On Saturday 7th August Anglian Sports and Social Club hosted the Family Fun Fayre which included a return of the 80′s classic game show ”It’s a Knock Out”.

Generous weather conditions and over 1000 people created a fantastic day with everyone enjoying a massive range of games, activities and family fun all in aid of local charities East Anglian Air Ambulance and John Grooms Court (Livability).

The event, organised by Anglian’s Lizzi Lundean and Lydia Moy was held in the grounds of the Anglian social club. The Bishop of Norwich, Rt. Rev. Graham James, was joined by Canon Richard Bowett and retired ITV newscaster Michael Brunson to open the event. They represented John Grooms Court one of the charities to benefit from the Fun Fayre.

The giant (well three to be exact) was one of the challenges faced by six teams entering the It’s a Knock Out competition.

As well as donning the huge costumes and then trying to run over a surface that was constantly being moved by their opponents, contestants also ran the gauntlet of slippery slopes, wet sponges, a castle wall and finding socks in a giant washing machine crammed with foam!!

Eventual winners were ‘The Lads’, made up of Darren Gooch, Wayne Morris, Brandon Spinks. Kai Munnery and Matty Daynes.

The bucking bronco was just one of many other attractions which included fairground stalls, crazy golf, bouncy castle and a 24foot climbing wall as pictured above.

Other activities included a fabulous circus skills workshop, some talented youngsters demonstrating martial arts, face painting and stalls selling a range of different items from hand-painted shoes to children’s clothes and Anglian memorabilia  including furniture from last year’s Hampton Court Palace garden show.

The Blog team caught up with  Lizzi Lundean, Anglian’s Events and Incentives Co-ordinator and asked her about the Family Fun Fayre:

All the monies raised will be divided between three charities Broadland High School, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Livability’s John Groom Court in Norwich.

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Supporting people and local communities since 1966.

The new Coalition Government has inherited a country with some of the oldest, most inefficient housing Stock within Europe. Over three quarters of Britain’s homes were built pre 1975 with another 20% being constructed before the first World War. A worrying example of the current situation Britain finds itself in is that we now use more energy to heat our homes than Sweden does!

With this type of housing stock, many of the energy efficient home improvements needed are cost negative that means they pay for themselves over time through savings from lower energy bills due to those improvements.  The pay back period may also be longer than the preferred time the homeowners want to stay within that home. Other barriers that are commonly found is a lack of information, knowledge and understanding or why we should be more energy efficient within our homes.

With the various issues listed above the Government are going to introduce the Green Deal as the scheme to overcome these barriers.

Green Deal would roll out to every householder within Britain to save money by improving their homes through various insulating improvements. Energy companies and high street retail would provide information and guidance to interested households, taking them through the Green Deal process and pay for improvements upfront. Households then recoup the initial investment of money through the various savings they make from reduced energy bills.  

The Green Deal will also assist and help those in rented accommodation. As the tenant normally pays for their own energy usage within the home they would also benefit from improved energy efficient measures. The Government are continuing to look at how to make the Green Deal a successful scheme for people in private and social housing.

Those providing the Green Deal have the option of choosing to form partnerships with local authorities, registered social landlords and social enterprises to offer locally-based solutions.  The DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) is looking for early involvement by Green Deal providers ahead of legislation being introduced in the forthcoming Energy Security and Green Economy Bill. Due to the legislation and other changes the Green Deal will not be rolled out straight away.

Source: DECC

For a complete, comprehensive memorandum on the Green Deal please click here.

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Raising the standard in Home Improvements since 1966.

Earlier this year a National Window Scrappage Petition was launched by the Glass and Glazing Federation on the official Government e-petition site asking for the following:

“Allow for an improvement to the existing housing stock to reduce Carbon and CO2 emissions and cut household energy bills. The Scheme to be open only to companies who professionally install windows with a C Window Energy Rating or above and who responsibility recycle the existing windows that are removed”

The petition saw support from many people and achieved a staggering 4,468 signatures. Since the petition closed people have waited for an official response from the Government which arrived today:

Government response

To summarise the Government reply it seems apparent that the proposed National Window Scrappage Scheme is not going to happen. It does however seem likely that homeowners maybe able to receive additional funding for energy efficient improvements such as replacement windows through the new Government initiative called the “Green Deal”.

Last month we reported on the several government ideas to improve a homes efficiency. This included details of a speech from Chris Huhme, UK Energy Secretary on the much talked about Green Deal;

“Alongside investment in new energy infrastructure, we need to reduce overall energy demand. So let me now turn to the Green Deal – our way of expanding the energy mix to a fourth resource.

Energy saving is the cheapest way of closing the gap between demand and supply, yet it is the Cinderella of the energy ball. On the near horizon, energy saving will mean smart meters and smart grids that can give consumers control over their appliances – for example ensuring that fridges power down during temporary price surges.

This will take time to develop. But there is also much we can do now. To date we have heard too much talk and too little action.

Britain has on average some of the oldest housing stock in Europe, much of it built in the era of cheap coal – but that’s no excuse. Why have we kept building inefficient homes?  We have been locking in waste, which is why my colleague Grant Shapps, the Housing Minister, is moving quickly to toughen building standards.

