Member News

Norfolk Heritage Open Days is back Friday 6 September – Sunday 15 September and local people, organisations, sites, venues and charities across Norfolk are invited to participate in this unique free Festival. This annual Festival gives everyone the chance to share their stories and celebrate local history with visitors from across the country.

Festival Dates Friday 6 September – Sunday 15 September

Heritage Open Days (HODs) is England’s largest free festival of heritage and culture. Every year thousands of people attend free HODs events, discovering more about England’s history, learning the stories behind some of our most loved buildings and organisations, and discovering the untold tales and unsung heroes of the country. 2024 brings Heritage Open Days’ 30th anniversary: marking three decades of honouring the ordinary and extraordinary.

Norfolk Heritage Open Days is coordinated by The Forum. In 2023 Norwich had the largest Heritage Open Days programme of any city in the country: demonstrating the incredible history and passion for our City of Stories. For 2024, Norfolk Heritage Open Days is looking forward to welcoming new organisers from across the county, as well as much loved favourites.

Katie Ellis, Norfolk Heritage Open Days Events Producer, says “Heritage Open Days celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024 and we can’t wait to hear about all the fascinating stories and experiences that Norfolk organisers will be sharing with visitors this year.”

Everybody is welcome to register as a Norfolk Heritage Days Organiser, and participation is completely free. 91% of 2023’s Norfolk organisers would recommend other organisations take part in HODs, and 72% welcomed more visitors during HODs than on a normal opening day.

2023 saw thousands of visitors exploring and discovering places across the county, with more than 310 events for people to attend. Organisers are welcome to hold a single event, or open their doors across the entire week: whatever is most convenient for them. Demand for Norfolk Heritage Open Days is huge, with many visitors attending multiple events and sites across the week, and pre-book events often fully booked within an hour of ticket release.

Venues and organisers interested in taking part can find out more by emailing [email protected]<mailto:hods@theforumnorwich.co.uk> or visiting norfolkheritageopendays.co.uk/get-involved. Organisers must register by Sunday 26 May for their events to be included in the Norfolk listings brochure, which has a print run of 25,000 and is distributed across the region.

This year’s Heritage Open Days theme is Routes – Networks – Connections, celebrating how people and ideas have moved and come together throughout history: from the impact of railways, to our own Norwich Strangers. Organisers are welcome to submit an event on the theme, or something else entirely!

For more information on Norfolk Heritage Open Days visit norfolkheritageopendays.co.uk

Local Suppliers Invited to Meet the Buyer Event Local contractors and suppliers are being invited to attend a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to find out about potential opportunities offered through the multi-million pound developments that are taking place in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk over the next 3 -4 years. Hosted by the borough council and its partners, the free event will take place on Friday 19^th April 2024 at King’s Lynn Town Hall and will provide an overview of the significant development projects that are planned and underway for the town. This includes, the new Multi User Community Hub, Active Travel Hubs, St George’s Guildhall, and the Riverfront Regeneration, all being delivered as part of King’s Lynn Town Deal. In addition, there will be information on the Lovell Major Housing partnership with the borough council which is creating up to 1,000 new homes. And, there will also be an update on Norfolk County Council led highway schemes including the new West Winch Housing Access Road, as well as the Southgates and Gyratory highway schemes. The event will allow contractors and suppliers to find out about these projects, learn of opportunities to be part of principal contractors’ supply chains, and register interest for contracts. As well as presentations on the projects, there will also be bookable 1-2-1 slots available with the main contractors – Mace Group, Morgan Sindall Group plc, and Lovell Partnership Ltd – and the borough council’s procurement team. In addition, throughout the day projects and organisations which can offer advice and support –  including New Anglia Growth Hub, College of West Anglia, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Small Business –  will also be on hand to talk to. Councillor Alistair Beales, Cabinet Member for Business said: “King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is benefitting from millions of pounds of investment, supported by different funding sources and streams, which is facilitating the delivery of some hugely significant construction and development projects over the next few years. “We are keen to ensure that this regeneration has a positive impact on the local economy and where possible, opportunities to be part of principal contractors’ supply chains are promoted. “This is an exciting time for the town, and our Meet the Buyer event will showcase the sheer scope of the investment that is being delivered for King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, to benefit everyone who live, works, and visits here.” Councillor Chris Morley, Cabinet Member for Finance added: “This event offers a great opportunity for local suppliers to find out about the significant projects that are being delivered in West Norfolk, and the potential for them to get on board through procurement. “Our team will be on hand to talk about the procurement process, alongside the principal contractors from some of our key projects who will be able to detail next steps and plans for the coming months and years. “We know that there is a high level of interest in the transformational development that is gathering pace, and we look forward to updating local contractors and suppliers who wish to find out more at the event.” Anyone wishing to book their place at the event, which takes place from 9am – 3pm on Friday 19^th April 2024 at King’s Lynn Town Hall, can do so here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-buyer-in-kings-lynn-tickets-858025155337?aff=oddtdtcreator

