February 2015 | PRICELESS
LOCAL NEWS ELDERLY NEWS
EACH UPDATE HOMES & GARDENS FOR DISS & ATTLEBOROUGH
www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
Our curtains and furnishings have a luxurious ďŹ nish, conveying the highest levels of quality and style. Call to arrange your free home visit. 01603 615945
8 St. Benedicts Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4AG
01953 455415
Haverscroft Industrial Estate, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 1YE
www.norwichsunblinds.co.uk
February 2015
WELCOME 3
BRECKLAND HOMECLEAN
for Permanent & Temporary Recruitment
Quality People continue to provide a recruitment service for the towns of Attleborough, Dereham, Diss, Thetford, Watton & Wymondham plus the surrounding areas throughout Breckland & South Norfolk as they have for the
DOMESTIC CLEANING SERVICE We provide the following services: • Regular Weekly or Fortnightly Cleans • Home Shopping • Preparation of Light Meals • Laundry Service • Maintenance Tasks • Gardening
past 16 years.
Visit our website...
www.quality-people.co.uk Telep hone: 0195 3 4 5 3 6 4 4 Email: results@quality-people.co.uk
Telephone: 01953 458447 www.brecklandhomeclean.co.uk Email: quality@brecklandhomeclean.co.uk
Find us at: Queens House, Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 2AE Tel: 01953 456789
&
www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk www.FineCity.co.uk
@Dispatch_Mag @FineCityMag
DispatchMag FineCityMag
Editor: Jonathan Horswell
Issue 161 February 2015
Advertising: sales@DispatchMagazine.co.uk
Deadline for all submissions for the next issue is: February
Editorial: editorial@DispatchMagazine.co.uk Design: design@DispatchMagazine.co.uk Dispatch Magazine: 01953 456789 Queens House, Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk. NR17 2AE.
12th 2015
© Dispatch Magazine Disclaimer: No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate, but the Publisher can not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Whilst reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements the Publisher will not accept any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will, however, immediately investigate any written complaints. The Publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
February 2015
4 Diss
www.dissonline.co.uk
Jackamans Solicitors Choose Jackamans Solicitors when buying or selling your home or business premises Having served the East Anglian community for over a century, Jackamans continues to provide an efficient, cost-effective and personal service to both commercial and residential conveyancing clients. Buying or selling a property is a major financial commitment and can be a complicated process, be it a first home, the latest addition to a rental portfolio or a commercial premises. Knowing that your transaction is in the hands of an experienced legal advisor, someone who is personally involved with the matter and who can be contacted directly to allay any concerns, is invaluable in ensuring the most efficient service possible. Jackamans prides itself on providing a comprehensive range of property services from standard sales and purchases to buy-to-let transactions, all with the personal touch and local knowledge which
is so important. At our Diss office James Laband, Jackamans’ Senior Partner, who has been with the firm for 26 years, heads up the residential conveyancing team. Conveyancing Executives Jenna Ray and Tina Staples both grew up and went to school in Diss and therefore have a wealth of local knowledge. With support from assistants Shirley Henney and Heather Algar, Jackamans is able to offer a firstclass personal service, ensuring that clients are kept informed at every stage of the process. Conveyancing Executive Laura Palmer runs our Harleston office in The Thoroughfare. Laura also has comprehensive local knowledge and offers the complete residential conveyancing service. For many people, buying and selling a house is the most important financial decision they will ever make and having an experienced
legal advisor with excellent knowledge of the local area is invaluable in ensuring that things run smoothly. Personal service is very important to us and we keep clients informed at every stage of the process. Proof of this can be demonstrated by the high proportion of repeat business with clients returning to us and also referring their friends and family. Based in the Diss office on the commercial side are Jackamans’ Commercial Property Solicitor and Partner Mark Rowlands and Howard Wright, the firm’s Commercial Consultant. They handle a wide range of matters including those concerned with commercial property, commercial agreements, buying and selling of businesses and company reorganisations. Jackamans also offers a range of other legal services for both businesses and individuals and
is ready and able to assist in employment matters both from the side of the employer and employee, dispute resolution, family disputes, trust and probate arrangements and the preparation of wills. For more information on our full range of services, please visit www.jackamans.co.uk. If you have a specific property requirement, just call us at either our Diss office on 01379 643555 or at Harleston on 01379 854455.
LEFT TO RIGHT: JENNA RAY, TINA STAPLES, JAMES LABAND, HEATHER ALGAR, SHIRLEY HENNEY.
Conveyancing advice for a smoother move
Ipswich 01473 255591 Diss 01379 643555
Felixstowe 01394 279636 Harleston 01379 854455 www.jackamans.co.uk
February 2015
Diss 5
@Dispatch_Mag
The Stove & Fireplace Centre Over past years, Fireplaces and Wood Burning Stoves have come back in to their own as the focal point of many rooms and for both contemporary modern homes as well as traditional period properties, there are stunning designs to suit all tastes. There is so much scope in style and finish for fireplaces today and one of the best places to realise the truth of this is at the new relocated showrooms of “The Stove & Fireplace Centre” at Brunel Way in Thetford. Established in 1993, they can offer the consumer professional advise on the most suitable choice of Fireplace & Stove for their home, being the only HETAS Approved retailer in Norfolk & North Suffolk. Here choice has never been greater, with Surrounds manufactured from Marble, Limestone, Sandstone, Solid Timbers and Cast Iron, all in different sizes and designs, including Period to Traditional styles through to more Modern and Contemporary styles, offering superb finishes to any rooms. Here you will find over 60 displays complimented by a superb range of Wood Burning & Multi-Fuel Stoves, natural looking coal effect gas fires, as
well as a vast range of Electric Fires. There are even Gas Fires if you have no chimney. This is an ideal place to find new ideas to give your home that very individual look with the addition of a new fireplace which can even be made bespoke to your requirements.
