Kick back after work at The Lion’s Den, the ultimate riverside hangout by the River Wensum. Whether you’re sipping a hot chocolate by the fire or grabbing a glass of wine with new connections, this is networking— without the awkward small talk.
Join us for a laid-back, social evening on Thursday, May 1st, from 6 PM – 10 PM.
Ticket price includes a welcome drink and Lion’s Den toasties, and marshamallow toasting.
Relax riverside-style in comfy seating, under twinkling lights, around cosy fire pits.
No suits, no stress – just good vibes, great people, and easy conversations.
While Co.next is designed with under 35s in mind, we’re all about shared values, not age limits — everyone is welcome.
A local teddy bear is making waves in literary circles – and with young families – thanks to his debut novel.
Eddie Teddie has been a fixture at Face to Face Finance, a local firm of independent financial advisers, for a number of years. He has his own section on their blog as well as his own social media channels. Business owner, Julie Hunt, explains more:
“We believe the younger that people start to understand and take responsibility for their money, the better for their long-term financial security. Eddie Teddie is the perfect avenue for helping parents and carer to gently teach their children about money. We’ve had a great response to his articles and wanted to extend that through his book.”
Eddie Teddie’s Big Summer of Savingis aimed at children from age five to eight and is a fun story with a gentle message about the importance of saving up for things you really want. It features Eddie, along with some of his friends. Face to Face Finance is giving a copy to their clients – although some have already come back to buy more! Alternatively, you can buy directly from Face to Face Finance. Julie continues:
“When people buy from us directly, we’re giving them the option to buy a second copy at a discounted rate, with the spare copy being gifted to a disadvantaged child. We’re also setting aside a proportion of all profits to buy Medibears for the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
The book was created partly as a fun aside, but we hope to do some good as a result. The dream is to get the book into local schools.”
Eddie’s book was officially launched at the Great Ellingham Teddy Bear Festival. He’s since been spreading the word with Julie amongst local businesses and will be making more personal appearances, with signed copies available, in the coming weeks.
The book was written, designed and printed with the help of local marketing agency, Example Marketing and Web Design.
To buy a copy of the book, please email info@ftof-finance.co.uk. Eddie’s book will soon also be available to buy on Amazon.
This year’s Innes Lecture is being delivered by Prof Sujit
Sivasundaram, Professor of World History at the University of Cambridge, who
will look at the history of pepper and the role it plays in the world.
It will be held on Tuesday 29 April in the John Innes
Conference Centre at Norwich Research Park. The event is free to attend and
open to all. Please book your tickets here.
Doors open at 6pm with the lecture starting at 6.30pm.
Pepper is the most widely used spice in the world, but its
widespread use was not always certain or predictable.
This lecture follows pepper’s journey from its origins in
South India, across the Indian Ocean, and through many different hands, before
the Portuguese sought to take control of it.
The way pepper was harvested and traded to meet growing
demand helped shape the plantation economy. The combination of the plantation
economy and European colonisation played a huge role in shaping the modern
world. Looking at how pepper was cultivated and traded, reveals different
ecologies, trade networks, labour systems and cultural influences.
Prof Sivasundaram’s last book, Waves Across the South: A New
History of Revolution and Empire, won both the British Academy Book Prize and
the Jerry Bentley Prize for World History. He is a Fellow of the British
Academy.
Greater Anglia is reminding people to avoid travelling on its trains on Saturday 26 November, when services will be disrupted by a train drivers’ strike.
Services on main routes to London will be severely reduced and there will be no trains at all on many Greater Anglia lines due to a strike by train drivers’ union ASLEF.
There will be one train per hour on routes between London Liverpool Street and Colchester, Norwich and Southend Victoria and on the Stansted Express service.
But there will no trains at all on any other routes including the Cambridge to London Liverpool Street mainline.
First trains will start later than usual and last trains will finish earlier than usual.
First and last train times to London Liverpool Street from Colchester will be 08.13 and 20.13; from Norwich 08.00 and 19.00; and from Southend Victoria 08.13 and 22.00.
In the other direction, first and last trains from Liverpool Street to Colchester will be 10.00 and 22.00; to Norwich 10.30 and 21.30; and to Southend Victoria 09.47 and 23.45.
