Member News

At a time when we all need to be doing our bit to help combat climate change, vibrant West Norfolk pub and hotel Ffolkes, is bolstering its commitment as an environmentally conscious business by doing more with its waste. A new partnership with Anglian Waste Recycling will see Ffolkes increasing its recycling rates and divert waste from landfill.

The 23-bedroom hotel in Hillington, which also has three spa cabins, restaurant and a crazy golf course, approached waste management company Anglian to help provide a more sustainable way to dispose of their commercial waste. Tom Oakley, managing director at Ffolkes, explained: “As a business, we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. We wanted to find a way to increase the amount of waste we recycle and also to know more about where our waste actually ends up.” Anglian conducted a waste audit to review Ffolkes’ current waste streams and identify opportunities to recycle more. This included the introduction of dedicated food bins alongside bins for dry mixed recycling, glass and refuse. Ffolkes now has 22 bins on-site, with the contents brought back to Anglian’s facility in Attleborough to be processed, with zero being sent to landfill. Food waste collected will be sent for anaerobic digestion – a process which produces bioenergy (gas) for local homes in Norfolk. As part of the partnership, Anglian provided training for the entire Ffolkes team to help them understand what can be recycled and what happens to the waste collected. Bespoke stickers were also produced to make it as easy for materials to be put in the correct bins. A monthly report will highlight how much has been recycled, giving Ffolkes an opportunity to work with Anglian to benchmark progress and identify where this can be increased further. Jamie Parker, key account manager at Anglian, said: “We are delighted to be working with Ffolkes to help them recycling more and divert their waste from landfill. It has been great to work with the team – they have been really engaged throughout the whole process, from identifying their initial waste requirements to getting everyone onboard with the day-to-day use of each bin.” Tom Oakley, managing director at Ffolkes, added: “”As a business, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and are passionate about discovering new ways to contribute positively to the environment. We are focussing on improving our recycling practices and increasing awareness of where our waste goes, with the goal of extending these efforts to Ffolkes’ sister properties: Byfords and The Pigs.” Anglian Waste Recycling offers a free waste audit for businesses looking to achieve their sustainability goals, reduce the impact of waste on the environment and save money. To find out more, see www.anglianrecycling.co.ukhttp://www.anglianrecycling.co.uk

As the global automation market continues to expand, King’s Lynn-based Southgate Global, a leader in the supply of material handling equipment and servicing in operational logistics and fulfilment, argues that the importance of the human element remains irreplaceable, sharing advice on how to optimise and best manage human resources in the supply chain. According to predictions, the global warehouse automation market will surpass $37.6 billion by 2030[1] and represent 30 per cent or more of logistics and fulfilment business’ capital spending in the next five years[2]. While the move to automation has been profound and continues to revolutionise the way the supply chain operates, Southgate Global has warned against fully automated operations and explains why it is not always a universal solution. “What is going to become increasingly evident as we learn more about integrating automation, is that it isn’t always appropriate or the best solution,” said Phil O’Driscoll, Head of Innovation and New Product Development at Southgate Global. He added: “There is no doubt it will be a learning process, but we believe that many tasks remain that require the skill of human operators or that are most cost-effective when done by hand. Knowing when, and when not to automate, is key.” When weighing up the benefits of automation and whether it is the right fit for an operation, O’Driscoll explains how it’s crucial to recognise that it cannot seamlessly slip straight into any warehouse. He said: “Warehouses have been historically designed with humans at the forefront and such workflows will not always benefit from automation and AI-powered robots. This can be particularly challenging for older warehouses for example, which would require additional investment which can be extremely costly. “An entirely automated approach also doesn’t help with highly variable activities, where the cost of automation can be prohibitive or the automated systems overly sophisticated.” As the sector continues to face unique challenges, particularly with the demand for next-day and same-day deliveries, Southgate predicts a growing trend in fulfilment and logistics equipment specially designed to optimise the human element and blend that with ‘best in class’ automated solutions. O’Driscoll explained: “Automation isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation, it needs to be working in cohesion with human resources. For the areas where automation isn’t appropriate, innovative equipment is the answer. By optimising manual tasks through innovative equipment, companies can enhance productivity without fully relying on automation.” This is an area that Southgate works hard to offer solutions to, for example, its Mobile Powered Workstation (MPW) is specifically designed to boost workforce productivity. With its own integrated power system used to power laptops, barcode printers or scanners, the MPW allows operatives to walk and work anywhere in the warehouse. When used at the loading bay, the MPW can also help operatives reduce processing times for each delivery by dealing with all the stock entry requirements and ERP updates at the point and time of arrival, boosting dock-to-stock cycle times. With over 600 customers using this solution across the UK and Europe, Southgate’s MPW has already cut major operational logistics and fulfilment operatives’ costs by £4,256 per operative per year, saving customers over £11 million pounds in the last 2.5 years. As consumers’ appetite for fast, free shipping continues to push the sector to introduce new initiatives, Southgate predicts the areas that still require, or simply benefit from, human labour will be the key areas that see innovative ideas introduced. O’Driscoll said: “At Southgate, we work closely with our customers to listen to their frustrations and where their operational needs aren’t being met. By reviewing the finer details within the process and identifying where equipment can work with human resources, we offer bespoke solutions that save costs, reduce disruption, meet sustainability goals, and increase efficiency. “As more companies look to integrate equipment that works in harmony with people, we expect it to shape many upcoming trends.” For more information on how to maximise the efficiency of the human/automation interface within operations, download Southgate’s latest Briefing Paper and complete its checklist here. [1] https://www.meteorspace.com/important-warehouse-automation-statistics/ [2] https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/industrials-and-electronics/our-insights/unlocking-the-industrial-potential-of-robotics-and-automation

