Nottinghamshire Chamber in conjunction with CSI and IBM will be hosting a FREE eCommerce Day on Thursday 11th May 2006 at The Nottingham Gateway Hotel. Delegates can choose to attend all day or just one session.

Seminar 1: - 9.00am until 12.00 Noon

Extend the reach of your sales channel through e-Commerce

This seminar will explore issues facing small businesses today and assist in developing an e-Commerce strategy to deliver growth and new markets for developments.

Streams:

- Challenges facing Small Businesses:

How e-Commerce can overcome market decline and falling sales/profit margins

Servicing and supporting customers with limited sales resource

Enhancing customer service through an effective e-Commerce model

Presented by Jeremy Wray, Channel Manager, IBM UK

- Benefits of e-Business

Ability to access and expand your marketplace

Improved customer service due to simplified e-Commerce trading and functionalities

Automated documentation, clearer audit trails, analysis tools and reporting functionality

Enhanced marketing capabilities

Presented by Rhys Thomas, e-Business Development Manager, CSI

- The Small Business Experience

Martin Wallen, Managing Director at Firwood Paints explains how Firwood beat declining markets and reduced profit margins by taking the e-Commerce route. Since deployment, Firwood has achieved record growth, increased profits, improved business productivity and performance.

Most recently, Firwood has won the North West Regional Award for the “Best End to End Integrated Business Category” in the DTI eCommerce Awards due to their new web site and its integration with back office systems and has been nominated for a national award.

Presented by Martin Wallen, Managing Director, Firwood Paints

Seminar 2 – 1.00pm until 4.00pm

Portals De-mystified

Presented by specialists from IBM

This seminar will help organizations understand the benefits associated with Portals as well as demonstrate the advantages of using a Portal to provide a single point of personalised interaction - allowing users access to the applications, content and processes which drive the business.

Streams:

exactly what a Portal is
How technology is used to create effective Portal solutions
How a Portal solution works and performs within a business
The immediate and future ROI of implementing a Portal solution

Delegates will be required to register 30 minutes before each seminar is due to start and lunch will be provided for all delegates between the sessions.

If you would like to attend this event please contact Joanne Mobbs at jmobbs@nottschamber.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you at this event!

Kind regards
Joanne Mobbs
Events Officer
Nottinghamshire Chamber
Tel: 0115 933 0056
Email: jmobbs@nottschamber.co.uk

Following nine months of work the museum is now able to offer a diverse range of activities for children studying at Key Stages 1 & 2. These activities have been carefully developed using teacher placements and through consultation with local teachers as part of the East Midland Museums, Libraries and Archives Council [EMMLAC] funded Learn With Museums programme.

The main National Curriculum areas covered are: Science and History.

With additional emphasis on: English, D & T, Citizenship, PHSE and Thinking Skills.

The Newark Air Museum education programme covers two main periods, World War 2 and the Cold War. The programme features several facilitator led activities, which utilise handling materials and worksheets. In addition a facilitator out reach programme also enables the museum to arrange to visit local schools.

Teachers can obtain further details and an Education Information Pack by using the museum website contact form at www.newarkairmuseum.co.uk by telephoning 01636 707170 or contacting the museum via email at newarkair@onetel.com

“The museum has already hosted four school visits as part of the education development process.” commented Museum Trustee Howard Heeley. He continued, “The children learnt about the principles of flight, how to make a kite, World War II evacuees to Newark and they also received guided tours of the museum.” He concluded “These visits were from pupils at the schools where the teachers who undertook the museum placements taught. Each visit was very popular and we are now looking forward to welcoming more schools to our site on Winthorpe Showground.”

The Women’s Company is an independent dynamic membership organisation providing opportunities to UK business women to meet, network and develop business skills with other business women in the UK through local groups. This is achieved by providing quality lunches and events, workshops and seminars which facilitate learning and growth within an organisation.

