Member News

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (BCKLWN) is committed to safeguarding the environment and has established a position as a sustainability leader by focusing on implementing innovative and cutting-edge energy generation and efficiency technologies in its buildings. These reflect its values and deliver on the commitment it made to tackle climate change when it declared a climate emergency in 2021. BCKLWN, in collaboration with Ameresco, has completed and is continuing to pursue the Re:fit Project, which aims to gradually decarbonise council buildings, as part of its many efforts to combat climate change. We are putting in place a set of measures that includes solar, LED lighting, heat pumps, amongst others in our Re:fit work. Some of our completed and in-progress retrofitting measures are shown below. Picture bottom right: Cllr Paul Kunes and representatives from the borough council, Ameresco and Finn Geotherm inspecting the on-going work at the Dutton pavilion Pictures top and bottom left: Installation of ground source heat pump at Dutton pavilion Picture top right: installation of ground source heat pump at Council Depot

1. LED AND LIGHTING CONTROL

In many of the selected sites, fittings of lights that were previously high-consumption fluorescent lamps have been converted to high efficiency LEDs. Some of the successful examples are the buildings of Alive Lynnsport, Downham Market Leisure Centre, St James Pool and King’s Court.

1. GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

The UK government has identified heat pumps as one of the primary low-carbon options for decarbonising buildings. Heat pumps use electricity rather than gas, so where the electricity source is renewable, heating will be completely zero-carbon. Other advantages of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) include no fuel storage requirements, a long lifespan, and heating technology that is safe, silent, unobtrusive and out-of-sight. Ground source heat pumps are more efficient than air source heat pumps since heat is transferred through the ground via the movement of water, and water has a greater capacity to hold heat compared to air. Moreover, the temperature of the ground is fairly fixed at a constant 10 – 13°C all year round, so a ground source heat pump remains consistently efficient throughout the year, unaffected by seasonal changes. The Downham Market Leisure Centre and Dutton Pavilion are two successful sites with newly installed GSHP.

1. EQUIPMENT OPERATING SCHEDULES OPTIMISATION

Ameresco conducted a thorough night survey on the selected sites to identify equipment that was left running overnight and on weekends. For example, the half-hourly data at Downham Market and Oasis Leisure Centres show a baseload ranging from 15-25 kW and 20kW respectively during closing hours (23:00 to 06:00 and 22:00 to 05:30) for all seasons. This was caused by the pool circulation pumps, AHU fans, lights, UV filters, and other equipment remaining on. These load sources were identified, and then control strategies were implemented to avoid them, resulting in immediate savings. Based on prior experience, identified assets, and the type of activities carried out in the building, Ameresco estimates that at least 10% of the night load would be reduced now.

1. VSD INSTALLATION/OPTIMISATION

The amount of power consumed by a fan or pump increases as the cube of the speed (or frequency) at which it operates. As a result, a 20% reduction in operation speed can result in a nearly 50% reduction in power consumption. To achieve this, a Variable Speed Drive (VSD) is installed in fans and pumps. Further, many other measures such as BMS Upgrade/Optimisation, Heat Recovery and Utilisation, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Solar Photovoltaic, PC Power Management, Boiler Replacement/Optimisation and Building Fabric Improvement are either already installed or in the process of being installed to the different selected sites under this project. The first 14 sites selected for the first phase or Re:fit 1 and their projected savings are listed below. Click on the following links to watch Cllr Paul Kunes of the borough council explaining the council’s goals and efforts to decarbonise the big carbon-intensive buildings in our fight against climate change: https://youtu.be/WIlZTgk_pIo https://youtu.be/kLlLGqA6b94 https://youtu.be/vtkIKpgNZk0 Join us at the King’s Lynn Climate Change Expo on 21st June. Free entry, simply register your details here.

Businesses in East Anglia with ambitious growth plans are set to benefit from a new marketing club being launched by a Norwich-based start-up marketing agency.