Taking place in England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 October, Norwich Book Festival honours the unique literary heritage of Norwich and invites readers of all kinds to join the story. This inaugural festival has been developed by The Forum in collaboration with expert partners including literary powerhouses University of East Anglia and the National Centre for Writing, as well as booksellers from across Norwich, creating a city-wide attraction for the weekend. Norwich Book Festival celebrates the power of stories and the ways they shape and change our lives, with events from award-winning writers including novelist Alison Weir, former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, Booker shortlisted Andrew Miller, BBC Short Story Prize winner Naomi Wood, and world-famous boxing commentator Steve Bunce. With events crossing genres, including crime, popular science, and politics, as well as a programme designed for young people, Norwich Book Festival is for everyone. The weekend (Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 October) also features two days of free interactive hands-on activities for all our visitors to enjoy. Chris Gribble, Chief Executive of The Forum says, “There’s such a thirst for debate, stories and conversation in our city, that we’re delighted to be launching Norwich Book Festival, a new city-wide festival which promises to further Norwich’s reputation as an unmissable literary destination, and invites readers from our city, county, and further afield to discover new stories and new writers. Here at The Forum, we know how powerful festivals can be in bringing people together to explore, learn and share new experiences. The Forum, home to one of the busiest libraries in the country and visited by thousands of readers every day, is a fitting base for a festival of books, stories, and creative writing!” Alongside the main festival from Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 October, there will be an extended ‘Extra’ programme of events at venues across the city starting on Wednesday 16 October with bestselling author R.F. Kuang at UEA Live. Norwich, the City of Stories, is uniquely positioned to host England’s newest book festival: the city is home to the world famous UEA Creative Writing Programme and was the location of the first English provincial library (1608), as well as the first place to implement the Public Library Act of 1850. Today, Norwich is a thriving city of readers, writers, bookshops, publishers, and literary and creative organisations. Peggy Hughes, Chief Executive of National Centre for Writing says; “Norwich is the perfect city for a brand-new book festival: England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, a city bursting with writers and readers and book lovers, and a place of over 900 years of stories. The Forum, which is home to several other wonderful festivals, is perfectly positioned to drive it! We’re delighted to be alongside for the ride and can’t wait to enjoy all that October has to bring us.” Norwich Book Festival is city-wide partnership led by The Forum, the region’s landmark space for culture, debate and education. Alongside a busy programme of year-round events, The Forum also delivers Norwich Science Festival, Norwich Games Festival and Norfolk Heritage Open Days. The Festival has been developed alongside key partners from the city and county, including National Centre for Writing, Norfolk Libraries, and University of East Anglia, and booksellers including Waterstones, and award-winning independents Jarrolds, The Book Hive and Bookbugs & Dragon Tales. The full programme will be revealed in late August.

