Suffolk Money: Recent Episodes
Colin Low
In this episode, Colin is joined by Alan Nicholls from Moneyhelper.org.uk, the government-backed service that provides free, impartial and independent guidance to help people make informed decisions about their money and pensions.Alan explains why MoneyHelper is an ideal starting point for anyone facing a financial decision, whether it’s planning for retirement, managing day-to-day finances, navigating a major life event, or simply looking for reassurance that they’re on the right track.Drawing on their experience in assisting individuals with their finances, Alan and Colin discuss the importance of financial education, building resilience, and feeling more in control of your finances. Alan also highlights the range of practical tools available, including pension calculators, guidance on avoiding scams, and resources to help people start conversations about money.For more information visit https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk
Colin and Lou are back for Season 8, kicking things off with a practical, no-nonsense look at how to get your finances working harder for you. Whether you're looking to tidy things up or make smarter long-term decisions, this episode is packed with straightforward tips you can act on right away.They dive into seven key areas that can make a real difference:•Taking a fresh look at your household subscriptions and monthly bills and cutting the waste•Making sure you're getting the most out of your ISA allowances•Checking in on your pension contributions •Reviewing your financial adviser and the advice that you're getting•Thinking about charitable giving•Assessing your investments; where your money is and how it’s performing•Getting ahead of the game by preparing your tax return earlyAs always, Colin and Lou keep things clear, focused on helping you make better financial decisions with confidence.To find out more about Kingsfleet and how they can help you take the first step towards the future you want,visit https://kingsfleetwealth.co.uk
It’s been a real song and dance producing our latest podcast, which is all about the wonderful team at CTC (Children’s Theatre Company)! Kevin Burch went to see them rehearse for their upcoming production of Annie Jr and met CTC principal, Bridie Rowe and, some of the very talented cast.Bridie explains all about the quality of CTC’s work and how this has impacted the hundreds of young people who have been part of its journey, since she launched the company 16 years ago. Starting as a Summer School, CTC now runs professional, full-time musical theatre courses, which sees graduates performing in world-class shows.Both courses are hugely successful, but it’s CTC’s award-winning productions that they’ve become most famous for. Currently rehearsing for Annie Jr, the cast of 84 will perform at Seckford Theatre in February half term. Soon after, rehearsals will begin for their big annual summer production, which will be staged at one of Suffolk’s top theatres.Bridie has assembled a “Dream Team” who share her vision and passion, going above and beyond every single day. Their joy of teaching is clear and Bridie knows how much training to perform can mean to young people; helping them in terms of confidence, teamwork, professionalism and the opportunity to make lifelong friends.To find out more, please visit https://thectc.co.uk where you can find out about forthcoming productions and https://ctccollege.co.uk to discover more information about their courses.
Each one takes about a week to make and they truly are things of beauty. They’re the hand-made and hand-painted teapots, produced by the talented team at Carters of Suffolk.Based at Stonham Barns Park, the business is now in the hands of John and Val Baldry. For our latest podcast Kevin Burch went to meet them and to see their extraordinary range, which is highly sought after by collectors around the world.John, Val and the team are rightly very proud of what they do, as the only company in the country that produces handmade teapots. From the initial block of clay through to the final brushstrokes, everything is done completely in-house. Not only can they craft orders from their existing two and a half thousand moulds, but they also take on bespoke requests. Most of their handmade, hand painted creations are produced in numbers small enough to make them truly rare and highly collectable.A pottery business and also a tearoom, this is a delightfully friendly and welcoming place. People can walk in and talk to the team to find out all about what they do. Their paint your own service is also unique in that there are no time slots and customers can choose to be there half an hour, or stay and paint all day!To find out more and to see the wonderful designs visithttps://www.cartersofsuffolk.com
As many an entrepreneur will tell you, the key to success is spotting an opportunity and taking a leap of faith.That’s what happened with Ian and Sarah Williams, who took on an unloved patch of land on the banks of the River Stour and have transformed it into a highly successful holiday and leisure park. In this episode, Kevin Burch meets this dynamic duo, to find out all about Constable Park. Set in the heart of Constable Country overlooking Dedham Vale and the RSPB nature reserve in Brantham, Constable Park is a new holiday & leisure park. Welcoming day visitors and holiday makers, this has become a real destination for locals and tourists alike. People can enjoy a top-quality brunch before kayaking or paddle-boarding on the beautiful River Stour and, those lucky enough to stay can snuggle up in the cosy luxuries of a glamping pod.Sarah explains how she likes meticulously planning, whilst Ian has the vision, and how their complimentary skills have enabled them to transform a field of brambles into a desirable location that people flock to – not least for their Paddle, Pizza & Prosecco!To find out more please visithttps://www.constablepark.co.uk
Ipswich is about to stage its first ever Book Festival. Taking place over three days (from Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th October), this will involve an incredible 43 events across 11 of the town’s top venues.
So for our latest podcast Kevin Burch sat down to chat with Tony Felgate, one of the team behind this event, as it gathers momentum and promises to be the start of something quite special.
Tony is a big fan of Ipswich and its rich history and cultural heritage. He explains why Ipswich needs a book Festival and how this will build upon its already strong cultural base of music and arts. Not only will Ipswich’s first Book Festival celebrate the transformative power of books but also many of our iconic and historic buildings. The beautiful Ancient House sits proudly in their portfolio of locations, as well as St Stephen’s Church, The New Wolsey, Dance East, St Clements Art Centre and many more.
A ‘Book Festival for all’, this an event where everybody and anybody and will be welcome. The team’s vision is to establish the Ipswich Book Festival as a vibrant, inclusive, and imaginative literary event that attracts authors, readers, and book lovers from near and far. The jam-packed programme includes many children and family events, as one of the key aims of the Festival is to leave a legacy and ignite a love of reading.
For more information visit https://www.ipswichbookfestival.com where you can also sign up to their newsletter. You can also follow @IPSWICHBOOKFESTIVAL on Instagram and Facebook
It’s all aboard the Orwell Lady in our latest podcast, as Kevin Burch meets director Emma Lightfoot, and Skipper, Gareth, to find out all about this dedicated family business.
For more than twenty years, this historic vessel has been chugging up and down the River Orwell, giving day-trippers the chance to savour the beauty of the water and its wildlife.
Appealing to locals and tourists alike, the Orwell Lady’s river trips are enjoyed by people of all ages, and their dogs! Emma and her team are passionate about ‘showing the river to as many people as possible’, doing as many as 12 trips a week in peak season. They offer everything from private parties to afternoon teas and corporate experiences, making good use of the dancefloor for disco nights!
The Orwell Lady is very much part of our local scenery and a vital part of Ipswich’s business community too. Emma talks about how they like to collaborate with other businesses in the town, encouraging tourists to discover the many gems Ipswich has to offer.
So if you’ve not seen the peregrine falcons nesting box under the iconic Orwell Bridge, or enjoyed the scenes of the river bank at sunrise (or sunset for that matter!), why not visit
https://orwelllady.co.uk
In our latest podcast, we discover that, when it comes to brewing, small really is beautiful. Colin Low took a trip behind the scenes at Bruha Brewing to meet the team – Barry and Henry Chevalier Guild and Marc Medland – and learn about their three breweries, cask, keg and nitro stout.
Based on the Suffolk border, right in the heart of barley growing country, Bruha Brewing was started by head brewer Marc, who is known for being one of the most skilled and adept brewers in the region. Marc and the team talk about the technical process of brewing and provide fascinating insights into everything from dry-hopping, through to why “nothing can beat a good cask ale, served in a pub that really knows what it’s doing”.
For more information, visit https://bruhabrewing.co.uk
As a crime that affects both individuals and businesses alike, we all need to be vigilant when it comes to cybercrime. So in our latest episode, Colin Low chats to Gemma Theobald, Cyber Security Advisor for Norfolk & Suffolk Police, about her role in trying to prevent it from happening and the many ways we can all reduce the risk.
With around 99% of crime involving some kind of digital element, Gemma explains the difference between cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime and cyber-dependent crime. Demystifying terms such as bulk-phishing, spear-phishing and spoofing, Gemma talks about the very real dangers they all pose and how to minimise the risks here.
She has plenty of advice for individuals: from how to manage password security, to using sites such as https://haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email address has been in a data breach and of course, how to use social media more safely. For businesses, Gemma speaks about the need to improve the culture of cyber security and why this is so important.
For more information, visit the National Cyber Security: www.ncsc.gov.uk
The National Cyber Resilience Centre: www.nationalcrcgroup.co.uk
Or you can contact directly Gemma by emailing: gemma.theobald1@suffolk.police.uk
What inspires a rock star? In this week’s episode Kevin Burch speaks to author and 1960s icon, Jenny Boyd, who will be bringing her new book to Suffolk next month. Jenny is set to join a fabulous line-up of speakers at the annual Felixstowe Book Festival, and tells Kevin all about how she came to write “Icons Of Rock: In Their Own Words”, following her many interviews with the stars.
Having been married to Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac) and with George Harrison and Eric Clapton as brothers-in-law, Jenny rubbed shoulders with the biggest names in music in the sixties. A former model, Jenny went on to study psychology and developed a fascination with the creative process behind rock music. Her interviews with rock stars included everyone from Don Henley of the Eagles, to Joni Mitchell, to the Beatles.
Jenny’s book delves into the world of rock ‘n’ roll, reflecting on her candid conversations with rock legends and exploring song writing, creativity and addiction.
The Felixstowe Book Festival runs from 25th – 29th June and Jenny will be joining other esteemed authors, such as the Rev Richard Coles and Esther Freud. To find out more please visit the festival website:
https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk
Nestled along the shores of most British seaside towns, the traditional beach hut provides a time-honoured form of escapism. Though never much bigger than a garden shed, they are highly sought-after and often command high prices. So in this episode, Kevin Burch takes a trip to the coast to find out more about their enduring appeal, by talking to an owner, an expert on seaside culture and an estate agent.
Barbara Grace and Alan Sarfas tell Kevin all about their beloved Felixstowe hut, “Idle Hours”, which they’ve owned for 24 years. As a retired couple, they visit their hut every day and adore everything about it; from the stunning sea view to the sense of community.
Historian and author, Kathryn Ferry (who's written about beach huts, their history and seaside culture) has some fascinating insights about beach huts, including their significance to British heritage.
And finally, Jason Lewis from Felixstowe estate agents, Scott Beckett knows all about why people buy for longevity and how the humble yet homely beach hut appeals to all generations.
So many charities are doing such brilliant work, but almost all, without exception, are struggling finding the money, to not just continue doing what they’re doing, but to grow. One example is the Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding, based near Hadleigh, which uses horses to help children and adults who have disabilities.
Kevin Burch has been to meet the team for our latest podcast, including chairman Debs Bennett, Martha (a regular, long-term rider at the centre) and Jan Derbyshire (Hon President).
As Debs explains, this proudly independent charity welcomes about 150 people of all ages through the doors every week. However, even whilst run by volunteers, the centre costs in excess of £80,000 a year to run and, covering these costs is a constant battle.
Lessons are tailored to the ability and needs of each rider and the benefits they receive is nothing less than remarkable. As well as the therapy, they gain new levels of confidence, self-esteem, and independence, which can have profound effects on their physical health as well as mental wellbeing.
If you’d like to find out more about this wonderful charity, please visit www.shelleyrda.com
Emma Waddell is a very different kind of entrepreneur. She firmly prioritises being truly happy above money, and her happiness comes from creating beautiful dolls houses to the very highest standard. In this week’s episode, Kevin Burch visits Emma in her ‘paradise’ workshop, as Emma explains how she left the world of finance to set up her own business, Dolls House Grand Designs.
With over 40 years of experience with dolls houses and miniatures, Emma is recognised as one of the best in her field. She has a magical talent for designing and building dolls houses, before kitting them out with the most intricate furniture and fittings. Each dolls house features craftsmanship to the highest possible level, and Emma explains how her skill sets include everything from carpentry and electrics through to roof-tiling, plumbing and painting and decorating – all on a small scale.
Like all entrepreneurs, Emma has had to work very hard to build her excellent reputation. And in doing so, she’s earned the pleasure of working with big brands such as Jo Malone and Tiffany, making sets and props for their high-calibre adverts.
These houses span all ages and cultures and Emma is passionate about encouraging young people into the trade; with so many skills involved, such as creativity, design and even architecture.
To find out more, please visit
https://www.dollshousegranddesigns.com
In the first episode of our new series, we look at the work of the dedicated youth charity, Inspire Suffolk, which helps thousands of young people realise their potential every year.
Colin Low chats to Terry Baxter about how Inspire came to be and, his role in leading the team of this independent charity. Starting from a sporting background in 2013, Inspire now works with more than 7,000 young people each year, empowering them to achieve a better future.
For those who have little support, the transition from school or college into adult life can be very challenging. Inspire runs a variety of personal development, wellbeing and employability programmes, designed to help build confidence levels of these 16-25 year olds and give them the skills and support to make positive decisions.
To find out more about this charity and the positive impact it has on young lives and their communities, visit
https://inspirecharityuk.org
Welcome to the first episode of 2025. We’ve now produced over 100 podcasts since we launched Suffolk Money four years ago, all supported by Kingsfleet.
Ahead of a new series starting next month, we look back on some of the memorable moments from 2024, with our sincere thanks to all the guests who joined us last year.
In the run-up to Christmas we test the mood on the High Street, in our latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet.
For our last episode of 2024, Kevin Burch took a trip to Bury St Edmunds to talk to Mark Cordell, who works with his team to promote the town and Julian Milton, who runs a gift shop called Loft and Spires. Despite all the financial challenges the retail industry has been through and is currently facing, both remain optimistic about this festive season and beyond.
Julian explains how his independent shop, like many others in Bury, thrives by not only offering interesting products that can be bought impulsively, but also by offering outstanding customer service. His ethos is shared by many local business owners, who understand that by working together they can ensure Bury maintains its outstanding local and national reputation.
