Member News

Banham Zoo is delighted to announce the return of the Run Banham Zoo 5K Race, which is taking place on May 24, 2025.

Following the overwhelming demand for tickets last year, this year’s event will feature two race waves at 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM, allowing even more participants to join the fun.

This one-of-a-kind race offers runners the unique opportunity to race through the zoo’s scenic pathways, passing by incredible animals such as geladas, kangaroos, giraffes, and howler monkeys, all while supporting vital wildlife conservation efforts.

The event welcomes runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages and abilities.

Whether participants are chasing a personal best or simply enjoying a leisurely run in a stunning setting, Run Banham Zoo 5K promises an unforgettable experience.

Prizes will be awarded to the fastest male and female runners in both child and adult categories, as well as to the participant who raises the most sponsorship money.

All proceeds from the event will go towards Banham Zoo’s conservation initiatives, helping protect endangered species both locally and globally.

Race entry includes full-day access to the zoo, and discounted tickets are available for spectators to enjoy the festivities.

Josh Hunter Harl, Sales and Marketing Director at ZSEA, expressed his enthusiasm for the event’s growing impact:

“We’re really excited to be bringing back our Run Banham Zoo event and this year, we’re inviting 1,000 fundraisers to take part and help us raise money for our incredible conservation work.

This year’s race is extra special as for the second year in a row, we are proud to have Towergate Insurance as our official sponsor, supporting this unique event. Together, we’re excited to deliver another unforgettable experience as we unite to raise funds in support of our vital conservation efforts at Banham Zoo.”

James Yeandle, CFO at Towergate, added:

“Towergate is delighted to sponsor the second annual Banham Zoo 5K, a fully inclusive event that promotes health and well-being while supporting the incredible work of the charity. Like Banham Zoo, we are passionate about the communities we serve, putting them at the heart of everything we do.

Last year’s event was a fantastic success, and this year, we’re excited to see it double in size – creating twice the impact for conservation and local community support. We’re proud to support Banham Zoo and the vital work they do.”

Registration & Ticket Information:

• Adult race entry: £17

• Child race entry: £10

• Spectator tickets: Adults £10 | Children £5

Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged! For more information and to secure your place, visit: https://totalracetiming.co.uk/race/544

For more details about Banham Zoo, visit:

https://www.zsea.org/banham/run-banham-zoo

Please note, that to ensure animal welfare, some habitats will be closed during the race.

Are you working from home and finding it difficult to get motivated? Maybe you’re short of space or generally feeling a bit isolated? Taking a dedicated co-working desk at The Enterprise Centre on the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus could be just what you’re looking for. We currently have a few dedicated desks available in our large Enterprise Area.

Desks cost just £185 + VAT monthly, with no additional service charges. Our community members benefit from 24/7, 365 days access, to meet the needs of busy start-ups or those who have international clients. We have an on-site café serving barista coffee, sandwiches, salads and light bites and our friendly reception team take a lead organising social events, so it’s not all work and no play!

The building is Multi-award winning and one of the greenest buildings in the country. It is architecturally stunning and many rooms have views into Earlham Park, so we’re an ideal space for you to meet with clients. Our tenants also have free access to meeting rooms and use of a networked private ‘phone booth for confidential calls.

Agreements for our co-working desks are deliberately on easy in-out terms. Only 1-months’ notice is required to end an agreement, so there’s no risk involved in giving co-working a try. To help make an informed choice, we can offer use of a hot-desk free for a day, so you can ‘try before you buy’.

Get in touch to find out more and find to time to come take a look for yourself. More information is available online https://bit.ly/4fWITKz or email the team directly via theenterprisecentre.reception@uea.ac.uk.

Join our leading hub of 200 businesses. We will have been open for 10-years this year, so it’s going to be a particularly exciting time to join our friendly and inclusive community.

Richard, Dax, Luke & Connor attended the National ACR & Heat Pump awards ceremony on March 6th in Manchester at the Midland Hotel.

We won Air Source Project of the Year for a retrofit air source heat pump installation in a riverside townhouse in Norwich and Heat Pump Installer of the Year 2025.

R A Brown Heating Services have been awarded national Heat Pump Installer of the Year,  5 years out of the last 7 years, the other 2 years we were runner up, receiving highly commended accolade from the judges.  We have to admit to being very proud of this successful track record and want thank the whole team for all their efforts.

