On the 25th June 2017, three members of our team here at Monthind will be taking part in the Ipswich East Rotary Club 25 Mile Orwell walk.
Tony Felgate, Andy Flatman and Andrew Marsh are all set to take on the 25-mile walk to raise money for two fantastic charities; The Bone Cancer Research Trust and the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The walk will begin and end at the Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The gruelling 25-mile route follows the bank of the River Orwell as it makes its way towards Felixstowe. On its returns, the route travels through farmland and wooded sections back to the Gainsborough Sport Centre.
The Bone Cancer Research Trust is a charity that carries out such important work, offering hope to people affected by primary bone cancer. The organisation receive no government funding so rely entirely on public support to continue their crucial work.
Equally, The Teenage Cancer Trust offer treatment and support for young people aged between 13 and 24. They are the only charity in the UK dedicated to making this happen. Supporting this organisation means that they are able to continue providing specialised cancer care for young people across the UK.
If you are in a position to donate, please go to the Just Giving pages below to help both of these wonderful charities provide the best possible care they can. You would be helping to provide a service that is truly life changing.
Marcin ‘Magic’ Pomierny, Head Chef at the Maids Head Hotel in Tombland Norwich and Chef of the Year in the EDP Norfolk Food and Drink Awards 2016, is a semi-finalist in the 2020 Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year competition for the third year running.
Forty chefs are competing in the semi-finals for a place in the final 10. This year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the live semi-final cook offs will not take place. Instead Magic has been tasked with submitting a short video presenting a signature dish which sums up his personality and tells his story ‘in a couple of bites’.
Magic, who was a finalist in the 2008 Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef of the Year competition explains: “My video features an amuse bouche, ‘Summer of the Sourdough Crisp’, inspired by the summers when I was growing up in Poland. My family went to work on my Grandparents’ farm. The work was hard, but my Grandmother produced fabulous meals and I particularly remember the wonderful tomatoes that she grew and we picked from the garden and the sourdough bread that she baked every day. My Sourdough Crisp features avocado and elderflower tatare, Heritage Norfolk tomatoes ,soft white cheese and smoked onion powder.”
“I am very excited to have reached the semi-final of the National Chef of the Year competition for the third year running. I have learned a lot in my two semi-final appearances and will do my very best to secure a place in the final for the Maids Head and Norwich. It is very good to be back in the kitchen following lockdown. I hope that many guests will take the opportunity of the Eat Out to Help Out discount to sample my summer a la carte menu.”
To reach the semi-final, Magic had to submit a menu featuring tapas style starters with Gilt head bream as the key ingredient, a lamb main course, with sourcing and provenance being important and showstopping dessert focusing on strawberries and cream. Magic’s Norfolk Lamb Saddle was sourced from Green Farm Lamb, Little Barningham. His dessert was texture of Norfolk strawberry with elderflower parfait, pistachio and English sparkling wine. As part of the semi-final process, Magic also has to answer a series of questions on his menu choices and the impact of Covid-19 on his kitchen.
The 10 finalists will be announced on 17 August and the final cook off will take place at Le Cordon Bleu in London on 7 September, with the winner being announced on 30 September.
Christine Malcolm, General Manager, Maids Head Hotel said: “Magic has worked very hard over the last eight years to raise the profile of the hotel as a fine dining destination. We achieved a second AA Rosette in 2016 and Magic’s ambition is to raise the bar further and achieve a third AA Rosette. We wish Magic all the best for the National Chef of the Year competition.”
The Maids Head is taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Enjoy Magic’s summer seasonal a la carte menu and get £10 discount per person from August 3 to 31.
Marcin ‘Magic’ Pomierny comes from near Krakow in Poland. He trained as a chef in Poland and studied catering for diabetics as an additional subject. Magic moved to Norwich in June 2005; his brother and sister were already in the city.
He spoke little English at the time and his family helped secure him a job as a kitchen porter at Tatlers, where he did washing up and food preparation for one year. Then Magic worked for Pulse and The Library for 18 months, followed by McIntoshes Kitchen for another 18 months.
His next job in 2009 was Sous Chef at Rare Steak House and he moved on to The Mad Moose where he was Sous Chef for two years and Head Chef for one year. Magic arrived at the Maids Head Hotel as Sous Chef in May 2013 and was promoted to Head Chef in September 2013.
For more information about the Maids Head Hotel see www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk. To reserve a table for lunch or dinner in the WinePress Restaurant, the Maids Head Hotel, Norwich, t. 01603 272010.