As CEO of the Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID), Mark explains how he and his team make sure the town looks after its local repeat customers, as well as marketing Bury nationally as a town that people want to visit and spend time in. Already known as the Foodie capital of Suffolk, Mark is also keen to build Bury’s reputation as the best customer service town. BID provide advice and guidance to over 400 town centre businesses, to help them in achieving this and nurture a collective approach to ensure Bury St Edmunds remains an attractive prospect to locals and visitors alike.
For more information about Loft and Spires, visit
https://www.facebook.com/loftandspires
And you can find out more about Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID) on their website: https://www.ourburystedmunds.com
In this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, supported by Kingsfleet, we look at the hospitality industry, as it prepares – post Budget – for the hectic and financially critical festive period. Kevin Burch meets someone who knows the industry better than most; Jamie Smith, who runs Jamie Lee Smith Catering and who’s currently celebrating a landmark 25 years in the business.
Many will also know Jamie for the outstanding reputation he’s built at 16 Steakhouse; one of the highest-rated restaurants Ipswich. Formerly Greshams and attached to Venue 16 (a popular wedding and events venue), Jamie reinvented his business here during lockdown, when he couldn’t continue outside catering due to Covid restrictions. Jamie knows the importance of staying ahead of the game, and has managed to thrive by staying flexible, positive and making sure he always has the right product to sell.
Embracing the different challenges that he and his carefully assembled team face every week with their high class outside catering service Jamie clearly knows where his market is and how to please his customers.
His fascinating insights range from the importance of the festive season (having already made plans for Christmas 2025), to the value of watching countdown every day! To find out more about the business, visit https://jamieleesmithcatering.co.uk
Ahead of Remembrance Day, we have a fitting guest for our latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet. Kevin Burch meets Adam Simpson-York, who has set up an initiative online, to try to reunite wartime medals and memorabilia with the families of the veterans who owned them.
Adam’s story is a truly philanthropic one and his reputation now proceeds him, due to the success he’s had this far in "returning the lost property that should never have really been lost". He finds and researches memorabilia that is being sold on ebay – anything from WW1 medals through to photos and named antiques and even bibles – and then traces their living relatives. A natural problem solver, Adam enjoys a mystery and his findings have brought joy to many – including Queen Camilla herself!
Kevin also meets Sam Moles, who Adam has helped with his detective work. Sam describes the elation he felt on receiving the detailed information that Adam bestowed him with about his memorabilia and the importance of the family connections made.
If you’d like to find out more Adam’s Facebook page is called Medals Going Home https://www.facebook.com/MedalsGoingHome
How do you breathe new life into neglected buildings? One man who knows is property developer and investor John Howard, who’s our guest in the latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet.
Having worked on more than 4000 schemes in 88 different towns and cities across the UK, John’s career spans more than 40 years. In this episode, he tells Kevin Burch all about how it all began, lessons he’s learnt and advice he’d give to others, in what has become a highly competitive industry.
Many will know him for his involvement in high profile schemes, such as the Wine Rack in Ipswich, which had previously sat neglected for many years. He has also just taken on another complex challenge in Suffolk’s tallest structure, The Mill, on the town’s beautiful waterfront.
John talks about the importance of getting out and talking to people, how he is driven by those he works with, the buzz he gets from doing deals; and how he’s like his dog, “enthusiastic and up for it”, wanting to make the most of every day!
As one of the UK's most experienced property developers and investors, John also hosts seminars and has written several books, based on his own vast industry experience. To find out more, visit www.johnhowardproperty.com
Earning money from doing what you love is something many us aspire to and, in this weeks’ episode of Suffolk Money, Kevin Burch meets somebody who is doing this with remarkable success.
Cally James runs Hippy Hut Pottery, near Bury St Edmunds, which she opened in 2022. Here, from her beautiful garden studio, Cally runs workshops and weekly classes for her pottery students. Most are regulars, who enjoy doing something fun, creative and therapeutic. Cally also makes sure she has time in her week to focus on her own work and experiment with new products; which include everything from ceramic birdboxes to garlic bowls!
The Hippy Hut itself was built by Cally and her husband for an astonishingly low cost. As Cally takes Kevin on a tour, they visit the kiln room and she explains where the real investment lies and the reason for her seeking a start-up business loan. When her initial kiln suddenly broke, Cally needed to quickly find nearly £10K to replace it, to keep her business going. She applied for a loan to cover the cost and was delighted to find that government-backed start-up loans offer good terms and conditions, plus help and support throughout and after the process.
Her success story has now landed her the role of an ambassador, promoting the value of start-up loans for small business, through the British Business Bank. Cally talks enthusiastically about how such loans can help other small businesses to thrive, with valuable mentoring and support as part of the package.
To find out more about Hippy Hut Pottery visit
https://hippyhutpottery.co.uk
And to find out more about start-up loans, simply visit
gov.uk and search for start-up loans
We have a wonderfully uplifting story in the latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet, as Lesley Dolphin takes us on a tour of the Pathways Care Farm near Lowestoft.
Described as ‘an oasis of calm’ it supports countless vulnerable people, helping them to build confidence, learn skills and ultimately be part of something really special.
Founder and Director, Geoff Stevens, tells Lesley how his past experiences of running a business, working with disadvantaged people, and also caring for parents with Dementia, all led him to this point. Having left the corporate world, he’d made it his mission to find a way of looking after people, no matter what their difficulties are; helping them fulfil their goals and live their lives.
Geoff takes Lesley on a tour of the Farm, where they meet volunteers and farm workers alike; including Laura, Charlotte, Katie and of course Geoff’s wife Den. Here, everybody is equal and has complete ownership of what they do with their day.
With a clear vision from the start of what he was trying to achieve, with the help of his amazing, dedicated team, Geoff has developed a farm that was completely derelict and covered in brambles, to the beautiful 13-acre site it now is today; with everything from polytunnels to grow vegetables and paddocks for pigs and alpacas – to chickens in Peckingham Palace!
Having created this place of calm, amidst the hustle and bustle of busy, troubled contemporary life, Geoff has more ideas and would love to add a care home aspect to Pathways Care Farm. Not only would this be for people in their later years – helping them to live an enjoyable and fulfilling life – but also for young people who are struggling with education and need a place where they can learn and contribute to society.
To find out more about Pathways Care Farm please visit:
https://www.pathways-care-farm.org.uk
Welcome to the first episode of season six of our Podcast, Suffolk Money. Today, Kevin Burch takes a deep dive into the story of the Broomhill; from its magnificent past, through to the exciting regeneration scheme that has secured its future.
Recognised as one of the finest outdoor pools in the country, Broomhill first opened in 1938. However, as Mark Ling (Chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust) explains, when indoor, heated pools became more fashionable, the town struggled to financially support the aging lido and, Broomhill was forced to close.
Having now been shut for more than 20 years, our iconic open air pool is now on the cusp of a £10 million transformation and could re-open within just two years. Mike Read MBE (Trust President) and Will Ludkin (Project Architect) tell us all about the exciting regeneration scheme and how this is dovetailing nicely with the current renaissance of open air swimming. All have been working hard to maintain the strong, art deco identity of the original building and preserve its heritage for future generations. But, unlike the old days, the pool will now be heated to make sure it can remain in use all year round, making it a much more sustainable model than ever before.
To find out more about Broomhill’s regeneration, come along to the open weekend on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September from 10am until 4pm – everyone’s welcome!
Or for more information please visit https://broomhillpooltrust.org
You can also watch a short film version of the interview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbYnbVF4gGA
While having a baby is wonderful, the initial costs of sourcing newborn essentials can actually be quite overwhelming for those who may be struggling financially or have little support. Here, the Moses Project Suffolk plays a vital role. So for our final episode of Season 5, Colin Low went to meet team members Becky and Nicky, to find out more about this incredible project and how the volunteers support families in Suffolk .
They explain how the Moses Project provides a moses basket, full with everything a new mother may need; from baby clothing, blankets, nappies and bottles, through to toiletries for both baby and mother… and of course a cuddly toy! Referrals for the baskets mainly come from professionals working with new mums. The team of dedicated volunteers then sort donations and carefully put together the baskets, before delivering them to local family hubs across Suffolk for collection.
The project was started in 2016 and in that year, 16 baskets were distributed to new mums in need. The project has grown over time and, last year an astonishing 182 baskets were delivered. Each basket helps a new mother to give her baby a safe place to sleep and the basics they both need to be able to thrive. By taking the pressure off the mother and showing that there are people who care, at a time that can be quite over-whelming, they really make a difference to families in need.
To find out more about the brilliant work they do, please visit https://www.facebook.com/themosesproject
We have a fabulous guest for this episode of the Suffolk Money podcast, supported by Kingsfleet, and one who is well-known for her energy, enthusiasm and positivity.
Bridget McIntyre, MBE, has lead an incredibly successful business career, but is now focussed on helping to bring out the best in others, through the social enterprise venture and charity she founded in 2010.
As Lesley Dolphin went to find out, dream on is a ladies’ boutique with a remarkable difference. Based in the delightful market town of Eye, this is a CIC (Community Interest company) where all their profits from selling clothes and their styling service are used to help others. From funding complimentary makeover days – for people recovering from cancer or undergoing treatment, and for those who make an exceptional contribution to others – to free development programmes via their sister organisation The Blossom Charity, this social enterprise is all about improving people’s lives and helping them to gain confidence.
Everything that Bridget offers, demonstrates her kindness, warmth and positivity. She is passionate about delivering sustainable change for all who attend her workshops, and has a refreshing take on the point and purpose of money.
You can find out more by visiting dream-on.co.uk or theblossomcharity.co.uk
A couple who’ve established an award-winning business in Halesworth, making artisan venison and game pies and sausage rolls, are the focus of this week’s episode from Suffolk Money.
As consumers, we’re keener than ever to know where our food comes from and precisely what’s in it and, Lynn and Steve Tricker run a small but hugely successful business, where traceability is at the heart of everything they do.
In this week’s podcast, Kevin Burch meets the husband and wife team – both born and bred in Suffolk – to find out all about Truly Traceable and their highly ethical approach to deerstalking and butchering fully traceable meat. Everything is handmade in small batches from their Suffolk home and beautifully encrusted in Lynn’s justly famous buttery pastry!
You can find out more about their mouth-watering pies by visiting their website at: https://www.trulytraceable.com
We’re talking books in the latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet, as we look ahead to Felixstowe Book Festival, which runs from 26th – 30th June 2024.
Launched in 2013, Felixstowe Book Festival is a celebration of “Books by the Sea” and is an important part of the year for the Festival’s loyal audience; local people who love reading.
In this week's episode, Lesley Dolphin talks to author Alexandra Carey, who’ll be interviewing bestselling fellow writer Rachel Hore during the event. Alexandra also tells Lesley about the thrill of writing her own first novel, The Light That Bends Round Corners, which proved a revealing experience!
To find out more about Felixstowe Book Festival and to book your tickets, please visit https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk
We’re off to the coast for the latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet, as Colin Low pays a visit to the fascinating Radar Museum at Bawdsey.
Graham Murchie, the current Chair of Bawdsey Radar, explains how radar was actually developed here on the Suffolk Coast and, how instrumental Bawdsey Manor was to winning the First and Second World Wars.
Housed in the original Grade II listed transmission bunker, the Museum provides a unique window into the history of radar and of the people who worked there. It’s truly remarkable that the work which took place there during the 1930s was so secret, that even when the King asked one of the team what she did, she wasn’t allowed to tell him!
Set in a truly beautiful, remote location, this award-winning museum really is worth a visit. To find out more, please visit https://www.bawdseyradar.org.uk
1,400 years ago, a great King of East Anglia was laid to rest in a 90ft ship, surrounded by his extraordinary treasures. The discovery at Sutton Hoo in 1939 remains one of the greatest archaeological finds in British history and, 77 years later, a team of boat builders and volunteers began taking on the ambitious project to build a replica of the Anglo Saxon burial ship.
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, Kevin Burch takes a trip to The Longshed in Woodbridge, to check on the ship’s progress and meet Master Shipwright, Tim Kirk and his dedicated and passionate team of volunteers.
Construction work started in 2016 to resurrect the King’s ship to its full, awe-inspiring glory. Tim tells Kevin about the many challenges the charity faces; from sourcing high-quality oak to generating the income needed. As a registered charity, the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company is crowd-funded and volunteer-led, and the passion and enthusiasm for the project is clear from the plethora of people involved.
The ambition is to end up with a sea-worthy and operational ship, with a launch date scheduled for Spring 2025. For more information about The Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, please visit https://saxonship.org where you’ll find plenty of pictures and information about the charity’s work.
Don’t underestimate how doing good is good for business…. This is the key message from serial entrepreneur, business coach and mentor, Scott Russell, as he talks with Colin Low in this week’s episode of Suffolk Money. Scott speaks candidly about his fascinating experiences in business; from his first entrepreneurial steps – selling roasted chestnuts at his local market at the tender age of twelve – through his role in creating a string of highly-successful companies.
One of his most well-known businesses is, of course, Paddy & Scott’s, which soon gained the reputation for the best tasting coffee. Success quickly followed and sales progressed from stalls at local shows and events, to the shelves of national supermarkets. The really exciting part of this story, however, came in 2016, when Scott and his team went to Kenya to create their own farm, which ultimately changed the way coffee is traded. By cutting the supply chain down and sharing the retail margin with the farmers, they changed the ethos of the business and created a truly ethical coffee brand.
Nowadays, Scott mentors and coaches CEOs and entrepreneurs, and is also a shareholder and director of digital media company called Quench, where he proudly reports to his son! Oh and not to forget Scott’s most recent venture, which has been to join the board of our County’s newest digital radio station, the brilliant Suffolk Sound, as an investor and non-executive director. This really is a jam-packed listen!
Did you know that there’s only one standard gauge heritage railway in Suffolk? On this week’s episode we’re “All Aboard!” as we meet the team at the wonderfully nostalgic Mid Suffolk Light Railway, or ‘The Middy’ as it’s affectionately known.
