Poultec Training’s annual Learner Awards ceremony was held yesterday afternoon at their headquarters at South Green Park Mattishall. Jason Doyle, Speedway Grand Prix rider presented certificates to all 67 nominees, who had been selected from over 3,000 learners who had completed qualifications with Poultec over the last 12-months. Nominees were nominated by tutors where learners had excelled in their learning or overcome barriers in order to achieve their qualification. Glass trophies were presented to the winners of each category by Jason, who congratulated each learner. Jason shared with the audience made up of nominees, their employers, parents and guests, the journey he has made in his speedway career; highlighting what can be achieved if you persevere.
Katie Adams of the Henderson Trust won the Young Apprentice of the Year Award, an award selected by the panel of judges from all nominated Apprentices under 24 years old. Edward Bales, Managing Director of Poultec said on presenting the award ‘The judges were impressed by the quality of work produced by Katie, which was of an exceptional level, way above what was required for the qualification’.
Lizzie Neale of the Princes Trust also spoke at the ceremony of the long standing relationship that the Princes Trust has with Poultec, delivering Traineeship programmes together, to assist young people in their search for employment.
Two new awards were presented at this year’s awards ceremony by Edward Bales; the Apprentice Progression Award which celebrated former Apprentices who have progressed through their career and became ambassadors for training and development, which was won by Andrew Bumfrey of Bernard Matthews. Andrew since completing his Apprenticeship has progressed to farm manager and is now running the company’s trial house. The second was a special recognition award – this award was presented to Peter Clears who was recognised for the additional contribution he has made to training, supporting the organisation during open days and events and attending school careers evenings to promote the courses that Poultec delivers.
The ceremony, held in a marquee in the grounds of South Green Park was attended by over 130 guests who also enjoyed afternoon tea prepared by South Green Park and assisted by Poultec’s own catering students.
Edward closed the ceremony by congratulating all the learners who had been nominated.
Over the last few years the subject of apprenticeships has been regularly popping up in the press and even been a topic of discussion at No. 10. Did you know that the likes of Jamie Oliver, Alexander McQueen, Sir Alex Ferguson and even the King himself (well, the king of rock ‘n’ roll) Elvis Presley started out as apprentices?
I’ve sat down with Naked Element’s very own apprentice Lewis Leeds, to see what he’s learnt over his time as an apprentice in tech.
1. How long have you been with Naked Element?
I’ve been with Naked Element since 18th of August 2015, so almost 10 months.
2. Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
I chose an apprenticeship because, to be perfectly honest, I wasn’t the most academic person in school and I didn’t feel that university would benefit me. I was always better with a more hands-on approach, learning as I went, and it seemed that an apprenticeship was built around this way of learning.
3. What are some of the most useful skills you’ve learnt since starting your apprentice?
In terms of skills I’ve learnt things across a range of areas. There is the obvious such as learning how to develop software, but there are also the business skills and ‘soft skills’ as they are called. Just being able to talk to clients and prospects and know how to react to certain situations, ones I wouldn’t have been fortunate to have experienced less than a year ago. One of the skills I’ve learnt that has been interesting to play around with is DISC profiling. It allows you to see certain characteristics about people and fit them into a personality category. Something very useful in terms of selling and managing how you sell to someone, but it’s also just a fun thing to do.
4. What has been your favourite project you’ve worked on and why?
My favourite project so far has been creating a time management system. It allows project managers to plan out employee’s weeks and assign them to different projects for a certain amount of time. It also calculates an estimate of the profit the client makes on each project by taking into account the project fee and then subtracting all the employee’s daily rates.
I enjoyed working on this because I got to use multiple programming languages and learnt a lot of lessons along the way, as well as being able to say I completed my first project within 6 months of starting out.
5. What support does Naked Element offer you as part of your apprenticeship?
I’m offered a multitude of support. Paul has been a great mentor and is always willing to help, he’s always suggesting things for me to check out and read. As Naked Element’s Managing Director he isn’t always able to lend a hand as he’s working on projects himself, which are always time consuming, but this gives me a chance to focus on problem solving skills and finding a way around things by myself, so even that is helping me in the long run. He’s always on hand if I get stuck and is happy to explain things to me to help me really understand.
