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BESPOKE HOMES DELIVERED BY GREG

We have been lucky enough to work on some really unique properties over the last few years, Barn Conversions are starting to become a bit of a signature for us along with our new builds.  Strangford Barn is an absolute belter.  Again, thanks have to go out to all of our talented team!Greg, GOC Construction Management...

C'est la vie! with Nathalie

Today's word: vie C'est la vie ! = That's life!Jamais de la vie = never ever.Ce n'est pas une vie = that's no way to live.A la vie, à la mort = in life and death, for life.Voldemort in Harry Potter means "flight of death" or "steal of death....

DURHAM COFFEE

Pick up your Durham Coffee from our eco-friendly stockistsWe're Bernhard & Carina and are the dream team in my eyes (hehe) as we love working together and balance each other nicely.  Born in Austria (Bernhard) and Germany (Carina) we have lived in the beautiful city of Durham for over 16 years now and love being able to call the North East our home.  We're mad about fresh pour over coffee in its pure black state undiluted by milk and start our work days by sharing at least 1 brew or so...

WHAT EXACTLY DOES ROTARY DO?

Many of us have chatted with Estelle Spring from Consett Rotary at our DBN meetings but how many of us know what Rotary does?  Estelle has kindly written an article about Rotary that we have uploaded to the DBN website.  You can read it in full by clicking here. Here are some facts about Rotary: The Foundation is the largest charity pot in the world.  Rotary boasts 1.2 Million Members and 35000 clubs.Consett Club was established in 1942.In 1979 Rotary began immunising 6 million ch...

THE NORTH EAST BUSINESS SUPPORT FUND

The North East Business Support Fund has been extended through to March 2023 and is open again for applications.  NBSL have been able to secure further investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the value of £1.6m to support 730 businesses.We’re delighted to report that John Atkinson has recorded a podcast for DBN about the Support Fund which gives lots of helpful advice and tips on how to ensure you get your grant application right first time, what information is n...

WORKING-FROM-HOME ENVIRONMENT SURVEY

Working-from-Home Environment Survey.  Are you at home?  Can You Help Please? I'm researching the settings and makeshift workspaces people are using to work-from-home at the moment.  Where are you sitting, what are you surrounded by, what kind of view do you have etc? My work is about enabling individuals and organisations to create supportive and effective environments at home and in the workplace.  This research will contribute the design of a support programme for people w...

VISUAL PUNCH - NEW MAILING LIST

We have a brand new MAILING LIST that’s going to deliver you some truly awesome goodies direct to your inbox.That’s right, Visual Punch is bringing you MORE fab video marketing content direct to your inbox! Our emails will deliver you:The latest ‘All Talk, No Waffle’ episode(s)Additional tips & tricks on how to implement the strategies & techniques covered in the weekly episodeUpdates on Visual Punch’s business growth and new offerings for you & your business!If this sounds like s...

SCAM ALLERT FROM BOAT SHACK CAFE FACEBOOK!

Please don’t accept any friend requests from the Boat Shack Cafe.  These are NOT from us, so please report them if you receive this.Many thanks, Sam, Boat Shack Cafe...

PHIL LAUNCHES HIS VIRTUAL GALLERY

I can't believe I'm saying this but I now have a Virtual Gallery!!!!Please take a look around and let me know what you think?If you click on the photos you will be able to take a closer look, enjoy.Phil, Phil Benton Photography We think it's amazing Phil - what a great way to showcase your images!The DBN Team...

REPORTED & BLOCKED . . . BY JO

Just flicking through my notifications on my phone this morning & I notice a new review for my business page on FaceBook.It's from a 'gentleman' (I'm being generous!) promoting someone he knows who clearly deals in some sort of cryptocurrency.  Nothing to do with Jo Long Consulting or the marketing / strategic services that I offer.I've done the 'right thing' by reporting the review to FB & banning him from my page, and to be honest it's not my primary platform of choice but why do people t...

OUR VERY OWN DBN POEM BY GILLIAN

At our last ‘Get Business Fit for the Future’ workshop Gillian finished off our meeting with this special poem.  Our very own DBN poem, what do you think?  Thank you so much Gillian, your talents are endless!You can hear Gillian's poem here....

LOCKDOWN CARTOON #37 - GUILT

I think lots of parents are juggling work and childcare at the moment.  I feel guilty that I’m often working while my children are spending too much screen time at home.But from the children’s point of view, they seem to be quite happy that I’m not overlooking them all the time.  Well, maybe I don’t need to be too harsh on myself after all?Since schools are reopening soon and the children will be missing screen time at home?Noriko, Noriko Art...