Rechenda Smith has launched Nurture Marketing in Norwich, to help businesses in East Anglia grow

Nurture Marketing is the brainchild of marketing expert Rechenda Smith. Originally from Sheringham, Rechenda has worked in the marketing field for over 18 years, for a range of in-house companies including Colchester Institute and Diss-based Hey Girls as well as regional agencies Mosaic Marketing in Colchester and Ipswich-based web agency, Itineris.

Nurture Marketing, launched this month, will offer a range of bitesize marketing courses delivered live and online by Rechenda, and members will also be invited to join a free online marketing club for entrepreneurs and regional marketing managers to share ideas and best practice. Courses will be £30 but Nurture Marketing will be running a monthly free taster marketing course for local businesses to take advantage of.

Photo: Rob Dodsworth

She said: “After nearly two enjoyable decades helping to grow other people’s businesses, it was time to make that leap of faith and set up my own enterprise. After working in web, email marketing, PR, comms and content, I felt I had a well-rounded suite of tools and expertise to help business in the region expand. I’ve also delivered a roadshow of regional email marketing training sessions in my career, including courses at Jarrold Training. I can’t wait to get stuck into The Marketing Club to create something of real value to local business owners and marketeers alike.”

Rechenda Smith, 39, now lives in Old Catton in Norwich was previously the national face of the Chartered Public Relations and was shortlisted for the East Anglia Young PR person of the year. She has established Nurture Marketing for start-ups and growing businesses in East Anglia that need marketing support and training.

She continues: “Nurture Marketing needed to offer something different to businesses, so as well as the training courses, I have developed a set of core values that will help attract like-minded partners.

“These include transparent pricing with all costs available to view online, price inclusivity so a start-up with little to no marketing budget can access free blog posts and webinars whereas larger firms in East Anglia can access regular managed marketing support or professional marketing training for their team.

We also care deeply about our planet. From offering recycled and sustainable print options to offsetting all projects through tree planting with Ecologi, Nurture is committed to reducing our impact on the environment. Where possible, we prioritise video meetings that can be done without travel, and – of course – only work with companies in East Anglia, which certainly helps.

“Finally, we’re committed to buying local and have signed up to the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, the Norfolk Network and Norfolk Pro Help to ensure we are serving the communities in which we work.”

Photo caption: Rechenda Smith, who was previously the national face of the Chartered Public Relations and shortlisted for the Young PR person of the year, is offering marketing support services as well as training for local businesses with her new Norwich-based start-up agency, Nurture Marketing (Photo: Rob Dodsworth).

Courses will run monthly and topics include Facebook for Business, How to Get Free Publicity for your Biz, How to get your Website Found Online, Content Strategies and Personal Branding for Business. Courses are £30 per person and can be booked online. For more information, please visit: www.nurturemarketing.co.uk

4.62 billion people around the world now use social media. We’re not saying you’re going to receive 4.62 billion customers but you may be missing out on a fraction of that by not having a social media account for your business.  

Show off and stand out from competitors  

As soon as you’ve made an account, you’re reachable to these users through their interests and data. ‘47% of buyers view 3 to 5 pieces of content before engaging with a sales representative’(mailchimp.com,2022). So, put on a show and stand out from the rest! It never hurts to show off something you’ve worked hard on, and you may receive the recognition you deserve. It’s important to be authentic with your business account online as you’re differentiating yourself from your competitors. Expanding your branding and showcasing your products/services enhances the buyer’s journey and potentially increases your website traffic! 

It’s all about perspective  

So, we’ll address the elephant in the room. Not a lot of businesses, or people for that matter, enjoy social media. We get it! More screen time, disrespectful people and fake news. But we know how to solve the stress of this for you! Within our selected package deals we include account management: this means we’ll be dealing with the difficult bits whilst you get on with your day and priorities. You’ll witness your account presence coming to life, with bespoke content expanding your branding and personalising your business. 

But which platform? 

There are a lot of social media platforms out there right now; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Reddit, TikTok, and the list goes on. So, how do you pick? Well, your business sector and consumers determine what platforms work for you. After all, many platforms have great functionalities which allow your content to get the recognition it deserves.   Animations, reels, short-form videos, copywriting and photos are examples of the engaging types of posts we could create for your brand. Having a chat with us could give you great guidance in the digital world, starting off with where you launch your first bits of content. 

