CloseUP for Business Wakefield Edition

ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2016

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

IN ASSOCIATION WITH TOPICUK

FOR BUSINESS

The Big Interview

Janet Brett Bebb

The Big Interview

Abson

Leading the way in social progress

Business of the Year Award Celebrating amazing achievements

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Legal Expertise Business Sense

Company and Commercial

Commercial Disputes

Your legal partner in business Commercial mercial Property erty

Employment Employ

Debt Recovery

Susan Lewis

Partner. Head of Litigation and Disputes

Keira Rawden

Head of Commercial and Property

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Julian Gill Solicitor

Harjeej Nangla Solicitor

Cassandra Lumb Trainee Solicitor

01924 387110 enquiries@jordanssolicitors.co.uk

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

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hew! They say a week is a long time in Politics, and since our last edition of Close Up the UK has been on a roller coaster ride - embracing the historic Referendum decision by the UK to leave the EU, the appointment of Theresa May as our new Prime Minister and the new Cabinet membership encompassing the rise and fall of some of our most senior political figures.

Following the resignation of David Cameron, it came as a relief that Theresa May was installed as his successor within weeks - as opposed to the three month timetable which had originally been intimated. Mrs. May has already made some tough and innovative decisions, and demonstrated her determination to hit the ground running as Prime Minister. She has chosen and appointed her Cabinet – combining some unexpected sackings and some surprise new appointments. In her selection of the management team there is a clear priority and commitment to the Brexit agenda - as evidenced by the senior Ministerial appointments for leading lights of the ‘Leave EU’ campaign who have now clearly been tasked to get on with the job.

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As far as our exit from the EU is concerned, Mrs. May and her new administration must work to bring stability to markets and clarity on the timetable for changes to our relationship with Europe. The need for a strong partnership between business and government to boost both confidence and competitiveness is now greater than ever, and there will be a transition period over the next two years during which time there will be many issues which will need to be addressed. These include a whole host of topics which are of great importance to business, including investment, employment, economic growth, migration, and existing trade relationships – as well as many other great affairs of State which must be resolved.

Unfortunately however, the whole Referendum process has taken centrestage in British politics for the last three or four months, and this has created a stifling effect on the normal work of Government. Our own QES Survey for the second Quarter of the year indicates that Business Confidence has taken a knock, and it is apparent

that many Investment decisions have been left on hold. The fact is that the UK economy can’t afford further parliamentary inactivity, and following the Parliamentary summer recess it is now absolutely essential that the Government begins making the urgent decisions to progress key issues, including: Regional Devolution, airport expansion in the S.E. and London; energy generation and National Grid investments; house building; the further reform of Business Rates and making a start on construction work for the electrification of northern railways.

We will be lobbying hard to ensure that this ongoing Parliamentary workload is brought back on track.

We hope you enjoy reading this latest edition of Close Up, and on behalf of every member of the Chamber team I wish you and your business a highlysuccessful last Quarter of the year.

Our Chamber sits at the heart of the local business community, and as ever your Chamber team will continue to do all we can to connect, support and represent all our members – and the wider local business community.

Martin Hathaway Chief Executive Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

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Contents & Comments Details of this Month‘s TopicUK, your Local Business Community Magazine

06 20 34 KING OF THE CASTLE

LOCAL HEROES

AN ITALIAN GEM

Banking on a win

for food lovers

Contract win for catering firm

For a full list of where you can pick up your free copy visit our website: www.topicuk.co.uk or call 07711 539047

38 47 56 LIT FEST

2015 programme revealed

HIDDEN BURIAL GROUND

A TECH WIZARD IN THE MAKING

at Victoria Gate

By Kiran Akram

For Advertising Sales

Tel: 07711 539047  PHOTOGRAPHER - Danny Gartside 07834 705736 www.dannygartside.com COVER - Sid Diggins 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 01484 599886 or email editor@topicuk.co.uk. Published by Ghost Publishing Limited, Suite 6, Unity Works, Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1EP. Law pages are written

by Ramsdens Solicitors and TopicUK is not responsible for any advice given.

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Editor's News

TopicUK

By Gill Laidler- Group editor We’ve had a very busy Summer at TopicUK, making lots of plans for our partners and readers, starting in the Autumn.

We are excited that by November, we will have a new addition to the TopicUK magazine family - TopicUK Leeds. We are busy working on the first edition so if you know anyone who may be interested in writing a regular column, submitting a press release or take advantage of partnership opportunities, do let us know.

Our first Leeds partner is Charlotte Sweeney Associates and we are looking forward to sharing all their news.

We are also looking forward to working with Leeds Community Foundation, as they become our first Charity of the Year in Leeds.

Autumn will also see the launch of TopicUK Business Club. The club will host a number of networking events ‘with a difference’ across the district which will lead onto one main annual event, plus there will be lots of discounts and offers available to members.

Enquiries about the Business Club should be sent to me, editor@topicuk.co.uk.

TopicTV is here! As well as publicity within TopicUK magazines, you can now promote your business via TopicTV which will broadcast on our website and can be shown on your website and across social media. In addition, we will be featuring video interviews and events. Call me on 07711 539047 or email editor@topicuk.co.uk to find out more.

TopicUK will be hosting the inaugural West Yorkshire Schools expo (WYSE) on 18th & 19th November at Unity Works. We will be

bringing together a number of schools, colleges and education business leaders as well as students and parents.

We also have our One-Stop-Shop where we will extend our partnership to include all PR services. When you become a TopicUK partner, not only will you receive coverage within our own magazines, but the option of having your business on TopicTV and press coverage distributed across other media in the region. This means that for a one-off excellent value for money monthly fee, all your publicity needs can be taken care of.

We would like to welcome new TopicUK partner Wakefield Penny Appeal.

Chairman Adeem Younis and the businesses he owns has to be Wakefield’s best kept secret - until now! Over coming issues, we will let you know what this young entrepreneur does, his successes and how you may possibly become involved in some of their work.

Ladies, make sure you have 23 September in your diary. TopicUK have partnered L4N business network who are holding their first annual conference, with an amazing line up of speakers. All the details can be found on page 16. Hurry, tickets are selling fast.

EDITOR GILL LAIDLER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR ROB BLACKWELL

LOCAL HEROES EDITOR

THE ARTS KATIE TOWN Theatre Royal MURRAY EDWARDS Arts & Business Consultant

LEGAL MATTERS RAMSDENS SOLICITORS

BEAUTY & WELLBEING SUSAN DELANZO

HEALTH DR ANDREW FURBER

FOOD & RESTAURANT REVIEW KEVIN TRICKETT Wakefield Civic Society

RECRUITMENT ANDY TURNER, First Choice Recruitment

SOCIAL MEDIA SINEAD SOPALA, Ramsdens Solicitors

BUSINESS GARY KING, Tendo Ltd

IT PAUL HEIGHAM Bellingham It

EDUCATION DARRYL WIDEMAN Silcoates School

MUSIC ROB DEE Philophobia Music

Wakefield Lit Fest is almost upon us (23 September - 2 October) check out the artcle on page 38 featuring the highlights of this years festival. Brochures are also available from a number of places, including Topicuk’s home, Unity Works.

Gill Laidler

Tel: 07711 539047 - editor@topicuk.co.uk - www.topicuk.co.uk - Ghost Publishing Ltd - Suite 6 Unity Works Westgate Wakefield WF1 1EP

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NewsUpdate

KING OF THE CASTLE Catering firm wins contract to run café at Pontefract Castle Yorkshire produce and of course adding a hint of famous Pontefract liquorice wherever possible.”

Anthony, who has 27 year’s experience in the catering and hospitality industry, is currently working on the menu for the launch but is keeping it under wraps for the time being.

However, he revealed it would have a very strong local theme using tried and tested local suppliers. “We don’t consider suppliers from outside the Yorkshire region or large companies as we believe in staying local and supporting small businesses,” he added.

Award winning Asparagus Green Catering, has won a second contract to run the new café at Pontefract Castle in their second year of trading.

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the visitor experience and encourages people to come back for more and I’m confident that that is something Asparagus Green can achieve.”

The company has a commitment to using locally sourced produce and employing locally based staff and is expected to start trading from the new visitor centre and café from September.

The company, which runs the catering at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, was voted New Business of the Year 2016 in the Wakefield Business Awards in June and was a finalist in this year’s White Rose Awards covering the whole of Yorkshire.

Cllr Les Shaw, Wakefield Council’s portfolio holder for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “The Council is delighted to have procured such a first class, local partner for the new café at Pontefract Castle. It is important that we have a café that enhances

Director and founder, Anthony Hegney, said: “This is a great opportunity for us and we are delighted to be part of such a great project at Pontefract Castle which will see the opening of a purpose built café on site. We will be focusing on the best of

The café is part of the £3.5 million Key to the North project at Pontefract Castle, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, the Council, the Wolfson Foundation and EpaC. The work will result in the monument being removed from the At Risk register, new paths and landscaping around the site and a new visitor centre. The centre will include an activity zone for learning activities and conferences, toilets, a retail and visitor information area, a museum space with castle artefacts on display and the café, which has indoor seating for 24 people and outdoor for a further 60. The visitor centre will open in September and the rest of the capital works are due to be completed in spring 2017.

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WORLD HERITAGE RESTORATION PROJECT WINS AWARD Ebsford Environmental have won the Heritage Award at the 2016 Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards for their work on world heritage site Fountains Abbey.

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he ceremony, held at the New Dock Hall conference venue in Leeds, recognises the very best companies, collaborations and projects sharing best practice and inspiring others to adopt new and better ways of working that deliver outstanding results in order to produce a betterbuilt environment.

Ebsford’s winning award entry detailed how they were able to restore a popular tourist feature by removing over 8,000m3 of silt from the Yorkshire landmark’s Half Moon Reservoir in a non-invasive, sustainable and affordable way.

Nick Hartley Managing director at Ebsford says: “We achieved this restoration project with minimum disruption to the site resulting in zero waste. We approached the brief from a very bespoke perspective. Using the natural topography of the site we designed and constructed a collection tank made entirely of biodegradable and re-usable materials. Holding in excess of 8,000 cubic metres, the tank was designed to hold and dry the silt to form a ‘cake’ ready for agricultural use.

“We are very proud of our achievement, it is a big step for us and we are looking forward to working on more projects

that will hopefully achieve the same recognition.”

EXPANSION PLANS AT THE MANOR

Removing the need for heavy machinery, which was estimated to require over 2000 vehicle movements, Ebsford used a low impact amphibious Truxor machine. Further reducing the impact on the environment and visitor experience, the silt was pumped out of sight uphill over 1km into a bespoke straw bale silt receptor capable of holding all of the waste material. This sustainable and innovative design replaced standard geosynthetic silt bags that require a huge area to dewater Bryn and Richard and cannot be re-used.

Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel in Badsworth, The silt receptors were then re-worked Pontefract has announced expansion plans with into the farmland by the residing funding from Barclays. farmer to further enhance the land with the rich nutrients of the silt The hotel is owned and operated by Richard making this a completely Metcalfe who has owned the business for more environmentally sensitive restoration than twelve years. project.

Bryn Sutcliffe, Barclays’ relationship director said: Presenting the heritage award was “We’ve supported Richard and his team since Professor Chris Gorse, Director of they purchased the business and we’re proud to Leeds Sustainability Institute: be associated with the next stage of their “Congratulations to a young company development and growth.” that managed to carry out a project with zero waste, market leaders and The planned new rooms will increase capacity technology with the potential to and will be a major attraction for new wedding become industry standard.” business.

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NewsUpdate

PRE CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST EXPANDS TEAM Yorkshire based pre construction specialists, Central Alliance, are flying high after making seven key appointments to strengthen the technical and business teams.

To celebrate the company's move to larger premises at Wakefield 41 Business Park earlier this year. The specialist surveying and geo technical company commissioned an aerial view of the city to present to Coun Peter Box leader of Wakefield Council when he officially opened their office.

Chief Executive of Central Alliance, Peter Bevils said an aerial photograph seemed an appropriate way of marking the company’s success and growth.

“We use state of the art surveying equipment to provide a unique insight to enable efficient developments and embed safety into 21st century capital construction projects for commercial growth and the public good. Presenting Coun Box with an aerial view of Wakefield provides a bird’s eye view of what it looks like and its potential for future generations,” he said.

Since moving, the company has boosted its technical team with the appointment of William Mortimer, assistant geoenvironmental engineer, Gerard Furness, land surveyor, Harrison Clarke, apprentice surveyor and Ferhat Gungor as assistant driller.

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To support business growth Simon Firmin has been appointed Finance Director. Previously Chief Financial Officer at Mabey Hire he brings extensive knowledge and understanding of the construction sector to Central Alliance as it looks to diversify in new markets with more extensive specialist services.

The line up of new joins is completed with Huw Mullen, who joins as transport manager to direct the company’s logistics and Bev Tuke as software manager who

will help support integration of pioneering systems into customer networks.

These new appointments mean that Central Alliance is now uniquely placed to deliver even more high profile value, surveying and geotechnical contracts in sectors including construction, energy and rail networks.

Cllr Peter Box, said: “The expansion of Central Alliance is great news for

September 2016 - Wakefield & district Edition

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FOOD-4-THOUGHT Successful business event to launch in Wakefield

support to business owners in Hull and York also.

A unique peer-to-peer business mentoring group is launching a Wakefield group following a successful 20 months in operation in other Yorkshire and North East cities.

Food4Thought, founded by Gary King, one of Yorkshire’s leading growth and strategy experts, has launched two successful groups in Leeds, one in Sheffield, and most recently opened a fourth group in Newcastle supporting over 40 entrepreneurs in total every month.

Wakefield. The company’s use of leading technologies will continue to make our district attractive to new businesses and developers.”

Pete Bevils added: “We are delighted with our success over the last year and we are thrilled to be expanding our team and office. These appointments represent the beginning of a substantial investment in the future of the company and Yorkshire.”

Having a number of clients in the Wakefield area, Gary has recognised the need to further support the cities ambitious leaders and plans to bring Food4Thought to Wakefield in the autumn this year partnered by TopicUK and Barclays.

Meeting monthly for a three course meal and wine, business owners come together to discuss challenging topics relevant to business growth including marketing, sales, finance and product innovation.

Food4Thought has helped more than 70 business leaders to grow since its formation and, with increased demand from across the region, Gary plans to extend the

Nicola Pettit, founder of Night and Day PA has been attending the original Leeds Food4Thought group since its formation.

Nicola comments: “I currently travel from Hull to Leeds on a monthly basis to attend the groups and think they’re wellworth the commute. The event provides a relaxed atmosphere for business owners to share best practice and discuss challenges.

The support and learning it has offered me has been invaluable to support our growth.

“Gary facilitates the meetings professionally, ensuring they keep to time, and, with a different topic to discuss each month, it inspires and evokes really good conversation. Whilst Gary allows the conversation to flow naturally, he keeps it focused and does his homework before attending to keep it specific to the challenges faced by the people around the table.”

Gary adds: “Business owners of growing firms often don’t know where to turn for support. Bringing a group of likeminded experts together in a relaxed setting to offer each other advice and support, has proved to be a useful platform to generate ideas, build confidence and aid business growth.

I’m delighted with the feedback received following the first three groups and I look forward to rolling them out across other cities in the North.”

To discover how Food4Thought could benefit your business, see: http://www.food4thought.club/contact/

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NewsUpdate

SWEET SUCCESS FOR BONDHOLDERS Boasting two sites within the Wakefield district, including a new, multi-million-pound facility in Castleford, HARIBO is a shining example of a business that continues to invest in the area; this commitment has been further extended through their support of the Bondholder Scheme and its role of promoting the district as a great place to visit, invest and live.

HARIBO is just one of the many companies that have joined Bondholders in recent months, with Farmer Copley’s, Britcon, TK Maxx, National Coal Mining Museum and PMG naming just a few.

second facility in Castleford.

“We support the vision set by the scheme and look forward to joining Bondholders in promoting the district and all it has to offer.”

Adrian Spawforth, Chair of Wakefield Bondholders, comments: “We are really pleased to see so many local businesses have a shared vision and genuine passion for supporting the district and promoting it as a great place to visit, invest and live.

“This is a very exciting time for our district, which is very much open for business.”

Herwig Vennekens, Managing Director of HARIBO UK comments: “The Wakefield district has a great deal to offer; it’s location, infrastructure and people are just a few of the reasons why we chose to extend our footprint and invest in the area with a

Wakefield Bondholders has also unveiled two new steering group members, with Andy Turner Managing Director of First Choice Recruitment and Jane Marriott, Managing Director of The Hepworth volunteering their time to support the Scheme.

Partner promotions at Ramsdens Ramsdens Solicitors are delighted to announce the promotion of three new partners to the partnership.

Vikki Horspool and Laura Beevers are both Partners in the Care team and Lindsey Frith is a new partner in the Conveyancing team.

Lindsey said: “I am thrilled to have been invited to join the Partnership at Ramsdens.

Since I joined the firm in 2007 the superb leadership of the existing Partnership has ensured that the firm has achieved sustained growth through a difficult economic period. I am excited to be a more influential part of Ramsdens future success.”

Award finalist Marcello Moccia from Room 97 Creative Hairdressing is a finalist for North Western Hairdresser of the Year.

Hairdressers Journal International’s British Hairdressing Awards sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional is the most coveted prize in the multi-million pound industry which employs over 245,745 hairdressers in 35,000 salons across the UK. The top hairdressers for 2016 have been named and Marcello Moccia of Room 97 Creative Hairdressing in Wakefield is one of

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just six finalists for North Western Hairdresser of the Year 2016.

