Norfolk Community Foundation would like to hear your views about work and community life in Norfolk!

Vital Signs is a report that is produced annually in various regions of the country (and worldwide) to measure social trends and issues, to help target charitable giving where it is most needed. The reports combine existing research with community consultation, to gain a full picture of the issues in each area.

We would like to know about the issues affecting you and your community in Norfolk to help us to produce our Vital Signs report which will be released in October. If you live or work in Norfolk, this is an opportunity to add your voice.

The survey covers the core themes that make up Vital Signs, including wellbeing, fairness, work, learning and housing and homelessness and asks for your perception of issues affecting people who live and work in the county. It should take around 10-15 mins to complete. All responses are anonymous.

Click here to complete our Vital Signs survey now – thank you in advance. The survey will close on 13 July 2016.

To find out more about Vital Signs, and how your information will help, please visit our Vital Signs webpage.

Leathes Prior will be supporting the Royal Norfolk Show this year by sponsoring the much loved Grand Parade of champion livestock and heavy horses. Continuing on from last year’s support of the Supreme Ridden Championship at the show in 2015, the firm is delighted to be supporting the show for another year.

The Grand Parade takes place within the prestigious Grand Ring, situated within the heart of the showground, taking place between 15:25 and 16:05 on the Thursday afternoon.

The Grand Parade gives exhibitors the chance to showcase their final livestock, offering over 258 championship classes for Cattle, Sheep, Pigs and Goats. The parade also acts as a salute to the farmers, exhibitors and their animals in Norfolk, as the award winning champion livestock and heavy horses are showcased.

TheEquine Prize Schedule has several new classes, sections, awards and qualifiers at the show this year. There are some exciting new additions in Light Horses, Heavy Horses, Private Driving and Showjumping. In addition, the new ‘Beltex Class’ will be introduced to the livestock category this year, to reflect the growing popularity of the Beltex Breed in East Anglia.

Leathes Prior will be not only be sponsoring the event but also proudly presenting the prizes in the Grand Ring, to the winners of each class on the day. With the Royal Norfolk Show livestock schedule set to be bigger than ever, the competitions will continue to be a real attraction for visitors and make up the heart of the show.

The firm has an increasingly strong presence in agriculture and equine across Norfolk and Suffolk with specialistAgricultureandEquineteams. Both teams are delighted to be presenting the awards to each class and extremely pleased to be sponsoring such a prestigious event within the show.

You know you’ve got talent when senior members of the England Shooting Team encourage their manager to see you shoot. Even more so when the team manager approaches you afterwards and encourages you to try out for the England Team Selection Shoots! Charlie is looking into shooting in the remaining ones, just the experience will be beneficial for him but he really does have something about him and his shooting that it could also be the start of a winning career for him with the England Team.

Over the past few weeks, Charlie has shot in the English Open Sporting and came in 2nd in the Colt class (juniors) and 7th in the C class (with adult shooters). He also came in 2nd at a normal registered shoot at Barrow Heath Shooting Ground. Then at the East Midlands Skeet Championship he came 2nd in the C class and 3rd in the Juniors, winning a Bronze medal!

The Premier League shoots are also underway and at the halfway mark, the 4th shoot last weekend, Charlie was High Gun and also won the C class. The event ends in September and Charlie is currently in 2nd place, just 3 targets off the top spot! He is also 31 targets clear in the Colts class and 32 targets clear in the C class so he’s looking good for a top end finish.

To top off a spectacular few weeks, he was crowned Norfolk Junior Skeet Champion again at the Counties Championship held at Eriswell Gun Club. This is his second time holding this title, he first bought this home in 2014.

This enigmatic youngster is going from strength to strength and we’re proud to be sponsoring such a local-born talent.

TaxAssist Accountants, the UK’s largest network of small business tax and accountancy specialists, has added two experienced and qualified new staff members to its 40 strong team at the Norwich based Support Centre, further bolstering the support available to its franchisees.

Michael Whiteman joins as a Manager in the Technical Team, providing support, guidance, training and advice to franchisees on a wide range of accounts and tax matters. Michael has previously worked with Grant Thornton LLP on trust accounts and tax compliance and at KPMG in the Channel Islands Ltd as a Tax Consultant.

Fraser McKay joins as Communications Manager, working alongside the Business Development Team on all client facing communications. Fraser has more than 20 years’ experience in communications with a strong background and skill set in journalism as well as a wealth of experience in franchising. He is experienced in business-to-business and business-to-consumer PR and marketing in both the UK and overseas markets, and is highly experienced in both print and digital media. He is also qualified in NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) and CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) accredited.

