TopicUK Wakefield Edition

ISSUE 15 AUGUST AUGUST 2015

WAKEFIELD & DISTRICT FREE BUSINESS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

WWW.TOPICUK.CO.UK WWW.TOPICUK.CO.UK

Helen

Knowles

No Mountain High Enough!

AUGUST 2015 WAKEFIELD EDITION

Lunch With a Dragon?

TV STAR JOINS THE WACCL

Confidence on the Rise IN THE LEEDS CITY REGION

Back To A Land EXHIBITION HENRY MOORE

Ghost communications Graphic Design; Marketing; PR; Event Managment; Magazines; Branding gill@ghost-communications.com - Tel: 07711 539047

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Wakefield Edition August2015 3

•• News

Round Up

SUMMARY & CONTENTS

A WAKEFIELD BUSINESS STORY A two part investigation into the growth and wealth of Wakefield By Kevin Trickettcity

PICK UP YOUR COPY

06 08 18 ECONOMIC DEVELOPPMENT TEAM TRIUMPHS Council celebrates

MY CONFERENCE Hailed a success

LOCAL HEROES

Helen faces tough challenges

Wakefield One Business Centre Theatre Royal Wakefield Cedar Court Hotel Wakefield Trinity Walk Shopping Centre The Ridings Shopping Centre The Hepworth Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors Westgate Train Station Wakefield Business Centres Wakefield Chamber Of Commerce Tourist Information Centre Leeds Bradford Airport Sainsburys, Trinity Walk Unity Works Wakefield Wildcats

30 32 40 YOUR HEALTH

Sugar sins & sugar swaps

BACK TO A LAND Celebrating Henry Moore

RESTAURANT REVIEW Adding spice to Middlestown

 Danny Gartside 07834 705736 www.dannygartside.com - Cover Image of Helen Knowles 4

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 strictly prohibited. Whilst every care is taken in the production of this magazine, the publisher/editor cannot accept any responsibility for errors in articles, advertisements or programme

EDITORS NOTES

W

e have exciting news this issue! Due to demand we have now doubled TopicUK’s circulation and are pleased to report that going forward there will be 8000 printed copies available across the district as more and more businesses contact us.

In addition, pagination has increased so we can bring you even more news and features. So, if you would like to stock copies of the magazine, let us know and we will add you to the distribution list.

The good news doesn’t stop there! For some time businesses in Barnsley and district have been asking us to launch a TopicUK in their community and we are pleased to tell you that from November this year, TopicUK’s third edition will be launched. Exciting news indeed, but then something else happened! We were asked to consider launching a fourth edition in Shoreditch, London and although it’s early days, a launch is currently planned for January 2016! So where to next? If you know of a town or city that would welcome their own edition, get in touch and it will be put up for consideration.

Some of our contributors have asked us if we can look at different ways of advertising so we are now offering paid editorial! That’s free I here you say! Well yes it is free for all newsworthy stories and will remain that way. However, we will now allow companies to sell their services and promote themselves in the form of advertorials instead of a traditional

advert. If this appeals, do get in touch before space runs out as it will be limited.

This year, TopicUK partnered Wakefield Business Week which took place at Unity Works and what a fantastic event it was. Credit should go to organisers and partners Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Wakefield First, Brand Yorkshire, Unity Works and sponsor Copiserv.

As Kevin Trickett is not too keen on spicy food, I was delighted to take part in the restaurant review this time, enjoying a curry at Spiced Mango in Grangetown with Andy Turner from First Choice Recruitment, who informs us he is a regular there. It was nice to have a break from our busy work schedule and relax in a good restaurant, which we can recommend.

As Kevin missed out on his regular article, he wanted to share his experience of sailing on one of the three queens, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary and Queen Victoria as they sailed around the UK and paid tribute to their home in Liverpool. What an experience!

TopicUK EDITOR

GILL LAIDLER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR ROB BLACKWELL

LOCAL HEROES EDITOR

THE ARTS

MURRAY EDWARDS, THEATRE ROYAL

FASHION

EMMA LELLIOTT, TRINITY WALK

LEGAL MATTERS

RAMSDENS SOLICITORS

BEAUTY & WELLBEING CHILL BEAUTY SALON

HEALTH

DR ANDREW FURBER

FOOD & RESTAURANT REVIEW KEVIN TRICKETT, WAKEFIELD CIVIC SOCIETY

RECRUITMENT

ANDY TURNER, I was also delighted to interview my friend FIRST CHOICE RECRUITMENT Helen Knowles, director of fundraising SOCIAL MEDIA at Wakefield Hospice. Helen is well SINEAD SOPALA, RAMSDENS SOLICITORS known around Wakefield and has raised millions for people suffering from cancer BANKING so we thought it fitting that we allow JONATHAN ROSTRON, SANTANDER readers to get to know Helen a bit more.

IT You can read about Helen on page 18.

PAUL HEIGHAM, BELLINGHAM IT As its the holiday season, we would be delighted if readers would share with us places they have visited either on holiday or on business that are worth visiting.

Please also send us your images as we would like to introduce a travel section.

EDUCATION

DARRYL WIDEMAN SILCOATES SCHOOL

MOTORING

JOE WILSON, AUDI WAKEFIELD

MUSIC

DEAN FREEMAN, UNITY WORKS

I hope you enjoy reading this issue and remember, if you have anything you want to share with us, do get in touch.

Gill Laidler Follow the editor @topic_uk

Tel: 07711 539047 - editor@topicuk.co.uk - www.topicuk.co.uk - Ghost Publishing Ltd - Suite 6 Unity Works Westgate Wakefield WF1 1EP schedules. To subscribe to this magazine, submit an article or press release please contact Gill Laidler on: 07711 539047 or email editor@topicuk. co.uk Published by Ghost Publishing Limited. Law pages are written by Ramsdens Solicitors and TopicUK is not responsible for any advice given.

Wakefield Edition August2015 5

•• News

Round Up

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM TRIUMPHS

CHADWICK LAWRENCE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2015 Yorkshire’s Legal People, Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors, are celebrating with the announcement that they were named the ‘Business of the Year’ at the Wakefield and District Business Awards 2015.

The glittering awards ceremony, which took place at Unity Works, Wakefield on Thursday 25th June, was hosted by celebrated radio personality and communications coach, Jon Hammond. Over 250 guests were treated to a delicious three course meal and enjoyed an exciting evening supported by sponsors that included Haribo, YPO and Crompton Controls.

This year’s awards were bigger than ever and celebrated local businesses by recognising their commitment to staff, the local community and the environment. Categories included New Business of the Year, International Business of the Year and People Make Performance.

Wakefield Council’s Economic Development team are celebrating after picking up two awards during the first round of the Council’s annual pride award campaign. The awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of staff that deliver excellent service to the residents and businesses within the district.

The team triumphed in round one, picking up a win in ‘Change for the Better’ for our Investment Team and Economic Development was Highly Commended in the ‘Best Team’ award.

Mike Denby, Economic Development Service Manager said: “I am delighted that the investment team have received recognition for all their hard work and dedication.

The awards recognise the hard work of the team and their positive impact upon the Wakefield business community.

It’s been a fantastic year for us particularly and the growing number of established and new businesses and individuals we support. We are delighted to make it through to the final and look forward to event in October, hopefully we will achieve the same success then.”

Judges praised the team on their work to attract inward investment, increasing apprenticeship numbers across the district and paid particular attention to the success of the recent Business Week 2015.

The award see the Investment Team make their way through to the final of this year’s Annual Pride Awards ceremony will to be held in October 2015.

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The Pride Awards event – which is solely funded by sponsorship from the Council’s business partners and other organisations – recognises employees for their hard work and dedication in delivering services to the districts residents.

Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors faced tough competition in its category for ‘Business of the year’, but walked away with the gong after demonstrating consistent all-round excellence and achievement to a judging panel of experts.

The award was sponsored by Juice Personnel.

Neil Wilson, Managing Partner, commented on the win: “We are thrilled to be the winner of the Wakefield Business of the Year Award; it is testament to the hard work and time our team dedicate to the business as a whole and within the local community.

2015 is an exciting year for the firm and so the announcement could not have come at a better time. I wish to say a huge thank you to all my colleagues in the firm who work tirelessly to continually maintain a high level of business service, build longstanding relationships with our clients and are committed to getting the best results. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners from the evening.”

£135M STADIUM DEVELOPMENT WITH RETAIL FOR CASTLEFORD

Commercial Manager celebrates donating fifty pints of blood John Burke, from Sainsburys Wakefield Marshway store has been a blood donor since 1983. Last month he received a certificate for donating his fiftieth pint.

John Said “I had not realised I had given so many pints until the certificate arrived through the door. It is important to give something back in life and I would encourage everyone who is able to consider doing it”

T

The original donation was an A’ level Biology “field trip” because the teacher thought it was too nice a day to spend in class so everyone walked down to the donation session instead.

Wakefield Council approved the scheme in February this year but because of the size of the scheme, it was referred to the Department of Communities and local Government.

John has not set any targets and will carry on donating.

Plans for the Five Towns Park also include a 50-acre country park, shops

he Government has given plans the go-ahead to build a £135m development in Castleford which will include a new stadium for the Castleford Tigers.

and restaurants and developers Lateral Property Group said the scheme could create up to 2000 jobs.

Castleford Tigers Chief Executive said: “we are now in a great position to deliver the five towns park project but have a lot of work to do now before we start on the groundwork.”

Philip Lunn, Managing Director of Lateral Property Group said “this is a significant step forward and we are delighted for the people of Castleford.”

THE DARK PEAK On Sunday 27 September, Wakefield Hospice will host its popular third annual Sportive. This is a challenging road cycling event which takes on some of Yorkshire’s best cycling climbs, in beautiful countryside.

