Entrepreneur and philanthropist speaks of faith

GrahamDacre2006: Graham Dacre, entrepreneur, philanthropist and the man behind the Open Youth Venue in Norwich was the main speaker at the Norwich Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International chapter lunch at the Maid’s Head Hotel in the city on Thursday October 19, from 1-2pm.

Graham was the man who built Lind Automotive Group into East Anglia's biggest motor retailer before he sold it for £108m earlier this year.
 
Graham, whose Christian and philanthropic views are well known, has been involved in a number of high profile community projects in and around Norwich. These include owning Drayton Hall and helping set up the life-saving SOS Bus project.
 
Through his Lind Trust, Graham is also the driving force behind the ambitious Open youth venue in the former Barclays bank office on Bank Plain in Norwich, which is run by his son Russ Dacre.
 
It aims to provide a safe haven for young people aged principally between 13 and 25, complete with a multi-purpose events hall, internet cyber café, specialist shops and coffee bar.
 
“This is not about a Christian resource centre,” said Graham. “It is a community youth project run by faith-based people.”
 
Graham has also jointly offered to provide £2 million along with the Diocese of Norwich, to fund a new city academy in Norwich, possibly at Heartsease High School.
 
Lunch organiser John Wright said: "We expect this to be a sell-out so preference will be given to those who bring not yet Christian guests."
 
At the lunch Graham will talk about his work and his faith as part of the regular series of Norwich FGBMFI monthly events held at the Maid’s Head Hotel on Tombland in the centre of Norwich.
 
The lunches are aimed largely at people who work in the city and are designed to fit in a standard lunch hour with a half-hour meal followed by a 30-minute talk.
 
The cost to attend the lunch is £6 and all are welcome. To reserve your place contact Robert Ross on 01603 631050 or e-mail robert@positive-selection.com     or  cant.cherrytrees@tesco.net
 
 
Pictured above is Graham Dacre.