offer a professional Chimney Sweeping Service, from their NACS trained InHouse engineers, using the latest PowerSweeping equipment, which is much more thorough than traditional methods, giving a cleaner and more efficient flue.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-3pm Tel 01842 766999
www.stoveandfireplacecentre.co.uk They offer a full and professional installation service, having their own In-House HETAS installers, which has to comply with the current building regulations. Anybody wishing to have a Solid Fuel Appliance installed must have the installation carried-out by an installer who is HETAS registered so as to conform to building regulations, if not, approval from local building control must be sought, which can sometimes be more costly than having “The Stove & Fireplace Centre” do the work Failure to carry out this will result in your building & contents insurances possibly becoming invalid. The company also One of the biggest and best
FEBRUARY PROMOTION FREE FLEXI FLUE LINER UP TO 10 METRES (316 GRADE) WHEN YOU PURCHASE ANY STOVE FROM OUR RANGE AND HAVE IT INSTALLED BY US Offer Ends: 28th February
Come and visit the superb showroom at The Firplace and Stove Centre Over 60 displays to view. Choose from stone, marble, timber and cast iron. Gas / Electric / Solid Fuel Full installation service by our own in-house installers Norfolk’s only HETAS - APPROVED RETAILER, meaning you get the best advice and installation.
OPENING HOURS
We will be Beat Any Genuine Like for Like Written Quote
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm • Saturday 9am-3pm Established 1993
01842 766999
29 Brunel Way, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1HP Email: fireplaceman@btconnect.com | www.stoveandfireplacecentre.co.uk
February 2015
6 Diss
www.dissonline.co.uk
Diss Museum Diss Museum has it’s own new website! The museum now has its own website, designed by photographer Lucy Kayne. The ethos reflects the museum doing things, rather than just displaying interesting objects. The Church is not just a building; and nor is the Museum. In recent years its work has grown from being predominantly collection based to being an organisation that also includes: culture, heritage, local history, education, festivals, projects, publications, talks, tours, presentations and community involvement. In the past year the museum has put on several events to promote the Heritage Triangle, including: Christmas music and readings around the streets, outreach exhibitions in empty shops and the Over the Top day to commemorate World War One.
This featured dancers and musicians, a Spitfire flypast and a World War One story read by ‘Herr Flick’ actor Richard Gibson. To put the missing names on the war memorial, the museum gained funding from eight different sources. Every year since the carnival was revived the museum has had an entry in the parade. Last year there was also a local history stall at the football clubhouse. Visiting groups have been shown around the town, given the Murder Tour and a guided walk around the cemetery. A powerpoint presentation about the R34 airship is proving popular with groups throughout the region. The museum is closed for the winter, re-opening next month; but its work goes on, as you can see from the website: www.dissmuseum.co.uk
Trek across Peru Hiking boots at the ready for mother and daughter team A Diss based mother and daughter have signed up to volunteer with a community project in Peru, followed by a 4 day trek to see the famous ancient Inca kingdom of Machu Picchu, raising vital funds for the Salvation Army.
of miles for Rosedale Funeral Home’s 10 for 10 charity challenge in celebration of their tenth anniversary, you may be forgiven for thinking that Anne Beckett-Allen would take 2015 easy, but that is not the case.
After a year spent running “2015 is the year that I get to Rosedale Advert 110x85_Layout 1 11/12/2014 Page 1 marathons and cycling hundreds tick11:56 off something on my bucket
Rosedale FUNERAL HOME
Providing the very best care. We have established our reputation by providing an exceptional service at an affordable cost. • BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP • ADVICE ON FUNERAL GRANTS A family business – we believe it makes a difference
February 2015
Yard House High Street Attleborough 24 Hr Tel:
01953 452538
Rosedale House 63 Victoria Rd Diss 24 Hr Tel:
01379 640810
list” says Anne, Director of award winning, family run Rosedale. “I have always wanted to see the Inca Trail and when my Mum mentioned that she would be interested in coming to Peru with me I couldn’t believe it. Helping so many people who have been bereaved of a mother, I realise how privileged I am to have my Mum. We run together every week, but have never had a real adventure – just the girls. I cannot wait. Our only worry is how we are going to train for the high altitude living here in Norfolk!” Anne will be trekking alongside her mother, Sandra Rackham, a member of the Diss Salvation Army this October as they set to raise a minimum of £2000 each excluding the cost of the trek which will be paid for personally by Anne and Sandra. All proceeds fundraised will be going towards the fantastic international work of the Salvation Army. “I have always dreamed of helping others abroad in some way but was unable to be away from such lengths of time because of family commitments, and I have always
wanted to see Machu Picchu and the surrounding scenery so this will be a combined dream come true” says Sandra. The ten day trek includes a stay in the Sacred Valley, near Cusco where Anne and Sandra will assist with a community project carrying out basic construction work, painting, decorating, gardening and refurbishing as well as climbing to the dizzying heights of 4600m when they trek to Abra Salkantay to see the views of Mount Salkantay. Throughout the year, Anne and Sandra will be fundraising so please visit www.rosedalefuneralhome. co.uk for more details or if you wish to donate please visit www. justgiving.com/AnneSandraTrekPeru
Diss 7
@Dispatch_Mag
Park Radio Park Radio applies for full time 5 year FM license We’ve made it! Park Radio, after a four year wait, has now officially applied to Ofcom the media regulator, for its full time 5 year FM licence to broadcast to Diss, Harleston and Eye. Applications from East of England closed on Dec 16th having been open to groups like Park Radio since September this year.The 7,000 word submission to become the local radio station serving the area
in and around the three towns in the Waveney Valley, with a potential reach of 50,000 people , have needed to include very precise key commitments. “We’ve had to be very specific as to what we will deliver to the communities we plan to serve, against criteria including social gain, participation in the service, programming output, access to facilities & training as well as to
Susan Whymark Susan Whymark Funeral Service celebrates it’s 4th Anniversay On 22nd January 2015, the Harleston branch of Susan Whymark Funeral Service will celebrate its 4th anniversary. The branch in Harleston is ably run by Freyja Spalding who started with them in May 2014. Since then Freyja, 21, having no previous experience in the funeral profession, is now a very capable full time funeral administrator, arranging funerals and more recently conducting funerals.
