Suffolk Money

While having a baby is wonderful, the initial costs of sourcing newborn essentials can actually be quite overwhelming for those who may be struggling financially or have little support. Here, the Moses Project Suffolk plays a vital role. So for our final episode of Season 5, Colin Low went to meet team members Becky and Nicky, to find out more about this incredible project and how the volunteers support families in Suffolk . They explain how the Moses Project provides a moses basket, full with everything a new mother may need; from baby clothing, blankets, nappies and bottles, through to toiletries for both baby and mother… and of course a cuddly toy! Referrals for the baskets mainly come from professionals working with new mums. The team of dedicated volunteers then sort donations and carefully put together the baskets, before delivering them to local family hubs across Suffolk for collection. The project was started in 2016 and in that year, 16 baskets were distributed to new mums in need. The project has grown over time and, last year an astonishing 182 baskets were delivered. Each basket helps a new mother to give her baby a safe place to sleep and the basics they both need to be able to thrive. By taking the pressure off the mother and showing that there are people who care, at a time that can be quite over-whelming, they really make a difference to families in need. To find out more about the brilliant work they do, please visit https://www.facebook.com/themosesproject

We have a fabulous guest for this episode of the Suffolk Money podcast, supported by Kingsfleet, and one who is well-known for her energy, enthusiasm and positivity. Bridget McIntyre, MBE, has lead an incredibly successful business career, but is now focussed on helping to bring out the best in others, through the social enterprise venture and charity she founded in 2010. As Lesley Dolphin went to find out, dream on is a ladies’ boutique with a remarkable difference. Based in the delightful market town of Eye, this is a CIC (Community Interest company) where all their profits from selling clothes and their styling service are used to help others. From funding complimentary makeover days – for people recovering from cancer or undergoing treatment, and for those who make an exceptional contribution to others – to free development programmes via their sister organisation The Blossom Charity, this social enterprise is all about improving people’s lives and helping them to gain confidence. Everything that Bridget offers, demonstrates her kindness, warmth and positivity. She is passionate about delivering sustainable change for all who attend her workshops, and has a refreshing take on the point and purpose of money. You can find out more by visiting https://dream-on.co.uk or https://theblossomcharity.co.uk

A couple who’ve established an award-winning business in Halesworth, making artisan venison and game pies and sausage rolls, are the focus of this week’s episode from Suffolk Money. ​As consumers, we’re keener than ever to know where our food comes from and precisely what’s in it and, Lynn and Steve Tricker run a small but hugely successful business, where traceability is at the heart of everything they do. In this week’s podcast, Kevin Burch meets the husband and wife team – both born and bred in Suffolk – to find out all about Truly Traceable and their highly ethical approach to deerstalking and butchering fully traceable meat. Everything is handmade in small batches from their Suffolk home and beautifully encrusted in Lynn’s justly famous buttery pastry! You can find out more about their mouth-watering pies by visiting their website at: https://www.trulytraceable.com

We’re talking books in the latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet, as we look ahead to Felixstowe Book Festival, which runs from 26th – 30th June 2024. Launched in 2013, Felixstowe Book Festival is a celebration of “Books by the Sea” and is an important part of the year for the Festival’s loyal audience; local people who love reading. In this week's episode, Lesley Dolphin talks to author Alexandra Carey, who’ll be interviewing bestselling fellow writer Rachel Hore during the event. Alexandra also tells Lesley about the thrill of writing her own first novel, The Light That Bends Round Corners, which proved a revealing experience! To find out more about Felixstowe Book Festival and to book your tickets, please visit https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk

We’re off to the coast for the latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet, as Colin Low pays a visit to the fascinating Radar Museum at Bawdsey. Graham Murchie, the current Chair of Bawdsey Radar, explains how radar was actually developed here on the Suffolk Coast and, how instrumental Bawdsey Manor was to winning the First and Second World Wars. Housed in the original Grade II listed transmission bunker, the Museum provides a unique window into the history of radar and of the people who worked there. It’s truly remarkable that the work which took place there during the 1930s was so secret, that even when the King asked one of the team what she did, she wasn’t allowed to tell him! Set in a truly beautiful, remote location, this award-winning museum really is worth a visit. To find out more, please visit https://www.bawdseyradar.org.uk