Marcello has received an incredible eight nominations and as he was announced the winner in 2012, he will be hoping to repeat his success. The overall winner for this hotly contested category will be announced at the prestigious ceremony on the 28th November 2016 at the Grosvenor House

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Vikki Horspool comments: “I feel both privileged and proud to have been made a partner in such a supportive firm. I am looking forward to the new challenges being a Partner will bring and my aim is to continue to promote Ramsdens as one of the leading firms in the area.”

Laura Beevers who joined the firm in April 2008 as a NQ said: “I am thrilled to be joining such a wellrespected, progressive and successful partnership”.

Paul Joyce, Managing Partner added: “The appointment of these partners reflects their excellence in client service along with their commitment to the firm. This brings the female lawyers in the partnership to 53 per cent. Gender is definitely not a barrier to progression at Ramsdens.”

Ramsdens have always had a high number of female partners and staff and have role models at all levels.

Females hold governance responsibilities, as well as in many other key leadership positions and as a firm Ramsdens are proud of the environment they have created and believe that it contributes to the quality of their service benefiting both clients and staff.

Hotel, a J W in London’s prestigious Park Lane.

Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of Hairdressers Journal International commented, “Marcello should be very proud of his success in one of the most fiercely fought categories. British hairdressing is regarded as the best in the world and to be a finalist for North Western Hairdresser of the Year is, without overstatement, a huge achievement.”

W YOU NEED WHY TO BE ‘STICKY’

By Andy Green - PR expert and brand strategist

Are you ‘sticky’?

This is not a question about your personal hygiene but about your ability to get others - especially key prospects - to remember you, and remember you for the right reasons.

Think about how you describe yourself.

What is it you want people to remember about you? What is it that you want people to pass on about you?

If you could write a script for other people, what words would you like them to say?

Word of mouth is the most powerful form of communications and marketing.

Think back to any recent purchase decision, whether it is the last film you saw or supplier you chose. Did the words ‘I’ve heard it’s good’ go through your mind?

We live in a complex, fast-moving world of growing cynicism and distrust. We have anxieties about are we making the right decision? Will there be consequences from making the wrong decision?

We cope by seeking to minimise the sense of risk. And what better comfort than someone you know, or somebody you trust providing a reassuring ‘They’re supposed to be good’.

Word of mouth is your most powerful marketing tool. It’s like having an army of unpaid salespeople spreading your word, and crucially more trusted than the common-or-garden sales schmoozer.

So why don’t businesses formally use

word of mouth in their marketing? The reason, there’s a myth: ‘You can’t manage word of mouth, it just happens’. Wrong!

You can manage your word of mouth through 3 simple steps.

Recognise every action you do is a statement of your Brand Character. If you say you deliver good customer service and you don’t, what are people going to believe, your words or your actions? You need to ensure you are authentic in whatever you do. This is not saying you must be a Saint-like Mother Theresa at all times. The customer isn’t always right. It’s about identifying your promise and keeping to it.

It’s about managing your integrity.

Integrity is a bit of misunderstood term.

People think it automatically equates with doing good or virtuous. No. Matching your words with the truth - that is acting with honesty. Matching your actions to your words - that is integrity.

You need to be ‘sticky’. What is the precise phrase, benefit, asset you want people to remember? What ways can you express in a way that creates a picture in their heads, is memorable, as a phrase or a mnemonic?

By making your message as ‘sticky’ as possible, so that it is remembered as intact as possible, and similarly passed on as intact as possible. That’s giving your word of mouth a turbo charger.

Word of mouth is your most powerful marketing tool. You heard it here from Topic UK. You heard it from a PR and communications expert Andy Green.

Pass it on.

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NewsUpdate

KINGSTON UNITY IS WILD FOR LIFE Wakefield-based Kingston Unity Friendly Society has teamed up with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to highlight the importance of protecting and preserving local wildlife.

Volunteering with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is just one element of a growing partnership between the two organisations.

As part of the relationship, members will be able to obtain half price family membership with the trust. Membership includes a book listing about all the reserves, quarterly magazines for adults and children and a membership card allowing free entry into over 100 reserves across Yorkshire and the other 46 wildlife trust throughout the UK. It also includes reduced price entry in to lots of events and sessions held by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust throughout the year.

Kate Wright, direct channel manager at Kingston Unity said: “We’re so pleased to be partnering with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. We both believe strongly in helping support the local community and protecting it for generations to come, so it felt a natural fit.

“We’re hoping our members get involved as much as possible, enjoy the outdoors and support the trust.”

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akefield-based Kingston Unity Friendly Society has teamed up with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to highlight the importance of protecting and preserving local wildlife.

The Friendly Society, working alongside the trust will attend volunteering days to assist in safeguarding and recording wildlife, through its newly launched initiative, Kingston Community.

The firm aims to strengthen links with its members and get involved in grass root activities in their various localities.

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Julie Smith, corporate development officer at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust said: “Through teaming up with Kingston Unity we hope to see its members getting involved in looking after wildlife. It is great fun for all the family as well as educational. We’re glad to have Kingston Unity on board and hope to see many new faces.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is a local charity working to protect and conserve Yorkshire’s wild places and wildlife for all to enjoy.

YWT top reserves to visit in Yorkshire include Spurn Nature Reserve, Staveley Nature Reserve, Potteric Carr, Stirley Farm and Flamborough Cliffs.

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TROUBLED WATERS

Navigation Inn sets sail again following flood damage

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he Navigation Inn, Wakefield, which closed in December last year following catastrophic flood damage, re-opened its doors in July, following restoration work that saw this picturesque community inn return to its former glory.

The refurbishment, which was coordinated by national pub operator Punch, has seen The Navigation Inn transformed into a stylish, destination pub with a revitalised food and drink offer.

Commenting on the restoration, publican Samantha Hall said: “The journey we have been on has been anything but plain sailing.

We were totally devastated at the damage caused by the floods and at the time, it was hard to see a positive future.

“Seven months on though, and with a lot of hard work from the team at Punch and here at the pub, it is looking better than ever. I am delighted to see our loyal customers back.

“We had so much local support when the

floods hit and everyone has been very patient while works have been undertaken to ensure the pub looks its very best. I would like to thank them whole-heartedly for all they have done and hope that they are as delighted with how The Navigation Inn now looks as I am.”

The Navigation Inn, which benefits from a picturesque location near to the River Calder and the Calder and Hebble Canal, found itself at the centre of a nightmare last year when weeks of heavy rainfall caused the pub to flood twice within the space of a fortnight, forcing it to close.

Thankfully, the severely water-damaged interior is now a thing of the past with a new look and feel, including a new bar, furniture, fixtures and fittings. The cellar and kitchen have also been overhauled with the modern kitchen now boasting a stone bake pizza oven and rotisserie to strengthen the pub’s previous strong reputation for quality homemade food.

And it isn’t just the ground floor which has been transformed. Additional funding from Punch means the upper bar area has also undergone a significant refurbishment; a new veranda has been added overlooking the garden and waterway and a huge new turfed outdoor space has been created to make the most of the pub’s idyllic setting.

To mark the launch, the pub hosted a night of celebration including a champagne reception and the opportunity to sample dishes from the new menu, followed by a performance by Adele tribute singer, Lareena Mitchell from ‘The Voice’.

Ian Morley partnership development manager for Punch concluded: “The Navigation Inn was such a special pub to so many locals for so many reasons; great service, quality food and drink and fabulous entertainment.

“It is clear to see how much it has been missed over the last seven months and it is fantastic to see it restored to its rightful position as a great British pub at the heart of the local community.”

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NewsUpdate

TWO ACHIEVEMENTS IN ONE DAY FOR LOCAL MD As part of her professional development and career progression Poonam Kaur has been studying for her IoD Certification in Company Direction and has now been awarded this prestigious qualification

She joined Bondholder during its early stages and soon established herself and an essential member of the group, who is dedicated to the promotion and development of the Wakefield District, being voted in a treasurer within a year of joining.

On the same day Poonam was also named as a finalist in the Rising Star Category of the Forward Ladies Awards for 2016, which this year has attracted the highest number of entries ever. Further testament to her hard work and commitment.

These two accolades are the latest in a long line of achievements for Poonam over the past five years.

Poonam joined fds in 2011 and was promoted to MD in 2014 at the age of 31.

Since joining the company she has been influential in its growth and development from three employees in 2011 to the current team of ten.

In 2015 she was selected as one of Insider’s 42 under 42. Competition for places was intense, and only the very best young business people and entrepreneurs made the grade.

Poonam is also part of Wakefield First Bondholders steering group, as treasurer.

This initiative is to promote Wakefield District alongside Wakefield Council.

Poonam was asked to join the IoD 99 club, a network for young business owners, with the aim of supporting start-ups through the early growth period, as a result of her increasing profile in the region. Her involvement with the club, and passion and commitment to its success, has seen her added to the IoD Young Directors Committee and, most recently, become an ambassador for the IoD 99 club in Yorkshire.

Her ambition for fds is to see the company succeed for many years to come, to do that she is embracing a new and forward thinking digital and marketing strategy that will reposition fds as a business services company not just a corporate finance provider.

Ramsdens Race for Life Ramsdens Solicitors joined the Race for Life #pinkarmy with 23 runners taking part in this years’ Huddersfield race, which attracted over 1,000 runners.

Huge well done to Katie Sharp who was the 2nd fastest women to complete the race with an amazing time of 22:48!

Joanne Ellis commented on why she took part: “I join Race for Life each year in aid of those we have lost, the fighters, their families, the carers, the nurses and of course ultimately for a cure. The race was a challenge and I have to admit I had to stop every now and again to get my

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breath back, but what a great feeling when I made it to the finish line!”

Rachael Sykes said: “There is always a great atmosphere and very moving.

Humble support to Cancer Research as we are all touched by it in some way.”

Stacy Carr commented: “I have taken part in Race for Life for quite a few years now, because everybody has been affected by cancer in some way. The number of people who now survive cancer show how important it is that we continue to show our support and raise money.”

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Helping you buy better. :LWK RYHU \HDUVŞ H[SHULHQFH ZH FDQ RƬHU PRUH WKDQ MXVW JUHDW SULFHV 2XU WHDP RI H[SHUWV ZLOO KHOS \RX EX\ EHWWHU IURP RXU KXJH UDQJH RI SURGXFWV DQG IUDPHZRUN VHUYLFHV %HLQJ SXEOLFDOO\ RZQHG ZHŞUH DOVR FRPSOHWHO\ LPSDUWLDO DQG SXW DOO RXU SURƮWV VWUDLJKW EDFN LQWR WKH SXEOLF SXUVH We don’t just offer the best value, we ensure it.

Education Supplier of the Year

TopicUK_Wak_Aug_68pp.indd 15

ypo.co.uk 01924 834 960

23/08/16 17:52

NewsUpdate author of ‘Proven Strategies for Success’, has helped 1000’s of businesses to grow and achieve their dreams and will be sharing her wealth of knowledge on marketing and how to stand out from the crowd.

L4N UK have partnered with the charity MNDA (Motor Neuron Disease Association) to raise both money and awareness. Amy Kilpatrick, a regional fundraiser for the charity will provide details of the amazing work they do, and how people can get involved.

L4N UK announces its first Conference on 23rd September at the Moorlands Inn, Halifax The headline sponsor is Croft Myl, who offer bespoke office, meeting and conference facilities in their converted textile mill in the heart of Halifax. From virtual office space through to a breathtaking penthouse suite with panoramic views over the rooftops of Halifax, they can create a workspace, tailored to an individual company’s needs, large or small.

L4N UK is dedicated to providing opportunities for women in business to network, be inspired, gain confidence, learn new skills and get support. There are now nine groups which meet for brunch or lunch across the North West region, bringing women together in a friendly and supportive manner. Out of these friendships come ideas, partnerships and fresh perspectives on business issues which can help solve problems and drive growth.

The keynote speaker is Debra Searle MVO,

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MBE who, incredibly, rowed across the Atlantic in a small wooden boat. Debra speaks from the heart and with great humour about the strategies she used to keep going and now uses, in her business life, to help illustrate, in a very human way, what we are all capable of.

Also speaking at the conference is the inspiring Deborah Ogden, a nationally respected speaker on Positive Impact and Presence. Her approach centres around increasing personal impact and making a positive, first impression. Sharing the stage in what will be a truly inspirational day is Nicki Pattinson, a legendary sales and motivation speaker who is known for her indisputable and unmatched results with companies in the UK. Judith Wright, a creative thinker and a practical, hands-on marketing expert will also address the conference. Judith, the

Denise Davies, Head of Community Fundraising at the MND Association, said: “Without the amazing support of people like L4N UK, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide its vital support services, fund research to find a cure and campaign and raise awareness of MND. Together we are making a real difference for people affected by this devastating disease.”

L4N UK have also forged partnerships with Yorkshire Enterprise Network, Lambert Print & Design, Wright Angle Marketing, Topic UK and many more companies that provide support and services to entrepreneurs across the region.

The conference will feature a marketplace to give the opportunity for enterprising ladies to showcase their products and services and allow the L4N UK ladies to do a bit of shopping! Exhibitors include, Pip & Doodle, Ramsdens Solicitors, Moo Boutique and many more to be announced!

Tickets for the conference are available from the L4N UK website, www.L4NUK. com with a limited number of VIP tickets available, that offer additional benefits, including lunch with the motivational speakers.

For further information please contact Sarah Barthorpe on 01422 375034 or sarah@wrightanglemarketing.com.

September 2016 - Wakefield & district Edition

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Yorkshire manufacturer takes a firm stand on waste

TopicUK the one-stop-shop for all your PR needs As TopicUK continues to grow across Wakefield, Kirklees/Calderdale and South Yorkshire, we can now offer our partners a one-stop-shop for all their PR and promotional needs.

ONE of Yorkshire’s leading laser and fabrication companies has invested £10k to reduce waste and use of raw materials Yorkshire Laser and Fabrication (YLF), in Castleford provides laser cutting and makes enclosures and brackets for some of the top names in oil and gas, telecommunications lighting and automotive; but wanted to cut waste and boost profitability so set in train a series of measures that has helped it achieve ISO 14,001 environmental accreditation.

The six month process was lead by Yorkshire Laser, quality manager, Ivor Goodenough, who analysed existing company production and investigated the most effective ways to cut waste including gas, air, water and electricity and disposal methods.

It demanded a radical change of operation for the company which was started 25 years ago by Garnett Orford and is now run by his son, Matthew, and employs 35 people at the Phillip Street factory.

“We had to look at our total disposal system which flagged up we could make savings in areas such as the disposal of the bi-products of compressed air, the risk to the environment from any spills we might cause as well as the amount of packaging we use which we have dramatically cut,” said Ivor.

We have now expanded our partnership offer to include PR, not just in TopicUK but across all other media.

Over six months Ivor supervised a complete re think of the company ethos on waste, refuse disposal and usage of raw materials to achieve the ISO 14001 first time.

At the same time Yorkshire Laser has invested heavily in a new fabrication workshop which is environmentally cutting edge and employs energy efficient emergency lighting.

Managing Director, Matt Orford said ISO 14,001 goes hand in hand with the ISO 9,001 certification which is the industry standard quality seal of approval.

“Yorkshire Laser have always been professional but such accreditations help to give us an edge,” said Matt. “We have to show customers we are environmentally sound and now we have the governmental certificate to prove it”.

“Ivor has done an admirable job as has our workforce who have taken the changes on board.

“It’s all about changing the mindset, which can be as simple as ensuring machines are switched off or segregating recyclables and non-recyclables”.

For an affordable monthly fee, we can guarantee space in both TopicUK magazine with a combined reach of up to 48,000 businesses, plus space on our website with links back to your own site.

In addition, press releases can be prepared and sent to all local press and specialist publications.

TopicUK is constantly working hard to encourage partnership working and as a result, will be launching the TopicUK Business Club very soon, for all partners and their guests, which will be a series of networking events, lunches and dinners and will include offers and discounts from other businesses.

We now have a growing network of partners and supporters across Yorkshire and our editors take part of many committees and sit on various boards as trustees, which adds to our growing number of business contacts. This places us in an ideal position to make referrals and introductions for your company.

If you would like an informal chat about how we can help your business with valuable contacts, publicity and PR, email editor@topicuk.co.uk or call Gill on 07711 539047.

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NewsUpdate

Jordans Solicitors’ Debating Competition For the last 5 years, Jordans Solicitors have run a sixth form Schools debating competition.

The competition grew in stature last year when Jordans brought on board both Debating Matters and The Leeds Salon to help. This year, Jordans hope the competition will be bigger and better than ever.

The competition is open to sixth-form students from all schools and colleges in the Wakefield area and aims to encourage life skills in analysis and public speaking while engaging young people in contemporary scientific, cultural and political issues.

The competition will involve three or four qualifying rounds to be held in October and November with the final taking place at The Hepworth on 6 December 2016.

As the competition is run in conjunction with Debating Matters it means that, once

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again, the Jordans’ champions will secure a place in the Yorkshire Regional Final of Debating Matters. Six Yorkshire Schools will battle it out to become one of the 12 UK Regional Final winners who eventually would make it through to the national finals held in London next year.

The competition was won last year by a team from Silcoates School who went on to be close runners-up in the Yorkshire Regional Final.

Susan Lewis, Partner at Jordans Solicitors told TopicUK “Our School’s debating competition has become one of my highlights of the year. The amount of effort and time the students put into preparing for and participating in the competition is great of see. Each year, you watch the students grow in confidence as they pass through the rounds. Debating and public speaking are such important life skills which perhaps aren’t encouraged enough in schools. It’s great that the firm gets a chance to organise a

worthwhile competition which the students benefit so much from”.