The route starts at Nuffield Health Wakefield before heading out to Holmfirth and taking on the iconic Holme Moss. The hard route then returns to Wakefield covering 48 miles. The extreme route continues to Glossop and then takes on the Snake Pass and The Strines. Not for the feint hearted!

This year they have added a ‘team’ entry and they are looking

for teams of at least 4 cyclists to raise funds for patient care. It’s free to enter but teams must pledge to raise £500 collectively.

The hospice will provide entrants with chip timing results, excellent feeding stations and full back up mechanical support throughout the event. At the end, finishers will be presented with a t-shirt and each will have use of the spa facilities at Nuffield Health to relax. In addition, the team that raises the most money will win a prize!

To enter contact danielle.norman wakefieldhospice.co.uk or call 01924 213900 Wakefield Edition August2015 7

•• News

Round Up

MY CONFERENCE WAKEFIELD HAILED A SUCCESS MY Conference Wakefield on 24th June at Unity Works has been hailed as a success. With over 400 attendants and 50 exhibitors. Unity Works was alive with local businesses networking and creating new business connections.

The one-day conference which was the focal point of Wakefield Business Week, featured speaker sessions covering a wide range of topics and a lively panel discussion starring local leaders across various sectors.

WDH EARN TRIO OF TROPHIES AT BiTC AWARDS WDH’s efforts to improve the lives of Wakefield residents have seen the landlord earn three prestigious Business in the Community (BiTC) Responsible Business Awards.

WDH’s Cash Wise programme was ‘highly commended’ in BiTC’s national Building Stronger Communities Award, which eventually went to Lloyds Banking Group.

Cash Wise has helped nearly 700 people to manage their money and avoid debt thanks to a series of workshops held across the district. The programme was launched using Big Lottery Funding.

work and training earned Yorkshire and Humber ‘shortlisted’ status.

In total, WDH has received ‘Big Tick’ status for all three projects, recognising the landlord’s commitment to corporate social responsibility activities which aim to improve quality of life for people across the Wakefield district.

WDH’s Workplace Academy also reached the national finals, narrowly missing out on the Inspiring Young Talent trophy which was won by Barclays Bank.

Tim Craven, from WDH’s Social Investment Team, said: “We work hard to improve all aspects of life for people living in Wakefield. Reaching the national finals of the BiTC Awards, and competing with the UK’s biggest businesses, demonstrates the real impact our work is having on a daily basis.”

And although WDH’s Work Placement Programme did not reach the national finals, its efforts to help local unemployed people back into

Cash Wise’s success in the BiTC Awards coincides with the launch of its new website. For more information visit www.getcashwise.co.uk

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Chamber member and local business Stada Media who exhibited at the event commented: “We found the day to be really productive, we have come away with new contacts and potential clients, a fantastic day overall.”

SHARE YOUR SUCCESS WITH US...

It’s been two years since we launched TopicUK in Wakefield and in the spring of this year, the people of Kirklees and Calderdale welcomed our second edition.

We we are delighted that TopicUK continues to grow and following our announcement to launch a third edition in Barnsley this Autumn came the opportunity to launch a fourth edition in Shoreditch, a borough of London.

This will be in January 2016.

Over the two years we have helped many businesses across the district get free publicity and have connected so many others who now do business together, however, we need to constantly change and grow and so we are offering a couple of new services.

RECORD KINGSTON UNITY RESULTS IN THEIR ANNIVERSARY YEAR Wakefield-based Kingston Unity Friendly Society, which marks its 175th anniversary in 2015, has reported an increase in both premium income and assets for the fourth year running.

The Friendly Society was set up in 1840 in Hull to help working class Yorkshire people avoid poverty and the threat of the workhouse.

Members paid a small amount regularly and the kitty would pay out in the event of sickness or death.

Kingston Unity expanded throughout the UK in the 20th century and still provides financial services such as Investment NISAs, Investment Bonds and regular savings plans.

The Society, which has just announced its 2014 financial results, has seen a leap in premium income to £17.7m, a formidable increase from £1.8m in 2011.

Kingston Unity’s assets have also seen a significant increase to £97.79m in 2014, from £51.6m in 2011. Net membership numbers are up by 601 year on year.

Andrew Townsley, Chief Executive

based at Calder Park, commented: “More people are now moving away from instant access options for their savings, which generally offer woefully low interest rates, and are instead seeing the benefits of taking a more long term approach. With a range that is dedicated to offering returns over the medium and long term we have very much benefited from this change in attitudes.

“Kingston Unity continues to attract new members who have become disillusioned with the high street names thanks to our strong reputation for offering both savings growth and security since 1840. It’s a great achievement for a financial organisation to reach its 175th anniversary, and we’re extremely proud that our most recent results mark the best year in our history.”

We are commited to providing free PR for businesses with news to share and of course affordable advertising for all. However, we want to offer businesses the chance to book space within TopicUK as advertorial where they have the opportunity to ‘shout’ about their business and include images, without it looking like an advert.

In addition, we are offering advertising web banners that run across the bottom of each page, similar to the one we run for Sainsburys.

These are affordably priced but if you would like a run of them at intervals throughout the magazine or a series of small sixteenth page blocks, strategically placed featuring your logo / web address / phone number this is also possible, basically the more you have, the cheaper the price! This type of advertising cleverly keeps on reminding readers of your business as they read through the magazine.

If you are interested in any of these new promotions, call us today on 07711 539047 or email editor@topicuk.co.uk

TopicUK www.topicuk.co.uk TEL: 07711 539047

Wakefield Edition August2015 9

•• News

Round Up

SNARE YOURSELF LUNCH WITH A DRAGON This year, a star from TV’s Dragons’ Den will feature in the Wakefield Annual Charity Christmas Lunch (WACCL) Auction, during the lunch to be held on 10 December at the Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield, to raise funds to support MY Burns Club and Theatre Royal Wakefield’s work with young people.

It may seem a long time away but the committee are already getting set for the return of WACCL – and have now gained the support of the latest star of the BBC’s hit business series, Dragons’ Den. An exclusive one-to-one business lunch with serial entrepreneur and TV personality Sarah Willingham has been confirmed as one of the headline auction items at this year’s event.

Sa r ah Wi l l i ng ha m , w ho has previously been seen on Raymond Blanc’s The Restaurant, is the creator of restaurant chain The Bombay Bicycle Club and co-founder of The London Cocktail Club, so it was no

surprise when she joined the line-up for the 13th series of Dragons’ Den. WACCL Chairman, Ian Taylor, could hardly contain his delight with the news: “It is fantastic that Sarah Willingham is giving her time to support WACCL 2015 in this way and we are truly grateful. It is a wonderful chance for someone to benefit from her invaluable business insight. It really is an amazing opportunity and we are anticipating a great deal of interest.”

More fantastic auction items are to be announced in the lead-up to WACCL 2015.

IT TRAINEESHIPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LAUNCHED IN WAKEFIELD Young people across Wakefield have the opportunity to step up to the plate for a career in the lucrative IT sector thanks to Baltic Training Services, the company which recently launched the UK’s first IT traineeships.

Baltic Training Services has partnered with Wakefield Council and several local employers to launch the scheme targeting young people across Wakefield, ideally aged 16 or above.

The IT traineeships are designed to provide a bridge between education and employers, to give young people the skills and confidence that employers are looking for and to encourage employers to give more young people the opportunity to enter the IT sector.

Two major local employers’ Airedale Computer Recycling and Arena Group have already signed up to the programme and more are being sought. Their role is to offer support to trainees in the form of work placements with the promise of apprenticeships at the end for those who make the grade.

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be much more effective in the workplace as soon as they arrive.

“We are looking for enthusiastic young people who are looking to break into IT and it is something that has worked very effectively for us in the North East where the programme was launched and we now have a regular stream of trainees who are working as apprentices for numerous employers.”

Keith Sorrell, development manager for Airedale Computers, a computer recycling social enterprise, said: “Apprenticeships are the foundation of our business and we usually have about six at any one time working between our three sites in Airedale, Pontefract and Castleford. The hardest part is identifying the best recruits in the first place and this new programme which gives the trainee work experience at our premises will really help us with that.”

Peter Maskill workshop manager at Wakefield-based Arena Group, an office equipment supplier, said: “Young people today are not being offered the same opportunity to get work experience and gain customer facing skills so a course like this is worth its weight in gold. We will be helping the trainees by providing work experience in the final four weeks of the 10 week course and we are always keen to talk to outstanding candidates about apprenticeships.”

Louise Ball, Baltic Training Services operations director, said: “IT is a difficult industry for people with no knowledge of the sector to break in to, but the rewards for those that do are massive. Every business now is reliant on an effective IT strategy and the IT industry in general is looking for new recruits to fuel increasing expansion.

“The problem is that without any prior experience new recruits need a high degree of supervision.

What these traineeships do is provide an excellent grounding in the basics so that individuals starting as apprentices can

Wakefield Council has fully endorsed the new programme and is providing the training room facilities for the traineeship at County Hall as part of its commitment.

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Skills at Wakefield Council, said: “IT is an exciting growth area and courses like this offer our young people a real opportunity to learn new skills and develop their careers.

“These training opportunities can lead to apprenticeships which provide young people with the chance to further develop their skills. Apprenticeships also offer many benefits to employers to help them develop their workforce in the skills they need to grow their business. This in turn helps to support and strengthen the local economy.”

If you are an employer based in the Wakefield area who would like to get involved or an interested young person who needs further information please call 01325 731065 or email yourfuture@baltictraining.com.

AMJAD BASHIR MEP We have a new contributor to TopicUK who will talk of business from a Europeen viewpoint.