There are so many ways that external organisations benefit from the University of East Anglia’s (UEA) world-leading expertise that it can be hard to know where to start. That’s where the University’s team of Relationship Managers come in – find out more below…. UEA’s relationship managers Your questions answered… What do the relationship managers do? The University’s team of Relationship Managers liaise with businesses and external organisations, helping them to access UEA’s expertise and facilities. They have a good understanding of business and industry, their sector (including external funding opportunities), and the full range of services offered by UEA. Which sectors do the relationship managers work in? They cover agriculture, business services, creative, digital, engineering, environmental sciences, financial services, healthcare, heritage, legal services, life sciences, marine science, medical sciences and social care. So, whatever area you’re working in, the chances are that one of the Relationship Managers can help you. What exactly can the Relationship Managers help me with? It really depends on your business and your needs. For example, it could be that one of the Relationship Managers help you to access funding opportunities. The University recently supported organisations to bid for funding through the Agrifood Launchpad and a future funding round is expected in April this year – so do get in touch now to discuss this, or funding opportunities in other sectors. Or, you could access academic expertise and develop your business through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), or by getting involved in UEA’s postgraduate research. If you’ve got a problem to solve or want to fine-tune an exciting idea, UEA’s consultancy service can help you – or, if you want to turn ground-breaking research into cutting-edge products, our licensing scheme provides invaluable support. UEA could also provide bespoke training for your organisation. There are many other ways that you can benefit from UEA’s expertise, so do get in touch to find out more. What if I don’t have a budget, or a clear idea on which UEA service to access? There is no fee for getting in touch, and the Relationship Managers will find out your needs and look at the best ways of supporting you to achieve your goals. It all starts with a conversation, so do get in touch. How do I get in touch with the Relationship Managers? You can see the profiles of the relationship managers, along with their contact details, on UEA’s website. And if you’re not sure who to contact, just email [email protected] and the University will put you in touch with the right person.

Law firm Howes Percival has acted for Amy and Charles Barwick, on the acquisition of Southwold Pier.

The pier was purchased by the Barwick’s for an undisclosed sum, from previous owner Curious Pier Limited, which is part of the Gough Hotels group which also runs the Angel Hotel in Bury St Edmunds and the Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich, as part of their portfolio. The husband-and-wife team are the co-owners of Pineapple Events Solutions, which manufactures bespoke chalets and provides food and drink solutions and event management for visitor destinations such as Christmas markets, music festivals and sporting events across the UK. The original Southwold Pier was built in 1900 as a landing platform for the Belle steamships, which carried passengers to seaside destinations from London Bridge. The present main building dates back from major refurbishment in 1937 but most of the pier itself is modern having been rebuilt between 1999 and 2001 to a length of 623ft. Amy Barwick, new co-owner of Southwold Pier said: “Charles and I are so excited to become the new custodians of the pier and we look forward to running it alongside the fabulous team we’ve inherited, for many years to come.” Charles Barwick, new co-owner of Southwold Pier said: “We are looking at an initial light refurbishment in places, but this will be phased, as we plan to keep the other areas open to the public as we go. We have great plans to invest in the pier and its facilities.” Howes Percival advised the buyers on all the legal aspects of the deal, bringing in expertise from the firm’s specialist Leisure & Tourism sector team to advise on commercial property, employment, planning, licensing and regulatory. The team was led by Richard Turner (corporate) with support from Guy Houldsworth and Katherine Channell (Commercial Property), Laura Brown (Employment), Jamie Childs (Planning and Licensing) and Robert Starr (Regulatory). Howes Percival’s Richard Turner commented, “This was a great transaction to be involved in. We know it is a challenging time at present for many businesses in the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector and so it was even more rewarding to be able to support our client who has great plans to invest in the pier and enhance its reputation as being one of the best loved tourism destinations in East Anglia.” For more information visit: https://www.howespercival.com/services/corporate/