Last year the firm invited for the first time external Judges to participate. The role of the judges is to put the students under pressure and force them to think harder about the topics that they have been given. At the end, the judges also give critical constructive feedback to the teams and decide which team they think made the most convincing argument. An impressive list of judges last year included Mary Creagh MP, Cllr Peter Box and John Kenealy editor of the Wakefield Express.

Jordans Solicitors will soon be approaching possible Judges but if anyone wants to volunteer their services they should contact the firm.

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Advertorial

LEP TRAINING

unlocks core potential for Selby business expansion The maker of one of the UK’s leading stationery tape cores is continuing to roll out its plan to become the most advanced tube manufacturer in the industry.

And with support through a grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, (LEP), Just Paper Tubes LTD, a manufacturer of cardboard cores and postal tubes, based in Selby is ensuring that it continues to offer the high quality and reliable service levels that it’s well-known for.

Core to success The business supplies its cardboard cores to a range of blue-chip clients, and in fact, many of the UK’s favourite brand named tape cores that would be used for everyday tasks, such as holding wrapping paper together, start their lives there.

The manufacturing facility operates 24 hours a day to produce millions of superior cardboard core and tube cores each month.

Combatting skills gap The business has been delivering superior cardboard cores and tubes for 25 years, but in the last 12 months it has

worked hard to grow, which has enabled the company to recruit more staff and launch an apprenticeship programme.

As a result of the growth in staff the business identified a skills gap, and recognised the need to invest in training.

Harry Coates, General Manager at Just Paper Tubes LTD, said: “The training offered by the LEP has been invaluable as it has enabled us to upskill our teams.

Part of the funding from the training programme went towards a sales training course, which gave us a better understanding on how we could use social media to grow our business. This has meant that we are now able to communicate with our current customers, reach out to new customers, and promote the values that we base ourselves on. We’ve also used the funding to send some of our staff on Human Resources courses run by ACAS. “We would certainly recommend the LEP, as it has helped us carry out training sessions that wouldn’t have been possible under our current training budget. It was very easy to get approval and the LEP was always on hand should we have a query. We are really pleased that businesses like ours in Selby are able to benefit from this funding.”

Business support Stephanie Burras CBE, Chair of the LEP’s Employment and Skills Panel and Chief Executive of Ahead Partnership said: “We’re delighted that we could provide Just Paper Tubes with the funding that the business needs for the next stage of its expansion plan. Offering a comprehensive service to businesses, the team of advisors support employers to complete paperwork, source appropriate training provision and submit an application for funding. In particular, with Just Paper Tubes, we offered additional support to find a training provider through our supply chain of over 600, saving the business time and giving them a choice of providers with a tailored offer to the business needs.

“The LEP is dedicated to ensuring local businesses, primed for growth, have the skills to succeed.” www.the-lep.com/skillsservice 0113 386 1910 skills@the-lep.com

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BusinessLeaders

BANKING ON A WIN THIS SEASON

Image: Sid Diggins

Rising from a youngster on a YTS scheme in South Yorkshire, Barclays Keith Waddington now holds the position of Senior Business Manager, helping to grow the business community in Wakefield. TopicUK Group Editor Gill Laidler, joined Keith for a coffee.

K

eith joined Barclays High Street Sheffield branch in October 1985 as part of a Youth Training Scheme (YTS). This was an on-the-job training course for school leavers aged 16 and 17 and was managed by the Manpower Services Commission. The scheme was first outlined in the 1980 white paper A New Training Initiative: A Programme for Action, and it was brought into operation in 1983 to replace

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the Youth Opportunities Programme launched by the government of Margaret Thatcher. Initially lasting one year, the scheme was amended in 1986 to be so that it could be extended to years.

“My first pay packet was £27.50 per week, which was very respectable then for a trainee.” Keith did well on the scheme and was appointed to Barclays full time staff in August 1986, transferring to The Moor Sheffield Branch.

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However, Keith set himself a goal to work within the business banking area, where he has spent the last 22 years.

“Initially I started out assisting start-up businesses, working across South Yorkshire, which included Rotherham and Barnsley, before spending a couple of years in Leeds, where I was team leader, managing the small business banking team. I then returned to a customer facing role as Business Manager in Pontefract, with my own portfolio of established business customers.”

For the last ten years, Keith has worked as Senior Business Manager at Barclays Wakefield branch. This means he has clocked up 30 years service, celebrating on August 13th, as the bank doesn’t recognise the YTS scheme as time served.

“During my time in Wakefield, I have got to know the area and people and I passionately believe in the local business community and wholeheartedly like to support where I can.

It’s because of this, I like to throw myself into events across the district, I think it’s important to be visible to my customers.

“Over the years, I have built an understanding of people running their own business, they work long hours and make tough decisions, it can be quite lonely, I see this first hand as my partner Trudy runs her own florist shop in Doncaster. To help build these relationships, I spend at least one full day a year with a customer, working within their business to gain a better understanding of the pressures they face.

I hope that this helps strengthen my relationship with my customers, helping them to achieve their goals. I do find this hugely rewarding.”

So what does Keith do out of work? I think many of our readers would be surprised to learn that he participates in the sport of Sidecar Racing and is a season ticket holder at Barnsley Football Club.

“My interest in both sports come from my parents. My Mum Joyce got me interested in football as she had supported Barnsley

herself from being a teenager. We used to attend games together, but sadly Mum passed away two years ago. She would have loved last season, Johnstone’s Paint trophy and League One play-off winners, resulting in promotion to the Championship.

“My Dad Denis has always been interested in motorbikes and raced sidecars from the seventies through to the mid-nineties. I used to go along to all the meetings with him and also owned and rode off road bikes from a young age. I did spend some time as Dad’s sidecar passenger,” Keith continued, “but over the last few years, my focus has been on driving. My Dad continues to be a tremendous support to me and undertakes all my maintenance work, without him I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”

Favourite food Italian, especially pizza! – no particular favourite restaurant – I don’t get out enough!

Favourite drink It varies, I like a real ale, however on a hot summers evening a pint of lager usually goes down well!

Favourite gadget My iPad - essential for following the results and news from Barnsley FC and all the Sidecar racing results.

Favourite place It is probably the Isle of Man, a place I regularly visit to watch the TT races and Southern 100 road races. There’s only 2 years since 1988 that I haven’t visited for one of those events. My first trip to the TT races was in 1975, aged just 7!

Favourite Car I guess I have to say my Sidecar rather than car. It’s a specially built monocoque chassis, built by Louis Christian in Switzerland. I also have 2 bikes for the road, although they don’t get ridden as often as I would like.

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Banking&Economy

The canons of good lending Barclays local business manager Keith Waddington shares with readers tips on how to grow your business with good lending even in a tough economic climate.

Up-to-date financials Keep accurate financial records. Quality book-keeping enables you not only to monitor your business performance and analyse what influences your revenues and costs but also forms a central part of your loan proposal, demonstrating your ability to repay and service debt.

A well thought-out business plan

A

pproaching a bank to borrow money, especially in the current economic context, can sometimes seem daunting. If you are looking to explore the financial options available to your business and apply for a loan, starting with a good understanding of what banks seek from a successful applicant is essential.

A focused management team The quality of your management team is a key asset for your business and demonstrating their abilities makes a strong addition to your application. Banks want to trust your business and its people, and will be keen to find out how well they know the market they are operating in and how well they can run daily operations,

Think about how your new venture fits in with your long-term aims and the wider goals of your business. Being able to clearly articulate your plans will help your vision to penetrate all levels of your business and assist the bank to see how a new opportunity would fit with your business structure and current operations.

Be realistic in what you ask for Be realistic about estimating how much money may be required to fund your project. Any venture or investment based on borrowing needs a 10-20% contingency fund, so you should consider securing more funds than you initially believed you needed to avoid unnecessary cash flow complications at a later stage.

Consider security An element of additional security may be required to obtain requested funds and, although security is not the first point on the agenda in any loan discussion, it is worth considering. Believe in your good business ideas and be confident in the deal you are proposing – ask yourself if you are willing to put your own money on the line to support the loan, such as in the form of equity.

Open communication Realistic business forecasting As well as looking at the business’ historic and recent performance, your business plan should also include projections for the future and ‘what if’ analysis, such as the unexpected loss of a key customer, increased competitive pressures or a rise in funding costs. While such forecasts cannot, by definition, be set in stone, they should be prudent and realistic rather than impressive but unachievable. It is also wise to consider identifying mitigating actions that you could take to address a multitude of downside scenarios.

To ensure you secure the right level and type of funding, speak to your bank at an early stage and involve your business manager in the actual business planning process. With a good banking relationship, your bank will understand the specific needs to allow your business to prosper and you will never find yourself in a situation where you submit a proposal without feeling confident you’ve done the right thing and explained it well.

For more information on how Barclays can support your borrowing needs, speak to local business manager Keith Waddington on: 07775 555234 or email: keith.waddington@barclays.com

Barclays is a trading name of Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England and authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA No. 122702). Registered Number is 1026167 and its registered office 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. October 2012.

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Winners announced for the

Barclays Yorkshire Women in Business Awards larger companies and we wanted to recognise exceptional achievements for the contribution they are making. The applications were all exceptionally good and the judges had a tough job drawing up the short list and selecting the finalists.

Congratulations for all our finalists today who are role models for business women and have significantly contributed to the Yorkshire economy.”

Barclays have announced the Yorkshire award winners for their Celebrating Women in Business Awards which were launched last year.

The awards, aimed at senior business women and businesses operating across all sectors and sizes in Yorkshire, attracted over 60 nominations which were shortlisted to twenty two finalists from across the region.

Joanne Roney, CEO for Wakefield Metropolitan District Council was named as Yorkshire Woman of the Year Larger Business for her long and distinguished career. The judges commented that Joanne has led the council through transformational times, is a highly motivated individual leading over 6,000 employees and an advocate for change and diversity. Di Walker was also honoured in this category as highly commended for her work done with Karro Food Group. In a complex business Di has been instrumental in delivering the turn around and changing culture within this manufacturing business, now making profits of £25m from a loss making position.

Jenni Hardy, Finance Director, Transline Group was named as Rising Star recognising her pivotal role in taking the business through the growth journey to reach £220m turnover. The judges felt at such a young age this really demonstrates she is a business woman to watch for the future.

Amanda Shea, Group Financial Director for Harrison Spinks, manufacturers of mattresses and springs based in Leeds, was named as Women of the Year Medium Business. The judges were impressed with Amanda’s project management skills,

supporting the business in its quadrupling of turnover and unbroken growth in profitability over the last 11 years.

Nilam Holmes Patel, High Definition Beauty Group Ltd, was named SME winner.

Judges commented on Nilam’s entrepreneurial spirit, spotting a gap and niche in the market, building the business up from a standing start to a £5.8 million turnover is truly innovative.

Rachael Memmott and Helen Hall, Special Autism Services, were named as Women of the Year for their Contribution to diversity and all of the judges agreed that Rachel and Helen are an inspiration working in the challenging environment of adult care and autism. They have developed their own unique ways of working with adults with Autism Spectrum Condition and manage to run the business which requires £1.8million to run the service with no funding support.

The award for supporting Citizenship went to Lesley Dawson, Managing Director, Children’s Corner Childcare. Lesley started with eight childcare settings across Yorkshire and now employs 100 people and the judges found Lesley to be a strong advocate of women, encouraging their passion and development.

Other awards and comments Debbie Mullen, Barclays Corporate Head of Yorkshire said: “Women from all sectors across Yorkshire are securing key roles in

The winners and shortlists were selected by an independent judging panel which included last year’s winners Beth Butterwick, CEO Bon Marche; Joanna Robinson, Managing Director, Mansfield Pollard and Victoria Woodings, Global Board Director, Principle Holdings. Also on the judging panel were Garry Wilson, Managing Partner, Endless LLP; Jonathan Turner, CEO Bayford Group; Darren Forshaw, Founding Partner, Endless LLP and James Lambert, founder of RandR Ice Cream.

Guests attending the awards lunch heard from guest speakers Mark McLane, Managing Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Barclays; Beth Butterwick, CEO Bon Marche; Tracey Curtis-Taylor, Aviator, Adventurer and Inspirational Speaker; Rachel Reeves MP and Sir Gary Verity Rachel Reeves MP for Leeds West attended the event and said: “These awards encourage women on their entrepreneurial journey; they are a fantastic opportunity for business women from across Yorkshire to network and share ideas and knowledge.

Women in business are a major contributor to the UK economy, but there are still too many barriers that women have to overcome in comparison to their male counterparts. Celebrating the achievements of women in business is helping to promote equality and diversity within businesses and the economy.”

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The Arts:Backstage Wizardry

By Katie Town Executive Director Theatre Royal

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st

The century Alchemists For centuries the quest for alchemists has been to convert base metals into gold.

History tells us of many individuals that have been driven to obsessive lengths in the hunt to conquer the elements. People prematurely aged by being able to think about nothing else. Families torn apart by an obsession with creating riches that ultimately fails to put food on the table.

But in what way is this relevant to the arts? Is alchemy my latest fundraising venture? To secure the future of Theatre Royal Wakefield by setting up an alchemist in the dressing room block? Well, if I thought it would deliver a significant return I would…

Just as our fundraising team would relish being able to turn whatever they look at into gold, so the

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production department would be pleasantly surprised to encounter a design budget and a production timetable that allowed us to literally make everything in the script and design.

All images thanks to Amy Charles Media

Instead achieving the vision for a play within budget and timescale requires creativity, ingenuity and the magic of theatre to turn bland, everyday objects into something special.

And so the art of alchemy is exactly what theatre-makers across the country are engaged with on a day to day basis.

To give you some examples of what we face, writers have long loved writing near impossible, or actually impossible, stage directions and then watching the rest of the creative team work to achieve the result.

From Shakespeare’s famous “exit,

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that and the production team found a way to realise it. Sometimes this is exactly the right approach to take.

Then the alchemy involved is making a drawing room with believable walls, that are actually stage flats made of ply, and scene changes that can be quickly achieved. But fortunately modern audiences understand that we don’t always have to be literal, which when it comes to crucifixions is probably for the best.

Audiences brought their imaginations into the play and learned that on stage vast seas or biblical floods can be created out of nothing with sound, cloth, movement and light.

So, would we like writers and designers to be more realistic in what they write or at least to have some sympathy for the producer when they put pen to paper? Of course we don’t.

We relish each opportunity to achieve the impossible, to create a visual illusion that will draw audiences in to the world of the play and enable them to suspend disbelief.

pursued by bear” in The Winter’s Tale, to “They cross the Andes” in Peter Shaffer’s 1964 play The Royal Hunt of the Sun.

And what’s more we do it to incredibly tight deadlines, within budget and capable of being repeated performance after performance. That’s real life alchemy.

In the brand new version of The Wakefield Mysteries, which Theatre Royal Wakefield staged this August, writer Nick Lane has given us some challenges: God as a striking miner, our wise (wo)men need to see a star to follow in broad daylight and staged the slaughter of innocent children by Herod’s army in Wakefield Cathedral.

As if this was not enough, as we also staged Jesus Christ Superstar, we worked with stage designers to create not one but two different crucifixions this summer.

There was a time when audiences expected to see what was written on the page. In the age of realistic theatre, if the script called for a drawing room or a cherry orchard, the designer made exactly

www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk 01924 215 311 (box office) mail@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk

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Champagne Reception Gala Dinner Variety Performance After show party

Singer

Lizzie Jones

2017 Gala Dinner &Variety Performance Thursday 2nd March 2017 To book your place at Wakefield’s premier social event: email jon.ingham@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk

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The Arts

THE ROLE OF THE ARTIST IN SOCIETY

of innovation they bring to the task.

Practicing with an open mind, they can depart from closed forms, easily imagine other landscapes, and bring beauty to the fore. By being visionaries and nonconformists, if directed towards collective ends, their positive and transformative energy offers enthusiasm and engenders trust in the process.

By Murray Edwards - Arts and Business Consultant, Wakefield

The opposite paradigm – the artist disempowered from making a difference and unable to participate and shape decision making in the public realm – is change when the artist makes these first steps, entering the world sure that they do have something important to offer and to share.

Since the result of the EU referendum there have been a large number of articles extoling the virtue of the Arts and its importance in society .. and of course the real value of its being considered as “international” which indeed it is.

However, I thought it would be worth just asking ourselves about the question of The Role of the Artist in Society.

Most of us start with at least an initial feeling of uneasiness – thinking about the nature of issues such as separation, isolation, the limits of communication and the social uselessness of the arts. What most of us experienced at school limited the act of art-making and didn’t suggest that a professional role in the Arts could be connected with Society’s future.

So, we imagined an artist who operates together with other professionals in the development of contemporary society, a professional whose “value-added” role is in bringing creative thought to planning, who has the courage to imagine in nonconformist ways and brings innovation to production. To quote Michelangelo: “The artist must be everywhere, not only in galleries and museums; he/she must participate in every possible activity. The artist must be the sponsor of thought in different human enterprise, on all levels, from execution to decision-making.”

With this image, how then can an artist bring creativity to processes of socially

responsible transformation? With experience of living, making art is the natural way in which we create relationships in the world and also where we build life experiences. Being an artist is to express one’s soul – it takes form as a job and in daily life.

The responsibility of artists is to act with awareness in order to produce and inspire responsible changes in ourselves, in personal relationships and in society.

Through experience we learn that we cannot bring to the world what we ourselves have not digested and metabolised.

