Member News

If you’ve ever thought about solar panels for your home, there’s never been a better time to take the plunge.

This is thanks to councils in Norfolk, led by Norwich City Council, joining forces to make shopping for solar as easy as possible.

It’s also just the right time to take advantage  before the government’s Feed-in Tariffs, which allow you to make money from the energy your home would generate, close to new applicants in April 2019.

Residents in the county can register their interest ahead of an auction, which will take place on Wednesday 22 August, to find the supplier offering the best deal to fit solar panels to homes.  It’s completely free and without obligation to sign up at www.solartogethernorfolk.co.uk

Councillor Karen Davis, cabinet member for social inclusion said:

“We all know the benefits of using this sustainable source of energy but the complexity of researching and buying solar panels can be off-putting. And the products and services on the market can vary greatly.

The beauty of this scheme is it does all that for you. The information and free support is great and you are assured of a high-quality product and installation. So register now, it costs nothing to find out whether solar panels could work for you”.

How it works

• Sign up for free and without obligation now.
• Suppliers compete in an auction on Wednesday 22 August to offer their best deal.
• In September, registered households will get a personal ‘offer’.
• Households will have until Friday 19 October to decide if they want to take up the offer.

The winning (vetted) company will arrange to install solar panels in homes before the end of March 2019

– Leading children’s charity Action for Children brings new designer pop up shop concept to Castle Mall shopping centre

– Named ‘1869’ new store set to revolutionise how people view high-street ‘charity shops’

Leading children’s charity Action for Children will throw open the doors of its first ever designer pop up store ‘1869 Action for Children’ to the people of Norwich, on Friday August 10th.

Taken from the year the charity was founded, 1869 is not your average charity shop. Rather than second hand clothes it will be stocking brand new, sample or store seconds items in a specially designed space that reflects its location. In the case of 1869 Norwich, the store is inspired by Norfolk’s agricultural heritage, kitted out as an indoor garden complete with an Astroturf till and floral displays.

Lisa Nicholson, Senior Retail and Partnerships Manager at Action for Children says: ‘We’re so excited to be bringing the first ever 1869 experience to Norwich. Action for Children launched their whole retail venture with a Swap ‘n’ Shop sale at Stalham and Broadland children’s centre.

‘Now one idea has now evolved into its very own shop which will be popping up across the country, and every single purchase will go towards helping vulnerable and disadvantaged children, often in desperate situations.’ 1869 will be selling clothing and homeware from national retailers such as Hobbs and House of Fraser as well as hosting a series of fun events – from networking nights to fashion shows – throughout August.

All profits from the store will go towards helping vulnerable children across the UK and will be staffed completely by volunteers, most of whom have been regular users of the over 20 children’s centres run by Action for Children in the local area.

Providing support for both children and parents these centres are hubs of their local communities offering everything from antenatal support, stay and play sessions, speech and learning therapies, access to apprenticeships and employment support. One mum who has been supported by the Stalham and Broadland’s Children’s Centre is Amy Dodge and she will be cutting the ribbon to officially open the new shop at a launch party on Thursday August 9th.

Based in Castle Mall Shopping Centre the shop will be open Tuesday – Sunday from 9.30am – 5pm and Thursday from 10am -6.30pm. 

The Maids Head Hotel in Norwich joined forces with the Paston Footprints project to celebrate Norfolk Day at the hotel with Edmund Paston’s Tombland Tales. Dr Rob Knee, dressed as Edmund Paston, gave a very entertaining talk about the Pastons, using excerpts from the letters, which brought to life the family’s ups and downs in 15th century Norwich and Norfolk.

The Maids Head has a special link with the Paston Letters, as a letter dated 22 November 1472 features the first written mention of the Maids Head, confirming the name change of the inn from the Murtel Fish.

To celebrate this anniversary, the hotel and Paston Footprints are staging an evening with John Paston, Head of Household on 22 November 2018. The event at the Maids Head will feature a three-course dinner, poetry readings and music. Tickets are £35. For more information t. 01603 272007.

Computing students from City College Norwich have risen to the challenge of creating a website for an external client, from an entirely different sector, by designing the new Building Growth website for New Anglia LEP.

The joint project has given New Anglia LEP’s Building Growth Sector Group an up-to-date and effective new site through which to champion the construction and built environment sector in Norfolk and Suffolk.    

