Chamber members net Business Awards >>
Read about the Chamber in our quarterly publication.
Download the latest Chamber newsletter >>>
(PDF 2.6MB)
Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter...
News
Quicklinks
Chamber members net Business Awards >>>
Town Centre Sign for Newhaven >>>
Young People of the Year Awards >>>
Supporting women in business >>>
Posted May 2010
Extra sensory environment
The Newhaven Chamber of Commerce has chosen the Denton Island Community Centre as their chosen charity for 2010.
The community based nursery within Denton Island Community Centre prides itself on offering an excellent range of facilities for parents and children. It has places for up to 66 children from 3 months old to 5 years and offers a range of services, information and support in the local community.
The support includes advice on pregnancy, birth, home visiting, family drop-ins, parenting support and much more.
The Denton Island Community Centre are developing a sensory room within the nursery which will cater for children with special play needs including social and emotional difficulties. Currently there are limited local specialist play opportunities for children with special needs. Grays School in Newhaven and Peacehaven Infants both have sensory rooms connected to their Schools, however, there is no provision for the under 5’s (which is the speciality of the Denton Island Community Centre nursery).
The sensory room facility will be open to all local children, not just those connected with the nursery. They plan to use special educational needs trained nursery staff to run the sensory room sessions. They also hope to run parent support groups within the room for parents of children with special needs.
Denton Island Nursery is fundraising to help towards converting one of its rooms into a sensory room. They are planning to redecorate the room and to purchase and install some specialist play equipment that stimulates the senses. They will have a particular focus on equipment for children with behavioural difficulties.
They are aiming to raise a total of up to £15,000 and are currently three quarters of the way there.
Contact: nursery managers Sarah Willis or Sarah Cockram
on 01273 517250.
Posted May 2010
2010 AGM matters
New Chamber committee line up for the year ahead.
The Chamber held its annual AGM in May at the Enterprise Centre on Denton Island and was extremely well attended by members and visiting dignitaries.
It was reported that the Chamber had grown to 91 members over the last 12 months and plans to grow the membership are in progress.
Paul Boswell reported that the Chamber’s weekly breakfast club was by far and away the most successful networking activity for the members and guests. Attendance has regularly been approximately 25% of membership, which is a considerable success for any chamber of commerce.
Town centre meetings concerning its welfare were progressing well attended by the town centre shops and businesses. A new town centre sign has been installed with financial help from Newhaven Town Council with plans for two more signs in progress.
The Chamber continues to work closely with partner organisations including local governments, business support agencies and community groups as well as being an important voice for the business community. This year the Chamber has committed to sponsoring The Newhaven Town Council Young Peoples Awards, the Dynamo Girls Football Club team kit, Remembrance Day Wreaths and the Newhaven Fish Festival.
Training seminars and social events have also been very successful, in particular an inter-chamber quiz night at The Star Inn, Alfriston, with Seaford and Peacehaven Chambers of Commerce, and several talks from Chamber members on subjects such as Online Social Networking, Health & Safety and Fraud. The Chamber is continuing to arrange further talks and social events such as the annual BBQ and Christmas dinner.
Posted March 2010
Chamber members net Business Awards
This year’s annual Sussex Express Business Awards proved a resounding success for our Chamber members.
Back in March the annual Sussex Express Business Awards 2010 were held at East Sussex National Golf Resort and Spa near Uckfield. After a champagne reception and superb meal, Fred Dineage of Meridian News entertained the audience and then presented the awards to businesses from across the region.
Members of Newhaven Chamber of Commerce featured heavily as sponsors. Cavendish Communications were the main sponsor and a number of other businesses including Chamber members GW Iron Works, Newhaven Enterprise Centre, NCDA and Newhaven Strategic Network sponsored several of the individual categories.
A number of our members were nominated across the range of categories with a resounding success for:
Business of the Year (up to 5 employees) Newhaven Enterprise Centre; and Business Personality to its Centre Manager Claire Murray.