We should also recognise the value of artists acting as a group and creating together in an interdisciplinary way. In this way, but activating collective creative processes in social and public environments, the processes of personal and collective change and growth can be harmonised and developed.

We all need to consider how in society (local and national government, private institutions with public agendas, social services as well as the world of production) a professional artist can be a constructive force, add value to the process, and contribute to the politics of transformation of the wider agenda.

Society does have an important role to play in keeping an open mind and showing respect for the experimentations of an artist. It is when this relationship exists between the artist and society that we collective stand to gain from their creative role. This makes society richer and richer every day when an artist shows us their points of view. However there does need to be education on beauty, otherwise the aim of artworks will be lost. Maybe we should all address the question – What is Beauty?

Recent polling by Lord Ashcroft on the difference between Leavers and Remainers in the EU referendum showed a stark cultural divide. “By large majorities, voters who saw multiculturalism, feminism, the Green movement, globalisation and immigration as forces for good voted to remain in the EU; those who saw them as a force for ill voted by even larger majorities to leave.” Whether we like it or not, the arts are a battleground in this conflict. Let us all do what we can to acknowledge and promote the role of the Arts in Society and that of the Artist in particular!

Murray Edwards

In comparison with professionals in other public-orientated fields, artists have a distinct advantage because of the quality

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Health&Wellbeing

ADDICTION

“If you don’t take care of your thoughts, they will take care of your life…”

By Susan Dellanzo An “Addict” is defined in the dictionary as “someone who occupies or involves oneself in something habitually or compulsively”.

Addiction comes in many shapes and sizes, including drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking, caffeine, shopping, gambling, TV, etc. Could it be, however, that thinking and our own thoughts and beliefs are the ultimate addiction?

Working with many clients I have observed that behind every addiction there is a perceived trauma (psychological, emotional, physical) and/or perceived childhood loss, which they may want to stop thinking about, but can’t!

This is a broader definition of addiction and often, in order to get away from our

own thinking, feelings and perceived pain around those thoughts, we turn to various means such as alcohol, drugs etc in order to suppress them.

For others, being addicted to their ‘wounds’ is like a form of street currency; it’s where they can interact with others and control them and/or social situations in various subtle ways. Rather than labelling or judging yourself (or others) as an ‘alcoholic’, ‘drug addict’, or ‘perfectionist’, ask yourself why?

What are you trying to avoid in life?

What perceived painful things, people or experiences are you wanting to forget?

How are your relationships?

To what extent do you feel you lack control in your life?

SUFFERING and yet still on a waiting list….?

W H Y

W A I T

A N Y

L O N G E R ?

Dedicated to empowering and making a qualitative difference in the lives of my clients by imparting a depth of knowledge and skills in how to overcome adversity, reduce stress, resolve conflict, improve relationships, as well as optimising physical health, vitality and mental wellbeing.

International Relationship, Health & Lifestyle Coach, Author & Speaker For more information :

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Tel : 07469 703816 email : susan@susandellanzo.com

It is also wise to identify the “benefits” of the addiction too. And yes, there are underlying benefits to an addiction otherwise you wouldn’t do it in the first place! I know one woman who spoke about her addiction to overeating. She had felt pain and distress whilst growing up because at that time she was slim.

Her mother, grandmother and sister were all obese and she was picked on and didn’t feel loved or part of the family. As a result she became addicted to over-eating believing the bigger she got, the less anyone could get to her.

A man who was

addicted to cigarettes said it helped him keep his weight down. As a child he had been picked on for being the ‘fat boy’ at school. He also made friends with other smokers at social functions and at work which he said helped him have more fun.

Years ago I went through and overcame my own form of addiction when I felt that I had no control on any part of my life nor the perceived trauma and chaos surrounding me. When someone also made a comment about me which I interpreted (then) as my being ‘unwanted and undesirable’, that too played an underlying role.

An addiction, therefore, is not the problem itself. It’s a coping mechanism for a perceived deeper problem. In some cases it may also be worth looking at ‘inherited family trauma’ and ‘ancestral trauma.’

It would be wise to also recognise that we are all born addicts – whether to a person, an attitude, self criticising, judging others, etc., and for the average person, he or she holds their fibre of life together through a complex of addictive patterns.

When addictions become out of control, however, I have seen that in many cases they are always the effect of an unquestioned mind and imbalanced perceptions. They begin with pain and unless dealt with, end with pain. They also cause suffering to the people closest to you.

To summarise, it can be said that behind every addiction is hidden suffering, distress and despair. Rather than asking ‘Why the addiction?’ ask ‘Why the pain?’

Once we identify and begin to work on that, shifts can be made.

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Swimming is a brilliant all-round exercise; it benefits the body and the mind and can be great fun

Keep healthy by taking to water

By Dr Andrew FURBER - WAKEFIELD PUBLIC HEALTH DEPT

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t is recommended that adults should do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on five or more days a week. A 30-minute session at the pool will count towards your recommended weekly activity target but any amount of time exercising no matter how long or short is good for you.

Regular swimming can also reduce the risk of chronic illness, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke and it can also boost your mood and keep your weight under control.

Benefits of swimming Muscle toning As water is 12 times as dense as air, swimming is a far more effective way of toning your muscles than any other form of cardiovascular exercise that you can do on land. When you swim you get the cardio part of your workout while also working on an even body tone.

Breathing easier The moisture in the air makes it far easier to breath, perfect for those that suffer with asthma and find cardio in the gym or in the park that bit too hard on their lungs. Studies have shown that swimming can vastly improve the symptoms of asthma.

Work out for longer with less stress on your body As water supports your bodyweight, it is a great way for people with injuries or those suffering from obesity to get a good workout, without risk of over doing it and causing further physical issues. There’s no ground impact when you swim, and so you protect the joints from stress and strain.

The Arthritis Foundation strongly recommends swimming and water activities.

The support of the water for arthritis sufferers allows less painful movements in affected joints as well as toning up the supporting muscles. Swimming can also reduce the risk of arthritis by helping to retain normal muscle strength and joint structure.

Get flexible When you’re at the gym you’ll tend to use isolation machines that work specific areas of the body, where as swimming allows you to use a lot of the bodies muscles at the same time.

Peaceful mind Swimming actually boosts endorphins in the body that increase feelings of wellbeing and can alleviate the symptoms of stress.

Once you have decided to take the plunge here are a few tips on staying motivated……

Swim with a friend It really helps to go swimming regularly with someone of about the same ability as you.

You’ll encourage each other when you’re not so keen to go to the pool. You’ll feel you don’t want to let your swimming partner down and this will help motivate you.

Take the kids Swimming is a great way for families to get moving and have fun together, even playing games in the pool is keeping you active.

Make it a habit Try to set aside time every week to go to the pool, before or after work or on weekends Mix it up if you don’t swim but enjoy the water why not try aqua aerobics or if you like more of a challenge you can join a club or take part in Swim Fit. Why not try….

Open water swimming If, like me you have been inspired by the Brownlee brothers, open water swimming has become increasingly popular and can be great fun! As long as you take the necessary safety precautions. Avoid swimming alone, plan your swim, check the water temperature, entry and exit points, currents and tides (where relevant), weather conditions and water cleanliness. Please make sure you take note of the safety signs.

Why not check out Pugneys Country Park and Water Sports Centre for details of a range of water based activities the such as kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing and for open water swimming sessions, have a look at Wakefield Triathlon Club.

If swimming is really not your thing, Wakefield’s country parks and woodlands offer a host of opportunities to get in the great outdoors, so pop along to one of our parks which can help improve your mood and be a great influence on your mental health. Just being in green space for a few minutes can help reduce stress and the more time people spend outdoors the less stressed they feel.

Life saving is another great way to enjoy the water and can even take part competitively, the Royal Life Saving Society UK has courses available within the UK go to www.rlss.org. uk for further info.

Swimming is a life long skill and if you cant swim, its never too late to learn and it’s a great way to socialise. Wakefield Council run swimming sessions for both children and adults at a variety of locations in the district just have a look on the Wakefield Council website for further details or call the Contact Centre on 0345 8 506 506.

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InformationTechnology

Really how safe is your Data?

Ransomware Prevention

By Paul Heigham - Director of Bellingham IT

Data is your business’s lifeline. Without it, your company could go into unrecoverable shock. Paul Heigham, Director of Bellingham IT, explains how to avoid being infected by ransomware.

For businesses, the stakes are fairly high.

Compared to private users, if a firm loses access to crucial resources it might result in financial loss and/or reputational damage. And as a recent survey of nearly 3,000 IT and cybersecurity professionals worldwide showed, as many as one in five organizations has already experienced an incident involving this kind of threat.

3.

Keep your company desktops safe.

To mitigate the risk of data loss and damage to devices commonly caused by ransomware, we encourage all companies to follow these eleven steps: •

Attackers nowadays use encryption that is as strong as that used by banks to protect payments by their clients, making recovery of files and devices more complicated—and in the worst cases, even impossible.

• • • •

It is therefore cheaper to focus on prevention than to pay for the consequences. If company devices are not protected and employees lack proper training, there is a high risk that in the event of a ransomware infection, valuable data stored on company devices and subsequently on disks connected to them via networks, will be lost forever:

• • • • • •

1.

2.

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Use the latest version of your security softwareInstall the most recent version of your security software, as many infections occur because outdated solutions remain in place. If you have a valid license, updating to the latest version should cost nothing. Keep your security software’s virus database up-to-date New versions of ransomware are released frequently, so it is important that computers and other company devices receive regular virus database updates. Among other precautions,

• •

this helps to ensure they are not vulnerable to ransomware infections.

4.

Back up important data regularly Patch & update your software automatically Pay attention to your employees’ security training Show hidden file-extensions Filter executable attachments in email Disable files running from AppData/LocalAppData folders Consider shared folders Disable RDP Use a reputable security suite Use an image of the system to get back to a known-clean state Use a standard account instead of one with administrator privileges

Don’t forget about company Android devices. As we already mentioned, malware authors are not focusing solely on Windows. In recent years they have shifted their attention to the most dominant mobile operating system, Android, which is used by many businesses smartphones and tablets.

How to keep your Android devices protected: • Train your Employees

5.

Use Security Software Backup all the important data

Last but not Least: Should I pay the ransom? All security firms advise business customers as well as all other users not to pay ransoms. First of all, the attackers are not acting legally, so they have no obligation to fulfil their end of the bargain by decrypting the affected data or unlocking your device in return for payment.

Paying a ransom also helps them to finance their ongoing malicious activities.

Even if the malware authors provide you with a decryption key, there is no guarantee that it will actually work.

ESET has seen many cases in which the tool sent by the attackers wasn’t able to decrypt the files, or worked only partially.

In some cases of Android ransomware, the randomly generated PIN code blocking the device wasn’t sent to the cybercriminal and there was therefore no way to unlock it.

Also, if you pay the cybercriminals, how do you know they won’t come back for more? If they were successful in attacking your company, they may regard that as

weakness and try to exploit you again.

For information on how to protect you and your business against the threat of ransomware, contact Paul Heigham at Bellingham IT. paul@bellinghamit.co.uk 01924 253 205.

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What is your brands online personality?

SimonYoung - Managing Director Limitless Agency Too many brands still think it’s enough to just be seen posting regularly to their social media channels, keeping feeds busy with content, relying on the majority of their content being adverts.

I still see many agencies posting volume of content for clients and forgetting to create conversation #grumpyface! One thing that stands out for me here is a lack of personality, often these updates can seem to be coming from a faceless individual #robots and not from a person who is passionate about the product or service.

Personality is extremely important in social media, the word social itself should be the one clue we all need, however somehow the word has become overpowered and lost in the phrase ‘Social Media’. Where did it all go wrong?

When did ‘content for contents sake’ become acceptable on social? My guess is the industry grew so fast that too many inexperienced people were tasked with the social media posting – especially as in the early days of social hardly anyone considered it important.

Being social of course involves two-way communication – sounds simple, but you will seriously struggle to achieve that without a personality. Lack of thought and creativity leads to marketing managers filling their feeds with adverts and memes etc. Sound familiar?

Sit now for a minute and think how your personality contributes to everything you do and how you are perceived, the same is true for your brand and how it lives online. You don’t want to be the person who has nothing to say or everyone avoids, online you can be whoever you want, within limits of course!

So how can you develop an online persona. Begin by making the creation of your online personality inclusive, involve as many stakeholders within the business as possible – get them all bought into the process at an early stage or face confusion and awkward questions. One important guide throughout the whole process should be to remember consistency is key, so set a tone of voice and stick with it.

Creating a shared document where everyone can contribute is key while remembering that your brand personality will develop over time as it grows. No ideas should be off limits, welcome all contributions as discussion will let your brand grow arms and legs.

If you can extol the virtues of a great online strategy to your team in the beginning it could set your business on a path to a serious advantage over your competitors.

Vision is equally important and one of the first considerations – you must KNOW what your brand stands for, does it have opinions, are you going to use humour, give tips, customer experience or perhaps be controversial. Vision will give you purpose, if you don’t know what your brand talks about and stands for how can you expect your customers to engage with it.

So, all I hope is that this piece of advice has inspired you and your team to think a little more deeply about how powerful social media can be when used correctly, personality can free you up to post far more interesting content and get your customers talking. simon.young@limitless.agency

POST BREXIT and the commercial property market

My last column included my ramblings about the potential impact of Brexit on the property market, perhaps to many people’s surprise, I include myself in this, I now find myself facing the reality of a future with the UK outside the European Union.

So what has changed! Well not a lot on the face of it, however, underlying this is the statistical and anecdotal evidence that suggests a degree of inactivity.

I said in my earlier column that there’s nothing the commercial property market likes less than uncertainty and what we now have is more uncertainty than before the referendum! In truth what people do when they are uncertain is, on the whole, nothing, and business is not dissimilar.

The problem with doing nothing is that investment decisions are put on hold, expansion and requirements for extra space or new premises are shelved and this leaves to less take up of available space, be this shops, offices or industrial accommodation.

I heard from a fellow commercial agent only yesterday that one of his larger banking clients had reported a significant fall off in commercial lending in comparison with the same quarter in 2015.

So is it all bad news? Well no, interest rates have fallen and the commercial property market still offers rates of return unheard of in other areas, this is of benefit to those looking at property purely as an investment and those who are looking to owneroccupy with pension planning allowing for even better returns. Tenants may find a little more flexibility in lease terms and lest we all forget, fortune favours the brave and now could indeed be the very best time to make that move!

Jonathan Kidd,Partner at Holroyd Miller M.R.I.C.S.

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Food&Drink

an

Italian Gem for food lovers

“If you are a lover of Italian food, a visit to Valentinos Italian Restaurant in Wakefield is a must. It’s the perfect place for both business and social lunches”

By Gill Laidler-TopicUK group editor. ituated just a short drive from the centre of Wakefield in Lofthouse Gate, Valentinos is a busy, bustling restaurant serving excellent food, quality wines and cocktails.

S

value at £10.95 for two courses and £12.95 for three and they are open from noon every day except Monday. There’s no need to rush either as they serve the lunch menu up until 4.45pm!

restaurant and even for a non sweet lover like me, they are so deliciously tempting. There is a good selection to choose from and I would recommend their delicious homemade ice cream.

Inside the decor is typically Italian with its open kitchen where you can watch chefs preparing food, this also adds to the ambiance and the smell is divine, certainly getting the tastebuds tingling, to classic mural paintings on the wall.

To start, there is a wide choice from soup of the day, roasted tomato, onion & basil bruschette, chicken ceasar salad or classic Italian meatballs to name a few and all portions are generous.

On the first Tuesday of each month the restaurant hosts Ladies for Lunch. For just £19.95 you will enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival, a delicious two course meal with tea and coffee and there will be a demonstration or talk from a local expert.

Staff are friendly and efficient and nothing is too much trouble. All dishes are prepared fresh on site so if you want to alter something to suit your taste, just ask!

Sampling their lunchtime menu recently, I can honestly say I wasn’t disappointed. The menu is excellent

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For the main course, diners are spoilt for choice from pizza and classic Italian pasta such as spaghetti bolognese and ravioli to fish of the day and simple salads. For a small cost, you can add extras to your meal such as seasonal vegetables or fries or even a bottle of beer or glass of wine for as little as £2.95.

All desserts are handmade in the

Organising a Christmas party?

Valentinos have launched their 2016 Christmas menu which will run throughout December (except Christmas Eve). There is also a special Christmas Day menu and booking early is recommended as dates are sure to sell out fast!

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Summer

Citrus Squash

With summer upon us it is time to break out the barbecue and dust off the picnic blankets!

We’ve got the perfect summer-soaked tipple for you to share with your friends.

You will need…

How to make your very own

Two litre pitcher Four wide-rimmed glasses One long teaspoon A one litre measuring jug One kilogram of cubed ice A wooden rolling pin A clean tea towel A chopping board A sharp knife

This recipe will make around eight drinks.

Pour in the rum, gin or vodka and around 1 Take your fruit and cut it into large chunks litre of bitter lemon. Give it a quick stir to mix (grapefruit into 12, orange, lemon & lime into the flavours.

8).

Half fill your glasses with your boozy citrus Add your fruit chunks to the pitcher and pour squash, make sure to drop a few pieces of fruit the sugar evenly over the top of it. into each glass as well.

Crush the fruit & sugar with the end of your rolling pin till the sugar has dissolved and the Throw in a handful of lightly cracked ice, top fruit has released all of its juice - be careful not each drink with a splash of soda or tonic water The Tipple…

300 ml of white rum, gin or vodka to crush the fruit too much as this will release and serve with two straws. the bitter flavours from the pith.

