Bold interactive digital installation to light up Worthing town centre

Leading digital artists, As Described, in partnership with Colonnade House are delighted to announce that they have been successful in securing Arts Council funding, for their digital public art installation “Geminate II” for Worthing from March 21st - April 2nd.

Worthing is the second instance that artists Adam Seaman and Jim Horsfield will be installing their interactive digital light project, but their work has been enjoyed by music fans all over the world, thanks to their professional collaborations with artists such as Portishead and Beardyman.

Artists Adam Seaman and Jim Horsfield launched the first Geminate project simultaneously in the vacant Co-op department store window in Ipswich and the Town Hall in Lens, France. They are now collaborating with award winning and Oscar nominated composer Andrew Phillips and movement choreographer Jennifer Irons whose credits include the Rugby League World Cup 2013 Opening Ceremony, together they will bring Geminate II to Worthing. This edition will feature multiple motion capture cameras and an interactive soundtrack.

The installation will be located in the main gallery of Colonnade House (Warwick Street). and will turn the exterior windows into an interactive screen.  Each evening, the windows of Colonnade House will be transformed into a playful canvas that will capture people’s movements into colourful digital abstractions.

Adam Seaman says:

“Jim and I are really looking forward to presenting our latest version of this exciting project to participants in my home town at Colonnade House next month. We would like to thank Adur & Worthing Trust and Worthing Borough Council for being so supportive in their commitment to bringing engaging public artwork to the area.  We’re really looking forward to seeing how people interact and play with the projections.”

Adam Seaman is based in Worthing and is co-director along with Jim Horsfield of As Described, a creative video company that works nationally and internationally on video production and live events for festivals, bands and brands including, Brighton Festival, Madness and the Samsung Olympic Torch Relay.

As well as funding from the Arts Council, the project is supported by Worthing Borough Council and is part of the programme at Colonnade House, Worthing’s Creative Hub which has been set up with funding from the Coastal Communities Fund.  The Creative Hub is managed jointly by Worthing Borough Council and Adur & Worthing Trust.

“This is a really exciting use of the space at Colonnade House,” says Councillor Dr Heather Mercer, Executive Member for Customer Services at Worthing Borough Council.  

“I have been delighted to see the way that Colonnade House, restored with such care and reopened last year, has become an innovative part of Worthing’s creative scene.  We have some incredible artists in the Borough, and I’m delighted to say that the Borough Council is committed to promoting the growth of the arts and culture in Worthing.”

Karen Simporis, Chair of the Adur and Worthing Trust, adds:

“The Adur & Worthing Trust welcomes another opportunity to reinvent Worthing’s image with this exciting interactive project  in the centre of our town.

“We look forward to new and old audiences having fun whilst experimenting  with it and debating the creative use of digital technology.”

More details about the project can be found here: http://colonnadehouse.co.uk/event/geminate-ii/

Enquire today by emailing james@worthingdomeevents.co.uk

Cheeky Boy Sauces are finalists at the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards! 

Cheeky Boy SAUCES is a finalist at the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards, in the category of New Business Of The Year. We have come a long way in growth within the year of starting up. In 2017 we really want Cheeky Boy SAUCES to grow even faster, create an even better product, sell to more countries and improve everything we do. Thank you for supporting us and please help us to build our regional brand into a national icon. 

Maritime Dual Use Workshop – Solent Region 

There is increasing convergence between defence and commercial applications in areas such as surveillance, asset tracking and cyber-security.  This presents 'dual-use' opportunities for business.  Not only can convergence share costs across different applications, but also it offers broader market access for innovative products and services.

Recognising these trends, non-profit Marine South East is hosting a conference targeting maritime dual-use opportunities in autonomous systems and satellite applications.  Both of these themes are on a growth curve for investment, and are attracting widespread interest across public and private sectors.  The goal of the conference is to highlight innovation priorities and initiate relationships across defence and commercial, involving major primes and SMEs.

