Brand new tea offer from Bird & Blend Tea Co.

We have a brand new tea offer! Our mobile tea experience van 'Birdie' is now available for private hire such as corporate events, weddings, welcome drinks, parties, conferences & team days! 

Since June of this year we've been trialling Birdie at various music festivals, events & private parties and we're now ready to up our game and spread the word about this very different & exciting kind of drinks experience to WOW your guests, your clients or your team. 

This past summer we traded at:

Love Supreme
Truck Fest
Boomtown Festival
Shambala Festival

We recently attended freshers fairs at both universities in Brighton and we’ve done our first corporate team day too!

We can do hot cuppas of our award-winning tea blends, iced teas & specialty matchas or tea cocktails/mocktails to set the scene for a fabulous party or event. 

We’ll work with you to tailor your drinks menu for your wedding guests, clients & team members. We've got some great ideas & are open to new ones too! 

Get in touch with our Brand Innovation Exec Meg Fenn on meg@birdandblendtea.com to chat about your event. Meg will be happy to discuss a W&A Chamber rate for fellow chamber members too.

About Bird & Blend Tea Co.

Bird & Blend are tea blending experts (AKA tea mixologists) with over 100 blends, special seasonal teas & matcha on the Bird & Blend famous Tea Wall. Customers have described the company as Tea Magicians! Tea is the TEAm’s passion and whether you’re browsing the website, chatting to our customer experience experts on social media or popping into one of our 17 stores across the UK, Bird & Blend will help you explore the magical world of tea! www.birdandblendtea.com

Can you offer your feedback on WSCC Active Travel Strategy?

Public consultation has begun on the future of active travel in West Sussex. The proposals that are being put forward set out how we can deliver improved walking, wheeling and cycling facilities across the county.

We are seeking your feedback on two important documents related to the way that we travel:  

• Our draft Active Travel Strategy, which sets out our vision and goals for active travel in the county for the next decade and beyond.  
• Our draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which identifies key locations where WSCC wants to invest in active travel.   

Have your say

You can find out more about the suggested improvements by visiting the project’s website: 

https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/active-travel-strategy

On the website you can read the draft Active Travel Strategy and LCWIP in full and have your say by completing a survey. The survey closes on 15 November 2023.

We would like to gain as many responses as possible, so please share details of these proposals through your networks. Your feedback is vital in shaping the final versions of the Active Travel Strategy and LCWIP, which are expected to be published in early 2024.

If you would like any of the materials in alternative formats, or have any questions, please email us at activetravel@westsussex.gov.uk or by telephone on 01243 642105 and we will do our best to assist you. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 (01243 642105).

Regards,

Active Travel Team

West Sussex County Council

Is your Business registered with the ICO?

How spending £35 can save you £4350

Since 2018 the Information Commissioners Office “ICO” has been issuing penalties up to £4350 to SME’s for failing to register their business on their website. The Data Protection Act was updated in 2018 making it mandatory for any UK trading business of any size which held personal data to register their company name and address confirming adherence to the Act. Any business failing to do this is breaking the law.

ICO now employs over 600 staff full time to identify and penalise offenders, many of whom are publicly named and shamed on the ICO website.

It took me 15 minutes to register my micro business and pay £35. In exchange I was given full guidance on how to protect my data and report breaches by third parties. A fair trade! I’ve since reported third parties who have illegally copied my details from other public websites such as linkedin and trade bodies and tried to sell them. So this system is not just another tax, it actually protects my business. You can then add your registration certificates to your website to prove you trade responsibly eg

https://consult-smp.com/intellectual-property-certificates

You can also access 24/7 free short tuition videos on wider IP protection for business continuity at  https://consult-smp.com/key-services  If you’d like to know more about protecting your data or intellectual property just give me a call on 07973 799153. 

Clive Bonny at Strategic Management Partners

Sussex Transport Sponsor Worthing FC Stadium

The 2-year agreement will bring onboard a successful local family business, with four sporting brothers born and raised in Worthing. Sussex Transport have an outstanding reputation and are an excellent local employer. From the start of the new season, the Club’s stadium will be renamed as The Sussex Transport Community Stadium to cement this partnership.

