Flock Events and PR, Windermere (2025)

20/07/2022

Our Swan Song has been sung. Last night we held our last and our last Flock event - and what a night it was. A huge thank you to all who came to see us off it meant the world to have you with us. A massive thank you to our sponsors Grant Seaton, John Haley and Emma Lindsay for all your support over the years, you’ve been amazing, stuck firmly by us and , and never flinched at our increasingly weird ideas. You rock. Thanks to our amazing photographer Victoria Sedgwick and for all you’ve done to make us and what we do look good - no mean feat! Thanks to the team at Brewery Arts for knocking it out the park on our last event, seriously five star awesome. Thanks of course to Kellé Pearce for being costumier extraordinaire and for taking the brief to new heights. We save our biggest thanks of all to Intro. has been so special to us and we are over the moon to be handing it over to you Nick and Helen; people who get it, people who care and people who will look after it so well - you’ve got this. Your ethos is the perfect fit and we can’t wait to come along!

So that’s it - we’re Flocking Off, our fearless finch F***y has left the building. When we started we had £300 between us and a laptop - what a long way we came! When we think about we have co-founded Anti Racist Cumbria with not much more on paper but so much more in terms of the experiences, people and connections we have made along the way. As they say; all roads lead to Rome, we disagree we think all roads lead to Cumbria, and to an Anti Racist Cumbria too. Don’t be a stranger to us on our new mission, our door is always open to support anyone who wants to make the change from non-racist to anti-racist.

Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the learnings. Thanks for everything.

LA23NET MEMORY VID: https://youtu.be/-7cHTq6UH_M

THE AWESOME LA23NET FRONT PAGE made for us as our parting gift by Intro:https://www.la23net.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/la23-v1.pdf

The Cumberland NXT Recruitment Edwin Thompson

01/07/2022

It's time to say goodbye. You've probably guessed by now that things have changed for us. Now, breaking up is never easy we know, so we wanted to say a great big THANK YOU before we go, because this next is our last, as we pass on the baton to new and brilliant creative custodians - Intro. We really hope you'll join to say goodbye to us, and hello to them! And seen as it's our last LA23NET and our last ever Flock event we think it's only right that it's on us.

LA23NET wouldn't exist without our sponsors and your support so it'll be free tickets and free bar* at the gorgeous new Brewery Arts foyer bar, our treat. We recommend you grab a snack on the way as sadly the kitchen's closed, but if anyone fancies some there's loads of great spots nearby for after.

TUE 19 JULY

5:30 - 7:30(ish)

Brewery Arts

FREE

Why are we stepping back? Hopefully you know by now that we co-founded Anti Racist Cumbria. When we did, we had no idea how big it would become, but it needs us full-time now as we and our team of staff and volunteers strive to make the UK's first anti-racist county. It seems as though all roads have been leading us to this point, all our past work, our contacts, our differing experiences as Black and White women, our ethos and our burning desire to leave this place a little better than when we arrived. It's an honour to be able to continue working together as friends and allies in the fight against racism. We hope you'll continue to support our new work as much as you did our old.

So whilst it's usually cool to make an entrance to a party, we've always done things differently, and we're going to be making an exit instead. Come and make sure we've shut the door on the way out - you might want to lock it behind us.

BOOK YOUR SPACE HERE AND GET ON THE LIST

https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BSYA

The Cumberland NXT Recruitment Edwin Thompson

09/12/2021

NAME. THAT. CHEESE.

Last night was a seriously fondue, laughs, cheese, quizzing, cheesy jokes, prizes, cheese and of course cheese headgear, cheese earrings (thanks to our crafty cracker Kellé Pearce) and obviously an enormous cheese outfit. The night couldn’t have been any feta. A very big thank you to our hosts Boaters Bar Bowness for looking after us all so caerphilly – you rocked and so did your brussel sprout pizzas…TOTALLY DELICIOUS!

