Back to Blog

Flying Fish Artists Vintage Tea Party

Chamber member Flying Fish Artists are holding a Vintage Tea Party on Saturday 14 July 2018, 2 - 4.30pm at Abbotsham Village Hall.    As a charitable organisation, through the use of art as therapy their aim is to enhance and promote the mental health of people in the Devon area, and specifically support the resilience and recovery of those experiencing mental ill health. We also aim to challenge perceptions of mental ill health through the work t...

Chamber Clinic

The Chamber runs quarterly Clinics, an opportunity for a free 30 min session of business advice.  This month we are offering a chance for a follow up with Nigel Hellewell of eNaycH Data Protection & Privacy Consultants, after the GDPR & Privacy legislation came into force in May of this year. This is another chance to put your questions to him on how it affects you and your business....

Staff promotions at Thomas Westcott

Thomas Westcott announce senior promotions for two of their rising stars at their Barnstaple office.  Catherine Brown (pictured centre left) is now a Director at our firm whilst David Cresswell(right) has been promoted to junior Partner.The two, based in the Barnstaple office, have been with the firm since their trainee days, with David joining in 2005 and Catherine in 2006.  David and Catherine say they are proud to be recognised by their employers in this way and are l...

Flying Fish Artists seeking new Trustees

The benefits of volunteering have long been established and an opportunity has arisen for at least two Trustee positions with Flying Fish Artists, a local charity supporting mental health.  Unveiling their mural at North Devon District Hospital last month Patron, Peter Heaton-Jones, commented "Flying Fish is all about promoting the therapeutic benefits of art – both its actual creation and the social aspect of the process . . . it's an honour to be Patron of Flying Fish and to s...

We've had a brand refresh

So, to follow our own advice about good business practice, we've had a spruce up of our branding to make sure we are consistent across the board.  There is a little more to it than that as we have actually had a review of our back office systems too, as we couldn't believe that it was 2015 since we last had a major review - doesn't time fly when you're having fun!  ...

New tech sector support for North Devon

Digital ND launches to nurture and promote digital tech businesses in Northern Devon.  This new group has been formed to promote the work of technology businesses headquartered in northern Devon.  Take a look at their website if you have questions and visit their Get involved page to sign up for your FREE membership.Digital Northern Devon launched with an event at Petroc College of Further and Higher Education attended by over thirty representatives of the area’s ...

Your Digital Toolkit 2018

Join us at this inspiring event and benefit from a morning filled with thought-provoking ideas, digital trends and useful tips and tools!  Delivered in jargon-free language, the event is aimed at non-techie, small to medium-sized businesses that are interested in how to practically apply the latest in digital technology. This free-to-attend event will explore how the face of work will change over the next 5-10 years: New technologies for small businessesBenefits of flexible workingThe ...

Annual General Meeting 2017

We are pleased to say tickets are now open for our AGM this year and our theme is Waste and our Environment. We have two presentations following the AGM:  Talking Rubbish - Saving You Money! by Sarah Joy of Viridor Environmental Pioneers by Andy Bell of  North Devon Biosphere  There will be an in an interactive session facilitated by Viridor, so we look forward to an engaging evening learning more about where we live and our impact on it. We are grateful t...

British Chambers of Commerce Workforce Survey 2017

British Chambers of Commerce have released the results of their Workforce Survey 2017. It is divided into three parts and below we provide a summary of each, along with the link to read more and download the full report for each section.  Impact of employment costs  This reveals that pensions auto-enrolment, the National Living Wage and the Apprenticeship Levy have increased the cost base of businesses, and could lead to reduced opportunities for investment and wage growth.  Furth...

Insurance - Whiplash & Rental Property

This business insight has been provided by member ISCA Barum Insurance Brokers as an update on two insurance issues: Whiplash Reform and the 6 Challenges facing Landlords.  This information has been reproduced from their website by kind permission and you can find the links for more information under each article....

South West Growth Summit 2017

Chamber President Trudi Spratt & Board Member Philip Byers attended the South West Growth Summit 2017 at Sandy Park home of the Exeter Chiefs RFC....

North Devon Tourism Business Survey

Are you a #northdevon based #tourism business? If so, have you completed the survey to have your say and shape the future of tourism in your area?...

