Banham Zoo is thrilled to share another exciting milestone in our red panda story. Our twin cubs, born earlier this summer, have taken their very first steps outside!
The playful pair, born on 22nd June 2025, have been growing quickly under the attentive care of their mother, Lu and are now beginning to explore their outdoor habitat, much to the delight of the zoo’s animal care team and visitors lucky enough to catch a glimpse.
We’re also delighted to officially reveal their names: the female cub will be called Yun, meaning “cloud” in Chinese, and the male cub will be called Ajay, meaning “unconquered” or “invincible” in Hindi.
The birth of Yun and Ajay marks an important success for the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP), which works to protect and sustain vulnerable species such as the red panda (Ailurus fulgens).
Red pandas are currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 2,500 estimated to remain in the wild. Their numbers continue to decline due todeforestation, habitat fragmentation and poaching, making every successful birth a significant contribution to the future of the species.
As a proud member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), Banham Zoo remains dedicated to protecting endangered wildlife through world-classanimal care, breeding programmes and vital conservation work both in the UK and globally.
Sarah Stogden, Team Leader of Carnivores said, “Our red panda twins Yun and Ajay are growing in confidence every day as they continue to explore their habitat under mum Lu’s watchful eye and they have been delighting guests lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them. Their individual personalities are starting to shine through, the darker faced of the two is more adventurous and quicker to follow Lu high up in the treetops, whilst its sibling takes its time navigating the branches. Over the coming months the keepers will begin building up a relationship with the pair so that they can participate in training sessions alongside Lu and allow us to read their microchips, which they were given during their August health check with our vet, allowing us to confirm which panda is which!
Visitors will have the chance to see Yun and Ajay in their habitat this October half term,as they continue to grow bolder and explore their surroundings. This is the perfect opportunity for families to enjoy a memorable day out while supporting the conservation of these beautiful animals.
For more information about Banham Zoo and our conservation work, please visit: www.banhamzoo.co.uk
2024 saw the launch of the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices Business Circle. A membership that connects businesses across East Anglia to help support local children and their families.
Our members enjoyed events at Bedford Lodge in Newmarket, Royal Norwich, Porsche Centre where some took to the roads and test drove a Porsche, Mocktail Making at The Carpenters Arms in Cambridge, a beautiful evening with private garden tours at Helmingham Hall in Suffolk and our signature event our Business Supporter Supper at the Jockey Club Rooms.
By joining the Business Circle your membership could help a Clinical Nurse Specialist provide expert nursing and symptom management care for 40 hours.
We are already looking forward to 2025 which is going to be another exciting year. For more details or to become a member please get in contact with the Corporate team at corporate@each.org.uk.
Monday 24 February sessions – Alexandra Hemen is a High Growth Business Adviser at New Anglia Growth Hub. As part of the economic development team at Norfolk County Council, Alexandra is truly passionate about Norfolk business landscape and supporting all businesses reach their potential. Book this special one-to-one mentoring session with New Anglia Growth Hub business adviser Alexandra Hemen.
Alexandra has built a career as a passionate leader of retail operations and strategy. In her most recent role as Head of Retail for Adnams PLC, her remit was to deliver growth and excellent customer service. Passionate about operational efficiency and digitisation, the areas of expertise include retail, operational productivity, marketing strategy and FMCG market.
Academically, Alexandra is a proud alumni of the UEA Business school, achieving a Masters Business Administration in 2022. As a chartered manager and an economist by trade, she has a true love for East Anglia, with a keen interest in poverty alleviation and sustainable economic development. Alexandra is also a trustee on the Norfolk Museums Development Foundation.
There are two sessions available for Alexandra on Monday 24 February.
Workplaces across Norfolk are getting on their starting blocks ready to compete in the 2016 New Year Workplace Challenge which starts today – Monday 4 January 2016.
Last year over 1000 people from 70 businesses were signed up to take part in the New Year challenge logging 25,000 hours of physical activity. This year Active Norfolk wants even more people to get involved, and as an easy way of introducing more physical activity into your life are suggesting workers ‘revolutionise their lunch break’.
Across England workers take on average 5.31 sick days per year. NHS research has shown that those who are physically active are 20% less likely to take a sick day and are 27% more likely to return to work quicker if they do.
