Member News

Census day arrived at the weekend and we are working hard to make sure everyone is included.    We have created a series of events for those with questions or those supporting others who have questions. 

We know that some people may have questions and may not have completed their census yet so as a Norfolk and Suffolk initiative we have organised  4 x  daily drop in support events – live!

Still have questions about Census?

Need some friendly face to face advice?

You can meet with a local census engagement manager who will be able to help you. 

4 Times daily Monday to Friday – (Except Thursdays)

● 1000-1030 ● 1230-1300 ● 1500-1530 ● 1930-2000

(UP TO AND INCLUDING APRIL 2nd)

JUST CLICK HERE to join at the time that suits you best

OR

you can join by phone telephone 020 3956 0776‬ PIN: ‪‬2212 38602#

You must fill in your census as soon as possible

Organised by Census Engagement Managers,  Norfolk & Suffolk  

Norfolk County Council has welcomed the news of a major expansion of the fastest type of broadband, which could benefit up to a third of properties. Today, the Government announced Norfolk will be involved in a new round of Gigabit broadband procurement ( https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-new-5bn-project-gigabit ). Known as Gigabit / Full Fibre / Ultrafast / Fibre to the Premise, it has a speed of 100-1000 mega-bits per second – compared to 24 or 30mbps for superfast broadband Councillor Tom FitzPatrick, cabinet member for innovation, transformation and performance, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Norfolk is among the next batch of areas to be set to benefit from this review announced by the Minister. “This is another win for our Better Broadband for Norfolk campaign, achieving significant speed upgrades all across rural Norfolk.  We are amongst the first locations to benefit from this latest wave of funding which we very much welcome. “This phase is likely to contain all properties within Norfolk that are not expected to gain access to Gigabit capable broadband via commercially funded programmes or any other initiatives – that’s estimated to be 30 – 35% of all premises. This will bring real benefits to the businesses and residents who will get this boost. “Implementation would be expected to start in early 2023, which fits well with our third Better Broadband for Norfolk contract, another step in ensuring that Norfolk continues to enhance its digital capability.” For further details of Better Broadband for Norfolk, please see https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and-how-we-work/campaigns/digital-connectivity/better-broadband-for-norfolk

Cloudtango is the largest, global directory for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Each year, Cloudtango recognises some of the most successful MSPs around the world. We at Breakwater IT are incredibly proud to have been named a UK Top 50 Managed Service Provider by Cloudtango. For the seventh year of the awards, Cloudtango has said: ‘In the seventh edition of the awards, we continue to highlight technical excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction provided by the British MSP industry. Through the selection process, seven years of data have been analysed, 223 different types of certifications have been reviewed, 95 vendor partnerships have been accounted, and 22 different IT services have been evaluated.’ For the 2021 MSP50 award, their technical analysis focused on Cyber Security, Support, Infrastructure and Cloud Services. To find out more about Breakwater IT and our services, visit our website.

Get ready to GoGo on a Jurassic jaunt this Summer with Break and 20 large Tyrannosaurus-Rex sculptures from Monday 12th July until Saturday 11th September 2021.

The GoGoDiscover charity sculpture trail is delivered by East Anglian based children’s charity Break, in partnership with Wild in Art. Each T.rex has been decorated by local and national artists and sponsored by businesses from across the region.

The 2021 family-friendly trail coincides with and celebrates another prehistoric visitor as the T.rex arrive just days before Dippy the Diplodocus at Norwich Cathedral, meaning trail go-ers will have 21 dinosaurs to visit in Summer 2021!

The headline supporters of GoGoDiscover 2021 are Norwich BID and Chantry Place.

Stefan Gurney, Executive Director of Norwich Business Improvement District, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Break once again to bring the city back to life with this extraordinary artwork trail. The GoGo trails create a wonderful atmosphere in the city centre and offer a fantastic free attraction for people of all ages, particularly families. As a Presenting Partner, we’ve been lucky enough to have seen a sneak-peek of some of the new decorated dinosaurs, and can’t wait to see them gracing Norwich’s streets in all their glory – we’re particularly proud of Norwich BID’s T-Rex friend!’