Taste a little of the sugar-squished fruit juice The Taste…

Top Tipple: Try this classy citrus cocktail with to make sure that you have a lip-smacking One large pink grapefruit One large orange balance of sweet & sour. equal parts of white rum and London dry gin.

One lemon One lime Cocktail recipe courtesy of David Owens, Founder of internationally recognised 80-100 grams of white sugar One large bottle of bitter lemon beverage training company Fluid Dynamics and General Manager of Wakefield Beer One large bottle of soda or tonic Exchange

Opening Hours:

Monday - closed. Tuesday - Sunday 12pm - 11pm. Open Bank Holiday Mondays 12 noon till late.

Lunch menu: T U E S D AY T O S U N D AY 1 2 P M T I L L 4 : 4 5 P M L A S T O R D E R

Ladies for

First Tuesday of the month includes glass of prosecco on arrival, 2 course meal and tea’s and coff ffee included, plus guest speaker

6 9 9 L e e d s R o a d, L of t hous e G ate, Wa ke f i e l d W F 3 3 H J. Tel : 0 1 9 2 4 2 1 0 3 1 0 . E m ai l i n fo @ va v a llee nt iinoswa n o s w a kef k ef ie i lld d. c om

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Food&Drink

SIZZLING!

A new menu, a new name and a new look greet diners at Restaurant 85 at Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield

By Kevin Trickett President of Wakefield Civic Society @MrTrickett

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any readers will have visited the Cedar Court Hotel, just off junction 39 of the M1 on Denby Dale Road, over the years.

Whether for business or pleasure, a work do or a family occasion, the hotel has been home to many a function and celebration since it opened and has become something of an established institution in the city.

Now, the hotel is undergoing a major refurbishment with over half a million pounds spent so far. Many of the public areas have been transformed and two thirds of the bedrooms have already been upgraded with more to follow over the next couple of years.

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Part of this transformation has seen the bar, lounge and restaurant areas given a complete reworking to create a light, airy and connected space, decorated in a contemporary style. The

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restaurant, which is open to nonresidents, has been re-branded as Restaurant 85 in tribute to the year when, 31 years ago, the hotel first opened. With the re-brand comes a new menu which includes the ‘Hot Stones’ option – where you get to cook your steak to your own liking at your table on a slab of, yes, you guessed it, hot stone.

I visited the restaurant at the beginning of July with around twenty members of Wakefield Civic Society’s Dining Club to check things out for myself. This was a ‘special’ night that had been arranged for us by the hotel, a Silver Corporate Member of the Society, in recognition of the long-standing relationship between the hotel and the Civic Society.

As I’ve said before in these pages, satisfying all our Dining Club members can be a challenge but it was one that Restaurant 85 rose to admirably. With plenty of space available in the restaurant, they had arranged for us all to sit at one large table, which certainly helps conversation to flow, overlooking the planted terrace area. It was a warm evening and the doors to the terrace were open so we were able to step outside and admire the setting, although a sudden downpour did have us scurrying back inside moments later!

Welcome drinks of Prosecco and sparkling Elderflower pressé were served as we took our seats and we were introduced to our chef, Jamie, and Jacob, our lead waiter for the evening.

As we were quite a large group, members had been asked to email their orders in advance and we chose from three starters, three mains and three desserts.

Starters were Cream of Watercress and Spinach Soup; Whipped Goat’s Cheese, with honey, walnut and salt-baked beets, with a pesto dressing; and In-house slow-cooked Chicken Terrine, Caesar style, grana padano and anchovy dressing. I chose the goat’s cheese dish,

light and full of flavour, but the consensus was that all three options were delightful.

For the main course, around half the group opted for the 8oz-Rib Eye Steaks, on ‘Hot Stones’. These were served with plum tomatoes, garlic and thyme-roasted flat mushrooms and a generous portion of herb-crumb, hand-cut chips, and dressed baby watercress together with a choice of butter (Café de Paris, Garlic or Paprika).

As people started to cook their steaks on the hot stones, the room filled with sizzling sounds, steam and not a little smoke – as well as much laughter and chatter. The steaks certainly brought the table to life! If you’d prefer it, the chef will, of course, cook your steak for you in the kitchen. Just state your preference when you order.

Meanwhile the rest of us had chosen from either the vegetarian Pumpkin Ravioli, in nut brown butter with toasted seeds and baby leaf salad, or the Chargrilled Chicken with chorizo, kale, new potatoes and olives. These were cooked for us by the chef in the kitchen – cooking ravioli ourselves on hot stones might have proved a little messy!

Desserts were a warm Yorkshire Curd Tart with vanilla bean ice cream; or Dark Chocolate Brownie with honeycomb ice cream; or Yorkshire Strawberries with cream.

We concluded with coffee and the settling of the bill, made easier because we had agreed a set price for everyone, so no calculators were required.

As I’ve explained before, one of the things we do as a Dining Club is to score the overall experience each time we meet – not just the quality of the food but also the service, value for money and atmosphere. Final scores are kept as a closely guarded secret by Civic Society treasurer Jean Broadbent until the year end when the Society announces its

‘Restaurant of the Year’ Award. Jean doesn’t let on what the scores were for each night until the year-end reckoning but I understand that the scores for Restaurant 85 were very good. Certainly, from talking to fellow diners, all seemed happy with their experience and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the excellent service we received.

For those whose curiosity is piqued, have a look at the hotel’s website where you can download a copy of the new menu.

Here you will see that prices are very reasonable with starters costing from £4.50 to £7.00 and main courses from just £10.00 to £18 for the rib-eye steak, somewhat less than you might expect for a hotel restaurant.

Of course, the restaurant isn’t just open on an evening. It’s a great place for lunch as well and I hear they do rather lovely afternoon teas which can be taken in the restaurant and lounge areas with prices starting at just £11 per person.

Meanwhile, the bar and lounge provide a bright, comfortable place to meet up during the day offering a full bar menu of soups, sandwiches, light meals and homemade classics daily. It’s also a great place for a relaxing pre-dinner drink area in the evening.

And with ample free parking available, there’s really no excuse for not reacquainting yourself with the Cedar Court Hotel!

Restaurant 85 Denby Dale Road, Calder Grove, Wakefield, WF4 3QZ 01924 276 310 www.cedarcourthotels.co.uk/hotels/wakefield

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Wakefield Lit Fest - Feature

WAKEFIELD LIT FEST ANNOUNCES PROGRAMME FOR 2016 Annabel Pitcher

Wakefield Lit Fest is back for 2016 and celebrates its 5th anniversary - Beam and the Lit Fest team are looking forward to sharing another packed programme that celebrates all things reading and writing and takes place from 23 September - 2 October 2016.

This year there are a sprinkling of pre-festival events followed by 10 days filled with more than 60 events to whet your literary appetite from writing workshops to talks, music to comedy, film screenings to history walks, spoken word to storytelling- and even a quiz.

Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography

Highlights for 2016

Derek Landy

Alan Johnson

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A few highlights for 2016 include author events with best-selling author and MP Alan Johnson; international bestselling author of the sensationally successful Skulduggery Pleasant series Derek Landy and West Yorkshire’s very own Jack Sheffield and Annabel Pitcher. There are plenty of spoken word events including an evening with Roger McGough, Unity Words present Hollie McNish along with festival favourites A Firm of Poets. Kate Fox returns to the festival for 2016 with her with her unique brand of poetry and this year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Red Shed the festival presents an evening of Ranting poetry called Stand Up and Spit hosted by Matt Abbott with Janine Booth, Ralph Dartford, Helen Mort and Tim Wells.

Look out for Pop-Up Prose an installation project by We Are that links young creatives and empty shops via the written word with prose appearing in empty shop windows across the city. Want to get creative? Why not take part in writing workshops with Ian

Clayton, John I Clarke and Sarah Cobham to name but a few – or take a waterways walk with artist Jake Attree and poet Rob Powell for a day writing and drawing workshop exploring the river Calder.

Stay late in Wakefield on Wednesday 28th September for Wakefield Artwalk and drop in to a whole host of venues and spaces around the city for a feast of visual arts and crafts, live music, and performances with a few literary events for good measure. Visit Wakefield Library and Museum for Threshold: Songs and Stories of Hospitality with musicians Peter Spafford, Richard Ormrod and Jacqui Wicks for a relaxed, contemplative evening of music and storytelling or drop in to The Art House and enjoy art and music with David Annwn called Dreaming across the Wake Field – for more information about the Artwalk visit www.artwalk.org.uk.

Roger McGough

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Festival in a Day at Altofts and Lightwaves

Kate Hardcastle: The Customer Whisperer

This year’s Lit Fest in a Day offers a fun-packed day and evening taking place at The Brig, Altofts on Saturday 24 September called Our Treasures and features free family-friendly activities and performance with That Poetry Bloke, Craig Bradley, pop-up poetry readings and a Treasured Stories trail with artist Becky Cherriman as well as an evening of music, spoken word and a 5-a-side slam with A Firm of Poets.

Drop in to Lightwaves Leisure and Community Centre on Saturday 1 October for a one-day festival of reading and writing activities and events celebrating the theme ‘This is my story... now tell me yours’, with free events and activities for all the family with children’s storytelling with Manasamitra, poetry and dance, and a performance of a new comedy Reservoir Rami currently in in development by Wakefield writer Azar Ashraf.

Wakefield Lit Fest prides itself on collaborating, co-creating and supporting a wide range of partner and community events and this year’s festival is no exception, building on that strong tradition of working with partners large and small, from across the district, in creating a festival full of eclectic, surprising and exciting events offering something for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by.

For more information, full event listings and to book tickets please visit www.wakefieldlitfest.org.uk

Hollie McNish

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orkshire-born Kate Hardcastle is a highly respected and successful businesswoman with award winning success in delivering commercial & successful ventures and partnerships. In addition to 20 years’ experience, founding business transformation organisation Insight With Passion, Kate has forged a highly successfully media career.

Kate is the go-to business expert for BBC TV & Radio, ITV and Sky News giving her own comment and opinion.

Kate has a no-nonsense, warm approach which has seen her speak alongside world renowned names, such as Bill Clinton and brands such as McDonalds and Google. She speaks around the world on her topics of expertise and is a champion for women in business, sports & media. With 25 National and International awards to her name, Kate is an in demand specialist for business turnaround.

Kate also dedicates over 30% of her time to charities and good causes working as a Trustee for the legacy of Princess Diana - the Diana Award - and presenter of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards with HRH Prince Phillip. She is the founder and creator

of The Charity Dreamgirls, the Positive Image campaign and WomanKind One. Wakefield Lit Fest are delighted to present a special business event in partnership with Topic UK on Tuesday 27th September. Kate Hardcastle: The Customer Whisperer will provide some easy steps on how to put some pizazz back in your business or career. No jargon, all passion from one of the UK`s most in demand speaker.

Kate says “I am delighted to share my insights and case studies on some of my work that has helped businesses across the UK and beyond to gain profitable success - from sectors including leisure, retail, sports & manufacturing.”

In 2016, Kate will be celebrating 21 years in business and in supporting charities with a range of activities, including support for Wakefield Lit Fest 2016. For more information about Kate, visit www.katehardcastle.co.uk.

Catch Kate at Wakefield Lit Fest on Tuesday 27 September, 6-7.15pm at Unity works, Minor Hall. Free, please book via the festival box office – 01924 831 114 or visit www.wakefieldlitfest. org.uk

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Feature these micro-transactions though. Our local shopping centres are helping fund the boom by buying Lures! These little gadgets are a temptation to bring Pokémon characters into their vicinity to be caught. And loose Pokémon are crowd pullers.

Sprinkling crispy new fivers from the ceiling of Trinity Walk Wakefield would have a similar crowd pulling effect – just check out the YouTube movies. And as and when the Lure expires after 30 minutes, these well-paid professional 30-something Pokémon hunters then check out the Jack & Jones mid-season sale, before getting a Chai Latte to take away from Costa and driving home in their shiny 1 Series motors.

Have the Pokémon Gone yet?

“How old were they?” “They were our age!

Like, grown ups. Walking around like zombies - it’s crazy”

by Ed Fairfield - Wakefield-based marketing professional Yes – crazy seems to be the right word.

Children are understandable, if still a little tragic. But ladies and gents, professional business people in Wakefield can be seen in full public view playing Pokémon Go. Shameless in being so conspicuous, they walk around hypnotised by their phones, eyes darting around for any one of the 151 catchable characters in the smartphone app that has taken the world by a storm.

So what on earth is this Pokémon Go lark everyone seems to be talking about? There are several dimensions to the answer…

First – it’s the next generation launch for Pokémon – led by the legendary Pikachu, the cartoon phenomenon was launched by Nintendo on their ubiquitous Gameboy in the 1995. Realising the wonga to be made, Pokémon quickly spread into a cartoon series, cuddly toys, balloons and various other cheap and nasty things.

Second – it’s a smartphone app – but a

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special one in that it uses augmented reality technology. Basically the placement of animated creations into a reality, as seen on a smartphone screen via the camera. Augmented reality is tipped to be a game changer for the next generation of tech, and Pokémon Go is widely regarded as its biggest launch into the mainstream.

Third – it’s an enormous money-making cash cow for Nintendo – or at least that’s their hope. Within days of being launched just a few weeks ago it added $9 billion to the company’s market value. And when a Pokémon obsessive feels compelled to spend £75 on some balls (in both senses of the word), you can see the reason why.

There are tens of millions of these folk – and thousands of them live in Wakefield – just around the corner from where you are now.

It’s a money spinner for more than just

That’s not to mention the churches, the libraries, the farm shops, the ice cream vans and the umm, Holocaust Museum who swiftly had a change of heart. Then consider a Coca-cola branded Pokestop in the not too distant future. Or even a Bill’s Butchers Wakefield one – pick up a Pokémon and get some half-price sausage.

So next time you see someone with a look of excited expectation on their face, as if they’ve just seen Keith Chegwin on their driveway clutching a man-size cheque, chuckle to yourself as you realise they’ve probably just snapped up Jigglypuff or one of his friends into their Pokedeck. They’ve got some exercise whilst traipsing around St Johns Church, they’ve raised their heartbeat a little and perhaps even got a little hot under the collar with excitement.

They’ve contributed to the £3million daily revenue of Nintendo, and also to their street cred as they tell their Pokemates of their fine achievement.

Happy days!

edfairfield@gmail.com

07752 586949

September 2016 - Wakefield & district Edition

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Book Review-Waterstones pick of the month

WellRead The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet Becky Chambers paperback £7.99 When Rosemary Harper boards the Wayfarer she isn’t expected much from a patched-up hauling ship that’s seen better days but that’s fine because Rosemary just wants a quiet place to lay her head and distance from her troubled past.

Travelling in a hauling ship that makes it’s living punching holes in space to make short cuts for travelling spaceships requires living with a team whose survival depends on every member knowing their jobs inside out to ensure the ships safety.

From Ashby the enigmatic captain who takes the jobs, to Sissix the reptilian pilot to the pedantic Quelin Dr Grum. Life in the Wayfarer is chaotic, challenging and exciting beyond Rosemary’s dreams and she begins to find a home amongst the crew, hidden in the depths of space. The peace is shattered once the team are handed the job of a lifetime; the chance to build a hyper-space tunnel to a distant planet the team. They’ll earn enough money to live comfortably for years if they can survive the long trip through war torn interstellar space. It’s a journey that will put a spotlight on the crew but Rosemary may not be the only person with secrets to hide...

Short-listed for Arthur C Clarke Award and long listed for the

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Well Read is a regular feature in your magazine, so if you have any books you are thinking of reading, but want to know more about them first, do let us know and we’ll ask Waterstones to review them for you.

Baileys Prize, The long way to a small angry planet is a science fiction novel that will appeal beyond just science fiction fans.

Raised by an astrobiology educator, a rocket scientist and an aerospace engineer it’s no wonder Chambers developed an interest in space and moulded it into her love of stories to give her book a strong grounding in scientific detail and facts making her world feel entirely real and possible.

However her science knowledge is used primary to back up the plot of her book and is a secondary focus to rich storytelling and a love of her characters. The science gives her an excuse for why her creatures exist but it’s Chambers who makes them live, crafting an exciting layered world that is rich in character history and depth. I’ve no doubt Chambers could write series upon series using the rich history of her universe and it’s to her credit that she’s able to create a unique huge world in a market that is filled with so many space operas yet make her book feel so intimate and unique. I truly cared for all the characters on the Wayfarer and was eager to read more of their stories.

As someone who tends to avoid science fiction and can barely understand the different timeframes/stories of Star Trek this is certainly no mean feat. This is the first book in the series and I can’t wait for book two to hit the shelves later this year.

Who Moved My Cheese?

Spencer Johnson

cheese has been split each twist of the tale reveals more than you’d expect.

paperback £6.99

A book that is both a classic management book for understanding and motivating your staff and a self-motivating book for any worker.

Who Moved My Cheese? Is a deceptively simple book that inspires selfmotivation and self-analysis; a simple parable that reveals hidden truths. There are four mice who live in a cage and everyday they search for cheese to make them happy.