Hatch Brenner Solicitors is supporting Norwich Theatre as they prepare to launch INTERLUDE – their six-week programme of live performances in Chapelfield Gardens in association with Lost in Translation Circus.
Between 10 August and 20 September 2020, a big top will descend upon Norwich, and present live performance including comedians Jimmy Car, Arabella Weir and Karl Minns, plus circus performances from Lost in Translation Circus, and music from Joe Ringer Band.
Dawn Parkes, Hatch Brenner Managing Partner commented: “We would like to applaud Norwich Theatre on their launch of this fantastic initiative. The arts sector has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and the loss of live performance whilst the city’s venues remain closed continues to be a huge blow to the entire county.
“The innovation and collaboration demonstrated by the launch of INTERLUDE is just fantastic and proves there are options allowing businesses to continue within the new normal, Covid-secure guidelines. Chapelfield Gardens is set to come alive during the six weeks of INTERLUDE, and we cannot wait to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the performances. Having worked closely with our neighbours at the Theatre for many years, we are very proud and pleased to continue to support their important work.”
Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive of Norwich Theatre said: “We are enormously grateful to our neighbours and long-standing supporters Hatch Brenner Solicitors for coming on board to support INTERLUDE and standing by us whilst our doors sadly remain closed. If the past few months have taught us one thing then it is the importance of community spirit and civic pride. This is what INTERLUDE encapsulates and what has always underpinned the long and successful partnership between Norwich Theatre and Hatch Brenner Solicitors.”
All tickets will be available online at norwichtheatre.org or via Norwich Theatre Box Office on 01603 630 000.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is making a final call to any eligible local businesses which haven’t yet claimed their Covid-19 Government Business Rates Grant, as the scheme is due to close on Friday, August 28.
Since March 2020, the council has encouraged eligible businesses to complete the simple online form as swiftly as possible in order to get their grants, with just over £30m so far paid out to assist 2,722 businesses in the borough.
With the Government closing its scheme on Friday, August 28, the council is making a final call for completed forms from businesses which might be eligible for either:
A Small Business Rate Relief Grant of £10,000
A Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant of either £10,000 or £25,000, dependent on rateable value.
For the link to the online form, information and support about the grants, eligibility criteria and further business advice:
Under the Government’s rules, the claim must come from the ratepayer, and they must have been trading on March 11, 2020 to be eligible.
A business may be eligible if they are in receipt of small business rates relief, or have a rateable value under £51,000 and their business is within the retail, hospitality or leisure trade. Even if a company’s liability is already covered through small business rate relief, they may still be eligible for a grant.
We are looking to hire a Level 3 Business Administration
Apprentice in partnership with training provider Swarm Apprenticeships. This is
a full-time position with the opportunity for the right candidate to learn
and gain valuable skills to build a successful career.
Providence Street Placeshaping Community Centre has bloomed into life as a new garden is unveiled.
The garden was funded by generous donations from Lovell, Arc Fabrications, ElecSure, KJ Plastering Ltd, Westcoast Windows, Osborn & Kent and Proctor Roofing and Ground Control.
The structural work on the garden was carried out by Freebridge Community Housing Property Services, whilst the planting and general upkeep will be maintained by volunteers from the centre and the community.
The Norfolk Youth Offending Team contributed benches for the garden from their workshop nearby, whilst fencing was provided by West Norfolk MIND.
Robert Clarke, Freebridge Director of Housing, said: “We are really pleased to see this great new space available in time for the summer.
“As we continue to use our Placeshaping team at Providence Street to improve communities across West Norfolk we would like to express our gratitude to all the businesses and charities who have supported this and the many other projects we’re involved with.
“We would like to invite members of the public to come down and hopefully enjoy some summer sun in the garden.”
