MENTA has announced its free business start-up training will take place at locations across Norfolk. The series of three, four-hour business skills workshops cover subjects vital when setting up a business; planning, marketing and bookkeeping. The sessions have been well received and over the past three years more than 500 people have completed the training and more than 270 of them have made their dream a reality and set up a business in Norfolk or Suffolk. The start-up Start Right workshops are designed to help people who are thinking of setting up their own business or have taken the plunge during the last 12 months. MENTA’s mission is to help people achieve their dreams of becoming self-employed or running their own successful company. MENTA trainer, John Clarke said, “I meet people from all age groups and backgrounds who come along to gain expert support and business skills training. The sessions are informal and the feedback we receive is fantastic, people get a lot of practical advice which they appreciate.” The start-up training is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and isn’t affected by Brexit. MENTA’s long-term aim is to produce more employment opportunities and prosperity in Norfolk. The workshops are held in Gt Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, Norwich, North Walsham and Dereham. For more details visit the MENTA website www.menta.org.uk and go to the ‘start up’ page or call 01284 760206 for details. Booking is essential.
Marcin ‘Magic’ Pomierny (age 34), Head Chef at the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich and Chef of the Year in the EDP Norfolk Food and Drink Awards 2016, is a semi-finalist in the 2019 Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year competition. This is the second year running that Magic has reached the semi-final.
Forty chefs, split into four semi-final heats, will be competing on June 11 for a place in the final. The winner of each heat, plus the six best runners up, go through to the final, which is at The Restaurant Show on Tuesday, October 1.
Magic’s semi-final heat is at Sheffield College. The brief for the chefs is to produce a creative three-course summer lunch menu.
Magic, who was a finalist in the 2008 Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef of the Year competition said: “I am very excited to have reached the semi-final of the National Chef of the Year competition for the second year running. I learned a lot at last year’s semi-final and will do my very best to secure a place in the final for the Maids Head and Norwich.”
Christine Malcolm, General Manager, Maids Head Hotel said: “Magic has worked very hard over the last six years to raise the profile of the hotel as a fine dining destination. We achieved a second AA Rosette in 2016 and Magic’s ambition is to raise the bar further and achieve a third AA Rosette. We wish Magic all the best for the National Chef of the Year competition.”
Marcin ‘Magic’ Pomiernycomes from near Krakow in Poland. He trained as a chef in Poland and studied catering for diabetics as an additional subject. Magic moved to Norwich in June 2005; his brother and sister were already in the city.
He spoke little English at the time and his family helped secure him a job as a kitchen porter at Tatlers, where he did washing up and food preparation for one year. Then Magic worked for Pulse and The Library for 18 months, followed by McIntoshes Kitchen for another 18 months.
His next job in 2009 was Sous Chef at Rare Steak House and he moved on to The Mad Moose where he was Sous Chef for two years and Head Chef for one year. Magic arrived at the Maids Head Hotel as Sous Chef in May 2013 and was promoted to Head Chef in September 2013.
Pure is marking four years of working with Big C, providing both recruitment and fundraising support for the charity which works to improve the lives of those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney.
As professional recruitment specialists, Pure has a strong track record of supporting charities and not-for-profit organisations across the Eastern region with talent recruitment and through its Charity Leaders Forum.
As a socially responsible business, it is also committed to supporting local charities which are making a difference to people’s lives.
Pure’s ongoing relationship with Big C is a great example of how both aspects have come together to form a long-term partnership.
Since 2015, Pure’s Norwich team has supported Big C to recruit 19 new employees as the charity continued to grow and expand.
Claire Bush, Senior Consultant at Pure’s Norwich office, said: “We have recruited a wide variety of roles across the Big C. The roles may all be different, but they each play an integral part in the ongoing success of the charity and in it continuing to make a positive impact. That is why we are always committed to finding not only high-calibre candidates but those who are a great overall match for the organisation’s culture and values.”
Having worked closely with Big C on its recruitment needs, the Norwich team also pledged to support the charity through all its fundraising during Pure’s 2017/18 financial year. T
ogether they raised over £3,000 for the organisation with activities including Pure’s annual charity quiz night for Norfolk businesses and fundraising bake sales.
Claire added: “Each year our team chooses a charity they would like to support. Having worked closely with the team at Big C for its recruitment needs, and found out more about its fantastic work, it was no surprise the team picked it as our annual chosen charity as well. It is an exceptional organisation, based on our doorstep, and one we are incredibly proud to support.”