6. Would you recommend an apprenticeship to other young people and why?
It depends on the job you want. Some jobs require you to have degrees and require you to go to university or some kind of higher learning. For the vast majority of jobs, however, an apprenticeship is a great way to get your foot in the door of an industry, gain some excellent skills and first-hand experience in a job you may want to turn into a career. The main reason I would recommend an apprenticeship is for the experience. In software development especially, you need to be able to hit the ground running when you start a job, a task that people graduating university might not be able to complete, so having the practical experience that being an apprentice offers is a huge bonus to have and gives you an advantage over other candidates in such a competitive industry.
7. Where do you see your career in 5 years?
I’m hoping to be in the US in 5 years time, working for a large company over there. I’m not sure where exactly just yet as I try not to plan things too far ahead, but I see myself working and living over there by then.
So what does Paul think?
I also asked Paul how he thinks Lewis has been getting on and why he chose to offer an apprenticeship, “When Matt and I discussed getting an apprentice, we knew it was a huge risk for Naked Element. We’d only worked with experienced software developers before, but we wanted to teach someone who didn’t already have lots of bad habits. Lewis joined Naked Element at a time when Naked Element was going through a fairly significant transition. From the off he’s had a fantastic attitude to working and learning. Lewis is always keen to get involved in every aspect of the business, from software development and hardware setup to administration, networking and sales. Based on our experience with Lewis, Naked Element is looking to take on another apprentice over the coming weeks. I believe that apprentices are an excellent way for the predominantly small tech companies in the TechEast region to grow and a way to help fill the skills gap we have here.”
Digital Marketing agency, Bigfork were appointed by Abel Homes to build their new website, with help from Naked Marketing in regards to design input. Abel Homes wanted a website that was responsive as a large percentage of their wesite visitors use smartphones. Theyalso wanted the website to be easier to navigate and to increase online enquiries. Call to actions were put in place to help users know where to go to contact Abel Homes. Head on over to Abel Homes to have a look at their new website!
After a period of restructuring, we are proud to reveal our brand new website! We’ve also made our glossy black brochures even better (with even more kids strapped to rockets or pulling silly faces).
We’d love to know what you think of our efforts, so please head over toNakedElement.co.uk and take a look at our shiny new home!
Our blog section is crammed with tech articles, event reviews and musings from our apprentice Lewis, our brochures are all available online (naturally) and you can also find us on all the usual social media platforms –facebook,twitterandLinkedIn.
This week, I found myself buzzing around a bustling boatyard on the Norfolk Broads—quite literally, as our drones took to the skies.
We’d been called in by one of our clients, a small but lively operation (no names, of course), to capture their business basking in the glow of this gorgeous spring weather. I was there, a fly on the wall—or perhaps a lens in the air—snapping shots and filming footage as boats bobbed, water sparkled, and the team went about their day.
The brief was simple but exciting: create a rich bank of photographs and videos showcasing the yard in all its glory. From wide aerial sweeps to close-ups of gleaming hulls, the owner wanted a collection they could dip into over the coming months for social media posts. It’s about showing off their business as it truly is—a unique slice of the Broads—and enticing potential customers with an authentic glimpse of what they offer.
I managed to grab a few shots myself during the shoot, and I’ll share some of those stunning aerials at the end of this post.
There’s something powerful about having your own bank of bespoke media. It’s not just about pretty pictures; it’s about telling your story in a way generic stock images never could.
Those off-the-shelf stock imagescan work? They’re polished, sure, but they lack soul. They’re not your business—they’re not the sun glinting off your boats or the breeze rippling through your corner of Norfolk. What we captured this week is the real deal, and it’s a game-changer for standing out online.
For us at Labrinth Mini Movies, this kind of work is pure joy. These shoots are quick—often wrapped up in just a few hours—and affordable for our clients, yet the results are top-tier. With full-frame cameras and professional drones, we’re not messing around.