Group Operations Director Phil Sullivan comments “We are all delighted that in Michael and Fraser we have found two high calibre individuals, who bring with them a wealth of talent and expertise. Their skills will further enhance the support we can offer to our network and we all warmly welcome them to the team.”

The TaxAssist Accountants Support Centre has won many awards over the years for the quality of its training and support it offers to its network of over 200 franchisees. These include Best Franchise and British Franchise Association awards, and a ‘5-star Franchisee Satisfaction Award’ for the last three years running, based on positive feedback from its franchisees.

Freebridge Community Housing, in partnership with the five-star homebuilder Persimmon Homes, are pleased to announce the launch of the first five homes for shared ownership and affordable rent at The Willows development in Downham Market.

Situated off Lynn Road on the outskirts of Downham Market, Persimmon’s development will deliver 226 much needed new homes including 45 that will be transferred to Freebridge Community Housing.

In total, Freebridge will be offering 31 properties for affordable rent and 14 homes that are available for shared ownership alongside the private homes offered by Persimmon.

All homes are designed to reflect the character of the local area in Downham Market and are highly sustainable, incorporating EV charging and solar panels. The development site offers excellent transport links from the A10 and Downham Market train station. It is also near good local schools and amenities. 

The first five homes unveiled include two affordable rental units and three shared ownership properties, with 40 additional homes set to follow in the coming months.  

Laura Handford, Freebridge’s Head of Service for New Homes, said: “The Willows is a fantastic transformation with the development marking another advancement in our efforts to tackle the demand for more affordable housing in West Norfolk and I’m pleased that we have already welcomed our first residents to their new homes” 

 Ben Smith, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes East Midlands commented:

“We are very proud of our attractive development at Downham Market and are delighted to be working with Freebridge Community Housing to offer high-quality homes for affordable rent and shared ownership for local residents.  

“The Willows enjoys excellent local town amenities whilst being conveniently located to Norfolk’s rural and coastal areas to the benefit of all our customers. It is a highly desirable place to live.”

Amy Horobin, Head of Partnership Homes at Persimmon Homes added:

“It is fantastic to see the completed homes being handed over to Freebridge at The Willows. We are always looking to form new relationships with Registered Providers and are delighted to hear the positive feedback Freebridge has provided on the high-quality homes we have delivered. We very much look forward to working with Freebridge on future projects to further expand the provision of affordable homes in the area.”

We are pleased to introduce Shane McConnell to the Environment, Health & Safety team as the new Unit Director for EHS services in Ireland. Shane brings seven years of EHS experience to the role, with specialisms in ergonomics, risk assessments and DSE auditing.

Shane’s previous roles have included providing EHS consultancy for a number of clients in the high tech, pharmaceutical and construction sectors; he has also taught Health & Safety law to undergraduates and post graduates.

Comfortable and safe work places can increase productivity by 16%, and improve job satisfaction by 24%. Delta-Simons work within RiskRightTM EHS, a solution designed by Antea Group, aims to reduce and proactively manage Environment, Health & Safety risk factors in lower-risk environments, such as offices, data centres, and retail stores. As RiskRight EHS practitioners, we work to understand a business’s culture to ensure the successful implementation of EHS or enhancement of the EHS services in place. This could be from air quality through to employee wellness – providing rapid response to a specific local issue such as air quality, or delivering a strategic plan to address a global risk.

Shane will be responsible for supporting and advising clients on how best to meet their EHS obligations, as well as building a team to deliver EHS services for the growing marketing in Ireland.

Related articles: Associate joins Delta-Simons to head up Durham office

It is time to prioritise our hearing health, and what better time to make a positive change than the New Year?

The Hearing Care Centre’s award-winning audiologists are here to help you hear more clearly and naturally in any situation.

Whether you are considering purchasing hearing aids for the first time or possibly looking to upgrading your current model, there has never been a better time! The Hearing Care Centre is offering a series of incredible discounts on hearing systems from some of the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers, as part of their winter sale!

Improve your hearing for as little at £699 per hearing aid with selected models saving over 60% off and FREE hearing assessments.

Full details available at hearingcarecentre.co.uk/wintersale. Ts & Cs apply.

Studio Inn came out of our desire to create something unique that we didn’t see already in existence here in Norwich. It’s a unique space where creative people doing creative work can come together to establish a home that feels both grown-up and relaxed, focused and social. More than a workspace, we wanted to bring together those interested in collaboration and the cross-pollination of creative ideas.