Best Innovation Cash Bases Ltd.
Lifetime Achievement Award Peter Crowley of Wave Leisure.
Best Where to Learn Tideway School.
Other award winners include:
Overall Business of the Year Richard Soan Roofing of Lewes.
Business of the Year (6 to 10 employees) St Wilfred’s Hospice.
Business of the Year (10+ employees) Blind Design.
Customer Service Club Class Chauffeurs and Executive Driving Services.
Star Builder Riley’s carpentry.
Where to Eat Cafe Rasoi.
Employer of the Year Health Management Ltd.
Going Green Haulaway Ltd.
Young Achiever Lloyd Butler of Steve Willis Training.
Newhaven Enterprise Centre manager Claire Murray said: “We are so delighted to have won the Business of the Year award.”
Sponsors Aurora Fireworks rounded the evening off with a spectacular firework display in the hotel grounds.
The winners of this year’s awards will all be entered in the Southern Business Awards and invited to a dinner and presentation night at the Grand Hotel, Brighton in September. We wish them luck.
Posted March 2010
Town Centre Sign for Newhaven
A new town centre sign highlighting the shops and traders within the area has passed planning approval and is due to be erected within the next couple of months. The aim of the sign is help raise awareness and direct shoppers to the various traders within Newhaven Town Centre.
Posted March 2010
Young People of the Year Awards
Celebrating inspirational young achievers in Newhaven.
The results of the first ever Newhaven Young People of the Year Awards were announced in a special ceremony at Tideway School in Southdown Road in March.
The scheme was set up by Newhaven Young Mayor Daly Tucknott to highlight the positive contribution that young people make.
Newhaven Mayor Carla Butler said: “The awards were a huge success and has certainly shown that Newhaven is not short of amazing children and young people. Young people are enormously proud when they receive recognition, and the awards night meant a lot to the nominees’ friends and families. It is hoped that these awards will run again next year.”
Each winner received a £50 cash prize and trophy.
The winners were: Young Carer, Nicolle Payne; Young Person of Courage, Nicholas Cole; Young Fundraiser, Maddison Manville; Young Volunteer, Heidi Aveline; Young Sportsperson, Connor Sandalls; Young Achiever, Adam Wiggins and Young Group, Newhaven and Seaford Sea Cadets.
Sponsors included Newhaven Chamber of Commerce, NCDA, Wave Leisure, GW Iron Works, Lewes District Crime Reduction Partnership, Excell Design and Newhaven Enterprise Centre
Posted March 2010
Here come the girls!
With the World Cup nearly upon us DGFC take the field by storm.
Newhaven Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be a team sponsor for Dynamo Girls Football Club. The Chamber is sponsoring the U15 girls for this and next season and the sponsorship enabled the club to purchase a new Stanno team strip in the club’s red/black colours. Dynamo GFC was formed in 2003 and some of the current team have been with the club for all that time. For the last four seasons the team have been playing in the Sussex Woman and Girls league but this year are taking part in a new 6-a-side competition that the club hopes will see a host of new girls take up the sport. Club Chairman (and previous President of the Newhaven Chamber of Commerce) Paul Cartwright explains:
“Over recent years there has been a dramatic fallout of players from junior and youth football. Part of this is due to the low publicity girls football receives, in part it’s down to the changes in lifestyle for young people and in part it can also be down to the bullying girls can receive at school. It’s crazy but I think sometimes the boys feel a bit threatened when a girl takes part in what is perceived to be a male sport!”
It is crazy when you consider that until recently girls football was one of the fastest growing team sports in the country. “We want to encourage new players into the sport – it has so many positive benefits, especially in a world dominated by mobile phones and Facebook sites! The new competition is designed to fit into the girls’ modern lifestyles. The ability to commit to playing week in, week out isn’t always there so what we want to do is provide them with a competition that enables them to enjoy the game, and pursue their other interests.”