This job leaned heavily on drone footage, and for good reason: the bird’s-eye view of their sprawling premises is nothing short of spectacular. It’s the kind of perspective that stops thumbs scrolling and pulls people in.
So, if you’re a Norfolk business looking to shine in your true light, why not give us a shout? Let’s create something special together. Below, I’ve popped in a couple of those aerial shots from the boatyard—enjoy the view!
Local charity Future Projects invites
the community to kick off the holiday season with a night of Hollywood-style
glamour, all while helping raise funds for Norwich families facing hardship.
The festive fundraiser will take place
on Saturday, 14th December,
at Bar 19 and promises a memorable night of entertainment,
community spirit, and a chance to make a real difference.
Guests can look forward to live music
from local swing sensation Sam
and the Swingtones, DJ sets from Future
Radio DJs, drag performances, and complimentary 9-inch homemade
pizzas – all included in the ticket price.
Since the onset of the Cost of Living
crisis, Future Projects has been on the front lines, providing essential
support to a growing number of local families struggling to meet their basic
needs.
Last year’s Christmas party raised over £3,750, and with
increased demand this year, the charity aims to raise even more with the
community’s help. All funds raised will support programmes providing advice,
money management training, food and community meals and more.
Tickets
are priced at just £25,
with a special discount for charity workers, available now at .
All funds raised will go directly to Future Projects’ programs, providing
immediate assistance to local families in need.
“We’re
delighted to be running our Christmas Party fundraiser for the second year in a
row,” said Camilla Wright – the event organiser for Future Projects. “This
event is not only a way for us to celebrate the season with our community but
also an opportunity to thank our incredible staff, volunteers, and partners in
the voluntary and public sectors who work tirelessly for the people of Norfolk.
We’re excited to welcome everyone for a memorable evening filled with holiday
spirit and community cheer!”
Hey there, savvy business owner! 👋 So, you’ve been eyeing those “Build Your Website in 5 Minutes!” ads, huh? I get it – those drag-and-drop builders look tempting. They’re like those “assembly required” furniture pieces that claim you only need 30 minutes and a screwdriver. But we all know how that usually turns out… 😅
The True Cost of DIY Web Design
Let’s get real for a minute. DIY website builders aren’t bad – they’re like microwave meals. They’ll do the job when you’re in a pinch, but would you serve one at your wedding? Probably not. Here’s what those “free” and “easy” solutions aren’t telling you:
1. Time is Money (And You’re Spending Both)
Picture this: You’re three hours into customizing your template, and something just isn’t working right. The logo’s fuzzy, the buttons are misaligned, and your hair is starting to look like Einstein’s. Sound familiar?
Average time to build a DIY site: 40+ hours (that’s a full work week!)
Learning curve for basic design principles: Priceless (and endless)
Time spent Googling “why isn’t this working”: Infinite
2. Hidden Costs That Sneak Up Like Ninjas
Those $12/month plans? They’re like icebergs – there’s a lot more hiding underneath:
Premium templates that don’t look like everyone else’s site ($50-200)
Essential plugins and features that aren’t included in “basic” plans
Custom domain and proper business email setup
Security certificates and backup solutions
3. The “It Looks Professional Enough” Trap
Here’s a truth bomb: your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. And just like you wouldn’t show up to a client meeting in pajamas (tempting as it might be), your website needs to look the part.
Common DIY pitfalls:
Generic templates that scream “template!”
Poor mobile responsiveness (hello, 2025 called…)
Slow loading times that send visitors running
Amateur-looking designs that hurt your credibility
When Professional Design Pays for Itself
Now, let’s talk about what you actually get when you invest in professional web design:
1. Strategy, Not Just Pretty Pictures
User journey mapping that turns visitors into customers
Conversion-focused design that actually makes you money
SEO built into the foundation, not slapped on as an afterthought
Brand consistency that builds trust
2. The “It Just Works” Factor
Professional web design is like having a well-oiled machine:
Everything works seamlessly across all devices
Updates and maintenance are handled for you
Security is tight as a drum
Performance is lightning-fast
3. Future-Proofing Your Investment
A professionally designed website is built to grow with your business:
Scalable architecture that can handle your success
Easy to and expand as needed
Built on stable, reliable technology
Regular updates to keep everything fresh and secure
The Bottom Line
Look, we get it – professional web design is an investment. But it’s like hiring a skilled accountant versus doing your own taxes. Sure, you could do it yourself, but do you really want to risk getting it wrong?
