There's Lots Of People In This One!

I couldn't believe it when I looked back at the date of my last blog -3 months ago! Where does the time go?

Representatives & Owners Of Local Organisations & Businesses

Specially Made Cupcakes From Cafe Grand

Following on from the rumour of a new shop opening on Belvedere Road, some of you will know only too well that +Gooch Accident have opened a drop in centre for anyone that's had an accident (large or small) and needs help with what to do next.  The centre called Waveney Motorclaims was officially launched by the Lowestoft Mayor at the time June Ford, she was joined at the celebrations by a selection of local business owners and organisation representatives along with owner Jason Harwood and my big brother.  A very special thanks goes to Ferini Media for taking professional photos on the day.
Waveney MotorClaims

Jason & The Mayor Toasting The Opening

Andy & Debbie Mower From Community First Responders

+Ian Carter & +Wendy Takman From thebestof Lowestoft

Anne & Julie From +Lowestoft Car Hire & +Norwich Car Hire 

You might be wondering where my big brother has suddenly sprung up from.  Well, he's been a Gooch Bear in the making (by +Annabel Waters That's Pretty) since February, it took a lot of hard work and patience to get him up to the standards of the rest of the team at +Gooch Accident but finally the day came on Tuesday 27th May where he got to wear the honorary Gooch badge.  Since then, he's been helping me with my local visits as sometimes I'm too small to be taking seriously and other times he just simply doesn't fit..........through the door that is!

That's Pretty Link 

 Before big brother could wear his badge, he had to do a little fundraising, so he teamed up with Chan Patel from +The Pampered Chef and held a cooking show where believe it or not he helped raise just over £30 for The Samaritans.  So together with the first customer on the Gooch Charity Scheme for access community trust they'll be a couple of cheque presentations coming up.

It Didn't Take Long For Big Brother To Get Tangled Up With The Police!

Thankfully this isn't a picture of him being arrested, it's just before the Queens Baton came to Lowestoft.

Lowestoft Red Herring Helps High-Five

I Thought Woody Was Bigger

 

Flirting With Little Beach Bunny

 You could say he likes to get out and be amongst everything so we sent him off to a secret location to see how good he was at football, after all it was the World Cup!  A Facebook & Twitter competition followed and +Martin Hailes was the winner.

So what's happening next?
Preparations for the Gooch Bear Treasure Hunt & Teddy Bears Picnic organised by yours truly and +Wendy Takman from +bestoflowestoft are well underway and the support so far is truly amazing with the following companies already pledging their commitment: Ivy House Country Hotel Saxon Packaging Graphic Solutions & Harrods Heliums
The date for your diary is Sunday 27th July and to keep up with the latest developments follow me on Facebook or Twitter.  https://www.facebook.com/goochbear1  https://twitter.com/

Special thanks to all the people that have invited me (and my big brother) to their events;
thebestof Lowestoft
Venus Lunch Club
Metachick at Juna Networking
#Lowestofthour
Cafe Grand
Ferini Art Gallery

Don't forget if you want me (or big bruv) to come along to something you're putting on just send a message.

Awards, Women In Business, Norfolk Bears And The Rumour Of A New Shop On Belvedere Road

What another busy month it's been! I've been here, there and everywhere meeting local people from local businesses & organisations on behalf of +Gooch Accident.

First I'll mention the trio of awards that we're very proud to have been given.

Wendy & Jason with the certificates

Jason & Wendy hit the papers

"Local & Loved"

The team at +Gooch Accident work hard to help & advise customers from the initial estimate right the way through the repair process until the hand over back to the customer and it's certainly paid off with the presentation of three awards: Most Loved Business In Lowestoft, Top 100 UK Business & Highly Commended Business In Category Of Car Repairs & Servicing.

Tones Hair Design Showing Their Award Certificate

Holly Garden Nurseries Scooping Their 2 Award Certificates



Tones Hair Design

Holly Garden Nurseries

                                                                                                                                                                                The awards were presented after the +bestoflowestoft headed up the local part of a national campaign to find the most loved business in Lowestoft.  During the campaign the local people of Lowestoft entered hundreds of reviews showing their support for their favourite local business. Second place went to Tones Hair Design and third went to Holly Garden Nurseries showing that the support of buying local is incredibly important to a thriving community.

