Close Up Wakefield Edition_Jan2018

JANUARY 2018

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF MID YORKSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-WAKEFIELD AND DISTRICT EDITION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH TOPICUK

FOR BUSINESS

Kirklees Business Conference is back! #Backing

Huddersfield Nikki Guest

TRANSFORMING OUR DIGITAL LANDSCAPE

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WELCOME Welcome to the January edition of Close Up for Business, from all here at the Chamber and our associates on the magazine, TopicUK.

To continue to support our growing membership, we are delighted to start the New Year by introducing a new member benefit. Designed to support and protect your business, the new benefit provides four essential business services, these are; Chamber HR, Chamber Legal, Chamber Tax and Chamber Health & Safety. Provided by QDOS Consulting, they include unlimited access to free advice lines, a website with over 750 free downloadable template documents and a package of insurances exclusive to Chamber members. These services are worth an average of ÂŁ1000

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to members, and are now included in our membership fees, offering members real protection and peace of mind.

We are also pleased to announce, following on from the huge success of our 2017 Conference, we are hosting our 2018 Kirklees Business Conference (KBC) at The John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield on Wednesday 21st March. The free, one-day conference has become a main event in the local business calendar, and is dedicated to helping businesses to connect, learn and grow. There are many

opportunities for local businesses to get involved through sponsorship, exhibiting and attending as a delegate. Contact our events team for further information.

We hope you enjoy reading this latest edition of Close Up, and on behalf of the Chamber team I wish you and your business a successful 2018.

Martin Hathaway Managing Director Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

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Contact Us Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce The John Smith’s Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG County Hall, Bond Street, Wakefield, WF1 2QW Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Halifax, HX1 5ER Managing Director Martin Hathaway

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Kirklees Business Conference is back!

II for Business

System Must Work Better

Marketing Manager Rebecca Walker 01484 483678 Membership Coordinator Rachel McDerby 01924 311605 Event and Sponsorship Coordinator Sam Melton Cover: Nikki Guest Image: Evoke Media

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#Backing Huddersfield Campaign Launched

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Business of The Month

Contents TEL: 07711 539047 &Comments FOR ADVERTISING SALES

Printed By: Charlesworth Press Wakefield

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DE TA I LS O F THI S M O NTH‘S CLO SE UP FO R B USI NE S S T HE MAG A ZINE FO R THE M I D YO RKSHI RE CHA M B E R O F CO M M E RCE

September 2017

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Wakefield & District

Editor’s Notes

Why join us at Topic UK?

by Sophie Mei Lan

New Year, New Editor As we start 2018, I am really excited to be the new editor of TopicUK Wakefield. A huge thank you to Gill and Rob the founders of TopicUK for inviting me on board and believing in me, as a journalist, entrepreneur and smiley socialite! It’s a really exciting time for me to be able to help develop the magazine.

My business, life and hobbies all rely on having the internet at the touch of a button, especially as I have young children, which prevent me getting out and about as much as I’d like to. But some days I spend hours trying to upload and send files to colleagues.

So I for one am thrilled about our front page news that City Fibre and NGC Networks have brought an ultra-fast full fibre network to Wakefield – which speeds up our internet connectivity.

Not only will it improve my work as an editor, but it will transform businesses across the city – so that we can catch up with the rest of the world. You can read all about this exciting development in this month’s magazine.

Plus it gives the TopicUK team time to focus on growing our magazine even further across the country.

I love Wakefield I am passionate about this city as a place to visit, build businesses and showcase all the local talent on our doorstep. So I understand a lot of the challenges we face, as well as the exciting opportunities that we can capitalise on, which are right on our doorstep.

Just check out the talent we have in this issue From exciting online influencers to entrepreneurs and culture vultures, I hope you enjoy reading and please do join the conversation with us (and don’t forget to check out our section on how to send us content!).

TopicUK is a nonprofit, independent magazine (in print and online), supporting our local business community.

We’ve been established for 5 years and we’d love for you to help us to continue our journey as one of our partners.

TopicUK is business to business magazine distributed free across Wakefield.

We are bi-monthly and print 12,000 copies, so an average readership of 50,000.

We support our partners through ongoing coverage online, in print and on social media.

We host business networking events through our business club.

Everyone is welcome to join our new Facebook group too, where we will be sharing opportunities and media advice, just search for Topic UK (Magazine) Business Network

For a full list of where you can pick up your free copy visit our website: www.topicuk.co.uk

For Advertising Sales

Tel: 07711 539047

The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those held by the publishers and therefore, no responsibility can be held by the publisher for misinterpretation.

Reproduction of this magazine without the express permission of the publisher is prohibited. Whilst every care is taken in the production of this magazine, the publisher/editor and staff cannot accept any responsibility for errors in articles, advertisements or programme schedules. To subscribe to this magazine contact 07711 539047 or email editor@topicuk. co.uk. Published by Ghost Publishing Limited, Paragon Point, Paragon Business Village, Red Hall Crescent, Wakefield WF1 2DF. Law pages are written by Ramsdens Solicitors LLP and TopicUK is not responsible for any advice given.

Printed By: Charlesworth Press Wakefield

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Wakefield & District NEWS

Topicuk Brings You A Full Round-Up Of Business News And Events And What’s Been Happening In Our Region Over The Last Couple Of Months.

U P DATE

Major refurbishment for local bar

In November The John Goodchild Collection was officially given to the care of West Yorkshire Archive Service.

Celebrating the work of John Goodchild The collection, gifted to Wakefield Council after John’s death in January 2017, is believed to be one of the largest private collections of an individual in the last century. It includes manuscripts, books, maps, portraits and illustrations from the 12th century onwards.

One of Wakefield City Centre’s iconic nightclubs, Fanny & Bacardi has recently undergone a £100,000 refurbishment and rebrand, embracing a new identity as Club Gatsby & The Gatsby Lounge. Creating more than 20 jobs for local residents and supporting Wakefield’s ever changing evening economy.

Embracing the 1920’s theme and décor Club Gatsby & The Gatsby Lounge is a beautiful high-end venue, aiming to change the face of the over 25’s evening offering in Wakefield. With glamourous feel good music entertainment on a weekend there is also quality jazz nights, and entertainment on a Sunday with live music.

The Gatsby Lounge has captured the decadence of the 1920s embracing a modern “Old Hollywood” twist with its very own Gatsby dancers. The recent investment is not only changing the face

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of things but the business model as well.

Formerly known for being open two nights per week as a Nightclub week The Gatsby Lounge, now has the potential to open up to a full seven days a week, as a daytime corporate venue.

The changes made have placed the business in a position to offer social hire for events, meetings, parties and functions.

Dale Alderton, Director, at Club Gatsby & The Gatsby lounge says; ‘’Wakefield is changing, the variety of high-end quality establishments is now increasing and I feel confident that we have rebranded the venue to meet the requirements of this new clientele now visiting the district from far and wide!’’

October saw the successful launch of the first live jazz afternoon tea sessions.

Particularly rich in material relating to West Yorkshire from the 18th and 19th centuries, with a Charles Waterton collection and detailed plans from a variety of coal mining pits across the district, the collection

Founder and Chairman of awardwinning Humanitarian Charity Penny Appeal, Adeem Younis, has walked away with two prestigious NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards: ‘Entrepreneur for Good’ and ‘Entrepreneur of the Year – North’ at a ceremony in Manchester recently.

Beating off stiff competition from more than 1000 business leaders who entered the awards nationally, Adeem said “I am thrilled that we have won, not just one, but two awards. This is real testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole team at Penny Appeal who have leveraged the fruits of entrepreneurship as an indomitable force for good.”

He continued: “Winning recognises the

Wakefield & District

will be housed at the West Yorkshire History Centre on Kirkgate.

With John’s close family in attendance, Councillor Peter Box CBE, Leader of Wakefield Council officially accepted the collection and unveiled The John Goodchild Research Room. In recognition of John’s dedication to the preservation of

artefacts and archival material celebrating West Yorkshire’s history, Councillor Box said: “John was a leading figure in researching and collecting the history of West Yorkshire, including its industrial past. By donating this tremendous archive his legacy will continue and will give future generations a greater insight and understanding

of our district’s fascinating heritage.”

The collection will be looked after by West Yorkshire Archive Service who hope to secure funding to make it fully accessible over the next three years. Teresa Nixon, Head of West Yorkshire Archive Service said; “John dedicated his life to collecting, researching and sharing with others the history of the West Riding.

He wanted to ensure his collection’s preservation for future generations, and at West Yorkshire Archive Service we aim to continue this work providing access to members of the public to help understand their heritage. With many unknown treasures to be found within this collection, we look forward to discovering and sharing these.”

FACT FILE •

John Goodchild was a leading figure in the field of West Yorkshire and Industrial History. In 1966 he became the founding curator of Cusworth Hall Museum, near Doncaster, but he returned to his roots in Wakefield in 1975 to take the role of first district archivist and principal local studies officer.

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The West Yorkshire Archive Service collects and looks after the unique documentary heritage of the region and helps members of the public to enjoy these records. The service has offices in Wakefield, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield and Leeds and offers a free public service to visitors who want to explore the documents.

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The West Yorkshire History Centre on Kirkgate, where the John Goodchild Collection will be cared for holds a number of public events, in addition to talks and tours.

Charity Chairman is double winner

incredible effort of our diverse staff and dedicated volunteers who carry out lifesaving work here in the UK and in over 30 countries across the world. For example,

we have teams of volunteers on the ground right now supporting refugees in Rohingya and have dispatched an immediate response team to Iran to help the earthquake victims, all made possible because of our incredible team.”

Now in its fifth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneurship Awards highlight the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses in Great Britain. The awards have celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs who have gone on to become household names: David Buttress from Just Eat; Julie Deane from the Cambridge Satchel Company and

James Watt, from Brewdog are just a few examples.

Creator of the Awards, Francesca James said: “We were inundated with some incredible entries this year and all applicants should be extremely proud of themselves. This year has seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been blown away by the strength and diversity of applications.”

This year’s judges included Former Dragon’s Den star James Caan CBE, Hayley Parsons OBE, founder of GoCompare, Toni Mascolo, co-founder of TONI&GUY and Jeff Lynn, co-founder of Seedrs.

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Wakefield & District Businesses in West Yorkshire and York could now benefit from grants of up to £3000 to get gigabit broadband installed as part of a £2 million trial taking place in four areas around the UK.

And The Car Buying Group also celebrate A Yorkshire-based online car purchasing company was also a winner at The Great British entrepreneurs Awards.

Tom Marley, founder and managing director of Wakefield and Bradfordbased The Car Buying Group was announced as the winner in NatWest’s The Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Scaleup Entrepreneur category.

The awards, which took place at The Imperial War Museum in Manchester in November aim to celebrate successful entrepreneurs who have demonstrated a hunger for opportunity and a growth mindset.

Tom was among thousands of businesses that entered the awards.

The Scale-up Entrepreneur category focuses on fast-growth, scaling businesses that are committed to

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economic growth by driving job creation and boosting revenue.

The Car Buying Group, which was also named the North’s fastest growing technology company in Tech North’s Northern Tech 100 league table earlier this year and has experienced an impressive 191% increase in growth since their inception, provides customers with a fair, fast and hassle-free way to sell a car online.

Having created 25 jobs in the three years since forming, the company is set to continue its rapid expansion over the coming years, aiming to create jobs for a further 25 people before 2019.

Commenting on the award win, Tom Marley said: “I am over the moon to have been awarded scale-up entrepreneur of the year.

The last three years have been a rollercoaster ride, with ups, downs and many learning curves.

Receiving this award validates that all the work the team and I have put in to build the business has really payed off, it’s fantastic to receive recognition for efforts.”

BroadBand Boost FOR BUSINESSES

Wakefield & District Suppliers will be offering vouchers worth between £500 and £3000 each to local businesses which can then be used to pay for the installation of gigabit speed connections.

The aim of the pilots is to encourage the market to extend full fibre infrastructure in the UK by increasing demand and reducing the cost to customers.

The many benefits of a full fibre full fibre gigabit connection include: Allowing businesses to upload and download massive files in a matter of seconds enabling widespread use of videoconferencing throughout an organisation providing an unprecedented level of reliability whilst greatly enhancing resilience future proofing - making sure that businesses have the technology in place to deal with the ever increasing demands for internet speed and connectivity allowing businesses in remote communities to compete on a technologically level playing field with those companies based in major cities who may

already have full fibre connectivity.

Minister for Digital Matt Hancock said: “Top notch broadband is essential to compete in the modern world. Faster and more reliable connections are transforming the way we live and work, and better broadband supports businesses to grow and become more productive. So we’re introducing gigaspeed vouchers to help businesses of britain get connected to the next generation of broadband technology.

Authority is very pleased to be working with DCMS to deliver the new Gigabit Voucher Scheme across West Yorkshire and York.

Over 3,500 SMEs across West Yorkshire and York took advantage of previous funding to upgrade their connections and we know that businesses here want to invest in improving their connectivity. As a partnership WYCA want to encourage investment in gigabit capable connectivity to homes and businesses across our wider city region in order to help deliver our productivity and growth ambitions”

The areas in our region that have been carefully selected to test the market conditions and infrastructure conditions we aim to help to create through the wider Local Full Fibre Network programme are: West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield and York).

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Jones, MP, said: “We are determined to provide the infrastructure needed for British businesses to thrive and prosper. The rollout of next generation, full-fibre broadband will help do that.

Kersten England, Chief Executive Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Lead Chief Executive for Digital and Innovation Leeds City Region, said: “West Yorkshire Combined

“Lightning internet speeds and unprecedented reliability will boost trade and ensure our firms can connect effortlessly to their customers and suppliers.”

B&B pub for sale near Tiger’s Rugby Club The Wheldale Hotel, a cosy Bed and Breakfast and pub located on the edge of Castleford is up for sale.

rooms have been decorated in neutral tones and the Bed and Breakfast has won a number of awards, including Best Budget Accommodation and 3 stars with Late Rooms in 2017.

Also known as The Boot Room, the 180 year old building sits directly adjacent to Castleford Tiger’s Rugby League Stadium.

Over recent years, the property has undergone extensive refurbishments by the current owners, Paul and Donna Taylor, who pride themselves on providing outstanding quality and value for their visitors.

The property is ideally located close by to Xscape and Fairburn Nature Reserve with its wonderful scenic walks and nature trails. The B&B also provides a cheaper accommodation alternative for visitors to the costly area of York.

The ten spacious and airy en suite guest

Sam Ashton, Business Agent at Christie & Co who is handling the sale comments, “The business receives strong local support and

benefits from numerous trading platforms by way of the pub, restaurant and letting rooms. Being located opposite Castleford Tiger’s ground, the pub benefits from increased trade on match days, pulling in many sporting drinkers, whilst the ten guest rooms provide recently refurbished, quality accommodation in the area. There is also genuine scope for further growth by developing the catering side of the business, which a new operator could take full advantage off.”

Christie & Co is seeking offers off the asking price of £75,000.

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Yorkshire Laser create a better night’s sleep HAPPY campers are enjoying a better night’s sleep thanks to a leading Yorkshire fabricator and laser cutting specialist.

Castleford based Yorkshire Laser Fabrication has teamed up with Vamoose Camper Conversions of Barnsley to revolutionise bed-time for camper van enthusiasts. And the new design has been so successful it has been used in Volkswagen T4, T5 and T6 vehicles as well as many other marques.

Camper van beds have traditionally been a ‘rock and roll’ design but Vamoose Camper Conversions recognised there was a niche for a more superior, substantial and easier to manoeuvre model and so designed their own system and approached Matthew Orford at Yorkshire Laser Fabrication with it.

“Simon Farrar of Vamoose came in with a mock up they’d put together themselves along with some sketches,” explained Grant Criplewell-Smith, CAD Designer with Yorkshire Laser Fabrication. We took photographs and measurements and worked on it from there using our CAD and CAM systems to help develop the design of the bed and produce a working prototype of what is now known as the Bedrock reclining van bed.”

The prototype went through full rigorous crash testing conducted by the Specialist Transport Advisory and Testing Utility Society (STATUS) at Manchester University plus the RDW in Holland

and the TUV in Germany, passing first time achieving safety certification in line with the EU directive 76/115/EC regulation 14.07.

Vamoose now regularly fit the Bedrock reclining bed primarily in VW T4, T5 and T6 vehicles and have sold hundreds of them since the product was launched in 2013. The parts for the bed are made by Yorkshire Laser Fabrication and assembled by Vamoose. The beds are also sold in the UK through Nova Leisure, the UK’s largest distributor of camping parts and accessories, and are also now exported, fully assembled, for sale in their European outlets.

Sandra Farrar, director of Vamoose Camper Conversions, said the input they got from Yorkshire Laser Fabrication had made a tremendous difference.

“We went to Yorkshire Laser because they are a local family run firm with the same values as us and they speak our language,” she explained. “Designing this was a massive undertaking but they understood what we required and worked with us to achieve the precision needed to make the product work.

We wanted a high quality product which was easy to use, offered the choice of upright,

reclined or lay flat ability and was fully crash tested in the market. We looked at the strict EC directives and based the design of our bed around them, opting for a high quality sliding mechanism instead of the outdated traditional rock and roll system.”

She added: “We have developed a fantastic working relationship with Yorkshire Laser Fabrication and continue to collaborate on modifying and improving the design of the bed producing models to fit in both right hand and left hand drive vehicles plus full width three seater version and, most recently, bringing out an electric powered version for even easier operation.

“Yorkshire Laser are now also producing many other specialist parts for us such as several types of awning brackets, roof keeps, roof rack components and the integral strengthening frames for our crash tested elevating roof systems.”

Star of social media seeks a new home A lovable rescue dog which appeared in a major social media campaign for pet food brand Wagg Foods is on the look out for a permanent home.

Millie, a six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who has been in the care of Saving Yorkshire’s Dogs since the beginning of July, was cast by Wakefield-based video production company Stada Video to star in an online video that was released this month.

Danny Lacey, CEO of Stada Video and director of the video shoot said: “Working with animals is never easy, but Millie was an absolute star.

Anyone would be lucky to have her as a pet.”

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The team at Saving Yorkshire’s Dogs says: “[Millie] loves playing with her toys and having a good run in our paddock. She has been a really good dog with all our volunteers and is a happy little dog… She gets a bit possessive of the people walking her and looking after her, and does not like people she does not know coming up to stroke her, so could not be rehomed with children.”

If anyone is interested in rehoming Millie, contact Heather Cameron at: heather. cameron@sydrescue.org.uk. Or call 07562 986101

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Morley & Outwood Business Association all set for 2018 wants MOBA to build on this success.

The MP is aiming to help increase employment and prosperity within our local area, while at the same time giving companies the opportunity to interact with local political leaders, national policymakers and Secretaries of State. This gives local business a real voice to help shape the economic roadmap of doing business in the UK.

Local MP Andrea Jenkyns, a strong business supporter and a former small business owner herself, has set a date of the 12th of January for next year’s Morley and Outwood Business Association (MOBA) first event.

Ms Jenkyns founded MOBA in 2014 prior to her election in Morley and Outwood as a great opportunity for local businesses to meet each other and have a dynamic, two-way relationship with politicians who are shaping this fantastic local business environment.

Indeed, in 2016 alone, Yorkshire and the Humber region exported £13.9 billion’s worth of goods and Ms Jenkyns

Commenting on next year’s plans Ms Jenkyns said: “ MOBA is a platform where businesses of all sizes can network, share best practice and truly have a voice. I wanted to be able to interact with businesses and learn about what they see as areas central and local government can improve on, in order to drive the economy forward. At MOBA politicians can regularly interact with Morley and Outwood’s entrepreneurs in order to understand the challenges they are facing and how my colleagues and I can help.

