October 2023 – Another great turnout and news of the first occupant of the Founder’s desk
We had our highest number of breakfasters both online and in person this month.
Peter Brady from Innovation Labs announced the first new occupant of the Founder’s Desk, set up in memory of former chairman Allan Scott.
It has been awarded to Laura Morrison, of Your Telemarketing.
Alison Withers reminded everyone that one of the free member benefits is an extended Member Spotlight.
Anyone who needs to refresh their Member Spotlight or has not yet been featured in a Member Spotlight on the website, please get in touch with publicity officer Alison Withers: [email protected]
Long-standing member Andrew Bingham and some useful advice
Speaker Andrew Bingham, of Andrew Bingham Independent Funeral Services, explained how he got into the business and eventually set up Stowmarket’s first independent funeral service.
Andrew has been in the funeral services business since he was 16 and is still there 37 years later.
After gaining experience in several companies, he and his wife decided to start their own independent business 17 years ago.
He mentioned that the funeral industry has undergone significant changes over the years, largely due to increased legislation and resulting paperwork.
One big change took place during the Covid lockdowns. He said that due to the strict restrictions, only a limited number of people were able to attend funerals.
He had some words of advice culled from his years of experience in dealing with sensitive matters:
- Always write down your wishes for your funeral and keep it somewhere safe along with your Will.
- Ensure there are proper financial arrangements for whatever money you have left and where it should go. Be mindful that if one-half of a partnership has to go into care, your joint finances are arranged to ensure that the other partner’s share is safeguarded.
- Allow plenty of time if you want to arrange Power of Attorney, which is currently taking several months.
For the future
Chairman Colin Tapscott is always happy to receive any suggestions for what members want to see the Chamber doing in the future. Please send your ideas (and your wish lists) to [email protected]
Dates for your diary:
Please check the website in case of any last-minute changes.
| November Coffee | November Breakfast |
| The Swan High Street Needham Market |
The Mix Stowmarket 127 Ipswich Street Stowmarket IP14 1BB or on Zoom |
| Friday, November 3 | Friday, November 17 |
| 10.00 am to noon | 7.15 am to 9.00 am |
For more information contact Keely Taylor
by phone: 01449 770965 or e-mail: [email protected].
Anyone who has a story to publicise or you’re a Member who hasn’t yet been featured in a Member Spotlight on the website, please contact publicity officer, Alison Withers: [email protected].
