Art enthusiasts are being invited to an intimate and insightful address from a fine art expert whose father was a leading light in the field. Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa on the shores of Windermere is holding a ‘walk and talk’ event fronted by Ben Adams, the son of renowned British artist Norman Adams RA. Following the hotel’s launch of its inaugural art exhibition earlier this year, the exclusive ‘walk and talk’ tour of the artist’s oil paintings and watercolours, delivered by his son Ben and discussing each of the pictures on display, takes place at 2pm on Saturday 25 November. English Lakes Hotels executive chairman Simon Berry says: “This event is a chance for art collectors, experts and enthusiasts to find out more about the work of this celebrated British painter, mural artist, teacher, and stage and costume designer." “Ben’s presentation will help illuminate the story behind each painting and share some of his father’s thoughts throughout his career. It’s an invaluable opportunity for local art enthusiasts to get a highly knowledgeable, first-hand critique of this highly regarded painter.” Norman Adams (1927-2005) was born in London and studied at Harrow School of Art, where he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, later becoming professor at the Royal Academy Schools. The event is being delivered in partnership with Lancaster based Gavagan Art, whose owner Mary Gavagan says: “We are thrilled that Ben is giving us his time to provide a greater depth of insight into his father’s work." “The Atrium at Low Wood Bay is proving to be a popular space to host art exhibitions such as this. A range of paintings in both oil and watercolour are on display showing how this artist was inspired to record his feeling for the landscape around him.” Low Wood Bay is aiming to establish a regular display of fine art in the spacious Atrium at the resort, a place where people can come to see a high quality art exhibition in the Lake District in an accessible, free and informal way. Those wishing to attend this free event can reserve their space by emailing info@gavaganart.com or telephoning 07799 797 961. Place bookings can also be made through Low Wood Bay’s reception team on 01539 433 338.

World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13 and serves as a global reminder of the significance of compassion and goodwill, something that the world seems to be lacking in many ways today. World Kindness Day emphasises the transformative power of kindness, promoting the idea that small acts can ripple outwards, creating a chain reaction of positivity, and reinforcing the role that we can all have in being a force for good, something that the family business community does on a regular basis. World Kindness Day was established with the purpose of highlighting and promoting the importance of kindness in society. The day encourages individuals to prioritize compassion, empathy, and understanding in their interactions with others. By fostering a global culture of kindness, the initiative aims to create positive change, improve relationships, and contribute to a more harmonious world. It serves as a reminder that acts of kindness, whether they involve strangers, friends, or family, have the potential to make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities. Ultimately, the purpose is to inspire people to choose kindness as a guiding principle in their daily lives, fostering a more compassionate and interconnected global community. On World Kindness Day, people worldwide engage in various acts of kindness to spread positivity and make a difference. These actions range from small, personal gestures to larger community initiatives. Individuals may choose: Random Acts of Kindness : People often perform spontaneous acts of kindness, such as paying for someone's coffee, leaving uplifting notes, or offering compliments to brighten someone's day. Community Service Projects : Many communities organise or participate in service projects, volunteering their time to help those in need. This could include activities like cleaning up public spaces, assisting at local shelters, or organising food drives. Educational Programmes : Schools and organisations may host events or programmes that focus on kindness education. This could involve discussions, workshops, or activities aimed at promoting empathy and understanding. Social Media Campaigns : The digital sphere plays a significant role, with social media campaigns encouraging users to share stories of kindness, inspiring others to join the movement and create a virtual wave of positivity. Corporate Initiatives : Companies may engage in acts of corporate social responsibility, such as supporting charitable causes, initiating workplace kindness programs, or encouraging employees to volunteer. The overarching goal is to create a collective consciousness around kindness and encourage individuals to incorporate it into their daily lives, fostering a more compassionate and considerate global community. This day encourages people to engage in acts of kindness, both big and small, with the aim of fostering a more empathetic and connected world. From simple gestures like holding the door for someone to larger efforts such as community service projects, individuals around the globe unite to make a positive impact. These values strongly resonate with the values that are embedded within family firms around the world and it is always great to see so many family firms embracing a day such as this.