We are thrilled to be continually recognised for our work.  The recognition of Heat Pump Installer of the Year, recognises more than just our work installing heat pumps, it also includes our work in the heat pump industry supporting apprenticeships and colleges in Norfolk & Suffolk and also being a voice in National discussions to champion the industry and heat pumps to achieve carbon reduction.

If you would like to discuss installing a heat pump, then give us a call on 01603 898904. 

Just TWO WEEKS until the Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition – are you ready? 👀

We’re looking forward to meeting fellow business owners, sharing top marketing tips, and discovering exciting new opportunities. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, startup, or established business, this is an event you don’t want to miss.

💡 Looking for marketing advice? Let’s chat! We’ll be on hand to help you elevate your brand, boost engagement, and drive more sales. 🚀

📍 Where? Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition
📅 When? 26th March 2025

link for free tickets:
https://loom.ly/DMJqGBs

If you’re attending, make sure to pop by and say hello – we’d love to meet you! Let’s talk all things marketing, growth, and smashing success together. 🚀

Prof Jonathan Jones, of The Sainsbury Laboratory at Norwich Research Park, has been selected as a 2025 Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture along with Professors Jeffery L. Dangl and Brian J. Staskawicz “for groundbreaking discoveries of the immune system and disease resistance in plants.”

The Wolf Prize is awarded annually to exceptional individuals across scientific and artistic disciplines. In science, the prize is awarded in Medicine, Agriculture, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. Now in its 46th year, the Wolf Prize has recognized 382 scientists and artists worldwide for their transformative contributions.

Prof Nick Talbot, Executive Director at The Sainsbury Laboratory said, “Crop diseases claim up to 30% of the global harvest each year and controlling them sustainably is critical for food security. The Wolf Prize in Agriculture 2025 recognises the contributions of three exceptional scientists whose work has been critical to our understanding of plant immunity. We now have the knowledge to develop durably disease resistant crops, which will be of huge benefit to humankind.

“I am very proud that the work at The Sainsbury Laboratory by Professor Jonathan Jones has been recognised in this way. Our institution has now won the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for agriculture twice in its 35 year lifetime, which is an extraordinary achievement. I am also pleased that Professor Brian Staskawicz and Professor Jeff Dangl, who have served on our advisory board, have also been recognised for their outstanding contributions.”

This marks the ninth Wolf Prize in Agriculture awarded to a scientist in the UK of which the last three were consecutively awarded to scientists based on their work at Norwich Research Park.

Prof Jones said, “It’s wonderful to see this recognition of the importance of understanding the basic mechanisms that underpin plant disease resistance; without that knowledge, we will not be able to establish durable disease resistance in our crops.

“I’ve been very lucky to have received sustained funding from David Sainsbury’s Gatsby Foundation over more than three decades, and from BBSRC and the EU, and to have had the privilege of working with an outstanding diversity of international talent whose brilliance, dedication and hard work underpinned the discoveries that this Wolf prize recognizes.

“The Sainsbury Laboratory on Norwich Research Park has been a fantastic location for a research career. Many thanks to my wonderful colleagues, our greater research community and our many outstanding advisory board members (two of whom are my cohonorees) that have enabled The Sainsbury Laboratory to become an incredible engine of discovery.”

To mark International Women’s Day, the Women in IASP (International Associations of Science Parks) held a global meeting to discuss some of the important issues facing women in science. Women in IASP is a group that was set up to share knowledge and increase the visibility of women in innovation communities worldwide.

Moderated by Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership at Norwich Research Park in the UK, the audience heard from Dr. Bindu Nishal from Agri Innovations and One Health at IKP Knowledge Park, India and Prof Keo Shirley Motaung, CEO of Global Health Biotech in South Africa.

One of the key points for discussion was the global issue of how to close the gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Dr Nishal shared her experiences running the SheLeads in Science programme, which aims to foster gender diversity, support professional growth and promote innovation at IKP.

She spoke about the ‘inexplicable gap’ that currently exists with women being significantly underrepresented in STEM. In 2023, around 29% of the worldwide workforce in STEM fields were women compared to around 49% of the total employment in non-STEM fields.

Despite graduating at higher rates than men, women are less likely to study in STEM fields, are less likely to take a career in STEM and those that do tend to leave their careers earlier than men. She also explained that women in STEM are published less and are typically underpaid.

Prof Motaung highlighted the need to encourage grassroots efforts and mentorship to promote innovation and improve women’s participation in STEM. From her work, she believes that gender diversity fuels innovation and research advancements and that inclusivity is key.

To address this, she suggested joining mentorship, coaching or advocacy programmes, supporting policies promoting women in STEM and spreading the word to encourage more interest in STEM as a career choice amongst young women.

