Back to Blog

TRADING WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE - DIT SUPPORT

If you’re a UK business trading with Ukraine or Russia and have questions about the current trading situation, contact the UK government's export support team by phone or online here or contact me directly for guidance.Also, there are “Sanctions” being placed on trade with Russia.  I’ve attached a PowerPoint presentation that is used as part of our free “Export Academy”, this module is on Export Controls, and specifically slide 31 onwards is focussed on “Embargoes & ...

A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL THE DONATIONS THAT MADE THE 2021 CHRISTMAS DRIBBLE - BETTER THAN ANY WE'VE PREVIOUSLY DONE!

After two years of lockdown, there was a great appetite just to get out and do something together.  But we also had a representative of the Onside Network in Liberia, Aaron Weah, joining us and showing that not only can he stand the cold and wet of the Derwent Walk in December, but that he’s got decent soccer skills, even if he’s really a basketball player!The final total we raised was £2,230 - the highest amount we’ve raised in any of our four Christmas Dribbles.  We had 109 se...

MADE IN UK DAY 2022

March 9 2022, is Made in UK Day, the day when Make it British celebrate and champion designers and producers in the UK.  I am delighted to be part of this unique campaign and proud to design and produce my products in the UK. There has never been a more important time to buy products that are made in the UK and support local manufacturing.  By pledging to buy products that are made in the UK you are lowering your carbon footprint, saving essential skills, helping local economies and cr...

TIME TO IMPRESS YOUR VISITORS WITH EXPERTLY MADE COFFEE AND BECOME A VICP TOO!

We recently hosted our first Coffee Course in the new training space at our roastery and it was such fun we just had to tell you more about it!We love sharing our passion for coffee with others and have created a series of courses to quench your thirst for coffee knowledge, hone your brewing skills and prepare you to join our Durham Coffee Club should you wish to become a VICP (very important coffee person).By completing two of our coffee lover’s courses (Beginners or Barista and Advanced), yo...

A 'NO-NONSENSE STRESS-BUSTING' TIP FROM GILLIAN!

Click on the image below to watch Gillian's video!...

JUST A THOUGHT, IS THIS A FULL ENGLISH?

For me, a great brekkie is hash browns, bacon (crispy) and a fried egg (or two!) Thinking about marketing for a moment, the complete marketing process is made up of loads of tasty bits! It may be PR, video production, creative writing, feedback, sales process, motivation, connected thinking, SEO, PPC, social media campaigns, market research, blogs . . . the list goes on! I am just so happy to operate in an environment with incredibly talented people doing great things, we get to work with amazin...

JOANNE IS AT LAND OF OAK & IRON ON 19th MARCH

Our next Meet the Maker is with artist Joanne Rowland. For those of you who don't know her yet, Joanne specialises in creating pet portraits and wildlife art in a variety of mediums, including realistic portraits in coloured pencil or acrylic, colourful, modern portraits in pen and ink, and little graphite sketches. Joanne lives on the borders of Durham and Northumberland with the very fabulous Mr R and two crazy and cheeky Romanian rescue dogs, otherwise known as Creative Assistants #1 & #2. Sh...

CURRENT CYBER THREAT IN RESPONSE TO UKRAINE

Please see attached from the CityOfLondon Police/NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) in relation to the Cyber threat posed to UK businesses/organisations as a result of the Russia/Ukraine conflict.  Whilst there is no current specific threats to UK organisations as a result of the conflict, the cyber threat is heightened. In short - actions can be found at the below link. The NCSC is calling on all UK organisations to bolster their defences… Actions to take when the cyber threat is...

OUR FACE TO FACE MEETINGS ARE BACK!

DATE: Tuesday, 15th March 2022 - 8:30-10:00 VENUE: Consett Rugby Club, Amethyst Park, Medomsley Road, Consett, County Durham, DH8 6LU Our members meetings are fun, friendly and proactive.  Make sure you book your place early to avoid disappointment.As well as our regular networking activities,  representatives from Durham County Council are joining us to talk about the Big Econ-versation survey that all businesses in the County are being invited to take part in - have your say on ...

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES WANTED!

Are you looking for a new volunteering challenge?  Would you like to help the Derwent Valley Partnership (DVP) identify local issues, develop projects to help tackle these and have a say in where our funding is spent? If ‘yes’, the DVP will soon have seven public rep vacancies on its Board.  This exciting opportunity is open to anyone aged 16+ who lives, works, studies or volunteers in our area.  Applicants must have a keen interest in their community, and a desire to take par...

DERWENT VALLEY PARTNERSHIP PRIORITY SURVEY

The DVP receives an annual budget to help tackle local priorities and issues so it is really important to us that we know where to target this funding, to help improve the quality of life for our local residents, and to make our area a more attractive place for those who wish to visit for recreation and/or to access services. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete the current priority survey consultation that will help determine the priorities for the DVP to focus on in the coming y...

MORNING, ENJOY YOUR DAY - EXCITED TO BE WITH DURHAM COFFEE!

Please click the image to play Mags' video....

WILL YOUR BENEFICIARIES INHERIT EQUALLY FROM YOU?