What type of marketing? 

Well, here at Imaginative Software we tend towards pull tactics within our marketing, which is more organic for customer reach and creates a non-pressured tone. We’ll always use a call to action in the content we produce, leading potential customers/clients to your website or to contact you. The majority of work we produce for your social account will be content marketing that grows potential customer relationships and increases engagement with your brand. 

Get started 

Ease into it with us. We’re not telling you to jump into the deep end, just jump on the bandwagon. Even if you have the smallest presence online, at least your potential customers know you exist, with a call to action at the ready. Our package deals get you started, especially our taster pack which allows you to trial Imaginative Software for a short amount of time. Our bespoke package, on the other hand, doesn’t hold you restricted; choosing this package allows us to make full use of the platforms you choose, with captivating, animated content, and consistent activity on your accounts.  The Imaginative Software team can help you ease you into the world of social media. Take on the opportunity your brand deserves and seek out fresh faces that will appreciate your business. Contact us for a helpful chat and more today!  References:   https://mailchimp.com/en-gb/  https://www.smartinsights.com/social-media-marketing/social-media-strategy/new-global-social-media-research/   

The Autumn Farming Conference, a brand-new event for farmers, growers, landowners, and those involved in the agricultural sector will take place on Tuesday 4 October 2022 at Trinity Park, Ipswich. It is being organised by Larking Gowen, a major regional independent accountancy partnership and one of the UK’s top 40 accountancy firms, in conjunction with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales. “The farming industry is at a massive crossroads right now, largely because of major changes in the sector post Brexit, together with the loss of the Basic Payment Scheme and the effects of climate change,” states Bruce Masson, the Larking Gowen Partner who originated the concept. “The impact of these and other factors has been amplified by the terrible situation in Ukraine, which no-one could have predicted and will have a significant global impact for the foreseeable future. “Farmers and rural enterprises have been severely impacted, so are looking for guidance and ideas. To help them plot a way forward we have brought together a compelling group of speakers whose talents and experience span a range of complementary fields.” Chaired by CLA East Director Cath Crowther, the event will include presentations by experts from across the farming sector on a range of topics, providing practical advice and an opportunity to meet others in the sector. The conference will include the following presentations:

• Steven Rudd, Larking Gowen’s Head of Farms and Landed Estates, which is the largest of its type in East Anglia and one of the largest in the country. Delegates will also learn more about the government’s viewpoint from Jo Churchill, Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds since 2015 and current Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
• Stuart and Rebecca Mayhew, founder members of Regenerative Agriculture Community East (RACE). Formed in April 2022, it aims to connect the region’s farmers, retailers, and consumers, shortening supply chains, supporting sustainable farming, and helping improve food security. They will explain what regenerative agriculture is, engage in some myth busting about the concept and give examples of how it works in practice, as well as presenting a case study of their Old Hall Farm, Woodton near Bungay.
• An analysis of farming data and a review of last season by Alec Smith, Director of highly respected agricultural and advisory business Sentry Ltd. Based in Suffolk, the employee-owned firm has a footprint across 15 counties and 50 years of trading experience.
• A look at the future of farming by Jason Cantrill, a Partner at Ceres Rural. Based at the firm’s Norwich office, Jason is a qualified Chartered Surveyor, RICS Registered Valuer and agricultural valuer. Covering Suffolk and Norfolk, he specialises in the management of farms, together with the formation of contract farming and joint venture agreements.

• Emma Hayley from YANA (You Are Not Alone), the farming charity which provides mental health support for the farming and rural community. All profits from the conference will go to this much-admired organisation.
• Izzi Rainey, who grew up on her family’s farm in Norfolk, will give first-hand experience of farm diversification without stewardship, talk about the success of women in agriculture and give her perspective of the role of the next generation in the industry. After graduating from the Glasgow School of Art, she established IzzyRainey, a farm-based textile company which designs and manufactures high quality stationery and homeware products.

