Member News

Taylor Investigations provides various investigation services as well as genealogy research, led by our genealogist and researcher, Michelle.

Case 1

A gentleman recently contacted us, hoping to solve a lifelong mystery for his father, who, now in his 80s, yearned to know who his own father was. Both father and son had taken DNA tests through Ancestry and had even engaged an expert from the platform. Despite these efforts, the identity of the unknown father remained elusive, though they had uncovered hints of possible cousins.

With access to both of their DNA results, Michelle took on the challenge. She meticulously worked through their DNA matches, building a family tree based on shared connections. The closest match was a second cousin, which allowed her to deduce that the unknown grandfather came from Wales. She eventually narrowed down the possibilities to one of four brothers.

Our next step was to trace the descendants of each brother. Most were grandchildren, though one brother still had a living daughter in her 90s. Out of respect for her age and wellbeing, we decided not to approach her directly, as learning about a potential unknown sibling could be unsettling.

Instead, we reached out to the grandchildren of the remaining three brothers, sending consent letters that explained our search and invited them to take a DNA test through Ancestry. We knew that DNA results would confirm or eliminate each brother based on the amount of shared DNA, which reflects the closeness of a relationship.

The very next day, we received a call from one of the granddaughters. She was open to taking the test, although she was convinced her grandfather couldn’t possibly be the missing link. Nevertheless, she was happy to help us clarify and was even curious to connect with our client, as she hadn’t realised the extent of her grandfather’s family—three brothers and three sisters. She was eager to learn more about her extended family.

The client arranged for a priority DNA test, which was dispatched directly to her. She completed and returned it promptly, and within three weeks, we had the results.

We monitored the DNA matches of our client and his father, eagerly awaiting the appearance of this new potential connection. Then, finally, there it was.The granddaughter matched as a half-cousin to our client and a half-niece to his father. Our search was complete: her grandfather was indeed the unknown father and our client’s biological grandfather. The joy and relief shared by our client and his father were palpable—they finally had the answers they’d sought for so long.

As for the granddaughter, her initial shock gave way to curiosity and, ultimately, delight. She wished her own father had lived to meet the half-brother he’d never known existed.

We wish them all the best as they embark on this new chapter of family connection and discovery.

Case 2

We were recently approached by a client who needed help building a family tree to support his application for a Lithuanian passport. To qualify, he had to prove his lineage and believed he was eligible because of his grandfather, who he understood to be a Jewish man born in Lithuania.

Our client had taken a DNA test and shared his results with us. Reviewing his ethnicity estimate, Michelle was surprised to see that his DNA composition was 80% English/North European, with the remaining 20% being Scottish and Irish—yet there was no trace of Jewish ancestry. Typically, one would inherit around 25% of their DNA from each grandparent, with a margin of 20-30%, so some evidence of Jewish heritage would be expected if his grandfather were indeed Jewish.

Michelle then began working through the client’s DNA matches, identifying a first cousin as the closest relative. This discovery led to a surprising conclusion: our client’s grandfather was not who he had always believed.

Through careful research, Michelle uncovered the identity of his actual grandfather, an English-born man with no Jewish heritage. The delicate task of sharing this revelation with the client was left to Charlotte.

Charlotte made the sensitive call, and the client received the news calmly. He noted that everyone involved in the story had since passed away but realised he’d need to sit down with his son, who had recently joined the Jewish society at University.

Fortunately, our client could still proceed with a passport application, though not for Lithuania. It turned out his grandmother had been born in Ireland, which allowed him to apply for Irish citizenship—a detail he hadn’t known before.

Curious about discovering an unknown ancestor? A DNA test could reveal the answers paired with our genealogy research. Get in touch with us today to find out more!

enquiries@taylorinvestigations.co.uk | 01603 904031 | www.taylorinvestigations.co.uk

Overall, this year we’ve seen a lot more interest in Men’s Health, both physical and mental – which is great news.

If you would like to train your own Men’s Health Champions, who can offer support and signposting within your organisation, we provide the perfect solution or if you would like to support your male employees with male and heart health – we have the perfect webinars for you. By providing training to your employees, you could save your business time, money and lower stress and absenteeism in your employees.