“We loved hearing from people who organised their own events. They clearly had great fun, while doing something simple to raise funds for such a worthy cause” – after a successful debut, EACH’s Big Tea Break is back for 2024. Fundraisers are being encouraged to brew-up, tuck into a sweet treat and raise vital funds for charity. The Big Tea Break is being organised by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and will take place between 23^rd and 29^th March. This is the second year of the popular initiative after it made a successful debut in 2023. It gives the public an opportunity to put the kettle on, share a cuppa and spend quality time together, while also making a donation to EACH. Community Fundraising Manager Tina Burdett said: “We’re excited to be organising another Big Tea Break. “It was a completely new venture last year and we were very happy with the way it went. “We loved hearing from people who organised their own events. They clearly had great fun, while doing something simple to raise funds for such a worthy cause. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a small group or whole communities getting involved. “It’s about bringing people together and the idea ties in with the wellbeing and support services we offer. “One of our key messages is that we help families create memories together. “There’s a direct link because we want to encourage our supporters to take a break and make their own memories with family, friends and colleagues. “Please spread the word and for more information, including how to register an event and download a fundraising pack, check our website.” Supporters are being encouraged to snap, tag and share their photos online and anyone wishing to donate, but unable to host or attend an event, can contribute £3 by texting BIGTEABREAK to 70085. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one message at your standard network message rate. This year’s Big Tea Break is being sponsored by TREATT.   For further information about this release please contact: Matt Plummer | Media and PR Manager | 07738 328058 | [email protected]

We are so proud to tell you that Wingfield Consultants are finalists in ‘The Mentoring Matters Awards 2024’. We have been nominated in the ‘Excellence in Mentoring Award’. What is particularly pleasing is that the nominations came from people and organisations that we support pro bono through the ‘Help to Grow: Management Course’ scheme.

“We’re confident it had a significant impact, gave families a space to talk and opened people’s eyes about the realities of children’s hospice services” – EACH’s ‘I wish you knew…’ campaign aimed to dispel myths and raise awareness A powerful awareness campaign focusing on the realities of children’s hospice services has been hailed an outstanding success. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) teamed up with families for its ‘I wish you knew…’ initiative. They were asked to get involved by completing the sentence ‘I wish you knew…’ and the myth-busting campaign went live last month. A vault of powerful, thought-provoking responses was published on the charity’s website and different ones were shared via social media every day for three weeks. They tackled subjects including bereavement, accessibility in public places and the way people speak to parents after the death of their child. Others chose to raise public awareness by speaking about the invaluable help and support they receive from EACH. “We couldn’t have been happier with the exceptional range, depth and power of the responses received,” said Lois Livoti, EACH’s Senior Digital Communications Coordinator. “It wasn’t a fundraising campaign, so it’s impossible to quantify or measure success in terms of monetary value. “However, as an awareness campaign, we’re confident it had a significant impact, gave families a space to talk and opened people’s eyes about the realities of children’s hospice services. “In terms of feedback, comments and engagement, it was an outstanding success and lovely that parents shared their own very personal stories, often commenting on each other’s posts and sparking conversation. “One mum described the campaign as ‘vital’, while another said it was a ‘privilege’ to be involved.” There was plenty of local media coverage, including reports and interviews on both BBC Look East and ITV News Anglia. “One colleague told us the campaign had given families a voice, whereas before they’d only had a whisper,” added Lois. “Another told us she bumped into a neighbour while on a dog-walk and he mentioned the fact he’d heard about the campaign on the radio. “He wanted to find out more so went home and looked online. “That’s exactly the kind of response we were hoping for and it’s exciting to think of the difference it’s hopefully made, in terms of opening people’s eyes.” Across its various social media accounts, EACH has around 40,000 followers. In addition to running the campaign online, awareness posters and flyers were on display in its three hospices and staff were invited to share their thoughts. EACH’s range of services is comprehensive, for both bereaved and non-bereaved families. It includes expert nursing care and short breaks, symptom management nursing, family activities and events, physical therapies, wellbeing, care at end of life, bereavement support and practical help in the family home.

