Review of 2024

As a crime that affects both individuals and businesses alike, we all need to be vigilant when it comes to cybercrime. So in our latest episode, Colin Low chats to Gemma Theobald, Cyber Security Advisor for Norfolk & Suffolk Police, about her role in trying to prevent it from happening and the many ways we can all reduce the risk. With around 99% of crime involving some kind of digital element, Gemma explains the difference between cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime and cyber-dependent crime. Demystifying terms such as bulk-phishing, spear-phishing and spoofing, Gemma talks about the very real dangers they all pose and how to minimise the risks here. She has plenty of advice for individuals: from how to manage password security, to using sites such as https://haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email address has been in a data breach and of course, how to use social media more safely. For businesses, Gemma speaks about the need to improve the culture of cyber security and why this is so important. For more information, visit the National Cyber Security: www.ncsc.gov.uk The National Cyber Resilience Centre: www.nationalcrcgroup.co.uk Or you can contact directly Gemma by emailing: [email protected]

What inspires a rock star? In this week’s episode Kevin Burch speaks to author and 1960s icon, Jenny Boyd, who will be bringing her new book to Suffolk next month. Jenny is set to join a fabulous line-up of speakers at the annual Felixstowe Book Festival, and tells Kevin all about how she came to write “Icons Of Rock: In Their Own Words”, following her many interviews with the stars. Having been married to Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac) and with George Harrison and Eric Clapton as brothers-in-law, Jenny rubbed shoulders with the biggest names in music in the sixties. A former model, Jenny went on to study psychology and developed a fascination with the creative process behind rock music. Her interviews with rock stars included everyone from Don Henley of the Eagles, to Joni Mitchell, to the Beatles. Jenny’s book delves into the world of rock ‘n’ roll, reflecting on her candid conversations with rock legends and exploring song writing, creativity and addiction. The Felixstowe Book Festival runs from 25th – 29th June and Jenny will be joining other esteemed authors, such as the Rev Richard Coles and Esther Freud. To find out more please visit the festival website: https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk

Nestled along the shores of most British seaside towns, the traditional beach hut provides a time-honoured form of escapism. Though never much bigger than a garden shed, they are highly sought-after and often command high prices. So in this episode, Kevin Burch takes a trip to the coast to find out more about their enduring appeal, by talking to an owner, an expert on seaside culture and an estate agent. Barbara Grace and Alan Sarfas tell Kevin all about their beloved Felixstowe hut, “Idle Hours”, which they’ve owned for 24 years. As a retired couple, they visit their hut every day and adore everything about it; from the stunning sea view to the sense of community. Historian and author, Kathryn Ferry (who's written about beach huts, their history and seaside culture) has some fascinating insights about beach huts, including their significance to British heritage. And finally, Jason Lewis from Felixstowe estate agents, Scott Beckett knows all about why people buy for longevity and how the humble yet homely beach hut appeals to all generations.

So many charities are doing such brilliant work, but almost all, without exception, are struggling finding the money, to not just continue doing what they’re doing, but to grow. One example is the Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding, based near Hadleigh, which uses horses to help children and adults who have disabilities. Kevin Burch has been to meet the team for our latest podcast, including chairman Debs Bennett, Martha (a regular, long-term rider at the centre) and Jan Derbyshire (Hon President). As Debs explains, this proudly independent charity welcomes about 150 people of all ages through the doors every week. However, even whilst run by volunteers, the centre costs in excess of £80,000 a year to run and, covering these costs is a constant battle. Lessons are tailored to the ability and needs of each rider and the benefits they receive is nothing less than remarkable. As well as the therapy, they gain new levels of confidence, self-esteem, and independence, which can have profound effects on their physical health as well as mental wellbeing. If you’d like to find out more about this wonderful charity, please visit www.shelleyrda.com

Emma Waddell is a very different kind of entrepreneur. She firmly prioritises being truly happy above money, and her happiness comes from creating beautiful dolls houses to the very highest standard. In this week’s episode, Kevin Burch visits Emma in her ‘paradise’ workshop, as Emma explains how she left the world of finance to set up her own business, Dolls House Grand Designs. With over 40 years of experience with dolls houses and miniatures, Emma is recognised as one of the best in her field. She has a magical talent for designing and building dolls houses, before kitting them out with the most intricate furniture and fittings. Each dolls house features craftsmanship to the highest possible level, and Emma explains how her skill sets include everything from carpentry and electrics through to roof-tiling, plumbing and painting and decorating – all on a small scale. Like all entrepreneurs, Emma has had to work very hard to build her excellent reputation. And in doing so, she’s earned the pleasure of working with big brands such as Jo Malone and Tiffany, making sets and props for their high-calibre adverts. These houses span all ages and cultures and Emma is passionate about encouraging young people into the trade; with so many skills involved, such as creativity, design and even architecture. To find out more, please visit https://www.dollshousegranddesigns.com