Further details of the Autumn Farming Conference are available at www.larking-gowen.co.uk/AFC and tickets can be booked online. The event on 4 October 2022 will start at 08.30 with arrival and registration before the first session commences at 09.15. The conference will conclude at 15.30.

The first of what it is hoped will be many electric vehicle charge points at village halls across Norfolk is set to be officially switched on this week in Dickleburgh near Diss. The new ‘Fast’ 7.2kW chargers have been installed as part of the County Council’s Electric Vehicle Strategy, approved in autumn 2021, which aims to help remove some of the barriers to electric vehicle usage in the county. Cllr Martin Wilby, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said: “I hope this will be a blueprint for other similar schemes right across the county as we are looking to support the rollout of publicly accessible electric charging points to meet both current and future demand. Alongside our plans to improve bus services and boost active travel, such as cycling and walking, this is one of the key ways that we can help reduce carbon emissions in Norfolk.” This is the first scheme funded by Norfolk County Council, through money allocated by the local county councillor as part of their Local Member Highway Fund. Cllr Barry Duffin, County Councillor for West Depwade, which includes Dickleburgh, said: “It’s great to see this innovative scheme spark so much interest. I’m proud that Dickleburgh is ahead of the game and it’s been wonderful to work closely with the Parish Council and highway officers to get this up and running.” The brand-new facility at The Centre at Dickleburgh will be able to charge three cars at one time. Terry Clarkson, Chairman of the Village Centre Management Committee, said: “We have been campaigning to add electric car chargers to the Village Centre for a few years now. We recognised there was a real need to create these points in order to encourage electric car use and to further push the green agenda in Norfolk. We are delighted to be the first parish in Norfolk to install car chargers through this scheme.”

Norwich-based content agency Method Marketing is excited to announce that it has chosen Norfolk and Waveney Mind as its charity of the year. Poor mental health and the low provision of services is a growing crisis in the UK. In Norfolk, 1 in 7 people live with depression or anxiety, while across the UK, 1 in 3 GP visits are associated with a mental health issue. In the year 2018/2019, there were 135 hospital admissions in Norfolk alone for mental health issues. Mind’s work is therefore crucial to supporting people with mental health issues and helping them to live a meaningful life. Their services include 1:1 talking therapies, mental health training and residential care and support programmes. Young people aged 14-25, adults and carers are all able to access mental health support through Mind. The Norfolk and Waveney branch exists to directly support people in this area, providing tailored services to those in need. Lucy Mowatt, Founder of Method Marketing, commented: “Mental health issues have, or will, affect so many of us at some point in our lives, which is why the work of Norfolk and Waveney Mind is so important. By choosing them as our charity of the year we hope to raise both awareness and funds so that they can continue their great work.” Raising Funds To kick-start the company’s fundraising, Lucy will be taking part in Run Norwich on 17th July 2022. If you would like to show her some support, please head over to her JustGiving page and make a donation today. In September, the Method Marketing team will also be taking part in the Walking to Prevent Suicide Challenge, a walking relay through Norfolk and Waveney. The team will be walking the Lowestoft to Southwold stretch, completing a total of 13 miles in the process. And then, in October, they will be putting their trivia knowledge to the test in Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s Annual Quiz Night. Of course there will be more to come, so be sure to follow Method Marketing on social media to find out more!  