“We have had senior visits from people such as the Housing Minister, Business, Innovation and Skills Ministers and the Economic Secretary the Treasury in the past, and having this kind of expertise was fantastic, as it allowed local businesses to learn and have a

New beds for hospice thanks to Oneworld Travel

say about different Government departments’ plans and the policies as these are developed and implemented.

“Following the 2016 referendum result and the 2017 General Election, it is clear that huge opportunities await both our national and local economies.

There are over 200 VAT or P-AY-E registered enterprises within Morley and Outwood, and I would encourage any business who wants to join to get in touch and be part of building an exciting local area in which to do business.”

Local successful business AWM spokesman, Mike Robinson, said: “MOBA is a great initiative for all companies in our area as it gives us a real opportunity to talk to those who directly affect our way of doing business every day, offering much more than a networking opportunity.

“MOBA is a vibrant organisation with many events and interesting speakers and ministers. It is a great opportunity for local businesses to get to know each other as well as the local and national political field and I would recommend anyone who has a passion for business in our area to join.”

If you would like to get involved, please visit www.andreajenkyns. co.uk/contact-andrea

Oneworld Travel have funded two new beds for Wakefield Hospice as part of a recent appeal to raise £25,000 to replace existing equipment.

The hospice urgently needed to purchase 16 new beds in order to continue providing the highest quality end of life care. The travel agency helped by donating £10 from each holiday booking made.

Samantha Harvey, Oneworld Travels Managing Director said “This fundraising effort was a joint collaboration between our clients and ourselves, with many people donating additional amounts and for that we are most grateful. Together, we have ensured the Hospice can continue in delivering an incredible standard of care to the members of our local community that need it most.”

Partnering with such an invaluable, local organisation was an obvious choice for Oneworld Travel. Wakefield Hospice provide symptom management and care for people who have advanced active, progressive and life-threatening illnesses. The Hospice endorses a holistic approach in promoting quality of life for patients as well as providing the continuing support that is offered to families and carers.

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Chadwick Lawrence welcome new Partners and Associates Chadwick Lawrence recently announced the promotion of seven members of staff, who have been recognised for their hard work and dedication to the legal firm.

Yorkshire’s Legal People announced the appointment of four new partners and three new associates across the board, as part of the on-going development of the Chadwick Lawrence team.

Nils O’Donoghuge (Employment and Regulatory), Nicola Cooper (Corporate and Contracts), Rebecca Payne (Family Law) and Bhavna Patel (Home and Property) have all been promoted to firm Partners.

Sue Preece (Wills and Probate), Josh Smith (Dispute Resolution) and Natalie Glover (Home and Property) have all progressed to Associates.

Managing Partner, Neil Wilson, commented: “I am incredibly proud of the team at Chadwick Lawrence and the hard work

they continue to put into the firm. The individuals who have received promotions have demonstrated a high level of dedication and passion, and truly deserve their success.

They all continue to embrace the Chadwick Lawrence values both inside the office and outside of work, and set a fine example for the team.”

Andy joined Debenham’s nearly four years ago to manage its shop in Trinity Walk, Wakefield’s first modern department store. He has extensive experience in retail having worked as a store manager for 21 years for Homebase, Somerfield and Woolworths.

New director for Wakefield BID Wakefield BID has appointed Debenhams Store Manager Andy Gooder to its Board of Directors.

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“I started out in retail as a Christmas temp at Woolworths and worked my way up over four years to store manager,” said Andy.

“I have been based in Wakefield three times over an 18-year span and have seen the community evolve considerably over that time. The city centre I walked into when I joined Debenhams was completely different to when I first came here.”

Wakefield BID was launched earlier this year with the aim of

better and that is what the BID aims to do,” he explained.

making the city a great place to do business and give the local economy a boost. Andy said he was keen to get involved with the BID because he is passionate about Wakefield.

“The city has so much to offer and be proud of. As businesses it is key that we not only do all we can to promote Wakefield but join forces under one vision to make it even

“Debenhams may be a large national retailer but it is as much in our interest as in that of smaller independent businesses that Wakefield has a vibrant thriving city centre. By working hand in hand, national chains and independents, we can achieve that.”

Andy said he was delighted to be joined the BID Board. “As well as bringing my retail experience and the facilities that the store has to offer for holding wider community events to the Board table, I hope I also contribute energy and excitement. I’m looking forward to pushing ahead and making Wakefield a better place to live and work.”

Wakefield & District

New marketing and brand manager

Eitex were honoured to become the first member at the launch of Club 5, the new network club, set up by The Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract.

“It’s not enough these days to be good at business. Success also depends on how we’re perceived within the community,” said Eitex Managing Director, Dean Spencer. “We make a fuss about carbon footprints and the environment, but less tangible is how we show our corporate social responsibility.

“Club 5 offers a way that’s quiet but visible.

Actions, as they say, speak louder than words,” he continued.

Club 5 members receive a plaque to display at their premises and use of the Prince of Wales Hospice logo.

The Hospice will support and promote member businesses, shout out achievements or goals reached and any special or free services members are offering.

Exclusive annual networking and celebratory events will offer members the chance to join with like-minded businesses, swap ideas and maximise opportunities. There are

Club 5 Business Network launches also team building and employee morale or skill boosting opportunities through special corporate volunteering days. And a dedicated account manager who will help plan Club 5 membership and provide all the resources you’ll need.

In return, the club will help raise the profile of the Hospice, bringing wider awareness of the valuable, life changing support and care they provide.

Tracey Mearns Partnership Development Coordinator at the Hospice said “We’re delighted to welcome Eitex on board as our first Club 5 member.

It costs over £3 million a year to keep the Hospice open and we only receive around 25% of this from the NHS. For the rest, our patients rely on the generosity of local people and companies.

We wanted to create the opportunity for

local business to help provide the 24 hour specialised care required by our patients, who each have a life limiting and progressive illness. For £250 + VAT per year, Club 5 membership offers companies like Eitex the chance to do just that and create some potential business with other Hospice supporters at the same time! ” Dean Spencer continued, “It’s our aim to be the goto IT services provider in the area. But we care, and we want to show we’re about more than computer systems. IT is our bread and butter, but we never forget that communities and businesses are people driven, and without the people we’d be nowhere.”

If you’re running a business within the 5 Towns or surrounding area, we’d love to welcome you aboard as a Club 5 member.

Wakefield based document management specialists, Microform Imaging Ltd, have appointed Phil Abbott as their new Marketing and Brand Manager.

The appointment follows a period of growth and development for the company after another impressive year. Phil joins the team from Hollingworth & Moss Ltd, having worked as Digitisation Manager there for 9 years.

Phil commented ‘I am excited to have been offered this role and to join the expanding team. Having worked on large digitisation projects and with organisations such as The British Library and Cambridge University Press, I am looking forward to bringing my experience to Microform and really shaping the brand identity and refining the digitisation services available to the end user.

It is a busy and exciting time for Microform with some new contracts coming on board and some further developments with our new 360° imaging service as well as our new heritage and restoration services.”

Neil Bowker, Sales Director added: “Phil recently joined the team at a really moving time for the business following some recent growth and new contract wins. Having worked in the industry for 15 years, Phil brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to further develop our offering and will play a key role in developing our 360° imaging service as well as helping to further promote our Digital Academic Publishers arm, British Online Archives. It’s been a fantastic few months and we’re pleased to have Phil on board to help us continue and achieve our future growth plans.”

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Wakefield & District A Wakefield shopping centre has scored six major new lettings and begun work on an expansion this winter.

Ex Lions coach visits school Rugby Union legend Sir Ian McGeechan visited Ackworth School recently to learn more about its outreach programme.

The former British and Irish Lions player and coach, heard how Ackworth supports local primary schools by providing resources, facilities and expertise.

Sir Ian McGeechan, who is executive chairman of Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby, was treated to a display of table tennis by primary students who have benefitted from Ackworth School’s table tennis development programme.

The former Scotland international also accepted challenges from some youngers during his visit.

Yorkshire Carnegie who are based in Headingley, also have a community programme in which they provide rugby, team building and leadership development sessions to their 18 affiliated schools.

Ackworth headteacher Anton Maree said: “We sincerely thank Sir Ian for generously giving up some of his time to meet us and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with Yorkshire Carnegie.”

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Major new lettings at West Yorkshire shopping centre

Trinity Walk has welcomed the city’s centre’s first ever Starbucks cafe, now open opposite The Chinese Buffet.

And Explore Learning has taken prime space above Asda Living where they will offer young people aged four to 14 awardwinning dedicated tutoring to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

As we went to press, International jewellers, Nomination, was set open their first dedicated store in the unit next to Starbucks.

Phonextra will also join the range of stores, taking the former Brookfields unit facing the market hall.

Oneworld Travel celebrate 15 year anniversary The Oneworld Travel Group recently visited the city of Málaga to celebrate fifteen years since first opening its doors.

Hosted by the Costa Del Sol Tourist Board, the trip saw twentytwo team members sample local cuisine, enjoy historic walking tours and soak up the winter-sun on the country’s south coast.

Samantha Harvey, Managing Director of the Oneworld Travel

Group, said “We’ve grown so much in what feels like such a short space of time – from starting in a small office in Wakefield city centre to now having stores across Yorkshire and the North. It was an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the hard work and effort we’ve all put in, and a fantastic experience for the staff members of the company to share”.

Visit Costa Del Sol Málaga are keen to show the city as much more than the starting point to a week in the coastal resorts. “There

Wakefield & District The refurbishment will see a new exterior facelift, utility works and larger units created around existing tenants who all remain open for business as usual including Bonmarche, Poundworld, Martin’s and Modern Savage Tattoo Studio.

Richard Low, Head of Retail for Orion, said: “It’s a challenging climate, which makes these new lettings even more pleasing as they offer more variety, more jobs and more reasons to shop, relax and learn. Trinity Walk is resilient and never stands still, which positions it well as a sub-regional shopping centre.

And mobile phone network, Three, will open along the popular Teal Way near to Trespass. VIP vapes and e-cigarettes store has also opened at the centre, too.

The openings follow Trinity Walk owner, Orion’s, purchase of the nearby Westmorland House which is to be transformed into an extension of the centre.

is a lot of history and culture to be found in Andalusia’s second mostpopulous city” says Louis Roy, Digital Marketing Manager for Oneworld Travel Group. “When it comes to Spanish city breaks, Barcelona often reigns supreme - but it’s important

Cormac Hamilton, Trinity Walk’s Centre Manager, said: “The comments we get time after time about our centre are that it’s fresh, clean, spacious and exceeds expectations when people visit for the first time. Our focus is now about working on retaining our core customers, increasing their average number of visits and growing our catchment area because we know what we offer is appealing to a lot of people.”

people see there are so many places to enjoy a long weekend in the UK’s favourite summer holiday destination.

Spain is truly diverse and Málaga is perfect for a short city break, or as the gateway to a bigger Andalusian adventure”.

First clinic in Pontefract Entrepreneurial local mother Sarah Jones has opened her first colon hydrotherapy clinic in Pontefract.

The PuraCleanse clinic provides colonic irrigation, a complementary therapy with proven health benefits for people struggling with digestive problems.

The bespoke clinic in South Elmsall is the first of its kind in the area and has been specially designed to administer the treatment in a professional, clean, comfortable and friendly environment.

Sarah said: “I built PuraCleanse through the passion I have to demonstrate the wide range of benefits that come from colon care.

After years of struggling with bowel problems and finding that conventional treatment wasn’t helping, I started to research other methods that might improve my bowel function. I came across lots of information on colonic hydrotherapy and although I was nervous to try it, I felt the benefits from the very first treatment. It enabled my colon to function properly for

the first time in years, leading to a huge increase in energy levels and far less stomach bloating and I no longer felt constipated.”

Colon hydrotherapy uses a gentle flow of water to cleanse the colon, helping return the digestive system to a more natural, healthy state. The treatment is also believed to improve overall well-being by reducing headaches, allergies and acne, and by improving mental and physical sluggishness.

Sarah continued: “Talking about colon and bowel health is often seen as a taboo subject but it was only by confronting this norm that I was I able to get my health back under control. I don’t want anyone to continue to suffer because they feel embarrassed to address the cause of their discomfort.

“At PuraCleanse we listen to each client to help them reach their health goals. We want all of our clients to leave the clinic feeling relaxed and positive about their experience; after all, having a healthy colon is key to maintaining good health and wellbeing.”

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Wakefield & District B A NKIN G

U P DATE

The time is now for Yorkshire manufacturers to invest in smart tech says Barclays Corporate Banking report New Barclays manufacturing report predicts that the cost to the British economy could be as much as £102bn per year[i] Additionally, 11.000 jobs would be created in Yorkshire in the next 10 years if manufacturers invest in smart factory technologies.

Following a recent Government review on industrial digitisation, Barclays cautions that failure to adopt ‘fourth industrial revolution’ technologies will be a lost opportunity for manufacturers 93 per cent of manufacturers in Yorkshire are confident about Britain’s ability to compete on an international scale over the next five years, yet many in Yorkshire are putting off necessary investment in transformative tech and blaming a lack of skilled workers for the delay [19 per cent].

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New research from Barclays Corporate Banking shows 93 per cent of manufacturers in Yorkshire are confident about Britain’s ability to compete in the international marketplace over the next five years, mirroring the findings of the Made Smarter report published earlier this month. Over two fifths (40 per cent) of manufacturers in Yorkshire attribute t heir confidence to ‘fourth industrial revolution’ (4IR) technologies, such as machine learning, sensors and big data, which they believe will boost the productivity of their business.

Confidence isn’t translating into investment Of those that have already

invested, 46 per cent of manufacturers in Yorkshire report that the adoption of 4IR technologies has improved productivity, while 17 per cent are already seeing return on investment. Yet, there is still resistance to investing in the very latest innovations. The Barclays Corporate Banking Manufacturing Report, Intelligent manufacturing: an industrial revolution for the digital age, is based on the views of over 500 manufacturing industry decision makers. It found that, while basic forms of automation, like robotics, have a high rate of adoption (76%), 43 per cent of manufacturers in Yorkshire are yet to invest in 4IR technologies like artificial intelligence.

Yet economic modelling included within the report predicts that manufacturers could boost the sector by an additional £102bn per year by 2026, provided 4IR sees greater adoption and investment over the coming years. The study also shows that the industrial heartlands would benefit most from investment in 4IR technologies, such as sensors, big data, energy self-generation and machine learning. The West Midlands (14,000), North West (13,000), Yorkshire & Humber (11,000), and East Midlands (also 11,000) all set to see a big hike in employment.

Tony Walsh, Barclays Managing Director Norther Region said:

are at a watershed. While the outlay may seem expensive for many at a time of uncertainty, the industry needs to raise its levels of investment in the skills and infrastructure needed to harness these new technologies and keep us more productive than other international manufacturing hubs.

Businesses that make the leap will be rewarded.

“Our research shows that Yorkshire manufacturers see the benefits of this cutting-edge technology, and many have started to match their intentions with investment. However, we

As well as creating jobs, investment in technologies like AI were also understood to have a positive impact on the quality of work people experienced. Of the manufacturers that have already

“Yorkshire manufacturing is going through another industrial revolution but confidence alone does not translate into success and benefit. With sterling currently weaker and a robust appetite from domestic and international markets for Yorkshire goods, the industry is in a strong position to take advantage of the opportunities investing in Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies can bring.”

Weighing up the benefits Contrary to popular perceptions about the impact of AI, investment in 4IR technologies has the potential to create jobs for Britain. Barclays has found that 101,000 jobs would be created in the next 10 years if manufacturers invest in smart factory technologies, and textiles and clothing (12.6%), pharmaceuticals (8.3%), wood, paper and printing (6.9%), and fuels (6.7%) would benefit the most.

Wakefield & District

invested, 32% of said it freed up staff to concentrate on more highly skilled work.

Tackling barriers to investment The skills gap is a major barrier, as highlighted by the Made Smarter review.

Barclays’ research further reveals the scale of the problem faced by the industry. One in five (21%) manufacturers cited a lack of skilled workers as the reason for putting off investment in 4IR. Additionally, of those that aren’t confident about the UK’s ability to keep its competitive edge internationally, 40% attributed their pessimism to difficulties around recruitment due to a skills shortage.

With the research reporting that 19% of manufacturers believe the Government’s industrial strategy will have no impact on their business, it is clear that more targeted communication is needed to underscore the potential of 4IR. The Made Smarter review recommended strong leadership and better branding to make a difference. Survey findings show that 36% are not aware of the strategy at all, underlining the point made by more than a third (35%) of manufacturers, that more education and information on the tangible benefits of 4IR technologies would encourage them to invest.

Although manufacturers have been slow to act, this is not to say that they don’t have plans to do so in the future. 78% of manufacturers have committed to investing in automation over the next five years: over two-thirds see more potential in sensors, big data, energy self-generation and machine learning.

And just over half predict more use of 3D printing over this period. This suggests that the industry has confidence in its ability to transcend these barriers, and propel Britain forward into a new industrial age and on a global stage but timing will be key.

Bellway welcomes stamp duty changes Ross Clarkson, Bellway Yorkshire’s sales director – stamp duty changes are great news for first time buyers National homebuilder, Bellway Homes has welcomed the abolishment of stamp duty for first time buyers on properties up to £300,000, as announced in the Autumn budget in November.

Based on the announcement made by chancellor of the exchequer, Philip Hammond, buyers purchasing their first property could benefit from a saving of up to £5,000 when buying a brand new home.

Ross Clarkson, Bellway Yorkshire’s sales director, said “This is great news for first time buyer as it drastically reduces the upfront costs of buying a new home, especially towards the higher end of £300,000 limit.”

Katie Styles, who was in the process of buying her first home in Wakefield when the announcement was made, said “For me this was brilliant, it came just as I was due to exchange contracts! It saved me a large

amount of money on upfront costs, meaning I could spend more elsewhere.”

And the good news doesn’t end there.

First-time buyers purchasing homes worth between £300,000 and £500,000 will not pay any stamp duty on the first £300,000 and only have five per cent to pay on anything above that.

“It really is great news all round,” added Ross. “The stamp duty changes mean that 95 per cent of first-time buyers will be paying less stamp duty than before, and an astonishing 80 per cent will be completely exempt.”

First time buyers can also make use of the Government’s popular Help to Buy scheme.

This allows new homes to be purchased with just a five per cent deposit, which partnered with the removal of the stamp duty land tax makes buying a new home very appealing.

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Wakefield & District

Welcome new partners TopicUK welcomes two new partners this edition, Fostering to Inspire and NGC Networks, both based in Wakefield.

Both businesses will be working with TopicUK over the next twelve months, who will be helping to promote their businesses both within our magazine and online.

Celebrate 90 years of fundraising with the RNLI The Honley & Brockholes RNLI are celebrating 90 years of fundraising by holding a Charity Ball at Bagden Hall, Denby Dale on Saturday 14 April 2018.

There will be a welcome drink followed by a three course dinner, after dinner speeches including guest speaker Mr C.E. Hunter-Pease, OBE and ex-Chairman of RNLI and Volvo, entertainment and dancing until late, as well as a free raffle and auction. The cost for this black tie event is just £50 per person available from Roy and Dawn Meakin.

Show your support for this amazing charity and book now.

Email: dtmbranchsec@btinternet. com or call: 07825 184919.

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As we approach our fifth birthday, 2018 is going to be our biggest year yet, with new projects planned, a revamped website and a digital news update, which will be sent directly to your inbox. There never has been a better time to become a partner.

Fostering to Inspire is an ethical independent fostering agency part of the employee owned Prospects Group and is recruiting foster carers across Yorkshire.

They are committed to supporting and encouraging fostered children and young people to recover from past trauma and abuse.

Together, with their foster carers, they support their children and young people to grow, develop skills and build their resilience.

Starting a journey to become a foster carer can be exciting, but also very daunting. Fostering to Inspire is there to support and guide you every step of the way.