Training available:

Men’s Health Champion Course
A 4 hour, online course covering:
👉The leading causes of death in men
👉Mental health, burnout & suicide
👉Prostate health
👉Testicular health
👉Diabetes and CV health
👉Other cancers
👉The workplace
👉The role of a Health Champion
👉Signposting and support

Webinars available:

Heart Health
👉Improving heart health
👉Angina, heart attacks& strokes
👉Lowering blood pressure with nutrition
👉Reducing cholesterol with nutrition
👉Alcohol, diet,exercise & smoking
👉Top Tips

Men’s Health
👉Three key areas of male mid-life health
👉Does andropause (male menopause) exist?
👉How to improve heart health
👉Prostate and mental health
👉The male health check-list

Length: 45 minutes plus 15 minutes for Q&A

For more information, prices or book a training session for your business, email Kathy and Chantall on info@handsonatwork.co.uk

This isn’t a new direction for us, it’s just a wonderful acknowledgement of the work we’ve already been doing to support our neurodiverse clients in ways that are flexible, empowering, and truly personalised.

I’ve seen firsthand how different brains bring different strengths, and that’s why our services are all about embracing those differences. Whether it’s creating workflows that adapt to your unique rhythms, building project systems that feel right for you, or simply being a support system when things get busy – we’re here to help every step of the way.

This accreditation is just an “official stamp” on our mission to make sure everyone, including our wonderful neurodiverse clients, feels heard, understood, and set up to thrive.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far – let’s keep breaking down barriers and making work, work for everyone!

Want to know more about our services? Take a peek here: www.thecreativedesk.co.uk

The anticipation of the budget is now behind us, and as we decipher and work out what that means for businesses, as well as ours – it’s important to help each other through potential tricky times. I read a post, ahead of the budget from Nova highlighting that 86% of businesses within the Chamber are Small and Midsize Enterprises (SME’s) and the budget applies to a large proportion of us members.

Nobody likes a spreadsheet, so following the budget, we will factor what this means into our own forecasts via cutting-edge software to see what impact the changes have on our own business, as well as our client’s businesses in real-time. You could be manifesting devastation regarding your business affairs, when in reality, you can manage it. Or, you could feel that your business will get through the next year of trade, when it may not be as plain sailing.

Key facts:

-The National Minimum Wage will increase by 6.7% to £12.21 for a worker over 21. National Minimum Wage will increase for workers aged between 18 and 20-years old from £8.60 to £10.

– The lower rate of capital gains tax (CGT) will be increased to 18%, and the higher rate will increase to 24% from 30/10/24. CGT rates on residential property will be maintained.

– Employers NIC will be increased to 15% from April 2025. The secondary threshold will be reduced to £5k.

– Employment allowance will be increased to £10.5k from April 2025.

– Effective from 31 Oct 2024, there will be an increase in the Stamp duty land tax surcharge on second homes by 2% to 5%.

– Inheritance tax (IHT) threshold freeze will be extended until 2030. Inherited pensions will be brought into IHT from April 2027, with reforms on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief. From April 2026, the first £1m of combined business and agricultural assets will continue to attract no inheritance tax at all, but for assets over £1m, inheritance tax will apply with 50% relief, at an effective rate of 20%.

Have you got a forecast to see the impact of the budget on your business? Does your current accountant have your business interests close to their heart to assist with big decisions like the budget? If not, JHW can help.

Attleborough based multi-service contractor Anglian, has won a prestigious Sub-contractor Award from leading construction firm Kier.

The Positive Attitude & Conduct Award was presented by Kier Eastern & Midlands to John Bergin, project manager at Anglian, for his work on a demolition project at Samuel Pepys School in St Neots.

Undertaken during the summer, the project saw a range of demolition work at the school including internal soft stripping of the buildings, and hand demolition and propping on a series of internal walls. Anglian had a team of four working at Samuel Pepys led by John, alongside demolition operatives Dev Blundell, Dean Nelson and Lee Beckett.

The Positive Attitude & Conduct Award was given to John in recognition of his exceptional conduct and professional attitude towards Safety, Health, Environment and Quality. The award was presented to John by Dennis Cotton, regional director at Kier – Cambridge & Midlands, at Kier’s offices in Waterbeach.

Paul Nelson, contracts manager at Kier, said: “This was awarded following the great work completed by John and his team at Samuel Pepys School. John kept a tight ship and despite the demolition works being tricky to complete. All activities were carried out safely, working spaces kept spotlessly clean and the team had a positive approach to working with the Kier team and others on site.”

John Bergin, project manager at Anglian, said: “Health and safety is paramount to every project we undertake at Anglian and I am honoured to receive this award. This was another great job for Kier and the entire team deserve recognition for their hard work throughout.”

Anglian has been working with Kier for many years on a range of projects. A multi-service contractor, Anglian’s divisions include Anglian Demolition & Asbestos, Anglian Scaffolding, Anglian Earthworks & Remediation and Anglian Waste Recycling. For more details, see www.angliandemo.co.uk.

Summer has been and gone, the clocks have gone back and the nights have now started pulling in. If ever there was a time to get cosy and dive into a good read – it’s now!