The students, who are all on the college’s Level 3 Information Technology and Computing course, benefitted from learning and applying new skills in web design.  They also gained invaluable experience of working collaboratively with a client to build a site that met the brief and was delivered on time.

The project saw the students learn and apply new skills in HTML, CSS and graphic design, whilst also enhancing skills such as team working, communication and project management. 

Regular meetings with the client throughout enabled the students to deliver the brief they had been given and to incorporate changes based on feedback as the project progressed.     

The students worked in small teams, with each being given responsibility for a different area of the site, before presenting the finished site to representatives from Building Growth shortly before the end of term.  

Two of the Information Technology and Computing students involved, Brenden Carman and Charlotte, reflected on some of the things they had gained from the experience:

Brenden Carman, 17, from Diss, said,

“It’s different to what we are used to with our assignments, because the client was very specific on what they wanted to be done.  It’s a good life experience, just to be able to get that skill and have it under your belt that you’ve worked for a client.  We know what to expect from clients now.  We’re going to be more used to having to change certain things in response to feedback.”

Charlotte Sams, 21, from Wymondham, added,

“It was a very new experience.  It was nice to learn new things and have a brief that somebody wants you to do and create something from that brief.  I did feel a bit nervous because it was for a company, but I think that encouraged me because I really wanted to make it really good and outstanding for them.  I am very pleased with the website.”    

Chris MacDonald, Assistant Project Manager, Morgan Sindall, who leads on innovation for Building Growth, commented:

“The website is a gateway to Building Growth and who we are for the wider world, so it’s absolutely crucial for us.  What we were looking for from the students was something engaging for people who don’t know what Building Growth is about, enables them to link in with what we do, download documents, customised around our need.  We’re extremely delighted with what the students have achieved.”    

Corrienne Peasgood, Principal, City College Norwich, said:

“The ability to work collaboratively with professionals from a different sector, understanding a client’s needs and priorities, and making changes based on client feedback, are all vital assets for our computing students in their future careers.  The professionalism shown by the students, and the quality of the website they have delivered, shows just how much they have gained from the experience.”       

Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia LEP, said:

“The work the students have done to build this site is great – it’s been a valuable experience for them and has delivered a website which promotes this important sector.”

The head of maintenance at MIGSOLV’s world-class data centre in Norwich is retiring after 8 years and handing responsibility for maintaining the state-of-the-art building to his successor.

Following a long career maintaining factories within the food industry, Phil Riseborough joined MIGSOLV in 2010 as they bought and renovated Aviva’s former data centre. As he now looks forward to a long retirement, Phil passes oversight of the building’s critical functions to his long-term colleague, Lee Mallett.

“It’s been a pleasure being part of MIGSOLV and looking after such an amazing facility” says Phil. “When I began, the building was just a shell. It was great being part of renovations and then ensuring everything runs like clockwork for our customers. I’m delighted I can retire safe in the knowledge it will all be in such capable hands.”

MIGSOLV’s Gatehouse data centre is the East of England’s only purpose-built commercial data storage facility. The heavily guarded building stores business’s computer servers and IT equipment, protecting them from threats including theft, extreme weather and power cuts. It can also improve connectivity by providing access to over 250 internet providers and networks.

Since 2010, Phil has lead a team of up to six engineers who maintain the building and its critical systems. These include three enormous generators capable of producing eight days electricity, a ‘free cooling’ system which controls the temperature and humidity around the IT equipment and security measures including iris recognition and infra-red movement sensors.

“On behalf of the whole team, I’d like to thank Phil for his tireless contribution” say David Manning, Managing Director. “He’s been a pivotal part of our team, a pleasure to work with and we all wish him a long and happy retirement. Lee has some big boots to fill but I’m delighted he’s progressing his career as part of our senior management team.”

Phil plans to spend more time with his children and grandchildren, whilst indulging his interest in speedway and an occasional pint of Abbot Ale. Lee Mallett joined MIGSOLV in 2011 as the completed data centre began to house clients’ IT. Progressing from Maintenance Engineer to Facilities Team Leader, he now becomes the new Maintenance Manager. It’s anticipated his extensive experience will help MIGSOLV maintain its important accreditations and achieve its environmental goals.

Exclusive Stand Hire Package Offer Custom Designed Exhibition Stand Hire Packages

• Great Savings on Custom / Modular stand solutions as part of our Norfolk Day special offer!
• Free Graphic Design
• Save on organiser stand space costs – book space only, no shell required. 