1,400 years ago, a great King of East Anglia was laid to rest in a 90ft ship, surrounded by his extraordinary treasures. The discovery at Sutton Hoo in 1939 remains one of the greatest archaeological finds in British history and, 77 years later, a team of boat builders and volunteers began taking on the ambitious project to build a replica of the Anglo Saxon burial ship. In this week’s episode of Suffolk Money, Kevin Burch takes a trip to The Longshed in Woodbridge, to check on the ship’s progress and meet Master Shipwright, Tim Kirk and his dedicated and passionate team of volunteers. Construction work started in 2016 to resurrect the King’s ship to its full, awe-inspiring glory. Tim tells Kevin about the many challenges the charity faces; from sourcing high-quality oak to generating the income needed. As a registered charity, the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company is crowd-funded and volunteer-led, and the passion and enthusiasm for the project is clear from the plethora of people involved. The ambition is to end up with a sea-worthy and operational ship, with a launch date scheduled for Spring 2025. For more information about The Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, please visit https://saxonship.org where you’ll find plenty of pictures and information about the charity’s work.

Don’t underestimate how doing good is good for business…. This is the key message from serial entrepreneur, business coach and mentor, Scott Russell, as he talks with Colin Low in this week’s episode of Suffolk Money. Scott speaks candidly about his fascinating experiences in business; from his first entrepreneurial steps – selling roasted chestnuts at his local market at the tender age of twelve – through his role in creating a string of highly-successful companies. One of his most well-known businesses is, of course, Paddy & Scott’s, which soon gained the reputation for the best tasting coffee. Success quickly followed and sales progressed from stalls at local shows and events, to the shelves of national supermarkets. The really exciting part of this story, however, came in 2016, when Scott and his team went to Kenya to create their own farm, which ultimately changed the way coffee is traded. By cutting the supply chain down and sharing the retail margin with the farmers, they changed the ethos of the business and created a truly ethical coffee brand. Nowadays, Scott mentors and coaches CEOs and entrepreneurs, and is also a shareholder and director of digital media company called Quench, where he proudly reports to his son! Oh and not to forget Scott’s most recent venture, which has been to join the board of our County’s newest digital radio station, the brilliant Suffolk Sound, as an investor and non-executive director. This really is a jam-packed listen!

Did you know that there’s only one standard gauge heritage railway in Suffolk? On this week’s episode we’re “All Aboard!” as we meet the team at the wonderfully nostalgic Mid Suffolk Light Railway, or ‘The Middy’ as it’s affectionately known. Kevin Burch took at trip up the A140, to meet some of the army of volunteers who run the railway. The Middy attracts in the region of six thousand visitors each year, and Ian (Chairman of the Trust), John (Marketing Manager), Don (retired US airforce pilot) and David (who wears many hats!) tell Kevin all about the fantastic events they have planned for the coming months, as two major projects draw tantalisingly close to fruition. If you’d like to know more about The Middy, please visit www.mslr.org.uk

Our latest Suffolk Money podcast is a really uplifting story about a local charity, which helps young people who could otherwise slip through the net when it comes to education, training and employment. The charity is called Fresh Start and Colin Low went to their new second-hand furniture shop and café in Carr Street (Ipswich) to find out all about the secret of its success and meet the ever-smiling Café Manager, Tina Sinderby. Tina talks about how she came to join the charity and how her life has changed since. An inspirational figure within the group, her positivity is infectious, as is her passion for giving young people new opportunities in a friendly, family environment. From barista training to building flat pack furniture, young people are offered work that will give them a real sense of purpose, pride and confidence in themselves. You can find out more about Fresh Start by visiting https://www.freshstartcharity.org And you can also find the charity’s page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/771100990098652

Traditional garden sheds can often be quite solitary in nature, but Men’s Sheds is quite the opposite. A UK wide network, this is all about social connections and friendship, whilst sharing skills and knowledge. There are several Men’s Sheds in Suffolk (including Stowmarket, Debenham and Bury St Edmunds) and for this week’s podcast, Kevin Burch took a trip to visit Stour Valley Men’s Shed in Long Melford. Here he meets Colin Muddimer, as well as Dave, Graham and many other members, who tell him all about their non-profit organisation; how it came to be and the vital sense of purpose it gives to men in the local community. Everyone is made to feel welcome and it is the perfect place to socialise, make friends and learn new skills. Giving many a renewed sense of purpose and belonging, it also provides a safe space to allow men to deal with mental health challenges and share any problems or health concerns. To find out more please visit https://menssheds.org.uk