Freyja is in the process of organising a fund raiser in the Town at the Apollo rooms on 10th April in the form of an evening of Clairvoyance. For more information please call Freyja on 01379 851253. In the Eye branch Joan is organising an All you can eat Pancakes event on Shrove Tuesday 17th February at Eye Bowls Club. For more information please call Joan on 01379 871168.
She has been very well received into the Harleston community and is well liked by those she has helped. Susan said “she has just slotted in perfectly, like she has been doing it all her life.
Later in the year, after her successful mile swim at the Great East Swim last June, Susan is planning to do 4 of the great swim series and the Stradbroke Swimathon.
Even though she is so young, she has the perfect attitude for this type of work and is very helpful and kind to all she comes into contact with, she is a real asset to the company”
All the events are in aid of St. Nicholas Hospice in Bury St. Edmunds.
whom we are locally accountable” Ofcom who will decide who gets a licence by April will each year monitor Park Radio’s performance again what they’ve committed to do once live. Park Radio are still currently working with both DTC and SNC on having its Diss base at the DYCC on Shelfanger Rd, with contact points also in Eye an Haleston.The station, if successful plan to be on
air full time by the end of next year and will remain very visible at the many social and community event it arranges and attends across the year. Anyone from the area wishing to get involved in the radio station should email chris.moyse@parkradio.co.uk for more information. Be part of it!
Providing a PROFESSIONAL
and caring service
Susan Whymark
Funeral Service Susan Whymark Funeral Service is owned and run by the Whymark Family.
Independent Funeral Service serving Eye, Harleston and the surrounding areas
Susan Whymark
Funeral Service
Telephone personally answered 24 hours a day
Eye 01379 871168 Harleston 01379 851253
Independent and Family Run
www.susanwhymark.co.uk email susan@susanwhymark.co.uk
Chestnut House, 12 Progress Way, Langton Green, Eye, Suffolk, IP32 7HU And 31 Redenhall Road, Harleston, IP20 9HL February 2015
8 Diss
www.dissonline.co.uk
New Year, New Bed...? Do you need to replace your bed? Did you sleep well last night? Do you feel refreshed and ready to start the day? For most of us a third of our life is spent asleep, meaning the wear on our mattress over time is considerable, yet a staggering 25% of people wouldn’t consider changing their mattress – even after more than 10 years.* It is hardly surprising then that 58% of the population complain of waking feeling stiff and achy.* How do you know if you need to replace your bed? • Is your bed more than 7 years old? • Is it uncomfortable? Or when you sleep in someone else’s bed, does that feel better than your own? • Do you wake in the morning with a painful back or stiff limbs? • Can you feel the springs beneath the surface of the mattress? • Do you and your partner roll together? • Is your mattress just generally warn and discoloured? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then it could be time to invest in a new bed!
One of the keys to having a healthy and happy life is SLEEP! Sleep is required to allow our bodies to recover, help our brains work correctly and can even help you lose weight. The right environment is essential for a good nights sleep, your room should be dark, quiet and warm. Remember to turn off those mobile phones, vibrations and flashing lights can disturb your sleep. At Sound Sleep, we are mattress specialists. We have an extensive range of mattresses suitable for any budget. With a huge range of open coil, pocket sprung, traditional mattresses, eco memory, latex and memory foam, we are positive we have a mattress for you. At Sound Sleep, we stock a variety of brands and different types of mattresses, for example pocket sprung, memory foam, latex and so on. Each manufacturer has different mattresses that offer different levels of support and comfort. When mattress shopping, it is essential to ask for help. We are
highly trained mattress specialists and are on hand to advise you, not to high pressure you in to buying something that may not be suitable. When you have chosen a new mattress, don’t forget that pillows are very important too. A cheap, unsupportive pillow can cause neck and back problems. These are just as important as your new mattress. For more help and advice, visit our in store Mattress Specialists who can talk you through all the pros and cons of various mattresses. We also pride ourselves on having the most up to date mattress technology. At Sound Sleep we have now taken the decision to offer 0% interest free credit, this allows our customers to be able to have the bed and mattress they need for comfort and support with the option to pay monthly. This service we offer is completely free of charge, there are no added
February 2015
charges, our prices are not inflated to compensate for the finance and our mattress specialists do not earn a commission for selling a product with finance like many of the big bed retailers do. We are even able to offer finance without you visiting our store, we can do this over an email or text link and you can complete and pay the deposit on your PC or smart phone without leaving the comfort of your home! Representative Finance Example Product Price £700.00 Deposit £175.00 Finance amount £525.00 Cost of credit £ 0.00 12 Monthly Payments £43.74 Finance subject to acceptance. Minimum spend applies. *Research by British Chiropractic Association and Sealy 2012 www.soundsleepbeds.co.uk www.bedfed.org.uk
To celebrate the arrival of the brand new 2015 Diamond Collection we are giving up to £150 OFF the in store marked prices THIS OFFER ENDS 16/02/15
Solid Oak Assembled Bedroom
All beds are available in a range of sizes and storage options - see in store for more details
4’6 4000 Pocket Memory Wool Divan Set with 2 Drawers RRP £1638