As circumstances change and the cheese is moved or hidden each mouse reacts differently to the changes of circumstances and little ripples can lead to big changes in motivation, happiness and ability. The cheese in the parable is a metaphor so for some people the cheese is money, pride in your work, happiness or something else but whatever your personal cheese is when changes occur outside your control it’s how you deal the moving of the cheese reveals different aspects of your personality and working abilities. From the mouse who gives up at the first movement of cheese to the mouse that works out the

A profound book that at first glance seems deceptively easy to read and understand but you’ll benefit highly by re-reading and reviewing thoroughly. I love the parable of the cheese that was easy to understand and once read I immediately noticed changes to my work just from having a better understanding of myself and my colleagues around me. I choose to read it originally as my work circumstances had changed quite rapidly and I found myself feeling anxious about whether I’d made the right choices and what was motivating me. By using the book I was able to identify where I wanted to go and how to get to this point and I found my life become less stressful and had increased confidence which benefited my career.

A terrific book that I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in selfimprovement or learning to understand others. This book is ideal for managers wanting to understand their staff to motivate and inspire them whilst for ambitious employees this is the book to understand your shortcomings and overcome them.

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CharityUpdate

A RAMADAN TO REMEMBER Penny Appeal volunteers make it a Ramadan to remember by supporting people in need around the country. Dozens give up their time to help local communities as part of ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ programme

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Harris Iqbal, UK Programmes Manager at Penny Appeal, said: “Our ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ work is a wonderful example of people coming together to help others in need locally. Whether people require help with recovering after a natural disaster, the chance to enjoy a hot meal and some company, or just a friendly face and the opportunity to forget their troubles for an afternoon, our UK projects make these things happen.

Volunteers for international humanitarian charity Penny Appeal, based in Wakefield, have made it a Ramadan to remember by giving up over 700 hours of their time to help those in need in their own communities as part of the charity’s ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ programme.

Dozens of people around the country helped with Penny Appeal’s UK aid work, from serving hot meals for the homeless and decorating properties damaged by flooding, to visiting children in hospital and welcoming refugees.

Members of #TeamOrange, the name given to Penny Appeal’s volunteer and fundraising family, have regularly helped others during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which started on 5th June.

Despite fasting, working, studying and caring for their families, they have made the time and found the energy to support people in desperate need.

Penny, the charity’s bus, has also been present at many of the activities, showcasing the ‘Serving in the

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Carlisle redecorated following Storm Desmond floods Multi-faith community iftaars in Batley, Coventry, Blackburn and Burnley Plus dozens of fundraising car washes, street collections, supermarket bag packs and more, right across the UK, including Nottingham, Nuneaton, Leicester, Sheffield. Walsall, Bedworth, Warwick, Birmingham, Wigan, Bolton and Halifax

Community’ ethos that is at the centre of Penny Appeal’s ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ UK work.

Penny Appeal’s community action and support over Ramadan has included: •

•

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Over 2,355 meals provided to the homeless, vulnerable and refugees in Wakefield, Leeds, Rochdale, Carlisle and Coventry Over 435 gifts delivered to children in hospitals and hospices, including University College London Hospitals, Martin House Hospice in Wetherby, Leeds General Infirmary, and Eden Valley Hospice & Jigsaw in Carlisle A house and community centre in

“Our volunteers never fail to amaze us with their generosity and kindness, and we’re delighted that, once again, they have shown that compassion and charity are at the heart of their religions and their humanity.

“We’re looking forward to enhancing our UK work in the coming months and doing even more to help our neighbours.”

To find out more about volunteering with UK aid work, taking on a challenge or hosting a fundraiser as part of #TeamOrange, or make a donation, visit www.pennyappeal.org or call 03000 11 11 11.

September 2016 - Wakefield & district Edition

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Business BusinessGrowth Growth&&strategy strategyexpert expert competition and increasing costs. So how and why do we need to collaborate?

THE GREENEST

GROCER

I meet many business owners that don’t want to or can’t justify the time to collaborate with stakeholders. These could be local government, education bodies, other businesses (including competition) and the community. This is often counter-productive in the long term.

If you accept and understand your shortfalls as a business and as a leader, collaboration is the key to overcoming these effectively. This may be access to technology, tapping into knowledge and expertise or just challenging the status quo. We have to put value creation ahead of self-interest if we are to prosper.

Of course, you have to collaborate with the right partners. For example, I would not advocate collaborating with a direct competitor who will look to take business from you. Effective collaboration builds a two-way relationship that creates and maximises shared benefit over a sustained period of time.

In line with its “Respect for the Environment” values and as part of their sustainability vision, Sainsbury’s Trinity walk challenged kids at local School St Austin’s Academy to design posters showing ways to be kind to the environment and ideas for saving energy in the workplace.

All thirteen classes at the School took part and winners were selected from each class.

Store Manager Dee O’Brien and PR Ambassador Steve Scriven attended the School to give out prizes and select two overall winners; Luca Albert and Joana Coelho, who would later attend the store on Trinity Walk to show off their winning posters.

At the store, Luca and Joana were each presented with a £50 Sainsbury’s gift card as reward for their efforts and an enlarged copy of their posters to take away as a souvenir.

The posters are now displayed on the store’s Environment noticeboard and will help Sainsbury’s Trinity Walk in their goal to become the ‘Greenest Grocer’.

Dee O’Brien said: “I would like to congratulate the winners Luca and Joana and thank St Austin’s Academy for allowing the kids to take part in our design a poster challenge. Their work will make a difference in store and help us in our vision to become the ‘Greenest Grocer’”

The Government and ACE have acknowledged the imbalance, but argue that it is because the major national institutions are based

HIRE SLOWLY FIRE QUICKLY

By Gary King As the number of SME businesses grows at a record rate we must look for new ways to maximise our potential. Given we don’t know what we don’t know, collaborating with the right partners can help illuminate some of these blind spots and drive mutual growth.

We are in the most dynamic, fast-paced business environment for a decade, with high customer expectations, strong

TopicUK proud to be working with...

Collaboration partners must have shared values and a shared vision to enable the best results. Understanding these and also agreeing the desired outcomes of any such relationship are key.

Collaborating also builds strong relationships and a sound reputation for you and your business, the value of which should offset the time and any financial investment. Who would be your number one choice of collaborator?

Having spent more than 25 years in business, Gary is perfectly placed to advise businesses with an appetite for growth.

or who can afford it. The report also points out that had Londoners won a comparably disproportionate number of Lottery prizes compared to people in the rest of England, equivalent to

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23/08/16 17:52

LegalMatters

Divorce

Is it ever too late to make a financial claim?

Each issue Ramsdens Solicitors share with TopicUK & Close UP 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 and we’ll get Ramsdens to answer it for you!

Last year there was a great amount of media attention in relation to the case of Wyatt v Vince.

Last week, Mr Justice Cobb has approved a financial settlement reached by the parties in this much reported financial remedies dispute.

The background to the dispute is highly unusual in that Kathleen Wyatt issued a financial remedies claim against Mr Vince 19 years after decree absolute. Significantly, that in the intervening period between the decree absolute and Ms Wyatt’s claim, Mr Vince’s lifestyle and wealth had changed markedly in that he had become a hugely successful business man who owned a company which had an estimated value of £57 million.

The husband’s attempt to strike out the wife’s claim failed at first instance but succeeded in the Court of Appeal. However, that judgment was overturned by the Supreme Court who unanimously allowed the wife’s appeal against the strike out of her claim and directed that the wife’s application proceed in the Family Division of the High Court.

In a judgment dated 10 June 2016, Mr Justice

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Cobb confirmed that the final order settling the proceedings should be made public.

In summary, the consent order provided for: 1. A lump sum of £300,000 to the wife in full and final settlement of her claims 2. That the wife should retain a payment on account of £200,000 paid to her by the Husband towards the costs of the Supreme Court appeal in addition to the award of £125,000 towards her costs made in December 2012.

Clearly, this case reiterates the importance of ensuring that Consent Orders are entered into prior to Decree Absolute in divorce proceedings.

This allows the court to give full consideration to what is fair and reasonable for the length of the marriage and the needs of the parties at that time

0800 988 3650 www.ramsdens.co.uk text LAW to 67777

September 2016 - Wakefield & district Edition

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Dementia Independence Receiving the news that you have been diagnosed with dementia can be a scary and vulnerable time. People automatically fear that they are going to lose their independence, however a diagnoses of dementia does not necessarily mean you can no longer live in your own home.

Instead, it just means that more precautions should be taken to keep you safe.

beneficial to set up direct debits for utility bills or set up a joint account so that somebody you trust with your finances. It is also important to plan ahead for the future. You may wish to consider setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney in order to give authority to someone that you trust to deal with your affairs and wellbeing. You may also be entitled to certain benefits such as

attendance allowance which can support you whilst remaining in your own home.

A diagnosis of dementia does not mean that you are entirely dependent on others and there are a variety of ways that you can ensure that you live a safe, happy, independent life. If you would like to start planning for your future then contact our specialist private client team today.

Support Network Firstly, you must ensure that you have a stable support network. This may be through friends and family who assist you in everyday tasks like helping with house work or taking you shopping. Alternatively, you could attend a support group which enables you to speak with others who are suffering from dementia and have the chance to listen to how they are coping with everyday life. Social services are also available. For example you may have a health worker who helps around the house or prepares meals for you. There are also day centres where you can interact with others and participate in a range of activities. No matter what forms of support you have, it is important that you do not become isolated and alone and that you keep some form of human contact.

Assistive Technology Other ways to maintain your independence is through the use of different types of aids (assistive technology) to suit your individual needs. This can range from medication boxes which allow you to keep track of which medication needs to be taken on which day to more advanced telecare systems which alert carers when there is a problem.

Legal and Financial Affairs It is also important to have your legal and financial affairs in order. It can become difficult to remember everyday tasks such as paying the bills. Therefore, it may be

Protecting your assets overseas

M

any people believe that their English Will covers any property that they own.

However, this is not always the case, particularly now that it is increasingly common to own property overseas such as a holiday villa or apartment.

Following the result of the EU referendum, now seems a better time than any to make sure that our affairs are in order and our assets are protected.

Many people are unaware that the laws of succession differ in other countries and are not always as straightforward as those in the UK. For example, some countries state that a proportion of each estate will automatically pass to certain relatives and does not pass through a Will. Therefore, if a person only has an English Will, then their overseas asset may be dealt with using local laws and potentially override the provisions of their English Will. As a result, administrators potentially face a lengthy and costly process in the administration of an estate as they must adhere to the procedures and

requirements of the foreign country.

Therefore, it is advisory that you make an English Will for any property owned in the UK and a separate Will should also be made in any particular country where property is owned. This means that local laws can be accounted for and allows for the assets to be dealt with appropriately. For example, if you own a house in the UK and a family Villa in Spain then you should ensure that you have an English Will to protect your house in the UK and a Spanish Will setting out the provisions for your holiday villa.

However, your English Will should specify that the Spanish Will shall remain in force so that the villa continues to be protected and is not revoked by the creation of the English Will.

If you would like the reassurance and peace of mind that your overseas assets are adequately protected, then contact our experienced Private Client team today who will be happy to help.

Call us free on 0800 988 3650

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for all your legal needs call your local solicitors Ramsdens ZLWK RĴFHV DFURVV :HVW Yorkshire we’re never too far away

#knowyourlawyer #askRamsdens

01924 669510 www.ramsdens.co.uk TopicUK_Wak_Aug_68pp.indd 46

23/08/16 17:52

IoD blends heritage and innovation with new membership scheme

By Natalie Sykes -Regional director, Institute of Directors.

As the UK grapples with the implications of Brexit, the need for leadership, professional support, director development and collaboration has never been more important.

from corporate giants to start-ups. That’s why we introduced a student membership alongside our 99 Club for young entrepreneurs, both of which have an equal gender split of members.

Since its formation in 1903, the Institute of Directors (IoD) has been at the forefront of British business. Our Royal Charter sets out our objectives to promote free enterprise, lobby government on behalf of our members and set standards for UK corporate governance.

As a sign of our commitment to the North of England, we are rolling out the IoD Advance pilot across the northern regions - an innovative new membership scheme, which successfully launched this year in London.

We are now well into our second century and, as the role of business leaders has changed, we have adapted to help them succeed. Our members are young and old,

Archaeologists uncover hidden burial ground at Victoria Gate in the heart of Leeds Archaeologists from Archaeological Services WYAS have uncovered a picture of Leeds that is very different to the Leeds we know today.

The site recently investigated at Victoria Gate, which will form part of the City’s vibrant shopping scene, was once the site of the Ebenezer Chapel; and was used as a burial ground between 1797 and 1848. It was also an area impacted by a cholera outbreak

IoD Advance is the biggest shake-up to our membership offer in more than 40 years.

Participants can boost their career and business with a tailored programme that includes facilitated introductions,

signature events, professional development sessions and access to a panel of business luminaries.

These changes are designed to help business leaders to connect, learn and share experiences. The programme is accessible via an easy-to-use and intuitive app.

If you would like to find out more about how the IoD is meeting the needs of modern business leaders, I’d recommend that you take a look at the new iod.com, which has just been launched. You will find impartial and topical content and news on matters of importance to your business – including Brexit!

in 1833 and sadly a place of extreme deprivation.

contributed to the poor health of these children.”

Whilst excavating the site, at least 28 individual burials were recovered, many of which were children. Further analysis has shown that nine of the twelve children had metabolic diseases, including rickets, scurvy and possibly anaemia.

In one case the growth and development had been so severely affected that the child aged eight to ten was the same size as a three to four year old.

Jane Richardson, at ASWYAS commented: “This is a really interesting discovery for Leeds. The finds will help us to paint a picture of the lives of the individuals living in 19th-century Leeds, while the infant remains are being used to identify markers for malnutrition in the teeth of children.”

Malin Holst of York Osteoarchaeology Ltd, who carried out the analysis of the human remains comments that “The severity and extent of the metabolic conditions highlight the effect that living in the centre of a post-medieval industrial city had on the population. Overcrowding, lack of sunlight, unsanitary conditions, and a limited diet lacking in essential nutrients probably all

Historical records from the time include Dr Robert Baker’s 1834 report to Leeds Board of Health which describes the area and houses around the Ebenezer Chapel. “I have been in one of these damp cellars, without the slightest drainage, every drop of wet and every morsel of dirt and filth having to be carried up into the street; two corded frames for beds, overlaid with sacks for five persons; scarcely anything in the room else to sit on but a stool, or a few bricks; the floor in many places absolutely wet; a pig in the corner also; and in a street where filth of all kinds had accumulated for years.”

The skeletal remains have been removed from site and will be reburied once the analysis has been concluded. All remaining finds will be deposited with Leeds Museum.

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FirstStepsDayNursery Building a Foundation for the Future

YHC

YHC

Caduceus House : Upper Warrengate, Wakefield Tel: 01924 298290 Email: 1ststeps@wdhcs.com or louise@wdhcs.com

Wakefield & District Health & Community Support Ltd. A Company Limited by Guarantee No. 489136 Registered Charity No. 226121

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And now the snacks... I have to admit to loving nibbly things and it’s hard to find good for you nibbles, but these were perfect for my palate.

Summer lunch Sainsburys have the perfect appetizers The Government and ACE have acknowledged the imbalance, but argue that it is because the major national institutions are based

TopicUK proud to be working with...

or who can afford it. The report also points out that had Londoners won a comparably disproportionate number of Lottery prizes compared to people in the rest of England, equivalent to

Sainsburys Taste the Difference garlic stuffed Halkidiki olives were juicy, firm and had just the right amount of garlic, these definitely went down well with the Languedoc. Highly recommended at £2.30 a jar.

Each edition, Sainsburys donate wine and nibbles for one lucky TopicUK reader to try and let us know what they thought.

We asked local businesswoman Tracy Sheldon to try Taste the Difference Hot Cherry Peppers stuffed with Goats’ Cheese and Garlic stuffed Greek Halkidiki Olives, washed down with a crisp white Verdicchio from Italy and a medium bodied Languedoc Grenache, Syrah, Carignan from France.

Here’s what Tracy thought.

I was pleasantly surprised by the smoothness of the red Languedoc. Often when asked to review wine you form a little

bit of a sceptical mindset, as you never know what you are going to receive and whether you will be in the awkward situation of saying, it’s OK. The wine was light and flavoursome, not too heavy to enjoy with nibbles mid-week. No horrendous heavy red head the next day. Its a reasonable mid-price everyday quaffable red that easily accompaies dark meats, deli-style and heavier pasta dishes. Priced at £7.00 a bottle, I’d definitely give this another go.

White wine is never my first choice, although friends tell me its a ‘must’ in Summer, so I always keep a white chilling in the fridge for unexpectded visitors. This white is not as smooth as I expected and a little acidic for my taste but it went down a storm with my pals who found it refreshing and light. It’s reasonably priced at £6.00 per bottle, so certainly won’t break the bank for those Summer party and picnic occasions.

Hot cherry peppers stuffed with goats cheese. I’ve tried a few of these in jars in the past and not been too impressed, but Sainsburys Taste the Difference were scrummy and I liked the fact that they keep cool in the fridge and I can dip in, so they last a little longer. I’d normally go deli, but will definitely look out for these again. At £3.00 a jar, they’re a nice staple to have in the fridge for treats.

Can you remember childhood holidays spent at a British seaside resort? Donkey rides, 99’s, candy floss, digging sandcastles all day long, paddling in the sea regardless of how freezing it was?!

For Helen Massey, travelling from home in Wakefield to her parent’s holiday cottage in Runswick Bay in the 1980’s, was a pilgrimage she took every school holiday. As a result she has many great memories of the pretty seaside village, Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay and Scarborough.

A passion for the North Yorkshire coast was ignited and noticing a gap in the market, Helen, a Chartered Surveyor, formed “Romantic Cottage Holidays” 12 years ago. The self catering accommodation she offers is in prime locations on the coast, with properties sleeping up to 10 and she prides herself on giving true local knowledge to her guests.