General Manager of the Club, Keith Mitchell said “This is yet another statement of intent from the club about securing both our current and long-term standing within the community. Sussex Transport and ST Containers have had a long and sustained association with the club and this agreement takes that partnership to another level”.

He went on to comment “The club are thrilled to have a successful local business with a genuine passion for the football club commit their ongoing support to our growth off the pitch, and thus enable our continued development on the pitch”.

Damian Pulford, Sussex Transport MD said “Sport is in our name and in our DNA and as fans of the club we are delighted to add our company support too. As an employer invested in workplace and community wellbeing, we look forward to the community benefits this partnership will develop”.

Sussex Transport Sponsor the Sussex Transport Senior Challenge Cup

We are absolutely thrilled to announce an incredible new partnership that further amplifies our commitment to community, sports, and excellence across our fantastic region. We're now the proud headline sponsor of the iconic Sussex Transport Senior Challenge Cup, the crown jewel of local football!  

This prestigious cup, with its rich heritage dating back to 1882-83, encapsulates the heart and soul of Sussex football. It's a privilege to have our name associated with this legacy, representing the essence of sportsmanship and camaraderie that makes us proud.  

Damian Pulford, our Managing Director, expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s a privilege for us here at Sussex Transport to be associated with the Senior Cup, a competition steeped in such history locally, and so keenly contested by the very best Sussex football has to offer each season”

Ken Benham, Chief Executive, added, “We’re delighted to have Sussex Transport on board with us, supporting one of our biggest County Cup competitions. With our headquarters a stone’s throw away from Sussex Transport’s, in Lancing, this partnership is one we are very excited about, and there are other areas, in addition to naming rights of the competition, that we look forward to working together with Damian and his team on, as the season progresses.”

This partnership wouldn't be possible without the support and collaboration of the Sussex County FA, and for that, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Together, we're poised to make this season of the Sussex Transport Senior Challenge Cup a monumental success! 

Sussex Transport Sponsor 'Shaun the Sheep' Art Trail!

Sussex Transport have been busy helping out the wonderful local charity – Martlets, with the initial stages of the Art Trail that is set to hit Brighton and Hove this autumn.

The Team have had this to say on their site “Join us for our baa-rilliant  art trail featuring much-loved children’s character Shaun the Sheep and his friends.  Visit over 40 individually designed sculptures displayed around Brighton & Hove’s streets, parks and other public areas between 9 September – 5 November.  

 Shaun and his friends are a group of unique characters who flock together for fun and adventure. Brighton & Hove is a vibrant and eclectic city and Shaun by the Sea will help celebrate individuality and diversity, while also highlighting the importance of coming together as one supportive community.  

As with Martlets previous art trails, Snowdogs and Snailspace, Shaun by the Sea will be created in partnership with Wild in Art. Our flock of colourful sheep will provide a 3D canvas, and creative inspiration, for a wealth of art and design from a carefully curated mix of well-known and emerging local artists.”

They've recently collected the flock ready for the artists to get to work and are super pleased to confirm they've got our very own sheep pending.  Hopefully in our usual spot on Hove Seafront.  Their sheep is called the Postman – they’ll be covered in colourful artwork with signature pop art elements and references.

Why pop art? – well their sheep is being decorated by a globally known street artists group called ‘The Postman’. Celebrating popular culture in collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned Rock’n’Roll photographers they work directly with artists like Noel Gallagher, The Levellers and the Bob Marley Foundation, as well as London’s Saatchi Gallery. Their artworks are colourful, joyous and inclusive in nature. They work with multiple mediums and do large mural installations around the world.  How cool is that!

There are plenty of other sponsors and partners who are providing a range of support to get the trail on the streets of Brighton & Hove and we wish everyone the very best of luck.

Don’t forget to visit the site and lock these dates into your diary. https://www.shaunbythesea.co.uk/

Pensions Awareness Week: Start early to boost your pension pot

Starting a pension plan in your 20s can make a huge difference to your quality of life in retirement.

A study by Sussex-based Carpenter Box Financial Advisers (CBFA), coinciding with Pensions Awareness Week (11^th – 15^th September), shows how starting a pension plan at age 25 with a £300 monthly contribution could potentially create a pension pot of more than £700,000 40 years later.

