Norse People in the News

2011 Pride of Norse awards recognises company stars
 
The annual Pride of Norse personnel awards were made in 28 categories, with two new awards this year as Norse Care joined the ceremony for the first time since becoming part of the Group in March.
 
The evening was hosted by local personality and ex-TV news reader Helen McDermott, with the awards presented by Norfolk County Councillor and Norse Board member Tony Williams.
 
Keith Johnson won the Director’s Award.  Keith has been with Norse for 10 years, in charge of car parks and markets under the company’s contract with North Norfolk District Council.  Keith also acted as Toastmaster for the evening.
 
In his speech to the audience Norse Commercial Services Managing Director Peter Hawes said that the company had seen impressive growth over the last year. He stressed the importance that staff throughout the organisation played in securing new business, and in ensuring the high levels of customer satisfaction that Norse enjoys.

Refuse collection team save lost dog

One of Suffolk Coastal Services’ (SCS) refuse collection crew had an unusual passenger during the snowy conditions of the morning of 2nd December. 

The refuse vehicle was driving along the A12 near Wickham Market when the crew spotted a Jack Russell running around in the traffic and the snow on the busy road.

Having stopped their dustcart, the crew, Clive Paternoster and Rob Rayner captured the dog and made a brief detour from their round to take ‘Lucy’ back to the SCS depot in near-by Ufford.

A worried Milton Haslam, Lucy’s owner, had already rung saying that his dog had gone missing and asking whether any strays had been reported.

Staff at the depot kept Lucy warm until Mr Haslam, also from Ufford, near Woodbridge, could pick her up later that day.

"I am deeply grateful to the crew for picking up my dog,” Milton said, “we are very glad to have her back. If it wasn't for the crew, she could have not only been a danger to herself but to members of the public as well."

30 for 30 campaign supported by Norse

Norse is one of the 30 local companies that have signed up for the Big C’s 30 years anniversary campaign in 2010.

The campaign, called ‘30 for 30’ will see 30 businesses each commit to raise at least £5,000 for the cancer charity during 2010.

“Our staff have always been very eager to get involved with charity work,” said Norse Human Resources Director Tricia Fuller, “and we are actively encouraging them to join in with the activities planned for the Big C campaign.”

Norse will be adding its own financial donations to monies and sponsorship raised by individuals’ efforts. The company will also be offering contribution in kind such as printing services via Interprint.

“We hope that as many staff as possible will take part in a range of fundraising activities that will be taking place during 2010,” commented Andrew Cogman, the person tasked with co-ordinating ’30 for 30’ within Norse. 

“The involvement of businesses such as Norse is of immense benefit to Big C,” said Sharon Hulbert, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Big C, “not only because of the amounts of money they will help raise, but also for the increased awareness of the charity and its activities that will be generated.”

Afghan Medal for Norse RAF Reserves man

Simon Williamson, a storeman with the Community Equipment Service division of Norse has been presented with his Afghan medal, having completed his second tour of duty there as a Sergeant with the RAF Reserves.

47 year old Simon, who is married and has been in the reserves for 10 years, was presented with his medal by TA Honorary Vice Commodore Dalva Patman at a ceremony hosted by Norse.

Simon has strong family ties with the armed forces, his father was in the airforce and his brother and nephew are both in the reserves. When he left Afghanistan he was replaced by his brother who was starting his tour, and his nephew is in training to go.

Norse Managing Director Peter Hawes commented: “We were delighted to have been able to host the reception for Simon, he is to be admired for leaving his family and making a contribution to his country. He is one of a number of our staff who are part of reserve groups and we are pleased to support them. Like Simon’s family we are immensely proud of what he has achieved.”