The new competition will be trialled for the first time this month when teams from across Sussex will be invited to Telscombe Cliffs Playing Fields to take part in a 6-a-side tournament. “I’m hopeful that not only will we get some of the existing clubs taking part, but new ones, with new players,” Paul commented.
Besides the U15 team that the Newhaven Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring, the club also has teams at U10 and U12. “In recent years we have had as many as 60 players at the club and I am keen to get the numbers back up to those levels and beyond. We have a fantastic set-up here, with a great bunch of volunteers, a superb club house and a beautiful ground at which we play our matches.”
If you know of any girls aged 7 – 15 years old and interested in playing football, please get them in touch with the club via their website at www.dynamo-gfc.co.uk We at the Chamber will be following the successes of the club during our two year sponsorship deal.
www.dynamo-gfc.co.uk/team_U15.htm
Posted January 2010
Supporting women in business
Author: Jennie Burraway - Women's Business Link Advisor for East Sussex
Helping to bring your ideas to life
Across the South East region, a project is taking place to improve the help available to women who may be thinking about starting their own business or are currently trading. It is called the South East Women's Business Service, or SEWBS.
Why do it?
Although women and men form roughly 50% each of clients for mainstream business support, fewer women are actually setting up businesses, and they may find it harder to access the help they need once they do. We know there are a number of reasons for this.
The SEWBS project will build on what we know, and find new ways to reach and support women before and after they set up businesses, whatever their background and experience.
How will it work?
Women will have access to one-to-one clinics, mentoring, workshops as well as ongoing phone and email support, training/professional development, information and networking events. We can also help people find their way around other Business Link support such as Finance Clinics or Enterprise Hubs. All free of charge.
We will respond as flexibly as we can to people's individual needs and ideas.
Where will it happen?
We will take the service out across East Sussex. Wherever possible we will team up with other organisations in order to make things easier for people using the service.
We know that some women feel they face additional barriers, perhaps because they are young or old, are from a minority background, or do not have English as a first language. Perhaps they are dealing with health or disability issues or a low income. They may be single parents, or have been out of the workplace for a long time. Or any combination of these or other factors.
For some women, running your own business can be a way to reach long term goals - or simply a way to fit work and life together! If you'd like to know more about working for yourself, or creating a new enterprise, or if you are already running one, we'd like to hear from you, 0845 600 9 006. If you support women and feel we could help you, we are happy to explore ways to work together.
'Business Link has appointed Jennie Burraway as a new Women's Business Advisor for East Sussex. Jennie comes from a marketing background, is a member of the Chartered Institute of marketing and has a specialism in digital marketing.
Jennie explains her new role, "I am here to help women who might want to think about setting up their own business, who are in the stages of planning it, or who have been up and running for up to 3 years with intensive support and mentoring."
The service is for women who haven't been introduced to Business Link and might not recognise it as a source of help. Support will be offered flexibly according to individual needs such as one-to-one advice, information, training, workshops and networking events - all free of charge and in a location which is convenient.
Jennie is employed by Business Link and can be contacted on
0845 600 9 006.
What if I don't live in East Sussex?
Call Business Link on 0845 600 9 006 and the helpline will find the right person for you.
Events
RNLI tour and talk
Sunday 12th September 2010
Curry Night
Monday 13th September 2010
BBQ Breakfast
22nd September 2010
Denton Island Indoor Bowls Club - Open Weekend
Date: Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th September 2010
HR Talk - Sue Lucas Associates
Date: 14th October 2010
Veolia Talk
Thursday 11th November 2010
Xmas Dinner
Friday 3rd December 2010
Find out more >>>
Breakfast Club
The Newhaven Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast Club meets weekly and is an excellent way to meet new customers and suppliers for your business.
Forthcoming speakers:
8/9/2010 - John Lawrence, Tennyson Suite
15/9/2010 - Visitors Day, everyone welcome
22/9/2010 - David Poynter,
D K Poynter & Co.
29/9/2010 - Mike Steer, Payline
6/10/2010 - Richard Excell, Excell Design
3/11/2010 - David Foster Associates