 

Claire Manwani

                                                                                                                The owner of Claire Manwani Pottery has expanded out into business in Gorleston High Street at the new shop A Touch Of Craft.  The shop is full of exciting products of various crafts and if you've always wanted to learn a craft then you''ll be able to take advantage of their new teaching studio due to open soon.

The New Shop In Gorleston High Street

Claire can be seen at the Gorleston shop behind her potters wheel displaying the techniques used to make her fabulous wares.

Claire Manwani Pottery

A Touch Of Craft

Cafe Grand On London Road South, Kirkley

+Louise Carsen from The Amazing Company was one of the local business women at the first Lowestoft Business "Tweet-Up" held at the Cafe Grand in Kirkley.  The Tweet-Up was attended by many of the businesses from the famous Twitter #LowestoftHour.  It was fantastic to see so many like minded business people sharing ideas for the future and working together on new projects.  The idea of a Teddy Bears Picnic was rumoured as The Gift Shop in Oulton Broad announced the expectant arrival of their Norfolk Bears, Wine Tasting at Ferini Art Gallery in Pakefield was whispered about & a Fire Station Charity Car Wash for The Fire Fighters Charity added to the local things on offer for the people of Lowestoft & Waveney.

A Hive Of Activity Inside The Cafe Grand

Gooch Accident Repair Centre customers are offered a free cuppa when they visit the

Cafe Grand*

Pro Driver Training Offering Trailer Tuition In A Safe Environment

Jason had an interesting meeting with Charles & Lesley from Pro-Driver Training in the middle of February. The brother & sister partnership certainly seem to be leading the way in business for inspiring everyone who has a passion to get behind the wheel of a vehicle to do so with the support and confidence of the busy, passionate duo.  Offering a safe, supported driving experience both on the road and at their off road facility there's no reason in their appointment book why age or ability would stop them teaching anyone. 

As you know bears like their food and this bear is no exception!  I've had three breakfast meetings this month, one at the Rookery Park one at the newly improved Ivy House Country Hotel and one at the NWES Riverside Business Centre all three meetings had interesting, informative topics and the lesson of listening & learning from others was definitely learnt.

I had an invitation from Emma Ratzer (CEO of access community trust) to do a presentation to some of the 90 staff that work for the trust about the Gooch Charity Donation Scheme.  The presentation took place in one of the top conference rooms at the Orbis Energy Centre where the room was filled with puzzled faces as a blue bear presented them with a free keyfob & glovebox pack for their cars.  The presentation went into detail how the trust benefit from the donation scheme whenever the staff have work carried out by +Gooch Accident Many were surprised to learn that Gooch paint kitchen cupboard doors, radiators, garden furniture and much more than just cars, motorcycles & boats.

Emma Ratzer Along With Some Of The Fantastic Staff 

access community trust offers a tremendous amount of support to all sections of our community.  The older generation are offered a sheltered housing scheme, the young are offered education & work experience, anyone suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or mental health issues are offered access to healthcare professionals and there's always a new learning course available if you want to try your hand at something new.  Please click the link to find out more about what this organisation has achieved in previous years since 1975 and what it aims to provide the community for the future.

So what's on the calendar for the month ahead?  Well, I can tell you, that you'll find me regularly on the Thursday #LowestoftHour on twitter from 7pm until 8pm where every business is welcome to pop on and promote their business free of charge & even better if you can hang around to chat to some of the other businesses.

I have a coffee & chat meeting with +Sarah Butcher arranged where I'll be telling her some of the hush hush items on Bears agenda for the rest of the year which she'll probably end up blogging about (so keep a google+ on her :-) )

I'm due to visit Tides Reach Tearoom, enjoy another breakfast at Ivy House, drop in on the members of the Kirkley Business Association, arrange a date with Lowestoft Responders, take a look at the Ferini Gallery and in between all of that keep the friends on facebook and the followers on twitter up to date with the latest news and events from the Gooch Accident HQ.  Phew it sounds like I might need a holiday after all of that lot!  Oh and I nearly forgot, I have to arrange a meet up with some of the towns other animal celebrities from the Lowestoft pancake day race at sometime or another.