In contrast, making the same level of contributions from age 45 (using the same baseline assumptions) would result in a potential fund of around £180,000.

As Roy Thompson, Partner, Head of Financial Services at Carpenter Box Financial Advisers explains: “Retirement planning tends to be a low priority for younger people because there are lots of life choices competing for available cash, but if they can commit to regular pension contributions in their 20s, the effect of tax relief combined with compound gains can potentially be huge.”

The CBFA example assumes a £300 monthly contribution from age 25, which automatically receives a £75 tax relief boost from HMRC*. Extrapolating this to include a 3% annual payment increase and 4.5% compound return** would result in a pension pot of £736,247 at age 65, even though actual contributions total £303,309.

By comparison, where the start date is deferred to age 45, and all other aspects remain the same, the fund grows to £181,775, based on contributions of £114,949.

Says Roy: “There is, of course, a sizeable difference between the contributions made for 40 years and those made for 20 years. However, saving early can have dramatic effect on the outcome and size of the pot available beyond the contributions figure.

“How that money is used and the level of income it can provide will be dependent upon retirement planning choices made when you come to draw an income, but the message is very clear. The earlier you start, the benefit of regular savings, tax relief and compound investment returns over time is a huge lever to pull in creating good retirement outcomes.”

www.carpenterboxfa.com

*The Financial Conduct Authority do not regulate tax planning.

**The value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

George Square Financial Management Market Commentary in conjunction with Albemarle Street Partners

Markets Process Hawkish Messaging as Fed Stays Resolute 

Stocks shook off their mid-month lows to close out August higher after Fed Chair Powell reiterated the central bank's determined focus on restoring price stability.  

Speaking at the Jackson Hole annual symposium, Powell indicated the Fed will continue raising rates to combat inflation, though he balanced this with encouragement around the economy's fundamental resilience. The core Personal Consumption Deflator, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, ticked down slightly in July, and wage growth appears to be moderating even amidst a tight labour market. This gives the Fed room to pause rate hikes to monitor the lagged effects of prior tightening. Recent economic data firmed expectations for the Fed to remain on hold at the September Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Elsewhere, both UK and European consumers are feeling the pinch of high inflation. 

U.S. stocks finished August on a flat note, with the index of large-cap US stocks barely budging amid mixed signals on the economy and Fed policy. However, European, UK and Chinese equities closed the month weaker, shedding between 3-7%. Slowing manufacturing activity and broader economic concerns weighed on investor sentiment towards these regions. 

Recent Purchasing Managers’ Index readings, which measure the health of manufacturing output, indicated a contraction in both the Eurozone and UK factory sectors. China continues working to shore up its property sector amid defaults, while also dealing with power shortages and heatwaves which constrained industrial production in August. China’s latest supportive policy actions could aid its goal of steadier economic growth near 5.5% this year. 

Our portfolios have continued to participate in narrow market rallies as our diverse large-cap equity exposures have benefitted from improved investor sentiment. Portfolios have maintained duration exposure in government and investment grade corporate debt, which provides protection against a sudden recession. While risks remain tilted to the downside, the U.S. is underpinned by strong household and corporate fundamentals. The sharp summer bear market rally also suggests investors have priced in much of the anticipated economic slowdown. 

Overall, markets appear to be looking through near-term uncertainty with an eye towards 2024. With inflation continuing to decline, markets hold out hope for eventual Fed policy pivots next year. For now, investors look to upcoming economic data for clues on the Fed's next steps. 

Check out the latest edition of the newsletter from The South East Cyber Resilience Centre.

Are you a runner looking for your next challenge? Fancy supporting an amazing local charity?

Guild Care is looking for 10 willing runners to join our team and take part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon on the 7th April 2024. 

The London Landmarks Half Marathon is a closed road, Central London run and is the only half marathon to pass through both the City of London and City of Westminster. Passing attractions such as Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral and The Tower of London, this is a race you really will never forget! The event is not your average half marathon! From cultural landmarks and heritage to the city's quirky and hidden secrets, runners get to explore the capital on a route like no other!

This is a great opportunity to try something new, have a lot of fun and raise some vital funds for a local charity.

Get in touch today and book your place! fundraising@guildcare.org