Team Breakwater are excited to be exhibiting at The B2B Exhibition on Thursday 14 October.
We’ll be on stand 55 this year with an interactive competition, a space to chill and chat about IT and you can plant a tree in our forest!
Plant a tree at our stand
You can plant a tree when you visit us on stand 55! Look out for our tree planting banner, grab one of our recycled leaf stickers and add it to the tree. Every sticker on the banner at the end of the day will plant one tree.
As well as tree planting, you can take part in our interactive competition. We’ve got some Jabra Headphones up for grabs so come along and get involved!
Kings Lynn’s Captain Fawcett Ltd (Manufacturer and Purveyor of simply ‘First Class Gentleman’s Grooming Requisites’) has been flying the flag for West Norfolk on an epic 1,671-mile motorbike ride across Scotland and England to raise funds for a most marvellous national children’s charity.
The fifth BarbersRide was an absolute triumph, with funds reaching over £20K – with more donations still coming in. Huzzah!
On the 7th August a fine fellowship of mad-cap adventurers, united by their passion for bikes and barbering, set off on a mission to supportMake-A-Wish® UK, the charity which grants life-changing wishes to those whose childhood has been cut short by the diagnosis of a critical condition.
Richie Finney, West Norfolk Champion and owner of Captain Fawcett Ltd is one of the founding members and key sponsor of BarbersRide, an annual road trip adventure bringing barbers and bikers together on a journey of camaraderie and merry mayhem. By day taking to the highways in all manner of wild and wonderful British weather, each evening features a legendary after party with live music, food and drinks to revive spirits after fantastically formidable trails such riding through the Scottish Highlands, a favourite with this year’s riders.
Past Rides have to date raised over £66K for The Lion’s Barber Collective plus London’s Great Ormond Street and Liverpool’s Alder Hey children’s hospitals.
BarbersRide have supported Make-A-Wish since 2019, saying: “Make-A-Wish grants special wishes for sick children – bringing positivity and happiness in times of distress. We really wanted to work with a national children’s charity so that children from each region could benefit – Make-A-Wish is the perfect organisation to partner with. We even managed to ride in 2020, observing social distancing, and garnered incredible support from our sponsors, our riders, the barbers and barbershops and of course the guests at every event.”
Make-A-Wish Chief Executive Jason Suckley said: “We are hugely grateful to BarbersRide and all those who have supported their brilliantly unique way of fundraising for Make-A-Wish over the years. Any money they raise will help us with our ambitious mission to light up the lives of every child in the UK who has a critical condition, by granting their wish. From the moment they are diagnosed, the joy of childhood is often brought to an abrupt end while treatment, medical appointments and worry take over. It can’t be underestimated how powerful a wish can be in bringing light and joy to those children, as well as their loved ones, creating positive moments and cherished memories that have a lasting impact on all their lives.”
The Maids Head Hotel in Norwich, which claims to be the oldest hotel in the UK, with its story dating back to the first Norman Bishop of Norwich, is offering a choice of three or four night Festive breaks.
Christmas at the Maids Head features culinary feasts prepared by award winning Head Chef, ‘Magic’ Marcin Pomierny and his talented brigade, along with the warmest of hospitality and lots of entertainment.
The hotel is perfectly located in the heart of Norwich, with the Cathedral directly opposite. Guests can attend Midnight Eucharist on Christmas Eve and services on Christmas Day.
Walking tours are on offer with experienced City of Norwich Tourist guide, Paul Dickson. Enjoy People and Places, Colegate and Elm Hill on Christmas Eve, exploring an area bursting with the history of Norwich. Then on Christmas morning, it’s a short stroll round Tombland discovering the stories of this ancient part of the city.
There will also be magic, music and a Gala Dinner Dance and casino night, along with the option to watch Aladdin at The Theatre Royalon Boxing Day.
Today (25 May) marks the biggest change to UK data protection law in a generation. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an evolution of the current Data Protection Act (1998) and comes into effect today.
Regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the new law gives people more control about how their data is used, shared and stored and requires organisations to be more accountable and transparent about how they use it. For the last two years, the ICO has been helping organisations prepare for the new law by producing guidance and targeted online resources, holding and speaking at dozens of events and setting up a dedicated helpline for small businesses. Now it is launching a long term campaign to help people understand why their data matters and how they can take back control.
The collaborative public information campaign ‘Your Data Matters’ aims to increase the public’s trust and confidence in how their data is used and made available.
Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: “Almost everything we do – keeping in touch with friends on social media, shopping online, exercising, driving, and even watching television – leaves a digital trail of personal data. We know that sharing our data safely and efficiently can make our lives easier, but that digital trail is valuable. It’s important that it stays safe and is only used in ways that people would expect and can control.”
The GDPR gives people more and stronger rights when it comes to their personal data. Your Data Matters will help people understand how they can exercise those rights.
Are you a new user of online meetings and events using Zoom video?
If you are, then you might be interested in a free live online training event to help you get started. Zoom is a great tool for online meetings, lessons and ‘get-togethers’ with lots of very useful features.