  

Oh and one last thing............................................................................................

Does anyone know anything about the rumour of a brand new shop on Belvedere Road?

I'm told it's going to be an advice centre for motorists, what have you heard?

                   

Do You Know Any Of These Local People?

It's been a very busy 4 weeks at +Gooch Accident here's some of what's been happening

The offer on twitter in the #lowestofthour of a free valet was taken by Alison Ayers of Norfolk Wealth Management.  While the magic was being worked on her car it gave us chance to chat over a coffee about what she does & what we do.

Jason Harwood, Alison Ayers & me

Tracy Wilson from Access Community Trust met with Jason to discuss the opportunities for work experience placements at +Gooch Accident, this was a follow-on from the recent meeting with the CEO of Access Community Trust Emma Ratzer, concerning the launch of a donation scheme that Jason has introduced to benefit the trust (a more detailed report on this is to follow in March).

Tracy & Jason

+Louise Carsen from The Amazing Way came in and discussed how the reception of +Gooch Accident could smell more inviting & calming for customers by the introduction of a room, oil diffuser.  The feedback from customers has certainly been positive and Jason & Louise are in discussions concerning more benefits for the customers within their own vehicles (watch out for more news in the following months)
What was that I overheard, a womens self-defence class being arranged?

The Cheeky Pair Thought It Was Funny To Put A Bear In The Bag!

The +Gooch Accident reception was set up ready for +thebestof Lowestoft Local & Loved Campaign.  Posters, flags, bunting and promotional photos were all part of the setting, offering customers a chance to win £100 in the daily prize draw, all they had to do was complete a review about Gooch Accident Repair Centre.  Obviously there's nothing better than personal recommendation and the staff try their very best continuing to offer help, advice & outstanding workmanship to their customers but sometimes it's difficult to gain the trust of a first time customer and that's where the reviews really help gain the confidence of new custom.

Steven & Jason with the Cosmic Car Care Van
 (The mobile, minor scuffs & interior trim repair service run by Gooch) 

The results of the competition were announced at the end of the campaign and everyone at Gooch is very proud of the outcome but I'm sure you'll soon see that for yourselves when you read & hear the write-up's & interviews in the media along with the follow-up Gooch Bear Blog (but here's three hints);

Most Local & Loved Business In Lowestoft

Voted One Of The Top 100 UK Businesses

Highly Commended In The Uk Category

Talks began between +Wendy Takman and Jason concerning a very special charity event to be held locally. It's all hush, hush at the moment while plans are discussed but watch this blog for details as they're released!

A very special meeting took place with Coordinator & Assistant Coordinator Andy & Debbie Mower from Lowestoft Responders.  The work that the Lowestoft Responders do is remarkable & often not known about but I'm due to have a day out on call with them and I'll be reporting in my blog about how the days events unfold from that initial call out request from The East Of England Ambulance Service.  At the meeting Andy & Debbie explained some of the kit they carry in their marked vehicle and the funding that is needed.

A cold day, but no matter what the weather is, The Lowestoft Responders will answer a call 365 days a year!

  
Jason doesn't attend the Venus Lunch Club run by +Wendy Takman & +Sarah Butcher because it's mainly for women in business, so he sends me (I have to dress and act like a woman but I think I've been sussed!).
It was another great opportunity this month to meet more local businesses, chat with their owners or employees and learn a little more about what's happening in the local community and believe me, there's lots.
One of things I learnt was that there's soon to be a brand new shop opening in Gorleston, I'm not giving anymore away until the next blog but what I can tell you is that Claire Manwani makes fantastic pottery and she was kind enough to produce this fabulous piece which hangs in the reception of +Gooch Accident

My Ceramic Twin

It's not just Jason that's been having all the fun, I've been in discussions with a local, independent clothes designer, discussing my new season wardrobe.  I'm not divulging anymore until my vital measurements have been put to use!

So that just about wraps up the news from the last 4 weeks, as you can see it's not just the painting of cars, vans, HGV's, radiators, kitchen cupboards, motorcycles, powerboats, JCB diggers, bicycles, baskets, fridges, drink machines, microwaves, washing machines & windows that the talented guys at +Gooch Accident do.  Lots of work goes into talking to people about what they do in the local community & how (if he can) Jason Harwood, Owner of +Gooch Accident can help.