Congratulations to the winning team ‘Sour Grapes’, best jumper wearers ‘The Mouldy Wheel’, best team name ‘As Gouda As It Gets’ and all the joke makers, best answers, cheese catchers and whatever! Everyone in the winning team each took home a bottle of gin and box of chocs and we reckon everyone else took home something whether it was bizarre amounts of cheese, gin, fizz and grate memories of a fun night.

Sadly Emma Porter couldn’t join us in the end but Flock stepped up, dressed up as cheese and delivered. We know we’re more gravy than gravitas but we hope our Quizmaster Janett The Big Cheese and Answer Expert Sophia did ok!

Thank you to our ace sponsors Edwin Thompson, NXT Recruitment LTD and The Cumberland, our team, Olivia Hartley and all the Boaters staff, Vie's Jamaican Rum Cakes and naturally, our wonderful photographer Victoria Sedgwick Photography.

Remember takes a break in January so we won’t see you again until February. So from us all to you we wish you a Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2022 (and whatever it may bring!)

01/12/2021

It feels like fromages since we could roquefort 'n' roll the night away! So join us at Boaters Bar Bowness, on Wednesday 8 December for festive fizz, seasonal scran and the world's cheesiest Christmas quiz with Emmantal Porter herself and a right pair of Stinking Bishops Janett and Sophia.

We and our brilliant sponsors The Cumberland, NXT Recruitment and Edwin Thompson really hope you can Comté to this seriously fondue!

WED 8 DEC

5:30 - 8:30 (ish)

Boaters Bar Bowness

Welcome fizz, food, networking, quiz and prizes galore

£22.50 + VAT

https://www.la23net.co.uk/when/

23/11/2021

This year's Christmas Quiz is gouda be so grate!

The Big Cheese that is Emma Porter will be taking the Quiz Master stage, so grab a few crackers and take our curd for it, it’s going to brie-lliant! And remember, anything you can do, Emma can do feta!!

Our cheesiest Quizmas yet! Don’t miss out or Yule be sorry!

Book Now!

https://www.la23net.co.uk/when/

*Emma will be supported by the Ding D**g Bell-lilys on High (aka Janett and Soph, also known as Edam & Eve) and Boaters Bar Bowness

NXT Recruitment Edwin Thompson The Cumberland Victoria Sedgwick Photography

11/11/2021

Cheese before bed will give you nightmares. And if it didn't, it will now.

Get ready for a BRIE-lliant night. The Christmas Quiz with the Big Cheese herself Emma Portandstilton and the Babybels. Yes, we're weirder than ever.

WED 8 DEC
Boaters Bar Bowness
17:30 - whenever
£22.50 + VAT
Food, welcome fizz, quiz, networking, prizes and obviously cheese

- https://mailchi.mp/703754ea26df/old-fire-station-5384759

10/11/2021

Will will. Will will. ROCK YOU!

what an asset you have. Yes the old fire station is firing on all cylinders with sell-out nights of funk, soul, comedy and more but you've also got the ace Will Morgan and his lovely family bringing it to you too - lucky ducks. What a warm and friendly night we had at last night with some even warmer chilli and curry from local legends Maggie Elliot and the Three Pillars. We should have known then that the number 3 was about to be important.

Will motored us through his career, from painfully shy schoolboy to actual cowboy to turning around 9 failing dealerships before taking one of his many scary decisions (more on that below!) and buying the Old Fire Station. Will clearly believes good things come in 3s. He noticed the three things that always seemed to be lacking in failing businesses were...

- leadership

- vision

- training

And his 3 Ts to help sort it out...

- Train

- Transfer

- Terminate

So what drives someone from the motor trade to running an iconic venue? Other than a nice set o'wheels Will credits his approach to risk as being helped by doing three things each year that he's scared of. From doing stand up comedy, to zorbing and abseiling and anything in between. Honest, funny and engaging we doff our fire hats to Will and what he and his fam are achieving together. Thanks to everyone who came and especially the Morgans for having us - we WILL be back!