Stansted Express service first and last train times will be: from Stansted Airport to Liverpool Street 05.15 and 00.30 and from Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport 04.10 and 23.25.
Anyone who has booked a ticket to travel on Saturday 26 November will be able to travel either the day before or up to and including Tuesday 29 November instead, or they can contact their retailer for a refund or to change the date.
Trains not running due to the strike will not be replaced by buses.
First services on Sunday 27 November, will start later than usual as a knock-on effect of the 24-hour strike.
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director said: “We’re very sorry that once again we must advise people to avoid travelling on our trains, but with our drivers on strike we have no other option.
“We know people will have been planning to go Christmas shopping, visit the Christmas lights in London, go to shows and events or to watch FA Cup matches on Saturday 26 November and that now they will be disappointed.
“We will continue as an industry to carry on talking to ASLEF and other rail unions to try to resolve these disputes, to bring an end to these very disruptive strikes.”
Other train companies affected by the ASLEF action are Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Northern Trains, Southeastern, Transpennine Express, and West Midlands Trains.
Format: In-person or hybrid, 2.5 hours, including Q&A and live demos
Overview:
This introductory session explores how AI is transforming work and business. We’ll demystify the jargon and help attendees understand where AI tools can help save time, generate content, and support customer engagement.
Facilitated By:
Patrick Hussey
Patrick has worked with enterprise leaders like Google, SAP, Adobe, Microsoft, and Vodafone, as well as startups, cultural institutions, charities, and consumer brands. His expertise lies in AI strategy, thought leadership, and helping organisations harness technology for competitive advantage and meaningful change.
Key Takeaways:
Understand what AI is and how it works (without the jargon)
Get hands-on with tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Sora
See real-world examples of AI supporting business processes
Identify areas in your business or role where AI can be applied
Bring your laptop to get the most from this hands on workshop to start you on the way to harnessing ai in your bussiness.
Seeing the iconic Jacobean mansion of Blickling Hall bathed in light while you enjoy a slice of Blickling wood-fired pizza on the main drive is a treat which for many has become a family tradition.
This year, that quintessential Norfolk estate – the first complete estate ever to be cared for by the National Trust – will once again be celebrating the festive season with two very special and unique experiences, each aimed at creating lasting memories.
During the day, the beautifully decorated hall will open its doors to reveal rooms packed full of decorations, lovingly created by staff and volunteers. Nutcrackers, an estate children’s party, cocktails in the South Drawing Room and an Ice Ball all help to create a fantastical experience for visitors.
Property Curator, Megan Dennis and her team are excited to share it with visitors.
“Christmas in the hall at Blickling is so special. This year we are celebrating the magic moments of Christmas – all the special family traditions and games. We welcome visitors to explore the house, decorate a tree, help the cooks prepare for Christmas Day and take a whirl on the dancefloor. The beautiful decorations created by our talented volunteers really make the hall a unique place to visit at this time of year. Their passion and enthusiasm for Blickling shines through in every room.”
An army of florists, gardeners, crafters and artists have all contributed, under the guidance and direction of Jo Pipe, Blickling’s House and Collections Officer.
“We have created a 1930s fantastical adventure for our visitors to explore. Meet people from the past and create your own special memories in this beautiful place.”
In the evening, the house doors close and it is the turn of Blickling’s gardens to take centre stage.
Transformed into a riot of colour and illuminations, with little ‘wow’ moments tucked around every corner; an accessible, level route will help all visitors enjoy an after-dark festive adventure in one of Norfolk’s most special places.
For Experience and Visitor programme Manager, Sebastian Billing, it’s his favourite time of year.
“I’ve known Blickling all my life and for my family, it’s always been a playground for the senses. Our Garden of Lights event transforms the outside spaces – once the sun goes down, it feels like every inch is painted with imagination. Seeing visitors of all ages laughing and making memories in a place that means so much to the local community, shows us that the essential fundraising we do as a charity can look and feel pretty magical.”
Blickling’s festive celebrations kick off on Monday 28 November and run through to Sunday 18 December 2022.
