Chamber Christmas Lunch - 21st December

Witham Chamber of Commerce

Christmas Lunch

Wednesday 21^st December 2011

At Crofters Wine Bar, Maldon Road, Witham

12.45 for 1pm

£20 a head inc service charge

Starters

Homemade leek & potato soup, crusty bread (v)

Onion & Gruyere Tartlet (v)

The Crofters Classic Prawn Cocktail

Chicken Liver Paté, toast & chutney

Mains

Roast Norfolk Turkey Breast with all the trimmings

Pan fried salmon fillet, green beans, new potatoes & hollandaise sauce

Wild mushroom & parmesan risotto (v)

Slow Roast Pork Loin, apple sauce, bubble & squeak

Deserts

Classic wine bar cheese slate, chutney & biscuits

Traditional Christmas Pudding, brandy cream

Crofters chocolate brownie & Baileys liqueur ice cream

Sticky toffee pudding  with vanilla ice cream

Please tick your selection from the menu above and fill in your details as follows:

Name:.....................................................................

Address:    ....................................

                  .....................................

                  ....................................

                  ...................................

A deposit of £5 per person is required and cheques should be made payable to “Witham Chamber of Commerce” and returned to Ian Cass, Dickens House, 9 Guithavon Street, Witham, Essex, CM8 1BJ or ian@divadani.com

Drinks have to be paid separately. 

Here’s another reason to proud of our county!

Have you heard about the support that’s here in Essex for start-ups?

No?

Well take a look at this exciting seminar and exhibition that’s being organised by top Essex business people –

It’s called ‘Go Self-Employed’ and if you are considering becoming your own boss and want some advice and support before you begin, or you would like some help on how to fulfil your dream of becoming a successful business person, this event is for you!

At the seminar you will have access to some of best local business minds and all they are there to share the inside story on how to become self-employed quickly, easily and fully supported.

Held at the Lota Training Centre in the heart of Witham, ‘Go Self-Employed’ will have a wide variety of business sectors and experts. So whether you want to talk Twitter with a social media expert or legalese with a solicitor, there’s sure to be the help you want.  

6pm - 8pm on Tuesday 13th September

So come along for a coffee, a chat with the exhibitors or just to listen to the excellent speakers lined up and get your new business off to the best possible start!

Just click here to reserve your seat: https://www.eventelephant.com/goselfemployed

Isn't that Priti?

Our thanks go out to Chris and Ronni for hosting the AGM and providing an excellent buffet at the Grange Guesthouse.

The new committee is :

Chairman : Chris Bailey from the Grange Guest House

ViceChairman - Daren Harker from AngliaComputers

Treasurer - Ian Cass from Compliant Solutions Ltd

Membership - Gerry Gould from Brainwave

Committee -  Tony Stote from Witham Carnival Association

                            Paul Ryland from Witlet

                            Peter McKinlay from Monni and Mezzos

 Our Keynote speaker this year was Priti Patel MP.   

Key points :

Too Much red tape - forget one in one out what is required is none in several out (Legislation)

Need to balance the books - but cut corporation tax levels to stimulate investment and create wealth and employment - the State is too big and needs to be significantly scaled back.

The Banks are not doing enough to help small businesses - too many conditions 

Need to sort out the National Insurance Holiday scheme - no benefit to Witham based businesses and take up poor.

Astounded by the number of HMRC cases - appalling and unreasonable behaviour which has been taken up with the Minister.

Agency Working Directives from Europe - Imposed on businesses with little regard for the consequences.

Is in weekly contact with Braintree District Council about the regeneration of Witham Town Centre

3700 businesses in the District that employ under 50 staff

Localism - how the local authorities need to engage with the business community; which employs 83 % of the workforce. Local businesses need to be heard by Councils.

We also had a brief presentation by Martin from Dalebrook Supplies, an official supporter of Children in Need. Martin is looking to work closely with others in the business community to promote a "Pudsey Highstreet" Further details may be obtained from Martin 

The business card draw was won by Daren after a re-draw 

Put questions to Pritti and a free Lunch!

Our local MP Priti Patel will be joining us for Lunch as our guest speaker at our AGM on Wednesday 27th July 2011 at The Grange Guesthouse, Chipping Hill, Witham.

12.45pm for a 1pm start

In order for Chris to finalise the catering arrangements if you are able to make it please drop him a line at chairman@withamchamber.co.uk  (yes, the lunch is free!)