JUSTIN ON SYNERGY

Two and a half years ago I was unexpectedly admitted to hospital for major bowel surgery and ended up having 13 cm of my colon removed.  I was then diagnosed with an incurable disease called Crohns. For most people this seriously affects their everyday life, resulting in some have a bag fitted, others have serious flare ups and are readmitted to hospital, some pass blood, all sorts of horror stories.  Four months after leaving hospital I was introduced to Synergy gut health products an...

WILLOW BURN HOSPICE - RETAIL VOLUNTEERING TEAM & HELP OUR CHARITY SHOPS

Join our Retail Volunteering Team and help the Willow Burn Hospice Charity Shops to come back with a bang when we re-open!By donating just four hours of your time each week, you could make thousands of pounds of vital income for your Local Hospice.Roles are available at:Willow Burn Hospice Chester-le-Street ShopWillow Burn Hospice Stanley ShopWillow Burn Hospice Consett ShopFind out more by clicking here.The Willow Burn Team...

WELL DONE DAVID!

It’s great to see how much people have valued having an expert adviser by their side during these uncertain times.  After receiving outstanding client reviews, these advisers have recently qualified for the 2021 Guide To Top Rated Financial Advisers, distributed in The Times.  Well done!Many thanks to my clients who have voted me as one of the Top Rated Financial planners in the UK for the third year running.David Toner, Wealth Partner - True Potential Wealth Management...

ARE YOUR SURE YOU DON'T NEED A WILL?

If you think you don't need a Will, have you considered the following?  Click here to view the video....

THE DURHAM COFFEE BULLETIN

Keep up to date with the Durham Coffee BulletinOur latest Durham Coffee Bulletin is now available.  Join the Durham Coffee Community and stay connected with all our latest news and offers.  Just click here to receive your own copy of the bulletin.Bernhard and Carina, Durham Coffee, Durham Coffee...

XERO BLOG

The pandemic has forced businesses and individuals to adapt quickly to constantly changing rules and regulations.  There are still many unknowns ahead, but there are some things small businesses can start to plan for - these include a number of developments set to impact payroll in 2021.Just before Christmas, the Chancellor extended the furlough deadline as the third lockdown was announced.  And in April, off-payroll working rules will shift the responsibility for determining the tax s...

Wellbeing Products by Imago Skincare

Pauline Thompson from Imago Skincare has been making handmade and bespoke skin care products since 2004.  The raw materials used in her products are derived from plant and marine sources! As a qualified aromatherapist, Pauline uses specially selected essential oils to give fragrance and enhance the effectiveness of her skincare products.   All the essential oils Pauline uses have therapeutic effects, common essential oils used in aromatherapy have health benefi...

Message from Tayloredfit Physio for DBN Wellbeing Month

Tayloredfit Physio is a health and wellness centre based in Langley Park, Durham.  They offer a range of personalised treatments from sports massage to yoga and much more! All of their treatments have wellbeing benefits as Vicky Smith explains......

THREE PAYROLL CHANGES AND TRENDS TO PREPARE FOR IN 2021

The pandemic has forced businesses and individuals to adapt quickly to constantly changing rules and regulations.  There are still many unknowns ahead, but there are some things small businesses can start to plan for - these include a number of developments set to impact payroll in 2021.Just before Christmas, the Chancellor extended the furlough deadline as the third lockdown was announced.  And in April, off-payroll working rules will shift the responsibility for determining the tax s...

SPRING IS HERE!

Spring is here, and with the potential of restrictions being relaxed, it is a great time to order garden furniture.Square thick panelled planter £45Rectangular 1 m planter £35Garden coffee/drinks table £60All made by hand to order.Other furniture to come.  All outdoor furniture uses pressure treated timber to prevent rot, to extend the life of the furniture other treatments can be used (advice can be given).  Planters can be lined with cardboard when filling. Will, IR8 Bes...

Justin Chilton from Synergy

As part of DBN Wellbeing awareness month, Justin Chilton from Synergy talks to us about the importance of a healthy microbiome and the benefits he's seen with his own personal experience following a Crohn's disease diagnosis.Synergy is part of a word wide company that focuses on addressing health holistically rather than symptomatically by supporting the microbiome, the community of microorganisms that live both on and within the body. If anyone would like to get in touch with Justin d...

4-MINUTE FRENCH LEARNING WITH NATHALIE

4-Minute French learning adventures for everyone with Nathalie at Nattalingo. Click here and on the image to watch Nathalie's video....

JAMES AT VISUAL PUNCH - 'ALL TALK, NO WAFFLE’, EPISODE 4

‘All Talk, No Waffle’, Episode 4: “Why video is the most effective way to deliver your company message in 2021”That’s right, your favourite snappy video series is back - and this week I’m talking about the need for video content in 2021 to help you promote your business offering.  Despite various marketing reports released at the start of the year, and people like me telling you the importance of video, I still have many clients come to me dubious of the media type.So this week�...