Source One Consulting, East Anglia's leading commercial and office interiors specialists, is thrilled to mark its 21st anniversary since its inception in 2002. Founded by Pat and Lisa Lewis, the company has come a long way from its humble beginnings, evolving into a thriving business in the dynamic world of office interiors. In an era where the Internet and mobile phones were far from omnipresent, and advertising was conducted via Yellow Pages and local newspapers, Source One Consulting took its first steps in the business world. The company's first sale, a batch of 10 stacking chairs, was personally delivered by Pat Lewis in the back of his Ford Mondeo. Office layouts and space plans were initially crafted on the kitchen table at home with pen, paper, a scale rule, and a basic calculator. Since then, Source One Consulting has grown and adapted, embracing the latest technology, including sophisticated 3D modelling and CGI software for space planning. Over two decades, the company has become a trusted name in the industry, catering to the commercial and office interiors needs of the East Anglia region. Chairman and Founder, Patrick Lewis, reflected on the journey, saying, "Those early days were anxiety-driven and scary at times. I often questioned myself and wondered if I could make it. But I had a burning desire to succeed and a tremendous motivation in the form of a young family." "Looking back at the business plan I wrote back then, I'm proud to have achieved all the original goals I set. I feel extremely fortunate and thankful to have been backed by a great team." Managing Director, Lisa Lewis, emphasized the company's family-oriented values, treating clients as an extension of the Source One family. She said, "Our values have kept us going through both the good times and the more challenging ones. It's what drives us forward each day, and we genuinely love what we do.Seeing my daughters, Chloe and Ellie, join the Source One team has been one of our proudest achievements, creating a legacy that was difficult to envision back in 2002." Despite facing challenges such as the financial crisis and the recent pandemic, Source One Consulting has weathered the storms and emerged stronger than ever. Pat Lewis stated, "We've had to navigate our way through tough times in the business world and personally, but we have collectively handled this with grit and determination." Today, Source One Consulting celebrates 21 years as a successful business with a dedicated team that consistently delivers on their promises. The company actively supports local suppliers and invests in its community. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey so far, and we look forward to the exciting years ahead" Pat Lewis concluded.

JCB is celebrating 70 years of manufacturing its iconic backhoe loader with the unveiling Platinum Editions of the 3CX and 4CX models. Company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE invented the backhoe concept and the first JCB model was manufactured in 1953 after he combined a lightweight backhoe with a Major Loadall tractor loader. It created, for the first time, a single machine which combined a front shovel and rear excavator arm. While it took 20 years for JCB to build its 50,000 backhoes, under the leadership of JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, more than 900,000 have now been made. JCB has been world market leader for backhoes for almost 25 years and today manufactures the iconic machine in the UK, India, and Brazil. A total of 70 limited-edition 70th birthday 3CX PRO and 4 CX PRO machines will be manufactured. Lord Bamford said: “The backhoe loader is an incredibly versatile machine and thanks to continued innovation and evolution, it remains just as relevant today as the day it was first invented. The JCB backhoe loader remains one of the most popular pieces of construction equipment in the world and it has a very exciting future ahead of it.” The Platinum Edition models will have servo excavator controls, Powerslide, air conditioning and bi-directional auxiliary flow hydraulics. The machines will bear limited edition Platinum decals and grille badge. They will have Platinum-coloured wheels, while in the cab there will be an embroidered graphic in the carpet and upgraded seat material with 70th anniversary branding, along with a steering wheel centre cap featuring the 70th logo. Each machine will also have a special plaque and customers will receive a special Platinum gift pack with the backhoe loader. Over the last seven decades JCB has continued to develop and enhance the backhoe loader concept, with turbocharged engines, powershift transmissions, all-wheel drive and extending dipper arms. The machine has broadened in appeal, with the launch of the skid-steer based 1CX, the all-wheel steer 3CX Compact and the larger 4CX and 5CX equal-sized wheel machines.