Big C has launched an online physical activity and wellbeing intervention programme ‘Get Moving with Big C’ to enhance the wellbeing of cancer patients who are spending more time at home due to the pandemic. All participants will be screened prior to taking part in the sessions which will consist of safe, low intensity mobility and stretch exercises including gentle exercise and stretch, yoga with mindfulness and gentle Pilates. The programme is being delivered by Simon Gooch, Big C’s Health and Education Officer, who has completed a Level 4 Specialist Course in Cancer Rehabilitation Through Exercise Referral and specialist coaches. Patients will be offered 12 weeks of weekly sessions, as this is the recognised duration to implement behaviour change. Following this they will receive a ‘Keep Active’ newsletter with links to pre-recorded sessions, wellbeing information and news of opportunities for keeping active, such as Big C challenges. It is hoped that going forwards it will also be possible to offer occasional meet ups, where those that have completed the programme can get together and exercise, for example with a session of Tai Chi in a local park, or a walking group. Dr Melanie Pascale, Director of Operations at Big C, said, “A physical activity programme is something we have wanted to add to our portfolio of support for some time. Increasingly, research is showing the important role that physical movement can have, before, during and after cancer treatment, with strong evidence of it being safe and providing improved recovery and patient wellbeing. * “The Covid-19 pandemic has brought additional need due to the effects on the wellbeing of those cancer patients who have needed to shield or self-isolate for long periods. The launch of our online physical activity sessions and telephone support will help service users maintain physical and mental wellbeing as the pandemic continues, in a safe and supervised manner. Looking ahead, we can also see the benefit of online sessions for those that live rurally and find it more difficult to access Big C centres.” Simon Gooch, said, “We are really excited about launching our ‘Get Moving’ programme and we have already had a lot of interest from people who may usually visit our centres. Grateful thanks also to the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity for their financial contribution to the project.” To find about more about Get Moving with Big C, please visit https://support.big-c.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Get-Moving-with-Big-C_Info_Sheet.pdf Email [email protected] or call 0800 092 7640.
Delia’s Canary Catering at Norwich City Football Club are delighted to confirm reopening plans for all conference and meeting spaces at Carrow Road from Thursday, October 1.
After a long period spent away from your team and colleagues, we are thrilled to be able to offer you the space to bring everyone back together for the first time.
We are so fortunate to have a wealth of space available, with 17 function rooms of varying sizes, and 41 executive boxes ideal for breakout sessions, small meetings, or even temporary office space.
Our unique venue means we have a suitable space for all requirements.
Across the stadium, we have four stands each with their own entrance which also allows us to offer you the opportunity to book a stand that is entirely self-contained, should you require it.
Following an investment in 2019, our rooms now feature state of the art technology to complement your meetings and ensure it is an interactive experience. This includes: HD projectors and screens, PA systems and microphones as well as the facilities for video conferencing, allowing us to host “hybrid” events.
We also must mention that under the Delia’s Canary Catering brand, all of our menus are created from Delia’s very own published recipes, and everything is freshly prepared in-house to ensure that dining at Carrow Road is not only a safe experience, but a truly memorable one.
The safety of our customer remains our number one priority, and as a result of government advice and guidance, we have put a number of procedures in place across our venue to ensure you are as safe as possible. For a detailed list of guidelines, click here.
We are really excited to be able to offer a really safe and unique environment for clients looking to hold corporate events such as training courses, meetings, away days, as well as private events such as family dinners, anniversary, wedding or birthday celebrations.
As part of our continued focus on providing a safe, clean and reliable service, we have announced further investment in train cleaning today. The key initiatives are as follows:
We are recruiting 28 extra cleaning staff to our train presentation team, to further increase our cleaning regime, to help keep passengers safe and prevent the spread of the virus.
Train cleaners can also now wear new cordless vacuum cleaners, designed like backpacks (see attached photo), which have been sourced so that they can nip onto trains between journeys and give floors and upholstery a thorough clean on an even more frequent basis. These new PacVac cleaners are very manoeuvrable so that cleaners can easily reach under seats, tables and luggage racks.
We are also buying special testing equipment to carry out random hygiene tests on trains, which quickly detects if surfaces have been cleaned effectively or need additional cleaning. This will enable the cleaning team to make sure that existing cleaning regimes are working and alter them if tests show they are not effective enough.
These new initiatives add to the extensive range of additional cleaning initiatives we are already undertaking in the fight against Covid. We are in the process of cleaning every single carriage with fogging guns – which disinfect all surfaces, including seats, arm rests, grab handles and windows – to supplement the extra cleaning already being implemented in these high contact areas. We’re also carrying out extra cleaning at stations, where the fogging guns come in handy for larger indoor areas, such as waiting rooms.
Travel update
We currently expect the timetable position to stay the same for the foreseeable future. As previously highlighted, we are running a full service on most routes, except on the Norwich to London intercity services – where most services are still operating (with our new, longer, 12 carriage trains), and the Stansted Express, which is running every 30 minutes. Where appropriate and practical we’ve been providing extra carriages or extra trains on coastal routes on the busiest days, whilst still encouraging customers to spread their journeys to quieter times, where possible. We will keep on monitoring customer numbers on a daily basis, to see if any adjustments or alterations are necessary, and be ready to make changes if appropriate.