Think about it this way: How much is one lost customer worth to your business? Now multiply that by all the potential customers who bounce from a DIY site that doesn’t quite cut it. Suddenly, professional web design starts looking like a bargain, doesn’t it?
Making the Smart Choice
Your website isn’t just a digital business card – it’s a hardworking member of your team. It’s working 24/7 to represent your brand, convert visitors, and grow your business. Doesn’t it deserve the same level of professionalism you bring to every other aspect of your business?
Ready to stop wrestling with templates and start getting real results? Let’s chat about creating a website that actually works for your business. No pressure, no jargon – just honest conversation about what you need and how we can help. 💪
P.S. Still on the fence? Ask yourself this: When was the last time you heard someone say, “I wish I’d gone with the cheaper option” and actually meant it? Yeah, we thought so! 😉
I’ve been using JavaScript reluctantly on and off for years. I’m currently working on a project that is highly dependant on JQuery based, handwritten JavaScript. Just as Rupert described in this workshop, I am one of the world’s copy-and-paste JavaScripters, so I thought it was about time I looked at it more closely to see what I was missing. I recently took on an apprentice who also needed to learn JavaScript, so a Norfolk Developers workshop was ideal for us.
We all know there’s a software development skills shortage nationally and very much so locally and this is something Norfolk Developers is trying to do something about by introducing a series of introductory workshops aimed at those with little or no experience. Initially Norfolk Developers will be concentrating on web development skills such as HTML & CSS, JavaScript and JQuery. There are also plans for introductory workshops for iOS and Android mobile development. The group will also continue to cater for the more experienced developers with their regular series of intermediate and advanced workshops.
We all know JavaScript is evil, right? Yes, but it’s a necessary evil and there are reasons it’s evil. This was very well explained by Rupert Redington at Norfolk Developers’ JavaScript Starter Kit, beginners full day workshop. It was created in two weeks and suffered a little because of that, but we are where we are.
What was really great about the workshop for me was that I was able to learn and understand the details of the language I had missed before, such as the different ways things are compared for equality in the language.
After an interesting and in depth introduction to the language Rupert introduced us to NodeSchool, which is a series of tasks designed to help you learn and write JavaScript one step at a time in a rewarding way. You write the code to solve a problem, run the test and it tells you whether you have it right or not. I could have done that for hours!
In the afternoon we brought together a lot of what we had learnt in the morning to write a simple one page web application which used our browser’s API (Application Programming Interface) to find our current location and an external API to look up where the nearest public toilets were to us. It was fantastic to see what we’d learnt solving a real world problem.
Rupert will be back in the summer running an updated beginners JavaScript workshop.
Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure) are pleased to congratulate Cambscuisine, winners of the Pure-sponsored “Employer of the Year” category at theCambridge News Business Excellence Awardsheld last night (17 March) at King’s College, Cambridge.
With many of the region’s leading businesses in attendance, the award celebrates an organisation that successfully inspires, motivates, develops and rewards its staff.
Cambscuisine was one of three companies shortlisted for the category and they were successful due to their culture; genuinely placing “people at the heart of the business”. Cambscuisine has 130 people working across six restaurants: St John’s Chop House, Smokeworks, The Cock Hemingford Grey, The Tickell Arms, The Cambridge Chop House and The Crown & Punchbowl and prides itself with having high staff retention in a sector where staff turnover is typically high.
With a number of innovative people development approaches -instead of having a head office and a traditional board, the Directors stay connected by working from their restaurants “surrounded by their team”. The Board is replaced with a team of “challengers” selected from across the business to provide feedback and ideas that has helped to nurture a strong family culture. Their aim is to help staff realise their full potential and many of their General Managers have started in roles such as dish washing and waiting, progressing through the business supported by a personalised development plan.