It’s now been over 50 years since I travelled from Pakistan to join my father, a mill worker, in Bradford.

It was clear to us that in order to succeed, we’d have to work hard, knuckle down and integrate with the communities who already lived here.

After starting out in my father's fabric company, I took a trip Lahore in 1978, and it was then I felt there was an opportunity to introduce Indian awnd Pakistani food to the people of Bradford.

I founded my first Restaurant, Kebabeesh, just a year later, and went on to set up another two Restaurants, Zouk, in both Bradford and Manchester.

But, as business progressed, I felt I was spending more of my time filling in forms and getting to grips with new pieces of legislation, than the place I loved the most - the restaurant floor.

I joined UKIP, and within three years had become their spokesman for SMEs and one of the their MEPs in May 2014.

However, I found too many of their MEPs were simply going along for the ride - spending more time in the bars and restaurants, rather than the Parliament itself, failing to work hard for you; the people who pay their wages at the end of the month.

As a result, I decided to rejoin the Conservative party, and their pragmatic approach within Parliament has been refreshing.

Recently, I’ve been appointed as the Chairman of the ECR group in the SME committee within the European Parliament, and it’s in this position that I can support SMEs across our region, and am keen to get stuck in wherever possible If you feel I can help you, please drop me an e-mail on amjad.bashir@europarl. europa.eu, and I will endeavour to help and support you to the best of my ability.

Wakefield Edition August2015 11

•• The

Arts

THEATRE TICKETING FOR THE DIGITAL AGE Murray Edwards - Executive Director Theatre Royal Wakefield.

T

echnology has transformed how we run both our professional and personal lives. Everything is digital, everything is faster, everything is measured, everything is personalised and convenient .....except when it comes to buying a theatre ticket.

Before the first iPhone launched 8 years ago I don’t think anyone would have thought about booking a night out at the theatre on their mobile. Now more and more people expect to be able to make a purchase wherever they happen to be with just a few taps and swipes.

Today’s audiences are increasingly defined by people who are digital first. They do their food shopping on line, pay bills on line, stream music and TV from the internet and increasingly buy their theatre tickets there as well. Theatres report that many of them sell over 50% of their tickets this way and some do more than 90% of sales via their digital channels.

Yet despite this obvious shift in consumer behaviour, the way we transact with customers in the arts in painfully bogged down in bad technology, bad websites and a dearth of imagination in how to sell.

With a few notable exceptions, the UK arts industry needs to think again about ticketing .. and quickly.

When it comes to digital, the arts industry as a whole is still dragging its feet. Many arts professionals are simply not embracing digital as their primary sales medium. While it’s not feasible to staff a box office round the clock – and the current economic climate requires us to be economical with resources – a website is there 24/7 and should be the hardest working member of the box office team.

Online is the least expensive way to sell but not enough organisations think about the online purchase path in a serious way, or approach the experience from either the perspective of either a customer or a retailer. Of course the theatre offer is more complex than a normal retailer (supermarket or department store) who don’t have to worry about reserved seating, limited availability, membership discounts, concessions, series or subscription.

The solution is to be smart about the customer journey. More than 90% of tickets sold last year were for a single performance so there is a major opportunity to drive up the average basket size with multiple bookings and up-sells. This is the norm for other areas of online purchase, whether one is buying a book, groceries or booking a train or flight.

The ticketing journey that can be created online should be smart enough to proactively make customers aware of other great events in the programme.

Cross selling relevant shows means customers get more of what they like rather than, say, offering a return booking discount on a family show to someone’s who’s just been to a Shakespeare play.

Arts organisations should use the ticket purchase experience as an opportunity to sell the programme, the venue and the organisation.

Tell the story, explain why donations are needed and immerse buyers in the programme.

At Theatre Royal Wakefield we have decided to practice what we preach and over the next few weeks we shall be installing a new ticketing system that will not only make on-line purchases quicker and

Theatre Royal Wakefield, Drury Lane, Wakefield WF1 2TE - www.theatreroyalwakefiel 12

easier, but will also start to address some of the other retailing issues already referred to.

We all need to get better at storytelling in the arts, using our own stories and our own experiences as cultural organisations and unique providers of the art our customers love. Ultimately we are asking you to take a stake in helping to ensure our future success and the least we can do is make our primary interface – the box office – as user friendly and accessible as possible.

field.co.uk tel: 01924 211311 - mail@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk Wakefield Edition August2015 13

•• Retail Fashion

SUMMER SPECIALS There are some fabulous retail offerings within the city alongside an abundance of restaurants and cafes.

As well as Trinity Walk and The Ridings, who host some big names such as Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, Top Shop and Top Man, British Home Stores to name a few, there are some wonderful independent retailers dotted around the city.

Wakefield also has a number of fine restaurants offering cuisine from all corners of the world.

Over our coming issues we will be working with the new retail and nighttime entertainment manager Elizabeth Kay to bring you more retail and entertainment.

If you would like your business included, do get in touch.

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Wakefield Edition August2015 15

•• Legal

Matters

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

EMPLOYERS REVISIT MOBILE PHONE POLICIES FOLLOWING CONTRASTING LEGAL DECISIONS

Employers should ensure their mobile phone policies are clear and complete, to reduce uncertainty over whether or not they apply, following two contrasting legal decisions.

A bus driver thought he had set the alarm on his mobile phone and fell asleep while parked in his bus. The alarm did not go off and when he awoke, realised he was late. He started the engine and drove off with the phone still in his hand. Taking both hands off the wheel so he could put the phone in his pocket, he then put one hand back on the wheel while he adjusted it. The incident was caught on CCTV. The employer operated a clear, wellcommunicated, absolute ban on use of mobile phones at work, and also on their ‘visible presence’ in their drivers’ cabs.

The employee was already on a final disciplinary warning and his employer dismissed him.

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The Employment Tribunal (ET) ruled that his dismissal was fair. In a separate case, an employee was seen using his mobile while driving his own car into the works car park.

An investigation was carried out and he was dismissed. Here, the ET ruled that the dismissal was unfair. He was an employee of 36 years’ standing who had worked his way up to a management position, was considered ‘competent, conscientious and law-abiding’ and had a clean disciplinary record. Particularly, it was not clear whether the employer’s policy on mobile phones prohibited use of phones while entering the works car park in his own car.

Gareth Dando, Head of Employment at Ramsdens comments: “Employers should ensure their mobile phone policies are as clear and complete as possible, to reduce uncertainty over whether or not they apply.”

If you’d like advice or assistance with your HR Handbook and policies call Gareth on 01484 558060 or email gareth. dando@ramsdens.co.uk, we’re here to help you and protect your business.

When schools break up for the holidays, it can be a difficult time for parents particularly those who are bringing up children alone.

Complicated childcare arrangements, financial pressures and trying to keep bored children occupied are issues faced by all parents, but these problems can be even greater for separated parents. Disagreements about where the children will spend time can occur, causing upset for both parents and the children.

Tips to make your holidays #thebest • #Tip1 Make a list of the holiday dates and how much childcare is needed.

This will allow yourself, your

ex and your respective extended

families to understand the situation

and plan fully for the holidays.

•

#Tip2 Spread out your days with your children.

This will allow both parents to have time to spend quality time with the children.

CHANGES TO LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY FORMS JODIE GAJIC - Private Client team

HOLIDAYS FOR SEPARATED PARENTS

O

n 1st July 2015 the existing Lasting Power of Attorney forms for both Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare are changing following responses to the Office of the Public Guardians July 2013 consultation.

Pre July 2015 forms can continue to be used up until 1st January 2016 so long as they have been correctly signed by this date.

A Power of Attorney is a legal document where a person gives another person or persons (the attorney) authority to make certain decisions on his or her behalf.

We can lose our mental capacity or ability to manage our own affairs at any time and an essential part of planning for the future is to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney.

There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs):-

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#Tip 3 Plan ahead for the holidays.

This will avoid any misunderstandings later down the line.

•

#Tip4 Involve your children.

This will allow them a sense of involvement so they know where they will be going to be. It is important to not use contact as a bargaining ploy!

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#Tip5 Going Abroad?

This may make you feel anxious however clear communication can alleviate this stress.

Provide the other parent with full information such as plans for the holiday, contact details and allow contact to occur whilst abroad, even just a phone call.

Are you being refused contact with your children?

Are you and your ex simply unable to reach agreements over who your children should spend with and when?

There are many options available to you to resolve these differences including out of court options, such as mediation.

Contact our expert family team to arrange a free thirty minute appointment in one of our ten offices, email family@ ramsdens.co.ukot call the team free on 08000 147720.

HELEN THEWLIS - Head of Family Law

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A property and financial affairs LPA, which gives your attorney authority to deal with your property and finances, as you specify; and

•

A health and welfare LPA, which allows your attorney to make health and welfare care decisions on your behalf, only when you lack mental capacity to do so yourself.

This could also extend, if you wish, to giving or refusing consent to the continuation of life sustaining treatment.

We are often asked “What happens if I have not made a Lasting Power of Attorney?”Well, in short, if you lack capacity to make a financial decision, then it may be necessary for an application to be made to the Court of Protection for an appropriate order, such as appointing another person to make decisions on your behalf. This is both very costly and time consuming.

Don’t leave your affairs to chance. For peace of mind that someone of your choice could manage your affairs should you become incapable of doing so in the future, telephone our Jodie Gajic in the Private Client Team on 01484 558054 or email jodie.gajic@ramsdens.co.uk for more information. a financial decision, then it may be necessary for an application to be made to the Court of Protection for an appropriate Order, such as appointing another person to make decisions on your behalf. This is both very costly and time consuming.

