Member News

Plans to improve bus journey times through the Kett’s Hill roundabout area have been put forward in a public consultation launching today (Thursday 6 January). The aim of the scheme is to improve bus links by making journeys quicker and more reliable for bus passengers and to reduce carbon emissions by encouraging greater use of public transport, walking and cycling. The main change involves the introduction of an 80m bus and cycle lane down Kett’s Hill on the approach to the roundabout, along with measures to provide new parking and better connections for pedestrians to access local businesses. The predicted bus journey time saving through the introduction of the bus lane is 80 seconds at peak times and, along with other projects in the Transforming Cities Fund programme, mean that First bus has committed to increasing the frequency of this route to offer up to 10 buses per hour if the savings can be realised. Cllr Martin Wilby, Chair of the Transport for Norwich joint committee and Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said: “This project would be a significant addition to bus journey time savings we’ve been making across the network through our investment from the DfT, with the ultimate goal of increasing use of sustainable transport and improving air quality in Norwich. We also understand there is a balance to strike with the other ways in which people use an area, in particular for those visiting local businesses. With this in mind, the proposals also address the need for parking while improving direct links for those on foot. “We’d like to hear from anyone who uses the bus services, visits or lives in this area to help shape the final version of the plans put forward to committee for construction.” Residents and businesses in the immediate project area have been written to with details of the proposals and information on how to share their views. The deadline for comments is Friday 28 January, after which responses will be carefully considered and the outcomes reported back to the Transport for Norwich (TfN) Joint Committee. The joint committee is chaired by Norfolk County Council and made up of councillors from TfN partners Norwich City, Broadland District and South Norfolk councils. You can find out more about the proposals and take part in the consultation at www.norfolk.gov.uk/kettshill. The webpage will be kept up to date with the latest progress and information. This project is part of a wider programme of infrastructure changes in the Greater Norwich area, which was agreed by the county council’s Cabinet last year and is funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund. As we deliver these projects, we are carrying out a series of public consultations to help identify any issues for consideration when finalising the plans we put forward for construction

The team in The Edge Health & Fitness Club at Barnham Broom is on a mission this New Year to motivate individuals and support them in reaching their fitness goals. Their fully qualified on-site Fitness & Wellbeing Instructors, work alongside members to determine their targets, plan how they can achieve these, and drive them towards success. Their spacious gym, spins bikes, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and courts allow members to focus on their fitness and wellbeing. Alongside this, The Edge offers in-person and virtual fitness classes, which provide members with the option to try something different and exercise at a time that suits them best. The Edge is about much more than just going to the gym once a week. The Edge offers an experience where members can combine their visit to the superb facilities with a leisurely lunch in the Sports Bar, an afternoon tea with friends in the Brasserie Lounge, a Spa treatment or even a round of golf. The Edge team offers a personalised and helpful approach to each member to make sure that everyone gets the most out of their membership. They have recently launched their refer a friend scheme, where members can receive a £50 gift voucher if they introduce another individual to The Edge. This is a great incentive as the voucher can be used throughout the Barnham Broom resort, offering members the opportunity to indulge in a Spa treatment, dine in the Brasserie or even try their hand at a game of golf. In addition, The Edge offers many exclusive benefits to students, NHS, armed forces, corporate businesses, and more.   Contact Barnham Broom, Honingham Road, Norwich, NR9 4DD | 01603 759741 | theedge@barnham-broom.co.uk | www.barnham-broom.co.uk/fitness