Paul McCarthy, General Manager at Chantry Place, said: “Bringing colour, fun and beautiful art across Norwich this Summer, we are so excited to continue our support of Break and these fantastic trails, and our own T.rex we have sponsored looks tea-riffic! GoGoDiscover is such a fun way for people to explore Norwich, and some of its hidden and best loved gems, and put much needed smiles on people’s faces. Most importantly, we hope it raises vital funds for Break.”

The T.rex will be dotted across the city at locations including Riverside, Haymarket, The Forum and Cathedral Close, with trail maps and further details released nearer the time.

While the trail is free, people who have enjoyed the sculptures can donate to Break via text or on the website, so that Break can continue to transform futures and change the lives of vulnerable children and young people across the region.

The sponsors of GoGoDiscover 2021 are Ashtons Legal, Aspiration Europe, Castle Quarter, Chantry Place, Chilled Driving Tuition, Coleman Opticians Hearing & Vision Centre, Contract Personnel, Cooks Blinds & Shutters, Dipples, Dolphin Autos Norwich, First Eastern Counties Buses, Friends of Iceni, Jarrold, Lanpro, Nielson Brandbank, Norwich BID, Norwich School, Riverside Entertainment, The Beeston Group and Wilco Motor Spares. With kind support from our logistics partners, Longwater Construction, Pentaco Construction Ltd and Grandline Plastering.

The artists involved in the 2021 project are Sally Adams, Tory Allen, Deven Bhurke, Joanne Botterill, Illona Clarke, Beverley Gene Coraldean, Lisa Kirkham, Hannah Nelson, Ryan Newell, Norwich School, Mik Richardson, Sophie Li-Rocchi, Hilary Sanderson, Martin Wall, Ross White and Fiona Gowen.

And, at the end of the summer, the GoGoDiscover dinosaurs won’t fade into extinction. They will return in the Summer of 2022, with even more T.rex in the city. While Steppe Mammoth sculptures, will take over all Norfolk and link to the discovery and exploration of Norfolk’s deep history coast.

For more information about Break visit break-charity.org

Text TREX to 70085 to donate £3. Texts cost £3, plus one standard rate message. #GoGoDiscover

The Norfolk Feather Company is a family business that has been supplying and making traditional Feather and Feather and Down products for over 90 years. The Norfolk Feather Company has now attained accreditation to the Made in Britain organisation.

The Norfolk Feather Company told Made in Britain that it prides itself on a strong heritage of championing the finest Feather and the company says that it was this philosophy, that led to the creation of its own signature range of products, that it supplies to customers all over the United Kingdom. The company is proud of its local and highly skilled workforce which is based at its long-standing production plant in Diss, East Anglia. The company says it is constantly innovating with the latest technological enhancements to guarantee it always delivers the highest quality products and it ensures that all of its suppliers provide ethically sourced materials to enable it to provide the highest standards in the industry.

Peter Crellen, managing director at the Norfolk Feather Company, told Made in Britain, “Accreditation by the Made in Britain organisation provides us with respectability and prominence in the marketplace. Whilst we have a 90 year heritage, being able to utilise the official Made in Britain mark, will endorse us to be fully recognised for our products being British manufactured to the highest standards.”

The Norfolk Feather Company will be using the official Made in Britain mark on its hollowfibre and feather pillows, on its website and on its social media platforms. Find out more about the company at its Made in Britain members’ directory profile page here and its website here. 

IT’S NATIONAL BED MONTH!!! To celebrate we are giving you the opportunity to win a luxurious Silk Opulence Pillow Pair – worth over £100. To enter, purchase one of our 13.5 tog duvets which have £25 off on each size for a limited time only. The competition ends on the 25th March. Good luck and stay cosy! To find out more about National Bed Month please see the bed advice website at www.bedadvice.co.uk or visit their Facebook page, Bed Advice UK . #sleepbetterwithnorfolkfeather #nationalbedmonth

In this week’s episode, Chris chats to Ruth Knight, Director of Norfolk Broads Direct, Broads Tours and Waveney River Centre, and recently retired chair of Visit the Broads. Ruth lives and breathes the Broads, and the tourism sector, but both Ruth and her businesses faced huge challenges with lockdown restrictions and closures. This valuable conversation can be summed up into: innovation; implementation; change; and passion for the sector.