PS: Save the date (Wed 8 Dec) for the INFAMOUS Christmas Quiz, bigger and brie-ter than ever...it's gonna be cheesy and oh so much fundue. In a weird way.

Pic credit as always to super snapper Victoria Sedgwick Photography

The Cumberland NXT Recruitment Edwin Thompson

05/11/2021

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Next Tuesday we'll be hot footing it to The Old Fire Station, for some seriously sizzling networking. Book now to join us and each other as we find out more about this brilliant venue which is hosting much missed uplifting events. But how do you go from running a global car company to running events? What fire was lit under new owner Will Morgan to put the brakes on his motoring career and switch lanes to music, comedy and theatre? Let's find out! - https://mailchi.mp/0d52a7cf63b0/old-fire-station-5382435

01/11/2021

Thinking what a Miserable Monday Morning? Well here’s some news to cheer you up!

We thought we'd be fanning the flames after another hot off the blocks last week, but our plans went up when the became thrown apart in a blaze of not so much glory, more like that there covid.

But fear not! Having had no choice but to reschedule, we're pleased to be sounding the alarm to announce we'll be hot footing it to the old fire station in Carlisle on 9 November instead.

So there’s now no need to feel put out if you couldn't make the first date because you can book for the new one! We've also connected with Carlisle's culinary kings Maggie Elliott & the Three Pillars for something just as hot!!

Get booked on, and save the date for our infamous Christmas Quiz too!

https://www.la23net.co.uk/when/

NXT Recruitment
The Cumberland
Edwin Thompson

20/10/2021

RE-LIGHT MY FIRE 🔥 Lala is ma only desire!!

Last chance to book for tomorrow evening’s with the NEW owners of the old fire station in Carlisle.

Fetch the engines - it’s gonna be hot hot hot!

Thu 21 Oct
17:30 - 19:30ish
£22.50 + VAT
Inc food, welcome drink, networking tour and talk

Online booking closes 5pm TODAY!

https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BHKC

NXT Recruitment Edwin Thompson Cumberland Building Society

11/10/2021

. is gonna be LIT. 🔥🔥🔥

We can't wait to join new owners of old fire station in this iconic Carlisle venue. Expect some r**t good craic.

Thu 21 Oct
17:30 - 19:30ish
£22.50 + VAT
Inc food, welcome drink, networking tour and talk

Find out more and book here

- https://mailchi.mp/b35094f61305/old-fire-station

NXT Recruitment Edwin Thompson

14/09/2021

LOOK WHAT'S BACK!

Yes! it's the new season of and we're not only back, we're BIGGER and BOATER than ever. We're kicking things off with an evening of sunset networking with Windermere Lake Cruises on (Lake) Windermere .

Yep, it's a business cruise on the new addition to the fleet - MV Swift.

And Captain-ing the charge as we set sail is none other than Managing Director Nigel Wilkinson - yes, we've already done the XTC song -but we're way more excited to be hearing insights from a leader of one of the UK's largest tourist attractions in relation to the truly unprecedented last 18 months and the implications for Cumbria in terms of the Visitor Economy internationally, nationally and locally. Nigel will share his thoughts on the opportunities and the significant challenges, including the labour supply situation, and the actions needed by businesses, and national/local Government and their agencies.

Quite frankly it makes no sense whatsoever to give this one a wide berth. Grab your ticket using the link below and join us on the first event of the season, for a pie and peas supper, courtesy of Windermere Lake Cruises' caterers BigBarn CIC , a glass of fizz to wash it down, courtesy of us and our fabulous sponsors NXT Recruitment The Cumberland Edwin Thompson and some tide turning convos to put the wind into the sails of your business and give your evening a ferry-tale ending!

https://www.la23net.co.uk/when/

24/06/2021

Rise up, look up, look ahead. Last night stepped out together for the first time in over a year and oh it was magnificent. Cumbria has always been resilient and last night showed just how much, hearing the challenges people have faced but also their stories of solutions, adaptation and creativity shone through. A big thanks to the hidden gem Orrest Head Bar for looking after us all so well under what we know are difficult times for hospitality. You rocked.