Preparations are underway for the Governing Body’s annual Volunteer Awards, which takes place later this week. The event which was postponed last year due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, will see two seasons of awards presented and the Charity partnership formally launched in front of all in attendance, including special guest and Norwich City Hall of Famer, Darren Eadie. In recent years Norfolk FA has supported various local charities including ‘The Skin Cancer Research Fund’, ‘It’s on the Ball’ and Norwich City FC’s ‘Community Sports Foundation’. Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales that offers information and advice to support people with their mental health and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf. It also works to raise public awareness and understanding of issues relating to mental health. There are 125 local Minds within the network.  Each local Mind is unique. They understand the needs of their community and they tailor their services to match. Services include talking therapies, peer support, advocacy, crisis care, employment and housing support.  As a local Mind, Norfolk and Waveney Mind operate as an independent, affiliated charity, raising its own funds with its own Board of Trustees. Norfolk and Waveney Mind offer a wide range of services including 1:1 talking therapies, gardening projects, access to employment services, mental health training and education for businesses, schools and individuals, residential care and support programmes. They also work within local communities to raise awareness and challenge stigma and discrimination. The partnership with Norfolk FA will enable Norfolk and Waveney Mind to utilise the wide reach that grassroots football has, to communicate important messaging to those involved in the local game, as well as provide valuable training to clubs and leagues to improve education and awareness across the football landscape. Being local associations to National bodies, it’s hoped that the two organisations’ strategies will collaborate effectively to have a positive impact on the local population. Ashley Bunn, Director of Strategy and Business Development for Norfolk and Waveney Mind, said: “We are delighted to be embarking on 3-year partnership with Norfolk County Football Association, especially at a time when the need for our services is greater than ever before. “Norfolk and Waveney Mind are busier than ever, 60% of adults and young people who did not experience poor mental health before the pandemic are now experiencing mental health issues. “We work to ensure that no one in Norfolk and Waveney has to face a mental health problem alone and partnerships like this enable us to reach far more people, helping to build healthier, more resilient communities.” Chairman of Norfolk FA, Michael Banham said: “We are proud to have a strong repertoire of local charities that we have supported in the past and I’m pleased that we will be adding to this by supporting the fantastic work that Norfolk and Waveney Mind undertake in raising awareness of and reducing the stigma associated to mental health. “The plans for the next three seasons with regards to education and raising awareness among our footballing communities is exciting, and I’m really looking forward to being involved in the delivery of what looks to be a very impactful partnership strategy.” Chief Executive of Norfolk FA, Matt Carpenter said: “Having just come through one of the most turbulent periods that our society will ever know, understanding the challenges others face with their psychological wellbeing is paramount. We’ve highlighted this in our new three season strategy with a commitment to supporting mental health, and by working closely with Norfolk and Waveney Mind we hope that Norfolk Football will become a community that’s educated and empowered to support one another on and off the pitch.” For more information surrounding Norfolk County Football Association, please visit NorfolkFA.com and for more information about Norfolk and Waveney Mind please visit norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk. You can view the original article here

As world leaders meet in Glasgow at the COP 26 conference to discuss Climate Change, we thought it would be a good time to share what Hudson Architects is doing to help tackle the emergency! Hudson Architects is already committed to the RIBA Climate Challenge, pledging to design with a climate conscious trajectory in order to reach net zero by 2030. This year we have also turned the lens inwards; examining how our practice can make internal improvements to ensure that a sustainable ethos purveys throughout our office culture. A starting point for this has been signing up to the UK Government’s SME Climate Hub and joining the Norwich Business Climate Leaders initiative. The latter has been launched by Chris Sargisson and his team at The Norfolk Chamber, who we are working closely with to help pave the way for other Norfolk businesses to follow. The SME Climate Hub initiative provides tools and resources for businesses who sign up to a commitment to tackle climate change – at Hudson Architects we have committed to:

• Halve our greenhouse gas emissions before 2030;
• Achieve net zero emissions before 2050;
• Disclose our progress on a yearly basis

The Climate Hub has collated a range of calculators we can use to measure our greenhouse gas emissions – from our office energy use, employee commutes to work and travel to meetings – so we can assess where we are, and where we need to get to. Corporate accountability is a cornerstone of the initiative, meaning we have committed to publishing an annual report on our progress. If we are to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and keep global temperatures in check we think it’s vital that everyone does what they can – from governments down to individuals – to help tackle this climate emergency. At Hudson Architects we want to go even further than these Climate Hub commitments and review much more about our business operations – looking at creative ways to reduce our waste, reviewing our office supplies, and sharing resources among employees. In the coming weeks we’ll be explain more about how we are doing all these things, in the hope that we might inspire others to join us; and we’re also looking forward to teaming up with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and the Norwich Business Climate Leaders initiative – as they “set the exemplar of change and help save the world!” More Information on the Norwich Business Climate Leaders Initiative HERE. More Information on the UK Business Climate Hub HERE. You can view this origianal article from Hudson Architects HERE

Norfolk youngsters looking for a Sixth Form place now have the opportunity to apply for a brand new fully-funded Scholarship. ‘The Nelson Scholarship’ is for a Sixth Form place at Langley School, and it has just launched in conjunction with Norfolk business Nelsonspirit, whose founder Nigel Cushion will provide leadership support alongside work experience and mentoring opportunities to the successful Scholar. Four values – academic curiosity, confidence, kindness and integrity – are celebrated at co-educational independent school Langley and it’s these qualities that the entry criteria will seek out in applicants. Langley Headmaster Jon Perriss comments, “We’re thrilled to see The Nelson Scholarship in its first year. There are some inspiring future leaders and young stars in Norfolk, and we will be working closely with Nelsonspirit to discover and support the Scholars. Our aim is to offer youngsters the highest level of academic, co-curricular and leadership opportunities during their all-important A-Level years.” For a Sixth Form place in September 2022, applications for The Nelson Scholarship are now open until Wednesday 26th January 2022. Full details are available at langleyschool.co.uk/sixth-form/the-nelson-scholarship/. www.langleyschool.co.uk.