Commenting on the event, Roz said, “What a great session we had today ahead of International Women’s Day. It was fantastic to host two international speakers and hear their inspirational stories which will encourage us all! I truly hope that 2025 will be a year where we see more women in technology and innovation spaces and where we make significant progress in closing the gender gap.”

Bioscopic, a company that has emerged from research conducted at the Quadram Institute at Norwich Research Park, has been named as one of the #21towatch awards in Cambridge. The awards recognise the people, companies and ‘things’ they create, across Cambridge and the East of England, that are setting the standards in innovation and entrepreneurship across the world.

The annual #21toWatch awards are one of the most recognised entrepreneurship awards in Cambridge and the East of England, featuring in many publications including Forbes and many investor and startup magazines.

Bioscopic is harnessing the research carried out on the gut microbiome by a team of scientists at the Quadram Institute. They discovered that infant gut bacteria could hold the key to protecting humans from serious diseases and conditions in adulthood and that there could be a way to reintroduce those bacteria into humans by replicating their compounds.

This breakthrough discovery could have significant implications for improving the health of people, specifically against diseases like cancer. The good bacteria found in an infant’s gut feeds off the breast milk it receives from its mother in the early months of its life. This friendly bacteria protects infants in their early stages of life and are associated with increased immunity to a number of conditions including things like asthma, cancer and other inflammatory diseases.

Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, the campus management organisation at Norwich Research Park, said, “It’s fantastic news that Bioscopic has been selected as one of the #21towatch for 2025. We have worked closely with Chris and his team to help them develop their business, so it is very rewarding for them to get this recognition that should help accelerate their path to market.

“The East of England is becoming renowned globally for innovative thinking and ground-breaking research. Initiatives like #21towatch really do help to raise the profile of the discovery work that is being conducted across our region. Bioscopic will act as a role model for the many other emerging companies we have at Norwich Research Park who are looking to have a positive impact on the world we live in whilst also creating new jobs and contributing to the regional economy.”

#21toWatch is run by cofinitive, who collate lists of the people, the companies and the ‘things’ throughout the year and assesses each submission based on innovation, challenge, influence, viability and memorability. 

Norwich Castle Museum  for the Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards – OOOE Sponsor of best B & B and Guest House – 

B&B and Guest House of the Year Winner: Belle Vue Guest House & Cottage

Sponsor: Out of Office Events

JUDGES SAID: The care and attention to detail throughout the property are evident in every corner, making it impossible to find anything to criticise.

Hosted by Visit East of England . Amazing insparational people at this event that work in the hardest industry in both counties. Hospitality. Id like to thank them all.
Out of Office Events – Event Management & Live Entertainment Provider – we were thrilled to partner with the castle and visit east of england in creating the lighting , sound and stage that transformed the rotunda into a fantastic award space.

This Easter, families are invited to join the Chantry Code Breakers at Chantry Place Norwich –with The Great Eggscape from Easter Island – a free, fun-filled, interactive experience that promises thrills, creativity, and plenty of surprises. 

Taking place on April 8th-9th and 15th-16th, The Great Eggscape challenges children to join the Chantry Code Breakers on a mission to save Easter. The naughty Easter chicks have stolen the Easter Bunny’s precious eggs and hidden them on the mysterious Easter Island. It’s up to the little adventurers to crack the code, get crafty, and help the Easter Bunny reclaim what’s rightfully his! 

This free event will feature interactive crafting experiences where children can take part in solving secret codes and create their own air-dry clay characters inspired by the adventure. With sessions running every hour from 10am to 4pm, each child will be guided through a creative journey to help rescue the stolen eggs. Expect plenty of fun surprises along the way! 

Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “We will be working with the Chantry Code Breakers to inspire little ones to get creative and help the Easter Bunny find his eggs, encouraging them to solve challenges and unleash their imagination. Whether crafting their own unique characters or engaging in hands-on activities, we can’t wait to see what they come up with. This interactive experience is the perfect way for children to have fun, learn, and enjoy a creative adventure at Chantry Place.” 

Limited to 24 children per session, The Great Eggscape offers all participants a hands-on and personal experience. Don’t miss the chance to let your little ones explore, create, and enjoy this exciting Easter rescue mission. Plus, every child will take home a special memento to remember their adventure and continue the fun at home. 

For more information on The Great Eggscape and other events at Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/events 

Chantry Place is home to stores including Apple, Flannels, Frasers, H&M, Mango Urban Outfitters and Zara. 