A respected British food processing equipment manufacturer has bolstered its engineering department with the appointment of an experienced technical and project management specialist. Fabcon Food Systems, which manufactures and installs handling and processing equipment for the snacks sector, has appointed Bobby White as Technical Manager as part of their new Technical Support department which also includes existing staff and a new Sales Engineer. A respected technical expert, Bobby joins Fabcon after an 18-month consultancy role which saw him successfully leading on a major project and innovative product launch for a large UK based snacks producer. With almost 40 years’ engineering and management experience in the food processing sector, Bobby brings a range of technical and project management expertise to the Fabcon sales and technical support team and its global client base. Trevor Howard, Managing Director of Fabcon Food Systems said: “Bobby is a big appointment for us given his design and processing credentials and experience working with a range of manufacturing systems. “He is well known in the industry and joins us during our continued growth across a number of continents as more manufacturers look to British-built systems for their factories. “To continue that growth we need first-rate technical experts and Bobby is already proving to be a tremendous support to all our customers and internally across our teams. I am delighted to welcome him to Fabcon.” Bobby White added: “Fabcon is a business which is widely respected across the industry and I like that it has a huge potential for further global growth. “I have many years of experience working with companies in the sector, helping them to grow and develop. That will be a key part of my role here at Fabcon, also offering the technical support our sales team need and being the link with our engineering department. “Alongside Trevor and the team, I look forward to contributing to the success of Fabcon in the months and years ahead.” Fabcon Food Systems design, manufacture and install handling and processing equipment for the food industry – including frying, distribution and seasoning systems, all built at the company’s factory and design hub in Norwich. The company supplies systems and machinery to customers in the UK, mainland Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Africa.

Chantry Place has officially transformed into Chantry Palace to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with free palace and throne selfie opportunities, as well as a free ‘Walkie corgi trail’. From now until Sunday 5^th June 2022, families will be able to help the Centre track the  corgi characters which have escaped the palace! Spelling out a Jubilee-themed word, entrants will be entered into a competition to win a right royal day out, worth over £300, with £100 vouchers for The Assembly House, ASK! Italian and Norwich Theatre Royal up for grabs for one lucky winner. Plus, the first 500 visitors to do the trail can pick up a free goodie bag from The Barkery at the Centre, which includes a Union Jack flag and colouring-in fun for children! Pick up the trail map and a pencil from Langleys in the Centre to start the trail, which is all on the lower ground floor. A royal throne and red carpet, complete with an incredible royal backdrop, is also on the lower ground floor all week by Oliver Bonas, so visitors can enjoy being a King or Queen! Plus, by this photo opportunity is also the chance to see a stunning miniature replica of The Queen’s 1953 coronation robes – the first time the family heirloom has been on public display. Outside on Chantry Square, visitors can now discover Chantry Palace, an amazing photo opportunity with a Royal palace backdrop. Plus, for four days only, from 2^nd to 5^th June, a Royal Guard will be on duty, making this a not-to-be-missed photo opportunity! The inside of the Centre has also bunting decorated by local schools – look out for it on the upper ground floor. Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “We wanted to mark The Queen’s 70-year reign and have lots of fun at the Centre, and visually the Centre really does look incredible and celebratory. Families are already having their photos taken by the throne and outside the palace, and we have already had some helpers to catch the corgis. There is a real sense of community here and the school children who have decorated our bunting are also bring their family and friends to see it – and it looks so colourful! Plus, people are making a day of it with us and enjoying having everything under one roof. Our retailers are also celebrating, including Bullards Spirits with its special Jubilee Ginboree, Byron with its limited edition Elizabeefan Burger and more. We have free events all week and lots for people to see and do, as well as amazing dining options.” Chantry Place is home to brands including House of Fraser, H&M, Smiggle, Langleys, Build-a-Bear and more. For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.ChantryPlace.co.uk or follow chantryplacenorwich on social media.  

Greater Anglia has commemorated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by adorning five of its new trains with the official emblem celebrating Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne. Crests featuring the official Platinum Jubilee emblem are now in place on five of Greater Anglia’s new trains and will be seen across East Anglia, along all the lines run by the train operator. The emblems have been applied to one regional bi-mode train, which runs on Greater Anglia’s local routes, one intercity train, one Stansted Express train and two of the new commuter trains. The crests were fitted at the operator’s depots in Ilford and Crown Point in Norwich. Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said: “We are proud to mark this once in a lifetime event by placing the Platinum Jubilee emblem on some of our new trains. “The five trains involved cover the full range of routes that we operate, so customers and communities across our network will have the opportunity to see the trains with their special emblems over the coming months. “We were keen to play our part in celebrating this historic milestone and continue a tradition that has seen trains in our region receive special nameplates or crests to mark both the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and the Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Her Majesty the Queen has always been a great supporter of rail travel and has visited our region many times by train during her reign, both on the Royal Train and on normal scheduled services, so it’s very appropriate that the Platinum Jubilee emblem has been applied to some of our trains. “Anyone who spots one of our special jubilee trains is encouraged to take a photograph of it and post it on Twitter or Instagram, tagging Greater Anglia. It will be great to see them recorded out and about across the region, as we help mark this very special event.”   The crests have been carefully positioned on the bodyside at both ends of the trains, close to the front, ahead of the cab doors. Each train has four emblems, one near each cab door on each side of the train. Greater Anglia staff and community rail partnerships across the network have also decorated stations to mark the jubilee with bunting, Union Jacks and pictures. No major engineering work is planned to take place during the Jubilee bank holiday weekend – but customers are reminded that bank holiday timetables will be in operation on the Jubilee bank holidays on Thursday and Friday, so they should check before they travel. Photo credits – Greater Anglia

