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Despite opinions from some quarters, the construction industry is necessarily an extremely highly skilled area, with specialists in almost every niche area you can think of. Those skills range from concept, design and planning at the outset of a project, myriad trades and professions during a built, through to maintenance and repair throughout the lifetime of a building. Fortunately, England has moved on from the medieval system of Guilds and Liveries to control the skills in the construction industry, and we now have excellent organisations such as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to provide training. I know some have criticised the organisation in the past (particularly those organisations who have to pay the levy), but anyone who has been through an apprenticeship with their help, gained employment or managed to get a promotion from skills or qualifications obtained from CITB will be very grateful. It was therefore very sad to read about the plan to reduce the workforce of CITB by 900 staff. The Vision 2020: Business Plan 2018-21 shows a reduction in staff from 1,370 currently down to 484 in 2020/2021. With 575 based in Norfolk, in particular at the Bircham Newton (North West Norfolk, between Fakenham and Hunstanton) site, that is going to mean some very sad job losses locally. Its head office will remain there until 2019, but after that is likely to move, possibly to Peterborough.

Welcome to our Youth in Tech issue – just in time for the new term! It was no coincidence that our August issue is all about younger developers, but we’ve also included articles about how it is important to never stop learning, even when we might think we know everything!   The world of tech is always evolving, sometimes it feels difficult to keep up with new developments and technologies. It’s important to spend some time investing in ourselves and staff to make sure we keep abreast of this ever-changing sector. We hear from Luminous PR and netmatters about the importance of learning in their articles.   Of course it wouldn’t really be a Youth Issue without the view of an actual young developer, and we knew just the chap. Teenager James kindly gave us his opinion on the best bits of being into technology and where he thinks the future of development will be and student developers Emily and David were also kind enough to give us a developers view of their university project ‘Theia’, which aims to use machine learning to help students.   On the lighter side of things developer Adam sent us an amusing code piece (just try not to spit your tea while reading!) and we were also lucky enough to have an insider view from the recent Apple conference in San Jose, California, so if you’ve ever wondered what actually happens inside Apple, see inside!   Download now: https://www.norfolkdevelopers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/norDEVmagazine-201808-e05.pdf

Two members of staff at Somerleyton Estate – Nina Lynes and Jude Wilson  – are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this month.

Here’s the story behind the amazing challenge they are undertaking.

While the idea originated on a yet another drunken night out, it was to aid Nina in being able to say she was doing something worthy of a surprised reaction (or, at the very least, a raised eyebrow) when asked the question “What are you doing on your sabbatical”? The idea of climbing Kilimanjaro was then born.

Fully expecting this stupid idea to fade away, as Nina became more determined they should climb, Jude’s mum, Marg, became increasingly sick. Having already shown cancer who was boss for many years, her body was no longer responding to the treatment. In December 2017 Jude’s mum passed away, leaving a massive hole in the world. It then became clear they should climb to raise funds to fight the devastating C word and make Marg proud (though it should be noted that Marg had thought the climb a truly daft idea!).

So they’ve chosen to raise money for The University of Southampton’s Immunology research fund. This ground breaking research is saving lives by using the body’s immune system to eradicate cancer. But revolutionary research needs revolutionary facilities. Both Nina and Jude want to help raise £25m to build a new state of the art centre for Cancer Immunology. THEY want to be part of the cure, and invite YOU to be too.

The trip to climb ‘that damn mountain’ (as they now refer to it) will be self funded, so every penny raised will go straight to the charity.

If you would like to make a donation, however small, please visit their JustGiving page.