Ashtons Legal acquired Norfolk-based law firm Steeles Law on 1 December 2021. This merger will take the Ashtons’ team to 400 people and will see the addition of Steeles’ office in Diss, Norfolk to Ashtons’ existing offices in Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich and Leeds. The majority of Steeles’ staff will transfer to Ashtons’ Norwich office, with the remainder staying in the firm’s office in Diss which will be rebranded. Both firms are highly rated by the key legal directories – Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners – who note their strong client service to individual and business clients across East Anglia and the rest of the country. The combined business will further strengthen Ashtons’ position as one of the leading law firms in the region and allow existing and future client’s access to a strengthened, wider team offering a broader range of legal services and specialisms. Read the full story here

Greater Anglia has sent over 3.5 tonnes of leaves – weighing about the same as a hippopotamus – to be composted over the last three years. The company clears up leaves at seven stations across the network where there is the most waste caused by leaves and vegetation. Skips placed at Ingatestone and Newport stations in Essex, Broxbourne station in Hertfordshire and Norwich station in Norfolk have been filled with leaves from station car parks and forecourts. They are then taken by the company’s waste management contractor Veolia to be turned into compost, ideal for fertilising soil. Greater Anglia set up the scheme, with its cleaning contractors Carlisle Cleaning Services, in 2019, as part of the train company’s bid to reduce waste going to landfill. So far, a total of 3.62 tonnes of leaves have been turned into compost – but this figure does not include all leaves collected this autumn and winter. Stephanie Evans, Greater Anglia’s environment and energy manager, said: “We’re reviewing every opportunity we can take to increase recycling and reduce waste across our business. “Sweeping up leaves and sending them off to be composted not only keeps stations clean, tidy and free of slippery wet leaves for our customers, but it’s also great to be reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill too.” Alex Orr, Carlisle Cleaning’s managing director, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support this environmental initiative on behalf of our valued client, Greater Anglia. “We aim within our operational activities, wherever possible, to reduce environmental harm, minimise the use of energy and other resources, and ensure that the principles of sustainable development are promoted where possible.” This year Greater Anglia pledged all 56 of its station gardens to Wild East, a re-naturing movement which is aiming to restore 20 per cent of East Anglia back to nature. A survey of station gardens found more than 200 species of flora and fauna including rare butterflies and slow worms. The train company has recently started taking part in a two-year national air quality monitoring pilot at five of its busiest stations. Information about all of Greater Anglia’s environmental initiatives is available on the company’s  ‘Greener Anglia’ online hub which includes a carbon calculator which shows people how much carbon by swapping a car journey for the train.

Exciting news!  We have new team members joining Ignite in January!  Watch this space for more news and introductions.

• The Hope at Christmas appeal, launched to support people who are experiencing homelessness this winter, has seen a huge response from the public;
• Stockings of Christmas treats, food hampers, toys, and essential items will be donated to families and individuals who can benefit from them this Christmas;
• It is the second Hope at Christmas campaign from charity Hopestead

  People in Norfolk have given hope this Christmas by generously donating to an appeal set up to support people who are experiencing homelessness this winter. The Hope at Christmas appeal, run by charity Hopestead, asked the public to contribute food, clothing and toy items that could be used to create hampers and gift packs. People could also make monetary donations via a JustGiving site, or purchase items from an Amazon wish list. The response was incredible and as a result of the generosity of the public, 189 stockings of essential items and Christmas treats, as well as 101 Christmas food hampers for families and individuals have been created. In addition, £500 has been donated to purchase fresh food for Christmas dinners, and toys and selection boxes for over 50 children have also been gifted through the appeal. Finally, furry friends haven’t been forgotten with food, treats and toys collected for over 100 dogs. Marie-Claire Delbrouque, CEI of Hopestead, said: “We’ve been absolutely thrilled by the fantastic response to our Hope at Christmas appeal, it has been truly inspiring to see such generosity shown by so many people. “I am so grateful to everyone who has contributed. It has been a tough year again for so many and through this campaign, we wanted to spread a little joy, and a lot of hope. “The donations will go directly to families and individuals who can benefit from them this Christmas. “In whatever way we can, we want to make a difference, and thanks to the kindness of the public, we can do that this festive season. Thank you.” It is the second year that the Hope at Christmas appeal has been run by Hopestead and this year the donations will be made to families and individuals via four charities Hopestead has partnered with, including FABB (Food and Beverage Buggies) in Norwich. Carol McWhinnie from FABB (Food and Beverage Buggies), Norwich said: “Look what we can do together, with good hearts and a common cause. We’re overwhelmed by your kindness. Mums are sleeping better as they know you’ve looked after their little ones when they’re struggling too. Lonely people in hostels are touched by your acts of kindness. What’s spreading faster than Covid in Norfolk is simple kindness. Thank you all.” With a mission to end homelessness in the East of England, Hopestead is looking ahead to more partnership working in the new year as Marie-Claire Delbrouque explained: “We believe that everyone should have a warm, safe home and to achieve this, we are working with amazing partners and organisations across the region. “We will continue this collaborative approach as we move into 2022, and tackle the challenges ahead. “I am so grateful to all our partners and the public who have supported us over the last year. Together, we can make a difference.” You can find out more by visiting www.hopestead.org or Hopestead on Twitter @_hopestead or Instagram @hopesteadcharity and Facebook Hopestead | Facebook