The House is open daily from 11-2pm, tickets are free for National Trust members, no booking necessary.
The Garden of Lights event takes place daily between 4-8pm, all tickets must be pre-booked. Weekend tickets have almost sold out, but there are still tickets available to visit Monday – Friday. Bring the kids for a memorable after-school adventure, or visit after work for a fun evening out with colleagues or friends.
Chamber Members: Is Your Wellbeing Strategy Working as Hard as Your Team?
As a fellow supporter of local business, I’m offering exclusive wellbeing reviews for Chamber of Commerce members — designed to help you get more from your current health and wellbeing provision.
We’ll look at what’s in place, spot gaps, and explore tailored solutions that can:
Improve productivity
Reduce absence
Boost staff retention
And show clear ROI
It’s a no-obligation consultation that’s all about helping you create a healthier, more engaged workforce — because strong teams build strong local businesses.
Let’s book a time to talk. One conversation could change the way your business supports its people.
Image: Make-A-Wish UK Chief Executive Jason Suckley & Richie Finney, owner of Captain Fawcett
King’s Lynn’s Captain Fawcett Ltd (Manufacturer and Purveyor of simply ‘First Class Gentleman’s Grooming Requisites’) has been flying the flag for West Norfolk on an epic 800 mile motorbike ride across the South of England to raise funds for national children’s charity Make-A-Wish UK.
BarbersRide is now in its sixth consecutive year with total funds reaching over £110K for The Lion’s Barber Collective, London’s Great Ormond Street and Liverpool’s Alder Hey children’s hospitals and Make-A-Wish.
On the 7th August a fine fellowship of mad-cap adventurers, united by their passion for bikes and barbering, set off from Weston-Super-Mare on a 5 day mission to support ‘Make-A-Wish’, a charity which turns the dreams of seriously ill children into real life magic.
Richie Finney, West Norfolk Champion and owner of Captain Fawcett Ltd is one of the founding members and key sponsor of BarbersRide, an annual road trip adventure bringing barbers and bikers together on a journey of camaraderie and mayhem. 2022 saw this band of brothers take to the highways in the thick of a record-breaking, tarmac-melting heatwave. Each evening featured the chance to cool down at BarbersRide’s legendary after parties with live music, food and drinks to revive wilting riders after fantastically formidable trails through England’s rolling West Country and on to Margate, this year’s sparkling seaside destination.
BarbersRide have supported Make-A-Wish UK since 2019, saying:“Make-A-Wish grants special wishes for sick children when they are most in need and bring positivity and happiness in times of distress. We decided to work with a national children’s charity so that children from each region could benefit and Make-A-Wish were the perfect organisation to partner with. We even managed to ride in 2020, observing social distancing, with incredible support from our sponsors, our riders, the barbers and barbershops. More than ever, the global pandemic made all of us appreciate how important it is to find ways to keep going and stay resilient when there are obstacles in our way.”
Make-A-Wish UK Chief Executive Jason Suckley said: “We are hugely grateful to BarbersRide and all those who have supported their brilliantly unique way of fundraising for Make-A-Wish over the years. Any money they raise will help us with our ambitious mission to light up the lives of every child in the UK who has a critical condition, by granting their wish. From the moment they are diagnosed, the joy of childhood is often brought to an abrupt end while treatment, medical appointments and worry take over. It can ’t be underestimated how powerful a wish can be in bringing light and joy to those children, as well as their loved ones, creating positive moments and cherished memories that have a lasting impact on all their lives.”
Rumour has it, BarbersRide may be heading across the sea to Ireland in 2023. Watch this space… barbersride.com
* 2022 total is calculated via a number of JustGiving pages as well as offline donations direct to Make-A-Wish.
With £billions spent annually across government, local authorities, healthcare, and education; the public sector offers a powerful growth avenue for businesses of all sizes.
Unlock new opportunities for your business with Chambers East and Crown Commercial Service in this essential webinar on navigating public sector procurement under the UK Procurement Act 2023.