To help inform the new Local Plan, the Council is now undertaking a ‘Call for Sites’. This is an opportunity for individuals, landowners, developers, Parish Councils and other interested parties to let the Council know what sites may be suitable for inclusion in the new Local Plan for development. These could be sites for potential housing development, gypsy and traveller accommodation, commercial development, renewable energy or other types of development. As part of this process the Council is also inviting ideas on which sites should be protected from development and designated as Local Green Spaces within the new Local Plan. Sites can be submitted using the interactive form available on the Council’s website. Sites can be submitted until 8^th July 2022. Sites submitted through the process will assessed as part of the preparation of the new Local Plan and will help inform what sites should be allocated for development or protected from development and also help inform the overall distribution of development across the Borough. All sites submitted will be subject to public consultation at subsequent stages of preparation.

Over 2 nights this December, exclusively for our corporate audience, we guarantee to wow you and your guests at one of our incredible festive evenings. You will see the theatre like never before, as we transform our Front of House spaces into a luxurious festive haven! This is an opportunity for you to walk the red carpet and don your finest evening wear, for a night of pure entertainment. Our festive package has been designed to ensure your night is fully taken care of, from the moment you step through our doors. Our Festive Nights can be booked for tables of between 8 & 10 people, and you can reserve your table for up to 2 weeks before securing your booking, with just a £10 deposit per person required. Please do feel free to share this information with your colleagues and teams. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you to Norwich Theatre this festive season. Bookings for Christmas 2022 are now OPEN and can be booked by calling 01603 598556 or via email at corporate@norwichtheatre.org

Norwich Airport is celebrating the return of flights to Jersey with the start of Blue Islands’ new summer service. The direct Norwich to Jersey flights operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer up until 24 September. Rob Veron, Chief Executive of Blue Islands, said: “We’ve seen an excellent response to our convenient twice-weekly service, proving a popular option for those in the Norwich area looking forward to once again enjoying the warm welcome of Jersey”. Blue Islands have teamed up with Premier Holidays to offer a range of holidays to Jersey from Norwich Airport. Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, where British familiarity mixes with a continental feel. Mark Godfrey, Director of Premier Holidays, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Blue Islands on the Norwich to Jersey service. By offering a wide selection of competitively priced holidays to Jersey including short breaks, luxury gourmet stays, traditional package holidays, coach groups and self-catering options, Premier Holidays have secured strong forward sales for the 2022 season.” Richard Pace, Managing Director at Exeter Airport, said: “Jersey is a very welcome addition to our summer schedule, and we’re delighted to be offering passengers even more choice from their local airport. We’re offering 17 direct destinations in nine countries in 2022/23, plus worldwide connectivity via Amsterdam, and are seeing a significant increase in passengers.” Countries reached directly from Norwich Airport in 2022/23 include Bulgaria (Bourgas), Cyprus (Paphos), Greece (Corfu, Crete, Rhodes), Italy (Bergamo, gateway to the Italian Lakes), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Spain – Balearics (Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca), Spain – Canaries (Tenerife), and Turkey (Dalaman). There are also day trips and arctic experiences to Lapland. In the UK there are flights to Aberdeen, Exeter, Guernsey and Jersey. Book now via www.norwichairport.co.uk