We want to empower all businesses to embrace the awesome opportunity exhibitions and event marketing can provide catering to a range of budgets and needs.

If you’re tired of not being noticed in a “shell” or are looking for an economical yet high quality entry into exhibiting,  why not use one of our custom designed hire stand packages? We’ll do all the hard work for you; design, planning, CDM approvals, logistics, build, removal and graphics for an exclusive price that will really make you smile!

Check out the full special offer details here.

Or

Contact us now to enquire or reserve your stand

Happy Norfolk Day from all of us at Image Display!

With new contracts being announced each month of the latest financial year, demand for Norse catering and cleaning services has never been so strong. Catering has always been a key service in the group’s portfolio, with the education sector accounting for over 75% of its catering business. “All catering sectors, educational, corporate and care home clients, are seeing sustainable growth,” Catering Operations Director, Andrew Lipscomb says, “but the schools and academies side of the business has also seen over £2m worth of contract awards since the start of the new financial year.” These contracts are typically three-year agreements and, as Lipscomb points out, business retention is one of the key features of a business’ longer-term stability.  “Both the company and its staff, and its supply chain, benefit when high-value, three-year contracts are renewed,” he says. “It is this confirmation that the company is delivering good value, and retaining the trust of its customers, that enables us to plan for the longer term.” Over in the cleaning side of the business, Norse has also had an impressive start to the year. The company provides cleaning services from its head office in Norwich and from eleven of the partnerships it has with local authorities around the country, accounting for around £70m of its £200m annual turnover. “We’ve had an incredible first few months in the current financial year, with a number of contracts renewed, some with additional services incorporated,” Rob Trewick, Cleaning Operations Director at Norse, said. “We have the ability to provide cleaning services across the country, via our partnership operations.  This, combined with our high levels of staff retention and reputation for quality and value for money, make us a very attractive supplier for both local and national clients.” Cambridgeshire in particular has seen a big push by the company’s cleaning division, with £1.14m worth of new business in the last 4 months. Amongst its partnerships, the one with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council has had one of the biggest new deals of the year so far, winning a £640k cleaning contract in nearby Doncaster. “It has been one of Norse’s most successful starts to a new financial year,” Sales Director Geoff Tucker commented. “The company is set to become a 500 million business over the next five years, with a forward orders value of more than £2 billion. This, added to our commitment to adding social value to contracts, means that Norse is fast becoming recognised as the benchmark in ethical outsourcing.”

Norfolk-based UK charity, the Hawk and Owl Trust, will be celebrating Norfolk Day 2018 on Friday 27 July at its Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve just outside of Fakenham. Visitors will be able to access the reserve for just a £1 voluntary donation (instead of the usual price of £5) on the day, and there will be arts and crafts displays and a BBQ as well!

On top of all the events for visitors, Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve will also play host to two different groups of visitors to find out more about this reserve. Service users from Fakenham First Focus, a National Lottery funded group that helps people living with long-term disability to access friendship, support and advice will visit to see round the reserve and enjoy a BBQ lunch in the gardens.

Breckland and West Norfolk 4 Jobs will be bringing a group of young job-seekers to see what it’s like to work in the conservation sector. Su Gough, Communications Officer and Editor of Peregrine magazine and Zoe Smith, the Urban Peregrine Project Officer will be on hand to give advice and answer questions. Angela Glynn, Fundraising Officer, will be able to answer questions on what it’s like to work for a small charity for anyone interested in entering the not-for-profit sector.

As part of the £1.7m appeal presently underway to purchase additional land to extend the reserve the Hawk and Owl Trust is planning to work with community groups. They will offer opportunities in volunteering, gardening for health, exercise and making new friendships – all in the glorious surroundings of this lovely nature reserve. Hawk and Owl Trust really wants to put Sculthorpe and Fakenham on the Norfolk Day 2018 map, so do come along to find out more.

Angela Glynn, Sculthorpe Fen Fundraising Officer, said “We are delighted to be carrying the flag for Norfolk Day in Fakenham. We look forward to welcoming lots of new visitors to our wonderful, world-class nature reserve.”