I understand from the Chairman that he will, as has been the case in previous years,   endeavour to wrap up the formal part of the AGM including the election of committee members promptly. 

Our Guest Speaker will be Priti Patel MP for Witham.

www.priti4witham.com

        www.withamchamber.co.uk

Chamber Committee Meeting

Our next Witham & District Chamber of Commerce committee meeting takes place next Friday (8th July) - 1pm at the Grange Guest House.

Agenda items include :

1. Preparation for the AGM on 27th July when we have Pritti Patel MP as our guest speaker
2. Update on Town Centre Strategy Group
3. New Members
4. Treasurers report
5. Recent dealings with Press / Witham Town Council
6. Report back from Economic Development & Partnership Board meeting

Another new member - Hunnaball of Witham

Welcome to Chris Partner from Hunnaball of Witham, an independent family funeral service.

1 Coach House Way
Newland Street
Witham
CM8 1YJ

www.hunnaball.co.uk

Four new Members this week

A warm welcome goes to Amy from Silver Rose photography; Phillippa from Yaxleys Hair; Emma and Leah from Thairapy and Samantha from Nat West Bank - our four latest new Members.

Samantha Smith

Nat West Bank

95 Newland Street

Witham CM8 1YZ

07500 922151

Philippa Gigg

Yaxley Hair & Beauty

51 Newland Street

Witham 

01376 513997

Amy Lee

Silver Rose Photography

9 HomeBridge Cout

Hatfield Road

Witham 

Emma Smith

THairapy

2B Maldon Road

Witham  CM8 2AB

01376 512600

AGM 27th July: Guest speaker Priti Patel MP

The Annual General Meeting of Witham & District Chamber of Commerce will take place at 1pm on Wednesday 27th July 2011 at The Grange Guesthouse, Chipping Hill, Witham.

Chris Bailey has kindly offered the facilities of his tent for the meeting - and yes it is available for hire.

Our Guest Speaker will be Priti Patel MP for Witham.

I understand from the Chairman that he will, as has been the case in previous years,  endeavour to wrap up the formal part of the AGM including the election of committee members promptly. 

For further details please contact chairman@withamchamber.co.uk

                                               www.withamchamber.co.uk

Braintree Business Council - change of date

The next meeting of Braintree Business Council will now take place at 6pm on Monday 6th June.

The meeting will take place at The Corner House, Market Place, Braintree. 

The main focus for discussion with Braintree District Council will be what now for the retail trade in the District.

Representatives from Witham Chamber of Commerce will be going - if you wish to join us please contact ian@divadani.com

www.withamchamber.co.uk

Next Chamber Lunch - Wednesday 27th April

The next Witham & District Chamber of Commerce Lunch will take place at Rias restaurant in Newlands Precinct. Rias won first prize in the recent "Talk of the Towns" awards organised by Braintree District Council

Wednesday 27th April

12.45 for 1pm - only £10

If you are interested in attending please get in touch with Cheryl@witlet.co.uk

New Member - Lota Training

A warm welcome to Wendy Twydell and the team from Lota Training.

Training are an innovative training provider with sites across Essex. They deliver Apprenticeship training with a real understanding of the needs of the employer.

Unit 3, Cullen Mill, Braintree Road, Witham CM8 2Dd

tel 01376 503324    

New Member - Witham Carnival Association

A warm welcome to Tony Stote and the team at Witham Carnival Association - our latest new member.

The Witham Town Carnival will be on Saturday 9th July 2011 and the procession will commence at 1.45pm from the Town Football club via Spinks Lane and The Grove and then on to Maldon Road  - finishing at the Recreation Park

Tony and the committee can be contacted via the website at http://www.withamcarnival.org.uk

New Member - 123 Easy Book Keeping Services ltd

A warm welcome to Cheryl Kemp from 123 Book Keeping Services Limited

Book Keeping services including Payroll Bureau; VAT Returns  and Sage training

Website  :  www.123easybooks.co.uk

Telephone 01376 566891

Talk of the Towns

Don't forget that Braintree District Council will be in Newlands Precinct today.

This is your chance to put across your ideas to the Council and tell them what you think about and value in your town.

Further details may be found at www.talkofthetowns.co.uk/town/witham

or follow on twitter @talk_witham

New Member : Acacia Business Services Ltd

Welcome to Tina from Acacia Business Services Ltd

www.absl-safety.co.uk

Tina is also involved with the Witham  TLGC that meets regularly on Tuesday mornings at Rivenhall Oaks Golf Club.