Ruth speaks honestly about the effect that the closures had on both her and her team members, and the subsequent reactions to the changes that needed to be implemented for them to reopen, and how staff motivation was key. She also reflects on the recent re-acquisition they made just before lockdown, and what investment was needed to secure the ongoing success of the company.

They discuss the changes in customer behaviour – no one likes change! – and uncertainties about dealing with future bookings, both financially and for customer morale.

Ruth is confident about the future prosperity of staycations once the sector re-opens, and that the Broads in particular will no longer be a ‘best kept secret’ (they do get more visitors than Cornwall after all). She also explains why engaging with your DMO is key.

Ruth offers a fascinating insight into the pitfalls and positives of running a family business; what businesses need to be doing to attract new talent to the sector; and her advice for those looking for a career in a tourism-based business.

Visit Norfolk Broads Direct here, Waveney River Centre here, and Broads Tours here.

You can subscribe to Tourism Business Chat on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Make sure you subscribe, so you don’t miss out on our upcoming episodes; next week Chris speaks to Richard Turvill, MD of Camplings. 

Listen here!

Covid 19: The Recovery

Perhaps we can now see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel?

Or is it the headlight from the Covid-Express thundering down the tunnel straight towards us?

At P+P, we like to think and believe that, with the impact of lockdown 3, allied to a really strong roll-out of the vaccine programme, things are improving and will continue to do so through the spring and summer of 2021. There is no doubt that discipline on a personal and business level remains vitally important if the situation is not to degrade once more. However, none of us can ignore the importance of the economy and the performance of our business in these often delicate and trying times.

Thoughts on the Recovery

The following are some thoughts and points to be considered in the next few weeks as the situation continues to develop.

• Keep Safe. Look to maintain the good disciplines of social distancing and cleanliness at all times and in all situations.
• Are many of your staff still remote (home) working? If so, do you have a plan for e-integrating them into the workplace? Or is some level of distance working to become permanent for your organisation?
  • Has this been discussed with staff?
  • Is this a company policy issue or will personal preference/needs be factored in?
  • Does the current and future infrastructure of the company support the aspirations of the staff?
  • Are there any equipment or infrastructure related issues to be agreed /resolved?
  • Any other issues that are specific to your business or staff?

We recommend the process is planned, there is plenty of consultation and involvement of staff and, as appropriate, a flexible approach is taken.

Best practice management systems

This fits very nicely into the stipulations and best practice of your management system registrations with regards to:

• Understanding the needs of interested parties
• Communication and consultation
• Controlling and managing change and improvement effectively.

There are also potential effects on Environmental Impacts and updates to Health & Safety Risk Assessments.

Whatever your situation and requirements P+P is here to give support and advice. This can be on a remote basis, or as policy and practice dictates, we are now prepared and able to carry out site reviews/meetings.

Contact us at:

Tel:                    01284 330400

Email:               info@performanceplus.co.uk

Web:                 www.performanceplus.co.uk

We work with small to medium size businesses across the East Anglia Region.

This month marks the 10th Anniversary of the opening of Heacham Manor Hotel. In that period, we are immensely proud to have hosted our many wonderful guests, and to have provided employment to hundreds of people in the local community.

To celebrate our 10th birthday, we caught up with Paul Searle, owner of Heacham Manor, and neighbouring leisure resort, Searles.

The History of the Hotel

As the proprietor of Heacham Manor, Paul Searle has a keen sense of the history of the building and its surrounding land, a history which is intertwined with an ancient order of monks, the legend of Pocahontas, and one of the finest sportsmen of the 20th century.