For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/news  

Banham Zoo is celebrating a historic milestone as four maned wolf pups were born in January 2025 – the first maned wolf birth at the zoo in 20 years.

This exciting event makes Banham Zoo one of only a handful of UK zoos to have successfully bred this Near Threatened species as part of a vital conservation programme.

The pups were born to first-time parents Enya and Thiago, and all four are thriving under their mother’s care. Now one month old, they are beginning to explore their surroundings while being closely monitored by our expert zookeepers to ensure their healthy development.

A Crucial Conservation Achievement

Maned wolves are classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, road collisions and human/wildlife conflict across South America. This successful birth represents a significant step forward in the conservation of the species, strengthening the European Breeding Programme (EEP) in which Banham Zoo proudly participates.Only three UK zoos have successfully bred maned wolves in the past year.

This birth highlights Banham Zoo’s ongoing commitment to conservation, animal welfare, and species survival.

Maned wolf pups typically remain with their mother for up to a year, learning crucial survival skills before gaining independence – making this an important period for their development.

We are also proud to acknowledge the support of Towergate Insurance, whose generous sponsorship of the maned wolves will allow us to make critical improvements to the habitat, enhancing the care and well-being of these magnificent animals. It also supports our continued involvement in vital breeding programmes, ensuring the long-term survival of this rare species.

“We’re delighted to sponsor the habitat of the maned wolf pups and congratulate Banham Zoo on their breeding success of this near threatened species. It’s fantastic to see such an achievement happen in East Anglia, a region that we’re deeply proud to operate in. As a regional insurance broker, we take great pride in the achievements of the local communities and look forward to watching the pups grow in their wonderful habitat that we’re thrilled to support.”

Kirsty Wainwright-Noble, Towergate Insurance.

“The birth of four maned wolf pups is an incredible milestone for both Banham Zoo and the conservation of this unique species. It is the first maned wolf birth here in 20 years, making it a significant achievement – not just for our team but for the wider efforts to safeguard the species. Formally listed as near threatened in 2015, in recent years, the populations have decreased rapidly, and it’s believed they are at threat of extinction.

With only three UK zoos having successfully bred maned wolves in the last year, moments like this truly highlight the vital role zoos play in protecting and preserving endangered wildlife for future generations. The pups are already out and visible, and wecan’t wait for our guests to share in the joy of seeing them. We hope that births like this will inspire the next generation of zookeepers and conservationists.”

Deborah Harris, Animal Manger at Banham Zoo

Watch the Pups & Support Conservation

Banham Zoo is releasing exclusive footage to mark this incredible occasion, offering the public a first glimpse at these rare and special pups.

Watch the pups start to life here: BZ – Maned Wolf Pups Video.mp4

Kids Go Free Promotion This Easter

Come and see the maned wolf pups this Easter with our incredible Kids go free offer!

Simply book online ahead of March 30th using the code KIDSGOFREE at checkout, just in time for Easter.

Find out more about the Kids Go Free promotion here: zsea.org/banham/easter-holidays-kids-go-free

We invite visitors to come and witness this landmark conservation success and learn more about how Banham Zoo is working to protect endangered species like the maned wolf.

https://www.zsea.org/banham

This is the second year of the Norfolk Rural Business Awards after a very successful launch year. 

This year’s awards are now open for applications until 21^st April.

The categories are:

• Best Rural Community Initiative
• Best Farming Innovation Adopter
• Best Food and Drink Producer
• Norfolk’s ‘unsung hero’
• Best Farming Champion
• Best Emerging Talent
• Best Rural Tourism Attraction
• Best Sustainable Land Use
• Best Rural Business

Full details with the application form, links to short videos featuring last year’s winners and category criteria are available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/business/norfolk-rural-business-awards

All winners will be announced at the Royal Norfolk Show on the 26^th June.

General entry is now SOLD OUT! 

If you’ve secured your place in Run Norwich 2025, why not make your miles count by running for Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District. 

Date: Sunday 7th September 2025

Location: Norwich City Centre

Celebrating 10 years of Run Norwich!

By running for CADAT, you’ll be:

Helping us provide free, vital support to people facing financial hardship. 

Supporting workers struggling with employment & legal challenges.

Making a difference for families dealing with housing & debt issues. 

Its simple to get involved! Simply CADAT team on your General entry for Run Norwich 10k profile. Share your journey & inspire others. Make every step count for those in need. 

Contact us for more information at events@cadat.org.uk or visit https://www.runnorwich.co.uk/ to learn more.