It is mandatory for customers to wear a face covering when using public transport, in stations as well as on trains, to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Children under the age of 11 and people with a disability or medical condition which means they cannot wear a face covering are exempt from wearing them. Most people are complying with the requirements, but the British Transport Police do have the power to impose fines of £100 for non-compliance, if necessary.
It’s still important to observe social distancing. We’ve introduced a wide range of measures to make it easier for customers to do so at stations and on trains – including floor markings, one-way systems, new signs and queuing systems.
We’re welcoming customers for any journeys, so please take the train wherever convenient. As outlined, we are doing all we can to ensure rail travel is safe, reliable and straight forward.
Performance
Despite the ongoing heatwave, we’ve delivered another good week of performance, with punctuality at 93% across our network which, given we have experienced one of the most sustained periods of really hot weather ever seen in the UK, is a significant achievement. This follows on from a fourth successive period of very good performance in July, with punctuality of 96.2% across our network.
New trains
It’s been another week of intensive testing for our new suburban trains, both on our network, primarily on the Southend Victoria line, and on the West Coast Main Line, where some additional testing is taking place to help us complete the commissioning and testing schedules as quickly and efficiently as possible. Things continue to progress well and we are looking forward to bringing the first ones into passenger service later this year.
And finally…
There’s more station investment underway. We’ve started work on a project to increase car parking at Attleborough in Norfolk from 30 to 86 spaces, with 5 motor cycle spaces, 20 bicycle spaces, provision for electric car charging, LED lighting and CCTV. The £500,000 scheme follows on from investment in restoring the station building with support from the Railway Heritage Trust. The station is set to see more passengers following the introduction of new trains and the extension of many of the Norwich to Cambridge services, which serve Attleborough, through to Stansted Airport, over the past 12 months.
Thanks again to everyone across Greater Anglia for delivering a very good service to our customers and communities across East Anglia again this week, with valuable support from colleagues at Network Rail, Siemens, Stadler, Bombardier and our other rail industry partners.
Our thoughts are also with colleagues at Scotrail and Network Rail Scotland, after the tragic accident at Stonehaven.
Global markets push higher on growing signs of recovery
Global equity markets largely pushed higher this week on positive economic data. The Nasdaq hit a new record high, as did the gold price, while the S&P500 is now less than 1% below its February peak of 3386. Global purchasing managers’ indices, which are used as a way of measuring how businesses are performing, showed improvements in most regions suggesting we are on the road to recovery.
As people turn to accountants for advice and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic, TaxAssist Accountants registers its highest ever number of July new business client leads.
In the most turbulent of times, small business specialists TaxAssist Accountants have proved to be an essential hub for local business communities as a result of unsurpassed levels of support and communication.
With over 230 franchises across the UK looking after more than 76,000 clients, TaxAssist Accountants has seen its services in demand like never before.
The Norwich-based Support Centre team is working tirelessly to ensure its franchisees have correct and up-to-date information to meet its network’s clients’ requests for help, and the timely advice and online and centralised email campaigns offered by TaxAssist Accountants during the pandemic have been very well received from clients who have praised the proactive help and advice offered.
James Mattam, Group Business Development Director at TaxAssist Accountants said: “July was an unprecedented month for new business client leads generated by the Support Centre, with over 800 qualified by our team of call handlers.
“All of our accountants have been incredibly busy supporting their clients through the COVID-19 crisis, with grant applications, funding and furloughing claims and cash flow advice. As a result of the quality, responsive service our network has offered, we are receiving a huge number of new business enquiries and referrals from existing clients, happy to recommend TaxAssist’s services. We are also receiving calls from businesses looking to migrate to our network who are feeling unsupported by their current accountant in these challenging times.
“All of our accountants are open for business and offer flexible ways to meet, either over the phone, via video consultation or safely in one of our shops or offices. We provide a full service offering to clients utilising the very latest online software solutions, taking the guesswork out of managing financial business records. We regularly hear back from clients that they enjoy the ease and clarity of the software, coupled with the personal, local service that our accountants provide.
“I’d encourage anyone wanting to find out more about TaxAssist’s services, or to request a free initial consultation to give the team a call on 0800 05 23 555.”