There are a variety of reasons why children and young people can no longer live with their birth families and need to go into foster care.

Fostering to Inspire require family homes that can offer these vulnerable children and young people a safe, caring and stable environment.

Their fostered children and young people may have experienced past trauma and abuse which can affect who they are and how they behave. Their foster carers are tasked with transforming young lives and this can be an extremely rewarding experience for fostering families.

Who can foster?

To foster with Fostering to Inspire they ask that you fulfil the following criteria: • Over 21 years – there is no upper age limit.

• Spare bedroom – Fostering takes place in your own home therefore it is essential you have at least one spare bedroom.

• Have time and flexibility – being able to offer full-time care is preferable, but there may be exceptions whereby part-time work is acceptable.

• They are happy to consider single carers, married couples, couples in a long-term relationship and same-sex couples.

• Be a British Citizen or have permanent Leave to Remain.

• You do not have to be a parent – we provide support and training.

• Have an aspiration to foster children and young people.

Founded in 2002, NGC Networks is a business communications specialist providing cost effective telecommunications and connectivity solutions for businesses.

Based at Calder Park, NGC are experienced in implementing simple single site business telephone systems through to the most complex multi-site networks and customer contact centre solutions. Their customer focused delivery and services combine competitive rates with excellent support.

Readers may recall reading in our last edition that NGC Networks have partnered with CityFibre, to deliver ultrafast full-fibre connectivity to local businesses. This sparks a period of investment in Wakefield’s digital infrastructure.

NGC Networks is also partnering with CityFibre to deliver gigabit internet speeds to businesses in Bradford and Huddersfield.

Wakefield & District A former ‘Wakefield Business of the Year’, ‘Yorkshire Public Relations Professional of the Year, and ‘Yorkshire Regeneration Pioneer Award’ winner is ending a 35 year relationship with the city and region following the sale of his business, the Wakefield Media & Creativity Centre on King Street Andy Green, Founder Director of the Wakefield Media Centre and former Managing Director of GREEN public relations leaves the city and region to focus on his new career, based in Barry Island in South Wales, where he is launching a new social enterprise, ‘Grow Social Capital’ to tackle the changing levels of social capital in communities across the UK. Mr. Green was an active figure in the Wakefield and the Yorkshire business community. He was a former Chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, creating in 1994 the world’s first Festival of Public Relations in Leeds - a week-long celebration of the public relations profession, a member of the first Board for the Huddersfield Media Centre and the Round Foundry Media Centre, Leeds, and also a judge on the Yorkshire Awards.

For the Wakefield district Andy served as a Board member on the Wakefield City Centre Partnership, and also the Wakefield Theatre Trust. He set up a residents group at his home on St. John’s Square Wakefield, where on leaving he planted a tree to mark his family’s local roots.

His legacies for the area include: Transforming in the late 1990’s the County’s Yorkshire Day celebrations on August 1st with a national awardwinning campaign which raised over 10 years an estimated £250,000 for local charities.

In 1991 saving the Leeds-based Treats Ice Cream company (later to become Richmond Ice Cream) from closure by Unilever. Conceived and delivered an award-winning creative industries hub, the Wakefield Media Centre, creating new jobs, training opportunities and cultural events in an area hit by the decline of the mining industry and is still running after 14 years.

The ‘Story of Media’ statue on the outside of the Wakefield Media Centre building, which he designed with local artist John Milsom.

Farewell

as Wakefield and Yorkshire connection comes to an end for local businessman

Opening the first IndyCube coworking centre in England at the Wakefield Media Centre Putting Wakefield on the creative industries map with the first major public relations agency to be based in the city and establishing a local creative industries networks, the forerunner to the city’s Cognitiv group, now part of the Wakefield BID Creating an Investors in People backed graduate training scheme providing a chance for local graduates to get their first break in PR. Five of his former staff now running

their own public relations agencies in the region.

A founder director of the Bully-Banks campaign group which secured partial justice for 18,200 small businesses across the UK who were recognised as victims of bank mis-selling who received £2.2 billion in redress.

Reflecting on his time in Wakefield and Yorkshire Andy said: ”I became an adopted Yorkshireman and am both proud of helping others during my time, but also sad in marking the end of an era cutting my formal ties to Wakefield and Yorkshire.”

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Wakefield & District

Image : Evoke Media

BUS IN E SS

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LE ADE R S

Wakefield & District

Sparking success for Wakefield based businesses Helping businesses to succeed by implementing digital strategies was only the starting point for Nikki Guest who is now playing a key role in transforming Wakefield’s digital infrastructure.

Nikki, Director of NGC Networks, based at Calder Park, has partnered with CityFibre to give businesses the best chance of keeping up with the digital age through the introduction of full-fibre Internet connectivity in the city.

Topic UK’s Wakefield editor Sophie Mei Lan, caught up with Nikki to talk about her remarkable success story.

What has your journey in business been like?

I think my interpretation of the general definition of success is doing whatever makes you happy.

It doesn’t have to be financial. If you’re not happy, then you should consider whether you’ve made the right choices in life and do something about it.

For me, success is having a good quality of life and knowing that I’ve worked hard for it.

What inspires you to keep going?

Helping customers. I’ve been in the telecoms industry for a long time and I know a lot about it.

Being able to apply that knowledge and experience in order to help businesses implement their digital strategies, or to help other people develop their careers in this industry, is so rewarding that I can’t imagine not doing it.

Busy! Which I love. It’s been immensely challenging, but also exciting and hugely rewarding.

What motto do you live by?

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned?

What is your greatest passion?

You can’t do everything yourself.

The art of delegation is probably the hardest part, as you always think that no one will do things as well as you. But you’ll never grow a business if you keep trying to do it all yourself. Plus, you might just discover that some people are actually better than you!

How do you define success?

What doesn’t break you makes you stronger.

I guess this is going to sound sad, but my job IS my passion. The technology industry is so fast paced that there’s never a dull moment, and it’s a really exciting place to be right now.

What are you most proud of?

My children. Being a parent is without doubt the most challenging and rewarding job I’ve ever had! They have their moments

as all children do but they have a good work ethic, and they put their all into everything they do. I like to think I’ve influenced that. My husband is a stay-at-home dad to our two children and he does an amazing job. I don’t see much of them Monday to Friday, but they know that on a weekend I am 100 per cent theirs.

What are you up to at the moment?

We have a few irons in the fire from a business perspective that are really exciting, but I can’t tell you much about them right now! All I can say is, watch this space!

What are your dreams?

Just to continue being happy and healthy.

Are there any surprising facts about you?

Not really – I guess I’m a bit dull when it comes down to it. Outside of work and family life I can never really find much time for anything else.

Although interestingly, at the age of 42 I can still drink most of my team under the table…

How can people get in touch?

Nikki’s advice for new businesses

Roll your sleeves up and get stuck in.

Put in some real graft in the early days and it will repay you in the longterm.

If you are looking to grow a business, my advice would be to implement some solid processes right from day one. Digital infrastructure is hugely key to that.

Get the technology right in the early days and it will make things so much easier in the long-run.

I’m always happy to talk to people directly, and can be reached on 0113 390 0053. Also, please follow NGC Networks on LinkedIn and @ ngcnetworks on Twitter – and of course you can get in touch via our website www.ngcnetworks.co.uk

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Wakefield & District

Rhubarb Returns!

The Wakefield Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb returns to the city centre this February, celebrating everything that’s great about the Rhubarb Triangle and our links with the famed pink plant.

Now in its 12th year, the festival is the first major event in the UK’s ‘foodie’ calendar and will take place between Friday 23 and Sunday 25 February – at the end of Wakefield schools’ half-term break.

What the Rhubarb Festival has done for the city: Last year’s festival attracted a recordbreaking 135,000 visitors to the city centre over the three days, with the event’s success leading to it being ‘Highly Commended’ at the 2017 White Rose Awards – Welcome to Yorkshire’s celebration of everything that’s great about tourism in our county.

The festival was shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ category, facing stiff competition including eventual winners the Great Yorkshire Show, Huddersfield Literature Festival, and HallowScream at York Maze.

There will be plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy, including cooking demonstrations in the heated and seated marquee, and a rhubarb-themed festival market featuring plenty of products with a rhubarb twist.

performing two rhubarb-themed culinary masterclass demonstrations during the Saturday afternoon to packed crowds within the marquee, while also taking the time to tour the festival market to meet visitors and traders alike.

There will also be plenty of familyfriendly fun and entertainment, including the return of the Festival Family Trail which encourages visitors to travel around the city centre in search of rhubarb-related clues to be in with a chance of winning a prize!

The festival always attracts a great selection of hot street food, and along with the main attractions within the Cathedral precinct there will also be a selection of fringe activities throughout the city.

This year’s festival welcomes back Jean-Christophe Novelli, a 5 out of 5 AA Rosette and multi Michelin Star winning chef dubbed ‘the nation’s favourite French chef ’.

Jean-Christophe Novelli visited the festival for the first time in 2017,

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More details of these, and further festival updates, will be announced over the coming weeks, and you can keep up to date by visiting www. experiencewakefield.co.uk/rhubarbfest, the ‘Food, drink & Rhubarb Festival’ Facebook page and Twitter @ Rhubarbfestival.

Last year’s festival contributed an estimated £3.105 million to the local economy, an 8% increase compared to 2016, with the city centre enjoying significantly increased footfall throughout the three days of the festival.

Wakefield & District Does your job often take you away from home? Do you stay in hotels often at home and abroad? Are you a business lady or entrepreneur? If you answer yes, then you know all too well how stressful it is finding the right hotel and making sure your safety is top priority.

easy target oblivious of your surroundings.

TopicUK caught up with Carolyn Pearson, Managing Director of Maiden Voyage, the business set up to advise the lady traveller on how to stay safe and choose the right hotel. They also offer the opportunity for your to meet up with one of their ambassadors, a welcome friendly face in a strange city.

2.

Choose Your Hotel Room Wisely It is a hotel’s duty to ensure their guests are safe and secure. When booking a room, specifically request one that is not on the ground floor or at the end of a long corridor which can be isolating, especially if walking to your room alone in the dark.

Guard Your Privacy Hotels should never announce your room number verbally as this makes it public to anybody else in the lobby. Instead, your room number should be written down and presented to you with your room key. If your hotel fails to disclose your room

Text Your way to safety.

Save this number: 61016. If you experience harassment or untoward behaviour on the train, you can text the British Transport Police directly with your whereabouts. If required, they’ll send security to help you out.

8.

Hotel Rooms are For Sleeping, not Meetings!

In light of recent news, it should come as no surprise that business meetings in hotel rooms are not advisable. Even if you know your contact well, keep meetings in office settings or open and public places.

If meeting in the latter, maintain discretion around disclosure of private and personal details.

9.

‘Tis The Season to Steal Luggage…Suitcase theft on trains peaks during the festive season. Don’t get caught out- store your luggage between two seat backs, under your own seat, or overhead. If you do leave your luggage in the luggage rack, check on it regularly.

Attaching a padlock to the zipper acts as a deterrent to potential thieves.

Are you a business lady who travels alone? of how much you are giving away about yourself as even your name and company are enough for the nosy parker next to you to Google you (as has happened to our CEO!).Unless You’re in a Cab

number discreetly, you are within your rights to request a new room.

Here Carolyn and her team share with us their top 10 tips when travelling alone: 1.

7.

3.

4.

Check and Check Again You should have a minimum of two fully-functioning independent locks- if you don’t, change rooms. Check the security of windows or balcony doors, and ensure they shut and open properly.

If you are still concerned about the security of your hotel room door, pack a nifty DoorJammer for extra security to protect you from any persistent, unwanted visitors.

Save Calls for Later…

While it can be tempting to get pending business and personal calls ticked off while on the train, remember that fellow commuters are privy to anything you say. Be wary

5.

Should your taxi driver be overfamiliar with you or putting you at unease, feign a phone call to your spouse (real or imaginary!) casually mentioning your whereabouts and ETA. Use pet names liberally to throw the driver off the scent!

6.

Walking between sites can seem like the perfect time to catch up on podcasts or audiobooks, but having your headphones in not only puts you at higher risk of traffic accidents but also sends a message to potential pickpockets that you are an

10. Please Mind the Gender Gap Sexual harassment on the tube is on the rise. If you are being targeted or feel uneasy, don’t be afraid to call the perpetrator out. The bottom line is that your safety comes before politeness in every scenario.

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Wakefield & District T HE

ARTS

Art Deco “Kevin Trickett writes and speaks about some of his favourite subjects, including Art Deco.

You can follow him on Twitter @MrTrickett” basis of men’s suits and jackets today.

People wanted to put the memories of war behind them and those who had survived wanted to celebrate! This was the age of jazz, the age of swing: the beat grew faster, the rhythm was syncopated and folk were in the mood to party! Think Flappers, Gatsby, Josephine Baker and the Roaring Twenties!

The term ‘Art Deco’ is something of a catch-all. It refers to a design style that really came to the fore in the 1920s, although its origins can be traced further back in time. It remains hugely popular today and there continues to be big demand for authentic pieces of the period. The Art Deco term can be applied to just about anything from architecture and decorative arts through to fashions in clothes and furniture and household wares. There were even fonts and a colour

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palette used in printing that came to typify the style (think railway posters advertising streamline trains and glamourous destinations). The style persisted well into the 1930s and was revived again in the 1950s, albeit updated.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

World War I had changed everything and people were ready to break from the rather fusty traditions of the Edwardian era. Women had begun to

find freedom, going out into the workplace and becoming self-supporting. Their skirts and hairstyles became shorter (material was expensive and the bustle didn’t really lend itself to working either in offices or on the factory floor). Corsets and stays were unfastened and discarded. Men’s fashions were changing too – the very formal tailoring (and tailcoats) of the Victorian and Edwardian periods were exchanged for a more modern line that still forms the

Art Deco was originally about expensive objets created for the very wealthy in precious woods, metals and jewels. The name Art Deco was actually coined (although not until the 1960s) from an abbreviation of the title of the 1925 Paris exhibition, the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, intended to showcase the best of modern international design. Art Deco took its cues from African, South American Aztec and European influences. In the USA and Western Europe, the style was developed further – the organic and naturalistic designs of the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements were simplified and streamlined; unnecessary curls and twirls were replaced by more geometric motifs.

Wakefield & District

Meanwhile, Hollywood films such as the Busby Berkeley musicals were helping to spread this new style moderne around the globe, creating a demand from cinema audiences wanting to have some of the Art Deco magic in their own homes. That demand was met by mass manufacturers whose factories had turned from producing weapons and the machinery of war to creating household wares and goods for the popular market. They used chrome, glass and new materials such as Bakelite plastic to produce less expensive artefacts intended for everyday use.

I guess I fell in love with Art Deco long before I knew what the term meant: indeed, I can trace my fascination with the design style back to when I was a child in the 1950s. On my mother’s dressing table sat a dish, made in amber coloured glass, about 12 inches across and in the shape of a butterfly. There was something about the shape, the style and the colour that just appealed to me. I don’t know how my mum came by it but I later inherited it and for nearly 30 years it sat on a chest of drawers in my guest bedroom. Remarkably, although it must be somewhere approaching 70 years old, it’s still in perfect condition.

It was a trip to the opening of a new exhibition at Pontefract Museum a few years ago that made me re-evaluate the dish. The museum had a new display dedicated to Bagley Glass, a Knottingley bottle works originally established in 1871 by cousins William Bagley (1842-1924) and John William Bagley (1838-1897) and whose fathers were also glass makers from Yorkshire. The company used coal to fire the furnaces in which their glass was produced – following in the footsteps of an emerging glass-making industry: there had been a glass works in the Knottingley area since the 17th century and so much glass was produced in the area that the nearby village of Houghton acquired the name of Glasshoughton!

Bagleys, as Bagley Glass was to be known,

went on to make decorative household glassware and, by the middle of the 20th century, they had become the biggest manufacturer of pressed glass in England, exporting their products all over the world, adapting their styles to meet the demands and expectations of their customers.* (Glass making continues in Knottingley to this day although the company is now part of Stölzle Flaconnage Ltd. under whose name the works now trades.)

Anyway, back to the museum. On display that day was a butterfly dish, identical to mine but in green glass. My interest was kindled! In fact, on closer examination back home, quite a few pieces of glassware that I’d inherited turned out to be Bagley glassware; none of it particularly valuable (sadly): you can pick pieces up for around £12-£15 at antiques shops without trying too hard simply because it was so mass produced and just about every home in the area would probably have had some in everyday use. Nonetheless, my butterfly dish has now been moved to the relative safety of a display cabinet!

A quick internet search revealed that other

companies such as Davidson’s and Sowerby’s, both of Gateshead, and Jobling of Sunderland, as well as European manufacturers such as Walther and Sohne of Germany were also turning out pressed glassware for the domestic market, again keeping up to date with the trend for Art Deco designs. There products have the style, and the look, of the 1920s and 30s but without the price tag of more illustrious names such as René Lalique and they provide a much cheaper starting point for anyone interested in acquiring a few pieces of their own. Of course, you can buy modern Art Deco glassware; manufacturers today are still producing goods that reflect the public interest in the style and I have purchased some 21st century examples myself. Perhaps, one day, they will be the sought-after antiques of the future? (*) There is an excellent book detailing the history of Bagley glass and from which some of my notes above have been taken. If you’d like to learn more, do try to get hold of a copy of Bagley Glass, by Angela Bowey with Derek and Betty Parsons. Mine is the third edition published in 2010 but a fourth edition is now available.

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Wakefield & District

The Civic Role Of Arts Organisations Gulbenkian Foundation

By Murray Edwards - Art and business consultant Wakefield

Having worked in the Arts and Cultural sector for more years than I care to remember, I find it particularly interesting that this topic should be one that is being explored in some detail at the moment, just when the effects of a sustained period of funding cuts are beginning to be properly recognised

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rts organisations have been invited to contribute to the inquiry, which the Foundation hopes will help realise the full potential of the role of the arts in communities and across society. It aims to develop an understanding of what constitutes ‘best practice’ and seed a network for future activity.

This is an enquiry into the role arts organisations should play in promoting civic engagement and revitalising communities which, many would argue, should have been recognised a long time ago.

The Director of the UK Branch of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Andrew Barnett, believes that we have previously undervalued the role of the arts in civic engagement and that we still don’t know its full current impact or future potential. There will be three phases to the inquiry: •

•

•

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Identifying what is meant by the civic role of arts organisations by seeking out inspiring examples, interviewing key influencers and surveying arts organisations Delving deeper into key examples to identify ways the sector can change what it does Developing a blueprint to

January2018

grow the civic role of the arts across communities As Andrew Barnett points out “This isn’t just about models, it’s about a philosophy in which more arts organisations move beyond seeing audiences as customers and think of those with whom they work as citizens.”

Should arts organisations have a civic role?

While everyone is clear that not all arts organisations will have roles in every area, and some may only operate in one, some have questioned if arts organisations should have civic roles at all. And, of course, this is before we even begin to discuss if individual artists have a civic role.

Arguments for a civic role range from the nature of arts organisations as charities or organisations in receipt of public money when they have to be for public benefit, to the nature of our responsibility as individuals to our society as citizens and how this impacts on our work.

The arguments that have been put forward for arts organisations not having a civic role tend to be based upon a view that art is not in service to society and that it doesn’t exist to fulfil a set purpose.

While art does not need to have a purpose, I think it always has an impact, often positive. The art gallery that sells work may not set out to have a civic role but it animates a neighbourhood and provides an economic boost.

In conversations, the idea of a civic role is often discussed in the context of artistic freedom, and an unease that a civic role might in some way limit this ability. In the abstract, however, it’s hard to see how this could happen.

Whenever an artwork is considered controversial it provokes a discussion which stimulates debate and encourages views to be expressed about the issue it reveals – for example gender inequality, LGBT concerns or refugees and migration. Internationally, in conflict zones, the art that is produced is almost exclusively political in content. Surely this is a very important civic role?