As Bugsy would say, that's all from me folks! Make sure you have click on the links below to find out more about the great people I've mentioned and don't forget to friend request me on Facebook & follow me on Twitter for the day to day happenings of Gooch Bear.


www.accidentrepairlowestoft.co.uk
www.facebook.com/goochaccidentrepair
http://www.norfolkwealthmanagement.co.uk
http://www.accessct.org
http://www.theamazingway.com
http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/lowestoft
http://www.lowestoftresponders.com
http://www.venuslunchclub.co.uk
http://www.clairemanwani.com

Follow The Bear And Benefit

The Christmas decorations have been put away and the challenge is on to make this year a growling success.

Packed away - Christmas present from Karpet Kingdom 

The diary is filling up with meet & greets, networking events, charity work & general publicity work with +Gooch Accident 

So far this month I've been;

Updating the Gooch Bear facebook & twitter accounts with up to date information & news.

Working with access community trust on how +Gooch Accident can help within the Lowestoft community.

Networking at The Venus Lunch Club (held by +Wendy Takman & +Sarah Butcher ). 

Giving away some fantastic freebies on the hottest twitter hour there is on a Thursday between 7 & 8pm.

Coming up in the rest of the month;

Organising my new competition on facebook & twitter "guess where I am". 

Breakfast networking with thebestoflowestoft at Rookery Park.

Welcoming some of the lucky winners of #lowestofthour to +Gooch Accident to present their freebies.

Preparing the reception area at +Gooch Accident for the "Local & Loved" business marketing campaign.

Then it'll be on to February where they'll be more exciting projects to fulfill, a bears work is never done at +Gooch Accident but its growling fun :-)

If you'd like to keep up to date with me, you can friend request me at www.facebook.com/goochbear1

follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/goochbear1

follow my blogs at goochbear.blogspot.com

Or come and meet me in person at +Gooch Accident 

If you're responsible for the running of a charity or club that's part of the Lowestoft community and you'd like to discuss possible ways that your organisation can benefit from +Gooch Accident then please contact me.

   

Buy Local At The Award Winning Anchor Smokehouse

I'd been tweeting on the +bestoflowestoft tweet hour along with other Lowestoft businesses when Gemma from Anchor Smokehouse tweeted an invite to come to the shop to try the hot smoked salmon.  Well, being a bear, I thought it would seem rude not to accept the invite, so I went to visit.

I took one of the +Gooch Accident courtesy cars and was able to park right outside the shop (it does say keep clear but if you are making a purchase at the Anchor Smokehouse then you have no worries).

John was serving a customer in the shop when I arrived and straight away I realised that this must be one of the regulars.  Gemma (John's daughter) came through to greet me and introduced me to Malcolm.  It's hard not to notice the friendliness that seems to ooze from this shop, they all seem to love what they do and Gemma is certainly passionate about the business and making sure that everyone gets to hear about it through the social media networks, with regular postings of whats fresh in on the day and where the mobile sales van will be.

The sales van is John's responsibility, he travels to Essex and Cambridgeshire on regular days to make sure that his fresh produce is on offer to as many people as he can, even to the smallest of villages where shops are minimal and fish is scarce.

Malcolm makes sure that there's freshly OAK smoked fish available for John to sell on the van and enough to keep all the customers happy that stroll into the shop.  Once he's done that, he's the man that will fillet your fish, vacuum pack your sliced, smoked salmon and dress your crabs (if you're like me, a little dangerous when left in charge of a knife!).

Then of course there's Gemma, as I've said, she makes sure that everyone gets told about what's on offer but not only that, she also looks after the paperwork, everything, including all the Health & Safety stuff.  Did I mention they have a 5 star Food Hygiene Rating? NO? well they do! It sounds like quite a mean task keeping up with what needs to be done & recorded just so we can enjoy their scrumptious fishy goodies. While we're talking about scrumptious goodies, Gemma also puts together the hampers that are available, so if there's a present that you need to send in a hurry and it's for someone that's got everything, then this is the answer.