Sometimes it is difficult to explain exactly how we are different from our competitors and what working with us is like, so we put together a short video that says it all! Some of our lovely clients have kindly shared how they felt about working with Naked Element, the results they saw and the impact our software had on their business. In less than three minutes it is clear why we get such good feedback from our clients. Our specialised way of working and personal approach makes a big difference, and our understanding of each client’s needs is obvious from the finished product. As CEO Paul Grenyer says, we are driven by our clients, and that, combined with our years of development experience, means that we have helped companies large and small overcome processing issues. But don’t take our word for it! Take a look at our video and what our clients have to say about us, and get in touch if you think we can help y

We don’t just create industry-changing software for big businesses, we can also pick up smaller jobs that need a quick result. Naked Element recently completed a minor job for Thyngs, a digital consumer engagement company based in Norwich. With our flexible team, experienced in development and design, we were able to turn the work around in a matter of hours.   Niall, head of marketing at Thyngs, said “we needed some urgent, short-term support with some updates we needed to make to our website. We know Paul and the team, and he was responsive and eager to help.”   Our designer/developer Shelley stepped in to get the job done. “Thyngs wanted some new pages added to their existing website, all in the same format, and they wanted their homepage amended slightly. Niall was lovely, easy to talk to and clear in what he wanted, which meant there were no snags or issues to worry about!”   Even though it was only a few hours work, Naked Element still have a reputation for quality. “Everyone was very professional and proactive” said Niall, “I would absolutely recommend Naked Element to companies in need of similar support”   Even the smallest job deserves dedication!

We explore some of the key current stats in the exhibitions industry & share why you should be considering event marketing for you & your business. From growing exhibition space, to numerous venues spreading across the globe & ongoing investment, event marketing remains one of the most powerful & growing tools a company can use to promote their brand, advertise, share new products and services, network and more.

Enjoyed the video? Then let us know & stay tuned for more exclusive content, advice, tips, tricks and more on the way! 

If you and your business are ready to harness the awesome power of exhibitions, why not check out our special offers, previous projects & let us know how we can help you achieve success in your events.

After a great turn-out for our training session on successful event marketing & exhibiting with Norfolk Chamber, we are delighted to see some of the diversity in local businesses preparing to exhibit at Norfolk B2B!

With just over a month to go until B2B opens its doors once more, it’s the perfect time to make sure your stand, stands out!  From a simple banner or display plinth to bespoke portable systems, we have a huge array of products to suit any size project or budget, with our in-house design team on hand to bring your ideas and your brand to life.

Get in touch today for more information on any of our products or services, plus if you’re disappointed you missed our training session, we can offer informal advice to anyone looking to make the most out of their experience at B2B.

www.image-display.co.uk/exhibition-shop/ 

At Labyrinth Mini Movies, we’re thrilled to have recently joined the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, and what better way to introduce ourselves to this vibrant community than by sharing a story that’s close to our hearts? We had the immense privilege of photographing a wedding that reminded us why we do what we do—a celebration of love that proves it’s never too late to say “I do.”  

Meet James and Pauline, a remarkable couple whose wedding day radiated joy, connection, and a timeless spirit. James, in his 90s, and Pauline, in her 80s, tied the knot in a heartfelt ceremony at the Salvation Army Hall in North Walsham. From there, they journeyed to the stunning Norfolk coast at Overstrand, where their reception unfolded with a wedding breakfast, speeches, cake-cutting, and dancing that carried them into the evening. It was a day brimming with love—and one we’ll never forget.  

You might wonder what sets this wedding apart from the many beautiful celebrations we’ve captured over the years. The answer lies in James and Pauline themselves. Their age didn’t define their day; their love did. Watching them exchange vows, surrounded by family and friends spanning every generation—from toddlers toddling about to teenagers snapping selfies, young families in their 20s, parents in their 40s, uncles and aunties in their 50s and 60s, and dear friends in their 70s and 80s—was a powerful reminder that love brings us together, no matter where we are in life.  

For my wife Racheal and me, capturing this day was more than just a job—it was an honour. James and Pauline entrusted us to preserve their memories, and we felt blessed to witness their story unfold through our lenses. There’s something magical about seeing two people, who have lived such rich and full lives, choose to embark on a new chapter together. Their smiles, their glances, the way they held each other as they danced—it was a masterclass in what true love looks like.  