Quote “It is entirely possible for art with a social purpose and intention to sit right alongside art which has no purpose other than to be art. They should not threaten each other’s existence. Both are important and usually within the practice of a single artist.”

David Jubb, Battersea Arts Centre From abstract definition to everyday practice What we do need to be clear about is what happens when the idea of a civic role moves from the abstract definition into everyday practice. If part of a civic role is, for instance, supporting young people to reach their potential in their

communities, what type of work sits with the arts organisation and what is the preserve of partners?

Does it include careers advice?

Understanding their rights and responsibilities as citizens? Passing an arts GCSE or learning how to deal with customers? With the partnerships and relationships that are needed to deliver work, what is the civic responsibility and role?

Case studies show that arts organisations with a civic role share common features. They are dedicated to artistic excellence and fostering individual creativity. They have inspiring leaders, committed to a civic role. People and local communities are central to their practice. Place matters. Developing relationships and strong connections are central to their approach and they seek to integrate their work with communities into their artistic progamme.

The purpose of Phase One of the Inquiry was to unearth these questions and have these conversations. The Phase One Report is available https:// gulbenkian.pt/uk-branch/ publication/inquiry-civic-role-artsorganisations-panel-report/ The arts organisations in the Wakefield District demonstrate many of the key elements that are outlined above, but ... how much longer can they sustain this degree of integration with their communities in a climate when funding support for their work is declining so rapidly?

Wakefield & District

New Chair for Theatre Royal Wakefield Gill Galdins is taking over from Dennis Gillibrand, as new Chair of Theatre Royal Wakefield, in time for when the new Centre for Creativity opens.

TopicUK caught up with Gill who told us: “I feel very privileged to be taking over at such a vibrant and exciting time.

“Looking forward, as we progress with our plans for the Theatre Royal Wakefield and in particular with a focus on the opening of the new Centre for Creativity, which is scheduled for Spring 2018, we will all be working hard to reach out to existing and new Theatre goers across the Wakefield District and beyond, with our planned creative productions.”

The new Centre for Creativity will provide a major extension to Theatre, with direct public access from Westgate into the new foyer and stalls seating area.

Gill added: “The programme is

stronger than it has ever been with something for everyone.

It is important that we all play our part to support the cultural venues that bring us so much entertainment and enjoyment throughout the year.

We look forward to welcoming visitors particularly as we enter pantomime season!

“I am looking forward to building on the strong foundations Dennis Gillibrand has worked hard to put in place over the last seven years, Gill concluded.”

Dennis who has been Chair for the past seven years said that whilst it has been challenging, it has also been a great journey of progress for the theatre. He said: “This success has been achieved by a combination of factors such as a talented and committed Board, a strong management team in the theatre, including the previous Executive Director Murray Edwards and the current Katie Town and, of course, the volunteers who for most theatregoers are the “face” of the theatre.

“I will step down knowing that Gill will take the company to even greater heights and I look forward to many more enjoyable evenings especially with the diversity of programme that will become the norm with the new Centre for Creativity.”

Theatre Royal Wakefield has a management team that is supported by a Board of Trustees and volunteers.

What is the Centre for Creativity?

The new Centre for Creativity will provide a major extension to Theatre Royal Wakefield with direct public access from Westgate into the theatre’s foyer and stalls seating area.

It will provide increased hospitality facilities at night, which

will help to transform the audience’s journey through the theatre and allow artists to engage with audience members.

The glass frontage will create a dramatic statement, inviting people inside to enjoy

a contemporary cafe/ bar. This will lead to the new 100 seat studio theatre where you will be able to experience comedy, music, drama, story-telling, puppetry and all sorts of new performances.

Theatre Royal Memories

By Darren Johnson (aka Pocket Panto) One of my earliest and fondest memories of the Theatre Royal goes back about thirty years. Standing in the wings, a fresh faced eager stage hand watching the annual pantomime from the best seat in the house.

On stage the outrageous dame played by Duggie Brown had the audience and the cast in stitches.

This didn’t look like work at all! It look like great fun. I was hooked!

Fast forward three years and after a couple of spells in the “alternative panto” I was offered a role in the following year’s panto “Aladdin”.

From that first role as Wishee Washee I gained an agent and have worked professionally as an actor ever since.

That love of pantomime has brought me back to the Theatre Royal a number of times over the years playing dame in Beauty and The Beast for John Spillers and also appearing as Sarah The Cook in the theatres first home grown panto “Dick Whittington” way back in 2003 25 years on, I find myself dropping my son Joseph off at the stage door for rehearsals for this year’s pantomime “Aladdin” where he is thrilled to be a member of the chorus. As I drop him off I see a twinkle in his eye and a smile spreading across his face. It’s almost show time, and soon he’ll be standing in the wings ready to make an entrance, watching the show from the best seat in the house.

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Wakefield & District

Lost and Forgotten:

The aim of the Forgotten Women of Wakefield Project is to leave a lasting legacy through Blue Plaques, films and archive materials that will be housed both at The History Centre and Museums and Libraries.

“Our objective is to bring the stories to life of those three extraordinary women, through dramatic interpretation and spoken word and to give voice using spoken word to other women from our city’s past who have also helped to shape the cultural landscape of Wakefield.

“The first woman we are bringing to life is Dame Alice Bacon, who was born in Wakefield but lived and worked as the Normanton Labour MP. “Alice had a huge impact on the way the comprehensive school system opened up opportunities for both women and men. She also pushed through the private bills which made abortion legal and was at the forefront of changing perceptions about homosexuality for the better.

Factfile: Dream Time Creative is working in collaboration with WMDC to bring to life, through dramatisation and spoken word, the stories of three women from Wakefield’s past who have had a positive impact on the lives of women today.

T

he project aims to discover the history of three influential women from Wakefield, whose work impacted on the lives of ordinary women in this Merrie City and to give voice to their contributions, throughout 2018.

CEO of Dreamtime Creative and Creative Director of the Forgotten Women of Wakefield, Sarah Cobham tells Topic UK why this project is so important…

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The Forgotten Women of Wakefield Project will be showcasing, through a series of exhibitions, performances and spoken word events around the city, these stories in the run up to a day of celebration at Wakefield One on International Women’s Day March 8th 2018.

2018 marks the 100 year anniversary of the Representation of the People Act where some women were given the right to vote.

Universal suffrage came 10 years later and saw women win equal voting rights to men.

“We will be presenting an interpretation of her life, alongside our own spoken word pieces written in response to her legacy as part of the International Women’s Day Celebrations at Wakefield One on March 8th 2018 followed by the unveiling of a Blue Plaque to provide a permanent reminder of her legacy.”

Poets in Poll Booths “Complimented by our ‘Poets in Poll Booths’ events, travelling exhibitions and vlogging, we will also be going into schools and engaging with the Art Walk to allow us to collect stories about how other women from Wakefield who have contributed to the cultural landscape over the past 100 years.

“With the support from the Civic Society, the History Archives and Libraries and Museums, 2018 will be dedicated to the 100 year anniversary of the Sufferage Movement.”

Wakefield & District Creating Inclusive Cultures (CIC) is a collaboration of established businesses in our major cities who understand the benefits of investing in diversity and inclusion.

In our changing and competitive world CIC enables them to share insight and experience that will help everyone attract and retain the talent for the future success of their firms and their cities.

January2018

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Wakefield & District INFOR M AT IO N

TEC H N O LO GY

Getting tech ready for Brexit Brexit and, by investing wisely in the skills and technologies needed, harness the opportunities of this new Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) age which is being driven by smart connected technology.

While there is understandably much uncertainty around Brexit and what is in store, with the Fourth Industrial Revolution also underway, harnessing the power of technology is the key to opportunity for business and industry.

TopicUK technology expert Paul Heigham explains more…

It has been said that data will be as important to the British economy in this century as oil was in the last.

It is vital that we prepare for

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A recent poll of the UK’s largest 250 data driven organisations suggests that they are already well ahead of the game putting Britain in a good position to become one of the global leaders of the 4IR. Almost all have a data strategy for the 4IR in place and 48 per cent have been rolling it out for the last year.

They are also feeling positive about Brexit and the opportunities it will bring to boost revenue. One in four felt that Britain’s exit from the EU will boost innovation in their organisation’s data usage.

With data such a precious commodity making sure we are making the most of the information available to us is key.

Recent research shows that four times as many UK organisations are using data to analyse existing customer engagement and loyalty as to develop new products.

Looking after existing customers and developing their connection with you makes good business

sense and technology can play a valuable part in this.

With a date for our EU ‘divorce’ now in place – March 29, 2019 – the time to prepare for post-Brexit has never been more expedient.

To allay concerns regarding skills, the UK Government has pledged to double to 2,000 the number of work visas for qualified and talented individuals many of whom work in the tech sector.

In the budget, they have also announced multi-million-pound investment in extending London’s Tech City to create a new nationwide Tech Nation network with hubs in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield; incorporating Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies into public services and youth training to teach teenagers how to identify and fight off cyber threats.

But what does preparing for Brexit mean for business? It means ensuring that we have the hardware, software and skills in place not only to meet existing but also our future business needs.

One aspect that should not be overlooked is the security of the information held and used by

business, especially with the new GDPR coming in to effect in May 2018.

A few questions you need to ask yourself: • Where do we want to be in three, five or even 10 years’ time?

• What do we need to get there?

• Are there any gaps in our provision that we can bridge by investing in new systems or processes?

• Are our people fully trained and confident in using our IT systems?

These are all questions we should all be asking ourselves now to make the most of the opportunities that could come our way on March 30, 2019 and beyond.

We want to help you get the best option for your business. Give us a call on 01924 253205 or email: paul@ bellinghamit.co.uk.

Wakefield & District

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Wakefield & District SPECI A L

FE ATU RE

YORKSHIRE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

YTL SYSTEMS

LINES & CALLS

INTERNET

MOBILE

t: 0844 847 0080 e: info@ytl.uk.com 11 Appleton Court, Calder Park, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 7AR

Yorkshire Telecommunications Limited 32

January2018

Wakefield & District Seven colleagues who first started work at Sainsbury’s Ings Road, and later in 2011 opened the new Sainsbury’s store on Trinity walk, have celebrated thirty years of working for the company.

Sainsbury’s Trinity Walk Colleagues celebrate long service

Steve Scriven, Diane Hammond, Elaine Walton, Kath Umney, Anne-Marie Mcfarlane, Tracey Jones, Susan Harrison, who all work for the supermarket’s Trinity Walk store enjoyed a long service celebration as thanks for their efforts.

All the colleagues have worked in a veriety of roles, including Checkouts, Deli, Fresh foods Commercial and Bakery since they began working for Sainsbury’s in 1987.

PR Ambassador, Steve Scriven said “In the modern day world of work, to have seven colleagues who started together, still working for the same company, in the same city, is unique and somthing we may never see the likes of again.”

To mark the occasion, Steve has put pen to paper and shares with us ‘A Life in the Aisles’.

In the eyes there’s still a glint.

It’s been a marathon not a sprint.

The journey has made us colleagues wince.

And yet we’ve stayed here ever since.

We’d canteen food and real good pensions.

So off we went with good intentions.

I don’t know what some of them feared.

But one by one they’ve disappeared.

Image: Katy Hill

So off we went a wee bit nervous.

Our claim to fame was being long servers.

Feeding off it like manna from heaven.

Are all that is left in the Marshway Seven.

Diane and Elaine have given it some welly.

For thirty years they’ve worked on Deli.

It’s Tracey’s dream to work with clothes.

A job she loves and never loathes.

So not long now and then she’s free.

She’s pension age is Anne Marie.

Kath has never lost the will, even when

she’s on a till.

Service given with no comparison.

The name in lights is Susan Harrison.

Scriv went off to checkouts, and still he shows no fears.

But no longer does he look so young, or wet behind those ears.

We’ve endured the pain but have shown adversity To reach our 30th anniversary.

Fears, tears and lots of stress.

Is your contract RGS? Friendships were made.

Some of them really cosy.

Like Diane, Elaine and Josie.

We do remember so much more, From all those years at Ings Road store.

You must all have your favourite bits.

Like the big nights out or store refits.

It’s not been really all that bad.

So don’t you dare go acting sad.

For ever and a day it was just talk.

A brand new store called, Trinity Walk.

Image: Katy Hill

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Wakefield & District

RECRUITMEN T

U P DATE

As Employers, what are our biggest challenges for 2018?

By Andy Turner Managing Director - First Choice Recruitment of mouth within their industry, as well as great organisations such as local Chamber of Commerce but there are also several online forums set up to lend support.

Last year about this time I wrote about – ‘New Year, New Challenges’ really from a typical recruiter’s perspective but what are the biggest challenges for our businesses in 2018?

There is lots to admire about the current UK business landscape, which has helped usher in an influx of smaller businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) now provide serious competition for many large corporations, and contributed a combined £1.8 trillion to the economy in 2016, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. This is no different locally, in the Wakefield and District alone there are over 8000 SME’s and owners have identified the following challenges:Financial struggles Financial management is always high on the agenda for smaller firms competing with

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larger companies. Business costs have risen above the rate of inflation, and the impact of Brexit on exchange rates has resulted in further hikes for firms that import goods.

Sound financial management is needed regardless of market conditions, but even more so when navigating what’s currently quite a volatile environment. Whilst firms may not necessarily need nor can afford a CFO, it may pay to employ a financial consultant who can fulfil the role on an adhoc basis as needed.

Access to expert advice and support Tax, financial management and legal guidance are three areas of business that often require specialist support. Four in ten respondents to Entrepreneurial Britain (a survey conducted

by The Telegraph) claim Government assistance in areas such as these has been slow, whilst 100% would welcome a more proactive approach from their advisors.

Many small businesses also rely on word

Recruitment and talent management Last but certainly not least how do SME’s deliver their services/goods without great committed and skilled employees - Crosssector skills shortages locally and in the UK is nothing new, but do seem to be intensifying as the UK workforce struggles to keep pace with advancements in critical industries. A recent survey shows that 92% of HR directors struggle to find skilled professionals today, we’ve been ‘kissing frogs searching for the princes/princesses’ for a long time. We are always stressing to our business partners not to delay when they’ve seen the ‘perfect candidate’ because they’ll be gone, act decisively and appoint.

Our exit from the EU could cut off a valuable talent supply line for firms, meaning this problem may soon worsen. This would likely result in tougher competition for fewer candidates, meaning companies with less financial muscle will have to consider other ways to attract skilled workers, something we’re seeing more and more of. Employees are increasingly valuing a healthy work-life balance, and arrangements that promote this have a lot of pull when it comes to hiring new candidates. Flexible working arrangements, including working from home and reduced hours during the summer, are easily adoptable. Cycle purchase schemes and free gym memberships are examples of further perks that can help attract talent.

I implore local business owners to look at their offering, not just wages – to do things as we’ve always done, may not be enough… beware. Is your company ready?

CHAMBER

Close Up

News

Kirklees Business Conference is back!

This year sees the return of Kirklees Business Conference (KBC) taking place on Wednesday 21st March 2018 at The John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield.

Building on the success of last year’s event, with over 600 business people attending and excellent feedback received, the one day event promises to be a day not to be missed!

There are many opportunities to get involved from sponsorship, exhibiting, hosting a surgery or attending as a delegate.

To find out how to showcase your business at KBC contact Rory Bourke on 01484 483679 or email rory.bourke@mycci.co.uk or visit kirkleesbusinessconference.com

Two new faces at the Chamber Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce have welcomed two new starters within their Membership, Marketing and Events team.

Rory Bourke, based at the Huddersfield office, has joined the Chamber as Events and Sponsorship Co-ordinator to develop, organise and deliver the Chamber’s events calendar.

Samantha Pratt, based at the Wakefield office, has joined as Membership Administrator to support the team as the Chamber continues to grow.

Rebecca Walker, Marketing Manager at the Mid Yorkshire Chamber said: “We are delighted to welcome Rory and Samantha to the team. They both bring extensive skills and enthusiasm that will support the growth of the Chamber and development of our member services.”

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Policy

The planning system must work better for business The planning system in England is more complex, costly and difficult for business than it was 5 years ago, according to a major Report which was published in December by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The BCC Report, entitled “Planning for Business“, says that five years after the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which was designed to make the system less complex and more accessible, businesses are experiencing too many delays and barriers to investment.

The Report finds that the Government’s focus on new homes is leading to increased pressure on the availability of employment land and premises. A BCC survey of over 900 businesses across the country revealed that one in five firms are struggling to find the land and premises they need.

The Report says the Government’s preoccupation with housing at the expense of other land uses is also leading to localised tensions. New homes are being built adjacent to long-established businesses in towns and cities and causing serious problems, both for new residents and businesses.

The Report urges the Government to review the NPPF to ensure that the needs of business are on an equal footing with other stakeholders.

The Chambers key recommendations include: •

Employment land and uses should be given equal priority to housing, so that people can access jobs, and so that

businesses have the space they need to grow and compete.

•

Where shops and offices have been converted to homes, councils should ensure there is an alternative supply of quality commercial office space available elsewhere.

•

Where there is high demand for new housing and jobs, there should be intelligent use of the green belt to ensure local communities benefit from the delivery of new homes and infrastructure.

The BCC say: “that access to affordable employment land and premises is essential for business innovation, expansion, and long-term competitiveness. Too many firms are now unable to find the land and premises they need. We risk creating big problems for the future if we don’t get the right balance of jobs and homes”.

“Firms still face too many barriers, costs and delays as they negotiate the planning system. We need to find a way to make it work better, to provide the strategic certainty for businesses to make their own investment decisions and the freedom and flexibility they need to innovate, grow and compete globally.”

“Planning for jobs and homes, together with up-front Government investment in modern infrastructure, will give people better access to employment opportunities.

It will help businesses access a skilled workforce and provide the platform to compete globally. The planning system must be looked into as part of plans to make the UK Brexit-ready.”

In his Introduction to the report, the BCC Director-General, Adam Marshall, says: “At a time of uncertainty over Brexit, and slowing economic growth, the need to maintain a high quality environment in which communities and businesses can prosper together is of crucial importance.

Business needs a planning system that recognises the importance of sustainable economic growth and the social and environmental benefits it brings to local communities. Access to affordable employment land and premises is essential for business innovation, expansion and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, we need more high quality and affordable homes, in places where people want to live and work, and supported by modern, integrated transport systems. This will help people access jobs and progress within the workforce, as well as ensuring firms can access the vital skills they need.

“Achieving the optimum balance of jobs and homes, supported by investment in local and national infrastructure, must be a key part of our long-term Industrial Strategy. Bringing together a national panel of experts on planning, and supported by survey findings from over 900 businesses across the country, the BCC has examined how well the planning system works for business five years after the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework.

“Alongside rising costs and complexity, the business voice is being lost as housing, Green Belt and ‘Neighbourhood Plan’ issues dominate the planning system.

“Our Report identifies the main barriers facing business as they negotiate the planning system. It also sets out a number of suggestions as to how the system can

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Member Member News News be made to work better for businesses, to provide the freedom and flexibility firms need to innovate and grow.

“Chambers believe these principles must guide the Government’s review of land use policy and the planning system in England. They should be reflected in any revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework and other forms of planning guidance from central Government.

While we recognise the strength of a development-plan led system, it must respond to prevailing economic, social and environmental challenges and do more to ensure the needs of business are on an equal footing with other stakeholders. As well as better resourcing, local planning authorities also need expertise to promote an understanding of how business now operates in a global economic environment.

“Planning for jobs and homes, together with up-front Government investment in modern, smart infrastructure, will give businesses the platform to compete globally and the strategic certainty to make their own investment decisions.”

74% of A-SAFE’s manufacturing workforce complete operational NVQ qualifications Over two thirds of employees from A-SAFE’s manufacturing centre have successfully completed NVQ’s with support from the polymer safety barrier specialist.