Two iconic Maryland companies, Perdue Farms and McCormick & Company, a global leader in flavor, joined the Maryland Food Bank and other partners today in “A Day of Delivering Hope” to deliver nutritious meals to 5,200 individuals and families struggling with food insecurity on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. “At Perdue, we are passionate about our efforts to help alleviate hunger in our communities, especially here in our home state,” said Kevin McAdams, CEO of Perdue Farms. “It’s gratifying to see what we can accomplish together with like-minded partners like McCormick and the Maryland Food Bank to bring some hope to our neighbors and raise awareness of this important issue ahead of the holiday season.” Volunteers from Perdue and McCormick and others packed 5,200 meal kits at the Maryland Food Bank’s Eastern Shore facility in Salisbury, which will distribute the meals to neighbors in need across the Shore’s eight counties. The meal kits include PERDUE® no-antibiotics-ever chicken marinated with McCormick’s Old Bay® seasoning, McCormick’s Zatarain’s® rice, tomato sauce, a vegetable seasoned with McCormick’s All-Purpose Himalayan Pink Salt with Black Pepper and Garlic, and Mason Dixie cheddar biscuits. The collaborative partnership aligns with Perdue’s Delivering Hope To Our Neighbors® outreach focused on improving quality of life and building strong communities, McCormick’s commitment to doing what’s right for its communities, and the food bank’s mission to feed people, strengthen communities, and end hunger for more Marylanders. “McCormick is proud to work alongside Perdue Farms and our longtime partner, the Maryland Food Bank, to help provide for food insecure Marylanders across the Eastern Shore,” said Brendan Foley, President and CEO of McCormick & Company. “For over 130 years, McCormick has brought people together across the table and around the world to create happier, healthier lives. Coming together with two iconic Maryland companies to bring A Day of Delivering Hope to life underscores our commitment to doing what’s right for the communities where we live, work, and operate, especially for those in need.” The Maryland Food Bank estimates that up to two million Marylanders may face food insecurity this holiday season – that’s one in three residents who don’t have regular access to healthy meals. Food insecurity is on the rise due to a combination of factors, including the end of pandemic-era benefits, lingering inflation, and high food prices that continue to hit consumers hard. “We’re incredibly grateful to Perdue and McCormick for this donation of delicious meals that will no doubt make this holiday season a truly special and memorable one for families across the Eastern Shore,” said Carmen Del Guercio, the Maryland Food Bank’s President & CEO. The “A Day of Delivering Hope” initiative was also supported by the Research Chef’s Association, Mason Dixie®, Paris Foods, the St. Michael’s Community Center, Pactive Evergreen, International Paper, Illes, and Cryopak.

East Staffordshire men’s community group is celebrating the next step in building a toolkit to tackle loneliness and isolation, thanks to support from JCB. Rocester and District Men’s Shed has taken delivery of £500 worth of tools to enable members to practise DIY and woodworking skills at their weekly get-togethers. The group’s ten members travel from Ashbourne, Uttoxeter, Stramshall and Denstone, to meet each Wednesday morning for cuppas, chats and making and mending sessions. The Men’s Shed movement is an international organisation founded in Australia to bring men together for making and repairing goods, but mainly for companionship – whether they are retired, unemployed or have disabilities. Founder and chairman of Rocester and District Men’s Shed, Ian Roberts said: “As churchwarden at St Michael’s Church in Rocester my job was to strengthen relationships with the community, and I heard about the Men’s Shed movement." "While there are lots of clubs and groups for women to meet, there was nothing specifically for men to overcome issues of loneliness and isolation - especially in retirement - so in June last year we set up the Men’s Shed in a portable cabin on land behind Rocester Village Hall.” Ian, who took early retirement from JCB ten years ago, but continues to work as a tour guide at The Story of JCB, added: “Up to now members have had to bring along their own tools, but the JCB donation has enabled us to begin equipping the shed with items that everyone can use; we now have a table saw, mitre saw, and variety of hand saws and drill bits." “We are extremely grateful to JCB for their support, and this donation will enable us to grow, welcome more members and really make a difference to the lives of local people in building that sense of community and combatting loneliness.”