Kevin Burch took at trip up the A140, to meet some of the army of volunteers who run the railway. The Middy attracts in the region of six thousand visitors each year, and Ian (Chairman of the Trust), John (Marketing Manager), Don (retired US airforce pilot) and David (who wears many hats!) tell Kevin all about the fantastic events they have planned for the coming months, as two major projects draw tantalisingly close to fruition.
If you’d like to know more about The Middy, please visit www.mslr.org.uk
Our latest Suffolk Money podcast is a really uplifting story about a local charity, which helps young people who could otherwise slip through the net when it comes to education, training and employment.
The charity is called Fresh Start and Colin Low went to their new second-hand furniture shop and café in Carr Street (Ipswich) to find out all about the secret of its success and meet the ever-smiling Café Manager, Tina Sinderby.
Tina talks about how she came to join the charity and how her life has changed since. An inspirational figure within the group, her positivity is infectious, as is her passion for giving young people new opportunities in a friendly, family environment. From barista training to building flat pack furniture, young people are offered work that will give them a real sense of purpose, pride and confidence in themselves.
You can find out more about Fresh Start by visiting https://www.freshstartcharity.org
And you can also find the charity’s page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/771100990098652
A UK wide network, this is all about social connections and friendship, whilst sharing skills and knowledge. There are several Men’s Sheds in Suffolk (including Stowmarket, Debenham and Bury St Edmunds) and for this week’s podcast, Kevin Burch took a trip to visit Stour Valley Men’s Shed in Long Melford.
Here he meets Colin Muddimer, as well as Dave, Graham and many other members, who tell him all about their non-profit organisation; how it came to be and the vital sense of purpose it gives to men in the local community. Everyone is made to feel welcome and it is the perfect place to socialise, make friends and learn new skills. Giving many a renewed sense of purpose and belonging,
it also provides a safe space to allow men to deal with mental health challenges and share any problems or health concerns.
To find out more please visit
https://menssheds.org.uk
This week is a special landmark for Suffolk Money Podcast, as we release our 100th episode! We’ve met and spoken to some truly amazing guests since our launch back in 2021, and this week is no exception; as Lesley Dolphin took a trip to meet customers and volunteers at the Community Shop at Sproughton.
Opened in 2010, Sproughton Community Shop has become a vital resource for the village and the surrounding area. However, as shop manager, Stacey Palmer explains, it has faced plenty of challenges along the way and, especially after the pandemic, its future was very uncertain. But thankfully, due to the passion and perseverance of the team, the shop is still in business and continues to provide a wonderful service.
Not only does it sell a fantastic range of local, quality products that draw customers from far and wide – from Pinney’s fish to fresh, free range eggs, local honey and meat from Oak House Farm – but also seasonal produce and an array of store cupboard ingredients; including gluten and dairy free products.
Stacey and her team of directors and volunteers all work hard to offer the best service they can, which includes social events, such as Meet-up-Mondays and Soup Shack. They are always looking for more volunteers, and those who already give up their time here say it’s one of the best ways to get to know people in the village.
If you’d like to find out more please visit Sproughton Community Shop and friends’ page on Facebook
2024 marks the 140 years since the launch of the Chamber of Commerce in Suffolk. This landmark anniversary is being celebrated with a special project called C140 and, in this week’s podcast, Colin Low talks to Molly Williams (Project Officer for C140) and Paul Simon (Head of Public Affairs) about the history of the Chamber, its work today and the importance of C140.
With an outstanding heritage of being relevant to the business community for 140 years, the Chamber has not only impacted business and commercial activity throughout this time, but also the wider community and the people of Suffolk too.
C140 celebrations will include an exhibition, plus activities that honour the history of the Chamber and the diverse array of business in Suffolk. If you would like to know more, please visit https://www.suffolkchamber.co.uk
Many of us love board games - from Monopoly, to Scrabble to Trivial Pursuit. But for our guest this week on the Suffolk Money Podcast, they’re something of an obsession. John Mariani is a games developer and highly successful entrepreneur from Ipswich, who spends his days thinking up new ideas and researching thousands upon thousands of fiendishly difficult quiz questions.
Kevin Burch went to meet him and find out more about his passion for board games and trivia. With his Italian heritage, John not only speaks Italian, but is also fluent in Spanish and speaks French and German too. His love of board games came in his early 20s, when he became involved in writing trivia questions in Italian for Trivial Pursuit.
Having now been in the board games industry for 35 years, John knows what makes a good game. He was quick off the mark to gain the world rights to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and has also invented countless others, including family favourites such as The Logo Game.
John’s love for the traditional board game seems to be shared by us all and, despite the swift advances of modern technology, board games still have the power to draw a family round the table.
Welcome to the first episode of season five of our Podcast, Suffolk Money. Today, we’re visiting a hugely-popular venue in Ipswich, called Geek Retreat. Having opened just over two years ago, this is not only a shop and café, but a true community hub, where people go to find their niche and find their people.
In this episode, Lesley Dolphin meets Sharon Lockhart, one of the owners, who explains how Geek Retreat has become a real haven for people who love gaming. Here, people can eat, meet, shop and play – everything from board games and trading card games to roleplay games and crafting too.
Located in Upper Brook Street, the shop has achieved so much since they opened. Sharon’s infectious positivity about Ipswich comes from a place of community and she is passionate about wanting to support the town’s people and local businesses too. Recently, Geek Retreat teamed up with Hank's Dirty Vegan to enable them to serve a wide array of delicious vegan food.
You can find out more by visiting their website at www.ipswichgeek.com plus of course they’re also on social media
For the first podcast of 2024 from Suffolk Money, we’re looking back at some of the most memorable moments from the last twelve months. Amongst the voices you’ll hear are a young taxidermist, a retirement rebel, a campaigner against plastic pollution, a young entrepreneur with global ambitions and fund-raisers planning a lasting memorial for the Suffolk-based comedian Roy Hudd. Extra points if you can guess who’s who!
Our sincere thanks to all the guests who joined us in 2023, and we’re thrilled to have now produced 90 podcasts since we launched the podcast nearly three years ago; all supported by Kingsfleet.
We’ll be back with a new series of guests later this month, but in the meantime do remember that you can find each and every episode under the “Podcasts” section of www.suffolkmoney.co.uk
For our final podcast of 2023 Colin Low took a trip to Middleton, to visit the family-run company, Tosier Chocolate, which makes a delicious range of niche products.
Having started in their business in 2016, Deanna and Jonathan Tilston have progressed from a basement to a converted dairy on the Suffolk coast, where they now run their small batch craft chocolate factory, chocolate shop, café and tasting rooms.
In this episode, Jonathan explains the royal heritage of their intriguing name and, Deanna talks us through the fascinating alchemy of the chocolate production process, from bean to bar.
With a clear passion for chocolate, Deanna and Jonathan run an open factory, which is the perfect place to share their extensive knowledge and expertise with the public. They enjoy educating people and helping them to understand not only the process of making chocolate, but also the history and origin of coco beans. Tosier is part of a transparent supply chain and Deanna explains the importance of paying farmers properly for what they do, working with them and their knowledge and skill to get top grade chocolate.
To find out more please visit https://tosier.co.uk
The focus for this week’s podcast is the charity Emmaus Suffolk, who help people who’re vulnerable, isolated in society and at risk of being homeless.
Colin went to meet the charity’s chief executive, Claire Staddon, at their community hub in Ipswich, to find out more about the support they offer. As Claire explains, it is Emmaus’ ambition to introduce Suffolk to new ways of tackling entrenched homelessness, isolation and unemployment.
Their hubs, across Ipswich and Felixstowe are a safe and welcoming space, free to attend and open to all. Visitors to the hubs are encouraged to join Emmaus Suffolk as a volunteer, and so by helping others they help themselves. These hubs offer a supportive environment and it’s Emmaus’ aim to help stabilise people’s situations and, with early intervention, they can help them avoid hitting crisis point.
Emmaus Suffolk are all about looking after the community and are ‘unapologetically joyful’ in doing so. As a local independent charity, they generate the majority of their income through their own enterprises, all the while maintaining their values around ethical employment, sustainable living and improving both the environment and the community.
Not only do they have four retail shops in and around Ipswich and Felixstowe and a community café (at The Royal Oak on Felixstowe Road), but they also offer a house clearance service.
To find out more about the great work Emmaus Suffolk do, please visit their website:
www.emmaussuffolk.org.uk
Just like the bookshop Lesley Dolphin had the pleasure of visiting, in this week’s podcast we’re offering you something a little different! As Ipswich’s only independent bookshop, Dial Lane Books is so much more than your average bookshop. It opened its doors in February 2020, fulfilling the lifelong dream of its owner, Andrew Marsh, who fostered a love of books from a very early age.
Of course, the timing here unfortunately meant that Andrew’s beloved bookshop was open for just 21 days, before the first lockdown came into effect. However, he received amazing support upon opening and, ever the entrepreneur, whilst the shop itself was closed, Andrew provided a friendly book delivery service and door to door sales throughout Suffolk.
Andrew tells us how after the pandemic ended, it then took a long time for people to come back into town. Sadly, the challenges of retail in Ipswich remain difficult and Andrew is on a mission to get people to focus on the many amazing independent shops and businesses (in retail and hospitality) and to support those we have left.
Dial Lane Books really is worth a visit as Andrew’s passion for books for people of all ages (not to mention his obsession with bookmarks) means he is able to give people something they won’t find in a high street chain.
For more information please do visit www.diallanebooks.co.uk
The First World War is one of the great turning points in our history, with Remembrance Sunday being a national opportunity to remember the sacrifice and service of all those that defended (and of course continue to defend) our freedoms.
For this week’s podcast, ahead of Armistice Day, Lesley Dolphin meets Taff Gillingham, who has taken remembrance one stage further with the creation of the First World War heritage project and visitor centre.
With a vast knowledge about the Great War, Taff is a Military Historian, as well as an Historical Adviser for film and television work. Both he and his dedicated team have rescued over ten First World War structures, which they are gradually re-erecting at their purpose build site at Hawstead, in Suffolk. He takes Lesley on a mini tour of the Great War Huts and also the remarkable trenches and sentry boxes, which have been built to mirror those on the western front.
This unique Great War project draws visitors and schools from far and wide. If you would like to find out more about what there is to see and do there, please visit www.greatwarhuts.org
What are the options for people with special needs, once they’ve left school? Having worked in a range of educational settings, Georgina Hanser saw first-hand a lack of provision for young people with disabilities in Suffolk. So, she used her experience to set up Fairview Farm, providing activities and programmes for people who find themselves marginalised.
In this week’s podcast, we discover more about this wonderful place, as Colin Low takes a trip to visit the Farm. Georgina explains how her small-holding (near Akenham in Ipswich) operates on a simple belief; that people with disabilities deserve more. For lots of reasons, they may be unable to work and need meaningful, aspirational days, to not only help increase their confidence and broaden their opportunities, but also to give them a sense of belonging.
Georgina takes Colin on a tour around the farm and he gets to meet the young people who have become part of the ‘Fairview family’, as well as a few of the animals as well! Whether they come two days a week or five days a week, the young people are all regulars and partake in a wide range of activities in a safe, supportive and friendly environment.
If you’d like to find out more about Fairview Farm and what they offer, please visit their website:
Fairviewfarm.org
The one thing we love is a success story involving a talented entrepreneur. And in the spotlight this time is Jenna Ackerley, who started her business, Events Under Canvas, ten years ago. It’s proved a huge hit, having recently picked up an award for its impressive growth, so for this week’s episode, Colin Low went to meet Jenna and find out more about her fantastic Suffolk Business.
Events Under Canvas create magnificent outside events under beautiful giant tipis. Jenna tells Colin about the history of the business and how, with the support of her family, she founded the company whilst on maternity leave. With the target of covering 12 events in the first year, Jenna ended up taking no less that 56 bookings! She puts much of the business’s success down to having a serious can-do approach, her attitude to risk and of course, a fantastic, resourceful team of people around her.
From their humble beginnings, operating from an empty barn rented from a local mushroom company, Events Under Canvas now covers the whole of South and East of England. Around 70% of the business is high-end weddings and events, with the team doing 20 per weekend in the busy summer months. Having earned an outstanding reputation for their quality of service, they specialise in high-society events and the client list includes some very high-profile names.
Plus, if customers don’t have the space themselves for the tipis, they can even sort this, working with beautiful venues, such as Shotley Vineyard; do listen to our podcast from 2022 for more information on this: https://suffolkmoney.co.uk/2022/09/07/a-vineyard-with-a-view/
To find out more about Jenna and her team, please visit
https://www.eventsundercanvas.co.uk
This weeks’ podcast comes to you from the edge of the River Stour, where Colin Low is talking to Sally Chicken, Vice Chair of the Shotley Heritage Charitable Community Benefit Society Ltd.
Sally tells Colin all about Shotley’s unique 122-year-old railway pier and its fascinating history; which includes carrying mail, coal, munitions and many a sailor serving or training on the world-renowned HMS Ganges.
Having fallen into disrepair around the turn of the 21st century, the pier is now in desperate need of restoration. Fortunately, Shotley Heritage Charitable Community Benefit Society Ltd managed to purchase the pier, following a successful fund-raising campaign, to save the superstructure for future generations. So far just one fifth of it has been revamped, but the Shotley community are determined to see their pier stand proudly once again, with hopes to open it to the public in the near future.
To find out more about the 600-foot Shotley Railway Pier, please visit
https://www.shotleypier.co.uk
All the research suggests that, when it comes to pensions, for most people, it can all be incredibly confusing. And with next week being Pension Awareness Week (11th - 15th September 2023), we thought it timely to try to answer a few key questions.
So in this week’s Podcast, Colin Low is joined by two of his colleagues from Kingsfleet – Lou Gladwell and Jack Warnock – to delve into the detail. They talk about everything from Income Tax relief and annual limits, to the security of pensions and avoiding scams. Above all, they highlight the importance of Independent Financial Advice and how this can affect the value of your pension fund, which ultimately will sustain the type of life you want to have when you finish work.