Have you had the important discussion with your family as to how your estate will be divided on your death?  Yes, it is a difficult conversation to have but it can save a lot of heartache in the future, especially if your children are surprised that they are not being treated equally.Click here to check out my latest blog post and please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to have a chat about the best way to deal with your estate.Jan, Jan Cook Wills & Trusts...

HEALTH BEGINS WITH THE HEART . . .

In 2009 the High Desert Heart Institute in the USA carried a comprehensive human clinical study on Synergy’s ProArg-9+. For this study, 33 high-risk heart failure patients were selected.  The vast majority of the patients in the study had reached the end of what medical science could do for them.  They were at maximum drug levels, maximum supplemental oxygen and maximum therapy. Some of these patients were on a heart-transplant list.Each patient was given 2 ProArgi-9+ in the morning ...

THE POCKET PERCH HAS HAD A BIT OF A MAKEOVER

They now have a more defined machine sewn edge which helps them keep their shape better. Still providing fab protection and warmth from cold, damp, dirty perching places.  There's lots to choose from on the Jacwicks website, which is your favourite? Ruth, Jacwicks Designs...

IT'S TIME TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR I.T.

In February, Centurion Computers are endeavouring to “bring the love” to your relationship with your I.T.Did you know Centurion cover the following?CCTV camera installation, setup, and support.WiFi installation, improvement, and support. Good WiFi is essential for smart T.V.’s, Heating systems, multiple laptops/tablets, VoIP systems.VoIP phone support – talk to us regarding handsets, moving between business and home, ability to transfer numbers to mobile phones.4G networks - we are an EE...

HAPPY BUSINESS BIRTHDAYS!

Happy Business Birthdays to Toomey Legal (7 years) and Westwood Accountancy (13 years).  Huge congratulations from all your friends at DBN!...

County Durham Inclusive Economic Strategy - Have your say!

Durham County Council is building an economic strategy that will shape the County’s economic growth over the next 10 years. Businesses, large and small, in all sectors and across the County are being invited to take part in a conversation which will inform the strategy and give you a say on what is important to your business.Your views, experiences, knowledge, and ambitions will help us create the kind of economy we need for our County. The Big Econ-versation provides you with a voice to share...

LAND OF OAK & IRON HERITAGE CENTRE

As spring approaches the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre, the team have been busy planning events, activities and workshops. If you’ve not visited them before, Land of Oak & Iron covers a 177km2 area from the River Tyne at Prudhoe, along the River Derwent and into County Durham.  The Heritage Centre is situated in the beautiful Lower Derwent Valley, with our lovely little Heritage Centre and café looking out onto Derwenthaugh Park - once a world leading iron and steel works, it has be...

INTRODUCING WILD WALLACE!

The Cooper Rose in Sunderland has undergone a 2.2 million pound refit and I was commissioned to paint my version of Wallace the Lion.  Wallace was a captive lion and performed in the winter gardens in the 1800s.  The museum has displayed Wallace since 1879.  I called my version Wild Wallace, what I would like to think he'd look like in his prime, and more importantly, Wild.  I included a couple of discrete battle scars, as he was a handful when he was at Sunderland, I can't s...

SEE NORIKOART ON HEXHAMTV

Last month Noriko ran a family friendly 1 hour art workshop on HexhamTV with her children.  In the show she demonstrated how easy it is to create Japanese paper collage with newspaper.  Here is lovely artwork made by people who joined in the workshop.For those who missed it, the recording is available to buy from HexhamTV. Just click here for the link to the recording.Noriko offers her art workshops both face-to-face and online. To find out more about her workshops, visit her website h...

ANN ENGLISH - I HAVE THREE EXCITING THINGS TO SHARE . . .

British Display Society AwardI’m proud to have been awarded Fellow of The British Display Society in recognition to my services in the Design and Display industry.  My story is also featured in their global VM Spotlight magazine (pgs. 46-49) (just click here to read the article).A-Z of Visual MarketingFollowing on from the A-Z of Visual Marketing masterclass I delivered virtually to DBN members during lockdown.  I’ve now developed the content into an online training course, this wi...

1950s FRONT STREET TERRACE AT BEAMISH MUSEUM

Join us to celebrate the opening of our 1950s terrace from 19th to 27th February 2022. Front Street terrace in The 1950s Town will include four new exhibits for you to explore - John’s Café, Middleton’s Quality Fish and Chips, Elizabeth’s Hairdresser’s and a recreation of the 1950s home of North East artist Norman Cornish.  Book your Beamish visit now!...

INTRODUCING OUR BRAND NEW KENYAN PEABERRY COFFEE

This is our very first peaberry coffee and it has been a fun coffee to roast.  Being a thicker denser bean, the peaberry develops differently in the roaster compared to normal beans meaning it took a bit more experimenting to get used to how this bean reacts and create a roast profile we’re happy with.  In the end we went for a light/medium roast that showcases the lush blackcurrant sweetness of this Kenyan bean whilst retaining a nice medium body.Our Kenyan peaberry beans originate ...

NORIKO'S LATEST CARTOON - "SAUSAGES"

...