great work for many years. It was an obvious choice to ask them to be the actual foundation of the book. All the groups and charities in the book have been supported in some way by the Foundation. Much of the admin work for the book has been handled by staff there, as has much of the marketing and social media work.
How many charities are involved and what sort of inspirational stories are coming through in the book?
There are more than 80 charities within the book, covering a wide range of services. So many stories: ‘Walshy’, aka ‘Street Shots’, has developed a brilliant photography skill having been locked up (his words) by addiction and then the pandemic for years. The Matthew Project helped him unlock his potential.
Bryony’s words about the Nancy Oldfield Trust and sailing tell a lot: ‘I really love going out on the water because I love the freedom it gives me. I can’t walk very fast on dry land so when there’s a good wind it allows me to go really fast and I love looking at the wildlife.’
One of the main inspirations for the book are the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Young Carers. Their ‘wish list’ of things they wanted to do – which is featured in the book – inspired my wife and I to try and help them. Here are some examples from that list: to go to London to see Big Ben; to have my own room; for all my family to get on with each other; for mum to be able to walk; for my Nan to be alive; go to the beach for the day.
What’s the aim of the book?
To inspire people to help the charities, to lift spirits and to celebrate the amazing work of all involved in Norfolk’s charity sector.
How did illustrator Rebecca Osborne get involved?
Rebecca was creating an animation to tell stories of the pandemic last year – I was already a fan of her work and told her how my sister and I had drunk one last glass of rum with my dad as we stood outside his hospital room, that was the last time we saw him properly. She included this in the animation, and it still brings a tear to my eye every time I listen to it; hers too, she tells me.
Any plans for more books in the pipeline?
Doesn’t everyone want to write a book? Now that I’ve found the fabulous Jen Parker of Fuzzy Flamingo, a self-publishing expert, who typeset and published the book for free, maybe I’ll write something else – I have several ideas…
To purchase a copy of ‘Norfolk at its best’, please visit Norfolk at its best book | Norfolk Community Foundation. Alternatively, copies can be physically bought from The Book Hive and Jarrolds. Each book is sold for £15, with postage and packaging being an additional £3.20 for up to 3 copies and £6.40 for up to 6 copies. If you would like to collect your copy instead of getting it posted to you, this can be done from Norfolk Community Foundation’s office at St James Mill, Whitefriars, Norwich NR3 1TN. Please indicate on the purchase form if you would like to collect instead of paying for postage and packaging. 100% of sales goes to support the work of Norfolk Community Foundation.
Leave a Reply