On 1st April 2024 CyberScale and Advanced Threat Group (ATG) formally recognised a strategic alliance aimed at providing their clients with an optimal combination of strategic advice and technical support around Cyber & Information Security. Effectively managing cyber related threats, and the resultant risks to business operations, reputation, and profitability, increasingly requires a combination of expertise and experience seldom available from all but the largest service providers. Our shared objective is to provide both the strategic, business focused visibility, advice and security oversight typically only available from a specialist security provider, coupled with the core security products, technical management and support provided by an experienced IT Managed Service Provider. Darren Chapman, CyberScale’s founder and Managing Director and Guy Pyle, ATG’s Managing Director have long been connected in a professional capacity and have both enjoyed success in their respective organisations. Darren and CyberScale bring a specialism and vast experience within the strategic advisory, governance, risk and compliance side of cyber & information security whilst Guy and ATG pride themselves on being a reputable business centric technological advisor. The collaboration of CyberScale and ATG will enable both organisations to offer their clients the most effective combination of products and services across IT Support and Cyber & Information Security management, delivered by true specialists in their respective fields. Darren Chapman said ‘a formal collaboration with ATG was an easy decision to make, we both work and understand technology and security but more so we both strive to ensure that the solutions we offer our customers are purely based on the best fit for the business’. ‘Guy and I have both observed a concerning trend of many service providers extending their service portfolios into areas outside of their core areas of expertise, to the potential detriment of their clients. We firmly believe that a collaborative approach between experienced organisations, specialists within their respective fields, offers a more effective solution to the ongoing challenges faced by business of all sizes’. Guy believes that working with CyberScale will bring a new and exciting suite of services to ATG as well as bringing security awareness and compliance to the forefront organisations IT strategy.

CallEEAST have supported Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for many years, providing 24/7 support to patients. Through supporting a large number of District Nursing teams across Birmingham, 24 hours a day, this alleviates Nurses from on-call duties to ensure focus remains on delivering exceptional care. The service CallEEAST provide to Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust includes triaging of patients, booking appointments, taking and dispatching messages, signposting patients and supporting them in navigating the NHS system. The CallEEAST team are experienced in answering District Nursing calls and have processes in place to ensure calls are answered promptly and efficiently. Around 15,000 calls are taken per month for the teams by CallEEAST. All calls are recorded, and the service is tailored to meet the needs of the team. Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust receive full support with regular stakeholder meetings in place, to discuss both additional supportive measures and innovations. CallEEAST offer a flexible approach and can adapt the service as and when required to build a service that is fit for purpose. Comprehensive reports are shared with the team to maintain communication between CallEEAST and Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, ensuring the services continually meet objectives. Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said, “Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have worked with CallEEAST for a number of years. They work closely in partnership with us to ensure a positive patient experience for those accessing care and treatment via the Community Nursing Team. They are supportive and play a key part in service transformation and improvement across our service and are quick to resolve issues and provide solutions as required.” If you would like to find out more about our bespoke contact centre services and how they could support your District Nursing team, please visit https://www.calleeast.co.uk/contact-us, call us on 0300 790 6274 or email [email protected].

Delta Fire Ltd sweep up at Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards 2024! We’re absolutely thrilled and immensely grateful for this incredible recognition. It’s a testament to the passion, dedication, and hard work of every single member of our fantastic team! A  heartfelt thank you from Delta Fire to everyone who’s been a part of their journey! Business Innovation: Judges comments: Steve Earl MBE & Carly Earl of Panel Graphic said “Delta Fire is a manufacturing business that Norfolk should be proud of, there was a clear desire to supply world leading solutions worldwide. They are clearly setting the standards for others to follow, not just with the items that they sell but also from the manufacturing base they have established in Norwich and the talented long-standing workforce they have. The new products they have developed in conjunction with The Navy has catapulted the business and its clear to see this is only just the beginning.” Manufacturing Excellence: Judges comments: Delta Fire wowed the judges with the quality of their manufacturing and engineering, with cutting-edge technology, components manufactured onsite, a predominantly UK-based supply chain and state-of-the-art quality control, making them stand out in the industry. Environmental Impact: Judges comments: Manufacturers and suppliers of firefighting equipment to over 60 countries, Delta Fire’s primary aim is to be one of the most environmentally responsible suppliers within the global fire sector from their purpose-built factory with over 600 solar panels. Leading the way in sustainable manufacturing, from harvesting rainwater to reducing materials in manufacture, they are prioritising the planet over profit. Read full details on all awards here: Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards winners 2024 – Broadland and South Norfolk (southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk) Broadland and South Nporfolk Business Awards 2024. Photo credit ©Simon Finlay Photography.