Ruben Davis, senior recruitment consultant at Pure, even went the extra mile and took part in a 160ft bungee jump at The Forum, organised by Big C and the UK Bungee Club to raise money for the charity. Ruben said: “I have had a couple of family members who have been affected by cancer so when the opportunity came up to do the bungee jump, I knew I had to challenge my fear of heights to help raise money for a cause close to my heart. Being able to support a local charity which helps people affected by cancer in our region was very important to me.”
The Big C has recently celebrated the opening of its newly refurbished Big C centre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
The fresh new look helps to maintain and enhance the home-from -home, welcoming and calm environment where people can seek support and advice and find a calm space to retreat to within the medical setting.
The makeover was made possible through charity fundraising, including by Lilac (Ladies in League Against Cancer), a fundraising group which raises funds for Big C.
This centre, along with the charity’s other centres across Norfolk and Waveney, are used by thousands of people affected by cancer every year and provide valuable information about diagnosis, treatments, side effects and recovery as well as emotional help and support.
Sewell Park Academy are looking for five business mentors to judge their enterprise challenge on Wednesday 19th June between 13:30 and 14:30.
Their students have been working hard to come up with money making ideas within their form groups and they need a panel of business judges to find the best project.
To get involved all you need to do is be available for one hour between 13:30 and 14:30 on Wednesday 19th June and be prepared to judge some interesting ideas from the students!
Contact Natalie davies at n.davies@sewellpark.org for more information.
Flagship Homes have unveiled 33 new homes in Narborough.
The scheme, at Rectory Close off Denny’s Walk, includes 31 homes for affordable and social rent as well as two owner/occupier properties.
The new homes – a mixture of 1, 2- and 3-bedroom bungalows and one four-bedroom house – replace 12 post-war Airey and Swedish prefabricated houses which had previously been on the site. These properties were no longer fit for purpose, with half of them having fallen empty.
Six families who had lived in the old Airey houses have relocated into the high quality and modern new homes. Two owner/occupier homes were also replaced on the site.
The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss, MP for South West Norfolk attended the launch of the new homes on Tuesday, 28th May. She said: “It was great to meet the team behind the new development in Narborough. Housing is in high demand so to have more affordable homes in the area is extremely positive – I was delighted to have the chance to chat with local residents and look round the new properties.”
As well as the new homes, further improvements to the site have been made with the creation of a new public space and four speed bumps installed as a traffic calming measure.
The scheme, which has attracted £558,000 in funding from Homes England, has been delivered with the support of the Homes & Communities Agency, Breckland Council and Narborough Parish Council.
Tony Tann, Managing Director of Flagship Developments said: “Our work on this development allows us to provide great quality homes on this site for many more people than before.
“Through this scheme, we are meeting housing need, and we are pleased to be providing the majority of these homes at affordable rent.
“It is particularly good to see families who lived in the former Airey houses moving into these new homes.”
Councillor Peter Wilkinson, District Councillor for the Nar Valley Ward and Parish Councillor for Narborough Parish Council said: “I have championed this scheme from the very beginning as I saw it as an opportunity for families to have not just a house but a beautiful home. This has realised a dream as buying a house is out of reach for many families. I was really happy with the vision that Flagship had for this site.”
Work on the development began in summer 2016 and was completed in early 2019.
With your support, the Norwich Business Beats Cancer Board, will play a key role in the fight against cancer. We are looking to bring together a group of committed, dynamic and influential individuals from across the city to help Cancer Research UK realise it’s vision.
We need your support to develop and host a fundraising proposition for businesses, private clients, advisers and inspiring philanthropists to support our life-saving research. In return for your input we hope to bring significant value to you and your business by positioning you as a key game changer in the Norwich Business Beats Cancer Board.
Every pound raised will stay in East Anglia and go towards the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Centre and will help fund the lifesaving research of our amazing scientists, doctors and nurses.
With your support we can make sure even more people survive cancer in the future.
If you would like to find out more about Norwich Business Beats Cancer, general fundraising for Cancer Research UK, or would like any support or materials for any activities you have planned, please do not hesitate to contact gill.burgess@cancer.org.uk .
The re-vitalised Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards, in association with Chambers members, OPEN are looking for new sponsors to support this amazing initiative.
This year, there are fifteen categories celebrating the region’s most hard working, caring, and talented individuals.