Webinar Hosts
· Neal Smith – Deputy Director, Cloud & Hosting, CCS
· Lucy McCormack – Commercial Lead, Digital Capability and Delivery, CCS
What You’ll Learn
– How recent procurement changes make bidding for contracts simpler, fairer, and more accessible
– Practical insights to help win new contracts and expand into public sector markets
– Expert guidance on streamlining your bidding process for a competitive edge
This session will help you understand how recent changes make bidding for contracts simpler, fairer, and more accessible, giving you a competitive edge.
Whether you’re looking to win new contracts, expand into public sector markets, or streamline your bidding process, this webinar will provide practical insights and expert guidance to help your business succeed.
Book now, and we’ll send over the joining link prior to the webinar.
We are delighted to announce that we have been selected as a finalist at the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Awards 2022.
The CSJ Awards are national and high profile, recognising charities that are innovative in tackling poverty and exclusion in Britain. They exist to ensure that the voices of those working to address these issues are given access to decision makers in Westminster.
As an organisation, we are delighted to be recognised for the outstanding work we do in supporting vulnerable young people through vocational training. We raise their self-esteem and confidence, whilst enabling them to gain trade related qualifications, employment opportunities and a much improved quality of life as well as being accepted in the community.
We are very grateful for this opportunity and the positive outcomes it will bring.
This four week course covers Agile from start to finish, equipping you with the knowledge and tools needed to take your team’s productivity to the next level. Using theory, case studies, activities and tools to take away you’ll become the ultimate project manager!
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded the Investors in People’s (IIP) UK Employer of the Year Gold award (50–249 employees).
Why did we win?
This award recognises our employee engagement strategy as truly special. It’s something that’s very close to our hearts – our leadership team have worked hard on it to make sure that, as the business grows, we remain true to our values.
Our approach helps us focus on the wellbeing of our people, how we hire and retain them, how we communicate, and our reward and recognition structure. And we’re so pleased to be recognised for it – especially as we celebrate 20 years of Pure in 2023.
What the award means to us
Caroline Batchelor, Director, said: ‘I’m so proud that we’ve won an IIP Gold award. Our people are so important to us. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We work hard to maintain and develop our positive culture. I just want to say thank you to everyone at Pure. This is all about you – you’re what makes Pure a great place to work!’
Ben Farrow, Operations Director, said: ‘Creating an engaged culture is an ongoing process and continually evolves. Achieving our IIP Gold accreditation earlier this year was an opportunity to hear how we’re doing. And winning this award is the cherry on top. We’ll continue to focus on sharing ideas, giving everyone a voice and building on our values to make sure Pure remains a great place to work. This award recognises what we’ve achieved so far and our commitment to investing in our people.’
Executive Director Lynn Walters said: ‘On behalf of the whole team, I’m so proud to have won this award. We have a brilliant team of people who care passionately about doing the right thing for jobseekers, clients and each other, as well as the communities we’re part of. At Pure, our culture is the top priority – it guides how we work every day. And we’re fortunate to work with some fantastic organisations across the eastern region who we share experiences with, something which helps keep us fresh and continually evolving. We’re looking forward to celebrating this award with the whole team.’
CEO, Ian Walters summed things up: ‘As a team, we’ve always valued helping people above recognition. But I still feel really proud and honoured that Pure has won this prestigious IIP award.’
Collecting our award
David, Caroline and Ben went to collect our trophy at the awards evening in London on Tuesday 15 November. It was great to see so many other inspirational organisations at the event, all of which are doing great things to #MakeWorkBetter. But only a few get to take home one of the sought-after trophies. And this year we were very proud to be one of them. ‘It was a fab night and a brilliant result for us all,’ said David. ‘I’m so proud of our organisation, our culture and, most importantly, all our people.’
Paul Devoy, CEO, Investors in People, said “The Investors in People Awards 2022 marks a new chapter for us. We came together again after three years in our biggest celebration of exemplary leaders and organisations who have transformed themselves into a force of good despite the challenges. I am proud of every organisation that entered this year, demonstrating the value in making work better and setting an example for other organisations to do the same.”
Our thanks
This award and our gold accreditation recognise our commitment to creating a great workplace. We’d like to thank Investors in People and the judges who made it happen. But most importantly, we’d like to thank the people who make Pure such a great place to work.