Time is often cited as a barrier to participation in sport with many workers spending 8 – 9 hours at work in sedentary positions. With this in mind businesses are being asked to encourage their employees to get active on their lunch break and save one sick day per employee per year. Just adding a brisk 30 minute walk to the middle of each working day would get most people up to the recommended level of 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
The annual eight week Workplace Challenge is a great way for people to motivate themselves and their colleagues in the New Year, enjoy some office banter and improve energy and stress levels.
Joanne Doleman from the Institute of Food Research who had 20 people taking part in the Workplace Challenge in 2015 said: “I got involved as I had had a period of six months off work due to illness and had done no sport or physical activity during that time. The Workplace Challenge was a great way to get me back into it. Getting my work colleagues involved really motivated me to keep going and even now our team is always supporting and encouraging each other to get active. Plus getting people from across the organisation involved brought teams together with some friendly competition between departments.”
Katie Tierney, Fit4Work Project Officer for Active Norfolk said “By signing up to the Workplace Challenge website for free, people can log their levels of sport, physical activity and active travel online over the eight weeks. Every activity allocates points to the person and their workplace. This is a really great way for anyone wanting to get more active to enjoy participating and be rewarded for their efforts by being entered into a weekly prize draw.”
Throughout the eight weeks there are some amazing prizes up for grabs thanks to our sponsors. These include a free years Gym Membership at Nuffield Health, Sportspark and North Norfolk leisure centres, a commuter bike from Pedal Revolution plus spa days, restaurant and shopping vouchers, and much more.
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Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Stephen Bett, will soon have to decide whether to increase or freeze the policing element of Council Tax – and he wants to know what you think.
The Commissioner is launching a public consultation throughout January on whether the police precept should rise by 2pc (an average of £4 per year) or be frozen.
Stephen said: “The announcement from the Government around police funding was welcome but that does not mean Norfolk Constabulary is out of the woods; far from it.
“The Government has said that police funding will be protected – but that’s on the assumption that PCC’s increase the policing element of the Council Tax by 2% each year.
“There are, of course, still major financial pressures on the force as they carry the burden of past funding cuts, and the demands on our police continue to increase and crucially, to change.
“There is an unprecedented surge in demand in areas such as rape, serious sexual offences and child sexual exploitation as people feel more confident to come forward. Cybercrime is another area of serious growth for the constabulary – and an expensive one.
“Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) says Norfolk Constabulary is doing an outstanding job in managing its efficiencies, but there is much more to do.
“Before I make any decisions on whether to raise the precept I want to hear people’s views. I will be consulting throughout January and would urge people to have their say.”
Each year, the PCC is responsible for setting the policing element of the Council Tax and is responsible for consulting with the public for their views.
Take the survey now. The consultation begins on 4 January and runs until 29 January.
You will be able to have your say via theonline survey on the Norfolk PCC website, by requesting a hard copy of the survey (telephone 01953 424455 or email opccn@norfolk.pnn.police.uk) or by taking part in one of a number ofopportunities to have your say in person, including:
Wednesday 13 January – Public Budget Consultation Meeting: 6.30pm,The Council Chamber,Norfolk County Council,County Hall,Martineau Lane,Norwich,NR1 2SF
Monday 18 January – Public Budget Consultation Meeting: 12 noon,The Assembly Room,Town Hall,Saturday Market Place,Kings Lynn,PE30 5DQ
Permastore is expanding its horizons, creating new jobs in East Anglia and increasing the GDP for the United Kingdom! Permastore has invested £1.5m in an epoxy production line to expand its tank and silo manufacturing facility. This is building upon its existing world leading vitreous enamel production line and the significant investment will benefit local families by increasing employment in Suffolk and the surrounding areas. Honoured guest, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, conducted the official opening of the production facility on the 30 November 2015, joined by MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Dr Dan Poulter, and many of our esteemed Distributors from around the globe.
