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

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

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?

 

 

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

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.

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 https://dream-on.co.uk or https://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

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

Traditional garden sheds can often be quite solitary in nature, but Men’s Sheds is quite the opposite. 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. https://www.facebook.com/Sproughtoncommunityshop

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

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.

What are the options for people with special needs, once they’ve left school? Having worked in a range of educational settings, Georgina Hanson 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: https://www.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 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