52 employees (74% at the time of sign up) based at the company’s HQ in Elland completed the qualifications simultaneously. The 12-month courses included an intermediate apprenticeship in Improving Operational Performance, intermediate apprenticeship in Warehouse Operations and a level two NVQ in team leading.

Provided by SHL Training, each course consists of four separate qualifications which equips apprentices with the skills and knowledge to carry out engineering and manufacturing processes at semiskilled and operator level.

During work hours, employees completed coursework, practical work and functional Maths and English to achieve the full NVQ apprenticeship certification.

Steven Leigh Head of Policy and Representation Call: 07809 658 533 Email: steven.leigh@mycci.co.uk

John Calvert, Manufacturing team member said: “I feel like I’ve achieved something great and I’m proud of myself for sticking at it. I’ve been working at A-SAFE for

two years and I’m really hoping this qualification will allow me to progress in the business and keep pushing forward.”

The newly-qualified employees attended a presentation ceremony, where they were presented with official certificates by Nikki Speak, Operations Manager at A-SAFE’s manufacturing centre.

Owing to the success of these recent achievements, A-SAFE will continue to train its manufacturing team members, with a further 45 booked in to complete the NVQ’s in 2018.

Nikki Speak, Operations Manager said: “The employees based at our manufacturing centre have embraced the opportunity to gain an official qualification and enhance their skills. As we introduce new processes, machinery and equipment, these skills will be increasingly in demand and we’re planning to continue with the training next year.”

A-SAFE is committed to developing and training its employees, even ensuring new team members from all corners of the world receive their training at the Elland facility.

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Member News

Merger for Huddersfield accountancy firms Two of Huddersfield’s leading accountancy firms have announced a merger, in a move designed to offer further expertise and strength to the region’s business community and private client base.

“We’ve been part of this town for almost 140 years and in recent times have enjoyed significant growth because we understand the needs of our clients. For similar reasons, Bamforth & Co has earned the deep respect of its clients. The combined entity means we’re creating an even broader pool of expertise that will be highly attractive to the region’s companies, owner-managed businesses and individuals seeking professional advice and accountancy services.”

Town centre-based Simpson Wood is to join forces with well-known and respected firm Bamforth & Co of Slaithwaite to enhance its focus on tax planning, financial services and pension planning, estate administration, payroll and management accounts. The new entity, Simpson Wood incorporating Bamforth & Co, will be based at Simpson Wood’s offices on Market Street, Huddersfield.

“In bringing our two firms together, we are broadening the range of services and Adam Bamforth from Bamforth & Co added, expertise we offer to our existing clients, “For many years we’ve admired and respected whilst adding to our full-service proposition Simpson Wood for its depth of knowledge when attracting new business,” said Simpson and good business sense, and we’re now Wood’s managing director Mark Fielding.

excited to be merging our two firms. My copartner Diane Pettinger and I very much look forward to being part of this new entity, and we are delighted that our clients will benefit from an even greater breadth of service and experience.”

Simpson Wood, which also has a satellite office in Penistone, South Yorkshire, has grown its turnover from £1.6m to £2.2m over the past three years, and is targeting £3m by 2020. Likewise, Bamforth & Co, over its almost 20-year history, has enjoyed sustained and substantial business growth.

The merged firm will employ around 50 people.

Ethical recruitment firm offers alternative approach A new ethical recruitment agency has launched in Huddersfield that hopes to change the way local firms source new talent.

Cornerstone Recruitment has been launched by entrepreneur Dru Widdowson to offer an alternative approach to resourcing for companies and career development for those seeking new challenges.

“I know from experience that the recruitment process can be confusing and frustrating for both the business and the applicant which is why I saw a gap in the market for a service that does things differently,” he said.

“When we recruit for a role we take time to meet everyone on our shortlist before introducing them to clients so that we can make sure they are a good fit, not only from the employer’s perspective but also from theirs.

“Our aim is to be genuinely helpful by offering clear, straightforward advice and support, keeping everyone informed throughout the process and being open and honest with both clients and candidates,” added Dru. Dru’s background is in sales, IT, business development and project management. During his career, he saw at first hand the

difficulties of finding the right people to fill roles and he has now followed his passion for ethical business into the world of recruitment.

Cornerstone Recruitment will work with businesses across all sectors in Yorkshire. As part of its commitment to building trust, it has promised no hidden costs in any of its work.

The company aims to create long-term relationships between employers and employees, ensuring the right candidate is placed with the right business where their aspirations and aims are in line.

“People are the most valuable asset of any company – when they’re the right people,” said Dru. “Our ethical approach to recruitment will help businesses avoid many of the traditional problems with recruitment companies and save them wasted time, money and energy in the process.”

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Member News

Halifax solicitor bids farewell after twenty seven years One of Halifax’s most experienced legal experts is bidding farewell to colleagues after almost three decades of service.

Jon Dyson, who has been a familiar face at Wilkinson Woodward Solicitors in Fountain Street, is retiring after 27 years of service.

Jon, who studied law at Durham University, began his legal career as an articled clerk in the early 1980s before qualifying and joining Wilkinson Woodward in 1990.

With a keen interest in employment law issues, by the mid-1990s Jon had set up the firm’s employment law department and he has specialised in employment law matters for over twenty years.

In 1992, Jon became a partner at Wilkinson Woodward and he was appointed as a director when the practice incorporated following a merger in 2012 with Huddersfield-based solicitors Norcliffe and Co. During his career in the legal profession, Jon has developed a reputation for expertise in all aspects of employment law, particularly in cases of discrimination, negotiating employee settlement agreements and disputes relating to shareholders rights, unfair prejudice and confidential information.

Mr Dyson’s many career highlights include a successful sex discrimination case against BT in which an employee was awarded £293,000.

A member of the Employment Lawyers Association, Jon has been a familiar face at employment tribunals. In recent years he has supported the legal clinic run by the Law School at the University of Huddersfield.

Speaking of his legal career, Jon said: “Since my early days as an articled clerk, I’ve

witnessed enormous change in the field of employment law, not least the impact of European Union legislation. Today’s employees have better rights than ever before and the recent abolition of employment law tribunal fees is improving workers’ access to justice.”

He added: “I’m proud to have successfully represented clients in some very hardfought legal battles and am fortunate to have worked with one of Calderdale’s most established and respected legal practices.”

Director of Wilkinson Woodward Maureen Cawthorn said: “Jon’s reputation in handling issues of discrimination has been built over many years of successful cases. Over the years his legal expertise has been greatly valued by employers and employees alike.

We wish Jon a long and happy retirement.”

Jon’s caseload will be taken over by Maureen Cawthorn and James Hodgson at Wilkinson Woodward’s Halifax office.

The Yorkshire Powerhouse is powering on Since its launch in June 2017, the impact of the web based support and advice site www.yorkshirepowerhouse.com has already rocked the region.

In its first 5 months of being online, Yorkshire Powerhouse has provided 1482 free downloads of template business plans, cashflow forecasts, growth strategies and various other resources. The 38,800 visitors to the site have viewed 54,743 pages and they spend an average of 2 minutes and 29 seconds on each page which is exceptional performance.

And the novel element is that all the content and resources are provided to users completely free of charge!

Stewart Leahy, the entrepreneur behind the project, said: “After successfully running, building and exiting my previous business, The Design Mechanics in Marsden, I’m finally in a place where I can give back a little to the region’s SME business community. In order to do this, I work with Strategic Partners to help raise their profile amongst the site visitors by advertising on relevant pages.”

Stewart who is also a volunteer Kirklees Council Business Advocate, continued: “I’ve received some amazing feedback to the templates and support we’ve made available and I know that there are stronger businesses being built as a result.”

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Member News

PR firm wins brace of industry awards A public relations and media training agency has won two prestigious industry awards.

Capital B Media collected the Gold award for Best Publication and Silver for Outstanding Small PR Consultancy at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The firm, beat off stiff competition from across the region to win the awards at the ceremony at Leeds Town Hall.

Director of Capital B Media Kate Betts said: “The PR industry is constantly changing so it’s fantastic to see that the way we’re working with our clients is keeping us among the top agencies in the UK. “Winning Silver for small consultancy is a testament to the brilliant team at Capital B Media.

Everyone has worked really hard to achieve this.

“And to win Gold for the magazine we produce for a national charity is great for us and the charity too.”

The Best Publication award was for Capital B Media’s work

on Pulmonary Hypertension UK’s Emphasis magazine. The firm produces the A4 52-page publication, which is published four times a year and distributed to a 3,000-strong membership base.

The Outstanding Small Consultancy award recognises the achievements, performance and excellent work of a business

that has no more than five people working together full-time.

Capital B Media was also shortlisted in the Low Budget Campaign category.

The CIPR Pride Awards received over 950 entries from public relations teams, consultancies and individuals across the UK. Judges included Adam Marshall,

the Director of British Chambers of Commerce, and Paul Mylrea, Director of Communications at Cambridge University.

Capital B Media has built up a portfolio of PR clients from the public, private and third sectors, has also secured a number of client wins which has seen it expand into West Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Shrewdd approach works for Weir Marketing and PR specialist Shrewdd Marketing has completed a number of successful projects for Weir Minerals Europe, part of the FTSE250 listed Weir Group.

Shrewdd, which has offices in Halifax and Leeds, works alongside the Weir Minerals Europe marketing team in Todmorden

to provide public relations and creative digital media services for UK and Europewide campaigns.

Weir Minerals Europe designs and manufactures wear-resistant engineered products for the mining, quarrying and waste water industries, and enjoys a reputation for engineering excellence. Its

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Member News In the summer work began on building a greenhouse at the Hospice, which would allow the children to learn more about plants, as well as grow their own flowers, fruit and vegetables. To make the greenhouse accessible for all, a path needed to be built to allow for wheelchair access and RRG Huddersfield Toyota were delighted to be able to support the build of this greenhouse with a £2000 donation.

Not only did RRG Huddersfield support the Hospice by funding the project, members of the team also took part in helping to build the path. Once the foundations had been laid, the RRG team laid the anti-slip path coating and boarders for the greenhouse.

Debs Davis, from Forget Me Not Hospice, said: “Our most heartfelt thanks go to RRG Huddersfield Toyota for their generous donation of £2,000 which has funded some much needed development in our hospice garden. A team from RRG, led by Tara Hamilton, worked tirelessly laying a path to our new greenhouse and got stuck in on various other tasks to make the garden better for

RRG Huddersfield Toyota donate £2000 to Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice our children and families. We simply couldn’t do without the help of supporters like the RRG Huddersfield and thanks to them our garden is now a beautiful haven for the families that we care for.”

Tara Hamilton, RRG Marketing Coordinator, said: “We have

supported the Forget Me Not Hospice in various ways over the years and it has been fantastic to be able to donate such a substantial amount, as well as our time to help complete the greenhouse project. We are pleased with the end result and are happy that families will be able to enjoy it

range of slurry transportation, comminution and minerals processing products include Trio®, Warman® and Linatex®.

Sweden, Poland and beyond, and organising the launch of a new product which featured a quintessentially British theme.

Recent campaigns have included creating a series of animations for use throughout Europe, designed to share Weir Minerals Europe’s considerable expertise with customers in Spain, France, Germany,

The Weir Minerals Europe contract is one of several won in another successful year for Shrewdd, which has seen a number of new staff taken on to manage the company’s ever-growing B2B portfolio, and the opening

for many years to come.”

RRG Huddersfield Toyota would like to extend a special thanks to team members Nicola Wardle, Hayley Barnett and George Cowen for the time and effort they have put into the build at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

of a new office in Leeds.

Alf Lombardi, managing director of Shrewdd Marketing, said: “We’ve already completed a number of successful projects and look forward to a busy and productive 2018 working alongside the team at Weir Minerals Europe. This partnership enhances our evergrowing international B2B portfolio.”

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Member News

#Backing Huddersfield Campaign launched which will initially be provided on Facebook and Twitter.

The ‘H’ pin badges, which were originally presented to leading businesses and individuals to encourage them to be ‘ambassadors’ for Huddersfield, have gone on general sale later this week.

“We’ve been inundated with requests for badges, and offers of support from other businesses and organisations, all keen to get behind moves to promote our town. But, the badges proved to be so popular, we ran out within 14 days, and people have been asking where they can buy them ever since” added Fletcher.

Following on from the “First 100 Days” business event co-hosted the by Huddersfieldbased law firm, Ridley and Hall, Huddersfield Town Football Club and Welcome to Yorkshire, there has unprecedented interest from the community in regards to the #BackingHuddersfield campaign and in particular, the ‘H’ badges.

“Since the conference we’ve had an incredible response to #BackingHuddersfield and the ‘H’ badges, so much so, we couldn’t keep up with demand, especially after Patrick Stewart tweeted a selfie of his”, said Adam Fletcher, Managing Partner of Ridley and Hall Solicitors.

The original objective of the conference was to get people together to look at how we can all make the most of the spotlight the Premier League has cast

on Huddersfield. Following on from the conference, it has been identified that people are very proud of the town, so, wearing a simple pin badge seemed like an easy way people could show their support.

What has really stood out however is the passion of the local business community to get behind promoting the town as a place to both live and work to drive real economic change.

Since the conference, a core group has been established with leading business figures and organisations including Adam Fletcher of Ridley and Hall, Sean Jarvis of HTAFC, Katrina Cliffe of KC Communications, the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Kirklees Council to identify ways organisations across various sectors can work together for the good of the town. Updates of

Badges cost £1 with money being reinvested to purchase more, and are now available from: • Ridley & Hall’s Huddersfield office on Market Street • KAL Reception at the John Smiths Stadium fitness suite • In The Hudd on Market Street • Huddersfield Town Shop at John Smiths Stadium Huddersfield Town’s Commercial Director Sean Jarvis said: “We’re delighted to play our part in promoting the town, and not just the club. We had no idea how popular one little badge could be, but it’s great to see how proud local residents and businesses are to fly the flag for Huddersfield.

I can’t remember the last time

we had journalists from The Observer, The Guardian, The FT, and even the New York Times, queuing up to talk to us about the kind of place Huddersfield is, but that’s become my reality since May. What’s clear is that they’re not just interested in football, but the wider story we can tell about Huddersfield; and that needs input from lots of people – residents, businesses, fans, and non-fans. We want people to wear their badge with pride, and back our social media campaign, #BackingHuddersfield, to share everything that’s great about our town.”

Martin Hathaway, Chief Executive of Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, agrees: “I imagine all Yorkshire’s towns and cities are envious of Huddersfield’s newfound status, which comes with having a Premier League football team. Global PR opportunities like this don’t come around very often, so the big challenge is to channel that positivity into something longer-lasting, which delivers an economic dividend for our businesses and the wider region. But for now, creating a few thousand badge-wearing ambassadors for our town is a pretty good start!’

Katrina Cliffe of marketing agency, KC Communications added “Having lived and worked in Huddersfield all my life, I believe strongly that it is my duty to support initiatives which enable the town to thrive and that there are opportunities created both now and in the future for people living in the region. What excites me about #BackingHuddersfield is the cross-sector it will hopefully tap into including business, leisure, retail, education and community.”

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Members News

Outstanding students awarded at college Students selected for exceptional achievement or making major progress at Kirklees College attended a glittering Oscar-style awards ceremony to receive their prize.

The annual student COLS (College Outstanding Learner Success) ceremony took place at the Huddersfield Centre on Thursday 7 December.

Awards were presented in each curriculum area as well as overall prizes for Education and Training Student of the Year and Apprentice of the Year.

A number of students also received Armytage Awards, which include a cheque for £100.

The awards originated from the Thomas Armytage’s Technical School Endowment of 1879, and are presented to students for academic performance, contribution to college life and personal qualities.

The award for Apprentice of the Year was won by Construction student Onome Benson.

Nigerian-born Onome, 35, from Golcar, is studying a Level 2 Plastering Apprenticeship with MBS Renovations.

Originally Onome was on a full-time course but after doing exceptionally well on a work placement, the employer offered him a job as an Apprentice instead.

Alongside doing his Apprenticeship, Onome is a carer for his wife and also has a part-time job to support his family.

Tutor Kevin Byrne, who nominated Onome said: “As an apprentice he is developing exceptionally and is more than on target to achieve. As he speaks English as a second language, he sometimes struggles with the theory side of the

Main winners – Fenton Shaw and Onome Benson with John Williams HTAFC qualification, though this does not deter him as he puts in an enormous amount of extra study to give himself every opportunity to pass.

lets anything stop him from enjoying his life.

He is a very polite young man who speaks to everyone and brightens up our days.

“Onome’s employer said he has already proved to be a real asset to the company. He is a pleasure to work with, he communicates well at all levels and shows lots of support with other learners who sometimes struggle on practical tasks. There is much to admire about Onome and how he goes about his daily very busy business and never complains, he is a credit to his family.”

“He knows no barriers. He has come so far against many obstacles and not given up when it would have been easy to do so.”

Principal Marie Gilluley said: “Our COLS Awards recognise our outstanding students who have excelled in their studies, overcome difficult circumstances or have transformed their lives.

“Selecting the winners was a very difficult yet The Education and Training Student of the Year award was won by business student Fenton Shaw, rewarding task for the judging panel. There are some truly inspirational stories, and we from Thornhill Lees in Dewsbury. congratulate not just the winners, but all those nominated.”

Fenton has been a student at Kirklees College for five years. Although he has serious health issues The college was delighted to have received and uses a wheelchair, he is very independent. sponsorship from local businesses for individual categories and the overall prizes.

Last year he was a victim of a serious assault, but did not let that stop him from coming to college.

Representatives from the companies were Richard Sands from the college’s Student Support invited to attend the event to present awards in the category they sponsored. team nominated Fenton. He said: “Fenton never

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Events  WHEN? First Thursday of the month 09:30–11:00  WHAT? Join us for light refreshments and an opportunity to make some valuable new contacts. Delegates get the chance to introduce their business in a short elevator pitch and follow-up new business leads.

It’s a great way to make new contacts in a friendly, but focused way.

You are also welcome to bring your company literature and banner stands.

MY NETWORK WAKEFIELD

 WHERE? We rotate the location within the Mid Yorkshire region:

 MORE INFO: It’s FREE for members and just £20.00 plus VAT for non-members.

Book your place online at www.mycci.co.uk/events

• Thursday 1st February 2018 The Old Golf House Hotel, Huddersfield

Tel: 01484 483 679 Follow @MidYorksChamber and #ConnectionsCount on Twitter

• Thursday 1st March 2018 Calderdale

 WHAT?

 WHEN?

 MORE INFO:

A very informal networking opportunity, come along and make some new contacts in a relaxed setting and enjoy a drink on us!

Run in partnership with Barclays, CIM, Copiserv, First Choice, Ramsdens Solicitors LLP, Statement and the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Second Friday of the month 12:30-13:30

No need to book, just turn up!

 WHERE? The Hop, Bank Street, Wakefield, WF1 1EH.

Follow @MidYorkshireNet and #MYNetworkWakey on Twitter.

 WHAT?

 WHEN?

 MORE INFO:

A fantastic opportunity to network in an informal environment, making some great new contacts for your business.

Third Wednesday of the month 09:00–11:00

No need to book, just turn up!

Run in partnership with CIM, Ramsdens Solicitors LLP, Better Telecoms, Social Progress and The Media Centre.

 WHAT? Monthly lunchtime business networking meeting: have a chat, mingle and make some new contacts.

Run in partnership with Barclays, CIM, Cresswells, and Ramsdens Solicitors LLP.

Follow @MidYorkshireNet and #MYNetworkHud on Twitter.

 WHERE? The Media Centre, Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1RL

 WHEN? Last Friday of the Month 12:30–13:30  WHERE? The Salvation, Bull Green, Halifax HX1, 5AB

 MORE INFO: No need to book, just turn up and the first drink is on us.