Established by Fiona and Bobby Burrage, the founders of lifestyle destination Nor-Folk and branding agency The Click, we’re bringing our pared-back aesthetic and collaborative attitude to a space that fosters productivity and creativity.

Situated in a bright and airy architect-designed development with a courtyard garden, Studio Inn provides the opportunity for company and collaboration, a place where individuals can grow in the collective environment.

Studio Inn membership includes:

– Become part of our creative community – One ‘all inn’ monthly fee of £165 + VAT per month – Your own dedicated desk space with drawers – 24/7/365 access – Access to break-out areas and presentation facilities – Free open plan meeting room facilities – Coffee and tea in our kitchen – Wifi – Enjoy regular socials, events and talks – Bread Source pastries delivered every Friday morning – Discounts on nearby health and fitness classes

https://www.studioinn.co/

Tasnuva Tina has opened a new small business walk-in tax and accountancy practice on 54 High Street in Saffron Walden.

Tasnuva Tina is an ACCA qualified accountant with over 10 years’ experience managing small business clients. She joined TaxAssist Accountants in April 2019 after purchasing an established practice from retiring accountant Jonathan Berks, who had operated the business for 22 years.

“I have always wanted to operate my own practice, and a large part of why I chose to join the TaxAssist Accountants network was the impressive shop design which really makes the practice stand out from the crowd,” explained Tina.

“Jonathan had built up a very well run practice, and the new shop is ideally positioned to cater for our existing clients, but alongside my fantastic team of staff, I am looking to grow further, so I would like to encourage anyone interested in finding out more about the services we offer to pop in for a free initial consultation. The shop is very visible, well located and has plenty of off-street parking nearby.”

As well as covering Saffron Walden, the new shop covers an area from Royston in North Hertfordshire to much of South Cambridgeshire.

Tina’s shop joins a network of over 227 TaxAssist Accountants shops nationwide.

If you are interested in finding out more about joining the TaxAssist Accountants network, call Nikki Haythorne on 0800 0188297.

The Maids Head Hotel in Tombland, Norwich, has purchased an elegant Edwardian style Frolic 31 electric launch and, following a winter refit, the boat will take to the River Wensum in Norwich, when it will be officially named The Murtle Fish.

The boat will be driven by a Maids Head skipper, assisted by a steward, and can take 12 passengers. The Murtle Fish will be available to hire from the spring for afternoon tea afloat, wedding photography and receptions, business away days, drinks receptions and guided river tours.

A two-hour trip will depart from the Quayside next to Fye Bridge and will head to Whitlingham before returning to the city centre. The Murtle Fish will also be used to transport guests to the Maids Head’s box at Norwich City FC.

Christine Malcolm, General Manager, the Maids Head Hotel said: “We are really looking forward to offering a luxury service afloat in the heart of Norwich. The Murtle Fish will complement our two Bentleys, providing a memorable experience for guests.”

“To celebrate the launch’s purchase we organised a photo shoot with local businesses, who are our wedding partners,” continued Christine Malcolm. “I would like to thank, Best Beauty, Elizabeth’s the Florist, Elm Hill Brides, Hairsmiths, Just Big Smiles Photography and Milly J Shoes for their support, along with our staff who were the models on the day.”

The Murtle Fish is the original name of the Maids Head Hotel. The tavern operated on the Maids Head site from at least the middle of the 13th century. The name change to the Maids Head was confirmed in a Paston Letter dated 22 November 1472.

For more information about hiring The Murtle Fish contact Maids Head Events. t. 01603 272008, e. events@maidsheadthotel.co.uk, www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk

We, at Paul Robinson Partnership (UK) LLP, are delighted to see Bus Industrial Tools’ new base at Great Yarmouth South Denes Enterprise Zone is featured as a success story in the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership newsletter. We worked closely with Bus Industrial Tools in developing the site and it was interesting to learn from some of the innovative technical approaches the Dutch engineers brought to the project.

Indeed, we have worked extensively on the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zones since their inception and continue to do so to this day. For instance, we’ve just achieved the Planning go-ahead for a workshop on Beacon Park in Gorleston and an extension to a commercial site at Mobbs Way in Lowestoft.  Both expected to roll onto site in 2020.

Over the years the Enterprise Zone has been in place, we have developed the early Beacon Park masterplan, we’ve designed and run bespoke projects for many companies, along with speculative developments.  All of which have a high degree of take up and success.

For more information about Enterprise Zones or if you wish discuss any projects which require planning and design services, we would love to hear from you – please contact Bruce Hart on 01603 397057 or email design@prparchitecture.com