Get Witham Working - This Friday 13th April

Dear Chris,

Priti was hoping that you might be able to mention to your members that she is organising an event this Friday called Get Witham Working, which seeks to promote businesses, entrepreneurs and jobs in Witham and Essex and aims to introduce Witham’s young people to local businesses and future employment opportunities.

It is this Friday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2DY.  The venue will be available from 1 p.m. for any businesses or organisations who wish to set up stands or stalls for activities such as workshops, demonstrations or any interview sessions they may wish to run.

We will be welcoming businesses, prominent members of the local community, apprentices and schools to attend the event, as well as local and national media, to showcase the talent that Witham and Essex has to offer.

If anybody has any questions, they are welcome to contact her office at the House of Commons on 02072193528. 

With every best wish,

Paul

Paul Church

Office of Priti Patel MP, Member of Parliament for Witham

8: paul.church@parliament.uk

*: Office of Priti Patel MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

(: 02072191976

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