OUR PRICE £949
4’6 Ultra Memory Divan Set with 2 Drawers RRP £449
OUR PRICE £349
3’0 1400 Cashmere Adjustable Bed Set
(other adjustables in store)
RRP £1219
OUR PRICE £849
Farmhouse Assembled Bedroom
4’6 1400 Pillowtop with End Storage Drawer Divan Set RRP £1149
OUR PRICE £999
INCLUDES £150 OFF
Sound Sleep Bed Warehouse
Come and visit our huge showroom at Aloe Farm - Mile Road - Winfarthing - IP22 2EZ Between Diss & Attleborough on the main B1077 - Look for our bright yellow sign! For mattress advise please call 01953 861177 Open Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday 10:00 - 4:00
Sunday 10:00 - 1:00
Credit & Debit Cards Accepted - Old Bed Disposal Service Available
10 ATTLEBORoUGH
www.attleboroughonline.co.uk
Priory Insurance A look a Motor Insurance Whether you are a convicted driver, young driver, or have limited no claims bonus, we can find the policy cover specific to your requirements. We have negotiated special rates with our panel of Insurers for those careful drivers and special introductory discounts for those without any no claim bonus. We are always able to offer instalment facilities. We deal with many leading UK Insurers and Lloyds Underwriters to provide the best possible quotation and cover for our clients, regardless of the risk. Being totally independent means that we are not tied to a single provider and this
allows us access to a range of insurance policies from our panel of carefully selected Insurers. Why not let us compare the market for you and deal on a personal level with your requirements. Priory Insurance Brokers are a locally owned, independent, professional organisation who have been based in South Norfolk for over 40 years. We would be pleased to provide quotations or advice for you and look forward to receiving your enquiry. For more information, please feel free to call in to our Wymondham Office.
YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY SPECIALIST
01953 452622
scrap@mellormetals.com
Est. 1981
Any old iron... and cars and batteries
TO LET
and copper
Room 801, Breckland House, St Nicholas, Street, Thetford, IP24 1BT
and lead
– Excellent town centre location
and stainless steel
– 1898 sq ft / 176.33 sq m serviced office – Available now – Viewing highly essential – EPC rating: D – Annual rent of £17,082.00 and service charge of £11,388.00 exclusive of VAT
CONTACT US:
and aluminium and... AmaZINC or what! Find us at metalrecyclers.co.uk facebook: Mellor-Metals twitter: @mellor_metals
01362 656378 / 656210 commercial.property@breckland.gov.uk www.breckland.gov.uk/businessproperty
February 2015
Making light work of heavy metals
@Dispatch_Mag
ATTLEBORoUGH 11
Kerry Butcher Accountancy Services Is becoming a limited company right for you? Happy New Year to you all! Ok so I know that this is a bit late and we have already done January 2015 but did you notice that we didn’t appear in the last edition of Dispatch? This was because it was “silly season” for us - the final month leading up to TAX RETURN DEADLINE! But now it is over for another year so time to move onwards and upwards. Ok just before we do –a few important things to say – firstly if you didn’t get your tax return in before the deadline – don’t panic, don’t ignore the situation and do come and talk to us. The penalty for late submission of your tax return is £100 but this goes up quite quickly if you carry on ignoring the requests – so our advice would be come and chat to us and let us help you get your affairs sorted, your tax return submitted and amounts owed calculated – even if you can’t afford to pay all that you owe it is far better to have the amount calculated and submitted – and then discuss a payment plan with HMRC. Plus one final thing – don’t forget if you find something that you forgot to include in your tax return, an amendment can be filed for up to 3 years after – so if you forgot to include some vital expenses or mileage or some income –don’t ignore this – and definitely don’t wait for HMRC to come and find you – be proactive and make sure you are up to date. Right enough self assessment for now! One of the most popular questions that I get asked by clients is – Should I go limited ? There are a lot of plusses and minuses for becoming a limited company, for some businesses it may seem like a no brainer and for others maybe now is just not the right time. However one thing most people do seem pretty certain of is that to transfer your business to a limited company - is a tax saving measure. But did you know that one of the most popular tax breaks associated with becoming limited has been changed from 4 December 2014? Most sole traders and partnerships will have traded for a few years before
they start to think about becoming a limited company. This means that the unincorporated business will have built up a reputation known as goodwill, which can be sold to the company that the owner is connected to. ( A proper valuation must be obtained first). Up until 4 December 2014 subject to conditions, the amount paid for goodwill to the business owner was liable for capital gains tax, but this was usually only at 10% thanks to entrepreneurs relief. Since 4 December 2014 this entrepreneurs relief no longer applies and if goodwill is sold to a company which the business owner is connected to (rather than exchanged for share capital to that value) capital gains tax will now be due at either 18% or 28%.
Over the next few months if there are any questions that you have about accounts, VAT or tax affairs, why not write to us or email kerry@kerrybutcher.co.uk – start your email with the heading, question for Dispatch – I will answer some of the questions I receive in the next few editions of Dispatch. Who said that you never get anything for free!
Remember though, the information given is general and it would always be best to check information out with us personally before making any big decisions. We still offer a free initial consultation so make 2015 count for you!
