Page 15, At Sheringham paper, Norfolk UK

Blood Donor Session

17th December

ST ANDREW METHODIST CHURCH
CROMER ROAD,
SHERINGHAM. NR26 8SA
13:00 to 15:30 and 16:30 to 19:00
www.blood.co.uk

Aylsham Rotary Quiz Night -Tickets now on sale!

The third annual Rotary Quiz Night will be held on Saturday the 29th November at Bure Valley School in Hungate Street. Aylsham. Tickets are now on sale - phone Mike Bond on 01263 761107 (evenings). The admission fee will be £7.50 and will include a fish and chip or chicken and chip supper. Arrive at 7pm for a prompt start to the questions at 7.30pm. There will be a bar serving wine, beer and soft drinks. Come along for a fun evening - teams of six persons per table individuals wish-ing to come can be teamed up with others. Prizes for the winning team. All funds raised from the evening will be donated to charity. All enquiries about the club to President Mike Yorke on 01263 733882

Christmas Wreaths for sale

Norman Lamb MP encourages constituents in North Norfolk at risk of flu to be vaccinated this winter.

MPs and Peers from all parties were offered flu vaccinations, in line with Government recommendations, in a bid to encourage their constituents to be vaccinated against flu for this 2008/09 season. Norman Lamb MP, member for North Norfolk, said that last year 74.3 % of people over 65 years and 46.7 % [1] in at risk groups were vaccinated against flu in the Norfolk area.

"People over the age of 65 and those in at-risk groups should visit their GP surgeries for a free flu vaccination. Flu vaccination plays an important role in protecting those people who are more susceptible to serious complications from the condition," said Mr. Lamb. Dr George Kassianos, a GP and member of the Royal College of GPs, said that "Flu is a pretty nasty infection to get, but it can be a serious illness for people aged over 65 and those deemed to be 'at risk' so I would encourage these groups to get their jabs." Complications from flu can be severe, with as many as 3,000 - 4,000 deaths in the UK each year attributable to flu.

The Department of Health provides free flu vaccinations for at risk groups, which include those aged 65 or over: people with chronic respiratory disease (including asthma), heart, renal or liver disease; diabetes; low immune systems: as well as people living in long-stay facilities such as nursing and residential homes, and carers of elderly or disabled people.

The initiative is sponsored by the UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) and has received the support of the Department of Health as a means of highlighting the importance of flu vaccination.

U3A University of the Third Age

Roman Catholic Church Hall, Kings Loke Road North Walsham The next meeting of U3A (University of the Third Age) North Walsham will be held on Friday December 5th 2008 at
2.30pm at the Roman Catholic Church Hall on Kings Loke Road North Walsham. The guest speaker will be Amanda Geitner, Head of Collections and Exhibitions at The Sainsbury Centre. She will give a general over view of the Centre and its start. Notable exhibitions which have been staged and 2009 exhibits.

The North Walsham University of the Third Age (U3A) meets on the 1st Friday of every month starting at 2.30pm. Entrance is free for members of U3A & £1 for non-members, who will be made most welcome. Those unable to attend can get details of U3A from Membership Secretary Janet Chamberlain on 01692 406069. See also the U3A website at www.u3a.org.uk/

Ivory calls for help for small businesses as the credit crunch bites

Trevor Ivory calls on the Government to adopt a practical series of measures that are needed to stop local firms going under. Trevor Ivory, the Conservative Spokesman for North Norfolk, has backed new Conservative proposals to help struggling local firms Norfolk that are suffering from the credit crunch and recession.

Many small businesses have either had their overdrafts withdrawn or their interest rates hiked above 15% and problems have been made worse by HM Revenue and Customs' aggressive behaviour, which can drive small businesses over the edge with tax demands.

Mr Ivory added his voice to Conservative calls for:
* Small and medium-sized businesses to be allowed to defer their VAT bills for up to six months. A typical firm could save £12,000 a year as a result, and improve its cash flow - which is vital as money supply tightens.
* A 1% cut in Employers' National Insurance for all businesses with fewer than five employees. A small business with four employees and an annual wage bill of £150,000 would save more than £100 a month. Gordon Brown, when Chancellor, increased the rate of National Insurance, hitting businesses and jobs - especially smaller businesses already struggling under all Labour's red tape .
* A cut in small business corporation tax from 22p to 20p.
* Action to raise awareness of small business rate relief to encourage more firms to claim it and save up to £1,100 a year in business rates.

Conservatives themselves are taking the initiative to help small firms by launching an online tool for businesses to see if they are eligible for small business rate relief. The website is available at: www.conservatives.com/smallshops/

Mr Ivory said, "Small shops and businesses in Norfolk are facing tough times because of the credit crunch. These firms are the lifeblood of our community and local economy. A responsible government would do more to help them. But Gordon Brown is not standing up for their interests."

"Conservatives are calling for a council tax freeze for local residents and a package of measures to help local firms, including cutting their business taxes and helping their cash flow. Action is needed to save jobs and businesses during these very difficult economic times.Trevor Ivory, Parliamentary Spokesman for North Norfolk.