Carer of the Year
Young Person of the Year
Sporting Achievement of the Year
Education Champion of the Year
Outstanding Bravery Act of the Year
NHS Person of the Year
Fire & Rescue Person of the Year
Police Person of the Year
Community Champion of the Year
Team/Community Group of the Year
Charity Fundraiser of the Year
Cultural/Arts Person of the Year
Unsung Hero/Heroine of the Year
Judges’ Special Award
Overall Star of Norfolk and Waveney
The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on Thursday 05 December 2019.
Anyone wishing to sponsor these brilliant awards should contact the Chief Executive of OPEN, John Gordon-Saker on: john@opennorwich.org.uk
The Grand Norwich Duck Race has grown into one of the biggest events of the summer calendar for Break, as well as Norwich, raising £87k to date to #changeyounglives with a much-loved local charity. The event this coming year will be held on bank holiday Sunday, the 25 August, in conjunction with the Ribs of Beef, Broads Authority and Norfolk SUP Company. Ducks are launched from St Georges Bridge and race to Fye Bridge (Ribs of Beef) – the winner of the corporate race gets the Crystal Duck Trophy! As a Norfolk Chambers of Commerce Member, we are offering you the EXCLUSIVE chance to own a duck for just £90 – a saving of 10% on the normal £100. For this, you get a large 32cm duck along with acrylic paints and then you can create your own #ducktransformation – corporate logos on, or feathers and fur – it’s all up to you. It represents a small part of your marketing budget for the year, plus a charity donation, all in all adding up to a great way to join in on a hugely fun event and support Break. You can see ideas on ducks and decoration by looking back at 2018 ducks here. Following the race the ducks get preened ready for the #GNDR19 Auction at the Maids Head on Thursday 5 September where there is an opportunity for you to re-enter the duck next year if you buy him/her back. “I gained more twitter followers and interaction with my duck than ever before as part of the Grand Norwich Duck Race” Keith, Select Planning. We then ask you to join our quacking crew on twitter @norwichduckrace . . . gone are the days of tweeting into the abys – now you have a group of like minded local companies and individuals to tweet to and meet at our regular events and get togethers. We already have a ‘Tweet-Up’ arranged for Thursday 15 August at the Ribs of Beef, a lovely social where we can put faces to twitter handles! To book your duck today please click here.
Fakenham residents have clubbed together with a locally based wildlife charity to buy a significant wildlife site just a stone’s throw from the centre of the town, protecting it against the danger of development.
Protecting the land began 5 years ago with the purchase of neighbouring meadows, but this latest purchase completes the conservation jigsaw in the area. Star Meadow has been bought by a number of local residents in collaboration with Hawk and Owl Trust, a national wildlife conservation charity that has its headquarters based at nearby Sculthorpe.
The meadow is on the west side of town behind the Tesco superstore and is part of an area of meadows just off of Gogg’s Mill Road and, on 22 May, some of those who donated funds were able to explore the area they have helped to secure.
The whole area, once known as Back Common, is along the old course of the River Wensum before it was canalised and the river moved to its current course. With a rich history, but never having been ploughed, these meadows represent a rare link with natural habitats and will revert to wild flower meadows relatively quickly with the reintroduction of careful grazing and habitat management.
Fakenham resident Robin Parker (74) bought the neighbouring fields – known as Edmundson’s Acres – in 2014 and, with the help of Hawk and Owl Trust, is already turning these into a nature reserve with special emphasis on wildflowers and invertebrates.
Star Meadow will be added to the area being conserved which already consists of a Site of Scientific Interest and a Norfolk Wildlife Trust County Wildlife Site, and all lie within a Special Area of Conservation and will help provide a link between the Hawk and Owl Trust’s Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve and Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association’s Hempton Marsh to the west and Pensthorpe and Senowe Park to the east.
Star Meadow was previously owned by Tesco, who had hoped to develop the land but as access was difficult the meadow had been left. Robin saw the opportunity to buy the land and immediately set about investigating ways to raise the funding to ensure that the land was removed from the danger of further town development and save the orchids, Bog Bean and Ragged Robin (all scarce wild flowers) that could be found growing there. Barn Owls, Tawny Owls and Otters are frequently seen and the meadow is a site for the rare Desmoulin’s Whorled Snail.
Robin approached the Operational Director Adrian Blumfield at the Sculthorpe Moor Hawk and Owl Trust Nature Reserve who was keen to help.
As the Trust already work with Robin – who is also one of the volunteers at the Trust’s Sculthorpe reserve – on Edmundson’s Acres it was an obvious collaboration, but Robin also galvanised other Fakenham residents who were equally keen to preserve the area and prevent it being developed.
