Something for the weekend
Best buddies
Who says MPs aren't in touch with ordinary folk? Not us. Nicky Morgan, the MP for Loughborough, is to carry out a 'work experience placement' at a Shepshed residential care home to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses.
Nicky's visit has been arranged as part of the Business Buddy scheme, which was recently launched by the Forum of Private Business – a not-for-profit membership organisation for small businesses of which Paul Gallagher, the owner of Gallagher's Residential Care, is a member.
The Forum's head of campaigns, Jane Bennett, said: "It’s all well and good for lobby groups like the Forum to tell the government about the issues facing small businesses, but there’s no substitute for first-hand experience.
"We want politicians to see for themselves what it’s like to run a small business so that's why we developed the Business Buddy scheme.
"We hope Nicky and Paul will find the visit useful and perhaps forge a lasting relationship so Paul can keep Nicky updated on local and small business-related issues as they develop."
If Nicky ever wants work experience at Insider, all she needs to do is ask.
Born in the USA
Holywell Park, imago’s conference venue, has tackled crowds of American football players and coaches as the host of the British American Football Coaches Association’s annual conference. A range of exhibitors demonstrated their kit and training equipment at the event, which took place this week.
Holywell Park was also the setting for an evening awards dinner, attended by the cream of the game including former NFL player and Sky Sports pundit, Cecil Martin. Alun Pomfrett, manager at Holywell Park was apparently seen tackling some American Football hulks. Rather him than us.
Spinning around
To Blueprint’s Green Street opening this week, which could only be described as eventful.
First off, there was a very young indie band playing one corner, then Jeff Moore, chairman of Blueprint and chief executive of Emda, gave a rousing speech mentioning his forthcoming unemployment, and lastly a couple of performance artists who did a rather rude dance that displayed their fondness for both Kylie and Dannii Minogue. Enough to make your eyes water, really.