For more information on how Kingsfleet may be able to assist you, please visit https://kingsfleetwealth.co.uk/contact-us/
Everyone had a soft spot for the entertainer Roy Hudd, who lived here in Suffolk and who sadly died three years ago. To help make sure that his memory lives on, a statue of Roy is being lovingly crafted. Rather than being put on a plinth, as a man of the people, Roy’s sculpture will be sat on a bench outside the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds, so that people can sit with him and enjoy the memories this evokes.
To find out more about the project and the fund-raising campaign behind it, on this week’s podcast Lesley Dolphin meets Roy’s widow, Debbie Hudd, and talented Suffolk sculptor, Sean Hedges-Quinn.
Debbie explains how she wanted a memorial to Roy that everyone could enjoy. Roy loved Suffolk and the Theatre Royal in particular meant a great deal to him. However, at a cost of around £100,000 lasting monuments don’t come cheap. Debbie tells Lesley how they are now over half way in raising the funds needed and, how she has been touched by people’s generosity, which in turn shows their love of Roy.
Sean Hedges-Quinn is well-known for creating the wonderful statues of Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alf Ramsey and Captain Mainwaring amongst many others. He tells Lesley how thrilled he is to be commissioned for such an exciting project and is looking forward to portraying someone with such a larger-than-life character.
Roy was appointed OBE for services to entertainment in 2004. He was a great believer in charity and philanthropy and, as Debbie says, this statue will be a way of saying “Thank you Roy, for your talent, generosity and love”.
To find out more about the Roy Hudd Statue Appeal, please visit
https://www.theroyhuddstatueappeal.co.uk
The picturesque sailing village of Pin Mill is famous for being the setting of one of Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazon’s books. Thanks to Peter Willis, it is also now home to Nancy Blackett, Arthur’s cherished sailboat, which featured as ‘The Goblin’ in his book ‘We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea’.
On this week’s podcast, Lesley Dolphin takes a stroll along Arthur Ransome’s Walking Trail with Peter, who founded the Nancy Blackett Trust back in 1996, to buy this very special 1931 Hillyard cutter and maintain her for future generations. As they follow the route of The Goblin along the glorious Shotley Peninsula, Peter tells Lesley about his lifelong passion for this very special children’s author, and his favourite yacht.
Now owned by the Trust and sailed frequently by its members, Nancy Blackett ensures that Arthur’s tales of childhood adventure are kept very much alive.
If you are interested in joining the Nancy Blackett Trust or would like to find out more, please visit
https://nancyblackett.org
The UK’s Food Museum is located in the very heart of Suffolk and for this week’s podcast, we’ve gone behind the scenes with its director, Jenny Cousins.
Formerly the Museum of East Anglian Life, the Museum changed its name in 2022 to reflect the way the museum had been evolving in recent years. Jenny explains to Colin how the museum had become motivated by a mission to connect people with where our food comes from and the impact of our choices; past, present and future. Our local heritage is presented in a way that is relevant and engaging to today’s audiences, drawing parallels with today’s farming and addressing the technological, social and industrial issues connected to food.
Developed on farmland that was previously part of the Abbot’s Hall estate (with records that date back to the Doomsday book) the museum is set within an 84-acre site, with lots of buildings to explore and over 40,000 items in its collection – it’s quite the day out!
Jenny takes Colin on a tour of a few of the workshops, to get a flavour of the hands-on experiences available and, to meet some of the beautiful birds and animals on site. But there’s so much more to see and do, so to find out for yourself why not come and take a look.
For more information, please visit
https://foodmuseum.org.uk
Plastic Free July is a global movement, urging us all to do our bit for cleaner streets, oceans and communities. So, who better to talk to about the scourge of plastic in our environment, than Jason Alexander, founder of award-winning social enterprise, Rubbish Walks.
In this episode, Lesley Dolphin heads over to the banks of the River Orwell to chat to Jason about the impact rubbish is having on the environment; from drinks bottles and cigarette butts to lesser-known nurdles and bio beads.
Known to many as the Wildlife Gadget Man, before founding Rubbish Walks Jason had spent two decades designing wildlife camera systems. In 2014, whilst out photographing a sunrise he discovered a gannet on Bawdsey beach that had got caught in pink balloon and ribbon and subsequently died. It was at this moment that Jason knew he needed to do more the raise awareness about the impact we’re having on wildlife without even thinking about it.
His mission is now to spread the word, always seeking new and innovative ways of engaging with people and asking if they can think about making just one or two changes to help reduce the amount of plastic they use.
He also works with lots of schools and is passionate that education is key. Jason says “we’re not about building communities of litter pickers, we’re about building communities that don’t litter.”
To find out more about Rubbish Walks please visit https://rubbishwalks.co.uk
And if you want to find out more about Plastic Free July you can visit their website www.plasticfreejuly.org
Jason also advocates keeping up-to-date with what can and can’t be recycled here in Suffolk https://suffolkrecycling.org.uk
This week on the Suffolk Money podcast, we’re talking about funerals. Our guest, Anne Beckett-Allen, is someone who knows the industry inside out, having started out in the family-run business when she was just 16. She is now one of the top funeral directors in the country and talks to Colin Low about her role in the family-run business, Rosedale Funeral Home.
From very humble beginnings in 2004, Rosedale has gone from strength to strength and now has four funeral homes in Norfolk and three in Suffolk. They not only arrange funerals – providing exceptional support for the bereaved families – but also train funeral directors across the country, run support groups, creative writing workshops and also offer walks of remembrance.
As well as explaining how she arrived at where she is now, Anne also talks about people’s varying perceptions of funerals and, how important it is for people to come together to talk about their final wishes. Whilst funeral planning can be a difficult subject to approach, conversations now can later provide much comfort to the loved ones left behind.
Lots of resources around this subject can be found on the Dying Matters website, which aims to help people to talk openly and comfortably about death, dying and grief: https://www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/dying-matters
For more information about Rosedale Funeral Home please visit: https://www.rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk
Motivated by positive ageing and the benefits of slowing down to enjoy the journey, Siobhan Daniels is leading her own retirement rebellion. In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, Colin chats to Siobhan, a retired television and radio journalist who, in 2019 sold most of her possessions and put her old life into storage. She then hit the road in her new motorhome to begin travelling the country, defying stereotypes and spreading a positive-ageing message.
As mistress of her own destiny, Siobhan has whole-heartedly embraced her new, more authentic life. In fact, her transition from feeling ‘broken’ in her mid-50s, to now feeling the “happiest [she] has ever been” has led to her to write a book, reflecting on her experiences and inspiring others to take their own journeys to find happiness.
Siobhan is bringing her wonderfully uplifting book, Retirement Rebel, to the Felixstowe Book Festival and will be speaking on Saturday 24 June 2023.
For more information or to book your tickets visit: https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money podcast, Lesley Dolphin speaks to Patsy Johnson-Cisse, Managing Director of the charity Brave Futures, about the phenomenal work they do and the support they offer to young people who have had the worst start in life.
Brave Futures is a support service for children and young people up to the age of 18 years who have experienced sexual abuse. They work throughout Suffolk and Norfolk, providing a safe place for children and young people to make sense of the confusion they feel. They give victims the skills and tools they need to re-build their futures, manage the trauma they have experienced and help them move from victim to survivor.
The statistics about children who are currently being abused is shocking. Patsy explains how it is her mission to challenge the taboo around this difficult subject and, by raising awareness, to make it easier for children to come forward, knowing they will be listened to and supported. By engaging with children early and educating them with age-appropriate sexual education and information on who to contact if they need help, they can help the child to move forward. Early intervention is paramount, as this can give victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation chance to speak up and the tools they need to rebuild their futures.
Patsy is well supported by a committed and dedicated team, who organise some of Suffolk’s most popular fundraising events, such as the Annual Dragon Boat Race and Afternoon Teas. Such events are always well attended, not only by survivors, but also the police, funders and local personalities, and are vital in raising awareness and reducing the risk to children.
For more information about Brave Futures and the support services they offer please visit their website, where this are plenty of contact numbers and sources of information.
https://bravefutures.org
https://www.childline.org.uk
There’s just over a week to go until the Suffolk Show takes place, on Wednesday 31st May and Thursday 1st June, at Trinity Park near Ipswich. So, in this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, Colin Low is delighted to be joined by organisers John Taylor (Honorary Director) and Nick Watts (Deputy Show Director) who explain how the Show remains hugely important in bringing the community together; sharing their love of farming, the countryside and, of course, our county.
John and Nick are both passionate farmers and talk to Colin about their backgrounds, their personal experiences in farming and of course about the show itself, which is something uniquely Suffolk. They explain how their job is to maintain the excellent reputation of the show and its high agricultural bias, with livestock still being very much paramount to the success of the show.
With last year’s event drawing record crowds, the 2023 Show is on track to be equally as successful. Showcasing all that is great about the county, there will be an exciting range of food & drink and trade stands, plus visitors can enjoy a vast array of live events too. From show jumping to motocross, the Ring Programme features a long list of amazing attractions, including the Grand Parade which is always a spectacle to behold.
Guaranteed to be a fun day out for the whole family, the Suffolk Shows offers something for everyone.
To get your tickets or for more information about the show, visit
https://suffolkshow.co.uk
In celebration of this year’s Suffolk Walking Festival (which launches on Saturday 13th May) for this week’s episode, Lesley Dolphin laces up her walking boots and takes her dog for a stroll with Festival Director, David Falk.
As they walk along the banks of the River Deben, Lesley and David take in the sights and sounds of the estuary and its wildlife, whilst chatting about what makes Suffolk such a special place to walk.
David explains how the Suffolk Walking Festival began back in 2008 as a much smaller event that has quickly grown into one of the largest walking festivals in the country. With 71 walks included in the two-week festival programme, you’ll find walks in every corner of Suffolk. Whether you’re a stroller or a stomper, a long or short distance walker, there really is something for everyone. There are even night-time walks that offer nocturnal wildlife experiences and, of course there are fully accessible routes for wheelchair users.
Having grown up in urban North London, David’s love of the outdoors was evident from an early age, as he always managed to find greenspaces to play in. His walking adventures as an adult have taken him all over the world – including hiking in the Rockies – but now, he finds his pleasure in slow walking and just being out in nature.
David is also Green Access Manager for Discover Suffolk; the County Council’s guide to getting outdoors. He tells Lesley how walking, cycling and riding in Suffolk can now be an interactive experience, with QR code trails and an app that offers a plethora of routes and locations, all over Suffolk. To find out more simply visit https://www.discoversuffolk.org.uk
For more information about the Suffolk Walking Festival please visit https://suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk
With a lifelong passion for everyday nature and a champion of the joy to be found from the wildlife on your doorstep, Christine Luxton (chief executive of Suffolk Wildlife Trust) is a true inspiration when it comes to the protection and future of Suffolk’s wildlife and countryside.
In this week’s episode, Lesley Dolphin chats to Christine about our county’s nature charity – the only organisation dedicated to safeguarding Suffolk’s wildlife and countryside. From the cycling shed at the Trust’s HQ in Ashbocking, they talk not only about big news-worthy projects such as the transformation of the nature reserve at Martlesham Wilds, but also why Christine believes that nature should be more than a day out. Instead, she explains how nature can be part of our everyday and that if we make space for it, as a society we can achieve something rich and abundant. In return we’ll then benefit from the clean air and water we all desperately need.
Although Christine’s role as COE began in 2020, she has been part of the Trust for 25 years. The Trust celebrated 60 years in 2021, with staff and volunteers having saved some of the county's most important wildlife sites as nature reserves over the last six decades. A membership organisation, the Trust has 1400 volunteers around the county, but looking to the future they need more members and businesses to come on board. With a shared ambition and a will to make a change, extraordinary things are possible and Christine’s message is one of hope: by thinking global and acting local, little by little we can bring nature back.
For more information about Suffolk Wildlife Trust please visit
https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
On this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, we talk about libraries and, if you haven’t been in one lately, you’ll be amazed what’s changed. Colin Low’s guest is Bruce Leeke, chief executive of Suffolk Libraries and he explains about what has happened since Suffolk Libraries became the first council library service in the country to become an independent charity.
Although the main driver behind the change in 2012 was financial – with the spectre of library closures looming – Suffolk Libraries, the charity, has not only saved millions of pounds since its launch, but also made a huge impact on people’s lives across the county.
Bruce explains how there is so much more to libraries than just millions of books, now that they are run by the community for the community. Dynamic, flexible and focused on delivering things that local people need, each library has moveable shelves, so can easily accommodate groups and activities. Offering over 10,000 activities, events and experiences across the 45 sites in Suffolk – from baby bounce to wellbeing clubs and even live gigs – libraries really have become the heart of the community.
Providing a service that exists purely for the benefit of its residents, Suffolk Libraries is a truly remarkable charity. Having stepped up to offer a crucial source of support, comfort and advice during the pandemic, they continue to meet the needs of local people as the current cost of living crisis develops, offering a place where people can connect and feel less isolated. Their work with local communities to develop ever more services to meet their needs is astonishing and, almost everything they do is free and accessible to all – you don’t even need a library card!
To find out more please visit
https://www.suffolklibraries.co.uk
Best-selling author Louis de Bernières knew from the age of 12 that he was going to be a writer. But success didn’t come overnight and, in this fascinating chat with Colin Low, Louis talks about how he got to where he is now. From his early education through to university and the many varied jobs he’s taken to support his writing (including landscape gardening, carpentry and teaching) Louis has had a remarkable life.
His big success came in the 90s with the publication of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which quickly became one of the most talked about books of the decade and won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. However, when asked to write the film script, Louis turned this down as he was busy working on his next novel, Birds Without Wings; which is considered by many, and by the author himself, as his real masterpiece. As well as writing, Louis’s other love is music, where his song-writing and gift for words and rhythm tie in of course with his poetry.