Much ado about ducking

Late September saw the Great Yarmouth Duck Race organised by Haven Rotary Club. Our very own Amber was not only this year’s Water Master but she has now been crowned as the very first female Water Master to exist! True to her spirit, Amber donned a dashing set of pink waders and took to the water like a, well, like a duck! She did a splendid job of ushering the ducks around the Venetian Waterways on their way to the finish line. The Effective team designed and branded up a number of the competing ducks – including our own – and even made one entry a cape! What it lacked in speed, it made up for in style!

Amber sports her charming pink waders for the Great Yarmouth Duck Race 2024, featuring Arcade Florist, Keeler Recruitment, Jockey & Jill and This is Effective

 #B2B24: a resounding success

October has been busier than ever for the team here, thanks to the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce’s B2B Event on 17th October. Not only are we Strategic Partners to the Chambers, but we were also the joint Print and Signage Sponsors with Blackwell Print. Not only did we print 1,000 tote bags as event giveaways, we provided vinyl stand panels, branded promotional merchandise and designed leaflets and brochures for a number of the exhibitors. We also had our own stand to prepare and this year was a big one at 18m square! In the days leading up to the event, the stress began to set in – but as always, we came together as a team to make sure that everything was completed and delivered to our customers who were eager to see their exhibition goodies!

This is Effective, Print and Signage Sponsors, at B2B 2024 Magic Memories The big reveal moment as Sean Goodman blows our minds with his up close magic

All aboard the Monster Candy Bus

Our Director, Jonathan, has been extremely busy with an epic signage project for the Great British Fudge Company – he wrapped an entire double-decker bus and produced the signage for a pop-up confectionery stall at Cabot Circus Shopping Centre in Bristol. The laser-cut lettering was back-lit with individual LED lighting strips which took two days to prepare before Jonathan installed everything in situ. This is one of our favourite signage design projects this year!

The Monster Candy Bus arrives in Doncaster (Great British Fudge Company) The Great British Fudge Company pop-up stall in Cabot Square Shopping Centre, Bristol

Warming Up for Winter

With the change in weather, we have now relaunched our Winter Essentials Bundle, comprising 2 hoodies, 1 bodywarmer, 1 winter jacket and 1 beanie hat, all for just £109 (ex. VAT). Our price includes embroidery AND a set-up fee waiver worth £20+ VAT. We strive to be as competitive as we can for our customers, creating cost-effective options to suit all businesses.

Warm Essentials Bundle for Winter 2024 That’s it for our monthly news round up! Join us next month for more exciting updates!

We know it’s spooky season for businesses. But don’t let it frighten you—now’s the perfect time to hustle and bring in more customers!

 With a solid marketing strategy, you can attract new clients and keep your business thriving. From SEO and social media to PPC and email marketing, we’ve got everything you need to stand out and drive sales.

 Think about it: the right strategy will help you reach more people, engage your audience, and build loyal fans, turning Halloween fears into festive business boosts! 🎃

 Let’s make a plan to turn this season’s challenges into opportunities.

Find Out More

Captain Fawcett is absolutely thrilled to announce his ‘Nebula’ Eau De Parfum Signature Series with John Petrucci has won the Silver Medal at the prestigious Pure Beauty Awards 2024 in the Best New Fragrance category.

Winners were announced on 24 October at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London at an exclusive black tie Awards ceremony. Finalists had been selected by the Pure Beauty Awards independent judging panel with the Winners chosen by a public vote.

Captain Fawcett founder Richie Finney says: “The Captain Fawcett crew are absolutely thrilled to win the Silver Pure Beauty Award. It was hugely exciting for the ‘Nebula’ Eau De Parfum to be selected as a Finalist by highly esteemed industry experts, this in addition to the public choosing ‘Nebula’ as an outright Winner is simply out of this world!

“As beauty insiders the judging panel has significant influence across the international industry, yet what makes this Silver Medal even more special is that it was won with the power of the public’s vote – a true testament to Nebula’s impact and appeal. Having the public cast the final vote is the veritable icing on the cake.

“As such, it is a fantastic honour for Captain Fawcett to be recognised by professional and public alike as producing some of the very best Gentleman’s Grooming collections available anywhere in the world.”

The Pure Beauty team says: “Massive congratulations to this year’s winners. Your product has stood out from hundreds of entries and we’re thrilled to celebrate your achievements in the industry!”

Captain Fawcett’s ‘Expedition Reserve’ Matt Styling and Volumising Hair Powder from his ‘Hair Couture’ collection was also a Finalist in the BEST NEW HAIR STYLING PRODUCT category of the Pure Beauty Global Awards 2024.