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has launched its popular KaterBake bao (Hirata) buns into wholesale giant Booker. The 50g bao buns are now available frozen nationwide to caterers and food service operators via more than 170 sites operated by Booker. Bao buns, also known as Hirata buns, have become the darlings of the street food scene in recent times. The hand-held sized, steamed and folded, soft and pillowy bread buns are usually served warm filled with slow-cooked meat or vegetables, crunchy salad and pickles, and a sticky sauce. But they can also be served with sweet fillings – making them an extra versatile option for menus and different day parts. Gordon Lauder, MD of Central Foods, said: “We are really pleased to be launching our 50g KaterBake bao buns into Booker, which means it’s even easier for food service and catering customers to get hold of them and serve them in their venues." “Bao buns are bang on trend, convenient and easy to serve, and are perfect for a wide range of menu options from starters, tapas and sharing platters to buffets, event catering and street food style dishes.” The KaterBake bao buns are available frozen in Booker in pack sizes of 30. They are suitable for vegans and vegetarians and come ready-supplied with individual greaseproof paper discs to avoid sticking during steaming/reheating. Central Foods, based at Collingtree near Northampton, is one of the UK’s leading frozen food distributors. The company was founded more than 25 years ago and is a catering partner across the whole food service sector, supplying to hotels, restaurants, bars, universities, schools, pubs, care homes, garden centres, leisure outlets and more. It currently sells to over 180 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. For more information about Central Foods visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

A mouth-watering new autumn crumble has been launched by Derbyshire-based firm, Stacey’s Bakery. The limited-edition sweet treat encapsulates the flavours of the season in one hearty dessert. Perfected over a number of weeks by David Stacey, managing director of Stacey’s Bakery, alongside the firm’s established baker Kevin Byrne, the new Toffee Apple crumble is the latest addition to the bakery’s range and is available now from its branches in Ilkeston, Heanor and Eastwood. Taking its lead from the season’s traditional toffee apple treats, the new crumble blends a filling of apple and toffee sauce with a crunchy crumble topping that combines ginger, cinnamon, black treacle and oatmeal. The result is a tastebud tantalising dessert that provides a taste of autumn in one delicious hit. The crumble is the second toffee apple inspired product within the firm’s repertoire – customers are also currently enjoying toffee apple pastry crowns. Four generations of bakers have built this family business on tradition and innovation for more than a century. Current head of the firm, David Stacey, said: “There’s something about a traditional autumn crumble that appeals to our desire for comfort food as the weather changes and cooler temperatures sweep in. They’re that little bit of nostalgia that, for many, taps into childhood memories." “Using ‘in season’ bounty is the best way to enjoy flavours that epitomise autumn and our new Toffee Apple Crumble is testament to that”. Toffee Apple Crumble complements the firm’s existing crumble products - apple and also rhubarb. Available in two sizes – individual and family size portions – the products are priced at 90p and £3.40 respectively, and David says they are already flying off the shelves. David Stacey said: “The flavours were first tasted tested on our shop staff who gave these products a firm thumbs up. Customer feedback echoes this response.” Toffee Apple Crumbles are a limited-edition seasonal item, so you’ll need to head to one of the four Stacey’s Bakery Derbyshire stores soon if you want to get your hands on one before they are all gobbled up. The line will soon make way for Christmas products. However, David said that the initial popularity of the new product may mean that, just like the seasonal Thor Cakes, this will become an autumn regular.