Inaugural meeting
Tuesday 9 May
12.30 pm

Rockaway Hotel & Restaurant
209 Station Road
Beeston
Nottingham
NG9 2AB

Food includes a wide and delicious choice of dishes, including vegetarian options with a soft drink - please advise of any special dietary requirements on booking.

Please book in by e-mail lunches@thewomenscompany.com

After months of wrangling, haggling, and no little amount of mither, Drop in the Ocean - the wildly successful all-day music festival that took the city by storm in January 2005 - has announced its long-awaited return: Sunday June 11th 2006.

You’ll remember the last time we did this: over 250 bands and artists filled 27 venues right across Nottingham on a freezing cold Sunday in January, in order to raise over £57,000 for Tsunami Relief. Not bad going, seeing as we only had four weeks to organise it.

In fact, it went off so well that it was impossible not to contemplate another event in 2006, with a view to running it as an annual event. After being bombarded with requests for an encore by the general public and talks with local venues and bands, the original team behind the festival have reunited with the intention of making Drop ‘06 even bigger than before.

Like the previous event, all profits generated on the day will be going to charity. Last year, we raised enough money to build an orphanage for tsunami victims in South India (in association with the Family Care Foundation). This year, we’re pledging 50% of the profits to the Lord Mayor’s Earthquake Appeal, and 50% to a cause yet to be determined.

“The entire Notts music scene will be summoned for the 2006 festival and we don’t want to leave a single, decent live music venue out. We’re 100% convinced that we’re going to top last year with more bands, more venues and loads of money raised,” says Ash Dilks, Director and Event Co-ordinator of Drop in the Ocean. “We’ve already got a shedload of businesses who are willing to support us, and the assistance we’re getting from the City Council has been invaluable. The weather should be better, too, so we’re expecting a huge turnout”.

However, we’re still looking for help from the local community to help us make Drop one of the biggest days in Nottingham’s calendar. If you can help us in any way, please drop us an e-mail at getinvolved@dropintheocean.org.

For further information, check out our new website - www.dropintheocean.org.

The former Spandau Ballet frontman loves life on the road and pretty soon he’ll be playing in Newark.

During the 1980s Tony Hadley was the lead singer with one of the most successful bands of the decade. Spandau Ballet had a host of hit singles including True, Gold and To Cut a Long Story Short.

When the band disbanded the Kemp brothers - Gary and Martin - entered the world of acting. Tony disappeared for a while but recently he’s been back in the public eye, most notably in the TV show Reborn in the USA.

Buoyed by that success Tony has been touring almost constantly and returns to Nottinghamshire to play the Newark Palace Theatre on May 2nd.

It’s a big year for Tony as he’s celebrating 25 years in the music business.

Tony Hadley appears at Newark Palace Theatre on May 2nd. Ticket details on 01636 655755.

Parliamentarian siege lines - Royalist castle garrison - cannon bombardments - skirmishes - living history - parades - displays and much more are booked for the weekend of Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May at the Castle, Riverside Park and the town centre from 11.30 - 4pm, free admission!

A major event to mark the 360th anniversary of the 3rd and final siege of Newark, the surrender of which effectively brought about the end of the first English Civil War and victory for Parliament over King Charles 1. Featuring over 200 members of the English Civil War Society and friends from The Forlorn Hope, this weekend of activities is organised by EventPlan in association with the Newark 1646 Group and Fairfax Battalia. Supported by the Local Heritage Initiative, a partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund, Nationwide Building Society and the Countryside Agency, with additional support and assistance from Newark and Sherwood District Council.

With the outnumbered but defiant Royalists in the castle facing determined Parliamentarians in their siege lines across the river, a superb weekend of activities will entertain thousands of visitors, encompassing living history, siege and skirmishes.

As part of these, a wreath laying ceremony will hopefully bring home to everybody present that re-enactment is not just about entertainment, but commemoration of the soldiers (and civilians) that found themselves caught up in a bloody civil war, many paying with their lives.

