Around 100 businesspeople from Newark and the surrounding areas gathered at the YMCA for Newark Business Club’s October meeting.
After welcoming everyone to the meeting, chairman Simon Gabbitas thanked Newark College for designing and creating new table signs for the business club meetings. The sustainable signs have solid wooden bases and are designed to last.
The roving mic travelled around the room, giving everyone the chance to introduce themselves and their businesses.
Meeting Sponsors – Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance
Joe Harper, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, gave an interesting insight into a day in the life of a helicopter emergency service (HEMS) paramedic.
Typically, a HEMS paramedic travels with a doctor and two pilots in Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance’s distinctive yellow helicopter at up to 230 miles per hour to provide lifesaving, pre-hospital critical care on the scene. On average, they have four missions a day, which could be anywhere in Nottinghamshire or Lincolnshire, with 35% of all missions being road traffic collisions.
A HEMS paramedic carries an A&E department in their bag, which contains all the essential equipment they need and means that they can even do open chest surgery on site, if necessary. Their expertise and speed make the difference between life and death in an urgent, critical situation.
Sixteen-year-old Will and his mum Sarah spoke about the day when Will needed the air ambulance’s help. He had gone for a 10k run in the woods with his brothers. About 5k into the run, he felt drowsy and collapsed with heat stroke. When the air ambulance arrived, he was unconscious. The doctor and paramedic intubated him, connecting him to a ventilator. The air ambulance took him to hospital where he was treated for multi-organ failure. Will has now made a full recovery, due to the wonderful work of the air ambulance crew who saved his life.
Sarah advised everyone to download the what3words app so that the air ambulance can find you quickly and easily in an emergency. You never know when you will need an air ambulance.
Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance is an indispensable service, saving 1,724 lives last year, yet it receives no government funding and needs to raise over £13 million per year to keep operating. Each mission costs around £4,000. There are several ways to support the charity, including taking part in their weekly lottery or a challenge event, volunteering, donating, or becoming a corporate partner. Find out more at www.ambucopter.org.uk
The Business Card DrawThe business card draw was next on the agenda. The winners of a write-up each were Julia MCGinn of Julia McGinn Virtual Assistant, a first-time visitor, and John Armitage of ???, a regular attendee.
Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Economic Update
In the second presentation, Neil Cuttell, Business Manager for Economic Growth at Newark and Sherwood District Council, gave an update on recent developments affecting the business environment in Newark.
In 2017, Newark was ranked as the second worst place in the country for social mobility, according to the Social Mobility Report. The good news is that it is now ranked 161, up from 318 in 2017. This huge improvement has been supported by a large amount of investment in the town, especially investment in enhancing opportunities for young people. Among these, the most prominent has been the opening of the £15.4 million state-of-the-art Air & Space Institute, equipped with the latest technology and bringing a plethora of new, exciting training courses and career options to local young people.
To attract more visitors to Newark and the surrounding area, including Sherwood Forest, the council’s Destination Management Plan encompasses several initiatives. These include the restoration of rooms at historic Newark Castle, as well as the construction of new gallery spaces and a tower-top viewing platform, backed by funding from the Towns Fund, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Newark and Sherwood District Council. The council monitors progress on tourism-oriented initiatives through data collection, tracking footfall, dwell time and spend.
In total, Newark and the surrounding area has received government investment of £100 million over the past five years. This included £20 million each for the southern link road scheme connecting the A1 with the A46 and £20 million for the Ollerton town centre regeneration scheme.
Covering the next ten years, Newark and Sherwood District Council has already secured £2 million per year in funding under the Plan for Neighbourhoods 2025-2034, and further economic development and regeneration funds for Newark are expected.
Who Gives a Book?!
This month, Michael Hardy of The Consulting Room recommended First, Break all the Rules by Don Clifton. A copy of the book was won by Caroline Cartwright, Marketing Manager at the YMCA Newark & Sherwood.
Newark Business Club’s Charity Initiative
As part of Newark Business Club’s Charity Initiative, three local charities and community groups were randomly selected to stand in the spotlight at next month’s meeting: Sam White Legacy, Barnby Road Academy Community Wellbeing Group, and Newark Women’s Aid. Following a vote by all attendees, the winning charity or group will receive a donation of £600.
The Dragon Boat Race Result
This year’s Dragon Boat Race raised over £35,000 for Beaumond House Hospice Care and the Children’s Bereavement Centre. A big thank you to all sponsors, volunteers, and everyone else involved, including the Newark Business Club team, the winners of the trophy for the best dressed team!
Announcements
If you would like to combine business networking with supporting independent restaurants in Newark, come along to the next meeting of the Newark Dining Network on 12th November at the Swan and Salmon. Tickets are available on EventBrite.
Are you looking for impartial help and advice to move your business forward? Book a free one-hour slot with business adviser Dawn Fear at the Business Support Surgery taking place at Ollerton Advice Centre on 20th November. Email Will Parkinson (will.parkinson@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk) to book your place.
Upcoming social events include a Singles Soirée at Kelham Hall on 10th October and the YMCA Speed Quiz, at the YMCA, also on 10th October.
For families, Spooktacular Newark is sure to be a hit! Kids will love visiting the haunted house at Newark Buttermarket and the Halloween Disco at Newark Town Hall on 31st October. For further information, visit Spooktacular Newark
Next meeting
The next meeting of Newark Business Club will be on November 7th at the YMCA, starting at 6.45 am.
By Roz Andrews, RA Writers For Hire Ltd and RA Book Editing
Thank you to Our Patrons & Sponsors
We are delighted to announce the following Patrons for 2025: Gusto Group|GXO in Partnership with Currys|Barcode Warehouse|Motorfinity|PeachyEvents|Radio Newark
Next Meeting – The next meeting of Newark Business Club will be on 7th November at the YMCA and doors open 6.45am.
The YMCA catering team offer a range of delicious breakfasts which are available to purchase.
Please Book your tickets online
YMCA Community and Activity Village
Lord Hawke Way
Newark
Nottinghamshire NG24 4FH
For sponsorship opportunities, contact chairman@newarkbusinessclub.co.uk