Don’t leave your affairs to chance. For peace of mind that someone of your choice could manage your affairs should you become incapable of doing so in the future, telephone our Jodie Gajic in the Private Client Team on 01484 558054 or email jodie.gajic@ramsdens.co.uk for more information.

Wakefield Edition August2015 17

•• Local

Hero

HELEN FACES TOUGH CHALLENGES! Helen Knowles is Fundraising Director and has been the face of Wakefield Hospice for 28 years.

Helen with Lord St Oswald

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elen Knowles joined Wakefield Hospice 28 years ago, initially as a volunteer with the Lupset Fundraising Group. At that time, Helen was a young mum with time on her hands and after attending a charity ball, she decided that she could do this with relative ease, so she had a discussion with the then Fundraising Manager Edwin Hirst. A fund-raiser was born!

One of the first events Helen organised was a toy fair held at the Lupset Working Mens Club, She asked Duggie Brown, the comedian who was appearing at Wakefield Theatre Club at that time, to officially open the event.

After the success of the toy fair she set her sights on a much bigger event, and together with Chantry Rotary Club organised a charity ball at the now demolished Painthorpe Country

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Club in Crigglestone. That was 27 years ago and an incredible £11,000 was raised. The guest entertainers were the Barron Knights and over 300 guests attended that inaugural ball. The rest, as they say, is history!

Every year Helen and her fundraising/ retail teams face the daunting task of raising £3.8milliion for the hospice running costs. Although some funding comes from the local PCT this equates to less than 30%, and that means the remainder has to come from the community of Wakefield.

“We live in a very competitive environment and there are so many worthy causes vying for public monies, you do feel as though you are in the entertainments business trying to find new and imaginative ways of inspiring and encouraging the public to play

their part in raising much needed income by donating, volunteering, raising awareness or participation.”

Helen, exudes enthusiasm and passion for the job which she clearly loves.

Helen is the first to put her name forward for any particularly challenging events and is a firm believer that she wouldn’t ask anyone to do anything she wouldn’t be prepared to do herself.

Every other year Lord St Oswald who is the Hospice President, Helen and others who loosely call themselves ‘The Dirty Dozen’ attempt a demanding and

“To ensure the future of the hospice, we rely heavily on community partnerships,”

gruelling challenge to raise funds.

Over the years she has done a Tandem Skydive, run the New York Marathon, Abseiled, trekked to the Base Camp of Everest, walked across part of the Sahara Desert, cycled through Death Valley in the Nevada Desert and Rajasthan in India. Sadly, last year Helen couldn’t go on the latest challenge to climb Kilimanjaro as she fractured her leg in training but over the years she will have raised tens of thousands for Wakefield Hospice.

Helen has organised so many events over the years and engaged with numerous celebrities, so who is her favourite? “This is a difficult question to answer as each and every one of them have brought something very unique to the hospice, an example of this was Sir Stirling Moss who lived up to his reputation as a ‘true British legend’.

There was also comedian Les Dawson, who I had only to look at and he made me laugh. My personal favourite would have to be James Martin, he was incredibly generous with his time and his money and was an incredible supporter of Wakefield Hospice. On the day of the lunch he spent valuable time at the hospice meeting patients, families, volunteers and staff and I have very fond memories of a wonderful day.”

Helen with hospice patient Thelma

of Helen with hospice patient, Thelma, who helped to design the hospice logo.

The hospice accepted its first patients on April 2nd 1990. It had cost £920,000 to build, £60,000 to furnish and at that time it cost £450,000 a year to run. It was described as ‘the cream of hospices’ by Martyn Lewis, the newscaster and author of “Tears

Another significant part of Helen’s role is overseeing the management of the hospices’ six charity outlets and the warehouse which are situated in and around Wakefield.

Helen admitted that she takes a lot of inspiration from patients and their families, “even though some of them are coming to the end of their lives, I am humbled by their words of encouragement, support and appreciation. I am often accused of being greedy in trying to raise as much money for the hospice as possible”. She makes no apologies whatsoever as it is her job to ensure we raise as much income as is possible for our patients and families and in her eyes she will always put them first. You will see a photograph

and Smiles” a book about hospices.

The hospice provides eight single ensuite bedrooms and two four bed ward areas, a Day Care Unit, bereavement support and education. The in-patient unit team comprises of doctors, nurses, therapists, social worker, chaplain and complementary therapists. They work alongside patents to identify their needs and priorities and will individualise care. They provide patients with maximum quality of life and relief.

“To ensure the future of the hospice, we rely heavily on community partnerships” said Helen. “My greatest challenge is funding and never taking anything for granted. In a perfect world we shouldn’t have to ask for money but until that happens it is important to grow the amount individuals are giving and that is about finding more compelling propositions for our donors.”

“We are very grateful for the people of Wakefield for their loyalty and support over the last 25 years.”

Helen with James Martin

Wakefield Edition August2015 19

••

Wakefield Lit Fest

Wakefield Lit Fest is back! Now in it’s fourth year, the festival celebrates reading and writing, and has been established and programmed by Beam since 2012. The festival focuses on the relationship between the written and performed word and the places we live in, walk through and imagine and works across artforms exploring themes of localism, nationalism and identity.

WAKEFIELD LIT FEST ANNOUNCE PROGRAMME FOR FOURTH FESTIVAL

Wakefield Lit Fest 2015 takes place 1827 September at a range of venues and public spaces across the city and district from community centres, cafes and shops to Wakefield’s historic buildings, churches, chapels and libraries.

This years festival programme includes a wide range of community led events including Red Shed readings, writers workshops, spoken word and performance, walking tours and film screenings celebrating words, reading and writing.

Children and young people are invited to take part in workshops and events as part of a special weekend on 26 and 27 September with a Big Read, storytelling and hands on activities and a special appearance by Nick Arnold best known for his Horrible Science series of books for children.

As part of the 2015 festival, Beam are

working with artist Rebecca Jenkins and local community groups in Featherstone to create a bespoke Festival of Words on Saturday 19 September. Celebrating local heroes the mini-festival includes writing workshops, a murder mystery tea dance, pop up café, outdoor events and a schools writing competition.

Carol Ann Duffy as ‘world-class – one of today’s greatest poetry performers’.

This hugely popular and entertaining poetry superstar returns to Wakefield Lit Fest to explore the meaning of Yorkshire – the theme of his new book Neither Nowt Nor Summat and will perform on Sunday 27 September.

This year Beam is delighted to announce critically acclaimed contemporary poet and National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke as part of the festival programme on Friday 18 September. Her poems have achieved widespread acclaim with her last three books being Poetry Book Society recommendations. Listening to a Gillian Clarke poem is an incredibly sensual experience; her use of language is described by The Times Literary Supplement as “concrete as it is musical”.

The full programme will be announced in early August, please visit the website wakefieldlitfest.org.uk, twitter @Wake_Lit_Fest or facebook Wakefield Lit fest to find about more about tickets, events and workshops – or call Beam on 01924 215 550.

One of the country’s best loved historians and festival patron Michael Wood will be making a special appearance this year on Tuesday 24 September exploring the history of China to coincide with his new book and major BBC series broadcast this autumn.

If there were such a thing as a professional Yorkshireman, Ian McMillan would be it, described by 20

Ian McMillan

for all your legal needs call your local solicitors Ramsdens with 10 offices across West Yorkshire we’re never too far away

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01924 669510 www.ramsdens.co.uk Wakefield Edition August2015 21

•• Banking

SANTANDER HELP AMBITIOUS SME’S GROW AND PROSPER In 2011 Santander put together Breakthrough – our way to help ambitious small to medium enterprises reach their full potential.

By Jonathon Rostron

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here are five pillars to Breakthrough: Talent, International, Connections, Knowledge and Finance – built on feedback from our customers on the key needs of ambitious business.

This month I’ve been fortunate to spend some time with the Su and Zoë at the University of Huddersfield Careers centre looking at how the Santander p a r t n e r sh ip h e lp s l o c a l businesses access top talent.

The University of Huddersfield is a Santander Partner University, and part of the Santander Universities Global Network that Santander supports annually with 3500 scholarships, grants and internships with small and medium sized enterprises, as well as other activities.

period. If businesses need another pair of hands and can commit to paying someone at least minimum wage, the funding is there for you to take. When you’re an SME, taking on a member of staff is a big risk. That bit of funding makes a world of difference.” – Janet Bebb, Social Progress Ltd

In 2015, Santander is part funding 20 internships at Huddersfield University Sue and Zoe talked me through how this works in practicality for local businesses.

“We have funding to give and we want to give it! We just need the SME businesses to apply and take hold of this opportunity.”

– Zoe Mitton, University of Huddersfield

In January 2015 Social Progress Ltd took the leap of faith and took Esther Orridge on as an intern though the Santander Internship Programme. The 3 month internship was part-funded by Santander, which enabled Social Progress’s owner, Janet Bebb to expand without having to take as much of a financial risk as if it was done independently.

As explained, Esther’s Internship was used as a Probation Period – and she passed – she’s now officially a part of the SoPro Team as a Social Media Account Manager and the Social Progress blogger. “I’d always encourage anyone to do an internship and/ or some form of works experience – I’m so glad I did a sandwich year at Uni! The Santander Internship Programme is another opportunity for SMEs and students to work together. Experience is invaluable to getting into the real world of work. Grades are important but you can’t quantify attitude and a willingness to work hard at whatever you do.” – Esther Orridge, Social Progress Ltd

“The Santander Internship Programme was brilliant for introducing Esther to Social Progress Ltd. The funding took some of the financial pressure off the business and it was great to be able to feel supported through [what we used as] the probation

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Through the 3 month Internship/Probation Period Esther has had a social boost in the wonderful world of Social Media for Business. She was previously “self-taught” but has now grown under the care and nurturing of owner and chief trainer Janet Bebb.

From Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus, Pinterest and Instagram, Esther is busy managing client social media accounts and writing up content for both Social Progress Ltd and clients too! She’s been to various networking events and enjoys the variety of clients that they work with – especially those involving some form of cake!

So if you think that the Santander Internship Programme is something you could be interested in, do get in touch with Suzanne Maynard (s.d.maynard@hud.ac.uk) at the University of Huddersfield to find out more.

“Su has been fantastic with helping us to apply for the Programme and connect the dots when we had a few questions. She was right on the ball and extremely helpful!” – Esther Orridge, Social Progress Ltd. Pic: Intern Esther Orridge working at Social Progress, part funded by Santander.

We can help you achieve your business ambitions, talk to us today jonathan. rostron@santander.co.uk

Wakefield Edition August2015 23

•• Beauty

GIVE YOUR SKIN A BOOST THIS SUMMER WITH MICRODERMABRASION AND OXYGEN THERAPY The natural alternative to cosmetic surgery is The Crystal Clear Oxygen treatment, clinically proven to breathe new life into tired aged skin, and five treatments are all that’s needed to achieve younger more rejuvenated skin.

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ased on new technology, Crystal Clear Oxygen therapy is a sophisticated treatment that delivers pulsed oxygen and skin restructuring actives deep into the epidermis where skin health, elasticity and firmness begin. Fast becoming known as the ultimate facial among celebrities, clients can’t get enough of the fantastic results – dramatically rejuvenated skin with lines and wrinkles visibly reduced.

Oxygen is one of the five elements needed to sustain life and provides life and energy to every living cell. When our oxygen levels become low our immune system is weakened, and the ageing process is associated with a drop in available oxygen in the skin cells.

The Crystal Clear Oxygen system uses puncture jet technology that allows oxygen and specially selected anti-ageing skincare actives to be driven into the skin.

Performed in a closed circuit environment, it provides the lower layers of the skin with much needed nutrients to repair and restructure from the inside out.

The safe and effective skin-resurfacing treatment The Crystal Clear Skin System microdermabrasion technique performs a progressive rather 24

than an aggressive treatment, and is Dermatologist and Dermatology approved.

From a simple beauty flash that instantly rejuvenates and lifts tired skin, to more in-depth treatments for lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, stretch marks and pigmentation problems – it does it all.

Microdermabrasion is a safe, controlled way to exfoliate skin and superficially peel the Stratum Corneum, reducing its thickness through mechanical abrasion of the dead skin cells.

A flow of crystals hit the skin’s surface, and the speed and abrasiveness of these crystals gently removes the epidermal cells layer by layer. Used crystals and dead skin cells are drawn away through the vacuum action, allowing for controlled exfoliation.

This gentle vacuum action also gives an immediate lifting effect on tired muscles and stimulates the blood supply to the skin’s surface. This helps promote new collagen and elastin formation.

Specific attention is given to any areas of concern such as open pores, fine lines and wrinkles, blemished skin or acne scaring, resulting in dramatically rejuvenated skin.

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CONFIDENCE AND PERFORMANCE ON THE RISE IN THE LEEDS CITY REGION

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he survey, found that three times as many businesses said their overall performance has improved over the past 12 months than said it had deteriorated, with over half of all respondents expecting further improvements and growth in the year ahead.

Key findings show that 64% of all businesses had invested in innovation activities in the last year by introducing new products or processes and investing in research and development. A quarter said their total number of employees had increased in the last year and 35% expect it to increase in the next year.

An independent survey of over 3,000 companies in Leeds City Region confirms business confidence is on the rise with employment, investment and business growth all increasing.

“This information is invaluable to us as we continue to develop our growth-offer to SMEs and call on government to devolve further powers and funding so we can respond to the local business needs, both now and in the future.”

With 50% of those businesses who used independent advice experiencing growth, the survey reinforces how important it is for firms to take full advantage of the support available from the LEP and its partners.

The findings from the survey, conducted by BMG research during spring this year, are available on the LEP website.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the LEP said:“This survey is crucial in helping us identify the strengths of our business community and understand the challenges they face now and in the future so I’d like to thank all those businesses who took the time to take part.

In the current economic climate, it is pleasing to see businesses continuing to grow and invest in new activity, particularly around innovation and training.

“However, there is still much for us to do to support businesses to grow further and achieve our ambition of transformational economic growth in our region. This survey has helped sharpen our understanding of the challenges businesses face and will help to shape our activity going forward to ensure we are meeting the needs of businesses.”

CWDIX LIMITED ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS ADVISORS

Over three quarters of respondents identified the City Region as a good place to do business, with good road access and high speed broadband most frequently mentioned as advantages of locating in Leeds City Region. Although businesses mentioned relatively few disadvantages to their location, the availability and cost of land and premises was the most commonly mentioned issue.

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The findings also highlighted some significant barriers that are hindering business growth. Access to finance was the biggest issue raised, whilst 74% of businesses identified skills gaps within their current business model that will need to be addressed in the next 12-18 months if they are to meet their growth ambitions. The survey also found that although 15% of business currently export, there remain many more for whom the benefits of exporting are not being fully realised.

Roger added: “Our new LEP growth service is designed to support small and medium sized businesses that are looking to grow. It will act as a one-stop-shop, to help companies find the right support and funding to realise their growth ambitions. Coupled with our skills service and local initiatives to support exporting activity and uptake of apprenticeships, we are addressing some of the key challenges our businesses face to help our economy grow.

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Wakefield Edition August2015 25

•• News

Round Up

NEW £5000 GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO BOOST CYBER SECURITY A new scheme to protect small businesses from cyber attacks has been announced by the Government

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peaking at the Reform “Cyber Security: assurance, resilience, response” conference in London, Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey has outlined how a new voucher scheme designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) will launch later this month.

innovation vouchers scheme will offer micro, small and medium sized businesses up to £5,000 for specialist advice to boost their cyber security and protect new business ideas and intellectual property. The scheme will be overseen by the Government’s innovation experts at Innovate UK."

The launch of the voucher scheme is part of a package of initiatives designed to increase the resilience of UK businesses to cyber-attacks. The package also includes a new online learning and careers hub to help ensure the UK has the cyber skills talent pool to protect both the public and private sectors as we face the reality of increasing cyber threats.

As well as helping protect businesses from cyber attack, the vouchers enable firms to access services from the UK cyber security industry. This new scheme will also help businesses to adopt Cyber Essentials, Government’s flagship scheme to protect businesses online.

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: "We want to help protect UK businesses against cyber attack and make the UK safest place in world to do business online. The new voucher scheme will offer increased protection for small businesses, and the new online hub will help ensure we have the skilled workforce in place to manage the increased pressures of the digital age.

"The new UK £1m cyber security

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Kevin Baughan, Innovate UK’s Director of Technology and Innovation said: "The UK’s economy is increasingly underpinned by digital infrastructure, so cyber security is now a critical component. The schemes announced today will give cyberconfidence for businesses and consumers and will help our digital economy to flourish. The UK now has the opportunity to become a world leader in cyber security, creating the jobs of tomorrow and driving productivity and growth.

The UK cyber security industry is strong and growing - worth £17.6bn

and employs over 40,000 people – but more skilled people are needed to help protect the nation as the UK goes digital and adopts new technologies.

The new “Inspired Careers” online skills and career hub being launched today has been developed by industry body CREST and Government to tackle the skills shortage in cyber security.

The hub features careers information and advice, internship and apprenticeship opportunities, academic and professional training courses, work experience and senior level vacancies, and will be a powerful tool to promote the cyber security profession and encourage the next generation of cyber specialists to help protect the UK."

TopicUK www.topicuk.co.uk TEL: 07711 539047

•• Politics

AN UPDATE FROM MORLEY & OUTWOOD MP ANDREA JENKYNS Newly elected Member of parliment Andrea Jenkyns talks about the local economy.

As the MP for an urban Northern constituency I eagerly awaited the Chancellor’s summer budget, hoping to hear about investment in the North, and businesses being set free to create jobs and wealth. I was pleased to see a number of measures to help businesses and that we are moving from a culture of welfare dependency to a low tax, high wage economy.

The most important news for many businesses was the reduction in Corporation Tax. It will fall from 20% today to 19% in April 2017 and to 18% by 2020. In the last Parliament we cut it from 28% to 20%, meaning we currently have the joint lowest corporate tax rate in the G20 group of nations.

This reduction helped to kick start the economic recovery, and the latest reductions will help to make British businesses even more competitive.

An increase in the Employment Allowance, which reduces employers’ National Insurance bills, will be good for small businesses. The allowance is currently £2,000, and will increase to £3,000 in April 2016. A number of small business owners from my constituency contacted me about their concerns over the new National Living Wage, but the increased Employment Allowance means a company will be able to employ four people on the Living Wage before paying any employers’ National Insurance contributions.

The Annual Investment Allowance, which allows firms to offset up to 100% of the cost of qualifying Plant and Machinery against their Corporation Tax Bill, is to be £200,000 for 2016. This is a positive step as it was scheduled to fall to £25,000 next year, after a temporary rise to £500,000 in 2015.

This means local companies like Peter Duffy Civil Engineers in Lofthouse

and AWM in Gildersome can continue to invest in the equipment they need to grow, and create more jobs.

A key theme of the budget was welfare reform. Our goal here is to make the welfare system fair to those who fund it, while protecting the most vulnerable in society, and getting people back to work. The Chancellor announced a range of measures to help achieve this, including freezing some working age benefits, a reduction in rent for social housing tenants, and limiting child tax credit to a couple’s first two children.