Paul explains that the hotel he acquired in 2009 “was a farm at the time, but it was once owned by monks of the Cluniac order. The land was given to the monks by William de Warenne, who fought with William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.”

This legend provides a glimpse into the storied history of Heacham Manor. The most famous story connected to the Manor, which recently made national headlines, is that of the mulberry tree supposedly planted by the Native American Princess Pocahontas. The English settler John Rolfe owned Heacham Hall, which once neighboured Heacham Manor before it was accidentally burned down by the RAF in the Second World War. In 1614, Rolfe married Pocahontas and later brought her to visit England. In 1617, Pocahontas and Rolfe were gifted a mulberry sapling by King James I who was keen to establish a silk industry in England. Local legend has it that the sapling was later planted by Pochantas in the Rolfe family residence of Heacham Hall. Now situated in the grounds of Heacham Manor, the mulberry tree is still standing!

Pocahontas and the mulberry tree is the most famous story in the history of Heacham Manor, but as a keen cricketer, Paul Searle has his own personal favourite Heacham Manor legend. “The family of Bill Edrich, one of the all-time great English cricketers, actually owned the Heacham Manor farm around the time of the Second World War. It was around that time that Bill Edrich and his famous batting partner Dennis Compton were said to have played cricket on the lawn by the side of the house!”

A Welcoming Country House Hotel

Moving the conversation forward to the present day, Paul was keen to speak about the features that make Heacham Manor so unique. “We’re proud to be the only hotel with a golf course in the west of Norfolk, that’s a really big attraction for a lot of our guests, and our golf club members from the local area. We’ve created an atmosphere of a welcoming country house hotel where people can feel as if they’re visiting friends for the weekend. Heacham Manor is very relaxed and laid back, and we pride ourselves on offering our guests an attentive but none-intrusive service. We’re in a lovely location here, and we have a really good mix of people visiting the hotel, from tourists, to golfers and groups of walkers. That mix of people is growing and evolving all the time.”

When the conversation moved on to some of the highlights of the past ten years, staff and community were the biggest sources of pride for Paul. “When we opened in 2009 it was the period of the recession, so it was a difficult time for the industry in many respects. But we’re very proud to have maintained a really strong and steady group of people running the hotel. A good example of that is our original head chef; Neil Rutland, has now returned to us as food operation manager. Ultimately, it’s the staff who make the hotel what it is, and we employ 40-45 staff from the local community every year. Along with all the leisure and tourism revenue that is generated indirectly by the hotel, we’re pleased to see that Heacham Manor has made a positive impact in the community in those ten years.”

The Heacham Manor Function Centre

So much has been accomplished at Heacham Manor in the past ten years, but exciting plans are afoot to expand the business further. Plans have been approved for a function centre, which as well as providing a venue for weddings, christenings, parties and conferences, will also serve as a sports room, with beautiful views from the terrace overlooking the golf course. Paul explained that while Heacham Manor is somewhat off the beaten track, he wanted it to be “a place where people want to come and visit, whether it’s cyclists, golfers, or running and fitness clubs. This will become a welcoming place for everyone, not an exclusive club that turns people away because they’re not wearing the right shoes. Whether it’s a place that people start off from, or return to for a drink, we will make sure that this is a welcoming place for all, just like the hotel.”

Looking even further forward, Paul and his team are constantly searching for ways to improve the experience for visitors to the hotel. Indeed, just recently, the hotel unveiled a significant refurbishment programme in some of the main rooms of the hotel. The refurbishment has added a contemporary touch to the interior, while maintaining the period character that is so unique to the hotel.

To visit the historic hotel in the month of our anniversary, check out some of our great offers, including a relaxing 2-night dinner, bed and breakfast break from just £146 per person!

Here at Searles, on the ever-desirable North Norfolk coast we offer over 800 holiday home and touring pitches, a whole heap of fun facilities for children and adults alike, with swimming pools, a gym, live music, entertainment, sports and fishing – you name it.

We’re delighted to be the highlight in many a family calendar and have been for the best part of a century.