Although this sounds harsh don’t forget that each individual still has an annual exemption for capital gains tax each year, so this may not be quite as bad as it sounds. It is always really important to make sure that you have all of the facts before you make any big decisions. Also don’t forget that if you decide to incorporate your business, company accounts will have to be prepared which are larger and more complicated. Accounts must also be submitted to Companies House and a large more complicated tax return (corporation tax return) must also be submitted to HMRC. As a director of a company you will also have to complete a self assessment tax return as well, so that self assessment fun will continue anyway. As you can tell, there is a lot to think about for all businesses and it is important to make sure that whatever decisions you make, they are right for you. Tax savings are great but if you end up filing company accounts late at Companies House, the amount you saved in tax might just about pay the late filing penalty that will be charged by Companies House – and this is not tax deductible. Whatever your plans are for 2015 why not come and talk to us first. If you have ideas for a new venture why not make 2015 the year that you turn those ideas into reality. Becoming self employed and starting up a business can be as big or as small as you want it to be so why not come and chat to us and get the ball rolling.
February 2015
12 ATTLEBORoUGH
www.attleboroughonline.co.uk
WANTED for
Attleborough Summer Playscheme Club 99 (a registered charity now in its seventeenth year)
From Monday 27 July to Friday 28 August
A Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, four Assistants & two one to one Support Workers Experience with children aged 5 – 11 is essential
Salaries: Leader £375 per week Deputy Leader £300 per week Assistants & Support Workers £270 per week
For further details & application form please ring 01953 456211 or 01953 454597 Closing date for applications Friday 13 March Interviews will take place on 10 and 11 April
Attleborough Travel With over 30 years of experience in the office Sara and Rebecca are ready to assist with all your travel arrangements
All your travel needs under one roof
Holidays Worldwide Flights Hotels Car Hire Coach Trips Travel Insurance Business Travel and much much more!! Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 2AE
01953 455003
sales@attleboroughtravel.co.uk www.attleboroughtravel.co.uk ABTA No.P5356
February 2015
2015 has well and truly arrived and now is the time for many of us to start thinking about our holiday this year. It’s a great time to get away the continent as we Britons are set for cheaper holidays this year as a weak euro has lowered prices in popular destinations such as France and Spain. The currency movements mean holidays are up to 10 per cent cheaper than last year nearly everywhere across Europe – except in Switzerland, where British families planning a trip will get stung with soaring prices. A family planning a city break in Barcelona or a few days in the south of France will find the pound buys nine per cent more this year than last. This means Britons exchanging £500 will receive an extra 48 euros or £37. This can only be a great thing and makes travelling abroad that bit more feasible.
Take advantage of the Disneyland Paris offer - Winter 2015/2016 - up to 2 nights and 2 days free. Book by 30th September - travel between 1/11/15 - 23/3/16 + kids under 7 stay free and receive free park tickets - valid for stays 13/11/15-23/3/16 There are many great deals about including Cruise & Maritime - up to 30% off selected cruises - includes the Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights on board their newest ship Magellan. Book by 28th February, subject to availability. Eurocamp have lots of holidays for under £350 - even in half terms! Don’t forget we can now book you Saga holidays, just pop in for a brochure! Come and see Sara or Rebecca to help you in plan your holiday, or If it’s just flights, hotel, insurance, car parking , car hire or National Express we can do it all.
HASSINGHAM HOUSE CARE CENTRE HINGHAM | NORFOLK | 01953 851 890 Sally Lee Manager
BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES Unwind from the winter, take timeout from the daily grind
BOOK A RESPITE BREAK Relax, be spoilt and enjoy our entertainment programme.
January January 23rd
Burns Lunch “Oh hey” the Haggis
January 27th
Cheese & Wine, get your taste buds round, Italian and French wines and a selection of cheeses & Salamies.
February KITTY COLLINS rollback to 40’s & 50’s February 11th Valentines event – Nick Best Classical singer February 18th Musical Reminiscent Memories February 19th Chinese New Year – Chinese menu, music and craft making February 4th
March - April March 4th
Country Music Hoe down with Graham Johns – get out those cowboy hats
March 17th
St Patricks Day Party – Gerry The Irish Singer in tow
March 20th
Cosmo as “Bert the Janitor NOT TO BE MISSED.
April 23rd
Nostalgic Film Show for St Georges Day
Our philosophy is not to fix people, but to find effective environments to empower their wellbeing. Different behaviours are messages which can tell us important things about a person and the quality of his or her life.
www.foresthc.com
16 ATTLEBORoUGH
www.attleboroughonline.co.uk
An opportunity Utility Warehouse succeed in the new ‘Professional’ boom of Network Marketing! The ‘Momentum’ stage [the Boom] of any new growth cycle is when fortunes are made. Riding the boom of the 1st cycle in a new industry is difficult so very few people succeed. Riding the boom of the 2nd cycle is the ultimate business move as the growth is dramatically faster yet more secure as the growth is based on proven success yet the evolution creates like a ‘groundfloor’ opportunity even for the huge established companies. A recent example is the Smartphone boom, based on the mobile phone business with Utility Warehouse. A few years ago, we wrote our first report on Utility Warehouse where we predicted its 1st Momentum Stage and very optimistically predicted that they would achieve £500million within 10 years, they achieved this in just six years. Simply put, Utility Warehouse is THE most successful European Direct Sales company of the 21st
February 2015
Century and has recently been ranked the 15th largest Direct Sales company in the world.
into the ‘Big Boy’ level of telecoms and utilities companies in the UK. We expect sales to achieve £2billion by 2018.
Not bad for a relatively young company that only trades in the UK with a fraction of the distributor base of the global giants.
In fact, if the company can maintain its business model and accelerate its development of ‘Professionals’ then it could achieve £4billion by 2020.