Walking and Woodwork for Charity

Congratulations to Isca Barum Insurance Brokers Ltd. Director, Bruce Archibald who presented a cheque for a whopping £2,600 to Alzheimer's Society South West. You may recall that we wrote about Bruce's Challenge to make several wooden pieces for his Director's Challenge, completing a coffee table and 5 wooden bowls in just one week. We are sure you'll agree, the results are amazing....

FabLab Now Open at Barnstaple Library

The new FabLab is due to open this Saturday with their event Cities of the Imagination at Barnstaple Library. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek this week now that it is all finished and kitted out and we've got to say, it is looking amazing. There is some really cool kit here that will keep adults and kids entertained. A low-cost digital fabrication workshop equipped with 3D printers, laser cutter, 3D scanner, electronics and computing workbenches, the Fab Lab Devon is a gr...

The Future of the North Devon Link Road

At the Devon County Council Cabinet Meeting last night, the future of the North Devon Link Road was discussed and support obtained to submit a funding bid to the Department of Transport (DfT) by the end of the year for Local Majors Funding. This is a culmination of months of support from a variety of sectors, but not least the Barnstaple & District Chamber of Commerce Ltd lobbying and attending meetings in support of the economic case on behalf of its Members and businesses a...

Laid Back Business Networking

Last night was our Laid Back Business event at LILICO'S Tapas Lounge & Bar. There were several members & non-members in attendance and discussion was definitely lively! It was great to meet Mark Ponsonby Bookkeeping, who has recently applied to join the Chamber and his application will go before the Board this week, along with the other new member applications. It is encouraging to see the Chamber growing and gaining new members, and even better to see them engaging in networking ...

Project Griffin Counter Terrorism Awareness Sessions

Devon & Cornwall Police are running two Project Griffin Awareness sessions at The Barnstaple Hotel on Wednesday 27 September starting at 10.30am - 12pm or 1pm - 2.30pm. Project Griffin aims to raise awareness and encourage engagement to work with the police to deter, detect and counter terrorist activity & crime. Please see the attached leaflet for more details. To book either the morning or lunchtime session direct, please email ctsa@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk...

Start-Up day at Barnstaple Library

If you are thinking about, or are, starting a #business in #northdevon, why not book in to this free workshop from Libraries Unlimited at Barnstaple Library next Thursday 21 September.Don't forget to join your Chamber too, as we can provide you with ongoing support and networking opportunities! https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/events/start-up-day/...

The STEMMCell at Exeter Science Park

Check out this series of events called the STEMMcell @ Exeter Science Park.  A broad range of topics from speakers as diverse as a lecturer in the theory of quantum mechanics to the principal conductor of a symphony orchestra . . . should prove interesting!  The are all a study in thought leadership and designed to engage the mind in surprising ways.http://www.exetersciencepark.co.uk/news-events/stemm-cell...

Four Star Rating for The Park Hotel Barnstaple

Great news for members Brend Hotels as they achieve a 4 star rating for The Park Hotel Barnstaple - congratulations from all at the Chamber. https://brend-hotels.co.uk/new......

Working with Children?

Working with children?  Make sure your First Aid qualifications are up to date with member Clare Farrow Training Services.  Contact Clare to book....

Calvert Trust Exmoor compete at the Superhero Tri

Congratulations to Chamber members Calvert Trust Exmoor who took three teams to compete in the Superhero Tri last month, including their 'elite' team with 'Spidey' Chris and Lizzie Tench. Check out CEO Heidi Watson too, who makes a great Catwoman! It looks an amazing event and I am sure they will put the funds raised so far to good use at their wonderful centre here on Exmoor. If you are inspired by their pictures below, then their JustGiving page is still open for donations: http...

Sarah Page celebrates 35 years in insurance

Having started out as an apprentice, she is now a main board director of one of the leading independent insurance brokers in the SouthWest – Isca Barum Insurance Brokers Ltd. With offices in Barnstaple & Exeter, the Chamber is pleased to congratulate members Isca Barum and Sarah in particular on this massive milestone! Sarah said; ‘’There have been a lot of changes in the way in which insurance is purchased over the 35 years, however, our clients are those that appreciate and understand th...

New Ambassador for Calvert Trust Exmoor chef Michael Caines

Several members were among the invited guests at Calvert Trust Exmoor for a morning with Michael Caines on Tuesday where it was announced Michael had become an Ambassador for the charity. Michael Caines, a celebrated chef who has many accolades to his name including Michelin Stars and an MBE, gave an extremely moving account of his life to date. He spoke freely of his passion not only for good food but also for disabled people not being limited by the perceptions of others. His pr...