“Permastore is the largest manufacturing company headquartered in Suffolk and therefore has a key role to play within the region. With the additional capacity that this new epoxy production facility will provide, as well as the addition of the new PERMADOME® Roof and Cover range, orders are forecast to increase by 30% on last year’s figures. This new production facility will also secure additional jobs in Suffolk and supports Permastore’s long-term growth strategy which is firmly on track to continue, in turn contributing to the local economy and creating further jobs in the area” commented Brian Quarendon, Chief Executive Officer of Permastore.
Permastore is at the forefront of the containment industry with continuous research and development and prides itself on its excellent reputation in the municipal, industrial and agricultural market sectors. As a measure of the substantial success of one of its new product ranges, PERMADOME®, Permastore has supplied the world’s widest diameter Glass-Fused-to-Steel External Beam Roof for a potable water project in the Far East, as well as securing orders for some of the largest diameter Geodesic Dome Roofs for a potable water project in the Americas.
The Company has been established since 1959 and Permastore opened its custom built manufacturing facility based in Eye, Suffolk in 1977. It employs over 230 staff, exporting more than 75% of its product globally, and is one of the few manufacturers still based in Suffolk. Permastore operates through a
highly skilled extensive International Distributor Network with over 130 Distributors marketing, selling, installing and maintaining the PERMASTORE® product in over five continents. Permastore can proudly claim to have over 300,000 structures installed in over 110 countries.
Permastore is also extremely proud of its dedicated workforce, many of whom are long serving employees and have made Permastore what it is today.
Permastore is expanding its horizons, creating new jobs in East Anglia and increasing the GDP for the United Kingdom! Permastore has invested £1.5m in an epoxy production line to expand its tank and silo manufacturing facility. This is building upon its existing world leading vitreous enamel production line and the significant investment will benefit local families by increasing employment in Suffolk and the surrounding areas. Honoured guest, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, conducted the official opening of the production facility on the 30 November 2015, joined by MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Dr Dan Poulter, and many of our esteemed Distributors from around the globe.
“Permastore is the largest manufacturing company headquartered in Suffolk and therefore has a key role to play within the region. With the additional capacity that this new epoxy production facility will provide, as well as the addition of the new PERMADOME® Roof and Cover range, orders are forecast to increase by 30% on last year’s figures. This new production facility will also secure additional jobs in Suffolk and supports Permastore’s long-term growth strategy which is firmly on track to continue, in turn contributing to the local economy and creating further jobs in the area” commented Brian Quarendon, Chief Executive Officer of Permastore.
Permastore is at the forefront of the containment industry with continuous research and development and prides itself on its excellent reputation in the municipal, industrial and agricultural market sectors. As a measure of the substantial success of one of its new product ranges, PERMADOME®, Permastore has supplied the world’s widest diameter Glass-Fused-to-Steel External Beam Roof for a potable water project in the Far East, as well as securing orders for some of the largest diameter Geodesic Dome Roofs for a potable water project in the Americas.
The Company has been established since 1959 and Permastore opened its custom built manufacturing facility based in Eye, Suffolk in 1977. It employs over 230 staff, exporting more than 75% of its product globally, and is one of the few manufacturers still based in Suffolk. Permastore operates through a
highly skilled extensive International Distributor Network with over 130 Distributors marketing, selling, installing and maintaining the PERMASTORE® product in over five continents. Permastore can proudly claim to have over 300,000 structures installed in over 110 countries.
Permastore is also extremely proud of its dedicated workforce, many of whom are long serving employees and have made Permastore what it is today.
We hope you have enjoyed a wonderful christmas and are looking forward to the new year. 2015 was a great year for BBA Digital Media and we look forward to developing new and existing relationships into 2016. We are continuing to increase our network of digital screens and audience numbers through out the year, with further installations of screens in exciting new locations. We will also be integrating bluetooth technologies into our screens, enabling us to send your advertising message directly to our audiences mobile phones.
Digital Advertising is the fastest growing advertising medium, with Digital-Out-Of-Home coming under that bracket. Be at the forefront of the new marketing and advertising market, and ensure Digital Signage is part of your 2016 advertising budget. With our domination screen reaching 350,000+ people a week, with limitless video and imagery options, we are confident we offer excellent value for money.