This wedding wasn’t just a celebration; it was a testament to the idea that age is just a number. We truly are as young as we feel, and James and Pauline embodied that spirit in every moment. Their energy lifted everyone around them, and photographing them left Racheal and I feeling fantastic—reinvigorated by the power of connection and the beauty of a love that conquers all.  

At Labyrinth Mini Movies, we pour our hearts into every project, whether it’s a wedding, a family portrait, or a creative business video. But days like this one remind us why we started this journey: to tell stories that matter, to freeze fleeting moments in time, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms. James and Pauline’s wedding was a gift—not just to them, but to us, and to everyone who shared in their joy.  

As we settle into our new home within the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce network, we’re excited to connect with businesses and individuals who value community, creativity, and the stories that make life special. If you’d like to chat about how we can capture your next milestone—or simply share a story of your own—we’d love to hear from you.  

Here’s to love, to life, and to feeling young at heart, no matter the years. Cheers to James and Pauline—may their days ahead be as beautiful as the one we were lucky enough to witness.  

Prime Minister Teresa May has recently announced that, as of April next year, mixed sex couples in England and Wales will be able to choose to enter into a civil partnership rather than getting married. The change stems from the Supreme Court ruling of Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan three months ago.

Civil partnerships were initially created in 2004 to give same-sex couples (who at the time could not marry) similar legal and financial protection as that offered by marriage. Same-sex marriage has since then been legalised – by virtue of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 – allowing same-sex couples to decide between marriage or entering into a civil partnership.

Many unmarried couples in long standing relationships in England and Wales share the view that they do not wish to marry, due to historical and religious connotations. Often these same individuals believe that, over time, they will acquire similar rights and protections to married couples. Unfortunately there is simply no such thing as ‘common law marriage’; under current law, it is possible to live with someone for decades, and have children together, but to have no financial claim if the relationship breaks down. 

This change in the law will address the imbalance that allows same-sex couples to choose between marriage and entering into a civil partnership. The benefits attached to entering into a civil partnership provide greater protection to mixed-sex couples and their families who want to formalise their relationship but do not want to get married. Similarly to marriage, a civil partnership will attract many tax exemptions including Inheritance Tax reliefs. On death, the surviving partner will have the automatic right to inherit their partner’s estate. In effect this may mean that the surviving partner does not have to worry about the risk of not being able to afford to stay living in the family home. Alternatively, if the relationship breaks downs, the couple may have a guaranteed right to ownership of each other’s property.

Our client, Choose Wisely, is a lending company which offers business loans, guarantor loans, credit cards and bad credit loans – to name a few. It basically covers all financial products and holds a brilliant reputation for doing so.

In our work for Choose Wisely, one of our main aims was to reflect their expertise and their company culture as young, fun and vibrant. We wanted to do this through creating a site which was altogether informative, attractive and user-friendly whilst remaining professional and clear.

Keywords & Links

To boost a websites SEO, an effective approach is to seek out relevant keywords and target them on the site. So, for Choose Wisely, we reviewed all their current keywords and aimed to get a few quick wins to get the ball rolling.

External links are also very beneficial to the performance of a site on Google or Bing. We reached out to those in the business and finance world for links on their website which were directed towards the Choose Wisely homepage or a particular landing page which they were aiming to promote.

To conduct link outreach, we used the tool Majestic to reveal what links their competitors and those who held the top spots on Google for the same targeted key words had obtained. We then approached the same website and asked about featuring Choose Wisely. We also searched Google for places in which Choose Wisely was mentioned online, but no link was provided. Here, we simply got in contact and asked them to add a link where their name was mentioned.

Revamping the Site

In order to help Choose Wisely to rank well, we reorganised their landing page’s content to appear clearer, target stronger key words and to improve the overall user experience.

We added loans eligibility calculators above the fold, forms and worked to optimise their headings, meta-data and keywords on each page.