Louis will be talking about his latest book Light Over Liskeard onboard the popular Orwell Lady on 14th May, as part of a picturesque river cruise to launch the Felixstowe Book Festival, which is being held 16-25 June.
For full details about this special event and to find out more about the other authors taking part in the Felixstowe Book Festival please visit
https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk
Tickets for A Trip with Louis de Bernières can be purchased at the following links:
https://orwelllady.co.uk/louis-de-bernieres-2023/
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/felixstowebookfestival
The words abandonment and destruction may seem negative to most, but not to Jake Slinn; a young Suffolk entrepreneur who has built a very successful business, disposing of unwanted or illicit cargo. Jake’s story is one of drive and resilience, and in this week’s episode of Suffolk Money he chats to Lesley Dolphin about how he saw a gap in the market for the salvage and safe disposal of abandoned products that come into our ports.
Having always had a keen interest in waste and scrap, Jake took a local apprenticeship when he left school and gained the industry experience he needed, before starting his own business from his bedroom in 2018. At the age of just 19, Jake had discovered a business niche of disposing of the illegal, damaged, unsafe or unwanted products that arrive at our ports.
The business quickly grew and diversified and JS Global Group now operates throughout the UK’s national ports. Jake spends a lot of his time inspecting cargos and freight earmarked for disposal and is proud to have “never landfilled one piece of waste”. He clearly enjoys the daily challenges he faces in dealing with unwanted or sub-standard shipments (which can be anything from toothbrushes to rotten cabbages and even breast implants!) and finding the best solution every time.
For more information about JS Global Group please visit
https://js-global.co.uk
Thomas Gainsborough was one of the greatest artists of his age and is renowned throughout the world for his portrait and landscape paintings. In this week’s episode, Lesley Dolphin visits the house in Sudbury where Gainsborough was born and lived as a child, and is now a national museum and gallery. Mark Bills, Director of Gainsborough House, takes Lesley on a fascinating tour of the new-look museum, which celebrates the life and art of this treasured Suffolk artist.
Lesley sees for herself the huge panoramic window on the top floor, which gives a spectacular view across rooftops to the landscape that so inspired Gainsborough. Mark explains how the building has been carefully renovated to celebrate great local heritage; with locally hand-made brick and Suffolk flint, a distinctive crinkle crankle wall in the garden and, the Gainsborough Gallery itself featuring walls lined in Suffolk silk.
With 42 Gainsboroughs currently on display, the newly restored galleries also show collections by Suffolk’s own Cedric Morris and John Constable. Visitors can see the 400 year-old mulberry tree, which was here when Gainsborough was a boy and still produces enough fruit for its jam-makers every year.
From a building at risk, Gainsborough House has now become a vibrant and exciting place, thanks to not only heritage lottery money, but also a tremendous amount of local support. You’ll find the museum right in the heart of Sudbury, open seven days a week and always with a warm welcome.
For more information please visit
https://gainsborough.org
In this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, Colin has a lovely chat with his new co-presenter, Lesley Dolphin, finding out about how Lesley came to live in Suffolk and her love for this special county.
Having grown-up in rural Norfolk before studying at Bradford university, Lesley has now lived in Suffolk for most of her life. She joined BBC Radio Suffolk when the station launched in 1990 and has since become one of the best-known presenters in local radio.
Now enjoying retirement, Lesley is doing the things she’s always wanted to do; including spending more time with her family and friends, exploring beautiful Suffolk... and now a podcast!
Lesley’s fascination with people and her passion for listening to their stories makes her the perfect person to meet and interview the interesting people of Suffolk.
On this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, we’re delighted to welcome experienced interviewer and broadcaster, Lesley Dolphin to the team. Lesley talks to local historian Jean Macpherson all about her new book, The Felixstowe Floods of 1953 – Never to be forgotten.
Although these floods are by far the biggest disaster that has ever happened to Felixstowe, it’s amazing that not many people really know about the events of that treacherous night and the devastation it caused. Even Jean, who grew up knowing about the flood, didn’t fully appreciate the story, until she became inspired to write this book and collate final untold stories from those who were there, 70 years ago.
Remembering the story and passing it on not only pays tribute to the 41 people who lost their lives in the floods, but also celebrates those who jumped into action to help others escape and survive. The book is full of wonderful stories and fascinating local detail, including how boats from Butlin’s ‘Tunnel of Love’ took people to the rescue centre and, a touching recollection about Jennifer Ted’s survival and her presence at the annual memorial service.
In the words of David Attenborough, 'Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?' Our guest this week couldn’t agree more and, in her chat with Colin, Hannah Debnam demystifies the unusual art of taxidermy.
Having always preferred the company of birds and animals, Hannah shares her life with what she describes as her ‘little zoo of live birds’. She talks to Colin about how her love for the beauty that she sees within nature first sparked her interest in taxidermy. She sees this as a way of preserving this beauty and ensuring that an animal or bird can continue to be loved and admired for years to come.
Hannah talks about her struggles since childhood with both her mental and physical health, and how she was left hospitalised with life-threatening complications after surgery in her mid-20s. Not long before this operation, Hannah had overcome a life-long fear of death, when she undertook her first taxidermy project; a roadkill wood pigeon. She knew she had a lot to learn, but Hannah never looked back and it was her love of taxidermy and her thirst for knowledge that got her through some very dark times.
Immortalising beautiful birds and animals is now Hannah’s full-time job and she is passionate about sharing how important taxidermy is for the future of British wildlife, in terms of education and research, enabling future generations to see what we see now.
For more information please visit
https://www.hannahscreatures.co.uk
Today, it’s something different, as we look back on some of the memorable moments from 2022.
Our thanks to all the guests who joined us last year. The one thing that they’ve all had in common is that they’ve been inspiring; our contributors invariably showing huge determination and spirit to overcome the hurdles placed in their path. We are indebted to each and every one of them.
Amazingly, we’ve now produced over 60 podcasts since we launched the podcast nearly two years ago now; all support by Kingsfleet. Remember that if you go to our website at www.suffolkmoney.co.uk you can find every single one of them under the “Podcasts” section.
We’ll be back with another series of guests in the coming weeks, but in the meantime here’s a little reminder of some of the fascinating talks we’ve had over the last year.
In our last Suffolk Money podcast of 2022, Colin Low is on location to meet the dedicated team at Ipswich-based UK charity Tools With A Mission. The warehouse is a hive of activity, as volunteers collect and refurbish a vast array of unwanted tools, before sorting them into trade kits and sending them to the developing world for livelihood creation.
The group’s chief executive, Mike Griffin, explains how by recycling unwanted tools, not only are they able to create sustainable livelihoods that transform communities across the continent of Africa, but also address the issue of stuff being needlessly dumped in landfill, here in the UK.
Volunteers across the country collect unwanted items – from DIY and gardening tools to sewing machines and computers – which are taken to their warehouse and carefully refurbished by the team at the Ipswich HQ. They then assemble kits for every kind of trades-person (including carpenters, mechanics, plumbers, builders and tailors), ensuring that the people who receive them will have everything they need to start their own business, affording them independence and sustainability.
Sending tools rather than money reduces the danger of corruption and provides vital support for communities where unemployment is very high; as many of the volunteers at Tools With A Mission have seen first-hand when they’ve visited some of the African countries that this charity has worked with.
However, as many of the volunteers explain, it’s not just communities in Africa that benefit from this charity. Although most volunteers join to help those in need, they quickly discover that the social interaction and sense of camaraderie they enjoy through volunteering, is as transformative to their own lives. This, together with the environmental benefits of re-using unwanted items makes for ‘a triple win’, as volunteer Jim says!
For more information or to find out how you can help, volunteer or donate to Tools With A Mission, please visit
https://www.twam.uk
You can follow and stay up-to-date with their activity on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/toolswithamission
The delicate subject of divorce is the focus in the latest Suffolk Money podcast - supported by Kingsfleet - as two experts in family law talk to Colin Low about striving for resolution not confrontation.
Juliet Harvey is a Legal Director at Birketts and Melanie Pilmer is a Partner at Greene & Greene and both are very experienced in helping to resolve family disputes, in the most calm, amicable and effective way possible.
As members of Resolution (a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way) both Juliet and Melanie strongly advise people that come to them in times of distress to ‘make Court the last resort’. Instead, they guide them through the processes and find one that would be most suitable for them.
They debunk myths from the ‘quickie divorce’ to how lawyers are portrayed in popular tv dramas and also talk about Good Divorce Week 2022 (28 Nov - 2 Dec), which highlights the crisis in the family courts and raises awareness of all the different ways families can resolve their disputes away from Court.
If you’d like to find out more about Good Divorce Week 2022, please visit
https://resolution.org.uk, where you can also find out more about both Juliet and Melanie's work.
By any measure, it’s been a turbulent few weeks for the economy, so for the latest Suffolk Money podcast, supported by Kingsfleet, Colin Low is joined by two experts, Adrian Game of Resolute Mortgages and Daniel Zipfel of Kingsfleet. Together they talk through the issues that have arisen over the last few weeks and months and try to assess what it all means for mortgages, pensions and savings ... ultimately stressing that it’s always good to talk, especially for the sake of your mental health.
For more information about Resolute Mortgages please visit https://resolutemortgages.com For more information about Kingsfleet please visit https://www.kingsfleetwealth.co.uk
In this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, Colin talks to Amanda Bloomfield about her work at the wonderful Gatehouse in Bury St Edmunds. A small, independent charity, Gatehouse is based on the western side of the town. They carry out all their projects from this building and help people not only in the nearby community, but also far and wide across other counties in the region.
As Amanda explains, Gatehouse is unique because they’re always looking for different ways they can assist the community and broaden what they’re able to deliver. Food poverty and homelessness is a long-term problem and Gatehouse is the official food bank for Bury St Edmunds, offering support to those in desperate need. However, the current cost of living crisis means that there are many people now struggling, who may never have experienced problems with debt or sought help from charities before. So, Gatehouse is here to make them feel comfortable and break down the pride barrier, so that they can access help before they hit crisis point.
Gatehouse notices the need in the community and by listening to what help is needed, they seek to not simply fire-fight the initial problem, but to see the big picture. They work together with other charities, each who offer different specialities, to make the best use of resources available and help those in need.
Amanda tells Colin about her previous experience in the business world as well as the caring world, and how she has developed a valuable skill-set that enables her to establish strong partnerships between both large and small businesses and community-based projects. Her work is very hands-on and, knowing that the most vulnerable don’t get heard, she is able to give them a voice and explain their reality to local government officials and philanthropists in a way they can understand.
To find out more about this incredible charity, please visit
http://www.gatehouse.org.uk
Or you can telephone 01284 754967 or email info@gatehouse.org.uk
Details about Gatehouse Home Store and Foodbank can also be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gatehousecharity/
For this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, Colin Low has been chatting to Olly Magnus, CEO of logistics company Magnus Group, who was recently awarded Director of the Year at the Suffolk Business Awards. Olly describes the moment he won this award as the proudest moment of his life, not least because this provides closure on a very difficult chapter of his life.
Having overcome massive life challenges to get to where he is today, Olly attributes his drive for success to wanting to prove himself to those who expected him to fail. His incredible story includes overcoming major health hurdles (both physical and mental), the struggles of exiting a business which had become acrimonious and the challenges of investing in a declining business.
After his father’s death in 2018, Olly sold up his own freight forwarding business to buy shares in the Ipswich-based haulage company, Magnus Group, founded by his dad (Paul Magnus) in 1973. His intention was to reinvigorate the business whilst bringing it back under family control; a mission he describes as “turning the Titanic”.
His aggressive two-year plan was a great success with Magnus Group achieving growth, the introduction of a successful new freight forwarding division and the creation of a strong senior team to lead the future.
Olly attributes his honesty, friendliness and cricket obsession to his Australian roots. Yet he is a loyal ITFC fan and in 2021, Magnus Group became the West stand sponsor at Portman Road and Olly had the great honour of being invited to join the ITFC Community Trust Board.
To find out more about Magnus Group please visit
https://magnusgroup.co.uk
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money Podcast, Colin is joined by Kate Higgs from Ormiston Families; the East of England’s leading family charity.
Kate tells Colin how the charity began, when a charitable trust was created in 1969 to honour the memory of a young woman called Fiona Ormiston Murray, following her tragic death. Now known as Ormiston Families, this trust was established to help children and families in need, and has since stayed true to its vision and mission.
Ormiston Families supports children, young people and their families by helping them to manage the challenges they face. Many of the people they help have experienced chaotic and complex life-styles and suffered traumatic childhood experiences. Knowing that a staggering 40% of mothers who have lost their children in the family courts have spent time in care themselves, Ormiston Families is there to help break this terrible cycle. By offering understanding, guidance and support, they can help them to improve their life chances and see a brighter future.
Before joining Ormiston Families in 2017, Kate was head of income generation at the national volunteering charity, Volunteering Matters. With a background in sales and marketing, Kate had decided to use her skills to really make a difference in the charity sector, after she experienced first-hand the amazing care her brother was given during the last few weeks of his life at St Elizabeth’s Hospice. She has worked tirelessly since, with businesses, community groups and individuals, to raise funds for children and families in need of support.
To find out more about Ormiston Families please visit https://www.ormiston.org
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, Colin talks to Carole Burman, founder and owner of one of our region’s leading HR consultancies, MAD-HR.
Like many great things, MAD-HR came from small beginnings, with Carole launching a new business from her kitchen table back in 2014. As Carole explains to Colin, prior to this she was in a very successful corporate HR role, but when her mother became unexpectedly ill, Carole felt compelled to rethink her working approach and spend time with her parents before it was too late.
Carole had developed a vision for a different kind of HR consultancy, wanting to really Make A Difference. The concept of MAD-HR was born and the unique values and ethos behind the name has been the foundation and the driving force of the consultancy, which eschews the stereotypes often associated with HR and since earnt Carole and her team countless awards and a phenomenal reputation.