Follow@LastFridayClub on Twitter

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Events EVENTS

Local Business Forums  WHAT? Enjoy a light breakfast and the opportunity to have your say about pressing business topics which are facing the local business community.

 WHERE? We rotate the location within the Mid Yorkshire region • Friday 26th January, Calderdale • Friday 23rd February, Kirklees

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has ten nationally accredited core courses in exporting and international trade. Together the courses create an export curriculum, providing invaluable basic exporting skills for small and large companies alike.

It’s FREE for members and just £10.00 plus VAT for non-members.

Places are limited, book your place online at www.mycci.co.uk/events or contact steven.leigh@mycci.co.uk Tel: 07809 658533

 WHEN? Monthly (times may vary)

Courses in exporting

 MORE INFO:

The next courses are as follows:  UNDERSTANDING EXPORTING AND EXPORT DOCUMENTATION Wednesday 24th January 09.30-16.30 £250 (+VAT) for members and £290 (+VAT) for non-members  PREFERENTIAL TRADE AGREEMENTS & RULES OF ORIGIN Tuesday 30th January 09.30-16.30 £125 (+VAT) for members and £140 (+VAT) for non-members

 INCOTERMS (HALF DAY) Wednesday 7th February 09.30-12.30 By completing six courses, candidates achieve £125 (+VAT) for members and £140 (+VAT) for non-members a nationally recognised foundation award in  METHODS OF PAYMENT exporting. The courses are suitable for both

Wednesday 7th February 13.30-16.30 experienced and inexperienced exporters. £125 (+VAT) for members and £140 (+VAT) for non-members

Courses are priced individually. A discount can be offered when booking 6 or more modules or booking 3 or more delegates on the same course

 DOCUMENTARY LETTERS OF CREDIT Wednesday 28th February 09.30-16.30 £200 (+VAT) for members and £240 (+VAT) for non-members

All of the courses will take place at The John Smith’s Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG.

 IMPORTANT PROCEDURES Wednesday 7th March 09.30-16.30 £200 (+VAT) for members and £240 (+VAT) for non-members For more information and to full our full export events calendar please visit www.myexporthub.co.uk/events

Kirklees Business Conference  WHAT?

 MORE INFO:

Kirklees’ largest annual Business Conference is back attracting over 600 business people, 50 exhibitors, engaging speakers and industry leaders.

Visit www.kirkleesbusinessconference.co.uk or contact events@mycci.co.uk Tel: 01484 483 679

 WHEN? Wednesday 21st March 2018  WHERE? The John Smith’s Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG XI

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Business of the

Month

Business of the Month

The Business of the Month Award is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

Each month a new winner is chosen and all 12 then go through to the annual Business of the Year award.

For your chance to win the Business of the Month award visit www. businessofthemonth. co.uk or contact Eleanor Cummings at Eaton Smith on 01484 821430

Annie Bradley DIT - Oliver North Rosenbauer UK - Chris Taylor Eaton Smith - Alex Gutteridge and Hannah Longbottom - Innovate Orthopaedics

Business of the Month – September

Innovate Orthopaedics

Innovate Orthopaedics is a born-and-bred Huddersfield business which is based in the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre.

The business was created in 2015 by Alex Gutteridge and Hannah Longbottom who saw an unfulfilled need in the medical device world. Their aim was to create a business that worked directly with customers to design products they actually wanted and operate in a nimble manner bringing products to market faster than their larger competitors.

In just over a year Innovate Orthopaedics was able to design, prototype, manufacture, test and bring to market their first product. They also gained the all-important CE mark which meant that they could sell their product. Their products are used by orthopaedic surgeons to repair knee ligaments in NHS Teaching Hospitals, District Generals and Private Hospitals across the UK, Northern Ireland and, more recently, New Zealand.

Phil Clarke, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel said: “The judging panel was impressed with their financial success in a short time and the forecast for future growth. The application demonstrated that the founders had spotted a gap in the market which they are now fulfilling through their expertise, experience and hard work. The business also makes an important contribution to the region by preferring to deal with local businesses and also raising the profile of Huddersfield while serving customers in London, Belfast, Manchester and Auckland.”

Alex Gutteridge, MD of Innovate Orthopaedics commented: “This is an exciting time for our business.

There is huge interest in our products and we are experiencing rapid growth. We have plans to expand our office in Huddersfield and our personnel in order to cope with the demands of our growing business. We are delighted to have our hard work recognised by being awarded the Business of the Month Award.”

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Business of the

Month

Business of the Month – October

Stada Video

Wakefield based video production company, Stada Video, was first established by entrepreneur and independent filmmaker Danny Lacey in 2009.

The company grew quickly and, within a few years, he began hiring staff and started tackling larger projects. Stada Video has produced video content for over 100 companies of all sizes and has expanded their services to include a video marketing package that makes full use of the latest technology and online trends to help businesses distribute their video content for maximum impact.

Alison Palmer, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel commented: “Stada Video

demonstrated impressive growth, now employing ten full time members of staff and a portfolio of over 100 clients. The panel were impressed with the company’s commitment to developing their staff in order to build a strong team. The future looks very good for Stada Video and we felt that it was a worthy winner of the Business of the Month Award.”

Danny Lacey, Managing Director of Stada Video said: “We have worked very hard to build a business that we are not only proud of but that we love to work in and we’re delighted to have that recognised by receiving the Business of the Month Award.”

Pictured L-R: Richard Clampett , Steven Leigh Mid Yorkshire Chamber - Jamie Miller RSM -Kate Booth Eaton Smith Danny Lacey, Luke Earnshaw, Lauren Hall - Stada Video

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New Members

New Members Welcome to our recent new members. If you would like to join the Chamber network, call us today on: 01924 311605

AFS (Denby Dale) Ltd

Other financial intermediation

All My Systems

www.allmysystems.co.uk Computer and related activities

Cornerstone Recruitment Advisors Ltd www.cornerstone-recruitment.co.uk Recruitment

Diary Rooms Ltd

www.thediaryrooms.co.uk Other

diary rooms

Evolution Traffic Management Limited

www.evolutiontm.co.uk Construction

Flicker Associates Ltd www.flickerassociates.co.uk Other

Kudos Catering (UK) Ltd www.johnsmithsstadium.com Hotels and Catering

Labour Management Systems Limited

www.lmslimited.co.uk Construction

MD5 Ltd

www.md5.uk.com Legal, computer and related activities

QDOS Consulting

www.theqdosgroup.com Business management consultants

Sensio Furniture Lighting Ltd

www.sensio.co.uk Other

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Member Offers

MemberOffers

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE BUSINESS DISCOUNTS, OFFERS AND FREE PUBLICITY! What?

A heavily discounted service offered exclusively by members for members. Benefit from free publicity as a host or gain huge savings by utilising our Member Offer of the Month benefits.

Why? We understand that members have a business to run, through hosting a Member Offer of the Month, you can save time on marketing and benefit from free publicity. By using members offers, save money on valuable services for your business.

How? To discuss how your company could take advantage of the Member Offer of the Month and other publicity opportunities:

CONTACT RACHEL - 01924 311605 For details on our current Member Offer of the Month, please visit our website www.mycci.co.uk/get-connected/member-offers

Offers coming up this year include:

design and print, advertising, health and safety audit and much more. For details on our current Member Offer of the Month, please visit our website www.mycci.co.uk/get-connected/member-offers

Chamber Connect Card

ENJOY EXCLUSIVE LONG TERM BUSINESS DISCOUNTS! What?

Access a range of long term discounted offers, negotiated for your business as part of your membership package. You can also participate by offering your own discounted products and services to fellow members.

Why? Your Connect Card is a value added service that could represent significant savings for your business. By participating as an offer provider you can gain increased brand exposure and create new business opportunities.

How? Log into the MY Chamber at www.mycci. co.uk/my-chamber to redeem and view all Connect Card offers. To discuss how your company could participate in a connect card offer, contact Rachel on 01924 311605

All Connect Card offers can be viewed on our website, some current offers include:

Specialising in creating custom on-hold music and marketing materials, as well as providing corporate entertainment, AB Music is offering a 10% discount to all chamber. members on all their services.

Portel AV Limited

Portel AV Limited will test the resilience of your Company’s Wi-Fi and Networks for just £325.00 + VAT that’s HALF PRICE! You will receive a full report along with helpful, practical advice how to fix issues.

10% off all corporate event bookings including; Teambuilding & Away Days, Function and Room Hire, Product Launches and Promotions and Event Sponsorship.

Shopper Anonymous

We are offering a complimentary mystery shop and consultation to any Chamber member who would like to receive this valuable insight into their business.

20% discount to new Chamber members on all their Export and Import services.

Discount on IOSH Accredited Training Courses.

Members can benefit from a reduced rate of £440+VAT (a £50 discount) for the Managing Safely Course and a £10 discount on the Working Safely course.

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Patrons Update

Going for growth in 2018

We’re looking forward to 2018 as we have many exciting plans at Eaton Smith. We had a lot of new additions to our teams at the end of 2017 and we’re sure that they will make a substantial contribution to the growth of the firm.

We’ve got new systems in place which make our working practices more efficient and effective and we have a new internal training programme in place to ensure our people are equipped with the tools they need to drive the business forward. We have also launched our new website which

aims to be much more user friendly, if you haven’t already done so take a look at www.eatonsmith.co.uk The learning never ends in the legal industry and a few of our people have recently obtained new qualifications.

Our Dispute Resolution Partner Philip Clarke became an Accredited Mediator in September 2017 and a Civil Mediation Council Registered Mediator in November 2017 and launched our Civil & Commercial Mediation service.

Richard Buckley, a Senior Solicitor in our Family team, became a qualified

Mediator in 2017 and a member of the Family Law Panel. We strengthened our Commercial Property team in 2017 with the promotion of Andrew Pedley to Partner and the appointment of Katie Travers as a Solicitor in that team. Deborah Melluish, Eaton Smith 2018 is about growth for us. We will continue to provide excellent client service which we are very proud of while also adding value to our clients’ experiences.

For more information on our services please visit www.eatonsmith.co.uk.

KSDL host Little Mix ‘The Summer Hits Tour 2018’ The John Smith’s Stadium, located in the prime location of Huddersfield has hosted a wide range of concerts, major sporting events and charity balls. The superb architecture ensures that every event creates that special atmosphere which can only be generated in an open-air setting.

As part of ‘The Summer Hits Tour 2018’ Little Mix will be performing

at The John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday 15th July.

The previous 12 months has been an incredible year for Little Mix which has seen them celebrate their latest album ‘Glory Days’ – The Deluxe Edition and the UK number one single ‘Shout Out to my Ex’ becoming the most successful group to come out of X-Factor and the only group winning the competition.

The John Smith’s Stadium is pleased to be hosting a concert in 2018 as well as continuing to support Huddersfield Town in the Premier League and The Huddersfield Giants in the super league.

For more information on future opportunities available with the Stadium visit our website at www. johnsmithsstadium.com or call 01484 484151.

Gareth Davies Managing Director

2 new University Business Centres Leeds Beckett University are busy making final preparations for the launch of its 2 new University Business Centres in Wakefield and Halifax. Building on the success of our existing centres in Leeds the 2 new sites will be open to businesses and the public in January 2018.

Together the Centres will be home to over 750 SME’s providing flexible and attractive office services together with a range of support to help clients grow their businesses.

We offer business advice, mentoring, professional training, meeting facilities and free use of our

business lounges across Yorkshire.

The Centres will be located at the newly renovated historic Piece Mill in Halifax and at two centres in Wakefield, historic Bond Terrace and within the new Advanced Skills & Innovation Centre at Wakefield College.

Our Business Centres will also act as a gateway to our University providing local businesses with an easy way to access our research expertise, support for knowledge transfer and graduate talent. In the past 15 years Leeds Beckett

University Business Centres have successfully supported more than 800 businesses to accelerate their growth. Our support is proven to almost double business sustainability, with a 95% business survival rate in the first year of trading.

Katie Rigarlsford University Business Centre and Regional Development Manager

To find out more about our University Business Centres and the support we can offer visit www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ universitybusinesscentres, email universitybusinesscentres@ leedsbeckett.ac.uk or call 0333 555 8855.

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Wakefield & District

We have Lift-Off! In Wakefield we have a thriving community of new businesses. In November we launched two new programmes, which are giving a new generation of business leaders the tools they need to take their businesses to the next level.

Lift-Off: We have teamed up with Leeds University Business School to offer a series of five workshops, designed for professional service businesses in Wakefield. A group of six businesses, from a range of sectors, have been meeting to share their aims and ambitions; exploring the challenges involved in starting a business, scaling up and bringing a team onboard.

Future Start: The new ASIC Centre at Wakefield College is home to our latest group of aspiring tech startups – all coming to Wakefield to learn about getting their businesses off the ground. If you want to get your tech business started, or have recently started your business, get in touch with us and find out what we can do for you in 2018.

Rachel McKimm, Managing Director of The Career Cabin is really enjoying the programme “fantastic ideas and good to be around some driven people!”

Coming soon: If you are interested in music and turning your passion into a business watch this space as we have something specifically for you in 2018 working with music experts Generator, running some masterclasses just for you.

If you would like more information on this or to be involved with AD:Venture, whether you’re a startup, entrepreneur or you are an established businesses under 3 years old then please do get in touch with us Contact: •

Business and professional service businesses Cara Brundle, Sector Development Manager - Tel:07557813264, email: cbrundle@wakefield.gov.uk

•

Digital and creative businesses Jim Farmery, Sector Development Manager - Tel:01924305819 or Mob: 07770678274, email: jfarmery@wkefield.gov.uk

Supported by the 2014 to 2020 European Regional Development Fund Programme

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Wakefield & District SPECI A L

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FE ATU RE

Wakefield & District

Lady Barbara Judge CBE addresses Wakefield skills gap The city of Wakefield is undergoing a significant period of positive change. With a new Chief Executive at the helm and an established political leader, the city has some ambitious plans. Within the next 15 years, the leadership team aims to make Wakefield a distinctive and vibrant city that makes a significant contribution to the prosperity and diversity of the wider Leeds City Region.

Leeds Beckett University, Wakefield College and Wakefield Council were delighted to welcome to Wakefield, Chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD), Lady Barbara Judge CBE, to a round table discussion at Wakefield Town Hall in December.

One of the key growth priorities is the ability to take advantage of growth opportunities and ensure the positive impacts of such growth can be seen amongst those who live and work in Wakefield. The links between education and business is crucial in attracting new quality businesses and servicing existing businesses. The new Advanced Skills and Innovation Centre, a university presence from Leeds Beckett University and the collaboration with the IoD are all positive signs towards achieving the city’s ambition.

The round table discussion that involved key people from local

businesses, representing a range of sectors, engaged in discussion in their strategy to attract and retain talent. The group also discussed their organisations values aligned to those of the millennial generation.

One key point that was discussed was what employees want from an employer and do employers provide this.

Lots of points came from this, but generally it was felt that employees wanted security, to work for an organisation with a purpose, to have an opportunity to progress within the company, a pleasant environment and it was felt that access to education was paramount.

Another lengthy discussion was around apprenticeships and universities. Was it important these days for employees to hold a degree? It was felt that although in some businesses this was crucial, in others not so, and many employers were encouraging apprenticeships which allows young people to earn whilst they learn and allows

employers to train their staff in the way their business operates.

It was felt that education establishments should also look at the courses they offer, do they fit with the skills shortages required?

Lady Barbara Judge CBE, a lawyer, who was born and grew up in New York, facilitated the discussion as she is a keen ambassador for entrepreneurialism and has a keen interest in developing the skills of future business leaders.

Jon Geldart, the IoD Regional Chairman and a director at Grant Thornton in Harrogate, chaired the event.

TopicUK were guests at the event and were scheduled to interview Lady Barbara afterwards, but the event ran late so another meeting has been arranged and we hope to bring you the full interview in our next edition. This is not one to miss, as she has been described

by Forbes as one of the most connected people in the UK and she does have the most impressive CV.

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Wakefield & District

Inspirational leadership can reignite the Northern Powerhouse Natalie Sykes - Regional Director, Institute of Directors the IoD, and both are in Yorkshire this Winter.

In December, we welcomed Lady Barbara Judge to Wakefield, where she met local businesses and spoke at the brilliant Forward Ladies Awards.

In my last column I voiced my frustration with the lack of progress towards devolution in Yorkshire. Business cannot stand on the sidelines. Now is the time for inspirational leadership.

We need strong leaders to state our case to the government and ensure that progress towards realising the potential of the Northern Powerhouse does not stall.

Thankfully we have two such people leading

Lady Judge is the IoD’s first female chairman and a distinguished commercial lawyer with a wealth of international experience.

The theme of her speech was inspirational leadership – a subject she truly embodies.

In January, we have Stephen Martin, director general of the IoD speaking at our North Yorkshire dinner at Rudding Park Hotel, Harrogate. Stephen was appointed to the role in 2017 and was previously chief executive of Scunthorpe-based construction, logistics and property business Clugston Group.

You may well remember Stephen from his appearance on Channel 4’s Undercover Boss, which saw him go incognito in his own company to learn what employees really thought of the firm!

Stephen will be joining us to see first-hand how businesses and entrepreneurs in North Yorkshire are embodying the spirit of the Northern Powerhouse. He will also be offering his own inspiring take on the issues that matter to businesses.

Contact iod.yorkshire@iod.com to secure your ticket. Prices start from just £69.

The IoD’s new business lounge in Wakefield opens its doors on 10 January. Come and visit us at Leeds Beckett University Business Centre at the Advanced Skills and Innovation Centre, Wakefield College City Campus, Margaret Street WF1 2DH

Boosting your business with Audio content Did you know that 75 million people tune into podcasts every month? And, with consumption growing by 25% year-on-year, that audience is getting even bigger.

The audio revolution has begun, and it’s providing businesses with a new opportunity to expand their audiences and engage with consumers in a convenient way. Podcast subscribers can listen in the car, on the treadmill or from behind a pile of ironing; it’s the ultimate multi-tasking medium!

Thanks to recent developments in technology, creating a podcast for your business is now easier and more affordable than ever. Here are four simple steps to get you started: Create a DIY studio All you really need to get started is a microphone, computer and some kind of editing software. For the latter, there are

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By Danny Lacey CEO & Founder Stada Video plenty of free options available including Audacity and GarageBand. To minimise reverberation, try recording in a room with a carpet and plenty of soft furnishings.

Provide value There’s no need to be overly ambitious with your concept. Your main aim should be to provide value to your listeners, whether that be entertainment or information. How about sharing some industry tips and insights, answering frequently asked questions, or interviewing an interesting figure from within your niche?

AudioBoom, which distributes your podcast to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major platforms at the click of a button.

Spread the word Take advantage of social media to maximise the reach of your podcast. Post a link to each episode on all major social networks and engage with your followers to obtain feedback. Keep a note of any questions or topics mentioned that could form the basis of your next episode!

Distribute on all major platforms Once you’ve perfected your podcast, you need to make it accessible to a wide audience.

There are a variety of inexpensive hosting services available. We’re particularly fond of

 DANNYLACEY@STADAVIDEO.CO.UK 0113 403 2037

for all your legal needs call your localsolicitors Ramsdens

Wakefield & District

Yorkshire we’re never too far away #knowyourlawyer #askRamsdens

01924 669510 www.ramsdens.co.uk January2018

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Wakefield & District

L EG A L

M AT TERS

Wills via text? An Update…

Each issue Ramsdens Solicitors, share with our readers information to keep us all within the law.

If you have a legal question, or need to know about a particular subject, email editor@topicuk.co.uk

The Law Society has stated that it supports the Law Commission’s proposal that Courts should be able to recognise people’s final wishes, even where there is not a traditionally valid Will.