Here’s to keeping moving. Here’s to hope. Here’s to Cumbria.

Photo Credit - the fabulous Victoria Sedgwick Photography of course!

And many thanks to our amazing sponsors The Cumberland NXT Recruitment and Edwin Thompson

03/06/2021

WAITING LIST OPEN FOR HUMANS NOT ZOOMANS

in real life is back. We are at capacity for the current guidelines, but IF the 21 June is a go-er then we can accommodate more! If you want to catch up with 's finest leaders then sign up to the waiting list and who knows...you too could be toasting at the top.

Ticket price includes networking, food and even a couple of cheeky ones. YES. OH YES. OH BLOODY HELL YES.

> https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BATJ

Our ace sponsors The Cumberland, Edwin Thompson and NXT Recruitment can't wait to see you all and neither can we.

21/05/2021

It's the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The time is now right for us to get together, in person. We are fell-ing over ourselves with excitement. We promise a hill-arious evening of views, tasty food, a bit of booze and most importantly plenty of YOUs! Spaces are currently limited to 30 so BOOK NOW! It may be we can welcome more depending on restriction announcements so get your name on the waiting list and if Bozza says yeah then we'll let you know.
BOOK NOW http://www.la23net.co.uk/when/

15/04/2021

THERE IS NO NEW NORMAL

In 3 words, these times have been "scary, challenging, exciting" - Spencer Hannah "stressful, enlightening, transformative" - Diane Hannah. And it's no surprise because, from a 20% online 80% offline retail business to surviving, reviving and thriving as a 100% online business has been no mean feat. Herdy UK used this opportunity to roam free and tonight generously shared the learning of co-founders Spence and Di and their incredible board Chair Kevin Roberts and newest board member Ricky Green. Under the masterful hand of our host Richard Eccles we were taken on a seriously uplifting wonderfully warm and completely noteworthy night. Know your ABCs (Ambition. Belief. Courage) you CAN change Incrementally. Disruptively. Transformationally. You care about 5 things:
Family. Work. Community. Friends. You. None are more important than the other so we aren't going back, we're never going back everything is different. Are you?

Pic credit: Victoria Sedgwick Photography

The Cumberland Edwin Thompson NXT Recruitment

07/04/2021

HAVE YOU HERD THE WORD???!!

Herdy UK's founders are coming to on Thursday 15 April and because their lil' guy is so lovable, cute and always wants to put a smile on your face, they need you to GET BOOKED by midday 8 April (THAT"S JUST OVER 24 HOURS AWAY!) so they can send this fabulous bag of treats out to you on time for the event!

You'd be an absolute mug to miss out on this fab lot, plus the amazing panel of Co-founders Di &Hannah Spence, Chair of the Herdy Board, Kevin Roberts, Non-Exec Board Member, Ricky Green and question putter extraordinaire Richard Eccles.

NXT Recruitment Edwin Thompson The Cumberland

Click here to BOOK NOW!! https://www.trybooking.co.uk/YYD

22/03/2021

Ewe Don't Wanna Miss This! Yes we're catching up with the cute and lovable Herdy UK's founders Diane Hannah and Spencer Hannah, Company Chair, Kevin Roberts (former Global CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi) and newly appointed Non Exec Board Member Ricky Green (former Global Wholesale Licensing and Partnerships Director at Ted Baker). AND we've only gone and added Richard Eccles, former editor and publisher of CN Group's award-winning Cumbria Life magazine to interview this popping panel! You'll want to FLOCK to this one, but be quick because everyone's cLAMBering for tickets so BOOK NOW!

THU 15 APRIL

17:30 – 19:30

ONLINE

£15 + VAT inc a cheeky Herdy treat
http://www.la23net.co.uk/when/

Thanks as always to our LA23NET sponsors The Cumberland, Edwin Thompson and NXT Recruitment

Flock Events and PR