Lynn Walters, Director at Pure and awards judge, says: “We were proud to sponsor the category for the fourth year – it’s a huge privilege to watch Cambridge’s businesses thrive.”
“This year we met 3 diverse and amazing businesses who all have inspired teams of passionate people who are proud of their organisation and deliver a great customer experience. When a company gets it right, you can almost tangibly feel the culture that permeates throughout the business and Cambscuisine clearly showed a genuine passion for people development which shone through in the presentation. Congratulations to Oliver and his team.”
Lynn is well qualified in judging the best employer categories with a track record of developing employee engagement strategies and supporting talent management with Pure’s clients. In addition to core recruitment services, Lynn runs the highly successful Best Employers Eastern Region initiative – a biennial online survey, in partnership with eras Ltd, a provider of psychometric and talent solutions. The survey is open between April and September 2016 culminating in awards being presented at employee engagement seminars in October 2016, bringing together senior business leaders from the region Congratulations are also extended to the shortlisted companies Newmarket Racecourse and Genie Ventures for their commitment to their exceptionally engaged employees.
To find out more about the Cambridge News Business Awards or the Best Employers Eastern Region initiative, contact Lynn Walters on: 01223 209888 orlynn.walters@prs.uk.com.
BBA Digital Media are proud to announce that we are now selling premium spots at our next POP UP Event -Sundown Festival 2016.With HUGE names (Jason Derulo, Jess Glyne, Dizzie Rascal, Kano and Chase and Status to name a few) entertaining the crowds this event pulls in a massive audience. And we will be the exclusive Digital Out of Home Providers for the event!
About Sundown
The festival is in its fifth year, and growing ever bigger based at the 150 acre Royal Norfolk Showground, from the 2nd to the 4th of September, this is a HUGE event for East Anglia and an incredible festival to advertise at, showcase anybrand and getmaximum exposure to a crowd of over 50,000.
The event attracts a crowd from East Anglia as well as further afield, with an average age range of 14-35. There are day tickets, weekend and camping tickets as well as VIP hospitality tickets drawing a diverse and exciting customer demographic. This year the festivals capacity exceeds wireless festival!
Digital Out of Home at the Event
We will have 2×72 inchscreensplaced in the bar areas either side of the stage in high footfall locations, where waiting times will be for long periods of time for the duration of the festival.
We will be selling spots of 10 seconds, on a three minute rotation for the 3 days.This translates to anadvert showing 1680timeson both screensover the course of the three days.
Screen Specifications
Our 72″ Outdoor Screen is one of the largest outdoor screens of its kind. Standing 2.5 metres tall with a 1000% brighter display, it is perfect for hosting digital content, links to social media, augmented reality, and interactive campaigns at Sundown Festival.
– Screen Size: 72 inches
– Screen Aspect Ratio: 16:9
– Screen Resolution: 1080×1920 Dimensions: 2420mm x 1300mm x 350mm Brightness: 2000cd/m2
– Audio Output: 2x Built in 10w speakers
What people are saying about Sundown
This event has its genesis in the Norfolk Spectacular, becoming the Sundown festival in 2012. Since then it has grown into a top quality event taking place over three days at the very beginning of September….As one of the later events in the calendar, this has a good end of summer vibe with many party people taking that one last bite of the sunshine cherry before hibernation.This is one festival that admits young people on an individual ticket basis, so expect an energetic and up for it crowd from the moment the music starts playing.
A Norfolk firm which specialises in finding and structuring funding to help local business prosper and grow has been recognised with a prestigious national award.
B2B Cashflow Solutions, which has been a finalist in the Business Moneyfacts Awards for the past four years (‘Highly Commended’ last year and ‘Commended’ in 2014), this year became national winner in the category ‘Best Asset Based Finance Broker’ against stiff competition from eight other finalists across the UK at the Lancaster Hotel in London on 17th March.
Launched in 2006 by directors Ian Hart, Nick Flower and Simon Reynolds, who between them have nearly 90 years commercial finance and business banking experience, B2B Cashflow Solutions is an independent commercial finance brokerage and consultancy, based in Framingham Pigot, which has developed a range of products and services to accommodate the whole-life finance cycle needs to support the growth aspirations for local businesses.