Dynamic & trend LED medium – the fastest growing advertising medium, give your customers the quality they expect
Only Ads: No skip, close, or block of content – unlike other advertising, our ads can’t be skipped over, ensuring views of your ad, viewed your way, always
Our Instant content change – with unrivalled flexibility, our reactive advertising delivers promotions and offers in an instant
Honest 24 hour advertising – reach existing and new customers anytime, out of the home. Our screens roll all day and night, opening your ad up to any and all viewers
Advertising costs from .01p per person per view – exceptionally cost effective, modern advertising
We are currently running some superb New Year promotions, so for more details on the benefits we can offer you and the possibilities Digital-Out-Of Home advertising could offer your business, call or email for a 15 minute meeting.
With a mind boggling array of tablets available we wanted to take a closer look at the range of tablets out there. Which one could be the best investment for you?
We see tablets everywhere. We’re asked to do surveys on them in the street, we see people catching up on yesterday’s TV on the bus and they’re even popping up in restaurants as a new way to order our food. Just the other day our director took his children to have their feet measured in a well known high street shoe brand, the sales assistant inserted a tablet into the measuring device to take the measurements and keep the kids occupied at the same time.
TechReport.com recently wrote that in the second quarter of 2015, the worldwide tablet market reduced by 7% from the same period in the previous year. From the first quarter of 2015 to the second quarter, the two top tablet makers, Apple and Samsung, saw a reduction in their gross share of the tablet market from 45% to 41%. Is this the beginning of the end for the tablet? Well no, probably not. During this time there was little new hardware. These numbers probably show people hanging onto their old tablets longer, not a decline in the use of tablets.
If you’re a business and thinking of going paperless, tablets are a great investment.
You must first decide whether your business would be best suited to a tablet that runs Android, Windows or iOS (Apple’s operating system). This is a decision that is highly individual to your business needs, but it is worth bearing in mind that Windows tablets are generally more powerful, and can run more like a laptop than either Android or Apple tablets. But for the pleasure of a laptop-like performance you can end up paying laptop prices. Apple have always sat at the higher end of the price scale but the millions of Apple fans across the world would say that you get what you pay for. You can pick up an Android tablet for less than £100 which has led to Google’s Android platform putting up a formidable fight against iPad’s monster market share. Once you’ve decided between the big three, there is a wide range of tablets out there that will suit your needs.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is a great choice for Windows users. This tablet really is a laptop replacement and you can even buy a keyboard cover as an optional extra. If you’d prefer a tablet that can turn into a more traditional laptop, then the Dell XPS 12 could be the way to go. It’s hingeless keyboard dock is included in the price. Alternatively, the HP Pavilion x2 is a tablet that can turn into a netbook, with a removable keyboard.
For iOS users, Apple’s iPad Pro is a great choice for business use. It’s the biggest tablet Apple has made to date, specifically made with business use in mind. Again, you can purchase a keyboard cover and stylus to go with it. The keyboard cover and Apple Pencil stylus make the iPad better for business, especially for creative users. It also debuts Apple’s new split-screen multitasking which is great for business owners trying to tackle their to-do-lists.
If want your business to run on Android tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is a great iPad alternative. This tablet is very similar to Apple’s iPad Air 2 but also includes a microSD card reader, which makes it very easy to expand the capacity of your tablet. The Samsung Multimedia Dock accessory improves at-the-desk productivity and it’s defence-grade mobile data security from Samsung KNOX™ means you can keep corporate data secure.
If your business requires you to be out in the elements then you may well want to invest in one of the water resistant tablets. The Sony Xperia Z4 is a great choice if you’re after a more sleek design, but if you want something a bit more robust then the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active has a rubber shield around it. It’s a great choice for those who have to travel a lot on business – connect the keyboard dock and Sony Xperia Z4 is a versatile tool for writing emails and documents on the go.
But what about if you’re after a tablet to use at home? First consider which operating system you want to run on. It’s worth bearing in mind that whilst Android and Apple tablets are essentially large smartphones, Windows tablets actually have the same power as your laptop and can perform tasks as such. If you want something that does everything your laptop can do, but in tablet form, then Windows tablets are the way to go.
