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Wed 20 March 6pm at George Hotel to meet Glen Moore at Apprenticeships UK , Andrew Wilson from Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services and Paul Wright from NCC. Info on some of the free support services and grants available to local businesses that you may not know about but could be very useful to your business...

All members are encouraged to send me innovative project ideas for how to revitalise the town centre. The SBF are already making progress on an "Empty Shops" initiative but do you have ideas on other things to make the town an attractive place to do business? Infrastructure, events, restoration, regeneration - any suggestions gratefully received!

A joint meeting of the ASAG and Swaffham Town Council to discuss Neighbourhood Planning has been arranged for Tuesday 31 July at 7pm at the Town Hall. Swaffham Business Forum members are also welcome. Anyone who would like to attend should contact the Town Hall to confirm. Minutes of the meeting will be available from Kate Francs. Thank you.

CANCELLATION OF ARABIAN FOOD NIGHT 29TH JUNE @ Middleton Village Hall. I would like to Thank everyone for their input into getting friends to support this event. However, the numbers didn't stack up and we have cancelled the event. Thank-you to everyone who showed an interest. Linda Bouilouta (Event Organiser)

Hello everyone. I am fundraising for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital - their Healthy Hearts campaign and we are organising a wonderful evening of Arab Cuisine - lamb and beef tagine, chicken, various salads, vegetarian options, dates, cakes, light refreshments, (cash bar available) all going on at Middleton Village Hall on Friday 29th June 2012. Get there for a shopping treat from 6.30pm then sit down to eat around 7.30- 10.0pm. The food is beautifully cooked by native Arab ladies so the meal will be absolutely wonderful! Tickets are £20.00 a head with all proceeds going to "Healthy Hearts" at the QE2. Tickets from Linda on 01760 721991 and please tweet this to your friends and family (you can now practise what you learnt on Tuesday!) see my FACEBOOK PAGE Linda C. Bouilouta for the poster and further details. Many thanks Linda.

Lots happening to develop the town:
Museum Shop relaunched on Saturday
Swaffham Carnival meeting is 1400h Thurs 24 May at Communtiy Centre.
ASAG meeting on Neighbourhood Planning is 1300h Fri 25 May at Community Centre
Transition Swaffham meeting at 7pm in Great Cressingham Fri 25 May
Youth Club making Olympic Ring flowerbeds on Wed 30 May
Cycling & Walking Festival runs from 1-10 June with something happening every day.
Swaffham's first ever Work Club will be launched at 1200h on Mon 11 June. Contact Kate at Iceni Partnership for further info 01760 722800

TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY
SPECIAL PREVIEW AT SWAFFHAM MUSEUM TONIGHT FROM 5pm TO 6pm. Drop in after work for a coffee and to see the "Be My Valentine" exhibition. Access via the Council Chamber. For further details contact Kate at Iceni Partnership on 01760 722800.

The Rotary Club of Swaffham
The Swaffham Visual Arts Festival will be held during the month of October 2012. The final programme will be announced soon but will include an award winning film night, an art masterclass, poresentations on architecture and art history plus the major art exhibition and sale of works of art on 26th, 27th and 28th October.
For more information contact Denis Bishop on denis.bishop@btinternet.com

Key dates for Swaffham 2012:

1-10 June: Cycling and Walking Festival, incorporating Queen's Jubilee celebration event

15 July: Olympic Themed Carnival procession through town and fun-day at the Campingland

26 August: Free Music Festival in the town centre

14-16 September: 2nd annual Brecks Food & Drink Festival

3-4 November: Town celebration of the 90th anniversary of Howard Carter's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen

Further details available from Kate Francis, Advance Swaffham Action Group, 01760 722800

An interesting meeting on Friday at the Federation of Small Businesses event with ten MP's and representatives from the major banks on the regions banking concerns, credit easing and issues that businesses are facing with banks every day. Covered by several TV stations it was a topic with questions from businesses owners that caused some of the banks discomfort to face and sent several MP's away with queries and requests to press the banks further on the unfair nature of many of the banks policies.

Follow Advance Swaffham on Twitter for info on town events and community news:
http://twitter.com/AdvanceSwaffham

Has the Business Forum thought of a Town Loyalty Card Scheme, were customers get a benefit from shopping locally?

Great to see Business Forum members putting up the lights on Sunday ready for this Friday evening. Shame some of the National Retailers in town are not having lights or playing their part?

Business Forum should be pleased with how well you have done!

The Pride in Breckland Team are providing one off £100 grants for 'Good Will' events as part of their “12 days of Christmas Giving” scheme.

Numerous community groups came forward with their festive plans and all have been given grants towards making their event one to remember. The first event on the calendar is "Christmas Celebrations in Swaffham” on 25th November where you can treat yourself to a hog roast, do some late night shopping, listen to the brass band play and take the children to visit Father Christmas!

Well done, and I was plesaed to help support this grant for you.
Cllr Ian Sherwood

What a successful Bingo event - orgaised by the 'twins'. A real community effort for the benefit of the towns Christmas Lights. Many thanks!

Very informative evening last night. Exciting projects planned for Swaffham by Kate Francis and the Advance Swaffham Group.

Thought this may be of interest to you - Pride in Breckland - 12 Days of Christmas Giving Grant Scheme. Pride in Breckland is hoping to inspire communities across the district to get together and celebrate the festive season by holding a “Goodwill” event and spreading a little festive cheer.

Groups can apply for up to £100 towards costs, and events can be anything from tidying and festively decorating a communal area, to having a carol singing night, or Christmas Quiz for charity. Deadline for Applications is Friday November 11th 2011.

To download an application form please visit: www.breckland.gov.uk/pride

You may find this useful – action for market towns - http://towns.org.uk/2011/10/13/new-21st-century-town-centres-report/

This is great news for Swaffham – Business Forum long overdue – wishing you all the best with this.
Councillor Ian Sherwood http://twitter.com/cllriansherwood
email ian.sherwood@breckland.gov.uk

What a wonderful evening at the hog roast. The weather was fantastic and it was lovely to see so many people come and support the event.

Great to see the website up and running! Well done, Keith!
Agree with Gemma... the Hog Roast was such a fun evening with a super turn-out! Thank you to all concerned for making it a memorable evening!

A great turn out to the hog roast tonight, it was fantastic to see so many people and have a chance to talk to friends-old and new.