The ‘buzz’ of a new ‘Professional Age’ for Network Marketing is very positive for Utility Warehouse as they, in fact, have been a pioneer of many elements that define this new age since its founding in 1997.
The most important result of this dramatic growth period will be that Utility Warehouse will produce more exciting meaningful incomes for more people than any other UK company in Direct Sales history.
The company has championed the ‘customer first’ mentality winning endless ‘Best Value’ awards from leading independent consumer ‘Which?’ magazine. And they have pioneered Professional Development with their customer focussed distributor training.
For more information on how you can get involved in the fantastic opportunity, call Jonathan Now on 07802 690589.
Given the massive demand for new income opportunities, we believe that Utility Warehouse will enter a new Momentum stage that will catapult them
Don’t miss out!
@Dispatch_Mag
ATTLEBORoUGH 17
Friendly & professional advice for your Business and your Family www.rogers-norton.co.uk
01953 453774 Connaught Lodge, 10 Connaught Road Attleborough, NR17 2BN (Formerly Nicholas Daykin Solicitors)
Rogers & Norton Solicitors Business As Usual For Attleborough Solicitors Following their recent acquisition of Nicholas Daykin Solicitors, Rogers and Norton are looking forward to continuing to service the needs of the existing client base in Attleborough as well as welcoming new clients to the Practice. The Firm is very mindful of the importance of continuity and has retained the services of all the existing lawyers in Attleborough, whilst at the same time being able to call upon additional specialisms and expertise from its Norwich office when required. The Attleborough office has a strong emphasis on acting for private clients. In property matters, both Jackie Raggett and Heather Etteridge advise upon the full range of property transactions involving the sale and purchase of freehold and leasehold land.
businesses. Christine Mason advises on all areas of private client matters, involving the preparation of wills, powers of attorney and dealing with probates, whilst Averil Ballam is a highly experienced and well regarded matrimonial lawyer. The office has 2 consultants, Terence Blackford and Darren Baker. Terence is a member of STEP and regularly involved in handling complex trusts and estates. Darren is a highly experienced litigator who has experience in a wide range of contentious matters. All of the above staff will be supported by the team of lawyers in the Norwich office. Further information can be found about the Rogers & Norton team on the Firm’s web-site: www.rogers-norton.co.uk
Jackie also looks after property transactions for a number of local
February 2015
18 GENERAL
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Getting Advice on Financial Matters The world of financial advice has changed considerably over the years and it has become harder to know where to find independent advice. In the first of a series of articles on financial matters, Alison Rudd looks at the different types of financial adviser available. Financial advisers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and new rules came into effect in January 2013 which imposed minimum qualification levels on advisers to help improve the quality of advice on offer. They also changed the way that you pay for advice: gone are the commission payments that used to be paid to the adviser by the companies that provide the pension funds, investments and other policies. These have been replaced by fees charged by the adviser direct to the client. Fees are normally based on the time that the adviser needs to spend advising you and putting your plans into action, separating the product sale from the advice process and removing any suggestion of adviser bias. These changes have, however, had a knock-on effect in the advice sector: many banks and building societies have reduced the number of advisers available for all but the most wealthy of customers – and in some cases the advice teams have gone altogether. This has left something of a
February 2015
vacuum for the man on the street. So where can you go for advice now? Firstly, look for a firm that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Having established that, then you should be aware that advice firms fall into one of two categories: independent and restricted. Both types of adviser will analyse the client’s needs, objectives and attitude to risk, make recommendations for suitable courses of action, and will charge you a fee for their advice service. The difference between the two lies in what products or strategies the adviser will take into consideration. An independent financial adviser (IFA) will offer advice on the full range of investment options from all providers in the marketplace, without any influence or bias and without limiting their advice to a specific product area. An IFA is duty bound to give the most suitable advice from all possible solutions available so will give you the widest possible choice. A restricted adviser will have self-
imposed limitations on the products he or she will recommend. In practice, this will mean that the restricted adviser will either only recommend products from a limited number of providers, or will not consider certain products, or that he or she specialises in a particular area of the industry (eg pensions). A restricted adviser is required to explain these limitations to the client when giving advice. You can find details of independent and restricted adviser firms in the area at www.unbiased.co.uk. Some advice firms hold the Chartered Firm designation from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). This title is considered the industry’s gold standard and is only awarded to firms committed to developing and maintaining the knowledge and capability of their people so they can deliver the highest quality advice. Almary Green is a Chartered Firm and we were delighted to be given one of the industry’s top national awards, the
Chartered Financial Planners of the Year 2014 Award, in November by the industry’s professional body, the Personal Finance Society. Many advice firms will offer a free initial discussion – sometimes face-to-face, sometimes over the phone – to allow you to explain your circumstances and your aims and to give the adviser a chance to explain their services and charges. The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested. To discuss any aspect of your financial well-being, contact Alison at alison. rudd@almarygreen.com or call 01603 706740. Alison can be found at the offices of M+A Partners, Cyprus Close, Attleborough most Wednesday and is happy to arrange appointments there or in clients’ own homes.
20 GENERAL
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East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Maker a pledge to support the nook appeal in 2015 East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is calling upon the people of Norfolk to make an extra special pledge in 2015 - to support the nook appeal in any way they can. The nook appeal was launched on November 25th in the presence of the charity’s Royal Patron, The Duchess of Cambridge, outlining the vision for a new purpose-built children’s hospice which will cost £10m to build and equip. The new hospice will replace the current facility in Quidenham which is extremely restricted in its facilities and development. There are many ways in which you can support EACH which could not only benefit you as an individual, but also the many life-threatened children, young people and their families who rely on EACH for care and support. Getting healthy is always a great way to start the year, and there’s plenty of ways to do it and raise vital funds. You could get sponsored to go on a diet, give up smoking or drinking alcohol and you could also donate the money you save to the appeal too. As well as abstaining, you could get active by taking part in a challenge to improve your fitness and there’s plenty to choose from.