Being self-aware is an essential skill if you want to develop yourself, improve your leadership ability and the capability of those that you work alongside. On this course you will explore why self-awareness is an important skill for leaders/managers. Who is this course for? This course is for anyone who is looking to improve their self-awareness in the context of leadership, particularly those who manage and lead others or who are looking to move into a leadership position. Being self-aware is an essential skill if you want to develop yourself, improve your leadership ability and the capability of those that you work alongside. On this course you will explore why self-awareness is an important skill for leaders and managers and help you to develop a greater understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses and identify the areas that you need to build on in order to help you to better lead in your organisation. You will also be given specific tools that you can use to gather feedback from others in your organisation as well as help you to approach receiving feedback in a positive manner Number of Modules: 3 Duration: 6 - 8 hours Available: Online, In-Person or Supported With Coaching Module 1 – Why is Self-Awareness Important For Leaders? What is self-awareness Emotional intelligence Johari Window Why is self-awareness important for leaders Challenges Module 2 – Developing Self-Awareness How do I see myself? Values How do I think others see me? How do others see me? Module 3 – Seeking Feedback Why leaders should seek feedback The Power of listening How to receive feedback Tools for seeking feedback Barriers to receiving feedback Feedback from a previous course delegate: "This course is a great foundation to understand self-awareness for leaders. Next step is to apply the practical actions and reflective practice to gain further benefits from the content of this course." “This training programme is being run on behalf of Family Business United by QuoLux™, a family business themselves and a certified B Corporation.”

Leadership has a significant bearing on the conduct and quality of people’s everyday life as well as on team and organisational performance. Leadership can be developed in order to gain a competitive advantage. This course introduces a range of models, techniques and approaches to enhance how to effectively lead people and move towards delivering high performance. Who is this course for? This is a course for leaders and managers, from CEO to first-line supervision, who wish to establish a consistent and effective way of leading in their team, department or organisation. Leadership has a very significant bearing on the conduct and quality of people’s everyday life as well as on team and organisational performance. Leadership can be developed in order to gain a competitive advantage. This course introduces a range of models, techniques and approaches to enhance how to effectively lead people and move towards delivering high performance. Number of Modules: 4 Duration: 12-16 hours Available: Online, In-Person or Supported With Coaching Module 1 – What Is Effective Leadership? Workbook What is leadership What is effective leadership The Leadership Grid What is 'leading' Leadership Spectrum Check your knowledge Module 2 – The Effectively Leading People Model Workbook LMX Leadership style ELP Model Preferred leadership style Check your knowledge Module 3 – Becoming A More Effective Leader Workbook 20-60-20 Effectively leading people and the change curve Action Centred Leadership™ Urgent Important Matrix Conscious competence model Check your knowledge Module 4 – Moving Towards High Performance Leadership Across An Organisation Workbook High performance challenge Transformation Model – Critical Activity 1 Transformation Model – Critical Activity 2 Transformation Model – Critical Activity 3 Transformation Model – Critical Activity 4 Transformation Model – Critical Activity 5 Transformation model conclusion Values driven leadership Purpose-led leadership Check your knowledge Feedback from previous course delegates: "The content of this course allows you to experience a 'light bulb' moment. By critically reflecting on yourself and your behaviours, you are able to learn and gain the most from new actions. When you ‘look in the mirror’ at yourself and your behaviours, what you see may not be pretty, but the tools you receive here are practical and easy to apply, giving you the advantage and inspiration to start something new and be someone different." "The QuoLux course is very impressive, with a fantastic workbook learning style that ensures a high level of comprehension of each of the modules and practical tasks. The use of a diverse array of learning techniques and media means learning is really embedded and continually reinforced." “This training programme is being run on behalf of Family Business United by QuoLux™, a family business themselves and a certified B Corporation.”