Charlotte joined Carole as co-director in 2016, and from here the team steadily grew. In the last year things have really skyrocketed and there are now 11 employees, five of which have been recruited in 2022. Carole explains that businesses are starting to realise that just focusing on employment law when it comes to their HR requirements isn’t enough. The value that HR professionals such as MAD-HR can bring, will empower the business and make sure that it is the best that it can be.
Carole also has another passion; despite living in Kent she was brought up as an Ipswich Town fan! As soon as she was able, she bought herself a season ticket and went to every home game. As fate would have it, her now husband was also an avid fan and this is where they met, at the Portman Road stands during the weekly games!
For more information about Carole and Charlotte and their amazing team of HR Professionals, visit: https://www.mad-hr.co.uk
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, Colin talks to Charlotte Davitt-Mills, the General Manager and owner of Shotley Vineyard.
Charlotte tells the remarkable story about how she and her husband bought a beautiful plot of land close to their home in 2017, having fallen in with the stunning views that surrounded it. The initial plan was to set-up a glamping business, however they quickly discovered that the overgrown fields were filled with established vines that, despite being covered in brambles and weeds, were actually in very good health. Three years and lots of hard physical graft later, their hard work came to fruition as they launched their first vintage in 2020.
Shotley Vineyard is now an exciting venue for walkers, tourists and families, who are welcomed to delight in the views, vineyards and wines. They also offer tours and activities and, have also become a popular wedding and events venue, overlooking both the Orwell and Stour estuaries.
Like many small business owners, Charlotte has lots to manage and combines wine production with motherhood. So, whilst the business has grown rapidly in a short space of time, Charlotte is now keen to let it gradually evolve before diversifying too much in the future. Her current priorities are family, increasing wine production and getting involved in the local community.
For more information about Shotley Vineyard, please visit: https://shotleyvineyard.co.uk
Deborah Watson joins Colin in this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, to tell him all about Wednesday’s Child; a not-for-profit organisation that helps support individuals and families affected by eating disorders.
Sharing her own personal experience of living with an eating disorder, Debbie talks candidly and openly about the issues she faced as a young person at university and the ‘perfect storm’ that lead to her developing anorexia nervosa. The lack of information about mental health during this time and the feelings of stigma associated with eating disorders, meant that it was very difficult, for her and her family, to seek help and support.
Despite Debbie’s illness, she managed to successfully complete her degree and was quickly offered a job as a journalist with the East Anglian Daily Times. Debbie describes how being able to create and shape a career path helped create an upward spiral towards recovery.
It is this lived experience of being ‘full of woe’ that inspired the organisation’s name, Wednesday’s Child; as defined in the old nursery rhyme. Debbie is passionate about not letting past experiences define a person and that every ‘Wednesday’s Child’ has the capacity to be as full of love, vibrancy and opportunity as a child born on every other day.
Having run a successful PR agency for over 20 years, Debbie set up Wednesday’s Child in 2019, determined to make a difference to the lives of those experiencing an eating disorder and, to aid those who care for them. She could see that there was still so little support available to people living with eating disorders and the eighteen-month NHS waiting list was leaving families feeling abandoned and desperate.
Her initial idea was to provide carefully curated gift boxes, which would be ideal for someone in recovery. This was met with lots of support, but Debbie then began receiving requests for therapy. The rise of Zoom during the 2020 lockdowns provided Debbie with the opportunity to contact therapists virtually and refer families; meaning those in need could access therapy within a matter of days rather than months.
Now working closely with schools and universities, as well as healthcare professionals and business leaders, Wednesday’s Child continues to enable people to reach out for help and support and to ease the suffering of individuals and families affected by an eating disorder.
To find out more, please visit
https://wednesdayschild.co.uk
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, Colin speaks to someone who really has really made a difference to her local community, having created a small business in memory of her first child. Zoe Hayman-Cox tells a truly heart-warming story, which lead to her opening a very popular tea-room in Chantry Park.
With no previous experience in the baking profession, Zoe had a long and successful career in conciliations, working for ACAS in what she describes as her ‘dream job’. Everything changed when Zoe fell pregnant and, quickly learned that her baby had a chromosome abnormality and a life-limiting condition. Whilst her employers were supportive at first, sadly Zoe was ultimately forced to leave her job as circumstances changed during this time of great personal tragedy.
Zoe gave birth to William in August 2017. He lived for two precious hours and Zoe and her husband received amazing support from East Anglia Children’s Hospice, who made sure that family could come and visit them and meet the baby.
As time passed, Zoe found comfort in baking. Her natural talent flourished and, inspired by the flowers at her son’s funeral, Sweet William’s Bakery was established in 2020. Initially baking for small groups of people from her own kitchen, having accepted an order for a large event in 2021, Zoe quickly upscaled her business and began operating out of Chantry Park’s disbanded Bowls Pavillion.
Sweet William’s Bakery is now a wonderful, thriving business – offering afternoon teas and a selection of cakes, scones and savouries – in Chantry Park, behind the Sue Ryder care home. With plans to expand further with additional indoor seating, Zoe clearly pours her heart and soul into her business, having created Sweet William’s Bakery as a treasured connection with her first child. You can find Zoe there most days, along with her delightful three-year old daughter, Emilia, when she’s not at nursery!
Sweet William’s Bakery is also on easily found on Facebook and Instagram and please see below for links to the fantastic charities mentioned in this podcast:
East Anglia's Children's Hospices https://www.each.org.uk
Petals Charity | The Baby Loss Counselling Charity https://petalscharity.org
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money Colin talks to inspirational duo, Tracey Clayden and her son Jake, who have built their wonderful Suffolk business selling luxury hand-poured beeswax melts and candles. With a focus on natural products and scents, they have a real passion for the environment and supporting local beekeepers and their bees.
Tracey and Jake set up their company just over a year ago with the intention of funding Jake through university. Having always loved burning wax melts at home, Tracey had grown fed-up with the poor quality of the products she was using. Jake looked into the process and found that many wax melts are made using soy or paraffin, which are both detrimental to the environment and are also never very highly scented. So they set about creating their own family business (with Dad, Simon also playing his part in building the website) providing top-end products that are environmentally responsible and, using the brand to highlight bees and the vital work that they do in pollination.
Beginning with one weekly pitch in Stowmarket, uMeltz now trades in 14 locations across Suffolk. Staying true to their principals, you won’t find any plastics on their stalls as all uMeltz products are packaged in eco-friendly non-plastic glassine pager. They also have an active online presence, having truly embraced the new hybrid way of working. For more information please visit their website, where you can then also find them across various social media platforms
https://umeltz.com
This week Colin talks to Chris Wiley, founder of Sow Successful Ltd, whose Harkstead horticultural business has gone from strength to strength since he launched it in 2020.
Having always nurtured a keen interest in plants, Chris previously worked for a large horticultural firm, where he ran plant research and development tests as part of an in-house breeding programme. Supported by the Prince’s Trust and mentored by none-other than Peter Seabrook, Chris tells Colin how Sow Successful really took off when he discovered and cultivated a completely unique sweet pea, which he later named after his mentor in a fitting tribute for the support he’d received over the years.
The unusual colour and exceptional scent of the flower gained royal approval, when a bouquet was presented to the Queen at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this summer. Chris then went on to win the Best New Plant Award at BBC Gardener’s World Live!
At just 27 years old, Chris’s success will surely be an inspiration to any budding horticulturalists that are passionate about a career in the great outdoors.
For more information about Sow Successful please visit
https://www.sow-successful.com
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, Colin talks to Bridie Iachetta at Larking Gowen, tapping into her expert knowledge on cryptocurrency and the, often little-known, tax implications around this.
Cryptocurrencies have been around since before 2010, but many of us wouldn’t know a bitcoin from an ethereum, or a fork from a blockchain. As an expert in this digital medium of exchange, Bridie dispels the confusion around the terminology, whilst discussing the pros and cons of cryptocurrency and what makes it so volatile.
Once perceived as insidious, cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly popular as society deals less and less with cash. Colin and Bridie talk about the possible effects on society and the issues we face as we move towards a cashless society.
For more information you can contact Bridie at Larking Gowen: https://www.larking-gowen.co.uk/our-people/bridie-iachetta/
If you’ve just started a business and wonder who you can turn to, this episode of Suffolk Money Podcast may just give you the answer. This week Colin speaks to Nick Pandolfi, who after a long and varied career in the media, is now part of the team at MENTA; a non-for-profit organisation that works with entrepreneurs and growing businesses, offering help, support, advice and training.
Nick begins by talking about his education at drama school in London, which led to roles on stage as well as in television and film. After a brief spell in the States, he returned to Suffolk and took his first role on the air waves, with Radio Suffolk. Presenting local radio turned out to be a great fit, giving Nick the opportunity to be himself and to learn more about Suffolk. Nick went on to work for a variety of radio stations, including Liberty, SGR Radio, Heart and finally Town 102. It was here on his breakfast show that Nick first met Colin, the local money expert.
Presenting a breakfast show six days a week naturally comes with enormous challenges. By 2017 Nick was ready for a change and joined MENTA, to help with marketing and media engagement. Nick is now focused on helping start-ups and established businesses improve the promotion of their brand, products and services through Social Media as well as traditional media.
The evolution of MENTA is one of Suffolk’s biggest success stories. It was started in 1984 by a small group of business people who saw a need for business support, training and coaching and has been at the forefront of helping local businesses grow ever since. Not only does it provide a wide range of cost-effective business services, but also the facility for co-working and collaborative workspaces, with sites in Haverhill, Brandon as well as Bury St Edmunds.
For more information about MENTA please visit https://www.menta.org.uk
The Suffolk Show is a real highlight in our region’s calendar and, in just over one week, the green fields of Trinity Park will once again be alive with the sound of cheering crowds, lowing cattle and live music, amid a cacophony of educational activities and entertainment for the people of Suffolk.
In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money Podcast, Colin was delighted to catch up with Phillip Ainsworth (Chief Executive of the Suffolk Agricultural Association) and Tony Pulham (Deputy show director), as they prepare to open the gates and welcome tens of thousands of visitors in what promises to be a particularly unique and special year.
Held at the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the 2022 show will be a great opportunity for Suffolk to come together and celebrate the last seven decades of her majesty’s reign. Phillip and Tony tell Colin about all about the planning that has gone into this year’s show and how they’ve used the downtime, during the enforced two-year hiatus, in a positive and productive way to improve the facilities and the experience, to make sure this year’s show is truly inclusive and a fantastic day out for all.
The show’s primary purpose since it first began in 1831, has been to deliver education about food, farming, agriculture, the countryside and the wider environment. It continues to shine a light on our county’s rich rural heritage, celebrating the crucial role our farmers, landowners and rural businesses play in the local economy, whilst offering an enormous variety of family-friendly activities; there really is something for everyone.
To find out more please visit https://suffolkshow.co.uk
In this weeks’ episode, Colin has a difficult but important conversation with the inspirational Mandy Small, about what a family goes through and what they continue to go through after the tragic loss of a family member to suicide.
Mandy met Chris met in Iraq in 2004 when they were both serving in the forces. After they married and their son Jamie was born, Chris’s role in the army saw him continue to be deployed all around the world and Mandy eventually left the air force so that they could be together as a family. They lived happily in Germany for the first four years of Jay’s life, but when Chris was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, everything changed.
It was a horrendous tour and he gradually withdrew communication with the family whilst away serving, and his behaviour changed during his breaks back at home at home. Only those closest to him saw how much he’d changed and how this was affecting Mandy and Jay. When Chris retired from the forces to have a normal family life, Mandy’s service meant that she had valuable personal insight into the challenges Chris faced, and was determined to help him. However, Chris had begun drinking heavily and when he became abusive towards Mandy, both verbally and then physically too, Mandy was forced to leave. Despite her best efforts to stay in communication with Chris, supporting him and encouraging him to seek help, on 29th November 2015 Chris took his own life.
Jay was just eight and a half years old when he lost his daddy, so of course helping him process his grief was Mandy’s priority. It’s a true inspiration to then learn about how both Mandy and Jay have found ways of finding positives from everything they’ve been through. Mandy now supports other veterans who are reaching crisis, in her work as a Peer Support Worker at the veteran’s mental health charity, Walking with the Wounded. She has also written a book called ‘Living our Lives’, telling the story about how she and Jay rebuilt their lives after they lost Chris and focusing on the positives they’ve taken from this harrowing experience.
The practical way that Jay has dealt with his father’s death is also astounding, as he has become a prolific young fundraiser. At just 10 years old, Jay organised a small fun day, to raise funds for the forces’ charity SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association). He smashed his initial target of £200, raising well over £6,000, which led to him winning a local award as the most ‘Inspirational under 12 year old in Suffolk’. His appearances on local news and radio then went national, as he became a finalist in the Soldiering On awards. At just 11 years old, his video with Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton as part of the SSAFA Big Brew Up campaign then went viral.
Sadly, things took a turn for Jay when he started being bullied for how his dad died. However, Jay once again showed amazing spirit when at a bullying workshop, he told everyone how bullying made him feel and how he sees his dad as a hero.
Jay’s next mission is a fun day that will include a charity football match, pitting a team of military veterans against the official England fans football team in aid of (SSAFA), Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Hidden Warriors
For more information about this event on 22nd May at Woodbridge Town FC please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/323139809504299/?ref=share
Please see below for the websites of the charities mentioned throughout this episode and for the link to Mandy’s book:
https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk
https://hiddenwarriors.co.uk
https://www.ssafa.org.uk
https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3YHBwM3Z9wIVFuvtCh3iiADGEAAYASAAEgIjgvD_BwE
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Our-Lives-Bereaved-Suicide/dp/B09RNL49RJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B2CKJ4P5O1X2&keywords=living+our+lives&qid=1652344781&sprefix=living+our+lives%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-1
This week’s edition of Suffolk Money Podcast was recorded live at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds, at BBC Radio Suffolk’s Rising Cost of Living Support Fayre. Here, Colin spoke to host of experts, all providing free advice on how to cope in these challenging times and sign-posting additional support.