After all, who better to advise on a seaside holiday than someone who has done it themselves for over 30 years!

Romantic Cottage Holidays Waiting to be discovered

www.romanticcottageholidays.co.uk info@romanticcottageholidays.co.uk 07970 300068 @romanticcothols www.facebook.com/romanticcottages 49

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MAGAZINE FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, APPRENTICES AND STUDENTS

tomorrow Sponsored by

2

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63

Do we have a star in the making?

The importance of education.

How to start a record Company

By Gill Laidler Editor TopicUK

Darryl Wideman Headmaster of Silcoates School

Rob Dee Philophobia Music

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tomorrow-Wakefield & District Edition

Do we have a star in the making?

A GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS from a business owner and former apprentice Apprenticeships in particular are often perceived to be of lesser value when compared to a university education and parents in particular can often be the reason why their offspring are put off of this route.

A few weeks ago I received a call from Outwood Grange School to ask if we would take a student interested in journalism, for one week - my initial response was to say no as there are never enough hours in the day, so I certainly wouldn’t have time for a student - how wrong I was!

The lady on the phone told me how keen the student was and how thrilled she would be if we could help - how could I refuse?

A couple of weeks later Kiran came to see us for an initial interview and could hardly contain her excitement at securing a place.

We set up interviews, both of young people for Kiran to cover for TopicUK Tomorrow and you can read these over the next couple of pages.

I have to say for a student with no journalist experience, Kiran did a fantastic job for us and hopefully we helped to build her confidence at live interviews and guided her with writing skills.

When she leaves sixth form, Kiran is hoping to attend either York or Lincoln Universities to undertake a journalism course, but she told us after interviewing Ellis ingham, she may actually decide to take an apprenticeship instead and if she does, we hope to be able to offer her a role at TopicUK. Gill Laidler - Editor

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Apprenticeships have the common misconception that the only roles on offer are admin, retail or engineering.

Whilst that has historically been the case, apprenticeships have evolved and have kept up to date with both the changing and newly created roles available in the workplace. Not only can you now train to become a solicitor or Chartered Building Surveyor, but you can also gain a degree level qualification eradicating the need for that student loan and years’ worth of debt.

As a former apprentice myself I gained an NVQ in Business Administration and have worked in the marketing industry since the tender age of 16. I have witnessed the industry evolve and have instead chosen to build on my education via continued professional development, meaning I have been able to attribute my daily practical tasks with my learning as opposed to theory.

After 15 years in the work place I decided to set up my own business. Two years in we are still going strong and I now employ 3 other members of staff, one of which is an apprentice.

As an employer I am keen to support those entering the industry via the

apprenticeship route. Not only are you providing a young person with both employment and a qualification, but as a start-up in particular, employing an apprentice could be what helps get your business off the ground. For more established businesses, apprentices might be what you need to plug skills gaps and with funding available for apprenticeship recruitment, it really is a no-brainer.

TIMELINE Age 15-Left school with 10 B/C GCSEs Age 16-Joined a marketing recruitment agency as a receptionist before being promoted to Campaign Manager whilst undertaking an apprenticeship.

Age 18-Joined renowned Huddersfield design agency ATTIK as a receptionist before progressing to Client Services Assistant. I also bought my first house!

Age 22-Joined online digital retailer InternetDirect as Marketing Manager.

Age 26-Joined Dublin based i-conX solutions as Marketing Services Manager looking after their global marketing strategy and travelling to cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Cape Town and Chicago to manage their events programme. Completed Certificate in Business with the Open University and CIM Diploma in Marketing Communications Age 31-Founded Huddersfield Marketing, PR and Social Media Agency, KC Communications.

More information can be found about my apprenticeship story on our website - http://www.kccomms.co.uk/ apprenticeship-route-to-marketingmy-story/

September 2016 - Wakefield & district Edition

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EDUCATION PROFILE-ANTON MAREE Name of school: Ackworth School Name of Head: Anton Maree Date of appointment: 1st Sept 2014

Who/what inspired you to become a teacher?

My mother, Janet Maree, was a Breakthrough to Literacy Specialist in South Africa. Her methods were simple yet revolutionary and she inspired a generation of teachers to help children lacking literacy experience and those with special needs. Her books, the Breakthrough series have taught literacy to millions of Southern African learners and were translated into nine languages. She was selfless and determined, gained little financial reward for her work and prevailed despite a lack of government investment. She never stopped working and continued to give literacy lessons to young children in the back of her car during her 70s.

She continues to inspire me today!

What achievement are you most proud of as Head?

I have made my school more visible within our community, by offering access to our facilities and the strengths of an independent school education. I offer opportunities to children that are life changing whilst continuing to make sure that my school provides an excellent education for all.

What does a successful school look like to you?

Our purpose is to provide an excellent education and that is a primary focus.

Schools are measured in accordance with academic performance and we strive to raise our standards. However, success is more aptly measured through other means. My students have a strong sense of social justice,

take risks because they are not judged by their peers, integrate easily because they accept one another, are all engaged in the opportunities to learn without much prompting, and don’t require much discipline because they appreciate the trust that is bestowed upon them. Essentially those are the hallmarks of a successful school.

Ackworth School is celebrating another successful year for its A Level students. The results are a What is the most important quality further improvement upon last year with 79% you want every child to have when gaining A*-C at A2. The pass rate A*-E is well over they leave your school?

95% and the top performing student achieved Initiative.

1A* and 4As which equates to 560 UCAS points, securing her place at Cambridge University.

And why?

Ackworth School’s A Level results

The world is changing, fast.

Employers are looking for employees who are not afraid to take calculated risks, and who are prepared to challenge themselves, on a daily basis.

Please give 5 words to describe the ethos of your school.

Simplicity, Truth, Equality, Peace and Sustainability Contact:head@ackworthschool. com - 01977 611401

50% of students gained 360 UCAS points or higher which is the equivalent of 3 A grades and 72% gained 300 points or more, the equivalent of 3 B grades.

The Head, Anton Maree, commented: ‘Our students and staff have worked hard to achieve these results and I am delighted that their dedication has been rewarded. Many of our students are second language students and they have done very well indeed!’

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tomorrow-Wakefield & District Edition

The Importance of Education in Times of Turmoil

Darryl Wideman Headmaster of Silcoates School

It is, of course, entirely possible that by the time you read this article our new Prime Minister will have united the country and be making good progress with extricating us from the EU without too many of those awkward side effects, like the complete collapse of our currency.

I

t is also possible that the Labour Party will have seen the light, set aside its differences and come together to provide strong opposition and protection for those who need a voice. The Football Association will have completed its review into what happened at Euro 2016 and realised that playing Rooney in midfield, Hart in goal and letting Kane take the

corners were in fact acts of genius, well worth the £3.5 million salary that the manager was earning. And the pig flying over my house looks perfect to be the new host of Top Gear!

But at the time I’m writing this column, the rain is pouring, the pound is plummeting, the political establishment is

a shambles, our national football team is a laughing stock and if I had any interest in television programmes about cars than I’d probably be upset by that as well. There was a lovely cartoon in Private Eye last week, where an alien who has just landed on Planet Earth says to the first person he meets: ‘Take me to anyone who remotely resembles a leader.’

The American Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Thomas Friedman wrote: ‘The pessimists are usually right, but it’s the optimists who change the world.’ And while there is certainly a lot to feel pessimistic about at the moment for many people, the joy of working in education is that we are surrounded by some of the most optimistic people you could ever wish to meet. We call them ‘children’!

Independent Education for Boys & Girls Aged 3-18

Silcoates School An all-round education with an academic edge

Silcoates School, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, WF2 0PD 01924 291614 | enquiries@silcoates.org.uk www.silcoates.org.uk | Charity No. 1158796

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Nelson Mandela said that education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine and that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation – and he knew a thing or two about the need for optimism and resilience in the face of great difficulties. It seems hard to imagine a time when there was not a greater need for the next generation to get the best education they can, not least to solve some of the enormous problems that our generation seems to be leaving them.

The children will need a lot of help to get to where they need to be, putting in a great effort to play their part. Among the best guidelines I have heard were from a teacher who said to her class when she was setting out her expectations: ‘You must help me to help you. If you don’t give anything, don’t expect anything. Success is not coming to you, you must come to it.’

As Sir John Chilcot’s report finally confirmed what most of us already suspected about poor decision making at the highest levels, the most striking reflection I’ve read this year about how there might be another way to do things came from the former US Secretary of State George Schultz: ‘I think about all the money we spent on bombs and munitions, and our failures in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world. Instead of advancing our agenda using force, we should have instead built schools and hospitals in these countries, improving the lives of their children. By now, those children would have grown into positions of influence, and they would be grateful to us instead of hating us.’

Another influential American thinker, Eric Hoffer, said: ‘In an age of great change the learners inherit the Earth, while those who think they know are beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.’ How very true! Tony Blair may have been wrong about many things, but it’s hard to disagree with what he identified as being so important, particularly in times of such turmoil – ‘education, education, education’ – which is why I am so fortunate to work in such an optimistic environment.

Summer at Ackworth School

Celebrating the end of the academic year with its customary and traditional Open day Following a short address from the Head, Anton Maree, the whole school community including parents, staff, students and ex-students, strolled throughout the campus to view the curricular and co-curriclar highlights of the school year, during Ackworth School’s annual open day.

Despite the somewhat damp weather, spirits were not dampened and following a buffet lunch, the rain stopped to allow the traditional ‘Grand March’ and singing of Auld Lang Syne.

This Ackworth tradition marks the end of the school year and school careers of the outgoing upper sixth formers.

The celebrations continued into the evening with the Annual Summer Ball which was attended by over 100

parents and revellers!

Pictured Top-Guests outside taking in air at the ball.

Above - Director of marketing and admissions, Michael Atkins and Deborah Atkins and enjoying the open day.

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UNIVERSITY CENTRE AT WAKEFIELD COLLEGE NEEDS YOU! An appeal by Director of Higher Education, Clare Hagerup

A TECH WIZARD IN THE MAKING You’ve seen The Apprentice. You’ve been awed by Dynamo, Magician Impossible. Presenting: Ellis Ingham, tech wizard of BellinghamIT, prized apprentice and all round nice guy.

By Kiran Akram - YOUTH CORRESPONDANT

You may have seen lots of construction activity at the top of Wood Street over the last few months as the brand new £6.25 million Advanced Skills and Innovation Centre starts to take shape; the future home of higher-level skills for the District and the hub of the University Centre.

What you may not realise is that Wakefield has provided higher education in the District for over 20 years, however times are changing.

People studying higher level qualifications such as degrees and HNCs now need to ensure that their investment will pay future dividends for them. True, the experience of going away to university is still a draw for many students, but for our district, where significant skills shortages have been identified as barriers to growth and success, we are working closely with local, regional, national and even international businesses to ensure our offer to our local people will equip them for future roles in this District, and further afield if they so wish.

And that’s where you come in. This is a terrific opportunity to help us shape our curriculum to ensure we meet those skills shortages; fulfil YOUR needs as businesses with a passion for growth and success.

We’ve already begun this process and are working with some great companies but there’s room for more.

How? Simply get in touch with Clare to express your interest in being involved. It’s as simple as that. You can reach her at c.hagerup@wakefield.ac.uk.

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He’s also a wrestler – and a good one at that. Originally, he wanted to make a career out of his interest in sports, though he rearranged his plans around IT, preferring his prospects in that field.

It’s evident to everyone that sporting careers are overly competitive, but what is not realised is that careers in IT are as well – according to Ellis’s experience, that is. And though there was no shoulder biting or no performance enhancing drugs involved, he does say that the apprenticeships he applied for were “really difficult to find” and that even if it was “easy to apply,” the field is “oversaturated,” meaning that his apprenticeship was a placement he had to fight for.

(With his work ethic and winning personality.)

This is somewhat difficult to understand, considering that 52% of employers are willing to take on apprentices or new graduates.

However, only 2% of apprenticeships taken in Wakefield were in IT. In fact, there were only 16,000 IT related apprenticeships taken nationwide in 2014/2015, as opposed to the 143,000 starts in

Business, Administration and Law. Interest in apprenticeships is steadily on the rise. In the same academic year, there was a 14% rise in the number of starts, meaning that there were 59,599 more than in the year before.

The apprenticeship he wanted was an obvious one to Ellis, once he had the interview, which, despite his self-described “outgoing” and “confident” nature, he was nervous for. Once he had calmed – by being called out on his anxiety and thus not having to focus on hiding it – the café interview became “more relaxed.” When he was accepted, Ellis felt “so happy…ecstatic, over the moon.” Even after the “terrifying” trial day, he said, “I knew I’d enjoy it more.”

As part of his training, which he has been doing for around ten months now, he looks after “basic technical issues” as well as things such as “security checks” five days a week, showing just how involved he is with the company.

During his time at Bellingham IT, he has become more confident in his ability, which has improved by

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“drastic amounts” – a lot more than he expects he would have improved by had he gone to university. “Because you’re actually putting it to practice.”

Ellis’s workload has not interfered with his social life; he suspects this is because most of his friends are at working age, meaning that their free time coincides with his free time.

The only way it has affected his social life, he says, is that he has been branded – “I’m the weird one who’s doing the apprenticeship.” Don’t expect that to be a problem, though. He can take care of himself.

Ellis recommends apprenticeships to almost anyone, excepting those who actually enjoy exams. To the rest of the world, apprenticeships are ideal because you can earn money while learning; it’s like having a real job, so you gain experience as well as an education; it doesn’t rely heavily on grades like university does.

However, he would recommend completing high school and college first, so that college grades will provide “a kind of fallback” in case an apprenticeship, you decide, isn’t for you.

He says, “I think that it’s important to find a good company,” which is why his ultimate goal is to make his way into it. The way he talks about his boss-slash-tutor, reveals that they have a personal relationship that succeeds that of student and master. He says that he’s glad to be “taking some of the workload off him” and “I’m happy that I’m helping in any way I can.”

PEEK BEHIND THE VELVET CURTAIN freelance tutor, as well as teaching drama classes in schools. At the beginning of the year, she earned her current title: Learning and Participation Officer.

By Kiran Akram - YOUTH CORRESPONDANT

S

urely you’ve heard of The Wakefield Mysteries – a series of plays of Biblical proportions from where sixteenth century Wakefield built itself a stage, that it will step back onto in August.

As is often the case, a large part of the recognition for the witty promenade performance will go to the performers, rather than the influences backstage – people like the writer (Nick Lane) who, through his expression of art, bring us a humorous and sorrowful retelling of something that would otherwise go unappreciated. The same is true for those behind the curtains and their contribution to the theatre: the director, production manager, technician, those responsible for fundraising et cetera, et cetera. Here in Wakefield, they shall remain faceless no more. Behind the organization of youth projects like ‘In On The Act’ and auditions and drama classes, is Theatre Royal Wakefield’s Jenny Jones.

Jenny left De Montfort University in Leicester, where she studied drama, beginning work in retail, because she found it difficult to get into the arts, due to a lack of practical experience other than her degree.

Jenny then secured herself a special work placement with Wakefield’s Performance Academy; and after a few months, she took on jobs helping around backstage, working as a chaperone, workshop leader and even a

Jenny’s job pulls her in many different directions, which appeals to her, because she likes to keep busy. On the subject, she says that “every day is different,” and that she loves her job because of its “creative atmosphere,” which anyone – interested in theatre or not – will understand. Though Jenny left school wanting to perform, her current job is perhaps more suited to her in that it requires a mix of skills.

She says, “I like to be creative. I like to organize – or maybe I just like to be bossy.” Either way, the job allows her to do it.

When talking to Jenny even when we have not met before, her dedication to the Theatre can be felt. She says it’s because the theatre is “unique.” “The theatre is about education and inclusion.” Being a part of the audience makes you a part of the theatre. When you enter the foyer, you leave your mundanity at the box office, which is a reason people love it. “People like to escape …to watch another person’s life unfold…to start discussions and debates.” A few favourites productions of Jenny’s include the works of John Godber, Tennesee Williams, and, of course, the other William – Shakespeare.

When asked how it starts, how people get into that atmosphere, she muses, “What draws you in? Drama.” This was also the story for Jenny, who was drawn in by drama classes at school.

But though it’s easy to have your interest snagged, it’s not so accessible as a career.

Laughing, she recalls her thought pattern – “I’ve got a degree, how exciting, everybody’ll love me now” – when she left university.

Apparently, this was not the case. A degree is not the only thing employers look for.

Her advice to anyone who plans to break into theatre is to get in as soon as possible, by any means necessary. Volunteer. Do work experience. Look for special work placements.

Do an internship. Join drama clubs. “Learn from my mistakes.”

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tomorrow-Wakefield & District Edition

local music scene

by Rob Dee - Philophobia Music http://www.philophobiamusic.co.uk

H

ello again. It feels like an age since I wrote the first article but then so much has happened. First of all there was Long Division at which Philophobia co-hosted the indoor stage at The Orangery with Vinyl Tap. That was great fun, as was the whole weekend, culminating with Post War Glamour Gils recording a live album which we will be releasing in October in with Hide & Seek Records (at the time of writing this pre-orders are going very well and we think it will sell out before the end of the year). Straight after the festival Philophobia moved offices across the city. For the past year we’ve called The Art House home and while it’s a little sad to leave there, it’s exciting to move into the new space. It’s called Crux and is on Providence Street and is run by WE ARE (see profile).