The complete list of finalists was published in the September issue of Pure Beauty Magazine. Readers, followers and subscribers number over 29K, comprised of key figures in the Trade, such as Retailers, Beauty Buyers, Consultants, Department Stores, Makeup Artists and Consultants. Pure Beauty encourages readers and subscribers to scout the year’s latest innovations and engage with the winning brands.

The Pure Beauty announcement comes as Captain Fawcett launches his latest ‘Bianco Classico’ range for silver hair this autumn. Keep an eye out for more news soon!

Equipment readiness is vital for all organisations operating in e-commerce, retail, manufacturing, post & parcel, warehouse and 3PL, especially in peak season. Recognising this, King’s Lynn based Southgate Global, a leader in the supply of operational logistics equipment, consumables, and technical and design services, has launched a new mobile application – the Southgate ServAgree app – to help customers reduce downtime as well as maximising capital investment in equipment. Using the app, customers have access to Southgate’s Mobile Repair Service with rich data supplied daily, and the ability to manage all their servicing needs and inventory in one place. The app gives easy and direct access to Southgate’s Technical Services team whose mobile onsite expertise provides repairs and maintenance, ensuring the reliability of material handling and packing equipment, to help avoid unexpected downtime and costly delays. Southgate’s Technical Services team service a range of equipment including strapping and wrapping machines, WAT dispensers, and many others, as well as material handling equipment such as carts and trollies. It operates across the UK and Europe, with over 40 technicians servicing, maintaining, and repairing over 3,800 pieces of equipment every week.  This team has the expert knowledge required to take care of a customer’s entire inventory of packing and material handling equipment, regardless of manufacturer.   The new Southgate ServAgree app has already helped one large e-commerce customer reduce downtime by up to 40 per cent by reducing repair time and lowering costs by reusing, repairing, and repurposing machinery and equipment instead of replacing them. The software application, which is the first to provide a personalised service, also manages the documentation of repairs and tracks scheduled maintenance. This reporting can include details of every repair and service, itemising all the parts used, offering accurate information about the key pinch points, and tracking any reoccurring issues which can then be rectified. The app can also create an asset register which allows users to plan maintenance, track service history as well as prepare for inspections, all of which help to reduce the risk of equipment failure. John Maher, Head of Technical Services at Southgate Global, said: “We understand how detrimental it can be to a business if even one trolley or machine stops functioning correctly. The app has been designed specifically to mitigate the risks of downtime with numerous functions such as managing regular maintenance checks. “At Southgate Global, we’re committed to providing customers with the quickest and most efficient service possible, which is why we’ve launched the Southgate ServAgree app. “Servicing underpins everything we do, helping with our customers’ productivity goals, while maximising the value from their equipment investment. The app gives organisations everything they need to know about the servicing of their machines and equipment in one easy-to-use place.” Visit the Southgate Global website to find out more about its Technical Services offering and arrange your survey with its experienced technicians to identify your needs and create a tailored service proposal.

Banham Zoo is excited to announce the completion and opening of a new Tiger Territory enrichment platform for our Amur tigers, made possible by the generous support of UK Power Networks, Scanpole, and MKM Building Supplies. The project, with a total value of £27,000, was fully donated by these partners and marks the official launch of ZSEA’s new corporate partnership programme, as part of the “Together for Wildlife” campaign.

UK Power Networks’ supplier, Scanpole, donated specially crafted untreated utility poles for the project, and MKM Building Supplies generously provided the labour, materials, and equipment needed for construction.

The new platform enhances the habitat for our Amur tigers – Mishka and her two sons, Kash and Kumi – part of the European Breeding Programme for this critically endangered species. The habitat improvements were completed in mid-October and are now open for public viewing.

Upon completion of the new platform, Banham Zoo’s Tiger Territory is now proudly sponsored by MKM Building Supplies.

Conservation in Action: Protecting Endangered Species The Amur tiger, the largest tiger subspecies, is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with only around 400 individuals remaining in the wild due to habitat loss and poaching. Banham Zoo, part of the Zoologica Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), is actively involved in preserving this species. Thanks to ongoingpartnerships and donations, ZSEA is making a meaningful impact on the conservation of these magnificent animals.

A Collaborative Effort for Wildlife “We are incredibly grateful for the support from UK Power Networks, Scanpole, and MKM Building Supplies in bringing this project to life. The new platforms will provide our tigers with a more stimulating and enriched environment,encouraging natural behaviours and improving their overall wellbeing,” said Holly Naylor, Carnivore Team Leader at Banham Zoo.