Norfolk-based UK charity, the Hawk and Owl Trust, will be celebrating Norfolk Day 2018 on Friday 27 July at its Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve just outside of Fakenham. Visitors will be able to access the reserve for just a £1 voluntary donation (instead of the usual price of £5) on the day, and there will be arts and crafts displays and a BBQ as well!

On top of all the events for visitors, Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve will also play host to two different groups of visitors to find out more about this reserve. Service users from Fakenham First Focus, a National Lottery funded group that helps people living with long-term disability to access friendship, support and advice will visit to see round the reserve and enjoy a BBQ lunch in the gardens. Breckland and West Norfolk 4 Jobs will be bringing a group of young job-seekers to see what it’s like to work in the conservation sector. Su Gough, Communications Officer and Editor of Peregrine magazine and Zoe Smith, the Urban Peregrine Project Officer will be on hand to give advice and answer questions. Angela Glynn, Fundraising Officer, will be able to answer questions on what it’s like to work for a small charity for anyone interested in entering the not-for-profit sector. As part of the £1.7m appeal presently underway to purchase additional land to extend the reserve the Hawk and Owl Trust is planning to work with community groups. They will offer opportunities in volunteering, gardening for health, exercise and making new friendships – all in the glorious surroundings of this lovely nature reserve. Hawk and Owl Trust really wants to put Sculthorpe and Fakenham on the Norfolk Day 2018 map, so do come along to find out more. Angela Glynn, Sculthorpe Fen Fundraising Officer, said “We are delighted to be carrying the flag for Norfolk Day in Fakenham. We look forward to welcoming lots of new visitors to our wonderful, world-class nature reserve.”

Having been named New Director of the Year for East Anglia, Sarah West of Full Mix Marketing has been shortlisted for the Institute of Directors’ 2018 national Director of the Year Awards.

The founder and Managing Director of the Norwich-based full-service marketing agency is among finalists recognised for their exemplary business leadership.

“It’s was amazing to win the regional award” says Sarah. “To even attend the national awards is the cherry on the cake. It really has been a team effort though. I couldn’t have developed such a great business, and delivered such strong results for our clients, without the people around me.”

The finalists were chosen from the hundreds of directors that entered into one of the 13 heats across the UK, in 10 different categories.  The expert judging panel will now convene to decide the overall winners to be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 18 October 2018 at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London.

Stephen Martin, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said: “The winners from our regions and nations present fantastic examples of business leadership, and it’s heartening to be able to bring their stories to the attention of a wider audience at the finals.  I am looking forward to celebrating their success at this year’s event.”

Attended by business leaders, entrepreneurs, government and media representatives, the awards ceremony is a unique opportunity to network, exchange ideas and celebrate with some of the very ‘best of the best’ in British business.

EACH has been chosen to benefit from the 2019 Norfolk Show Ball.

The event will take place on Friday, 21 June at Norfolk Showground. It will be themed on the Rio Carnival, with guests able to salsa under the stars, enjoy a riot of vibrant colour and effervescence, a sparkling cocktail and a taste of Brazil.

The Norfolk Show Ball raises huge amounts of money for good causes. Next year’s will be managed by Softley Events and the dress code will be black tie, with a colourful twist.

Tickets start from £75 per person, with upgrade packages available.

We will also be offering corporate sponsorship opportunities.

For more information and to register your interest visit www.each.org.uk/norfolkshowball  email norfolk@each.org.uk or call 01953 666767.

For more information on corporate sponsorship opportunities please contact sophie.mayes@each.org.uk

Help us pave the way to a future of even better care for children with life-threatening conditions.

Leave a lasting legacy and sponsor a brick along the garden path in our new children’s hospice. In Norfolk EACH cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions and supports their families at an unimaginably difficult time.

The Nook, our new hospice just south of Norwich, will transform the care we can provide to families. By sponsoring a brick lining our garden path you will be investing in the future of children’s palliative care for years to come.

You can choose between 2 options (both are 201mmx105mm) and have your name engraved directly on to the brick.

Brick with black writing – 2 lines: £100

Brick with gold writing – 2 lines: £150

Building of the nook is well underway and we need your support to finish it! The nook will provide a central hub for us to deliver even better care across Norfolk. We’ve outgrown our hospice at Quidenham and need a 21st century building to provide 21st century care.

Find out more by heading to our website: www.each.org.uk/pavethepath

Get in touch today:

01953 666775

ellen.worsley@each.org.uk

sophie.mayes@each.org.uk