Most of the homes we will use in 2050 have of course already been built. That is why we have big plans for the Green Deal. It will be my department’s flagship bill for this first session. Its aim is a radical overhaul of our existing homes to save energy, carbon and costs.

At the moment, we may as well be burning £50 notes outside our front doors. We use more energy per home than does Sweden.  And this waste cannot be ignored, because households account for a quarter of all carbon emissions.

This is another area which can help drive economic recovery. The market is big. There are currently up to 14 million homes in the UK which could benefit from insulation under the Green Deal. We are working on the package for each home, which could unlock tens of billions of spending in the coming years.”

For the full quote please click here: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/Energy_Summit/Energy_Summit.aspx

 For more information on the Green Deal please click here. This is a link to a document produced by the Government called “Paving the way for a Green Deal: Extending the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target supplier obligation to December 2012: Summary of consultation responses and Government Response”.

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Raising the standard in energy efficiency since 1966.

Jack Piper reports back into the Anglian Blog after an eventful race day at Snetterton on Sunday: 

“Well, we managed to salvage something from the disappointment of qualifying to pick up some valuable championships points at Snetterton – and I have to thank everyone who turned up from Anglian Home Improvements for your brilliant support.

It was really something to have so many people stopping by the garage to meet the team, talk through what we’re up to and see the car. Everyone was incredibly supportive and keen to wish me well. It really meant a lot and I can’t thank you enough.

I only wish we could have kept up the good work of the season so far with another top ten finish to go with results at all the other tracks this year. After Saturday’s problems in qualifying it was always going to be hard to make progress from the back of the grid. Sometimes it just goes like that; it was just a pity it happened this week given we were on my home track and it was a big day for everyone concerned.

It didn’t stop everyone having a good time, judging by the generous comments you made during the day. It was good to see a group of Anglian people on the grid before the second race – even if you had to make a quick exit just before the start!

I want to say a special thanks to Phil who was a star looking after my pit board on the pit wall in the second race. Judging by his beaming smile after the race, I think it’s fair to say he enjoyed the experience! You did a great job Phil – feel free to join us again anytime!

 (Some photos by Mark Bunning Photography)

So, thanks again to you all for your fantastic support. I know a lot of you came a long way to join us, which is really appreciated. I couldn’t ask for better sponsors.

Hopefully I’ll see some of you again next time out at Rockingham on the 11th and 12th September”.

Jack

Please keep an eye out on the blog for the very latest on Jack Piper from Rockingham early next month and check out the Anglian Flickr account for more pictures.

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Helping support people and local communities since 1966.

Jack Piper reports into the Anglian Blog ahead of a big race day tomorrow at Snetterton raceway.

Saturday July 31

“At last we’ve arrived at the biggest weekend of the season, my home race at Snetterton, but I can only hope my luck improves tomorrow after a tough day in qualifying.

Heavy rain in the morning meant the first session was wet. I’m normally happy about driving in the rain, but it’s been a long time since we’ve been in wet conditions and I have to admit we struggled to hook things up, which was really frustrating after a strong test in dry conditions at Brands Hatch on Friday.

I pushed as hard as I could and improved my lap times throughout the session but then lost it at the final chicane on the penultimate lap. By the time I’d recovered the chequered flag came out just before I had the chance to start one more flying lap, so I had to settle for 15th place.

The second qualifying session started just after lunch with the track drying out. It was a close decision whether to go on slicks or wets, but just about everyone decided to stay safe with wets. I was determined to get a couple of quick early laps in, but got caught out under the bridge and ended up in a 360 spin and clipped the front wing.

I pitted straight away but the damaged was too bad to continue without a new nose cone. The team worked as quickly as they could to replace the nose and wing but I returned to the track and missed the chance of completing a flying lap by a few seconds.

That was huge pity because the track was basically dry by then and we’d put slick tyres on. I had a lot of grip and think I could have comfortably posted a top ten time if I’d been able to do at least one flying lap.

Like I say, a very frustrating day. Hopefully it can only get better tomorrow”.

Jack

Keep an eye out on the blog for the very latest from Snetterton after tomorrow’s race day.

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Supporting communities and people since 1966.

 Press Release

Anglian Building Products, the business-to-business division of Anglian Windows Limited, have been appointed by LHC to their PVC-U Windows and Doors U8 Framework Arrangement for the next four years.

LHC is a not-for-profit, local government organisation, which has over 40 years experience of providing procurement solutions for all public sector buildings. LHC’s new U8 Framework Arrangement has been set up to service public sector contracts throughout mainland UK and is divided into five geographical lots. Anglian Building Products have been appointed to the U8 Framework Arrangement for all five geographical lots.

Anglian Building Products underwent a rigorous selection process including pre-qualification, a thorough assessment of technical and service capability and financial competiveness.

The LHC Account Management team recently visited Anglian Building Products’ manufacturing operation in Norwich to witness their capabilities first hand. Neil Barker Head of Business Development at LHC commented: “Our team was very impressed with the Anglian operation. We are looking forward to working with the company and are confident that our public sector customers will be pleased with the quality of products offered and the level of service available from Anglian through our new framework.”