In the consultation, which concluded on 10th November 2017, the Commission were to consider whether the Courts should have the power to dispense of the formalities of a Will if the will-maker has made their intentions clear. This could include their final wishes having been sent via an audio recording or an electric message, such as a text or email.

Presently, for a Will to be valid, it must be in writing, by a person aged over 18 of sound mind and in the presence of two independent witnesses.

Joe Egan, the President of the Law Society, said: “When 40% of people die without making a will we know there is more we can do to make the process accessible to the public. The lack of a formal will should

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not restrict a court from respecting someone’s final wishes when those can be proven - with appropriate safeguards against fraud.”

As part of the Consultation, the Law Commission were also to consider proposals such as lowering the legal age to make a will to 16 and updating the laws governing testamentary capacity so that they are in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Law Society support these proposals stating that they would “bring clarity to courts and protect the rights of the most vulnerable people”.

The Law Society’s support of the consultation will be noted, whether or not the Government will take notice remains to be seen…. we will keep you informed of the eagerly-awaited results of the consultation!

At Ramsdens, we offer a specialist and affordable will writing service. To speak to someone about updating your Will or making a Will for the first time call us on 01484 821 500, text LAW to 67777 or email willsandprobate@ramsdens.co.uk .

Wakefield & District

The Cohabitation Conundrum!

Statistics released in November by the Office of National Statistics demonstrated that the “cohabiting couple” is the second largest family type and the fastest growing. With that in mind, we consider the “cohabitation conundrum”….

As it stands, unmarried couples do not have the same legal recourse as married couples. For example, there is no automatic right to inherit a person’s estate should their long-term partner die. Additionally, in the event of relationship breakdown couples may have to rely on complex trust laws to make a claim for their proportion of the property.

Until the law changes to reflect the modern family, cohabiting couples must be aware of their arguable disadvantage in comparison with a married

couple. With that in mind, it is very important the a cohabiting couple seek legal advice and look at things they can do to bolster their position:Cohabitation agreements Such agreements can be drawn up by a family solicitor to determine what should happen in the event of a relationship breakdown. For example, how assets should be divided. Cohabitation agreements are not legally enforceable however will serve as a strong indication of parties wishes. It is essential that each party takes individual legal advice about such agreements to ensure no party signs such an agreement under duress.

Get a Will in place The importance of a Will cannot be overemphasised. This crucial,

yet often overlooked document, can be the difference between the person you love receiving what you would wish and them receiving nothing. Without a Will, your Estate will be governed by Intestacy Rules meaning your Estate may end up going to persons you would not wish it to.

A Will, is exactly that “your Will.”

implications of your cohabitation and how you can put an agreement in place, please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly family law team to arrange a free 30 minute consultation at any of our offices across West Yorkshire. Call us free on 08000 147720

If you are in doubt… seek Legal AdvicIt is very apparent that cohabitation couples need to take individual advice to protect themselves and their assets. Whilst no person, at the beginning of a relationship predicts a breakdown, taking legal advice may provide you with the insurance and piece of mind of your position in the event that it was to breakdown.

At Ramsdens, we are accredited members of Resolution and expert family law specialists.

If you wish to discuss the 0800 988 3650 www.ramsdens.co.uk text LAW to 67777

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Wakefield & District

CWDIX LIMITED ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS ADVISORS

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Contact Chris Dix or Carolyn Harman for your free initial consultation

CWDIX LIMITED ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS ADVISORS

Unit 4 Silkwood Court Wakefield WF5 9TP Telephone: 01924 263766

Wakefield & District

Radon Action, partner with the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Wakefield based Radon Action, are delighted to announce that they have partnered with the UKs leading lung cancer charity, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, to provide radon risk management services for their own properties.

As well as providing services to ensure their own properties are safeguarded from radon gas, they will be facilitating an annual donation on behalf of each of their customers to the charity. As radon gas exposure is the second highest cause of lung cancer it makes perfect sense for us to support this great charity.

Radon – are you prepared for the new Regulations? Whilst we all know about the risks from exposure to tobacco, asbestos and other harmful

pollutants, it seems that few people are aware of the risks associated with exposure to the natural gas, Radon, which is the second highest cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

Radon is a natural form on ionising radiation.

You may be surprised to know that there are an estimated 20,000 fatalities each year in Europe that are attributed to radon gas.

Radon is a naturally occurring invisible and odourless gas. It comes from uranium which occurs naturally in many rocks and soils all over the UK. Although radon is found everywhere in the UK, there are certain higher risk areas which are commonly known as Radon Affected

Areas, which include Wakefield and many parts of our region.

Most radon gas that is breathed in is immediately exhaled and presents little radiological hazard in the natural environment as it can easily disperse in the open air.

The problem can occur when radon enters a building from the ground and is allowed to build up inside a property to high levels and is unable to escape, resulting in an increased risk of lung cancer.

Radon is likely to become an increasing area of focus due to the impending changes to the Ionising Radiation Regulations which will come into force on 1st January 2018.

The Health & Safety Executive have recently closed a consultation on

RADON ACTION

changes to the Ionising Radiation Regulations to implement the requirements of a new EU Directive which more robustly recognises the risks associated with radon gas and other forms of ionising radiation. When the new regulations come into force, they will include a specific requirement to complete a Radon Risk Assessment where the organisation is in a radon affected area, such as Wakefield, or has an occupied basement.

If you have any questions about radon, radon risk assessment or the new Ionising Radiation Regulations please get in touch by email: enquiries@ radonaction.co.uk, visit our web site: www.radonaction.co.uk or call us on 07575 717547 FR CH EE P YO EC OS UR K. O TC S RD OD NO E E W R

DID YOU KNOW:

RADON GAS IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER IN NON SMOKERS

BOOK YOUR RADON RISK ASSESSMENT TODAY: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium found in small quantities in all soil and rocks. You can’t taste it, smell it and it has no colour. Ordinarily it’s not harmful, dispersing harmlessly into the air. But when it’s present in confined spaces, it can rise to extremely harmful levels and over time, cause lung cancer.

To protect the health of staff, current health and safety law requires completion of a radon risk assessment of buildings that are in an affected area or have an occupied basement area.

Implementation of the new EU Directive covering radon comes into force in January 2018.

GET IN TOUCH TODAY AND SEE HOW WE CAN HELP.

E: enquiries@radonaction.co.uk T: 07575 717547 W: www.radonaction.co.uk

RADON ACTION

Wakefield & District T RAV E L

UP DATE

Each edition, One World Travel feature a world destination that can be arranged through their shop in the centre of Wakefield.

When it comes to Spanish city breaks Barcelona reigns supreme... and more often than not, some of the country’s most spectacular assets are overlooked.

The Andalusian city of Seville is famous for its historic charm, Mudéjar-style buildings (that incredible fusion between classic Iberian and Islamic architecture) and of course, its bitter yet beautiful oranges. For those looking to immerse themselves in something totally new, it’s the perfect place for a few days away.

The Plaza de España is one of the city’s most iconic attractions, a project of the 1929 IberoAmerican Exposition World’s Fair. 538,196 square feet in size, the shape represents the ancient colonies of Spain, and surrounded by a 1,690 ft canal that is crossed by four bridges, each one representing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain (Castile, León, Aragón and Navarra). There are also 48 tiled alcoves and benches, each representing a Spanish province.

Architecture lovers and keen photographers may wish to spend a whole afternoon here, others may simply prefer a post-brunch stroll.

There are over 25,000 Seville Orange Trees lining the city’s boulevards. Used for perfume, wine and marmalade, the tree

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produces a bitter orange so the fruit is not suitable for juice or consumption straight from the branch. In spring, the fabulous scent of the tree’s blossom fills the city’s air.

The Alcázar of Seville is a palace that was originally developed

by Moorish Muslim kings. The North-African influence is at its most noticeable here – walking around the grounds (which have been used as the setting for various films) you’d be forgiven

for thinking you were in the medina of Marrakech.

Many Spanish cities claim to have started the ‘Tapas’ movement, however no assert their authority over this claim like Seville.

Traditional dishes include Stewed Pork Cheek and Spinach with Chickpeas. Top Tip: A local wouldn’t consider evening tapas until after 9pm – the atmosphere in the bars much better after then!

Wakefield & District

Meeting rooms, conference rooms, event and office space Whether you’re looking for a large meeting room to seat 30, a smaller informal meeting space for two or simply an office to work from - head to West Yorkshire Business Hive.

Situated in Morley, Leeds we are close to all major motorways with free on-site parking.

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Contact us for more info, or to make a booking.

T: 0113 2530 241 E: WYbusinesshive@wyjs.org.uk Nepshaw Lane South, Morley, Leeds, LS27 7JQ www.WYbusinesshive.wyjs.org.uk @WYBusinessHive

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Business Hive 22/09/2016 18:06

Wakefield & District Nicholson-Harris Blacksmiths in the hot seat What inspires you to keep going?

The amazing people we meet and the reaction to the work we produce.

What motto do you live by?

There are no problems only solutions. Keep calm and keep smiling.

What is your greatest passion?

Historical Ironwork and the history of the Blacksmith.

Blacksmithing is one of the oldest trades dating back to the Iron age, spreading across Europe and reaching Britain in approx 450 BC, it has an interesting history, it was banned in some villages in the middle ages and anyone caught practicing was burned as a Witch/ Wizard.

What are you most proud of?

Working for ourselves.

What are you up to at the moment?

We have a passion for fossil hunting, walking and mountain biking. We are busy at work with conservation work, private commissions and carrying out our daily demonstrations.

What are your dreams?

To carry on building a successful business and to get married in the future.

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Preserving our past:

Meet the Blacksmiths Yo u c an f in d t h e m at www. n i ch o lso n -h arri sblack smi t h an dmetalwo rk ers. co.uk

All too often traditional skills are forgotten in favour of “quick fixes,” but there are some trades that we cannot afford to lose. Editor Sophie Mei Lan spoke to the couple behind Nicholson-Harris Blacksmiths who are based at the National Coal Mining Museum in Overton.

Jayne Nicholson and Martin Harris have always been passionate about ‘keeping one of the oldest trades alive’ which is one of the reasons they started their business.

Jayne said: “When I was at school I was very much into woodwork and metal work, in fact, I was the only female in the class. But when I left school, I was unable to secure an apprenticeship; I was not taken seriously because I am a female.”

So when the opportunity presented itself Jayne grasped it with both hands - leaving the security of a well-paid job and, swapping a desk for an anvil. “I know many people thought I was mad but I believe that fortune favours the brave and that the only person standing in the way of achieving our goals is ourselves.”

Jayne’s partner Martin also had an interesting journey into Blacksmithing starting out as a litter picker at a Victorian working

Museum but was always drawn to the blacksmith workshop. “The blacksmith of the time noticed Martin’s genuine interest,” continued Jayne, “and about a week later he approached Martin to ask if he would be interested in becoming his apprentice.”

The rest is history and Martin eventually moved to Yorkshire to be with Jayne.

Jayne said: “With Martin’s experience being so specialized we knew he would have difficulty find work, we had both dreamed of starting our own business and felt that this was the time.”

Their business Nicholson-Harris Blacksmiths specialises in fabricating items as well as being traditional Blacksmiths which is a rare skill in today’s world. “We can design and create bespoke items to order, just like the old Blacksmiths of the day.

Clients come to us after struggling to find a Blacksmith and are impressed that they can invent tailor-made items.

“We believe we have a duty to

keep these traditional skills alive and give the public access to view of one of the oldest trades.

Visitors who come to watch the demonstration really enjoy it and comment that it is good to see it ‘live’ rather than a video playing on a loop.”

Keeping traditional skills alive Jayne and Martin also carry out conservation and repair work on historical ironwork.

Jayne added: “Just recently we repaired a cast iron fence in Wakefield. The gentleman had a problem finding someone to do it, but we were more than happy to help.

Wakefield & District Starting a journey to become a foster carer can be exciting, but also very daunting. Fostering to Inspire is here to support and guide you every step of the way.

There are a variety of reasons why children and young people can no longer live with their birth families and need to come into foster care. We require family homes that can offer these vulnerable children and young people a safe, caring and stable environment. Fostering can be very challenging and emotive.

Our fostered children and young people may have experienced past trauma and abuse which can affect who they are and how they behave. Our foster carers are

• •

•

•

Could you care for a child ? tasked with transforming young lives and this can be an extremely rewarding experience for our fostering families.

Who can foster?

To foster with Fostering to Inspire we do ask that you fulfil the following criteria:

• •

•

Over 21 years – there is no upper age limit.

Spare bedroom – Fostering takes place in your own home therefore it is essential you have at least one spare bedroom.

Have time and flexibility – being able to offer full-time care is preferable, but there may be exceptions whereby part-time work is acceptable.

We are happy to consider single carers, married couples, couples in a longterm relationship and samesex couples.

Be a British Citizen or have permanent Leave to Remain.

You do not have to be a parent – we provide support and training.

Have an aspiration to foster children and young people.

Do something

extraordinary

Yorkshire needs foster carers

Become a carer and change a life.

Call us on: 01924 792184 fosteringtoinspire

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fostering to inspire

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fosteringtoinspire.co.uk Part of Prospects Services. Registered in England & Wales. Registered company number: 3042176. Registered office: 1 Red Hall Court, Wakefield, WF1 2UN

Half page.indd 1

22/11/2017 12:11

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Wakefield & District FOOD&D RIN K

All Change!

Yes, it’s art on a plate as Kevin Trickett, President of Wakefield Civic Society, finds he Hepworth Café ‘under new management

Follow Kevin on Twitter @MrTrickett That all changed when The Hepworth Wakefield opened its doors back in the spring of 2011 but despite its success at bringing visitors to the city, the gallery still feels like it’s a bit out on a limb, part of Wakefield’s cultural offer and yet slightly apart from the city itself. That too will change in the not-too-distant future if, as expected, the eagerly awaited plans to convert the former Rutland Mills into “a vibrant mixed-use creative quarter for collaborative partnerships in music, film, TV, design and new media” come to fruition: the Hepworth Wakefield will find itself part of a much bigger waterfront ‘arts scene’, complete with boutique hotel.

I

think it is fair to say that, before the arrival of the Hepworth gallery, Wakefield had rather turned its back on the River Calder.

Unlike other towns and cities, we weren’t making very much of our ‘waterfront’. The railway line high on the embankment from Kirkgate Station and running parallel with Ings Road rather delineated the city centre – why would anyone want to venture down to the riverside?

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Galleries and cafés go together, of course, but the newly re-vamped Hepworth Café is something a bit different from the usual offering.

Since 20th October 2017, the management of the café has been in new hands: independent Leeds coffee shop House of Koko (ShanShan Zhu and Chris Ball) has partnered with Wakefield’s MasterChef quarter-finalist Chris Hale and his wife, Sophie Mei Lan, to take over the running of The Hepworth Café.

New management, new approach: the café is a mix of

café and restaurant. It offers a simple range of dishes that will appeal to both vegetarian and vegan palettes but which can then be augmented with a number of extras and side dishes to cater for the omnivores among us. For example, I had the ‘The Full Vegan’ (£8.45) which consists of homemade baked beans, sweetcorn fritters, half an avocado, and crispy red onions, salad and toast. (It also comes with tomato and chilli jam, but I passed on this.) While this was a real plateful in itself – warming on a cold day and nourishing – you can, if you wish, add a poached egg for £1.50 or smoked salmon, crispy bacon or smoked chicken for £2 each. Skinny fries at £2.95, coleslaw at £1.95 or a side salad (also £1.95) can also be added to any dish Meanwhile, my partner opted for the ‘Homemade Baked Beans’, a dish which consisted of chick peas, butter beans and kidney beans with toasted pumpkin seeds, all served on sourdough bread. The dish can be had with or without shaved parmesan.

This has a menu price of just £6 but again can be ordered with any of the extras mentioned above.

Among the other dishes available, there’s also a Steak and Ale Pie

The café’s opening times match those of the gallery: seven days a week from 10am to 5pm plus occasional evening events as advertised.

(The café also caters at special events organised at The Hepworth Wakefield.)

Website: https:// hepworthwakefield. org/your-visit/ the-hepworth-cafe; also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@ thehepworthcafe).

Wakefield & District

better. She takes great pride in pointing out that ingredients are sourced from local suppliers wherever possible.

Alongside a range of beers and Fentimans soft drinks, The Hepworth Café builds on the experience of ShanShan and Chris from House of Koko in bringing speciality coffee to Wakefield – something of a first for the city. As with House of Koko, The Hepworth Café serves North Star Coffee‘s Czar Street seasonal espresso. A brew bar offers single origin coffees from around the globe. Tea drinkers are not forgotten: the café serves 20 loose leaf teas, all weighed, timed and brewed to perfection – and there’s always a good cup of Yorkshire tea on hand.

for £8.95, Corn Fritters and Avocado Stack for £6.95 and a couple of salads (Chicken Caesar and Autumnal Salad, £6.95 and £5.95 respectively).

For desserts, you can choose

buttermilk pancakes or select from a range of cakes and pastries available at the counter.

Sophie told me that they wanted to keep the menu simple to start with and then build it up once they got to know their customers

The café employs a team of 20 friendly staff. The business partners each have distinct roles but show a willingness to lend a hand wherever it is needed: ShanShan is in charge of front of house management while Chris Hale works in the kitchen as Executive Chef. A quarterfinalist in the 2016 MasterChef TV competition, self-taught executive chef Chris continues to run his Pop-Up North catering and pop-up restaurant business alongside his work at the café while Sophie (a blogger and freelance journalist who is also part of the TopicUK editorial team) leads on the media and public relations aspects of the café. Chris Ball from House

of Koko is responsible for marketing and design.

The café retains the dark wood chairs and tables that regular visitors from the past will be familiar with but there are also soft squishy sofas and even ‘work stations’ for people who want to sit and work while drinking their coffee.

Wherever you sit, you’ll find yourself amid potted and hanging plants which add a welcome touch of greenery and visual contrast while also helping to soften the space and making it feel more intimate. All around the café you will see unusual houseplants, succulents, cacti, ferns, concrete pots and plant hangers supplied by Yorkshirebased plant specialist geo-fleur and these are available to buy.

Additionally, The Hepworth Café sells its own range of gifts with produce from across Yorkshire – from the best pickles and condiments to sweet treats – and they also offer hampers. There really is no need to go away empty handed!

So, there you have it – a gallery café which can claim to be a destination in itself. But don’t just take my word for it: get yourself down to The Hepworth Café and try it out. Oh, and while you’re there, you might just want to take in some art as well…..

Kevin and his partner dined as guests of The Hepworth Café

January2018

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Wakefield & District FOOD

&

D RIN K

By TopicUK Group Editor - Gill Laidler

bridge which hovers across the River Calder. As you cross, don’t forget to take a look at The Chantry Chapel across the water on your left or the boatyard on your right.

We were greeted on arrival with live music from local musicians Ali Bullivent and Jane Muller.

The UK’s top art gallery now has a fitting food and drink offering thanks to an independent business collaboration.

The Hepworth Wakefield, which was crowned Art Fund Museum of the Year, selected Wakefield MasterChef and Pop Up North owner Chris Hale alongside Leeds-based coffee shop House of Koko, to take over The Hepworth Café.

Topic UK was invited to their exclusive press launch to find out more.

The Hepworth’s car park leads to the gallery over the grey

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At the start of the evening, guests were ushered into the main gallery upstairs and with staff kitted in new denim ‘The Hepworth Café’ aprons, we were offered Prosecco and crushed avocado Canapes, styled from the café’s brunch menu.

Following welcome speeches by the The Hepworth Café and director of the gallery Simon Wallis, we were invited into the auditorium. The auditorium is tucked away downstairs in the gallery with huge scenic windows over-looking the water. It’s often used for conferences, parties and events but tonight we were sat around large round tables styled by plant specialist geo-fleur to watch a cookery demo by Executive Chef Chris Hale.