Greater Anglia is making a temporary reduction to its timetable in response to falling passenger numbers and to ensure the company can continue to provide a reliable service throughout the latest phase of the pandemic. Some services are being removed from the weekday timetable from Monday 20 December. This still leaves over 1,200 services – just under 90 per cent of the pre-pandemic timetable – still running. Jay Thompson, Greater Anglia’s train service delivery director, said: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience this causes to customers. “Government guidelines asking people to work from home combined with Christmas when fewer people travel has led to a drop in our passenger numbers. “In addition, we have to plan for our staff being affected by the new omicron variant, especially as we are already starting to see the early signs of its impact.  We’ve therefore decided to make some revisions to our timetable now, to ensure we can provide a reliable service to our customers over the coming weeks. “We believe this is better than cancelling trains on the day which is far more inconvenient for our customers – this way they can plan their journeys in advance.” Full details of the service changes will be published on the Greater Anglia website. Customers should check before they travel using the Greater Anglia website or app to see which train they can catch. Greater Anglia is thanking the large numbers of customers who are wearing face coverings at stations and on trains, which once again is mandatory unless you are exempt. People who do not wear face coverings could face fines of up to £6,400. The company is continuing with enhanced cleaning and sanitisation especially of high touch areas such as push buttons, grab handles and arm rests. Ventilation on trains is provided by air conditioning which sucks fresh air in every six to nine minutes or opening windows and doors opening at stations. People wishing to find a train with fewer passengers can use the “less busy trains” tool on the company’s website which enables customers to pick the quietest trains travelling to and from London Liverpool Street. Anyone with Covid symptoms is reminded not to travel and to get tested.

Ashtons Legal, one of East Anglia’s longstanding ‘go to’ firms for personal and medical injury claims, is starting 2022 with additional expertise across its teams.  Recent recruits are solicitor Mick Upton into the Personal Injury team, solicitor Penny Tilmouth into the Medical Negligence team, and Ben Needham-Holmes whose role is as a Rehabilitation Co-ordinator. Mick is delighted to return to the firm, working in a team which offers support to those with traumatic injuries, primarily caused either as the result of road traffic collisions or through accidents at work. Penny is taking on a range of medical injury claims, including cases of misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose an illness or orthopaedic claims where surgery has been negligent and caused long-term damage to the patient. Ben, who has a strong track record as a Case Manager in the Midlands, has joined the firm to help ensure that all seriously injured clients are able to access the most suitable rehabilitation as early as possible after their injuries occur. He also supports Ashtons’  Asbestos Disease Team and its Support Group as well as providing support to bereaved families whether this is the result of an accident or medical malpractice. This is a service only provided by a small proportion of law firms with injury services departments and ties in with the firm’s ethos of helping clients and their families in every way possible to get their lives back on track after serious injury or death. Michael Wangermann, who heads the Ashtons injury services division, says: “An increasing number of law firms have started to wind down their injury claims teams and the expertise is consolidating into those firms with the strength and depth to support clients with injuries of all types and caused by a wide range of types of accident.” He adds: “Ashtons Legal remains fully committed to this area of the law, including offering a rehabilitation support service alongside our existing Court of Protection team that assists with financial management of large awards. We have been a local market leader as well as acting for clients nationwide for well over 30 years.  In 2021 we were helping approximately 1300 clients post injury.”   Pictured left to right: Mick Upton, Penny Tilmouth and Ben Needham-Holmes.

We caught up with Gold Patrons, Greater Anglia and asked ‘What are the positives your business has seen in 2021′? This year we have seen record-breaking punctuality thanks in part to continuing performance initiatives and our new trains. What does 2022 look like for you? We will continue to run a safe and reliable service for all passengers – commuters, leisure and business travellers. We will continue our rollout of new trains, including on the line between Kings Lynn and London Liverpool Street. We also hope we can help businesses in Norfolk along the route to net zero with green travel plans using rail. Why its important for you to be a Gold Patron? Being a Gold Patron of The Norfolk Chambers is a brilliant way for Greater Anglia to stay connected with and support the business community in Norfolk.