Collect your token on arrival and follow the Civil War trail to find out more about the issues of the time - and don’t forget to show your support for the Royalist or Parliamentarians by casting your vote before you leave!

Nearly all living history displays will be accessible to the disabled and many suitable for visually impaired visitors.

Schools Day

Following on from classroom activities and workshops devoted to the history of the castle and its importance in the civil war, the Schools’ Living History Day on Friday 28 April, presented by members of the English Civil War Society, will bring history to life in a highly visual, exciting and hands-on manner for children. Please note that as places are limited, participation by schools is by invitation only.

Pupils will enjoy the opportunity to “step back in time” and meet people from the C17th. Officers, soldiers, civilians and camp followers will carry out their duties and demonstrate what life was like – and how different it was from today.

Civil War photographic exhibition

Enjoy an exhibition of C17th living history event photographs by Sue Atkins in the Mezzanine Gallery of the Millgate Museum from 25 April to 1 June 2006.

Miniature wargames

As part of the weekend’s activities, The Pike and Shot Society will stage a wargame of the siege with beautifully painted 25mm high miniature soldiers at the Newark Millgate Museum.

How to get there

Newark is situated at the intersection of the A1 and A46 in Nottinghamshire. Take the A46 Newark ring road and at the A46/A616 roundabout, head into town. The Castle and siege lines will be situated on the right just over the bridge.

Website: www.eventplan.co.uk

Japanese duo Gamarjobat perform a revolutionary physical comedy that shatters all age, cultural and language boundaries. This dynamic partnership comes to the Bonington Theatre, Arnold on Friday 5 May as part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s STAGES spring season.

With their brightly coloured Mohawks and perfectly-timed comedy, Gamarjobat perform an hour-long show that showcases a decade’s training, bringing a fresh and clever twist to clown skills, magic and mime.

‘A physical comedy masterclass’ The Guardian

The first half of the show is a riotous explosion of fast-paced, perfectly-choreographed visual gags, while the second part of the mimed show follows the tale of a boxer, inspired by the film Rocky. Gamarjobat communicate this tale through inventive mime scenes including a hilarious training sequence, the hero falling in love, quitting boxing and finishing with his becoming the champion of the world.

‘Utterly mesmerising’ The Telegraph

‘This is a show to fall in love with’ The Scotsman

Having wowed stages and streets around the world, Gamarjobat have enjoyed total sell-out shows and established an international reputation since 1997. At the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe, the show sold-out all performances over 24 days and won the festival’s ‘Dubble Act Award’ and the ‘Tap Water Award’.

A Shut Up Comedy From Japan takes place at the Bonington Theatre, Arnold, on Friday 5 May at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7 (£5 conc.) and are available from the box office 0115 941 9419.

STAGES is programmed and promoted by Nottinghamshire County Council, bringing quality, live performance to the doorsteps of all its communities.

Jazz legends Humphrey Lyttelton and Acker Bilk will lead an international line up at Newark’s first Jazz Festival.

Up to forty bands will perform at twenty venues at the Newark Jazz Festival over the weekend of May 19th-21st, including restaurants, pubs, cafes, a book shop and a wine specialist.

The festival begins with a New Orleans-style ‘Jazz at Vespers’ plus a ‘little big band with strings’ in Newark Parish Church, and reaches its climax on Sunday evening with a superb Humphrey Lyttelton and Acker Bilk double bill at the Palace Theatre.

Other big names include Ray Gelato and his Giants Orchestra with their irrepressible forties swing at The Palace Theatre, award-winning saxophonist Alan Barnes, Bill Salmond’s Hot Four, Brian Carrick’s Algiers Stompers and the Freddy Fullick Quintet.

Co-organiser Paul Sparks says the plan is for Newark to come alive to the sound of Jazz: “Newark is a wonderful setting with fabulous restaurants, pubs and shops as well as its historic Market Place and impressive castle. Most of the performances will be free of charge, giving visitors and shoppers the chance to listen to world class Jazz of all styles.”