Getting started
For a novice at a video or online communication it can all seem a little tricky at first. And then once the tech is sorted, how do you talk to people are not even listening or looking at you! The good news, following a few simple tips can make all the difference.
Here at Brilliant Customer Service, we have recently transferred all our classroom training into ‘live online learning’. And, in the process, discovered lots of tricks and techniques that we would be pleased to share. For example, here are a few simple points can make a big difference.
Technology
The starting point is making friends with the technology. Getting the setting’s right, positioning your computer and camera correctly can make all the difference.
Structure and slides
With limited attention span and lack of immediate body language, your voice and words will carry much of your message. With practice, you can make your communication clear, concise, and engaging. Most importantly, a good structure and visuals can help you make your meeting, lesson, or event interactive, engaging, and enjoyable.
Interaction
Most of us watch video, browse the internet, and use our computer in a mainly passive way. This becomes very apparent when asking for comments and questions in an online meeting or class. Instead of contributions, you get a deafening silence with invisible tumble-weed blowing across the screen! Using better questions and other techniques can make all the difference.
Launched just a week ago, the Foundation’s Covid-19 Community Response Fund has received over 60 applications from local charities and grassroots community projects who together are forming a network of committed, compassionate people providing practical help and care for their neighbours. At a time when we must protect and care for those most vulnerable, this community action is vital to keep everyone safe and well in our communities. From delivering food and prescriptions, to tackling loneliness and isolation, Norfolk’s charitable groups are working hard across our county. Vital initiatives funded during the first week include:
suppporting volunteers to deliver food to people who are isolated and in the greatest need
purchasing emergency food supplies
protecting our most vulnerable children while schools are closed
helping with the cost of providing protective kit and travel expenses for the army of local volunteers
supporting charities and community groups who would typically deliver face-to-face services and are now needing to use IT or phones to maintain contact and support the people they help.
We need more funds to continue supporting people across Norfolk Thank you to everyone who has supported the appeal so far. However, we still need many more funds to ensure that we can support the most vulnerable during these unprecedented times. Donate today to help people in your local community. Anything that you can give will make a real difference. Supported by the National Emergencies Trust The National Emergencies Trust has also set up an emergency fund to help people in their communities through local Community Foundations, who are routing funds to where they are most needed. Patron HRH Prince William is urging individuals and businesses to donate, which will work alongside our local fundraising to meet the most pressing community needs. Find out more Many thanks for your support.
A quiet revolution is taking place in not-so-sleepy Norfolk, England. Aviation, an industry that is rarely paired positively with the words ‘clean energy’, is going green.
Norfolk’s Charter Operator service, SaxonAir, is at the heart of it all. Alex Durand, the company’s CEO, is taking an industry lead, overseeing drastic action at the facility and working with staff to minimise the operation’s carbon footprint. Having undergone a rigorous programme to upgrade the building and educate its 50+ staff on greener practices, including investment into day-to-day running and even keeping bees, the company is aiming to be a trailblazer in the industry and well on its way to meeting its ambitious targets to be carbon neutral by 2025.
From having initially found the industry reticent to address some of the negative media surrounding the industry, Durand recently spoke at SaxonAir’s ‘Clearing the Air’ event to highlight and debunk notorious misconceptions surrounding aviation. In particular, he drew comparison to over running road works that, after just one-month, equal to SaxonAir’s entire 2019 carbon emission output.
He said: “Whilst the industry is not claiming to be green, it should have a fair chance at addressing its issues and cleaning its act up. When I first embarked on this journey, I found there was very little support, despite optimistic government targets and that many senior industry people felt paralysed by inaction due to sensationalist media headlines. I’m pleased to say it does feel like there has been a huge shift with organisations such BBGA prioritising the issue at its next conference.”
“Along our journey, I have discovered true innovators within the industry, one of whom are local to us, NEBO Air.”
NEBO Air, based in Beccles, Suffolk is aiming to be the world’s first sustainable, cost-effective micro ‘airline’ with zero CO2 emissions. The pioneering company joined forces with SaxonAir to support the Clearing the Air in mid-September, addressing a number of the mistruths surrounding the industry’s reputation and to celebrate clean innovation within industry.
The company offered delegates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become of the first twenty people in the world to travel in an all-electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis
sharing one of the industry’s most significant developments in the fight against climate change.
Sergei Gratchev, Founder of NEBO Air, said: “The entire aviation community is incredibly excited about this new and rapidly developing project. We are receiving daily correspondence requesting information about specs of the aircraft and charging stations.”
“Airfields across the UK and Europe are sending letters of intent wishing to join the project and enhance our network,” he continued.
“This will soon create a web of electric aircraft charging facilities throughout the UK and beyond allowing Zero Emissions aviation to become a reality. The environmental revolution in aviation and transport has begun!”
Commenting on the publication of the NAO report on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), Anastassia Beliakova, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Delivering CDS in time for March 2019 was always going to be an ambitious project, and it is perhaps unsurprising, although concerning, that it has been necessary for delivery timeframes to be moved.