February 2015
• Great East Anglia Run – King’s Lynn, 3rd May • EACH Ride for Life – Thetford Forest, 14th June • London to Paris Bike Ride, 22th - 25th July • Trek Fest The Peaks, 5th – 6th September (Global Adventure Challenges) • City of Norwich Half Marathon – 22nd November • Norwich Santa Run – Dec 2015 EACH is hosting three very special events this year with more planned as the year progresses. The EACH Colour Dash at Eaton Park on May 3 which will bring a colour explosion to the county as participants are showered with coloured powdered paint as they complete a 5km run. The nook appeal skydive will see participants experiencing free fall from 12,000ft reaching speeds of 120 mph while the nook 25/50/100 Bike Ride on September 6th will see cyclists getting in the saddle for the cause. If you fancy something a little less active then why not commit to doing one of the following: • Have a collection pot at home and collect up your loose change for the nook appeal. • Hold a coffee morning in aid of the nook appeal. • Have a clear out at home and hold a car boot sale and donate the proceeds to
the nook appeal. • Organise a dress down day where you work and donate the proceeds to the nook appeal. Not all pledges need to have a fundraising element however – you could pledge to donate your time as a volunteer, learn a new skill or help raise awareness of the cause. And if these options are all too much – make a simple resolution to make a donation to the nook foundation appeal and donate £10 in different ways including: • Text to donate - Text NOOK10 + £10 to 70070 • Just giving page - justgiving.com/ thenookappeal • Send a cheque to - East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Suite 5, The Old Dairy, Elm Farm Business Park, Norwich Common, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 0SW. • To find out more visit: www.each.org.uk/the-nook or contact us in the following ways: Tel: 01953 666767; email: norfolk@each.org.uk Twitter: @EACH_norfolk #thenookappeal Facebook: thenookappeal
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GENERAL 21
February 2015
22 Homes & gardens
www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
Windows Are Such An Important Facet of Your Home They give your property character and individuality, and also offer the practicalities of insulation and security Because of their very nature, the windows and doors on your house or bungalow are a significant investment and cost.
repairs, worn out window hinges, broken window handles and locks, and draughty includes clear, patterned, toughened, leaded and Georgian bar windows.
Problems, however, can occur – hinges and locks may break or stick, handles work loose, there may be draughts around the house and windows may become “blown” or steamed up.
New locks and handles, bathroom and kitchen windows, hinges, patio doors and cracked panes can all be easily and effectively dealt with. It’s not only with repairs, the same applies for upgrades as well such as to A-rated windows with the highest grade glass.
But rest assured, these issues do not have to prove as expensive to remedy as you may think - and repair is usually the best and most cost-effective course of action, rather than replacement. Steve Olley, who has 20 years’ experience of repairing double-glazed and sealed-unit windows, knows that an effective repair can give windows a whole new lease of life. “A lot of people think that when the glass has blown - when you cannot see through a window properly - or that there is condensation on a window or that double-glazed units become steamed up, that they need a whole new window,” explained Steve, who runs S & C Window Repairs with his wife Clare. “But repairs are relatively straightforward and not expensive. The glass can come out of the frames and be replaced, so there is simply no need to go to the expense of having a whole new window and frame.” S & C Windows provides a service to repair windows, doors and conservatories and that includes misted or broken sealed units, UPVC window and door repairs, conservatory repairs, patio door
Covering the whole of Norfolk from bases in Norwich and near Holt, S & C Windows, can upgrade standard windows to A-rated windows, without removing the frames and merely by changing the quality of the glass. Steve said: “We can do upgrades with the highest quality glass without changing the frames.” In the 1970s and 1980s people often selected golden handles for their windows, commented Steve, but they can also be changed quite easily to give the windows an upgrade and a modern new appearance. “I am cheaper than other operators and can offer cost-effective solutions with a quick response.” he added. Customers ring through to Steve’s main contact number where a call operator will take brief details and instantly send them on to Steve via text. “I’ll then telephone the customer to make an appointment, make a visit to assess what they need and if they are happy with the quote place an order for what is needed and then arrange a convenient time to install.” he said.
FREEPHONE 0800 160 1932
We provide a service to REPAIR windows doors and conservatories in Norfolk.
Cracked or misted windows
Broken/cracked or steamed up conservatories
Stiff or damaged door handles and hinges
FREE ESTIMATES No call out charge No job too big or too small SAVE MONEY For an honest opinion and free estimate please call
0800 160 1932 www.sandcwindows.co.uk
February 2015
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HOMES & GARDENS 23
February 2015
24 ELDERLY
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Keeping Safe in Winter Tips for keeping safe in Winter Getting ready for the cold weather – which can start as early as October – means that you’re more likely to keep warm and well. Here are some things you can do to stay safe and ward off the winter chills. Have your heating system serviced and your chimney swept, or ask your landlord to do this if it’s their responsibility. If you have wood-burning, coal or gas heaters, make sure there’s adequate ventilation. Never block air vents, and get your boiler serviced every 12 months by a gas engineer. Check with your energy supplier for further advice to help you prepare for winter. Our free guide Save energy, pay lesshas tips on insulating and draught-proofing your home. Make sure you know where your main stopcock is and check that it’s easy to turn. If it’s jammed, you may need to
get it replaced. If water pipes freeze they can burst, so you need to be able to turn off the water at the main stopcock.
weather. Some councils provide free bags of the mix, if you or someone else can pick them up. Otherwise you could try a local DIY store.