The conference will take place on 4th April 2017, as part of the Ocean Business  www.oceanbusiness.com   event programme in National Oceanography Centre (NOC), Southampton.  Registration is free, and includes an evening reception for networking. Programme for the day attached. Register for 4th April 2017 event by the following link http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/make_booking/?id=3811

The following day, 5th April, a B2B matchmaking event is being hosted also in NOC.  This is being organised by the Enterprise Europe Network in partnership with Marine South East.  This will enable firms to hold more detailed discussions on a one-to-one basis. Register for 5th April 2017 event by the following link https://www.b2match.eu/oceanbusiness2017/sign_up

Spaces at the event will be limited and registrations will close 24th March 2017, so please ensure you have booked by this date.

Any queries, please contact Sarah Johnson, PR & Marketing Manager on 02380 111 593 sj@mseuk.org 

Click here to download the full workshop programme

“From the Wi-Fi plenty and from the sea health” - Why you should escape the rat race and move to Worthing

If I asked you to think ‘business’, and then ‘Worthing’, I bet your imagination would take you to a grey office in a grey town, like Slough perhaps?  No, I said Worthing!

I’ll tell you my story; Spanish guy works for a global media company in London, cycles 80 minutes a day (to save £170 in travel costs), risking his life but still doing his daily breathing exercises, albeit straight from an infinite supply of exhaust pipes.

One day this guy gets the crazy idea of extending his life expectancy by moving to a healthier place, ideally keeping his career prospects. He looks for Shangri-La or Rivendell in the A-Z Map, and Brighton comes closest.  Then, prohibitive rents and patronising estate agents show him he isn’t the first to entertain this idea. So, he bounces west into Worthing; less glamorous, still maritime, and cheaper. But ‘Worthing is changing’, he keeps hearing, as days become months and his visits to Brighton less frequent.

The next frontier in this insatiable lifestyle improvement business is quitting his job and becoming a freelancer, and with lower overheads Worthing is the perfect place to do it. In fact, the town’s motto should be changed to ‘from the Wi-Fi plenty and from the sea health.’

But cost is not the only advantage Worthing offers to freelancers. If you cannot work too close to your fridge, there are five top places to grow your business from:

Freedom Works

Does freedom work? This is something millions of freelancers ask ourselves every day. Co-working spaces like this convince us that it does. Although recently opened, a friendly tribe of old-time Worthing freelancers has already warmed the desks of this highly-equipped space that smells like new. It did remind me of London offices, except I wasn’t being watched. Expect a heroic broadband speed.                                                                                                                                   

St. Paul’s

It’s really inspiring that in a small town of an ever-individualising nation obsessed with real estate investments, there is a thriving agora. Greek Revivalist in design and spirit, St Paul’s empowers you to become a better citizen by allowing you to eat, drink, chat, dance, learn, do your yoga, paint, listen to live music, and by all means, work on your freelancing business. If you haven’t been here yet you are missing out on the best of Worthing.                                   

The Loft co-working space

Located in Warwick street, Worthing’s ‘Latinest’ street, The Loft is a co-working space that further puts you in the direction of the freelancing dream by making it almost impossible for you not to take your lunch break in one of the nearby cafes. Great atmosphere and a welcoming feeling.

Southern Pavilion

Come here if you want to imagine what it would have felt like if the Titanic had installed Wi-Fi in its First Class dining room. Sit next to the window and have a productive and maritime-influenced work session without the wind ruining it.                                                                                                                                   

The Sphere

Secluded in the guts of Northbrook College, Worthing’s Chamber of Commerce co-working space is surrounded by young energy and a stylised environment that reminded me of a Scandinavian University. A great place to cultivate a growth mentality and collaborate, with a friendly atmosphere from the off.                                       

The Beach

Yes, the beach. In particular, immediately east of the Pier there is council Wi-Fi. You won’t find any sockets though, so plan your work session and make sure you have time to photograph yourself and share it among your cubicled friends; but make sure not to show off!

Peru is a Worthing-based digital marketing consultant, helping small business make more business through their websites. www.perubuesa.com 

Article published in Here & Now Magazine 

Worthing Homes - Recruitment for Chair of Board 

Chair of Board - Salary £7,880 p.a.