Whilst Chris cooked up a Wild Mushroom Ragu with feta on sourdough toast, we were served wine and recipe tasters.

Next, we were guided into the newly-refurbished café area

THE LOWDOWN ON THE NEW CAFÉ • •

The Hepworth Café specialises in hand-crafted coffee, fine food and exceptional service.

•

Leeds-based House of Koko has partnered with Wakefield’s MasterChef finalist Chris Hale, to take over the running of The Hepworth Wakefield Café as well as catering for all the events at the gallery.

•

The Hepworth Café launched in October with a new menu, perfectly brewed coffee, loose leaf teas and redesigned dining space.

•

•

The café’s seasonal menu combines all-day brunch favourites with cutting edge cuisine, putting Wakefield firmly on the culinary map with its excellent food and drink.

The café boasts an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu.

(which is adorned with plants also by geo-fleur) for some loose leaf tea tasting as well as coffee cupping from North Star.

But for any hot drink to be perfect – you need an accompanying treat – so the café chefs had laid out a full dessert bar for us to try a range of cakes, scones and espresso mousse.

The evening was nicely finished off by live music performed by guitarist Tom Shann who was performing for his first time.

All the various touches reflect the independent vibe of the up and coming place which is sure to become a culinary destination of the north.

Wakefield & District

We thought that you may need some energising recipes this time around so we have thought long and hard and come up with the following to help ease you into the new year nice and gently…!

Non-Alcoholic cocktail – Winter Break This a nice, fruity nonalcoholic cocktail contains pomegranate juice which is known to help boost the immune system – something we all need after we have over indulged… Give it a try for a nice refreshing boost this new year.

• • • •

75ml Pineapple Juice 25ml Pomegranate Juice 15ml Passion Fruit syrup 15ml Fresh lime juice

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, then shake and strain into a tall glass full of ice. Garnish with some redcurrants or other winter berries and a sprig of mint.

B ananas in caramel rum syrup This dessert is great – simple, tasty and impressive! Give it a whirl if you are looking for an easy dessert, something we all need after the effort that goes into Christmas… It is also a great way to use up some the leftover Christmas spices that will clog your cupboard up until next December! You can choose to add the rum or leave it out, either way this recipe is delicious!

Ingredients (Serves 4) • 150g Caster sugar • 230ml Water • Juice of 1 lemon • 2-3 Tablespoons of white rum or Malibu (Optional) • 1 Vanilla pod • 1 Cinnamon stick • 2 Star anise • 4 Large, just ripe bananas 1 – Put the sugar and 2 tablespoons of the water into a large shallow pan and heat gently until dissolved to make a basic sugar syrup. Once the syrup is clear and the sugar all dissolved, raise the heat a little a cook until the liquid begins to turn light brown.

This is now a light caramel syrup, but you mustn’t allow it to go too dark or it may taste burn.

2 – Remove from the heat, cool for a couple of minutes then stir in the lemon juice.

Don’t worry if it looks like it is splitting, this is normal. If you are adding the alcohol, add now along with the remaining 200ml of water. Slit the vanilla pod lengthways and add to the syrup along with the cinnamon and star anise.

Happy New Year from us all at Create Café!

We hope that you have all enjoyed the festive season and are slowly getting back into things now we are all back at work.

3 – Peel the bananas and slice them lengthways. Place them in a single layer in the pan and coat them all over with the caramel syrup. Leave them to soak for about 40 minutes before serving with something like ginger crème fraiche or Chantilly cream.

GOVERNMENT WARNING:(1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.

(2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems. Please drink responsibly.

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Wakefield & District

Simplifying Communications Business Telephony Contact Centres Unified Communications Internet Connectivity Business Mobiles Managed Services

To arrange a free consultation please contact us on 0800 588 4003 or email enquiries@ngcnetworks.co.uk www.ngcnetworks.co.uk

NGC-Full-Pg-Ad-Nov2017(Topic210x260mm)(Dev2).indd 1

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Wakefield & District

Is weak digital infrastructure damaging business growth?

Across the UK, thousands of businesses are ready to unlock their potential. We sit on the brink of a digital revolution, but outdated infrastructure is holding us back more than many businesses realise.

We’ve all been there and experienced the frustrations of slow internet connections, huge delays with downloads of large files that can take minutes, even hours, rather than seconds. Most businesses put up with this because they believe there are no viable alternatives. People assume they have ‘fibre’ already and therefore reluctantly accept that although it isn’t ideal, it’s the best that is available.

The reality is that ‘fibre’ and ‘full-fibre’ are vastly different. When some of the UK’s biggest providers talk about fibre, in reality what consumers are getting is fibre cable used for part of the journey to the local cabinet.

From there, old fashioned copper wire carries the data to and from your premises, meaning you will rarely see the headline speeds that are promised.

Full-fibre, on the other hand, uses a fibre connection throughout the entire journey.

That means no copper wires and virtually no slowdown in speeds or drops in quality.

Gigabit full-fibre is up to 100 times faster than the UK’s average business internet connections, meaning companies using this service can make the most of their digital capabilities. And as your staff base grows or your technology evolves, you won’t have to worry about strains on your bandwidth.

Whether your workers are in the office, in the field or working remotely, they will be able to simultaneously access your ultrafast network at peak times without a drop in speeds.

If you rely on an internet connection which is frustratingly slow or resilient enough to ‘get

by’, then your business is going to struggle to keep up with competitors and be endlessly constrained by the burden of sluggish connectivity. Full-fibre has an immediate impact on a business’ productivity, efficiency and bottom line, while unlocking new opportunities and future proofing businesses for tomorrow.

The Gigabit Wakefield network will be going live this month. For the first time, it will give Wakefield businesses ultrafast connectivity to truly upscale their operations.

As an exclusive CityFibre Gigabit fullfibre internet partner for Wakefield and a partner for other Yorkshire cities, NGC is ideally placed to advise on the latest range of connectivity solutions available for local businesses.

There is government funding of up to £3,000 available towards a new Gigabit connection, but demand is expected to be extremely high, so please contact us today to discuss your options on 0800 588 4003 or email enquiries@ngcnetworks.co.uk

January2018

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The Wakefield First Bondholder Scheme is a private sector initiative that aims to accelerate the growth of the Wakefield District by branding, marketing and promoting it nationally and internationally. It now boasts representation and support from companies of all sizes and from a variety of sectors including manufacturing, professional services, creative and digital as well as cultural and leisure.

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To find out more about Wakefield Bondholders, the work that they are doing or for details on how to become a member, contact Melissa Armitage on: 01924 669220 or email: membership@wakefieldbondholders.com

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January2018

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Wakefield & District

BID brings Long Division back to Wakefield In the past Long Division has attracted on average 1,800 festival goers bringing in some £100,000 to the local economy in terms of secondary spend over and above transport and ticket costs. The aim is to increase this significantly by getting more businesses involved in the festival which is scheduled for June 1-3 next year.

Wakefield City Centre is set to come alive to the sound of music next Summer when Long Division makes a welcome return thanks to support from Wakefield BID. The multi venue city centre festival was launched in 2011 and ran for six years, taking place in various venues ranging from the Cathedral to the Orangery.

After a break in 2017 to consider new ways forward, festival organisers have joined forces with Wakefield BID and Long Division will return for 2018 with plans to involve more venues, more artists and branching out to new forms of entertainment such as comedy and the spoken word to attract even greater numbers of visitors to the city.

“Long Division grew steadily during its early years but when visitor numbers began to plateau we decided to take a year out and think about where we could take it,” explained Festival Director Dean Freeman who gave up a job in the NHS and cashed in his pension to create Long Division.

“There was a genuine question mark as to whether it could happen again as we couldn’t see a way it could grow but then the BID came on board. Their support has massively revitalised it and we are tremendously grateful to them.”

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January2018

A key aim for Wakefield BID, is to market Wakefield and attract visitors from far and wide. “Long Division has a committed following of festival goers and we want them to continue to come to Wakefield and bring their friends. There is great potential to grow it still further and make it a major event for visitors. The festival thrives on holding events in venues of all shapes and sizes so we would urge any business wanting to raise their profile to get in touch and get involved,” said BID Manager Elizabeth Murphy.

Although details for the festival are still being finalised it is planned to begin on Friday June 1 with an evening opening event, continuing

from 12 noon to 11pm on the Saturday with as many as 20 different stages running at various times. It is hoped to attract a wellknown performer to take to the precinct stage on the Sunday. “We plan to involve as much of the city centre as possible maybe siting stages in the Bull Ring, Trinity Walk and The Ridings as well as taking the festival down to Kirkgate. The idea is to get people moving around the city enjoying the festival but also making use of local amenities, attractions and businesses,” explained Dean.

“Predominantly the stages will be inside but it won’t be all about music. There is scope for visual art, comedic shows and spoken word which is very big in Wakefield. That is why we are looking for a range of venues; we like doing shows in unusual places and for some performances small and intimate such as a café or bookshop is ideal.”

If you’d like to know more about Long Division and how your business could get involved, contact the BID at info@ wakefieldbid.co.uk

Wakefield & District MWA designed the steel framed, detached 15,468 sq.ft sports building.

Enhancing provision for students the team maximised space by incorporating a mezzanine floor level to accommodate a fully equipped fitness suite, viewing gallery and unisex toilets. The new facility also includes a sports science classroom and changing rooms.

MWA serves up sports hall for Beckets

Martin Walsh Architectural (MWA), has transformed a former theatre and multi-court playground at St Thomas à Becket School in Wakefield, creating a six-court badminton sized sports hall with gymnasium.Working alongside Millpark Construction on the £1m contract, Dewsbury based

Marcus Walsh, of MWA comments: “The new sports hall at St. Thomas à Beckets was designed to maximise space; our goal was to create a flexible environment for a range of sporting activities. It’s an exciting addition to the school’s facilities, which will also be utilised by the local community.”

Efficiency has been integral to the design, with a Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery System installed within the mezzanine level and a Radiant Heating Panel System in the hall.

Vocational Centreopens at Meadowcroft School

Left to right - Douglas Quinn, Chairman of NFA Group, Lynette Edwards, Head teacher, Cllr Kevin Barker, Mayor of Wakefield, Iain Anderson, Group CEO, NFA Group

Meadowcroft School in Wakefield, which helps children with complex social, emotional and mental health needs, has celebrated the official opening of its new vocational centre, The Works. The opening was performed by Wakefield Mayor, Councillor Kevin Barker with many guests, parents, pupils

and members from the wider community in attendance.

The School has gained an enviable reputation for enabling pupils, who’ve struggled at previous schools, to succeed.

The specialist, experienced staff team at Meadowcroft School support all pupils to unlock their

potential through challenge, opportunity, therapy, care and understanding. A personalised, innovative approach combines the ambition for every child with a broad, balanced curriculum which has been dramatically enhanced by the school’s new, state-of-the-art facility.

The Works also aims to open employment opportunities through vocational studies and direct links with employers through apprenticeships and work experience.

Councillor Kevin Barker, Wakefield Mayor said: “The facilities are absolutely first class and I am very proud to have an educational establishment like

The Works that is able to serve the whole of Yorkshire based here in Wakefield. It is encouraging to see the children learning practical skills that will set them up for the future and that the enthusiasm of the tutors is clearly reflected in the outcomes for the young people. I would like to congratulate the Headteacher and her team on their achievement.”

Meadowcroft School is a DFE registered independent special needs school catering for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health and associated conditions.

The School was judged as Good

by Ofsted in February 2017.

January2018

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Wakefield & District

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Ackworth School Pontefract Road, Ackworth, Pontefract, Wakefield, WF7 7LT Tel: +44 (0)1977 611401 January2018 Email: admissions@ackworthschool.com www.ackworthschool.com l M /AckworthSchool l N @ackworth_school

Wakefield & District

Meat raffle and music gig A meat raffle is not what you expect at a music gig, that’s unless you attended Fine Young Cannibals’ Roland Gift’s latest tour.

The charismatic front man treated his audience to the “best cuts of meat” at a gig in Wakefield, in December at Warehouse 23.

The last and only time Roland has visited Wakefield was when he was in a touring production of Romeo and Juliet. He said: “It was a lot harder playing Romeo than it was singing, that’s for sure.”

It was to the delight of his and the Cannibal’s loyal fans that Roland, one of modern music’s true torchbearers, was back in the pop arena. Topic UK Wakefield editor Sophie Mei Lan caught up with the pop legend during his recent UK tour.

Roland who performed some classic fan favourites at Wakefield’s biggest live music venue. He said: “There are a lot of people who liked the Cannibals who never saw songs like She

Drives Me Crazy in concert, and since I wrote them as well, I had to do some Fine Young Cannibals songs.

“It’s a great feeling when you’ve got a big record and you go out onstage and people have come to hear you play for them.”

Roland may be an established trail-blazer of his era but he admits that he still gets nervous in the run-up to a show because he cares so much about creating the best experience possible.

He said: “Each show is a unique event in its own right, I don’t just see it as one of a se-ries.

“I get nervy and I always worry people won’t show up. It’s like when you host your own party and you’re thinking, will anyone actually come?”

Alongside popular hits and a meat raffle, the audience were also treated to supporting comedian Paul Ricketts as Roland wanted to ensure that his fans had “a great night out.”

But when he’s not on the road, Roland now spends most of his time writing from home in Holloway, London. “I’m currently working on a play called Return to Vegas,” he said.

Roland’s distinguished career has certainly expanded in recent, post-FYC years to include critically-lauded film acting and musical score work. His most recent acting work is for the forthcoming The Island of the Mapmaker¹s Wife, directed

by Michie Gleason, for which Roland put recording on hold for two months, while on location in Amsterdam with the production.

Roland readily admits to a happy balancing act between the two disciplines.

“When I first started, I wanted to be an actor. That’s one of the reasons I went to London from Hull. But most people I know have been in a group sometime in their life.

“The first punk band I was in, the Acrylic Victims, got a bit of notoriety, released a couple of singles and, my music focus grew from there,” said Roland.

“The Cannibals sort of officially dissolved in 1996. The group didn’t stop with a bang, it was like a freeze-frame that stopped and stayed and stayed, then eventually faded. But nobody said ‘OK we’re going to end this.’

So, in a way, up until then, we were trying to do our third record. Then we came out with The Finest, which was a greatest hits set, plus three new tracks that didn’t have a home to go to, among those was the hit The Flame.”

But Roland said that he preferred to stop whilst the band were doing well. “It’s better to burn brightly for half as long than to be a dim lingering light. I get a lot of people say that they still play the albums and they’re looking forward to hear what I’m doing.”

The great Otis Redding however remains Roland’s vocal mentor.

“We all shared a love of the Stax sound in the Cannibals. That was the thing that brought us together and Otis was probably my favorite singer and still is, so those influences will definitely be there.”

Roland is currently featuring in Brakes, a romantic comedy film, out at selected cinemas.

FACT FILE

How does a performer prepare for the limelight?

The canapes are laid out, the music is playing in the background and the house looks immaculate, almost like a show home. But there’s nobody there, apart from you, nervously awaiting your first guest. And once the party has started, it looks as if you the host has seamlessly put on this function with confidence and poise. We all know those pre-event nerves when it comes to hosting people. And even a superstar like Roland Gift gets “nervy” before a gig.

So how does the Fine Young Cannibals front man cope with those nerves?

•

•

•

•

Roland makes sure he has rehearsed lots prior to any show.

He tries to get a few early nights in the run-up to a tour to recharge his batteries.

Roland likes to keep fit with his hobbies including; Tai Chi, yoga and swimming.

He also makes sure that his show is a “great night out” with unique ideas such as a meat raffle (which your gig ticket gives you entry too) and a warm-up act.

January2018

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Wakefield Business Centres provide quality serviced offices in centres of Wakefield and Ossett. All offer a range of office suites either furnished, unfurnished, hot desks or virtual, with a friendly unrivalled service and tailor made packages to suit all. Safe gated car parking with CCTV is available and all three buildings are close to major transport links. Excellent meeting room and conference facilities are offered, and the offices in Wakefield are situated 300m from Wakefield Westgate train station with services to London in less than 2 hours, and 5 minutes walk away from Wakefield centre.

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WTR Spring 2018.qxp_Layout 1 08/11/2017 10:49 Page 7

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Box Office: 01924 211 311 Book Online: theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk

Theatre Royal Wakefield presents

Gala Dinner & Variety Performance Friday 9 March 5.45pm Champagne Reception & Black Tie Gala Dinner, Wakefield Cathedral 8pm Variety Performance, Theatre Royal Wakefield

The ever popular Gala Dinner & Variety Performance returns this year, in support of the development of the Centre for Creativity and our work with young people. Over recent years, the event has gained a reputation of delivering an outstanding combination of excellent food and fantastic Variety Performance. Guests will be surprised and delighted by a galaxy of stars associated with Theatre Royal Wakefield and beyond. The Gala Dinner starts with a Champagne Reception and features entertainment with uniq ue auction prizes. Guests will have the opportunity to mix with the stars at the post-show party at Theatre Royal Wakefield.

Tickets are available for either the Variety Performance alone, or as part of the Black Tie Gala Dinner package.

To book for Variety Performance only, contact Box Office on 01924 211 311

£20 - £30 Variety Performance only £85 - £95 Gala Dinner Package

To book your Black Tie Gala Dinner package, contact Jon Ingham on 01924 334 116 jon.ingham@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk

Wakefield & District

businessschool Why choose the Business School at Wakefield College? · New £7million Advanced Skills and Innovation Centre. · Courses in areas including accountancy, HR, leadership and management, customer service, retail, procurement and supply. · Your course will be accredited by a professional body such as the AAT, CILEx, CIPS, CMI, ILM and the CIPD. · An Advanced Learner Loan* could help you cover the cost of study with no upfront cost.

Visit www.wakefield.ac.uk/business-school or call our Course Information team on 01924 789111 *For more information visit: www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

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Wakefield & District

Schools Careers Correspondent Competition TopicUK has teamed up with the WYCA/LCR LEP to support a Schools Careers Correspondent Competition

TopicUK was first launched in Wakefield five years ago. Its purpose is to help SMEs (small and medium sized businesses) with free or affordable promotion, something they struggle to afford elsewhere or cannot find the right platform If you are in years 9 you are tasked with writing a 400 word (approx.) article about a particular industry sector/ career/job role that appeals to you.

The competition deadline is January 20th and all submissions should be sent via your teachers to: enterpriseadvisers@the-lep.com The article should include a little about yourself and why you chose your particular sector. You will need to do a little background research about sectors/job roles/qualifications/ skills, etc.

We would imagine the best articles will also have some employer input. Your teachers may be able to help by acting as your go-between with the

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January2018

employers. You may also want to include a photograph that would make your article stand out. It might be from the company you have chosen or the sector in general.

Tip. An industry ‘sector’ is a term covering a range of businesses that do roughly the same kind of work. The key sectors in the Leeds City region are engineering & advanced manufacturing, digital and infrastructure.

Winning articles will be published in TopicUK magazine in 3 areas. Kirklees & Calderdale, Wakefield and Leeds. Articles will appear in the February issue to coincide with Careers Week and National Apprenticeship Week (March 5th)

You must include your name, school and year group. Here is a link to an article by Chloe to give you some ideas. http://topicuk.co.uk/

Wakefield & District

There is some great information out there to help you get started including the Shape Your Future booklet and resources, the Careers Yorks & Humber website, the LCR LEP Employment & Skills Plan as well as company websites.  https://careersyandh.co.uk/cyh_ uploads/Newsletters/Inspiration/ Shape_your_Future_September_2017. pdf

 https://careersyandh.co.uk/ Inspiringyandh

 http://www.the-lep.com/LEP/ media/New/Leeds-City-RegionEmployment-and-Skills-Plan-20162020-FINAL.pdf

 You may also want to look at the BBC School Reporter videos with examples of how to gather information for an article and writing a report for publication.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/ teacher_resources

January2018

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