Toby Williams, a beneficiary of Walking With The Wounded , has recently been recognised for his outstanding volunteering efforts at the inaugural Veterans Recognition Awards. When Toby was first introduced to the WWTW team, he was suffering with his mental health and feelings of social isolation and was seeking guidance in navigating the issues he faced. Toby has connected with the support services offered by WWTW to make positive changes in his life and was recognised at the awards for his dedication to volunteering at his local food bank. Alongside volunteering, Toby is honing in on his artistic and musical skills by holding community crafting sessions, as well as creating dog leads and collars which he then sells, donating the proceeds to the food bank. His artistic flair doesn’t stop there either; Toby also currently has three pieces of his artwork on display at a veteran exhibition in St. Pancras Hospital and has pledged to donate the money from the sale of the artwork to three military charities that have supported him, including Walking With The Wounded. Commenting on Toby’s success, Alex Todino, Southern Operations Team Manager at WWTW, said: “Seeing our beneficiaries achieve success like this is fantastic, and Toby is so deserving of this award. He’s made a huge effort to better himself and is now helping the wider community and making such a positive difference to other people’s lives. We are so proud of him.

We are proud to announce our milestone achievement as the first Armed Forces charity to join the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) as a Corporate Affiliate Partner. The IEP is an esteemed international membership body for employment professionals, recognised as the ‘Gold Standard’ of employment across the UK and globally. Since its establishment in 2011, the IEP has grown to represent over 11,000 members worldwide, dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals facing societal disadvantages, such as ill health, disability, financial struggles, homelessness, and ex-offenders. By providing essential skills, knowledge, and resources, the IEP empowers these individuals to improve their employment prospects and secure fulfilling jobs. All WWTW Employment Advisors (EAs) have joined as Members and Associates, showcasing their competencies by earning MOEP (Member of the Institute of Employability Professionals) and AIEP (Associate of the Institute of Employability Professionals) designations. Additionally, WWTW EAs now have access to a Career Professional Development (CPD) Learning and Development platform, ensuring they stay current with UK legislation and best practices. This corporate membership significantly expands WWTW’s network, connecting the charity with business owners and employers of veterans across various sectors. Moreover, WWTW will spearhead veteran employment initiatives through the IEP. Victoria Wales, Regional Operations Manager at WWTW, Fellow of the IEP, and IEP accredited GOLD AI in Employment holder, commented,“The IEP sets the gold standard for employment professionals. WWTW’s new partnership highlights our Employment team’s exceptional outcomes for veterans and their families, ensuring we continue to deliver high-quality support services through comprehensive learning and development.”

Photo credit: Simply C Photography Joanna Burton, Larking Gowen

Joanna Burton joins the leading East Anglian firm as a Director, working from its Norfolk offices, bringing with her a wealth of commercial and industry experience.

Accountancy and business advisory firm, Larking Gowen, has announced a new appointment to its North Norfolk team. Joanna Burton joins the leading East Anglian firm as a Director, working from its Norfolk offices, bringing with her a wealth of commercial and industry experience.

She first joined Larking Gowen as a trainee in 1998, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant before deciding to pursue the next stage of her career, in industry. Working in a number of sectors including manufacturing and engineering, and most recently as Finance Director for a wholesale, retail and ecommerce business. Joanna said she was looking forward to supporting the wide variety of individuals and business owners in the region.

“My industry experience should be of value to our clients because I’ve seen it from the other side and know what good service looks like, and what it’s like to be a client. Sometimes you are up against it and having the right level of support from a trusted advisor, and in practical accountancy terms, is invaluable,” she said She continued, “I see building trusting relationships with clients as an important part of my role, getting to understand their needs and requirements. “Larking Gowen is a respected and reputable business in the region, and I’m very pleased to be back with them.”