The PVC-U Windows and Doors collaborative procurement U8 Framework is suitable for all types of public sector buildings across the UK from low to high rise.

For further information contact:

Stewart Damonsing, Marketing Manager, Anglian Building Products

Tel: 01603 428 433

www.anglian-building.co.uk

 Anglian Building Products is the business to business division of Anglian Windows Ltd and has established itself as one of the most respected providers of insulation solutions. Working both direct and in partnership with main contractors, Anglian operates in a diverse range of market sectors including the MOD, UK social housing and education partners.

Jack Piper reports to the Blog on his latest racing weekend at Croft;

“Rounds 5 and 6 of the Formula Renault BARC championship saw me make the long trip north to Croft. It was always going to be a tricky challenge because it’s a new circuit for me and unlike most other tracks there’s no practice sessions over the race weekend.

Having never driven a lap of the circuit I had to use qualifying to familiarise myself with the track which meant I was unable to get the best out of my new tyres. My pace quickly improved with each lap and while I had to settle for 14th place on the grid I managed to out-qualify the other drivers who were new to the circuit, which the team were pleased with.

Race One

In contrast to the blue skies and sunshine in qualifying, race one on Sunday took place in very windy and overcast conditions. I got away from the line very well and managed to make up a place within the first few corners. The strong winds made it difficult through the faster bends, which caught out a few of the other drivers. A collision half way through the race saw the safety car come out, bunching the field up.

This gave me the chance to get right up behind the cars in front, but also allowed the cars behind to close up on me. After the restart I took advantage of a couple of mistakes in front of me and made up several places to move up to ninth where I stayed despite having to defend hard against the chasing pack. It meant another top ten finish on a new track which we were all very happy about.

Race Two

I made another good start in race two and felt able to push the car much harder because I was more comfortable with the track. My pace was pretty good before another safety car towards the end of the race allowed me to get right on the back of the cars ahead. After some close racing I managed to dive down the inside of the car in front on the final lap to move up to 12th place. It wasn’t the top 10 result I’d hoped for, but given the disadvantage of never having driven at Croft it was another step in the right direction.

I now look forward to rounds 7 and 8 at my local track Snetterton at the end of July. Having had a few test days at Snetterton I hope to be right back on the pace and much further up the field. Look forward to seeing you there”.

Jack

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Supporting people and communities since 1966.

Anglian Home Improvements continue their sponsorship of Channel 4 prime-time TV programmes with the latest sponsorship deal supporting the popular series “A Place in the Sun“.

The series, presented by Amanda Lamb showcases homes in the sun as possible investments and places to live for people looking for the perfect lifestyle change or a holiday home abroad or in the UK.

As part of the sponsorship deal Anglian have produced a range of bumper adverts which will be broadcast throughout the series. Below is a flavour of what to expect:

A Place in the Sun, Channel 4, Friday at 9pm.

The undoubted star of the bumpers is the new Anglian Verandah, recently launched this summer and has been a huge success in a relatively short space of time. For more information on the perfect summer retreat, the Anglian Verandah please click here.  Here are some more photos of the savour of the British summer;

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Putting the “ innovation” in home improvements since 1966.

Anglian Home Improvements pitched up, set up and promoted Anglian products amongst hundreds of businesses and charity organisations at this years Royal Norfolk Show.

In blistering sunshine, from the opening day yesterday, the annual two day event has seen unprecedented levels of people visit and walk around stalls and activities put on by local businesses.

The Anglian stand, located near the King Arthur V entrance, presents information on all our products and special promotions with members of staff on hand to answer any questions.

With the weather set to continue being sunny this afternoon it’s still the perfect opportunity to pop down and say hello to Alistair and his team at the Anglian Stand. They provide first class shade and much needed refreshment! For more information on the Royal Norfolk including directions and times please click here.

Finally below is a variety pictures taken from the show this morning. If any of you know what the big grey inflatable man is please let us know by emailing blog@angliangroup.com;

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Supporting local communities since 1966

Very big news today, Anglian has just announced that they will be launching a new energy efficient product for your home. This will reduce the cost of energy; allow return on investment and even generating income from power generation. Yes, Anglian are going SOLAR; 

Later this summer after many years researching the most effective and cost efficient systems of green energy for the home Anglian are now ready to raise the standard in solar energy with this latest product development.

Here are a few facts about Solar;

There are two types of solar panel; these are Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal. Photovoltaic uses the suns energy and turns it into electricity for the home. Solar Thermal difference is that it changes that energy into heat.

• As soon as you have solar panels installed, solar energy is free
• It’s safe, clean and environmentally friendly
• It will reduce your energy bills
• You maybe able to generate an income by selling surplus power to the National Grid.
• Solar power systems can provide heat or electricity for the home
• Most modern boilers are compatible with solar heating.

Over the next couple of months I’ll be taking a more detailed look into the technical side of solar as I bring you a comprehensive guide to Anglian’s marketing leading and energy saving improvement.

Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Helping improve the efficiency of Britain’s homes since 1966