The Trust used its management expertise and through the lengthy negotiations persuaded Tesco to sell the land. It is down to the generosity of Robin and eight other concerned residents and the Hawk and Owl Trust that the necessary funds to buy the land were raised and donated to the Trust.
Conservation management has already begun and, in the short term whilst the very wet site is being carefully and gently turned back into havens for wildlife access to the area will be via guided walks, which will be advertised in the town and at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Robin Parker, said “Star Meadow is a wonderful place, joining up with Edmonson’s Acres in the important and beautiful River Wensum valley, and securing this place will enable us to protect this site for wildlife and the community for ever.”
Adrian Blumfield, Chief Operations Director of Hawk and Owl, said “This is a fantastic place in the centre of Fakenham, which many residents didn’t even know was here.
It will now take several years of conservation work to restore the land and we plan to engage with the residents and schools when we are able to offer activities. It is through Robin’s skills and the generosity of all the donors that has made this possible!”
Contact information – available for interviews.
Adrian Blumfield (Chief Operations Director, Hawk and Owl Trust) Office: 01328 850598 (8am to 4pm) Email: admin@hawkandowltrust.org.uk
Su Gough (Communications and PR Officer) Office: 01328 850 598 (direct dial) (8am to 4pm) Mobile: 07769 270994 (anytime) Email: su.gough@hawkandowltrust.org.uk
Creative Learning Coordinator – post available from 12th August 2019
Closing date for applications 24th June 2019.
We have an exciting opportunity to be part of our Creative Learning team.
This two-day a week job-share role will focus on our outreach work with schools and educational institutions, but you will work closely with your job-share colleague and the rest of the NPT team to organise and deliver our wide range of workshops and other projects.
We have some very exciting projects coming up with schools, libraries, children with complex needs, looked after children, as well as inter-generational work.
If you or someone you know can demonstrate an arts and education background and is enthusiastic to demonstrate how creative activities can help learning and personal development then do get in touch.
Of course our work needs financial support. This new role is part-time but salaried in our core team. Our generous funders support the projects the team delivers, but your help in supporting the core capabilities to plan, develop and deliver specific activities is vital, and less in cash terms than you might think. We think linking your brand with us will be valuable for your company.
To discuss sponsorship or more details about this role, or request an application pack email: ianwoods@puppettheatre.co.uk.
Following an employee satisfaction survey carried out by independent research agency WorkBuzz, TaxAssist Accountants has been named as a ‘5 Star Employer’.
To celebrate TaxAssist’s achievement, staff were invited to a special presentation event over lunch, which saw Karl Sandall, Group Chief Executive Director, receive the award certificate from Steven Frost, CEO of WorkBuzz.
“We are delighted with the results of this survey. We are above benchmark compared to businesses of a similar size and industry, so this is quite an achievement,” said Karl.
“We recognise just how important it is to have happy, engaged and experienced Support Centre staff in Norwich at the heart of our organisation.
This in turn benefits new and existing franchisees who can feel reassured they are being well looked after by a stable support team.
“As part of the survey, WorkBuzz created a ‘word cloud’ derived from asking what three words staff would use to describe the TaxAssist Accountants culture. Again, we are delighted with the response to this question and, in particular, seeing words such as friendly, caring, progressive, family and supportive.” The biggest challenge facing many organisations is recruiting and retaining the best talent. With the UK’s ever-changing job market, the expectations of employees are rising – they have faster career progression expectations and demand instant change based on their feedback. The WorkBuzz 5 Star Employer Award was launched to overcome these challenges and recognise employers of choice.
What makes gaining WorkBuzz 5 Star Employer status unique, is it is based on feedback from thousands of employees, who complete regular, confidential Engagement Surveys.
Steven Frost said: “For several years, we’ve been helping leading organisations gather feedback from their employees, improve employee engagement and reduce staff turnover. Through the WorkBuzz 5 Star Employer awards, we will now be able to recognise employers who are truly leading employee engagement to improve the working lived of their people.”
If you are interested in finding out more about joining the TaxAssist Accountants network of franchisees, please call Nikki Haythorne on 0800 018829. We look forward to hearing from you.
The first ever World Food Safety Day will be celebrated on 7th June 2019 to draw attention and inspire action to help, prevent, detect and manage food borne risks and so contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, tourism and sustainable development. It is a joint initiative between the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Any food safety incident is one too many, it affects the health of consumers as well as the food trade.
The United Kingdom Food Standards Agency is promoting World Food Safety Day and raising awareness of the food withdrawal and recall system that exists in the UK.