The flooring industry as a whole produces huge amounts of waste each year, Dragonfly Flooring are constantly looking into ways to help reduce this waste and look to use new Flooring products that contain recycled materials and are produced in the UK to reduce the miles the product needs to travel. We have recently completed the flooring in this office using Carpet tiles that contained 50% recycled materials in the pile of the tile, 75% recycled materials to make the backing of the tile; these were manufactured in the UK. These look stunning and can keep up with the heavy use expected from any office area, with the added benefit of helping reduce environmental impact.

Nutrient neutrality is the requirement that in certain areas new housing builds should not contribute more nutrient pollution to the waters. Following reports that nutrient pollution needs to be monitored in Norfolk, planning permissions have been paused for new homes within the catchment area of the Norfolk Broads and the River Wensum. This applies to any new and existing planning proposals in this area and has been issued by letter from Government Advisors, Natural England who have concerns about the protected habitat sites and species that live in the area.  The Broads Authority details how “the Broads is an internationally important wetland and home to more than a quarter of the UK’s rarest species.” Home to birds such as marsh harriers, teals and sedge warblers as well as fish such as perch and pike and animals such as shrews and otters. Nitrogens and phosphates, which are excess nutrients make it more difficult for aquatic species to survive due to how these reduce oxygen in the water. How is this affecting the industry?  It is important to secure the welfare of environments such as the River Wensum and the Norfolk Broads, but this ban on housing production is having a knock-on effect on the construction industry. The stopping of planning permission has meant that smaller construction companies, including family-run businesses, are being hit hard. They are having to look at ways to muddle through this dry span. Some have no other choice but to let members of their team go and some are even having to close for business altogether.  A lot of these construction companies are not only producing new builds for families but also for the elderly who are looking to live independently. Yahoo News reported that “the building of thousands of new Norfolk homes for older people with social care needs has been held up by the limbo blocking new housing.” These houses were being built with the intention that the elderly could live independently and have access to social care needs simultaneously. To help overcrowding of retirement homes and to stop the reported build-up in hospital beds.  How can planning permission continue? This ban only applies to protected sites that are already in disadvantageous conditions because of nutrient pollution, such as The Norfolk Broads and the River Wensum. So if your development site falls out of this catchment area planning permissions should be able to continue. There are ways that developers can still get the planning permission needed. Finding a way to offset any extra nutrients such as washing machine water or sewage that may end up in the waterways would be the only way new housing could be permitted. Norfolk Environmental Credits is a not-for-profit company set up to help property developers reduce their nutrient load by building sustainably. They have said that “property developers in impacted areas must meet Nutrient Neutrality standards by law. Buying Norfolk Environmental Credits will address your nutrient requirements”. Norfolk Environmental Credits has created a budget calculator so that developers can calculate the amount of nutrient loads their new development will create. This calculator will then determine how many credits the company will need to purchase to “ensure there is no detrimental impact on phosphorus and nitrogen levels in Norfolk rivers.” Businesses must register their interest in purchasing credits and they will be updated as and when credits become available. This scheme is intended to benefit small and medium developments that will struggle to provide their mitigation on-site. At Rockthorn, we provide plant hire across Norfolk and are committed to supporting local projects. We hope that this article can help educate businesses on how to seek help during this time. For more information on this subject visit Norfolk Environmental Credits to see how they can help with any property planning you are currently undergoing.  Sources: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/homes-older-people-blocked-pollution-090000120.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJRoUUNRotnub7gKcudvzJIh-chsteI1-_tmws0kLYwxtiQ2zJnHFZuL3ldoYEd57voXTkGoQxa0xFL–FhUKZtvMyM0Rpo5n-Vc8UosbYMRDvCrs3VAkqhM34jX1jkLHHYZ9FCpOmiQRmMFGLybd2djUxeRpviFp6el-4FLOkOn https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/planning/planning-permission/broads-planning-guides/river-bank-stabilisation/landscape-and-wildlife#:~:text=Within%20the%20Broads%20are%20the,24%25%20of%20the%20executive%20area. https://www.norfolkenvironmentalcredits.co.uk/