We’ll be running events from Crux as well as regular events at Bull & Fairhouse and Wakefield Beer Exchange. In addition I’m in the process of sorting the Autumn release schedule. Look out for new releases from Piskie Sits, The Spills, One Day After School, Matt Knee, Take Turns, Sux Blood and Shake Your Halo Down. This schedule will take us over the 100 release mark too. In a little over 8 years! Not bad to say there wasn’t much (any) of a long term back at the beginning (if there really is now).

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Wakefield Jazz: thirty years and still going strong Wakefield Jazz has been at the centre of live musicmaking in the city for nearly thirty years, building a reputation as one of the best jazz clubs in the country-a favorite of musicians and music lovers alike.

The club marked its 1000th gig last season and continues to attract the very best musicians from every corner of the UK and abroad.

The calibre of the musicians and the quality of the sound are everything that could be expected from a club of its standing and longevity, but what maakes Wakefield Jazz exceptional is the warmth, enthusiasm and responsiveness of the audience. It makes for an

exceptionally entertaining night out.

It’s a club, but it isn’t ‘clubby’—(and children under 14 are admitted free); there are regulars but it’s a remarkably open and welcoming environment; and the music is much more varied that the word ‘jazz’ might suggest. In fact, across each season, there’s something of what nearly everyone hopes to find in a live music performance, whatever their tastes: a superb standard of musicianship; vibrant rhythms and

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harmonies; high-voltage excitement; and moments of hushed beauty.

So Wakefield Jazz presents improvising musicians not only in the expected formats, like a saxophone-plus -piano trio, but also delights such as the brilliant singer Clare Martin and her cello quartet; the roof-raising excitement of a full big band; and the intimacy of one of Britain’s leading guitarists alongside a spellbinding singer. The website (http://www.wakefieldjazz.org) has complete details of all forthcoming gigs. And the curious need not wait until the start of the season on 7 October: there is one more summer Sunday lunch concert on 11 September—the award-winning Tom Sharp Orchestra.

The regular season Friday night gigs feature two hour-long sets, starting at 8:30, with the second set starting at 10:00. And to start the evening, Jacky’s wonderful cooking is available from 7:30, on a pre-order basis. There is a bar, of course; and this being Yorkshire, regulars seem content to leave cocktails to the denizens of New York City. But musically, week after week, Wakefield Jazz can give any venue, anywhere a run for its money.

The club is hosted by Wakefield Sports Club, just five minutes from the city centre, with plenty of free parking. Full directions are available on the website.

If what you look for in live music is something thrilling, exhilirating, spontaneously creative and just plain fun you will be made most welcome.

New Creative space for Wakefield

WE ARE / CRUX

For the past 2 years WE ARE (Amy Lilley and Lucy Norton) have been designing and facilitating projects in Wakefield with an aim to give young people opportunities.

A lot of what WE ARE do is focussed around empty shops and bringing life to areas of wakefield which are other wise forgotten.

Combining young artists with these empty shops is the perfect solution, free space for young creative people and a street that’s brighter and full of people.

The next step in WE ARE’s story was to find a slightly more permanent and bigger building.

The Art House in Wakefield have supported WE ARE to get their hands on a new property in which they can build a creative hub, 15 – 19 Providence Street… Crux.

Images: John Jowett space for bands Drahla and Yard Wars. We want the space to grow and be used by as many people as possible. The building is over 4000 square foot and to get the most out of the space we’re looking for new creatives to join us and help bring the building to life!

If you have any ideas be it a gig you fancy putting on, a workshop you want to lead, a film night you want to run or need a creative space to work in then please get in touch! Hello@ weareprojects.org Our first opening event was in August with exhibitions and live music from Drahla, Adore//repel and Yard Wars For more info visit: www.weareprojects.org/crux

The definition of Crux; The most important point; the heart; the central and most essential part.

Crux is a now a brand new creative space at 15 - 19 Providence Street, Wakefield. WE ARE and the Crux crew have been transforming the space into a creative centre for music, art and co working.

Crux is already home to WE ARE, Philophobia Music, Top Five Studio and is also a rehearsal

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HOW TO START A RECORD COMPANY Rob Dee gives us an insight to the explosive birth of local record company Philophobia Music from the ashes of a rhubarb bomb!

I’m often asked why I started Philophobia Music. It’s a reasonable question, if people are passionate about music they usually learn to play an instrument and have aspirations of writing and playing great pieces of music.

Nobody dreams of generating ISRC numbers and putting inserts in LP sleeves. Still many people find themselves doing this and enjoy it. You have to do, it’s certainly not financially rewarding, it’s stressfu l and the hours long and varied. I love it.

So how did I find myself in this position? I guess it probably starts in the early to mid noughties. As some of my friends were either getting into serious relationships or taking jobs too seriously, they were suddenly not up for going and watching a band on a Tuesday evening. I was single and hated my job (oh how much has changed in the intervening decade!), staying in had lost it’s appeal in my teenage years. So I went out. Every night pretty much. It wasn’t easy for me to do this to be honest. I’m very shy and get very anxious in unfamiliar places and large crowds. I didn’t leave the house too much in those days other than for work and was getting sick of it. To cope with the situation I found myself in I drank. Heavily. As time ever went on I saw lot’s and lot’s of bands I’d never rd of and heard of playing at places I’d not heard eople. Some I made friends with a lot of new people. atch. Some played in the bands I went to watch. put me up for the night. I was becoming part n’t know had of this community that I didn’t ously. I wanted to existed a few months previously. ious role as drunk get more involved. My previous er was becoming awkward loner in the corner w knew most difficult to maintain as I now as beginning to people in the room and I was feel more and more at home.. ssing no Faced with the reality of possessing musical talent myself whatsoeverr joining or ing out on forming a band was out. I was helping ming the door at several gigs but I was becoming increasingly disheartened at seeing bands I

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enjoy just split and disappear. Figuring I couldn’t possibly be the only one who would think they were good I thought about trying to help them find this audience. So I created the Rhubarb Bomb fanzine with Benjamin Trout and Louder Than Bombs Records with Chris Morse. It was great working with these two as I didn’t really have confidence in myself to do it myself. The devil on my shoulder was telling me I didn’t know what I was doing and the angel on the other side was useless as she always agreed with the devil.

Truth was we didn’t actually know what we were doing but between us we managed to figure out enough as we were going along. We wrote about the bands we saw in Rhubarb Bomb and released records by others through Louder Than Bombs.

Louder Than Bombs was a long established clubnight and I felt (whether it was true or not) that there was a certain things expected by the name that didn’tt necessa necessarily fit with where I saw things heading. In earl early 2008 I hilophobia Music (c left and formed Philophobia (called it ords as I didn’t know if the Music rather Records de would stick – there’s that self doubt d label side comingg in again). Unfortu Unfortunately the increased workload meant I had to leave my role at Rhubarb Bomb, although alth I would return a few years later with the occasional article.

Initially there was only one band – Lap Lapels who I had been working with since the previous Spring. It was great, initially ve very few people liked them, it felt like an Us against the World bunker mentality at ti times.

By the time they called it a day at the end of 2009, they’d done a session on national radio r (BBC 6music) and became one of Wakefield’s most loved bands. I’m immensely prou proud of my involvement with them. Buoyed b by the enjoyment of working with them an and the emergence of some genuinely gr great young bands at the time, the label’s rroster exploded in size and it’s never slow slowed down.

Since early 2009 Philophobia has averaged a release a month and I genuinely love every single one of them. That’s how I pick what to put out, I have to like it. I have never, and will never put something out ‘because it will sell loads’. Ok it’s not a business plan, certainly not a profitable one (approximately 40% of the output has lost money, lost me money) but it’s an enjoyable one. I have met some amazing people running the label (many now friends). I have seen parts of the world I probably wouldn’t have seen without it (and I don’t mean rat infested dirty alleyways behind pubs while having a smoke).

I have also learnt many new skills running the label. When Louder Than Bombs Records neither of us have the slightest clue how to do any of it, we were even sure how to ask a band if we could put their record out.

We weren’t even good with money at that point, we were probably about 6 months away from bankruptcy the way were spending. Over the years I’ve got better at managing the losses while continually gr hin fresh. I learnt growing and keeping things how to do the boring but essential dm administrative tasks – rregistering songs with ym am request forms payment agencies, sample with m major labels, an analysing sales dat data, royaltyy p payments, se sending out the sa same ho of times to disin email thousands disinterested ve boring ng in a list isn’t it?), as reviewerss (i (it’s even hn al artwork wor and musical well as technical ll d information. I still don’t think, even after all these years that th I’m particularly great at the ny m job. There are m many many times where I feel omple failed aan artist. That that I have completely m a constant st comes from desiree to be b better, to ov mn tely keep improving.

I’m never completely oun out to some people. satisfied. T This may sound and in getting bands on Afterall w we’ve had a hand bills at lar large events, got the them played on nal and international al ra national radio, introduced ple around the world to o their th music. All people ess than a shoestring budget. dget However, on less thatt ffeeling persists and helpss to drive me on and keep going. Without it the label would have folded a long time ago I think. I still have no musical talent but I have a purpose and a role that fits. Deciding to go out on my own that first night was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

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WEST YORKSHIRE HISTORY CENTRE OPENING SOON The project was funded by five West Yorkshire councils, West Yorkshire Joint Services and a £3.9m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

W

est Yorkshire Archive Service staff now face the enormous job of moving over 100,000 boxes of archival material from the Registry of Deeds building to its new home at the West Yorkshire History Centre where it will be housed in specialist, environmentally controlled stores. From mid-July a skilled team of specialist movers began work alongside staff to carefully transfer the precious historic documents to the new centre; a task which will take around four months.

The Centre will remain closed to the public during the move and will officially open in early 2017 with an exciting events programme to welcome new and returning visitors.

As well as providing much needed

specialist secure storage for over 2107 cubic meters of records, the centre boasts a large public searchroom space for visitors to consult documents, a state-of-the-art conservation studio, a learning zone and an exhibition space for visitors to browse elements of the collections.

The archival collections held by West Yorkshire Archive Service in Wakefield are an unparalleled record of the history of the West Riding of Yorkshire and it’s communities from 1194 to the present day.

WYAS, Wakefield is the third largest local authority archive in Great Britain comprising over 10 million documents.

The shelving for all the collections would reach almost twice the height of Everest!

Many collections have national significance, among them the unique

records of the pioneering Stanley Royd Mental Health Hospital, recently awarded international status as part of the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register.

Other major collections that will be cared for at the centre are the unparalleled West Riding Registry of Deeds made up of 12,763 volumes containing 7 million extracts of property transactions from 1704 to 1970, as well as the massive National Coal Board collection of over 2000 boxes relating to collieries and coal miners in Wakefield and the south Leeds areas.

The archive service’s staff will be working with local schools, colleges and community groups to help them explore the historical records which have particular interest for them and the building will open with an exciting events and learning programme to suit all ages and abilities.

Cllr Peter Box CBE, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “The completion of the new West Yorkshire History Centre building is another step forward in our regeneration plans for the Kirkgate area. I am looking forward to the new centre opening. It will help to revitalise this key part of our city and encourage further investment into the area.”

The iconic building recently won an LABC West Yorkshire Building Excellence award given in recognition of excellence and quality workmanship by construction professionals for projects that have been completed within the last twelve months.

The History Centre was celebrated as the best community project. Continued

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New style of co-working A new style of office coworking for small businesses, freelancers, or remote workers who would rather not work alone was launched by Mary Creagh MP at IndyCube Wakefield.

West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee Chair, Cllr Ros Lund said: “The new West Yorkshire History Centre will safeguard millions of records from the past.”

The new West Yorkshire History Centre is one of the key building projects forming Wakefield Council’s plans to regenerate the Kirkgate area of the city. The Council is working with partners to regenerate this key gateway into the city centre.

IndyCube overcomes the problems of working from home, alone, or even in coffee bars offering a more professional environment with opportunities to share new business leads, skills and social activities.

“It’s like running your business alongside

like-minded people that overcomes the frustrations of lone working that’s flexible, affordable, and a fun, yet professional place to work.” said Andy Green owner of the Wakefield Media Centre, home to the new coworking centre.

IndyCube is based at the Wakefield Media Centre, King Street, Wakefield. #IndyCube has 26 coworking centres across Wales, with Wakefield being the first of its centres in England.

The £5.6m project to redevelop and restore Kirkgate Station was completed last year and a £6m road improvement scheme is due to start at the end of year to remove the pedestrian subways and improve pedestrian links between the city centre, Kirkgate Station and the Waterfront regeneration site.

The regeneration plans will help to transform the area and create good links to the heart of the retail area and recently regenerated Waterfront area.

WW1 TRENCHES FOUND IN WAKEFIELD A series of trenches have been uncovered on the site of City Fields, where developers are working on the new East link road.

West Yorkshire Partnership Archaeological services were called in to investigate and after experts assessed the land, redigging the trenches which had been backfilled and covered for many years, it is believed that they were dug as practice trenches, probably by patients from the West Yorkshire Lunatic Asylum, as buttons from the

institution were found in some of the trenches.

David Williams Excavation Manager said: “this was an interesting find. The shape of the trenches lead us to believe that they would be based on WW1 trenches, but they are too small and in the wrong location to be anything but practice trenches. The site has now been photographed, recorded and archived. A number of other items, possibly dating back to the Iron Age also found nearby at the site.”

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YORKSHIRE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

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Have you ever thought, “If only I could...� change my career prepare for university get professionally qualified start my own business

19+ Advanced Learner Loans now available No upfront cost Terms and conditions apply

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Advertorial

CELEBRATING YORKSHIRE GREATS A group of Yorkshire greats graced The Ridings’ malls to recreate the famous Vanity Fair ‘Hollywood’ photograph in the countdown to Yorkshire Day on 1st August.

Wakefield Business Awards 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his work to the city, sport and businesses and for leading campaigns which have raised an estimated £40 million for charity.

Danielle Bailey is a paralympic swimmer who smashed the British record for the 50m free style event in 2014. She has her sights set on Tokyo2020 and in 2011 was awarded a Pride of Britain Child of Courage Award.

Nick Scruton is a rugby league player who currently plays for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and has also represented England.

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ir Rodney Walker, Lizzie Jones, Kate Hardcastle, Stephanie Hirst, Sharon Watson, Danielle Bailey, Danny Kirmond, Ciara Patchett, Jen Waite and Dani Swaine adorned two giant thrones that the centre had specially commissioned for Yorkshire Day 2016.

The thrones, have been handmade in Yorkshire using tweed from the county and are embroidered to the reverse with ‘Yorkshire King’ and ‘Yorkshire Queen’. They will feature in the centre’s newly refurbished areas after shoppers enjoyed regal yet fun selfies with them on Yorkshire Day. Sara Hassan, Marketing Manager at The Ridings Shopping Centre said: “We’re really proud to be based at the heart of Wakefield and love the fact that we have a national day to celebrate all things Yorkshire, so we wanted to mark the occasion with a special event.

“All those involved in the shoot are wellknown for making a real difference in the county and beyond and we thought that the iconic Vanity Fair image that captured Hollywood’s greats was very fitting. We think the photograph is fantastic – they really are Yorkshire greats.

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“It was also great to see our shoppers join in with the fun and enjoy being one of Yorkshire’s finest for the day!”

The wonderful line up of guests included from left to right: Kate Hardcastle is a TV business expert and is regularly seen on screen for the BBC, ITV and Sky and has served in retail, manufacturing, commercial and sales. With 25 National and International awards to her name, Kate is an in demand specialist for business turnaround.

Ciara Patchett is a talented young netballer who plays for the Yorkshire Jets and was recently selected to join the England u17 team.

Dani Swaine is a longstanding member of the Bradford Bulls Ladies rugby team having previously captained the team for three years from 2011-2014.

Sir Rodney Walker is a former chair of Rugby Football League, World Snooker, Brands Hatch and Donington Park. Knighted in 1996, Sir Rodney has also been awarded the honour of Knight Bachelor for his services to sport.

Sharon Watson is Artistic Director at Phoenix Dance Theatre, having originally joined as a dancer from 1989 to 1997 and re-joining in 2000, before subsequently taking up her current role in May 2009.In 2010 she was named as one of the Cultural Leadership Programme’s Women to Watch, a list of 50 influential women working in arts and culture in the UK. Stephanie Hirst is a radio and TV presenter and currently hosts BBC Manchester’s Saturday night show. She is part of the extended family on ITV’s Lorraine where she has been a mentor for their Change One Thing campaign. She has also recently presented for BBC Breakfast BBC Inside Out and written for The Independent and The Telegraph.

Jen Waite is a longstanding member of the Bradford Bulls ladies team, with the Bulls being the first rugby league club to have a ladies team.

Lizzie Jones has performed throughout the UK both on stage and on screen, most notably when she sang ‘Abide with me’ live at Wembley ahead of the 2015 Super League Grand Final. She also performed on BBC Sports Personality of the year 2015.

Closer to home, Sir Rodney received the

September 2016 - Wakefield & district Edition

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Where will a

take you?

Come and explore over 55 big name shops and restaurants plus plenty of entertainment at Trinity Walk.

A great day out awaits you in WakeďŹ eld city centre.

trinitywalk.com

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:(/&20,1* 285

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0(0%(5 JOIN BONDHOLDERS A N D B E PA RT OF A GROWING ENTERPRISE

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The Wakefield First Bondholder Scheme has announced more than 30 new members in recent months and also celebrated its 100th member. A private sector initiative that aims to accelerate the growth of the Wakefield District by branding, marketing and promoting it nationally and internationally, 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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www.wakefieldbondholders.com

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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 Kelly Smith on: 01924 306901 or email: kesmith@wakefield.gov.uk

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