In the first episode of our new series, we look at the work of the dedicated youth charity, Inspire Suffolk, which helps thousands of young people realise their potential every year. Colin Low chats to Terry Baxter about how Inspire came to be and, his role in leading the team of this independent charity. Starting from a sporting background in 2013, Inspire now works with more than 7,000 young people each year, empowering them to achieve a better future. For those who have little support, the transition from school or college into adult life can be very challenging. Inspire runs a variety of personal development, wellbeing and employability programmes, designed to help build confidence levels of these 16-25 year olds and give them the skills and support to make positive decisions. To find out more about this charity and the positive impact it has on young lives and their communities, visit https://inspirecharityuk.org

Welcome to the first episode of 2025. We’ve now produced over 100 podcasts since we launched Suffolk Money four years ago, all supported by Kingsfleet. Ahead of a new series starting next month, we look back on some of the memorable moments from 2024, with our sincere thanks to all the guests who joined us last year.

In the run-up to Christmas we test the mood on the High Street, in our latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet. For our last episode of 2024, Kevin Burch took a trip to Bury St Edmunds to talk to Mark Cordell, who works with his team to promote the town and Julian Milton, who runs a gift shop called Loft and Spires. Despite all the financial challenges the retail industry has been through and is currently facing, both remain optimistic about this festive season and beyond. Julian explains how his independent shop, like many others in Bury, thrives by not only offering interesting products that can be bought impulsively, but also by offering outstanding customer service. His ethos is shared by many local business owners, who understand that by working together they can ensure Bury maintains its outstanding local and national reputation. As CEO of the Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID), Mark explains how he and his team make sure the town looks after its local repeat customers, as well as marketing Bury nationally as a town that people want to visit and spend time in. Already known as the Foodie capital of Suffolk, Mark is also keen to build Bury’s reputation as the best customer service town. BID provide advice and guidance to over 400 town centre businesses, to help them in achieving this and nurture a collective approach to ensure Bury St Edmunds remains an attractive prospect to locals and visitors alike. For more information about Loft and Spires, visit https://www.facebook.com/loftandspires And you can find out more about Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID) on their website: https://www.ourburystedmunds.com

In this week’s Suffolk Money podcast, supported by Kingsfleet, we look at the hospitality industry, as it prepares – post Budget – for the hectic and financially critical festive period. Kevin Burch meets someone who knows the industry better than most; Jamie Smith, who runs Jamie Lee Smith Catering and who’s currently celebrating a landmark 25 years in the business. Many will also know Jamie for the outstanding reputation he’s built at 16 Steakhouse; one of the highest-rated restaurants Ipswich. Formerly Greshams and attached to Venue 16 (a popular wedding and events venue), Jamie reinvented his business here during lockdown, when he couldn’t continue outside catering due to Covid restrictions. Jamie knows the importance of staying ahead of the game, and has managed to thrive by staying flexible, positive and making sure he always has the right product to sell. Embracing the different challenges that he and his carefully assembled team face every week with their high class outside catering service Jamie clearly knows where his market is and how to please his customers. His fascinating insights range from the importance of the festive season (having already made plans for Christmas 2025), to the value of watching countdown every day! To find out more about the business, visit https://jamieleesmithcatering.co.uk

Ahead of Remembrance Day, we have a fitting guest for our latest podcast from Suffolk Money, supported by Kingsfleet. Kevin Burch meets Adam Simpson-York, who has set up an initiative online, to try to reunite wartime medals and memorabilia with the families of the veterans who owned them. Adam’s story is a truly philanthropic one and his reputation now proceeds him, due to the success he’s had this far in "returning the lost property that should never have really been lost". He finds and researches memorabilia that is being sold on ebay – anything from WW1 medals through to photos and named antiques and even bibles – and then traces their living relatives. A natural problem solver, Adam enjoys a mystery and his findings have brought joy to many – including Queen Camilla herself! Kevin also meets Sam Moles, who Adam has helped with his detective work. Sam describes the elation he felt on receiving the detailed information that Adam bestowed him with about his memorabilia and the importance of the family connections made. If you’d like to find out more Adam’s Facebook page is called Medals Going Home https://www.facebook.com/MedalsGoingHome