Presenter Wayne Bavin of BBC Radio Suffolk hosted the event, with producers Vic and Katherine also on hand to talk about the issues affecting our community.
Amongst the many organisations ready to offer help and advice was Peter from Menta, the enterprise agency that provides support for small local businesses. Peter spoke about the challenges many businesses are facing, with rising energy bills and costs of supplies squeezing their margins. To find out more about how Menta can help, please visit https://www.menta.org.uk
Sarah at Still Good Food spoke about the environmental work this charity does; reducing food waste by redistributing surplus food from supermarkets, producers and farmers, to the local community through their shops in Bury St Edmunds and Great Barton. They help people who are struggling with costs, who can buy food that is still good to eat at very low prices. Please visit https://www.stillgoodfood.org to find out more and for shop opening times.
Mike from Anglia Care Trust talked to Colin about how the Trust assists people, whatever their circumstances, by providing high quality advice, guidance and support services. People can self-refer from website https://angliacaretrust.org.uk and also contact the team by telephone on 01473 622888.
Emily from Crem Recruitment explained how her local recruitment agency helps people get back out to work, championing agency work as an excellent temporary option, which can often lead to a more permanent role. They help people put together their CVs and are very happy to chat on the phone – you can call one of their friendly consultants at the Newmarket office on 01638 661789, email jobs@cremrecruitment.co.uk or visit https://www.cremrecruitment.co.uk for more information.
Sarah from Citizen’s Advice West Suffolk also was keen to talk about helping people save money and increase their income, by looking at benefits, and tips such as keeping a weekly spending diary. For more information visit https://suffolkwestcab.org.uk
Access Community Trust is a local charity based in Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, and Neil spoke about how they work with people from all ages and backgrounds. They provide support with career options, food budgeting and wellbeing amongst many other services. More information can be found at https://www.accessct.org
Gracie and Holly from Save Money Cut Carbon told Colin about their exciting e-commerce business. Their goal to help businesses and customers save money and cut carbon, through sustainable products for both domestic customers and businesses, is truly inspiring. Find out more at https://www.savemoneycutcarbon.com
Fuel efficiency and saving money on heating, energy and lighting was the hot topic when Colin met Molly from West Suffolk Council and Matthew from Suffolk County Council. They explained how the Councils are helping people struggling with their household bills and avoiding the terrible heating / eating conflict, with grants that are available for home owners and landlords whose tenants are on a low incomes or in receipt of qualifying benefits. Residents can register their interest and check if they are eligible for the scheme by calling 03456 037 686 or visiting https://www.warmhomessuffolk.org
This week, Colin speaks to George Pennel, a former recruitment consultant whose decision to go-it-alone and start a new business was forged on the golf course, during his 2020 furlough.
Looking for a new direction, George realised that cleaning had never been more important and set about creating Vivo Clean. The company was quickly established in January 2021, with his first job being a humble oven clean.
Business quickly snowballed and within months of founding the company, Vivo Clean were hired to work on the set of Amazon Prime's TV series The Power, when they filmed in Bawdsey last summer.
Having since diversified and established Vivo Recruit – specialists in construction recruitment – George is a shining example of a local entrepreneur that took a chance on a business idea and scored a hole-in-one.
In this week’s episode, Colin talks to two entrepreneurial sisters, Hannah Huntly and Beth Tchie, about their award-winning speciality coffee shops, in the heart of Ipswich.
Previously an Illustrator and a Property Consultant, Hannah and Beth became inspired by the coffee shop culture in London, and developed a shared desire to open their own speciality coffee shop. Their dream about bringing this experience to Ipswich became a reality when they opened the doors of Applaud Coffee on St Peters Street back in 2013. Here, they joined a community of thriving independent businesses and their reputation quickly grew as they welcomed customers to enjoy their freshly baked cakes and delicious coffee, inside their Grade II listed building, or al fresco in the beautiful courtyard garden.
Going from strength to strength, they soon opened a second site, in the entrance of Crown House in Ipswich’s town centre. It’s wonderful to hear how Hannah and Beth’s hard work and talent have been recognised, as they were awarded the ‘Best coffee shop in Suffolk’ by the EADT Food & Drink Awards, as well as the ‘Favourite Cafe’ in Ipswich’s Favourite Food & Drink Awards as voted by the public.
They also explain to Colin the reason behind the rise in popularity of the Flat White – it’s all in the ratios apparently!
In our Budget Special for 2022, Colin discusses the key issues of the Spring Update for the Suffolk Money audience.
This week we have a real treat for you, as Colin talks to two of the most recognisable voices in Suffolk, Rachel Sloane and Tim Holder. They tell us all about The Festival of Suffolk; a whole series of fantastic events and activities happening between May and October 2022.
The Festival is Suffolk’s unique contribution to the national Jubilee celebrations, and aspires to bring communities together and improve local lives for years to come. It’s the biggest thing that Suffolk has ever done and Rachel and Tim tell us about the wonderful and varied plans for this summer. From the 550 mile Torch Relay, passing through 250 different villages and towns, to the Flotilla of more than 100 ships, sailing the length of our coastline, the Festival will celebrate the very essence of Suffolk and everything that makes our county absolutely unique,
Of course, our county has suffered greatly during the pandemic, so as well as celebrating Suffolk, the Festival will also look at addressing some of the challenges we face and strive to find some long-term legacy outcomes. The plan is to bring the whole of Suffolk back to life, bigger and stronger than ever before.
It really is going to be a great summer! To find out more please visit
https://www.festivalofsuffolk.org
If you want your meat fresh, locally sourced and from one of Suffolk's very best Butcher’s, then take a trip to George Debman Family Butchers. This is exactly what Colin did for this week’s episode; so as well as listening to our audio interview, you can also watch the video and get a real taste of what goes on at this exceptional butchers in Cliff Lane in Ipswich.
Not only does Colin talk to George about the history of the Butchers and what makes customers come from far and wide, but he also spends time with the wonderful Annie, who has progressed from Saturday girl to full-time apprentice.
Like many trades, butchery has diminished over the years and as elected president of the National Craft Butcher’s Association, George is passionate about promoting Butchery as a recognised and rewarding trade for young people.
Have you ever considered turning your hobby into a business? A combination of factors led Sharon Cudworth to do just that, after her photography skills became noticed by Instagram and her followers grew from 700 to 90,000 overnight!
This week Colin talks to Sharon about how her passion for photographing her children and her life, using light and different perspectives, became the driving force behind her new photography business.
Having always worked in health and social care, Sharon is a midwife. She now successfully juggles this role with her thriving photography business, specialising in weddings and lifestyle photos.
Sharon’s work in midwifery gives her a unique perspective and she shares with us some touching stories about how she has captured important moments, providing comfort to families at times of trauma.
For more information please visit Sharon’s website https://sharoncudworthphotography.com
In this episode Colin chats with Chris Theobald, who co-owns the Parrot in Aldringham and The DoIphin in Thorpeness; both nestled along the beautiful Suffolk Coast.
Chris tells us a little about the fascinating history of both establishments and, how they’ve adapted to not only survive the last couple of years, but how they’ve become the hub of their communities during that time.
From veg box deliveries and supplying locals with essential ingredients when supermarket shelves were empty, to the launch of the Parrot Puzzler (which has since achieved a substantial global following) and their new takeaway service, both The Parrot and The Dolphin have found innovative ways to evolve and thrive.
Listen to the end to hear Chris’ menu recommendations, and why a particular dish has remained a top seller for over 15 years.
This week our guest is haulage and transport expert, Darryn Flynn, who gives us a fascinating insight into the world of logistics.
Darryn talks to Colin about the evolution of Waller Transport; from the small venture his father-in-law started in Colchester, to the thriving business it is today, with offices in Ipswich, Hull and Liverpool.
Having joined the company around eight years ago, Darryn’s previous experience was varied, but always utilising his skills with people, relationships and communication. Throughout his life Darryn has seen the clear benefits of having a mentor and is a passionate advocate of learning from others. So Waller Transport regularly brings in coaches to look at the different systems and processes, offer new insights and support his team.
The haulage industry has never faced a more challenging time, with ongoing issues caused by Brexit, COVID and the long-term pressures of consumer prices pushing down drivers’ wages. Darryn’s vision about the future of freight transport, how the industry needs to be incentivised and, the value of drivers elevated, is quite inspiring.
Today, it’s something different, as we look back at some of the people we met in 2021. Amazingly, we’ve already produced almost 40 podcasts since we launched the podcast just under a year ago. Remember that if you go to our website at www.suffolkmoney.co.uk you can find every single one of them under the “Podcasts” section.
My thanks to all the guests who’ve given us their time in 2021. We are indebted to each and every one of them. We’ll be back with more in the coming weeks, but in the meantime here’s a little reminder of some of the fascinating talks we’ve had since we began.
In the final show of our second season of Suffolk Money, we are delighted to welcome the Founder and Senior Director of The Teapot Project; a Community Interest Company which fights food waste and hunger in Suffolk.
Mischa Pearson is an inspirational social entrepreneur who, along with her fellow Teapotters, stops unsold supermarket, farm and restaurant food from going to waste. Tackling both climate change and poverty, The Teapot Project reduces unnecessary carbon emissions created by food waste, and redistributes the surplus food on a Pay As You Feel basis into the community. Those who can afford to, pay the full price, offsetting those who can’t.
Suffolk born and bred, Mischa established The Teapot Project back in 2015 and quickly went on to win Suffolk’s Greenest County Award. She talks to Colin about everything from her inspiration to start the company, its evolution through the pandemic and her plans for the future.
Thanks so much to Mischa and to all our guests over the last 12 months. If you've missed any of the previous episodes, please do check them all out here:
https://suffolkmoney.co.uk
https://blubrry.com/suffolkmoney/
George Agnew is Chairman of the Rougham Estate, which consists of over 3,000 acres of Suffolk countryside, with 20% of this being beautiful woodland.
Recently the Estate has diversifed into the seasonal Pick Your Own market, growing thousands of sunflowers and pumpkins for the public to pick and enjoy. However, the Estate is probably best known for its beautiful Christmas Trees and atmospheric 16th Century thatched barn. This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of Blackthorpe Barn’s craft fairs; which together with the magical Christmas Shop, Courtyard Café and festive workshops have really built Rougham’s reputation as the go-to Christmas destination.
So in this festive episode of Suffolk Money, George talks to Colin about everything from the challenges of modern farming to the science of Christmas trees; and why you may choose a Nordmann Fir over a Norway Spruce!
Suffolk Building Society’s roots date back to 1849. And though now in a thoroughly modern setting, their mission in 2021 remains the same: helping their members to buy a home and save their money with an organisation they can trust.
In this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, Richard Norrington – Chief Executive Officer at Suffolk Building Society – talks to Colin about the integrated role of a modern, inclusive building society and how their recent change of name reflects their strong community values.
Wayne Burns caught the celluloid bug at an early age, igniting a passion for film and showbiz that has stayed with him ever since. In this episode, Wayne talks to Colin about everything from his childhood love of theatre, back in the ‘glory days’ – which inspired exciting jobs such as the resident Punch & Judy man and projectionist at Aldeburgh cinema – right through to his current position at Leiston Film Theatre, where he has been Manager since 1992.
Proudly claiming the title of ‘Suffolk’s Oldest Cinema’, Leiston Film Theatre is an iconic venue with an outstanding reputation, which Wayne and his dedicated team have worked incredibly hard to build. Audiences are guaranteed a warm welcome; whether coming to enjoy a film, a live entertainment show, or perhaps to see Wayne himself on stage in the annual sell-out Pantomime!
Whilst walking her dog one day in 2018, Debbie noticed that the amount of marine litter being washed up onto her local beach clearly reflected the grim facts of the global ocean pollution crisis. As a keen follower of the Blue Planet series, Debbie’s motivation to do something about the situation led to her founding a volunteer-based, community interest group called Litter Free Felixstowe. Debbie’s drive, skills and determination became infectious and the group quickly grew. It now has over 1,100 members, not to mention the support of Sir David Attenborough himself!
In this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, Debbie talks to Colin Low about how this mighty team of local volunteers have made it their mission to ensure that no plastic waste ends up in the sea. By acting as a community, they inspire residents, visitors, businesses and hauliers to take action. Together, it is their aim to make Felixstowe the UK's first Litter-Free town.
Since recording this podcast, we’re also delighted to report that Debbie recently won the ‘Green Hero’ award at the Suffolk Greenest County Awards 2021. Here’s what the judges said:
“Debbie is a remarkable lady, inspiring so many people and making such a difference to our community. The work she does within schools to educate children is key to tackling the environmental issues we face and I could not think of a more deserving person to win this award.”
The best business ideas are often based on innovative solutions to existing problems. This is exactly what Olive Quinton came up with when she founded Lofty Heights CIC; a Not For Profit Social Enterprise that supports the Suffolk community in the most amazing way.
In this episode Colin chats with Olive, who explains how she came up with the remarkable concept of combining two seemingly unrelated issues, that when put together provide specialist support to the more vulnerable people in our community. Recognising that a loft emptying service could help solve the problem of cold homes – enabling people to access insultation grants – Olive married this with the idea of providing employment and training opportunities to young homeless people in Suffolk. Olive tells us how the Enterprise has developed over the years, from a ‘kitchen table’ project to a specialist decluttering, deep cleaning, garden clearance service that works closely with the NHS, Local Authorities, Charities and Housing Associations.
Following the presentation of the Autumn Budget and Spending Review last week, in this episode we’re bringing you something a little different.
Colin Low highlights the key issues from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak’s announcements, and the financial changes that have arisen as a result of this.
This episode is accompanied by a 20 page pdf attachment.
People get struck by the idea of creating their own business in the strangest of places. For Karen Rees it happened chatting with a friend in the playground on the school run and it gave rise to The Tiny Tipple Company.