The festival is supported by the Newark Business Club and features jazz for everyone: swing, modern and Hot Club, traditional, Dixieland and authentic New Orleans jazz, with American Chris Tyle, and Andrew Hall’s stomping Memories of New Orleans.

Local trumpeter Nathan Bray takes a break from the hit West End show, The Rat Pack, to guest and Newark guitarist Denny Goodwin will feature along with several local bands and artistes from around the UK.

Café Bleu, Nottinghamshire’s European Restaurant of The Year, is among the venues, alongside Reeds, Curio Café and Pizza Express - with its Soho jazz heritage. The Castle, Navigation Waterfront and Mail Coach pubs will join unexpected venues BuyTheBook Coffee Shop, Ann et Vin and Marktplatz Café.

For a lively Sunday afternoon, Newark Castle provides the open-air backdrop for the Magnus Swing and Cavalier Dance Bands live from the Bandstand.

Fellow organiser Peter Duncan added: “Without the backing of local sponsors – British Waterways, architects and building engineers MHI, home furnishing specialist Holdens, solicitors Larken & Co, The Newark Advertiser - and the support of many others, Newark Jazz Festival could not take place. We’re building great partnerships right through the town to make this happen.”

Information can be found at www.newarkjazz.co.uk. Tickets for the Palace Theatre concerts are available on 01636 655755. Travel and accommodation details are available from the Newark Tourist office on 01636 655765.

I WANT THAT HAIR!

Funny thing… envy. You think you have it all; the perfect life, the perfect man, the perfect body… But the lure of looking better, being better always lingers…

Visit the ‘I Want That Hair’ salon and come out looking a million dollars – not just with new hair, but as a new you. Get your hair cut and change your life.

Bex owns, and runs, the ‘I Want That Hair’ salon with college friend Heidi. They are in the business of making people’s dreams come true. But time has slipped by and suddenly their world of big ambition has been cut down to size; swept aside to make room for men, marriage and mortgages. Life, like hair, doesn’t always go the way it should.

Double BAFTA winner Jane Thornton is the creative talent behind this brand new comedy
I Want That Hair - a razor-sharp observation which follows the highlights and lowlights of friendships, culminating in life-changing decisions that go way beyond being blonde or brunette. Ultimately we learn to live and love, no matter what our hair’s like!

Directed by the legendary John Godber and starring Gillian Jephcott (BBC’s Cutting It and Hull Truck’s Reunion) and Kiki Kendrick (BBC’s Funland and Hull Truck’s Fly Me To The Moon), I Want That Hair marks a welcome return to the region for the award-winning Hull Truck Theatre Company.

I Want That Hair will be performed at Eastwood Theatre, Eastwood on Monday 24 April;
Magnus School, Newark on Tuesday 25 April; and Elizabethan High School, Retford on Wednesday 26 April. All performances begin at 7.30pm. Tickets are a snip at £8 (£6 conc.) and are available on 0115 9419419 or online at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/stages (click on Stages Spring 2006 for online booking links).

STAGES is programmed and promoted by Nottinghamshire County Council, bringing quality, live performance to the doorsteps of all its communities.

Further dates have been announced for the 2006 spring and early summer period, now including dates on weekdays and at weekends.

Pre-booked entrance fee £15 per person includes:

Welcome snack, Guide Book, aircraft admissions including: Hastings, Shackleton, Varsity, Vulcan, Canberra & Phantom Simulator and behind the scenes tour to see “missing airframes”.

Bookings now being taken for:

Saturday 15th April

Tuesday 18th April

Tuesday 2nd May

Saturday 27th May

Tuesday 6th June

Saturday 24th June

Other dates to be confirmed N.B. Only 12 spaces per day

Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis, depending on the date on which booking forms are received, email newarair@onetel.com or telephone 01636 707170 for a Booking Form today.