Have your electric blanket serviced – this should be done at least every three years.
Consider fitting a grab rail if you have steps at your front or back door.
Make sure your smoke alarm is working. You can ask your local fire service to check your home for fire safety. It’s free and you may be eligible to get free smoke alarms fitted. Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm in each room that has a gas appliance. Ask your family or friends if they could call or visit you more often if there’s an extended period of cold weather. Keep a mixture of salt and sand handy to put on steps or paths in icy
Live-in Care, The Real Alternative to a Care Home Live-in carers can provide domestic, personal and social care Given the choice, many people would prefer to be cared for in their own home and Able Community Care has enabled thousands of people to exercise this choice. Our experience has shown that having a regular rota of experienced carers in your own home is often a much happier alternative than moving into a care home. Able Community Care provides livein carers whose role is to provide domestic, personal and social care tailored to each individual’s needs and wishes. Each live-in carer lives in a person’s home for a fortnight providing a safe, secure and reliable care package. Able Community Care’s objective is to establish two or three liked carers who return on a rotational basis in order to provide a continuous service with as little disruption as possible.
February 2015
Able Community Care also provides live-in ‘home from hospital’ cover, respite care and holiday companions. Able Community Care’s website www. uk-care.com provides comprehensive information, including many moving and heartfelt client comments. There is also an option to sign up for their free email Newsflash, written by the MD. Angela Gifford each week. Angela Gifford formed Able Community Care in 1980 and as Managing Director she continues to benefit this successful company with her long experience of the care sector. Angela is highly regarded as an expert in the field of home care. For a Free Information Pack please don’t hesitate to contact Able Community Care on 01603 764567 or email Ablemg@aol.com. www.uk-care.com.
Keep simple cold, flu and sore throat remedies in the house. Your pharmacist can make suggestions and also advise you on how to manage minor illnesses. Follow up your GP’s invitation to have a flu jab. Order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time, particularly if bad weather is forecast. Ask your local pharmacy if they offer a prescription pick-up and delivery service. Keep basic food items in the cupboard or freezer in case it’s too cold to go shopping. You could also do your food shopping online and get
it delivered to your door. Keep a radio and torch handy in case of a power cut. Keep your mobile phone, laptop or tablet fully charged, so you can use the battery power if there’s no electricity. If you’re worried about walking your dog in icy weather, contact The Cinnamon Trust they may be able to match you with a dog-walking volunteer in your area.
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Manorcourt Homecare Manorcourt Homecare provide exceptional care and support services to people living in the community. We encourage service users to make their own decisions and lifestyle choices supporting person centered care. Why did you choose Manorcourt Care as your care provider? Manorcourt Care was recommended to me by somebody in the village who was already receiving care from Manorcourt Care at the time. What support do you receive? I have support with my personal care. My care workers help me get up, washed and dressed and they also support me with my meals and administering my medication. They ensure I have a hot meal daily and also help me with other support, like light house work duties and a little bit of shopping.Recently my son visited from Canada and had a meeting with Daniel from the office to discuss my care. Manorcourt Care have kindly increased my package of care and are providing more care for me as my needs have slightly changed and for companionship. They visit me more frequently and last thing at night make sure I am safe and that my home is secure.
How has your experience been? Absolutely Marvellous! All my care workers are lovely. I have one care worker who visits regular. Her name is Ann, she is so nice and friendly. She knows me so well and is very caring to me. All my care workers treat me with respect, they are all so good and all arrive on time. What in particular do you like about your Care Workers? They have been visiting for a very long time. They are all like family, but I do have that special one though. Would you recommend Manorcourt Care? Most definitely! If anyone I knew in the village needed care, I would definitely recommend Manorcourt Care.
Manorcourt Homecare provide exceptional care and support services to people living in the community. We encourage service users to make their own decisions care from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
T: 01953 451541
We welcome clients who are in receipt of direct payments or individual service funds who wish to use us on a full time basis or when their regular care worker takes a holiday, ensuring that their care needs are still being met.
Now Recruiting for Home care workers required in Attleborough, Thetford, Wymondham and surrounding villages. No experience is needed as full training is given. Car drivers preferred. Duties may include, supporting individuals in their own home with their personal care, meal preparation, shopping and house keeping duties and social activities. Weekdays, evenings and weekend hours available.
We will offer you:Competitive rates of pay, 28 days paid holiday. Mileage and travel allowance paid. Free induction training, and specialist training leading to recognised qualifications, and uniforms provided.
www.manorcourtcare.co.uk February 2015
26 DISPATCH BUSINESS DIRECTORY
www.DispatchDirectory.co.uk
Residential & Business Relocation Local & National • Packing Service Container & Self-Storage Facilities Pianos / Antiques a speciality Packing Materials Sold FREE Quotations
FREEPHONE
01953 885060
www.howesremovalsandstorage.com howesremovals@btconnect.com
A lasting tribute in stone We provide memorials of the highest quality and distinction, combining skills of traditional craftsmen with modern machinery.
Vinces Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4YS 01379 652211
www.hlperfitt.co.uk
February 2015
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Tax Returns • VAT return Registered Office & Company Secretarial Monthly Returns • Management Accounts Bookkeeping • Payroll • Company Formation VAT Registration • PAYE Registration Mortgage Reference • Tax Planning HMRC Enquiries • Fee Protection Cover
Ford & Co Accountancy Services Ltd
T: 01953 860316 E: andrew@fordandco.co.uk www.addvaluesavetax.co.uk
February 2015