John Atkins, Lead Partner in the Business team in North Norfolk, said: “We’re delighted to see Joanna re-joining the firm, bringing with her a great depth of experience in our core services and beyond. “We’re committed to continuing to strengthen our offering across Norfolk, and Joanna is a very welcome addition to our team.” Managing Partner, Julie Grimmer, added: “I’m really pleased to welcome Joanna back to the firm. Client satisfaction is at the core of our values, and I am sure Joanna’s insight from her time in industry will enhance our service proposition to the business community.”

Enjoy fun-filled family days out and exciting adventures in Norfolk this summer with the National Trust’s Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank. With different activities at each location, there’s something new to discover and enjoy at every National Trust place you visit throughout the school holidays. Try your hand at archery, badminton, sports day races, and croquet. Put your skills to the test with fun outdoor games of hoola hoops, giant Jenga, and noughts and crosses. Explore the great outdoors, go bug-hunting, and see what other wildlife you can spot. Or relax with cloud spotting and wild nature art. Step onto the stage to have a go at performance play and dress-up games, make music, or let your imagination run wild with storytelling sessions. All of the Summer of Play activities have been specifically designed with families in mind to make each visit special. There’ll be plenty of space to enjoy games and activities, as well as picnic spots, shady rest areas and of course, toilets, cafes and pop-up kiosks offering refreshing food and drink. Here are some of the National Trust places in Norfolk where you can get stuck into activities and exciting adventures for the whole family this summer.  

Blickling Estate  

Summer of Play, Saturday 20 July – 3 September, 10am – 4.30pm  

Blickling Estate is the perfect setting for action-packed days out full of fun and adventure. Explore, move, play games, get crafty and create lasting memories. Head into the house to see games from the collection on display, including a chess set, backgammon and mahjong. Head outside to discover stacks of possibilities to play all day – who can’t resist a family badminton match or a traditional game of croquet? Dress up and perform on the parade stage and test your balancing skills playing giant Jenga. Take a pause to watch the Living History team bring stories from Blickling’s past to life on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and check the website for details of when balance bikes, archery, craft activities and storytelling sessions will be available – all included within standard admission prices, no booking required. Free entry for National Trust members.  

With cycle hire options and walk routes throughout the wider estate, there’s plenty to entertain all ages over multiple days this summer.  

After oodles of play and adventure, enjoy a picnic under the shaded canopy of the stretch tent or head to The Stables or Muddy Boots cafés for ice-creams, refreshing drinks and light meals. For all of this and more, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate. 

Horsey Windpump 

Summer of Play | 20 July to 3 September | 10am – 4pm 

Enjoy summer games[1] against the backdrop of a Norfolk Broads landmark. Try your hand at badminton or challenge each other to a hoola hoop competition. Feeling competitive? Take part in an egg-and-spoon race or test your skills with a game of giant Jenga. Don’t forget to explore the wildlife garden and see what adventures await. Keep your eyes peeled for the amazing wildlife in the area. If you are lucky, you might even see a swallowtail butterfly. Refuel your energy levels with a tasty ice cream or a delicious snack from the café, take a moment to relax on a deck chair, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of The Broads. 

For all this and more, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/horsey-windpump   

Morston Quay 

Summer of Play | 20 July to 3 September | 10am – 4pm  Meet the Ranger | Wed 24 July & Wed 21 Aug | 9.30am-11.30am  Head to Morston Quay for a summer packed full of games and activities [2]. Which member of your family has the most accurate aim, the steadiest hand, and the best balance?  Find out with throwing games, giant Jenga and balancing beams. Challenge each other to a hoola hoop competition or have a go at more traditional games like hopscotch and noughts and crosses. Work together in harmony and make music with woodland instruments. Round off all that play with an ice cream or a delicious snack from the café, take a moment to relax, and immerse yourself in the beautiful coastal landscape. There’s lots of wildlife to see too, which you can learn more about at one of our Meet the Ranger events.   