Alan Archer, Asset Engineer at UK Power Networks, commented, “We were thrilled to contributto this project. Working with Scanpole to supply the untreated poles was a unique way for us to help protect an endangered species.”

Adrian Marr, Operations Manager at MKM Norwich, added, “MKM is passionate about supporting local charities and wildlife conservation. By sponsoring Tiger Territory, we’re helping to create an enhanced habitat for these majestic animals and contributing to their long-term welfare.”

Join the Movement: Partner with ZSEA The launch of this project marks the start of ZSEA’s corporate partnership programme, encouraging businesses to join the “Together for Wildlife” campaign. By collaborating with ZSEA, organisations can contribute to critical conservation work and connect with local and global communities through wildlife protection initiatives.

If your business or organisation would like to get involved with ZSEA, please contact partnerships@zsea.org to explore partnership opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://www.fundraising.zsea.org. Together, we can help protect endangered species and promote conservation.

We also invite all visitors to visit Banham Zoo during the upcoming October Half-term to witness the newly completed Tiger Territory Platform, an example of how conservation and enrichment go hand-in-hand for animal welfare.

https://www.zsea.org/

There’s a saying in business that changing your branding should be a ‘symbol of change’, rather than an excuse to simply ‘change a symbol.’  The first time we’ve undergone a serious rebrand in 22 years is a symbol of a changing Naked, evolving to stay up to speed with the world around us. Our core values and beliefs we live by remain as relevant today as in 2002. But in truth, our message had become muddled. Our overall look and feel, rather dated. Read more  

The final round of the Caterham Graduates Racing Series brought Alpha 7 Motorsport to Donington Park National, with the team running seven cars across the 135 and 150 classes. Following Jamie Ellwood’s dominant performance at Anglesey, where he secured the CGRC 150 Class Championship, he switched to the 135 Class for the weekend, borrowing teammate Amanda Anderson’s car.

Friday began with frustration as fog delayed the start of testing, adding a tricky element for drivers to deal with. Once it lifted, the track dried out, allowing for some good dry running, although many red flags throughout the sessions led to a stop-start rhythm. Despite these interruptions, the team prepared well for the races ahead.

Saturday’s 150 Class qualifying session was wet, setting the tone for what would be a challenging day for the drivers. However, Race 1 was dry, offering some respite from the earlier conditions. Amanda Anderson encountered gear selection issues right at the start of Race 1, dropping her to the back of the pack. Despite this setback, she staged a strong recovery, engaging in a fierce battle with Andy Johnson for 11th place. In one of the weekend’s closest finishes, Johnson narrowly beat Anderson by just 0.03 seconds, earning the People First Millisecond Award.

Matthew Willoughby had a mixed weekend, retiring from Race 1, but his efforts throughout the season were rewarded as he secured second place in the overall 150 Championship, a fantastic achievement for the Alpha 7 driver. Meanwhile, Ian Anderson enjoyed some exciting on-track battles, particularly with Charles Elliott, who pushed him hard in both races. Ed Benton, in his debut season, successfully completed his required six racing signatures, allowing him to remove his novice cross. His progress continues to impress, and he now sets his sights on the CGRC Novice Cup as he looks to build on this promising start.

The second 150 Class race took place under heavy rain, with visibility drastically reduced. The spray made the opening laps particularly dangerous, but all drivers navigated the conditions well, showing impressive car control in such treacherous weather.

In the 135 Class, Jamie Ellwood, driving Amanda Anderson’s car, faced similarly tough conditions. The damp track made Race 1 a challenge, but Ellwood was determined. He battled fiercely with up-and-coming female driver Megan Bruce, leaving his move for the lead until the final lap at the last chicane, where he snatched victory in a thrilling finish. Race 2 saw a continuation of this battle, but after losing the tow, Jamie had to settle for fifth position.

Darren Butler’s weekend got off to a rough start when his gear knob snapped during qualifying, forcing him to miss most of the session and start both races from the back of the grid. Despite this setback, Butler delivered two impressive drives, fighting his way through the pack and showing remarkable determination. Sean Cronin also had a promising start to the weekend, putting in solid performances in the 135 Class. Unfortunately, Race 2 saw him involved in an accident at the start, forcing him to retire early with a DNF. However, the team remains optimistic, and Cronin’s car will be repaired over the winter, ready for a strong comeback next season.

As the season draws to a close, Alpha 7 is already looking ahead to 2025 with exciting driver announcements and new plans on the horizon. The team will celebrate their season’s achievements at the upcoming CGRC awards dinner in November, where Alpha 7 drivers will be vying for various seasonal honours.

It’s been a fantastic season for Alpha 7 Motorsport, and all involved are eager to carry this momentum into the next year.