The iPad mini and the Nexus 7 both have relatively small screens (about 7″) but are light and easy to carry around. Perfect if you want to watch TV or films when you’re out and about. If you want a bigger screen then you could go for an iPad or Samsung Galaxy tablet (about 10″), but these are heavier and bigger if you want to put them in your bag to take out with you. The Windows Surface Pro 4 and the iPad Pro both have even bigger screens. You could also try the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact or the Nexus 9 if you want something in-between the two screen sizes (8 or 9″).
Make sure when you’re looking for a tablet that you know what you want to use it for. If you want to watch a lot of films on it, then a widescreen tablet could be better for you, whereas if you intend to use it for web browsing you may want a screen that’s more square in shape – this is called aspect ratio. Also, make sure you get a decent amount of pixel density (screen resolution) – how much you need, again, depends on what you want to do with your tablet. Whether you want to just browse the web (less pixel density is fine) or watch films (the more pixel density, the better).
When you’re purchasing a tablet, make sure you understand what you need it for and what you need it to do. This will be a major factor, whether you’re buying for business or pleasure.
Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister was the main man in British rock band Motorhead, a group he formed after being fired from Hawkwind in 1975. He sadly died on the 28th December 2015, at the age of 70, after a very brief fight with cancer.
Although well known and popular, Motorhead never hit the real big time, in the UK at least. Right up to the point Lemmy died they were still only playing theatres, as opposed to arenas or stadiums. In fact they were regulars at the LCR in Norwich which has a capacity of only about 2000, but as business owners I think there is a lot we can learn from his example.
Motorhead followed the strict pattern of album, tour, album, tour… releasing an album every few years and following it up with a multidate national and international tour. What does this tell us? It tells us that when you have a formula that works, stick to it. You could argue that Motorhead didn’t sustain the growth they probably deserved, but they were doing enough to keep doing what they wanted to do.
Lemmy never gave up. He stuck to his guns and did what he wanted to do, the way he wanted to do it. He was good at it. Even when his lifestyle started to affect his health, he kept going. I’m not suggesting it’s always a good idea to keep going no matter what, but you have to admire Lemmy’s single minded determination. In the end it was cancer that got Lemmy, not his lifestyle.
As Allan Kelly taught me a long time ago, it’s important to fail fast and fail cheap. Lemmy understood this too. In 2011 Motorhead headlined the Bloodstock festival and part way through the show Lemmy cut the set short, played Ace of Spades and left the stage. For whatever reason, the band weren’t playing their best (the official reason was the band had come down with a virus). Lemmy realised this and called an end to it.
I’ve been a heavy metal fan ever since I discovered the Final Countdown by Europe and Poison by Alice Cooper. For me Motorhead were mostly there in the background. I saw them just once in Manchester on the Inferno tour (supported by Sepultura). They’ve got a lot of great songs, but my favorite was always Born to Raise Hell from the Bastards album.
Lemmy famously said “Born to Lose, Live to Win.” As business owners we love to win and it so often feels like we’re going to lose, but if Lemmy is anything to go by, it’s the drive to keep going that’s important.
We’re pleased to let you know that registration is now open for the MRS Advanced Certificate training course starting mid-July.The course is 6 months long and fits easily around your daily work.
It is a highly respected Professional Certificate which opens doors to new opportunities for both individuals and businesses.
Who is it for?
·For businesses ready to embrace Market Research to make their Marketing much more effective through highly targeted learning and support.
·For businesses in the Market Research sector with skills gaps who are needing team members to step up into more project management and strategic roles.
·For individuals working in the Market Research sector and looking to progress their career to a higher level with higher pay.
Our trainers are very experienced professionals from the Marketing and Market Research industry who will support you to learn the knowledge and develop the skills to achieve the certificate but can also advise on how to apply the learning to lift your business approach to the next level.
For more information, call Sally Harris on 07434 947944, or email on sally.h@swarmgroup.org.uk to request a brochure.If you would find it helpful, please feel free to request a meeting with one of our tutors for more specific information about the course format and content.
TVC will be moving to new premises over the next two months.
The move is as a result of ever increasing demand for our products and the integration of the ASAMS Subsea MPI equipment manufacture. It will also allow the entire company to be under one roof for the first time since 2007.
The ASAMS MPI manufacturing facility has already moved in to the new building with the bulk of the company following over the next couple of months.
Further details will be posted once the move is complete.