For all this and more, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morston-quay   

Oxburgh Estate  

Summer of Play | 20 July to 3 September | 10am – 4:30pm   Garden games, picnic hotspots and Hidden Treasures!  

 Explore Oxburgh Estate this summer! You’ll find an action-packed day of fun for the whole family including kick croquet, sports day races, traditional lawn games, badminton, an obstacle course and a ‘hook-a-swan’ game too! Activities are spread across the gardens and into the parkland so there’s lots of ways to experience the great outdoors.   

When you are done exploring, there are lots of fabulous picnic spots with plenty of picnic blankets available to borrow and the Servants Hall tearoom and Pantry Cafe will be open serving a mixture of hot and cold food, drinks, and ice-creams. Inside the Hall visitors can see the items featured in the recent BBC series ‘Hidden Treasures’ and children can also take part in the Hidden Rat trail too.  

Find out more about events this summer here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-estate    

Sheringham Park   

Summer of Play | 20 July to 3 September | 10am – 4:30pm  

Games galore, ice cream parlour and tower views   

 Summer of Play returns to Sheringham Park with free activities and equipment galore. Have fun as a family among nature and find a range of sporting-inspired games and challenges, from sack races to swingball, filling the events field opposite the visitor barn. Bring a picnic, visit the Courtyard Cafè, or choose a scoop or two at the ice cream parlour before delving further into the park.    

The dog-free Bower Garden is a’buzz with life at this time of year, as the wildflower meadow, pond and insect hotel teem with tiny creatures. Guided soft archery sessions take place here on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-3pm. Intrepid explorers can climb two viewing towers nestled in the Wild Garden or venture further along the Repton Route and tackle the 115 hillside steps and 60 steps up the Gazebo tower. Breathtaking views await of the oak tree canopy, Poppy Line steam trains chuntering through the landscape, and to the coast beyond.      

Find out more about events at Sheringham Park this summer, including sunset bat-spotting walks: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park  