BRITISH HOLIDAY HAPPINESS

Our success is our reason for existing. It’s not complex. We exist to create family happiness, through affordable, fun and unpretentious British seaside holidays. The way it used to be, is still the way it is now. Our formula hasn’t changed throughout the decades.

At Searles we care. Our team tirelessly and creatively invests itself in the Searles holiday experience, year on year. 

SEARLES TAKES HOME GOLD – TWICE

The Norfolk & Suffolk Tourism Awards 2018 – Holiday Parks – Category Winner

AA Holiday Centre of the Year 2018/2019

Of course, Searles isn’t in it for awards – but considering how hard everyone works – it’s lovely to have been recognised with not one, but two this year –

 “These awards place strong emphasis on the quality of the hospitality provided to guests and delivering this is largely in the hands of our employees…Their determination to ensure that everyone visiting Searles enjoys a first-class experience is the reason why we get so many repeat bookings each year.” – Paul Searle

When Geoffrey Searle, Paul’s grandfather, started offering donkey rides and trading caravan pitches for bags of potatoes over 80 years ago, he probably wasn’t expecting Searles to end up as an award-winning holiday park.

Maris piper’s as payment are a thing of the past, but we still retain that original sense of wholesome, outdoorsy fun – cherished and passed down within the Searles family. It’s not often a family business survives, thrives and yet remains true to its roots.

“This is a business that never stands still…an award-winning holiday destination providing first class entertainment, attractions and facilities for all ages. All thanks to the vision, passion and hard work of four generations of the Searle family, who continue to invest in and manage this large seaside holiday complex. Their philosophy for the park is ‘one of continuous improvement and enhancing the guest experience” – The AA

KEEPING NORFOLK ON THE HOLIDAY MAP

Our unspoilt beaches, iconic waterways and lush broads, deep woodlands – no one can dispute Norfolk’s appeal. It’s timeless.

Each year a colossal £5 Billion is added to our local economy from the pockets of visitors.

The thing is, when you run a hospitality business in such a beautiful county it’s easy to be complacent. “We can cut corners. More will come”. This way of thinking is how tourist traps are made. High prices, low customer service, questionable quality everything.

Most places have the odd tourist trap – that’s life, but here in Norfolk we’re hardworking and proud. We have countless businesses doing everything they can to ensure visitors have a wonderful time.  Basically, we don’t take anything for granted.

ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE

Some of the UK’s other “top tourist destinations” would be shamed by the effort Norfolk, and its local communities put into hospitality. It’s not dog eat dog either. In Norfolk, we share a sense of pride with other businesses. We love our county.  

At Searles, we’re a large holiday park and it’s no secret we bring in our fair share of holidaymakers to North Norfolk annually. With 2018’s awards, we’re sure 2019 will be a record-breaking year – which we’re excited about!

It not only about us though.

As Paul puts it –

“We hope the publicity from our awards will also benefit other local tourism businesses by putting the spotlight on North Norfolk as an amazing holiday destination.”

The AA has been handing out awards for a while, but the Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards is in its infancy. Long may it continue.

We’re sure that other Norfolk businesses share in our feeling, that a regional tourism awards is something we’ve desperately needed. It helps acknowledge the relentless dedication of our industry to customer service and enjoyment. It’s more than a mantelpiece ornament or wall hanging, put it that way.

A Family Fun Break at Searles

Yes, winter cometh. That’s doesn’t mean the fun stops, it’s just a tad chillier.

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award for the 22nd year. One of the longest-running green tourism awards in the country, the David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme assesses holiday parks on a number of criteria, including:

• How the land is managed as a haven for wildlife
• Use of energy, water and other resources
• Local community support
• Steps taken to reduce, reuse and recycle waste 

In this article, we take a look at some of the factors that earned Searles the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award as well as our community work, and some of the upcoming green initiatives. 

DAVID BELLAMY CONSERVATION AWARD

Our continued recognition by the David Bellamy Conservation Award is a source of pride for everyone connected to the Searles Leisure Resort family. Indeed, the values of the David Bellamy Conservation Scheme align very closely with our own environmental and community focussed values. 