Changes to the The Personal Tax Allowance mean that 41,892 people in my constituency of Morley and Outwood will pay less income tax and 929 more people will be taken out of income tax at all together. This is a very positive measure, allowing people to keep more of their money, as tax is by far the largest expenditure of most households. This is because the personal

tax allowance will be increased from £10,600 to £11,000 from 2016. The point at which people pay the 40p rate will rise from £42,385 to £43,000. This is the first major step towards raising the personal allowance to £12,500, and the 40p threshold to £50,000 by 2020.

Transport for the North, a partnership of City Regions and Transport Authorities from across the North of England will receive £30 million of funding over the next 3 years, helping it to deliver the infrastructure needed to create the Northern Powerhouse, with its new powers to set transport policy and investments. The Chancellor has also confirmed that further devolved powers for Yorkshire will only come with a directly elected Mayor, much like Greater Manchester’s ‘Devo-Manc’ deal. I am taking a great interest in how devolution will happen in West Yorkshire, as this will shape our business and political landscapes for many years to come. andrea.jenkyns.mp@parliament.uk

Wakefield Edition August2015 27

•• Information

Technology

The death of one IT monster leads to the beginning of another!

Businesses beware, Server 2003 is now officially dead and buried and if you’re still operating it, expect headaches and additional expense. Though if you’re planning to migrate to Windows 10, don’t expect the ride to be plain sailing either, as Paul Heigham, Director of Bellingham IT, explains…

On 14 July, Microsoft’s Windows Server 2003 finally kicked the bucket. As of that date, the long-standing operating system is no longer supported by Microsoft, meaning we’ve seen the last of bulletins and security updates. If your business has been running Windows Server 2003, you’ll need to plan and execute a migration strategy in order to keep your infrastructure protected.

Without support from developers, cracks in the 2003 system will be open for hackers to exploit. Perhaps this wouldn’t matter quite so much if 70% of UK businesses weren’t still running Server 2003. Furthermore, according to one recent survey, a third of businesses which are planning to upgrade will have missed the July 14 deadline.

If you are amongst the businesses who have yet to upgrade you should be aware that Server 2003 isn’t designed to integrate with today’s technology, such as apps, cloud and mobile platforms. You should also be aware that failing to migrate to a new system is likely to prove costlier than staying put, as Microsoft has announced it plans to charge £385 a month per device for firms that miss the deadline and require support.

it will be unable to ship Windows 10 until July 29, confirming that the new update will be a scaled launch.

Microsoft’s Guinea Pigs? – Joe Public!

The first scaled down batch of Microsoft 10 has been exclusively available to Windows Insider users, those who signed up to be the early birds of the Windows operating system previously only available to developers.

Getting its ‘Insiders’ to test out Windows 10 enables Microsoft to monitor the popularity of the system as well as any systemwide issues. Once the software giant has knowledge of any issues or problems on-board and has, apparently, overcome them, it will then push out another batch to customers.

Microsoft has often used the public as a final testing block and has been prone to having to iron out problems even when a new system is actively available.

So upgrading from Server 2003 might be the responsible thing to do but if you’re considering migrating to Windows 10, you should be also be mindful there are likely to be new risks your business could stumble into.

Given Microsoft’s tendency to use the public as testing water and with the arrival of Windows 10 showing no signs of exception, my advice is if you are thinking about migrating to Windows 10, is to wait a couple of months and let Microsoft arbitrate and resolve the almost inevitable issues Windows 10 is likely to be beset with.

I have to admit, it’s been a shaky start for Windows 10. In typical Microsoft fashion, teething problems with the new operating system have kicked in before it’s had chance to really get going. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced

For further information about planning the migration away from Windows Server 2003, a full review of your current technology infrastructure or advise on the upgrade to Windows 10, then contact Paul Heigham at Bellingham IT.

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Wakefield Edition August2015 29

•• Health

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SUGAR SINS AND SUGAR SWAPS Exercise is the way to good health, isn’t that what we are always being told?

Dr Andrew FURBER - WAKEFIELD PUBLIC HEALTH DEPT

If you have a reasonable diet and exercise regularly, keep active throughout the day, you would probably think that you are in good shape!! “We exercise so we can eat and drink what we want” is something that is often bandied about and quite right too, if you put in the hard work why shouldn’t you reward yourself with the food and drink that you want?

Well you can’t out run a bad diet apparently. The latest research singles out sugar as the primary cause of obesity, sugar manufacturers would argue that it is not right to vilify individual products, but sugar is full of calories and has no nutritional value it makes you think about how much do you actually consume.

So, how much is Ok? Sugars added to food shouldn’t make up more than 10% of the energy (calories) you get from food and drink each day. The most at risk group is boys age 11 to 18 who average 15.6% sugar. Sweets, chocolate and jams made up another 19-22% of children’s sugar intake and younger children also get a large proportion of their sugar from cereals as well as cakes/ biscuits and drinks.

This is putting our and our children’s health at risk.

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“The strength of the evidence is now enough to show a direct link with added sugars and obesity, diabetes and heart disease,” For adults aged 19-64, the main sources are also confectionery and jams, soft drinks and cereals and alcohol adds another 10%. What is known is that eating too many calories without enough exercise can lead to obesity - and obesity is a risk factor for other conditions.

“1 can of coke a day for a year =3510 teaspoons of sugar =15kg potential weigh gain!!”

So what can you do?

The World Health Organisation guidelines are currently 50g of sugar per person per day for women, 70g for men. There are various apps and web pages that you can access to get advice on sugar swaps and reducing the level of sugar in your diet, but to do this you need to understand how much sugar is in your diet so that you can identify how to reduce it.

Food Switch is an app for the phone or tablet which allows you for the first time to scan the barcodes of your food and drinks products and instantly see whether they are high (red), medium (amber) or low (green) in fat, saturates, sugars and salt per 100g.

It also searches the database for similar

but healthier alternative products, making it easier than ever to switch to healthier food choices.

Cutting down on the known sugars is a good way to start, like sugar in your tea or coffee, chocolate bars/biscuits etc but also hidden sugars too. Sugar is in lots of pre-processed food, and we don’t even realise it, from sauces, to cereals, from soups to yogurts e.g.

Heinz tomato soup – 5 cubes of sugar Dolmio Bolognese sauce – 6 cubes 500ml fresh orange juice – 10 cubes Sugar swaps Change4Life recommends 4 simple sugar swaps to choose from, tackling different ‘sugar occasions’ in the day: The breakfast swap: sugary cereal for plain cereal, like a whole wheat biscuit cereal The drink swap: from sugary drinks to sugar-free or no-added-sugar drinks The after school swap: for example from muffin to fruited teacake.

The pudding swap: for example from ice cream to low-fat lower-sugar yoghurt.

Within the workplace look at swaps you can make in the vending and canteen area or consider a fruit ‘honesty box’ for staff to have easy access to. If you require any further information please contact the Councils Health Improvement team at healthimprovement@wakefield.gov.uk.

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BACK TO

•• Exhibition

A

- IN THE UNDERGROUND GALLERY AND OPEN AIR -

In 2015, Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) offers a fresh perspective to the work of Henry Moore (1898– 1986) in a major exhibition of more than 120 works considering the artist’s profound relationship with land, something which was fundamental to his practice and fuelled his visual vocabulary.

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orn into a mining family in Castleford, West Yorkshire, Moore is one of the most important artists of the 20th century and was a founding patron of YSP. Henry was the seventh of eight children in a family that often struggled with poverty. He attended infant and elementary schools in Castleford, where he began modelling in clay and carving in wood. He professed to have decided to become a sculptor when he was eleven after hearing of Michelangelo’s achievements at a Sunday School reading.

He became well-known through his carved marble and largerscale abstract cast bronze sculptures, and was instrumental in introducing a particular form of modernism to the United Kingdom. His ability in later life to fulfill large-scale commissions made him exceptionally wealthy. Yet he lived frugally and most of the money he earned went towards endowing the Henry Moore Foundation, which continues to support education and promotion of the arts. Moore died on 31 August 1986, aged 88.

Henry Moore: Back to a Land is produced in partnership with The Henry Moore Foundation. It explores the artist’s radical notion of placing sculpture in the landscape, something which forever changed British sculpture. Moore was committed to showing his work in the open air and in the rolling hills of YSP’s former Deer Park in particular. Here, it can be experienced with the resident flock of sheep, an animal described by the artist as an ideal foil for the appreciation of his work, being exactly the right size and scale. The exhibition takes its title from Jacquetta Hawkes’ seminal book A Land (1951), a poetic history of the physical landscape of Britain.

Moore illustrated a 1954 edition of the book and the exhibition features these originals.

Monumental sculptures, such as Large Two Forms (1966–69) and Large Reclining Figure (1984), are displayed against the beautiful and historic vistas of the Bretton Estate. Experienced as monuments in the landscape, and referencing prehistoric land interventions, Moore’s sculptures in the open air are ever changing, given life through different skies, weather and season. This interest in the relationship between sculpture and 32

landscape can be seen in the contemporary works by David Nash, Andy Goldsworthy and other Land Artists that share the estate. Carefully chosen sculptures are curated in relation to each other, the outdoor pieces visible from the galleries and the historic yew hedge forming a dramatic backdrop to the indoor spaces.

Exploring scale and the interplay between internal and external spaces, Henry Moore: Back to a Land also emphasises the artist’s constant investigation of land, from the black coal seams of his hometown and the rich geology of Britain, to the mystical ancient forms of Stonehenge. Inside the awardwinning and purpose-built Underground Gallery, sculptures, maquettes and rarely seen works on paper, such as Rocky Landscape (1982), demonstrate Moore’s understanding of geology and rock formations, and reference his childhood experience of caves.