Summer is the perfect time for lazy strolls and gentle walks in National Trust gardens that are bursting with colourful planting.  Spend sunny days meandering along tree-lined paths, through formal gardens and historic parterres to admire fragrant displays of roses alongside impressive herbaceous borders filled to the brim with vibrant flowers.  Discover weird and wonderful tropical plants being cared for in greenhouses and orangeries. Explore shady orchards, home to heritage varieties of fruit trees, and stroll through informal wildflower meadows buzzing with insect life and supporting wildlife habitats.  Espalier trees bask in the warmth of walled kitchen gardens, which are bursting with seasonal produce. Everything from salads to squashes are often harvested and used in the on-site cafes, where you can also find refreshments from ice creams to tea and scones! Soak up the tranquillity of summer gardens as you relax on grassy lawns and reflect by ponds and lakes with a picnic or a good book. Each garden is looked after by a team of National Trust staff and volunteers and is planted to not only add colour and interest for visitors, but to support wildlife. The conservation charity is also doing more in these green spaces to adapt to the impacts of climate change. To celebrate the quiet, relaxing days of early summer, the National Trust has pulled together a list of the best places for a serene stroll in some of the most beautiful gardens in Norfolk: Blickling Estate, Norfolk The gardens at Blickling are stunning over the summer months. The Parterre was redesigned in the 1930s by Norah Lindsay, a renowned gardener and socialite, and the look and feel she created is still visible today. Norah was attentive to colour, using it as a painter uses a palette. She established a magnificent display of herbaceous plants in graduated colours in the four large beds – from pink, blue, mauve and white nearer the house, to a concentration of yellows and oranges towards the east. Norah loved roses, and each of the main beds is encircled with colourful scented roses, a real seasonal highlight. In the shelter of the Parterre’s southern wall, the long border features more subtlety-coloured plants, providing a quieter backdrop to the main beds from June to September. If you’re looking for welcome shade on sunny days, head up into the wilderness. This area of the garden is more structured than its name suggests, with a geometric layout of trees, wild grasses and sheltered pathways to wander through. Look out for the garden team as they begin the annual task of trimming the ancient yew hedges, starting on the main drive in August before moving on to trim the acorns on the Parterre in September The Walled Garden, as featured on ITV’s Ainsley’s National Trust Cook Off, really comes to life in July and August. A huge range of soft fruits and vegetables can be seen growing using the ‘no dig’ method of gardening – from strawberries and raspberries to onions, peas, beans, tomatoes, aubergines, cucumbers, chillies, squashes, kale and potatoes. Flowers such as cat mint, sunflowers, oregano and verbena attract a range of pollinators, including bees from the hives in the orchard. With their bright, bold blooms in a range of colours, sizes and shapes, the dramatic collection of dahlias lights up the Walled Garden borders from August into the autumn. After a walk around the gardens, head to the Stables café for refreshing drinks and light bites or to the shop, where plants inspired by Norah Lindsay can be purchased. nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate Step into the Walled Garden at Felbrigg this summer and be transported to an oasis, bursting at the seams with heady colour, fragrance and textures. As well as the double borders and trained fruit trees that it is renowned for, there are surprises around every corner, from resident animals to sculptures of all sizes. Arranged in three parts, it is the Bacchus Garden that greets you with its climate resilient plantings including fan palms and jewel-toned flowers edging the gravel paths. Step through elegant brick arches into another slice of gardener’s paradise, with a lily pad studded pond at its centre. The Octagonal Dovecote is one of the few working dovecotes in the country, dating from the early 1750s and still sheltering a flight of cooing doves. The Kitchen Garden bulges with produce as vibrant vegetables including kale, leeks and rhubarb grow in neat rows, alongside abundant tangles of squashes and gourds. Fluffy-legged bantam chickens happily scratch about on pest control duty while bees buzz from their hives in The Nuttery beyond, with its winding paths mown through tall grasses among the nut trees. Beavering away in both the Walled Garden and the West Garden surrounding the hall, you’ll find the garden team weeding, dead-heading, tidying borders, grass cutting, cropping, re-sowing, planting and hedge trimming – but always happy to answer a question or offer a green fingered-tip. Experience Felbrigg’s Walled Garden in a new light this summer with a series of after-hours Bio-sonification Live events, featuring real-time collaborations between musician and gardener Martin Noble-James and plants from the garden. nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg Oxburgh Estate Come and connect with the great outdoors and get up close to nature as you explore the gardens at Oxburgh Estate this summer. Full to the brim with pollinator friendly perennials including scented heritage roses, and beautiful delphiniums, the Herbaceous Border is the perfect space for a quiet moment of contemplation whilst you indulge the senses in the sounds and smells of the season. This year, the Kitchen Garden has been planted with seasonal produce mirroring its Victorian heyday as well as demonstrating the wonder of vertical growing in smaller spaces – chat to one of the garden team whilst you are visiting, and they will be delighted to share more about the ongoing restoration of this beautiful space. The heritage fruit trees in the Orchard also mirror those grown at Oxburgh in Tudor and Victorian times and provide a perfect spot for relaxation as the breeze ripples through the branches. The project to restore the ancient French inspired Parterre is ongoing and it provides the perfect settling to take in the views of the swans and their cygnets swimming across the moat.  Picnic blankets are available to borrow, deck chairs adorn the lawns, and both the Pantry Café and Servants Hall tearoom are open so you can grab an icy cold drink or an ice-cream to enjoy too! nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh

Regional rail travel transformed with more comfortable journeys and industry-leading performance

Greater Anglia (GA) has marked the 5^th anniversary of its first new train entering passenger service today.

Monday 29th July 2019 saw the first of GA’s brand new, Stadler-built, bi-mode trains in operation on the 07.47 from Lowestoft to Norwich. It marked the start of a new era for rail travel in East Anglia and the beginning of a positive transformation in the service provided for customers and communities across the GA network, which now sees all GA services in the region operated by new trains.