To attain the Gold Award for the 22nd year, Searles Leisure Resort were able to demonstrate our continued commitment to maintaining a green holiday park by encouraging the protection of the local environment, including plant life and the local wildlife, as well as the progress we have made in conserving energy, water and other resources. 

Cultivating nature and wildlife is a key part of the Searles ethos, and the resort has many wonderful formal and raised gardens throughout the park, while Lavender and Buddleia have been planted in some of our gardens to encourage and support the continued growth of wildlife. 

HONEY BEE PLEDGE

Some of the most important wildlife we support at Searles are our local honey bees. As part of our commitment to the David Bellamy conservation scheme, we have entered into the ‘Honey Bee Pledge’ to show our commitment to the conservation of our bee population. To support the honey bees we have introduced a number of plants into our gardens, including Buddleia, Hebe and Michaelmas. We have also introduced two ‘Bee Stations’, near to the Beach Entrance. These bee pit stops are full of nectar-rich bee food, and have been situated in a location to minimise human interference. 

SEARLES LOCAL COMMUNITY WORK

Another key consideration for the David Bellamy Conservation Award is that of community work. At Searles Leisure we are proud to lead the way in a number of green initiatives in the local community. As part of Hunstanton in Bloom, we are responsible for the maintenance of the neighbouring boat bed positioned just outside our entrance, as well as providing wildflower seed to some of the areas adjacent to the boat bed. 

We are also proud supporters of the local Princess Theatre, as well as sponsors of Anglia in Bloom and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. We are active in raising money for many charitable causes; in 2018 our nominated charity was Down Syndrome Norfolk, while in 2019 we are supporting the British Heart Foundation.

At Searles we are always looking for fun new ways to foster the enjoyment of nature, and to raise awareness of the importance of recycling. One of our latest initiatives is ‘Grow a Garden’, an indoor activity for children aged 0-8 years old which we hope will get children excited about nature through a series of games and activities based around gardening. Children will also have the opportunity to learn about different plants and flowers, as well as being able to grow a ‘Cress Head’, which they can then take home and care for. 

Enjoy our wonderfully green leisure resort for yourself and book a stay at Searles Leisure Resort, the 2019 AA Holiday Centre of the Year. 

The campaign to raise funds for a Mesothelioma UK Nurse Specialist in Norfolk or Suffolk reached a milestone this week when the fund exceeded £20,000.

Historic exposure to the banned substance asbestos can cause mesothelioma, a form of cancer which often proves fatal and kills sufferers in a tragically short period from diagnosis.

The Anglia Asbestos Disease Support Group, made up of patients, carers, supporters and volunteers alongside Brian Wallis, Ambassador for Mesothelioma UK and representatives of Ashtons Legal, embarked on a fundraising campaign back in 2019 to employ a specialist nurse in either Norfolk or Suffolk. There are currently just two specialist nurses based in the Eastern region – one at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge and the other at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. Not having a mesothelioma nurse in Norfolk or Suffolk means many sufferers living in those areas have a very difficult, and sometimes impossible, journey to get the specialist nursing support they need.

The provision of specialist mesothelioma nurses lies with Mesothelioma UK (a cancer charity specialising in asbestos related diseases) but funds are understandably hard to come by. These nurses make a big difference to the lives of sufferers. They are experts in all issues related to mesothelioma including prevention, treatments, clinical trials and finances; and work with clinical teams to ensure equitable access to the best treatments in the UK. It costs approximately £60,000 to fund a Mesothelioma UK Nurse Specialist for two days a week, over a two year period. Thereafter, the post is funded by Mesothelioma UK.

Ashtons Legal act for many clients whose historic exposure to asbestos caused irreversible damage to their lungs and ultimately their death. They help clients and their families identify where that exposure took place and under a number of legal acts such as the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 and the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme, bring a legal claim for compensation.

To donate towards the Mesothelioma UK Nurse Specialist fund for Norfolk or Suffolk go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anglia-asbestos-disease-support-group.