Since becoming one of the first commercial finance brokers in the UK to be authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in March 2015, the firm has invested heavily in its infrastructure to underpin a 47% growth in its team of financial professionals throughout East Anglia and across the UK.
This geographical expansion has been complemented by further diversification of skills within the team. An accountant, a real estate consultant, and a business coach are among the seven highly experienced professionals B2B Cashflow Solutions has successfully attracted so far this year from financial organisations, and banks including HSBC and Barclays.
Simon Reynolds commented ‘Our aim has always been to develop a brand which local businesses could trust and identify with to find and structure funding which helps them prosper.
We believe our Business Moneyfacts Award represents recognition nationally that a Norfolk firm is leading the way in helping other local and UK businesses to achieve their own growth aspirations’.
Specialising in finding cash for businesses, and restructuring existing funding for companies to reduce debt burden and improve cash flow, B2B Cashflow Solutions aims to deliver these solutions, often where traditional mainstream funders have failed, through a diversity of alternative markets, and works closely to support its banks relationships and other professional partners.
Examples of success in helping local businesses range from delivering funding within a £2.6 million project to build an anaerobic digestion plant for Muntons Plc’s maltings facility in Stowmarket, to sourcing the investment which facilitated the management buy-in of Quinto Crane and Plant Ltd, a leading crane hire company based in Norwich.
Products include asset finance, fundraising against existing working assets, invoice finance, unsecured business loans, commercial mortgages, grant funding, and research and development relief. The company has also developed its own financial health checks to help business owners reduce debt and improve cash flow.
If there was any concern that Brexit would have a negative impact on foreign investment in the UK, the doubts were somewhat quashed this week when ARM Holdings announced a takeover by Japanese tech giant, Softbank, in a deal worth a staggering £24bn.
ARM Holdings is Britain’s biggest and most successful tech firm. Founded by entrepreneur, Hermann Hauser in 1990, the company made its mark with the vintage Acorn Archimedes and BBC micro:bit.
Today, the ARM microchip powers practically every digital device imaginable, including computers, iPhones and Samsung’s range of mobile products. Last year, the company sold 15 million microchips – more than its US rival Intel has sold in its 48-year history.
The ARM microchip is seen as the next-generation for microprocessor architecture, and whilst Britons have a right to be proud, we can’t help but feel it’s a shame the company is being sold to overseas investors.
We’re also curious how the likes of Apple and Google feel knowing their industry “allies” have handed over the new-generation microchip to a Japanese firm.
The sell-out also raises questions about the impact such a massive acquisition will have on the British economy. New PM, Theresa May has already voiced her determination to put an end to foreign takeovers that do not favour national interest.
However, on this occasion the UK government has been quick to respond with a positive message. “This is good news for British workers, it’s good news for the British economy,” a spokesman said. Given Softbank has already stated its intention to double the 3000-strong workforce of ARM Holding, we can’t argue with this.
Furthermore, in Softbank, the British tech giant is being adopted by a faithful parent. In recent years, the Japanese firm has already acquired Vodafone and Sprint together with a French robotics company, Aldebaran. Founder of Softbank, Masayoshi Son has said that ARM Holdings is one of the pillars of the company’s growth strategy.
The ARM microchip is used in numerous household items such as smartphones and tablets, computers, TV’s, Smart home technology, Smart cars and wearable tech. The microchip also powers smart cities and drones. It seems the Japanese tech giant has acquired ARM with a view to progressing the next-generation of “The Internet of Things” (IoT).
IoT is the proposed idea that by interconnecting digital devices our lives become much easier and more convenient. Possible scenarios include fridges that add food to the shopping list on your mobile phone when you are almost out, and kettles that tell you it’s time for cuppa.
We are experiencing a rapid development in mobile technology and in the very near future we will practically be able to manage our lives from our smartphones. To many people this may be a scary proposition, but it is almost guaranteed that most will embrace the convenience IoT technology offers. And a certain Japanese-owned British company will be central to making our future lives possible.