Passengers are benefitting from greater comfort, increased seating capacity, better accessibility, and other features, such as plug/USB points and fast, free wi-fi. They’ve also helped GA deliver record-breaking punctuality and reliability, with Greater Anglia consistently the best-performing train operator in the UK, and timetable improvements on a number of its routes.

5th Anniversary Event Attendees at Lowestoft Station. Credit: Greater Anglia

To celebrate the anniversary of the beginning of this major upgrade for train services in the region, GA invited stakeholders and media representatives to an event which started at Norwich station and included a special trip to Lowestoft and back on one of its high-quality bi-mode trains (in fact the specific train that operated the first service – 4 carriage Class 755 bi-mode train, number 755410).

At Lowestoft there were speeches from representatives from Greater Anglia, Stadler, who built and maintain the bi-mode trains, and Rock Rail who own them, along with refreshments and photographs. The special trip then returned from Lowestoft to Norwich.

Key achievements linked to the introduction of new trains on Greater Anglia services across East Anglia include:

• All Greater Anglia services now operated by new trains
• Greater Anglia consistently the best-performing train operator in the UK with annual performance over 94.3% on both the Public Performance Measure (arrival at destination within 5 minutes of time) and the Time to 3 (arrival at every station served within 3 minutes of time) and 86% on the On Time measure – the best results of any UK operator in each case.
• A number of regional routes – specifically the lines from Norwich to Sheringham, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft and Marks Tey to Sudbury – have annual punctuality of over 96.5%
• Customer numbers recovering well across the region, as passengers see the benefits of new trains
• Major accessibility improvements – especially on regional, Intercity and Stansted Express routes, where the “level boarding” option provided by Stadler-built trains with low floors and retractable steps have set a new benchmark for accessible rail travel in the UK
• More comfortable journeys with nice seats, bright, air-conditioned interiors, plug/USB points and fast free wi-fi
• Increased seating capacity on all routes, including on 3 and 4 carriage trains on regional routes which were mostly operated with 1 or 2 carriage trains before
• Journey times on some routes reduced – especially intercity services which are now mostly 6 or 7 minutes quicker
• Timetable improvements, such as Norwich to Stansted Airport direct services, more frequent Sunday services on many regional routes and some later last evening trains
• Greater Anglia’s fleet of bi-mode, intercity and Stansted Express trains have now collectively travelled over 33 million miles

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Greater Anglia said:

“Five years on from our first bi-mode train entering passenger service, train services in East Anglia have been successfully and positively transformed, with state-of-the-art, comfortable trains, excellent performance, better services, and new journey opportunities. Passengers and stakeholders alike have welcomed the step change in service quality and customer numbers are rising as a result.

“Looking ahead, we can reassure customers and communities across our network that our plans are not just to maintain the high standards of rail travel and performance we have now set, but to keep on improving services in line with local needs, as rail plays an ever more crucial role in the region’s sustainable development.”

Urs Bikle, Business Development Director at Stadler, added:

“The fifth anniversary of the first bi-mode entering commercial service is a highly significant landmark and cause for celebration. Designed with the 21^st century passenger in mind, these trains have taken rail travel in East Anglia to a new level. They have transformed the customer experience, improved performance, increased seating capacity, delivered ground-breaking accessibility benefits and enabled the delivery of other service improvements. Industry surveys and performance measures show Greater Anglia excelling in a range of measures, including reliability and punctuality as well as passenger satisfaction. We are thrilled to have been part of this journey with partners Greater Anglia and Rock Rail and look forward to working with them in future, as we continue to enhance the services we provide.”

Matthew Allen, Chief Investment Officer at Rock Rail, added:

“We are delighted to see first-hand the transformation of rail services in East Anglia which has been achieved as a direct result of the Stadler FLIRT trains introduced by Greater Anglia and Rock Rail.  We look forward to working with Stadler and Greater Anglia to build on the successful introduction of these trains, continuing to grow the industry leading performance, and further enhancing the customer experience throughout the life of the fleet.