The human figure, like the landscape, was at the core of Moore’s practice and works in the exhibition explore the relationship between figure and landscape through both the iconic large-scale sculptures for which Moore is so well known, as well as through rarely seen two-dimensional works.

Moore was able to explore on paper imaginary landscapes not possible in three dimensions, drawn from his own psyche and experiences. In the atmospheric etching, Reclining Figure in Dark Landscape (1979–80), landscape and figure become a single formidable being, while the etching Elephant Skull (1970), which could be mistaken for a scene of rocks and crevices, demonstrates Moore’s interest in bones and skeletal structures – the interior space of the body in relation to that of the earth.

The themes of the exhibition are given context by a carefully selected display of personal artefacts, notes, sketches and photographs, curated by the artist’s only child Mary Moore.

Henry Moore: Back to a Land is accompanied by an extensive learning and events programme, a publication with in-situ photography, an exhibition film, and an exclusive range of merchandise.

“The mystery of what is under the shroud is somewhat akin to the mystery in poetry. It is this element of the unknown that fascinates me in caves and the holes in the sides of hills – you don’t know what is there until you look and explore into them. This mystery excites the imagination and poetry has the same multi-meaning that makes you explore it in depth.” Henry Moore, 1974

Wakefield Edition August2015 33

•• Feature ••Special News Round Up

LADIES IN WAKEFIELD

NINA GUNSON

WAKEFIELD GIRLS’ HIGH

Born and raised in Huddersfield, I was lucky enough to attend an amazing school, Wakefield Girls’ High.

On leaving, I gained a first class honours degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Huddersfield and have since completed a Masters in Multimedia and E-Learning, as well as my professional teaching qualifications.

I entered the teaching profession as a teacher of Biology at Bradford Girls’ Grammar School, but I have always been ambitious and aimed for headship from the outset of my career. I strived to be the best I could be in each of my roles and grasped each new opportunity that presented itself to me.

We often hear about a glass ceiling for women in their chosen profession but this is not something I have encountered.

Teaching is a female dominated ca re e r bu t ye t , a s mal l e r proportion of Heads are women than men, I think this is more a matter of choice rather than opportunity – surely success should be measured by doing a job you love that fits in with your own lifestyle, rather than holding the ‘top job,’ and for many women this may be a teacher, Head of Department or Head of Year.

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I worked as a Head of Science and then Assistant Headteacher at Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College in Bradford and, for the past four years, have been Deputy Head at Sheffield High School.

This summer I am thrilled to be taking up my new appointment as Head of Wakefield Girls’ High School, that same amazing school I was lucky enough to attend as a pupil. I have received the warmest or receptions from the school community and really feel like I am coming home. It is wonderful that many girls I attended school with have remained in or returned to West Yorkshire and Wakefield in particular.

Wakefield is a vibrant city to be a part of, which offers great opportunities for real networking and supporting each other’s professional interests. I now have the greatest job, allowing me to lead in the education of Wakefield’s next generation. If these young women are happy at school, love learning, are inspired by other female role models and have the confidence to aim for anything they hope to achieve, then I am doing a cracking job!

EILEEN HOLROYD

THE RIDINGS

Eileen left school at 16 and held a number of positions before joining the Ridings Shopping Centre when it opened more than 30 years ago as Centre Administrator.

I attended a day release B-Tec qualification in Business and Finance which I passed with distinction. After gaining the qualification, I was promoted to Senior Administrator and then to Centre Co-ordinator at which point, I was considered second in charge to the Centre Manager.

When the Centre Manager left, I applied for the post and was delighted when I was appointed.

The job is very challenging and there is never a dull moment.

It’s a large property to maintain and I rely on all the staff to pull together.

My main goal is to keep the Centre looking fresh and interesting for our visitors and keeping a good mix of tenants and promotional activities that encourage our visitors to return on a regular basis.

I am involved in many of the city centre initiatives and the Centre is trying to work closely with Local Authority

and Trinity Walk Shopping Centre to give a united offer to visitors to Wakefield as a whole and as an interesting destination.

We look forward to Christmas every year and I love the excitement of the light switch on which has become a bigger and bigger event over the years with one of the X-Factor finalists coming to visit, pushing the button to turn on the Christmas lights as well as our well established strolling Santa and some characters from the local pantomime. my desk with the usual bombardment of e-mails, I’m learning to take a break every now and then and walk around the Centre so that people actually know who I am and, of course, my door is always open for people to call in with any suggestions or questions.

Wakefield has always been my home town and I couldn’t be more proud to have been given the opportunity to play such an important role within the City.

This issue we focus on women who are a driving force in wakefield. we caught up with six ladies who are based in the region, who tell us how they made it to the top and what they think of the future of wakefield.

ANDREA JENKYNS

MP FOR MORLEY & OUTWOOD

JOANNE RONEY OBE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, WAKEFIELD COUNCIL

The thing that I love about life is that sometimes Birmingham born Joanne started her career in local government as an apprentice aged 16, where most of her it can lead you onto an unexpected journey. career was spent in housing and regeneration.

That is what happened to me with politics.

I started in retail at sixteen, worked my way up through the ranks in management.

In my thirties I ran my own business and also became a music teacher in schools.

In 2011 I lost my father after he caught MRSA in hospital during a routine operation.

The level of care he received in hospital was not great and three months after his death I became a trustee of the charity MRSA Action UK and this is how my journey into becoming an MP began.

I wanted to ensure that compassionate care is the heart of our NHS, whilst my business head also saw wastage and wanted to ensure good value for taxpayers’ money.

I decided that if I really wanted to make a difference in people’s lives then becoming a politician was one way that I could get involved in policy making and standing up for individuals against a bureaucratic system.

In April 2013, I was selected

to fight the seat of Morley and Outwood. I really wanted to win and for this I knew I must commit to it full time. So I gave up my job, sold my house and moved in with my mother so I could afford to work on this 100%. Two years later on 8th May I was elected.

The three months since my election have been an incredible journey. I was elected onto the Health Select Committee. I have set up an All Party Parliamentary Group on patient safety and I am also chairing a group on town centre management that looks at how we can support our high streets. I am also a member of the Treasury Support Group.

I have had thousands of pieces of correspondence from residents needing support including casework from residents who have lost loved ones needlessly; which hits home to me in that I am truly doing something that touches my heart and spurs me on more to try to make a difference.

She has worked in a number of sectors including: voluntary, private and local government.

Joanne moved to Yorkshire in 1997 to work for Kirklees Council and was Executive Director Sheffield City Council.

In 2008 Joanne was appointed Chief Executive of Wakefield, Metropolitan District Council, overseeing all Council services to a growing population of 327,000 residents.

During this time the Council has embarked on an organisational development and financial strategy to both reduce operating costs by 30% and at same time continue to invest in the future economy of the district.

“Business is performing well in Wakefield and recovery from the recession can be seen across all key sectors. We have seen the completion of major regeneration projects including Trinity Walk Shopping Centre, The Hepworth Gallery, the building of a new railway station and road network and in 2013 the opening of Wakefield One ‘one stop shop’ for services, but I would like to see more investment from overseas and growth in exports,” Joanne told us.

“These major improvements

significantly repositioned the reputation and economic competitiveness of the city, both nationally and regionally.

Last year, Wakefield had the highest level of GVA growth across West Yorkshire of 3.3% (£6.7bn) and the lowest level ever of young people not in employment or training at 4.9%.

“I have had the pleasure of working alongside many women who have achieved in business across the district and hope to see more successful lady entreprenurs in the future.”

As a member of Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Joanne is the lead CX for skills, and is overseeing the devolution of skills funding.

Nationally Joanne is a Board member of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education and The Guardian Public Sector Leaders Board.

Joanne has an MBA from Birmingham University, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing (FCIH) a member of the Princes’ Trust and The Royal Society of Arts (RSA).In 2009, Joanne was Awarded an OBE for services to local government.

Continued Over 

Wakefield Edition August2015 35

•• Special

Feature

RACHEL ROWLING

CLAIRE YOUNG

YORKSHIRE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LTD

EDUCATING WAKEFIELD BUSINESSES

As the Development Director and a 50% shareholder in Yorkshire Telecom, when I first joined in 1999 the official title was Commercial Director, I also spent several years as Managing Director. Titles don’t actually mean very much to me, the appeal has always been the role it’s self.

I started my business School Speakers five years ago at an office based in Horbury.

The role of Development Director can be interpreted as ambiguously as you like but to me, it’s quite simple; everything I do has to develop and benefit our relationships with our customers, our staff, our network of contacts and the wider business community, including charities and social enterprises. Personally, if you have to work, I can’t imagine anything could beat the feeling of helping a customer’s business grow, seeing a member of our team develop and achieve in areas they never thought possible, whilst doing and giving what you can, when you can, for the business community around you.

YTL is predominantly a regional business, with a national database who actively chose to relocate to Wakefield and we are glad we did. Personally speaking, I’ve spent my career based in the region with much time spent in London, Liverpool 36

and Newcastle in what was and is, a man’s field. Now don’t shoot me, but I’ve NEVER felt, seen or perceived a glass ceiling, ever.

In fact, I’ve only ever heard it mentioned once, when I worked for a Leeds based technology company in 1996, by a woman who wasn’t achieving. Out of the five key roles in YTL, three are held by women.

I ’ve neve r exp e r i e nced a business community like the one in Wakefield before and it did shock me a little bit at first because everyone really did know everyone. I stood back and watched for a short time, worked out how we could positively contribute to the business community and then got involved. As an environment for healthy business, Wakefield is winning hands down and if I could do anything, it would be to spread the ‘Wakefield Way’ further a field in to Leeds, Huddersfield, Sheffield and beyond.