Effective Communication is the lubricant of organisational efficiency and effectiveness. Clear, straightforward communication fosters good working relationships and results in good staff morale and higher productivity. We all communicate in businesses, but often not very well and most communication is wasted. This course focuses on the key aspects in effectively communicating at all levels and offers a structure for all organisations to construct their own communication network and cycle of meetings right for them. Who is this course for? This course is for leaders and managers, from CEO to first-line supervision, who wish to establish a consistent and effective way of communicating to individuals and to teams across departments within their organisation. It is for leaders and managers considering improving internal communications i.e. within their own business, company, organisation, firm. (This course does not cover communicating with external stakeholders such as customers/clients, suppliers etc.). The course begins with what is communication, why it is important and details the 5 communication channels before exploring the importance of empathy and the emotionally intelligent communicator ahead of understanding how to positively use influence, persuasion, motivation and assertiveness before concluding with practical examples of communication working in practice with different types of meetings. Number of Modules: 4 Duration: 8 - 12 hours Available: Online, In-Person or Supported With Coaching Module 1 – Communicating Well Internally Workbook Current View of Communication in the Workplace Communication vs Effective Communication Channels of communication Spoken or Verbal Communication Non-Verbal Communication Written Communication Visual Communication Active Listening Check your knowledge Module 2 – Understanding, Empathy and the Emotionally Intelligent Communicator Workbook Whole Brain Thinking VAK Learning Styles Empathy Check your knowledge Module 3 – Influence, Persuasion, Motivation & Assertiveness Workbook The Impact of Influence The Power of Persuasion Motivation Assertiveness Barriers to Effectively Communicating Check your knowledge Module 4 – Building a Communication Network and Effective Meetings Cycle Workbook Communication and Engagement Communication Network Cycle of Meetings Check your knowledge Feedback from previous course delegates: "Really enjoyed doing these modules! There are points that have really resonated with current situations in my work place. Lots of reflection for me, and feeling empowered to face challenges and lead my teams - thank you." Loads of great content on this course and it reminded me about many things I'd learned on the QuoLux™ LEAD™ course. It refreshed and re-energised my attitude to effective communication and how important it is in leading dynamic teams. “This training programme is being run on behalf of Family Business United by QuoLux™, a family business themselves and a certified B Corporation.”

Time after time, in industry after industry, teams have proven their value in achieving goals and driving performance. The Effectively Leading Teams course provides models, approaches and ways of working that will dramatically increase a leader’s and manager’s knowledge of leading their teams towards achieving high performance by developing the teams and team members to be the best that they can be. Who is this course for? This is a course for leaders and managers, from CEO to first-line supervision, who wish to effectively lead teams better by understanding teams and teamwork, building the team and balancing the team by appreciating who will do what and why people act and behave in the way that they do. The course then focuses on creating a healthy team culture including how to delegate responsibility so that team members are empowered to make better decisions. The course concludes with the 10 routines that become habits that develop and maintain teamwork. Number of Modules: 4 Duration: 12 - 16 hours Available: Online, In-Person or Supported With Coaching Module 1: Teams & Teamwork in Organisations - Balancing the Team Workbook Teams in Organisations What is a team and teamwork Types of teams Balanced Teams model Check your knowledge Module 2: Building The Team – Who Will Do What And Why Workbook Stages of Teamwork Effectively Leading Teams model Balancing the Task-Team-Individual Five aspects in teamwork Ladder to the Moon Check your knowledge Module 3: Team environment - Building A Healthy Culture Workbook Accountability & responsibility Decision making Six steps to an empowered organisation Self-managing teams Check your knowledge Module 4 – Seven Habits of Effective Team Dynamics Workbook Closing the Communication gap Running effective meetings Coping with conflict Problem solving Creating a conveyor belt of talent Reward and recognition - where to focus Housekeeping: 5S Developing & maintaining teamwork Check your knowledge Feedback from previous course delegates: "This course gives you a good understanding about the meaning, importance and diversity of being a leader." "There is a good balance of learning and reflection. We know we can strive to be better leaders but sometimes it's having the foresight to know how. The modules and course are providing me with the direction to make changes where I hadn't necessarily recognised I could, or needed to." “This training programme is being run on behalf of Family Business United by QuoLux™, a family business themselves and a certified B Corporation.”