“These fantastic state-of-the-art trains for Greater Anglia are financed through public sector and private sector pension funds and insurance companies. This long term investment has already delivered significant benefits for passengers and the environment over the first 5 years of the trains being in operation.”

Lowestoft Station. Credit: Greater Anglia

Ed, a Caterham road car enthusiast, has taken his passion for driving and motorsport to the next level by joining Alpha 7 for personalised driver training. His journey began a few months ago when he decided to explore the thrill of a track day in a Caterham race car. After his first exhilarating experience at the Snetterton Circuit, Ed was hooked! He completed several more track days, including a day at the challenging Cadwell Park in mixed weather conditions. Last week, Ed returned to Snetterton with a new goal, to earn his racing license through the Association of Racing Drivers Schools (ARDS) test. The ARDS test is a critical stepping stone for aspiring racing drivers, consisting of both a theory and a practical examination. It ensures that candidates possess the necessary knowledge and skills for safe and competitive participation in motor racing events. The theory portion of the ARDS test covers essential topics such as flag signals, racing etiquette, and the fundamental principles of racing safety. After successfully passing this portion, Ed proceeded to the practical test. This involved a session in an MSV pace car with a professional race instructor who assessed his driving skills. Key areas of focus included mastering racing lines, cornering techniques, and demonstrating an awareness of safety protocols on the track. Ed’s performance impressed the instructor, who was thoroughly satisfied that he had gained the required competence and confidence. With the successful completion of both the theory and practical components of the ARDS test, Ed officially earned his racing license. Now, Ed is eagerly preparing for his first competitive race, scheduled for August at Snetterton with the Alpha 7 racing team. This marks a significant milestone in his journey from a road car enthusiast to a budding racing driver. For those inspired by Ed’s story and interested in pursuing motorsport, Alpha 7 offers a range of tailored programmes to help newcomers experience the thrill of driving on a track. Whether you’re looking to test the waters or aim for a racing career, Alpha 7 provides personalised driver training programmes, including race car hire for those without their own vehicle. Congratulations to Ed on his achievements and best of luck as he embarks on his racing journey! If you’re interested in joining the world of motorsport or simply want to enjoy a track day experience, Alpha 7 can help. Get in touch to learn more about our personalised training programmes and services.  

“Our award is for Best Residential & Commercial Window Film Company 2024 East Anglia.

Awarded by SME News

To celebrate our award we would like to offer all current members of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce a 10% discount.

SSAF Window Films Ltd., we offer an extensive selection of window films tailored to enhance the appearance and performance of glass surfaces. Our product range includes:

• Solar Control Films: Reduce heat and glare while maintaining natural light and clear views.

• Privacy Films: Provide privacy without sacrificing daylight or aesthetics, ideal for office partitions and bathroom windows.

• Energy Saving Films: Improve energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling costs.

• Safety and Security Films: Strengthen glass to protect against breakage and deter potential intruders.

• Decorative Films: Enhance interior design with custom patterns, textures, and colours.

• Bespoke films: Speak to our inhouse design team about having your brand printed onto window film.”

The Norfolk ProHelp Scheme is part of our Good for Good initiative (created by The Norfolk Community Foundation) and comprises of a wide range of businesses that are based or operating in Norfolk and are committed to making a difference in our local community. The ProHelp members do this by providing free advice and support to the voluntary and not-for-profit sector. Businesses can get involved in ProHelp in whatever way works best for them – through one-to-one matches with charity projects where their expertise makes things happen, or group learning and information sessions that can reach several of groups across the county helping them to overcome common challenges. Once they join, they will be awarded a Good for Good kite mark and become part of a growing network of like-minded businesses.

There are some areas we currently need support in, which include:

• Websites – building basic websites for charities and community groups that they can own and update themselves.
• Business Planning – helping to create business plans which enables organisations to apply for grants.
• Accountancy – VAT advice, general accountancy support.
• Surveying – Condition surveys are needed to apply for grants to make improvements to community buildings.
• Architect – Plans/drawings enable local VCSEs to apply for grants to change or improve their space.
• Legal support – particularly around commercial leases.

More information can be found on our website here.