What a week! It’s been a whirlwind of business-related celebrations – and a huge amount of fun!
Firstly, the most enormous congratulations go out to my clients Nordens, winners of the ICAEW Accountancy Firm of the Year. They thoroughly deserve the recognition for providing business services that go way beyond mere number-crunching. I could sing their praises all day, but it’s probably best if you’re interested that you see for yourself, so here’s their website.
And yes, before the grammar police handcuff me, that last paragraph should have been written in the singular, as Nordens is one client and ‘it’ won the award. However, I work individually with many of its 32 members of the team, so I prefer to say ‘they’ – anyway, isn’t the whole point that it’s the people who make a business fantastic?! These are certainly amazing people, and it’s an incredible achievement that they have awards for best accountancy practice in London and Essex – as well as a whole host of other, shiny, sparkly, crystal engraved awards.
I write all their award nominations, so they credit me with helping to gain these trophies. They sent me an enormous, beautiful bouquet on Saturday which was a lovely surprise – thank you Nordens; it’s a pleasure working with you!
Huge congratulations also to my other award-winning clients, J E Putney & Sons, winner of the business awards category for Growing Business of the Year. Writing their award application introduced me a team of passionate and dedicated people, whose business is traditional lime plastering. They use ancient techniques to restore historic properties in and around London, Essex and wherever there’s a need for their specialist handiwork. They’ve worked behind the scenes in some amazing places – you can find out more about what they’ve done to restore London’s heritage right here. (Well done guys – it’s been wonderful working with you!)
Congratulations also go to my friend Francesca who launched the seventh book in her series of London Step Outside Guides this week. At a glittering party to celebrate the book launch, I discovered that Frannie can whistle like one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five heroines! One loud toot and the room fell spellbound, while she and her partner Margie presented their latest publication and thanked the relevant people for helping them along the way.
Margie ended their speech with an amazing metaphor: ‘I could say we are a small fish in a big pond. But I prefer to say we are a small bubble in the publishing glass of Prosecco… But with your support we will carry on fizzing!’ Love it!!
I own a couple of the books – they’re guides to walking tours of London written with the aim of kids leading a day out in the capital. Absolutely suitable for adults too, as they’re full of quirky titbits of info, facts and fun. One of the books even gives free entry into Westminster Abbey, saving a family of four around forty quid. Not bad, eh? They’re brilliant gifts for anyone who loves London (which I do!!).
I’m back in London this weekend for a visit to Somerset House’s latest art exhibition and brunch overlooking the river, then at the television recording studios near Waterloo on Monday. As my friend Sue’s friend Ray says, “Millions of people swarming like flies ’round Waterloo underground. But Terry and Julie cross over the river where they feel safe and sound. And they don’t, need no friends…”
We all need friends… because we’re all tiny bubbles fizzing away in the Prosecco bottle, bouncing off each other! If we’re not already friends on Facebook, feel free to pop by and give the page a like. Thank you. And of course you can follow me here: @WeekendWitch.
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