Although the historic importance and the traditions of the smokehouse are being kept alive at the moment, the need to diversify is a must for almost every business nowadays, so, on the Anchor Smokehouse Christmas wish list this year, the wish, is to be able to produce OAK smoked cheeses & meats to compliment the fish products they already offer.



I'm just a small bear in a large town, will I end up a large bear in a small town?  I fear the answer will be yes if we don't support our local businesses.  The easiest way to do this is to BUY LOCAL which is hugely supported by the +bestoflowestoft and me +Gooch Bear

So, next time you want some fish, why not call into the Anchor Smokehouse shop or shop on-line, it's a simple matter of a few clicks and you'll be keeping another fantastic business and tradition alive! Just click on the links below;

http://www.anchorsmokehouse.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/AnchorSmokehouse?fref=ts
info@anchorsmokehouse.co.uk
http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/lowestoft

Gemma & Me In The Oak Wood Store

Some Of The Scrumptious Goodies Waiting To Be Smoked

Just Before The Fires Are Lit

A Day Removing Dents & Fitting Alloy Rim Protectors

The day started with a trip in the DeDent van over to Beccles where a Mini Traveller waited for us.  The job in question was a dent in the rear door and another in the rear quarter.  Graham set to work showing me the ropes and in no time the two dents were invisible!  The man really is a magician....I tried my best but he has 30+ years experience over me.  The photo's explain for themselves the talent & patience that Graham has and wow does he put it to good work.

Obviously being a mobile service, we were straight away off to our next job, a Citroen C3 in Toft Monks.  The toolbox came out and Graham set to work on the tailgate, as you can see from the before picture it was quite a job;

But again Graham worked his magic and without the need for painting the vehicle, the dent was out and you wouldn't know;

Oulton Broad was now calling us........a Fiat Punto wing needed the dent doctor's hands and a very patient, steady pair of hands were needed;

An appointment with a car dealership in Gt. Yarmouth was next but this time instead of a dent removal, Grahams service of Alloy Wheel Rim Protectors (by AlloyGator) was needed.  These innovative accessories are a must-have for everyone with Alloy Wheels, they are available in a choice of 9 colours, fit up to 21" wheels, suitable for low-profile tyres and save you lots of money on wheel repairs!!

Fitted professionally by Graham at a place suitable with the customer, the protectors are usually on the vehicle within 90 minutes.

  

If you need the services of @DeDent then click on the links below or give him a call on 07931 344963

www.DeDent.co.uk
www.facebook.com/DeDent.co.uk

sales@DeDent.co.uk

Heveningham Hall Christmas Market

It was a chilly start to the day for all the Santa's that took part in the run around the grounds at Heveningham Hall but it wasn't long before the first Santa runner came across the finish line, greeted by a clapping crowd.
It was a lot warmer for me up at the stables where mulled wine was on offer and free tasters from DJ Wines (Strawberry Liqueur, yum, yum), these were to be found amongst the stalls of crafts, fresh, local reared meats and other Christmas offerings.

Santa's Grotto was busy with children and the cake stall was a hive of activity, the band played in the background as people bought their goods and tried their luck at the tombola and raffle.

Stallholders were mainly local people selling & promoting their home produced wares and all spoke passionately about what they did and some travelled further including Felixstowe and Brandon.  I had a very interesting chat with a member of the Waveney Bird Club who were there with their beautiful pictures, calendars and gift baskets for sale and some other good chats with the ladies from Cratfield Beef, Lou Lou's Vintage Shed, The Suffolk Soap Company and Suffolk Bears & Gifts (they really are special bears).

The fun lasted all morning and it seemed as if there was a constant stream of people carrying everything from a bottle of wine they won in the tombola to a Christmas tree they'd just purchased.

You can see some of the fun I had from the pictures below and click on the links to see more from just a few of the stallholders.  Thanks to Heveningham Hall for the invite, I shall be sure to visit again next year.

https://www.facebook.com/HeveninghamHallCountryFair
http://www.waveneybirdclub.com/
http://www.cratfieldbeef.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/loulousvintageshed
barrykjchapman@btinternet.com (suffolk bears & gifts)
www.suffolksoaps.co.uk
www.dj-wines.com