Worthing Homes is a housing association with 3,500 homes in the Sussex coastal area. The majority of our homes are for social rent but we also provide affordable and intermediate rented housing; shared ownership and homes for outright sale. We have ambitions to increase the provision of homes locally and have the resources to be able to provide an additional 500 homes over the next 5 years. We also have commitments to deliver an excellent customer experience, increase the use of IT to access our services, and to invest in the local community.

The current Chair’s maximum term of office comes to an end in September 2017, we are therefore seeking an innovative and passionate individual who will steer the Board in setting the strategic vision and direction of the organisation; continue to bring strong leadership to ensure that we build on our ambitions and achievements; balance our social and commercial objectives and promote our values and aims. Candidates will have a substantial record of successful work at a senior level as a Chair; non-executive director or an executive director of an organisation; be able to act strategically and effectively lead a team of expert and experienced board members; be well informed about the social housing/charity sector and have a genuine affinity with the values and aims of Worthing Homes. In addition, experience in delivering exceptional levels of customer satisfaction within demanding efficiency targets and/or property development would be an advantage. As we are a local provider, candidates should live within an hour’s commute of Worthing.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the provision of housing and the communities that we serve on the South coast by leading the Board and working closely with other board members, the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and the staff of Worthing Homes to deliver our ambitious plans.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We value each individual’s unique contribution, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or social background.

To find out more about us, visit our website www.worthing-homes.org.uk.

For an informal chat about the role please contact either Jackie Bligh, Chief Executive, on 01903 703 169 or e-mail jbligh@worthing-homes.org.uk or Catherine Taylor, Assistant Company Secretary on 01903 703 184 or email ctaylor@worthing-homes.org.uk.

To apply, send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you are interested in this role to jobs@worthinghomes.org.uk. Closing date for the receipt of applications is Monday 27 February 2017.

Please click here to download the full advert

Please click here to download the full role description 

Part of a West Sussex-wide scheme, known as the Local Enterprise and Apprenticeship Platform (LEAP), there is approximately £71,000 available for businesses located in Adur and a similar amount for businesses based in Worthing.

The scheme recognises the vital role that small businesses play in the local economy and the particular difficulties that micro businesses (those with up to 10 employees) can face in accessing funds to help them grow and take on staff. Small businesses (up to 50 employees) can face similar difficulties when looking to take on an apprentice or provide apprenticeship opportunities for existing staff, and these are the type of businesses this scheme is designed to help.

The scheme is being delivered by the Adur & Worthing Business Partnership, and businesses will be on the Awards Panel, helping to decide which applications are successful.

Eligible businesses can apply online or submit a hard copy of the application form. Full details, including application forms and guidance notes can be found on our business grants page.

Chairman of the Adur & Worthing Business Partnership, Andrew Swayne, said:

“The Adur & Worthing Business Partnership brings together businesses in Adur & Worthing and works with partner agencies to support and grow the local economy. Our priorities include supporting small businesses and increasing the number of local apprenticeship and development opportunities, so I am delighted that the Partnership has the opportunity to work with the Councils on this scheme and that a number of our members are involved in the Grant Panel."

Worthing Borough Council's Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Bryan Turner, commented:

“The Councils recognise that smaller sized businesses make a huge impact to Worthing and Adur, and have become the backbone of our local economy. It's important that by working closely with partner organisations, like the Adur & Worthing Business Partnership, we're able to design a scheme that can utilise available funding and contribute to businesses that will highly benefit from the grant.”

Cllr Brian Boggis, Executive Member for Regeneration at Adur District Council, also echoed these words:

“This is a great example of the Councils working together to enhance our local economy. It's important that as local authorities we provide this type of support and funding when available, to small businesses where it will see great purpose. The scheme will also give added support to apprenticeships, vital for providing work opportunities for young people and teaching them skills to not only forge a career for themselves, but make a positive impact in our local economy.”

The ideas align with the Councils' recently adopted strategy, 'Platforms for our Places'. One of the core values is supporting our financial economy. By offering this funding, the scheme will help foster business growth and increase apprenticeship provision.