This wonderful Suffolk small business produces a range of spirits and liqueurs; infused with fruit, berries and blooms, which come from hedgerows, local growers and an allotment.
In this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, Karen talks to Colin Low about how it all began, the challenges they’ve faced and the invaluable support of family and friends.
Jason Salisbury and his wife Katharine are adventurous farmers. Not only do they run a herd of pedigree Guernsey, Jersey and Ayrshire cows on their Suffolk farm, but they’ve also taken the intrepid step to be the new dairy farmers on Sark Island.
This week Jason joins Colin to talk about their fascinating journey; from herdsman, to starting their own innovative farm near Needham Market – from where their local milk and cheese is sold throughout East Anglia – through to their bold new venture in the beautiful, tranquil island of Sark; off the north west coast of France.
We learn all about how they established Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses back in 2004, and invested in robotic milking; a process which is beneficial to both the cow and the farmer. Plus there is plenty of talk about the unique cheese they produce for our region, which is certainly exciting for cheese fans!
Photo credit: Sue Daly Photography
Who can your turn to if you have a family issue or are facing over-whelming domestic challenges? Tara Spence is CEO Home-Start in Suffolk, a county-wide charity that supports families in all forms of need, in and around Suffolk.
In this chat with Colin, she explains how her community network of trained volunteers provide friendship and expert support, helping families with children through the most challenging times. Tara tells us about how the 270+ volunteers are matched with families, depending on best fit both ways. She speaks about the importance of early intervention and how the charity is able to support over 700 families per year; and often those with multiple or complex needs.
The challenges of the pandemic have of course been massive and Tara also talks about Home-Start’s efforts to help break the isolation felt by many new parents.
Photo credit: Big Fish Photography
It’s not often we meet people whose responsibilities span financial commitment and artistic expertise, so it was a real pleasure to talk to Owen Calvert-Lyons; Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
Passionate about theatre from a young age, Owen tells us about how he began his theatrical journey in youth theatre, before studying at Bristol University. He then worked in theatres all around the country before joining the Regency gem that is Theatre Royal, just before the pandemic hit.
Conscious that the arts always play a significant role in times of national trauma, the theatre quickly redefined its purpose. Digital theatre engagement platforms were set up to support a wide range of vulnerable groups in the community. For the rest of the town, Owen’s first production, A Christmas Carol, was made possible by transforming a car park into a theatre over-night; suddenly making theatre accessible to everyone.
The local community truly demonstrated its love for the theatre and the sense of how vital it is to the region through the funds that were raised back in 2020. As a registered charity, every penny raised goes towards goes to educational activities and work with the community.
Owen talks about the joy of opening the doors again In May 2021 and inviting audiences to rediscover the magic of theatre; experiencing the moment of collective electricity that ripples through the audience as the stage is set and the lights go down.
High hopes are pinned on the success of this year’s forthcoming pantomime, Cinderella (arriving at the ball over a year late!), and there are countless other shows and performances scheduled, to tempt every kind of theatre-goer back into this special Grade 1 listed theatre.
This week we have the pleasure of speaking to Lee Hunt, MD of Deben Travel. Lee’s experience in the travel industry is vast. His apprenticeship with Lunn Poly at 16 years old lead to a variety of travel roles, including working as a Ski Guide in Austria and Manager at Thomas Cook, before launching Deben Travel in 2012.
The travel industry is no stranger to global challenges, however never before has one lasted 18 months. Lee explains how Deben Travel has navigated its way through the tricky financial turbulence of the pandemic, and their mission to minimise trauma for clients; from helping those stranded abroad in April 2020 find their way home, to booking holidays post-pandemic and simplifying the current complexity of international travel.
Lee’s excitement of being in travel has never waned and, it’s wonderful to hear that travel is now firmly back on the agenda, as people re-evaluate how they want to spend their time and money post-pandemic. Lee loves being back on the shop floor, researching, recommending and delivering bespoke holidays for his clients. As for Lee’s own dream holiday … listen on to find out where the travel expert would travel to!
Jo Collins volunteers at the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), a charity which rescues marine life across the whole of the British Isles.
As Area Coodinator for Norfolk and Suffolk, Jo is the first port of call when a member of the public finds a marine mammal in need of assistance in our region. In this episode, Jo tells us about the key purposes of the charity, what happens when they get a call-out and how their medics are trained to rescue seals, whales, and dolphins; plus occasionally the odd walrus!
Like many charities, the BDMLR have faced many challenges over the last year, including a vast increase in humans and their dogs visiting our local beaches and, the devastating impact of plastic waste around the coastline.
In this first episode of our second season we interview Judi Newman, the Chief Executive of St Elizabeth Hospice (working across East and North Suffolk).
Judi talks us through the purpose of the hospice movement and how St Elizabeth Hospice supports patients and their families throughout the experience of death and grief.
She also speaks about the return of exciting in-person fundraising efforts that are on the horizon, including the ever-popular midnight walk and a fantastic art trail that is coming to our region next year.
In our first 'Outside Broadcast' recording we visit Colin's hometown of Felixstowe to visit Beach Street.
Beach Street is a new development in the South of Felixstowe's sea front. Built within the former Manning's 'fairground ride' area it combines Boutique shops and Street Food outlets.
In this episode we speak with a few of the owners of these outlets and shops as well as Charlie Manning, Executive Director of Beach Street, about the background to the area, the history of Mannings Amusements and their plans for the future.
A conversation with Liz Wilkins who has fought addiction and serious illness to work on a TedX event for Stowmarket.
In addition to this, Liz runs her own business and is deeply involved with the Stowmarket Innovation Hub.
We talk with Clare Williamson, Blue Cross Suffolk Centre Manager to find out what they do at their impressive location.
How has their work been impacted by the pandemic?
We talk about the rehoming of dogs, cats and small animals?
What should households be thinking about before they take on a pet?
As we come into the summer, are there any specific matters that we should consider?
We know the RNLI from their incredible bravery in dealing with vessels at risk at sea, but that's not all they do.
With so many people taking holidays in Suffolk this year, or having days out at the coast, how do we need to keep safe?
Graeme Richardson (Area Life Saving Manager, RNLI) has years of experience in volunteering and working with the RNLI and shares his experiences and advice on how we can keep ourselves safe.
Stay Safe in Suffolk this Summer.
The Suffolk Money podcast is supported by Kingsfleet Wealth - www.kingsfleetwealth.co.uk
We speak with Suffolk resident, author and former hostage, Terry Waite, about how the last year has been for him.
What can we learn about what matters most? Will we be different as a result of the last year?
Tickets are still available to attend and meet Terry, in person, here - https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk/
A summary of all of the events can be found here - https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Felixstowe-Book-Festival-2021-Full-Programme.pdf
The Suffolk Money Podcast is supported by Kingsfleet Wealth - www.kingsfleetwealth.co.uk
Tickets (both online and in person) for the Felixstowe Book Festival can be acquired here - www.FelixstoweBookFestival.co.uk or by phoning Eastern Angles 01473 211498 (Mon-Fri 10am – 2pm)
Author and Broadcaster Iain Dale will be speaking at the Book Festival about two of his books.
We talked to Iain in advance of this to see what he is going to be talking about.
We were also delighted to speak with Meg Reid, the founder of the Felixstowe Book Festival.
Where had the idea come from, how did they cope last year and how will this year be different?
Next week, we talk to Suffolk resident and former hostage, Terry Waite, who will also be speaking at the Book Festival this year about how he has applied his experiences in the last year.
In this week's Suffolk Money podcast, supported by Kingsfleet Wealth - www.kingsfleetwealth.co.uk :
We spoke to 3 business owners who transform people's lives. Makeup, Fitness and Diet and Hair.
How do they change the way people feel about themselves?
How did they adapt in the pandemic? What impact did it have on mental health?
What does the future look like?
Three wonderful people doing amazing things.
Luci Morgan - https://www.lucimorganstudios.co.uk/
Anita Bond - https://fitnessunit.co.uk/about/
Luke Hopkins - http://theoshairsalon.com/
- A conversation with our Graphic Designer Joy Day. We find out about her background in Suffolk, her studies in Art and her career in London before establishing her business.
2. The Independent Financial Advisers at Kingsfleet Wealth bring some simple ideas for saving money and budgeting. Gary, Stuart and Colin talk about having Jam Jars and reminders.
The Suffolk Money podcast could not exist without the work of Kevin and Sally Burch.
You may know them from their respective roles in the BBC - Kevin as a reporter on BBC Look East and Sally as a Producer at BBC Radio Suffolk.
We've been delighted to work with them since the start of this year but thought it would be helpful to hear about their backgrounds and careers so far. We talk about the stories that changed their lives - and what are they both doing now?
We meet Peter Basford. Born and bred in Suffolk, Peter is known to many through his time working at Lloyds Bank.
However, in the last few years, Peter has been instrumental in forming a network of Business Growth Coaches, being part of a new business innovation centre in Stowmarket and co-ordinating the FIPS (Finance, Insurance and Professional Services) group in Suffolk.
As well as hearing his story, Peter explains why Suffolk is a great place to do business.
Why take the risk of starting your own business or buying a business off someone else?
What are the challenges of being an entrepreneur or a 'solopreneur'?
In another one of our panel discussions, we speak with both a recent and experienced entrepreneur alongside a respected local business adviser.
- Jodie Davey (Kitty Bakes)
- Suzanne MacDonald-Carr (Business Coach and Mentor) with occasional input from Suzanne's dog too!
- Steve Flory (Hudson Group)
There is increasing academic evidence that giving is good for you and it's even better if you know how those gifts are being used.
Suffolk Community Foundation is a jewel in Suffolk's Crown as this is the model that it uses
We spoke to Tim Holder, the Foundation's Head of Public Affairs about what they do. Suffolk is generally thought of as an affluent county but that does not mean that there are no needs.
Tim explains how needs can be hidden in both towns and rural areas alike and how the Foundation works to address these with the voluntary sector.
We also hear how the people of Suffolk rose to support the cash needs of charities and community groups as an immediate response to the pandemic.
What's your relationship with money?
There is no lack of information 'about' money but not everyone finds it easy to understand, work with or relate to?
What's your earliest experience of money? What phrases did you hear as you grew up? Or perhaps money was not spoken about in the household.
How can you address this?
We talk with Dennis Harhalakis about how he works with people from all backgrounds to address their concerns and anxieties.
https://cambridgemoneycoaching.uk/
In our first panel discussion, we look at how our shops and town-centres have responded over the last year.
How have proprietors coped and what changes did they make?
What has ben the immediate impact in our town centres? Will they ever be the same again?
How has Suffolk compared with the rest of the country? What can we offer that other areas can not?
What would our guests change if they ran the country?
With thanks to......
- Cathy Frost - Owner of Loveone in Ipswich https://www.loveone.co.uk/
- Mark Cordell - CEO of 'Our Bury St Edmunds' Business Improvement District https://www.ourburystedmunds.com/
- Stephen Moody - Suffolk Based Retail Analyst
We speak with Jenni Bradnam about her career in arranging bespoke holidays for people travelling around the world.
She tells us about dealing with the outbreak of the pandemic and the lengths she went to in order to bring people back from all four corners of the earth.
Jenni talks through her view of vaccine passports and what may happen with foreign travel in the years ahead.
https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/jennifer.bradnam
Rebecca and Azzouz met over a cup of coffee in 2003. Within a couple of years they had started Coffeelink which has gone on to become one of Suffolk's most familiar names with Coffee outlets in the County and beyond.
In this episode, you will hear of Azzouz's desire to bring quality hospitality and great coffee to Suffolk and the lengths that he has gone to deliver that.
It is evident that it really matters what conditions the Coffee farmers and their families are in and you will hear how a visit to coffee farmers put Azzouz and his colleague in very grave danger.
"The answer to loneliness lies within each one of us - we are the medicine"
Ann describes the work of the Rural Coffee Caravan and its work across Suffolk.
Hear how a theft caused the campaign to grow and how funds raised in the last year are putting slow-cookers in homes across the county.
https://ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk/
In this conversation with Oliver Paul, we find out how Suffolk Food Hall went from concept to creation.
How have two cousins, working in the City of London, grown the business into a destination for those that love Suffolk's amazing produce?
Oliver talks us through
- the history of the Suffolk Food Hall.
- how the business was established
- why Suffolk is such a great place for food and drink production
- how he sees local producers and retailers growing in the future
- how has the pandemic affected the team?
- why spend on local food?
A conversation with Jon Neal, CEO of the award winning Suffolk MIND.
We talk to Jon about the Mental Health continuum, what employers can do to help and how we can all look out for others.
To learn more about their work, please go to https://www.suffolkmind.org.uk/
Kingsfleet Wealth's financial planners discuss the key issues of the budget for the Suffolk Money audience
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wjdwviqtwju6fwc/Kingsfleet_Budget_Overview%202021.pdf?dl=0
Part 1 - Becky Ames, partner at MHA Larking Gowen
https://www.larking-gowen.co.uk/our-people/becky-ames/
Why does the tax year end on 5th April and why does it matter?
What actions do I need to take before the end of the tax year?
With all the technology around, what do accountants do these days? Is it still a worthwhile career?
Part 2 - Gary, Stuart and Colin from Kingsfleet Wealth
https://www.kingsfleetwealth.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team
Why is the tax year end relevant for pensions?
What steps do I need to take before then?
Part 1 - Milo Williams runs two very successful businesses in Suffolk - at the age of 27.
A self-confessed 'college dropout', he has built his business with a focus on working hard and setting his team stretching targets and objectives.
Part 2- The Advisers at Kingsfleet Wealth explain ISAs:
- What are they?
- How much can I pay in?
- Where can they be invested?
- Can I have one for a child?
With so many lives being impacted by Cancer, why is a local charity working on it so little known?
Colin talks to Karen Hare, chief executive of Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, about its work and the huge financial pressure this small charity is facing.
This is the first Episode: as well as speaking to other local business and charity leaders, we will be providing great personal finance ideas.