“While it is reassuring that contingency plans will be in place, it is also critical that the 145,000 businesses that are only trading with the EU receive guidance now on how to submit customs declarations. Until the government has decided which customs option it wishes to pursue in its future relationship with the EU, these businesses are left in the dark as to the future costs and administration they have to factor in.
“Many companies and intermediaries will have to hire staff to process a potential 200 million new customs declarations with the EU, and it is troubling that so late in the negotiations it is still unclear whether or not they will have to do so.”
The countdown is on for young people and local businesses to have their say in two easy online surveys that will help to shape the future of King’s Lynn.
If you’re 16-25, now is the time to add your voice to the growing number of young people who have already shared their views on what they’d like to see in the town, what is missing, plus their thoughts on career opportunities in King’s Lynn. And, respondents can also enter a prize draw to win shopping vouchers: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/72MFRQQ
Local business owner Harry Seaton, 24-year-old Managing Director of Fluential, is encouraging young people to share their unique perspectives. He said: “It’s definitely tough, as a young person, to feel like you have a voice in decisions as important as spending millions of pounds on renovating the town, but this is not just a box to be ticked, which is why I am asking for your help. It takes no time at all plus you could win one of six £50 high street vouchers.”
At the same time, a survey is running especially for business owners, people thinking of setting up on their own, or individuals who are looking to take a hobby to the next stage to share their thoughts on pop-up spaces for the town: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7CQ8NJX
Vicky Etheridge, Manager of Discover King’s Lynn explained: “Pop-up spaces present an exciting opportunity for budding businesses to showcase their work and get ideas off the ground, and for established businesses to try out a new product or service. And, we know from public feedback that there is a desire to see these spaces in town.
“To develop these spaces, we want to hear the views of businesses and potential traders, and listen to them to understand their requirements, and what type of spaces they would like to see in the future.”
People wishing to take part in the surveys have just a few days to give their views as the closing date for both surveys is 5pm on Sunday 24 October 2021 . Vision King’s Lynn will be announcing more ways for the public to get involved shortly.
After weeks in the planning, design stages, and several trips to various hardware shops, plus let’s not forget driving a van too! We had set up our stand at Norfolk Show for the first time in ten years, and were ready for two days of engaging action-packed business networking! With over 81 thousand visitors attending the show, it is certainly not to be missed.
Our first morning began with an informal business breakfast, and with a great cup of coffee provided by our members’ Coffee Quest, which certainly started the day in a positive manner. Our business lounge gave our visitors an opportunity to relax, and talk in a positive environment. The Chamber was delighted to have the chance to speak and engage with so many people of all different generations about how we support business. It was really positive to see so many members and non-members using the stand and space too. There were certainly a number of very constructive conversations happening.
On the stand, we had several of our campaigns running, ‘No More Not Spots’ and ‘Just Dual it’! This was a great chance to show people some of the work the Chamber is working on to improve business support structure. One of the stands’, favourites was ‘The Human Fruit Machine’ performed by our members’ Indigo Swan, which added a really fun and lively aspect to the stand.
One of our local Gin makers St. Giles Gin provided Gin O’clock on Wednesday, the cocktails Tom Collins and St. Giles French 77, were very popular and delicious too.
The Chamber wanted to say a very big thank you to all the visitors to our stand and to all our members who supported us to make our stand happen; from the donation of furniture to printing the banners to the deck chairs, to the WIFI from Rural Broadband and of course the coffee and gin too!
If you would like to get in contact following on from Norfolk Show please do drop us a line at hello@norfolkchamber.co.uk or 01603 625977
Commenting on the vote to approve expansion at Heathrow Airport, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Finally! Business has been waiting years for decisive, cross-party action in the national interest – and decades for the expansion of our main gateway to the world.
“Now that Heathrow expansion finally has a green light from Parliament, it must now proceed at pace. The sooner we see diggers in the ground, the sooner this decision will boost business confidence, supply chain companies and trade links around the world.
“Amid growing uncertainty over Brexit, big decisions like this are needed to show our investors and trade partners that the UK remains open for business. Further bold moves on infrastructure, investment and connectivity must follow.
“As Heathrow expands, it must deliver on its promise of better connections to other airports around the UK – so that businesses everywhere can benefit from improved links to key destinations around the world. It is crucial that Heathrow expansion benefits not just London but all corners of the UK.”
We’re excited to announce the upcoming Aviva Charity Gala, a special event dedicated to raising funds for Dementia UK . As part of this initiative, we’re inviting local businesses across Norfolk to contribute products, services, or experiences to our charity auction or raffle.
In return, your business will receive:
✅ Promotion and recognition at the gala
✅ Exposure in event materials throughout the night
✅ A chance to align with a meaningful cause and connect with the local community
Whether it’s a luxury hamper, a weekend getaway, a unique experience, or a voucher for your services – your contribution will help us make a real impact.
Interested in getting involved or want to know more ?
Please reach out to Disha Rai at disha.ra@aviva.com to discuss how your business can be part of this exciting event.
Let’s come together to support a great cause and celebrate the power of community