We are the UK’s number one speaking agency working with schools, colleges and universities to provide talks, workshops and full day activities. We work with thousands of schools across the country as well as internationally. I’m a big believer that you can run a business from anywhere with the right idea, right technology and the right people.

I am proud to be based in Wakefield and establishing a business here. The city has great energy, is always evolving on how to improve and grow economically. It is the people of Wakefield who are the backbone of the city, they drive to succeed and to make things happen.

In Wakefield there are a huge number of very successful business women, but they ne e d t o b e co me mo re visible for others to see. I think it’s important for the younger generations to see

that women are working and doing a great job.

Role models for our future pipeline of working talent are key to Wakefield’s business growth. I don’t think the glass ceiling exists in the city, there is a ‘can-do’ attitude and if you want to do something, it is there for the taking regardless of gender.

Aligning schools and businesses needs to be developed so that there are stronger partnerships. Young people need to know what opportunities are available on their doorstep, the skills they need to succeed and employers need a dynamic workforce.

The Community Foundation For Wakefield District •

Our goal is to create a healthier and happier Wakefield district where hardship and inequality are things of the past.

•

We want local grass-roots projects to flourish.

•

We connect those who care passionately about the district and its people. We form partnerships between community groups that are making a difference and the people who wish to invest in a better future for our district.

•

We do this through:-

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Raising money from the Wakefield district (local philanthropy).

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Distributing money to Voluntary and Community Groups based in the Wakefield district (through grants programmes)

If you want to help make a difference locally, please contact us on: T: 01924 239 181 E: swalsh@communityfoundationwakefield.co.uk

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Wakefield Edition August2015 37

•• Feature •• Special News Round Up

A WAKEFIELD BUSINESS STORY

A two part investigation into the growth and wealth of Wakefield city written by Kevin Trickett, president of the Wakefield Civic Society.

L

ook up in Cheapside, or Thompsons and Woolpack Yards, and you will see the vestiges of numerous hoists jutting out from the top of buildings; buildings that are now often smart offices but which were originally built as warehouses for storing grain and wool.

While Wakefield may be known today for its association with rhubarb, its early commercial activity was centred on textiles, agriculture and mining.

Raw wool from the surrounding area was brought into Wakefield to be sold at market or to be processed – there were fulling mills (where wool is treated with detergents to remove the oil) along the banks of the River Calder and local weavers could use the treated wool to produce cloth. The Tammy Hall (between Wood Street and King Street) was built for the trade in cloths

(a tammy is a type of worsted cloth), and opened in 1778. Unfortunately, the trade was relatively short lived in Wakefield as business moved to Leeds, Bradford and other places in the West Riding. The building was acquired by Wakefield Corporation who demolished part of it to create a site for the current town hall and converted what was left into a police and fire station.

Wakefield was, nonetheless, an important market town and administrative centre by the turn of the 19th Century. With good links by turnpike (toll) roads and, later, canals (the River Calder had been made navigable to Wakefield from around 1702), traders converged on the town to buy and sell raw materials, finished goods, grain and livestock: some readers will no doubt remember, for example, the cattle market that stood

on Market Street (where the Royal Mail building is now) and which closed for business as recently as 1963, after nearly 200 years of operation. The Graziers pub on George Street takes its name from the men who grazed their cattle to get them ready for market.

What is perhaps less well known is that, before the coming of the railways in 1840, Wakefield had become a busy inland port: it was, of course, easier to carry large bulky loads by water than by road and the canals gave access to both the east and west coast ports so goods and materials were brought to Wakefield for onward transport, something which is still happening today, although nowadays principally by rail and road: witness Wakefield Europort and the many distribution warehouses located adjacent to the district’s motorway network.

Images courtesy ofWakefield Council Libraries Photographic Collection.

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An early postcard of Westgate, Wakefield, showing the Hurly Burly of a busy city street. In the forefront a tram destination Agbrigg.

There is a stark contrast between the grander structures and the general state of dilapidation of the smaller, surrounding buildings.

The spire of the Cathedral can be seen in the distance.

Wakefield Edition August2015 39

•• Dining

Out

Adding a little spice to Middlestown Kevin Trickett, TopicUK’s regular Wakefield restaurant critic doesn’t do spicy!” Gill, the editor, opened the phone call with that statement and followed up with “how would you like to review the Spiced Mango in Middlestown with Claire Young and I?”

Written by Andy Turner - First Choice Recruitment. @FirstChoice_UK

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ot only is Indian food the nation’s favourite, it’s certainly mine and although The Spiced Mango has been open since November 2013, I’ve not managed to visit my local restaurant as often as I’d like, as similar to Mr Trickett, my kids aren’t keen on too much spice either. So a night out with two lovely ladies (my wife Kath knows them both very well might I add) was an absolute ‘no brainer’…the date and time was set for a Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.

After taking care of my doting father/ husband/dog-walking duties, I parked in the restaurants extensive car park to the side and entered the restaurant slightly early to be greeted by a member of staff as though I was a local celebrity and taken through to a very comfortable

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lounge area and immediately offered a very cold lager, perfect on what turned out to be a very warm sunny evening.

The front area of the restaurant was very busy, pleasantly for me, with lots of familiar faces including three generations of Rawsons (main picture) making the atmosphere extremely welcoming indeed.

Gill was fashionably late and announced on her arrival – “it’s just the two of us,” as Claire had unfortunately had to missout with something urgent cropping up, she is a real celebrity after all!

One of the numerous staff took us through to a larger restaurant area to the rear and although the corner we seated in was a little dark it was comfortable and nicely set out. A large glass of red house

wine appeared in front of Gill priced at £4.95 (my pint of Kingfisher was £3.75) chosen from an extensive wine and drinks list with prices ranging from a small glass of house white at £3.75 through to decent bottle of pink champagne at £69 with many choices inbetween.

During the evening the staff were extremely attentive, we were served by 4 different waiters but we both found them all very helpful. Following the traditional Popaddoms and Pickle Tray, Gill chose a ‘Goan Monkfish’ starter with peppers and onion served with salad in a spicy sauce at £6.50 which was tasty and my Spicy Tandoori Lamb Chops at only £4.95 were lovely and had a pleasant kick.

I was in a quandary choosing my main course, I like very spicy food and so I followed the waiters recommendation and had the ‘Sylheti Chicken’ at a reasonable £8.95 but spiced up to Madras strength. This was a new dish to me and it certainly didn’t disappoint in any way, served with very light Chapati’s (and a stolen spoonful of Gill’s Pilau rice). The waiter took time to explain the way the dish was cooked to give it’s

different flavours – I’d certainly order the dish again. Usually, I like the Naaga Pepper Masala at £8.45, my chosen dish was very different but equally as nice.

My dining companion ordered a classic Chicken Madras (£7.25) served with Pilau Rice (£2.25) and certainly enjoyed her meal with me tasting a small spoonful from the generous sized portion. The extensive menu also caters for vegans and vegetarians and there is an English menu for the less adventurous. With my lips tingling, as well as sampling the free fresh orange, I went for a traditional Kulfi, a classic Asian ice cream to finish, to cool my palate, which did the job perfectly!

Both Gill and I agreed The Spiced Mango Experience was lovely - the quality of food was top drawer and all at ‘value-for-money prices’ but the service and atmosphere was exceptional’, the restaurant was buzzing (unusual on a ‘school night) with a real cross-section of clientele, both young and old. I’d thoroughly recommend readers pay a visit! Who needs Claire Young!

Andy Turner.

Follow him on Twitter: @AndyPTurner5

Opening Times The Spiced Mango 93 New Road Middlestown Wakefield WF4 4NS 01924 273500

Open Daily:

Monday to Saturday 5.00pm - 11.00pm • Sunday 5.00pm - 10.00pm

TopicUK www.topicuk.co.uk

www.thespicedmango.co.uk

TEL: 07711 539047

Wakefield Edition August2015 41

•• ADVERTORIAL

OVER 100 BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM FUNDED TRAINING

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has committed over £250,000 to local businesses, enabling over 100 employers to invest in training and upskilling more than 700 staff objectives.

The LEP skills service is supporting businesses to identify their training needs, and access advice, support and funding to upskill their workforces based on business growth objectives.

Companies in Wakefield and throughout the Leeds City Region that have a budget to put towards training could also be eligible for funding of between £500 and £50,000 to train their staff through the £13.9 million skills service.

The aim of the funding is to put money in the hands of small and medium sized businesses in the region’s key sectors, enabling them to source the skills solutions they require to develop and grow.

One business taking advantage of the skills service is Assent Building Control Ltd, whose national headquarters are in Wakefield.

Assent Building Control Ltd are one of the country’s leading approved inspectors and have helped the likes of Rotherham United Football Club and the New Haribo Production Building in Castleford to achieve building control compliance. Assent Building Control Ltd approached the LEP Skills Service to access training for two staff members, Sarah Stanton and Charlotte Land to undertake the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting.

Kay Rowley, Office Manager of Assent Building Control Ltd explains: “Both Sarah and Charlotte started as apprentices in the accounts department and by developing their accounting skills they have been able to work more efficiently, improving the business’ productivity. This has freed up more senior 42

Do you want to find out more about how the LEP skills service could help your business? Find out more and apply for funding by visiting: www.the-lep.com/skillsservice or contact one of our experienced skills advisors: skills@the-lep.com or 0113 386 1910.

staff to focus on developing the business. Going forward, we plan to support Sarah and Charlotte into more senior roles, giving them a brighter future and freeing-up space to offer the same opportunity for further apprenticeships.

For Assent, the LEP Skills Service is a great way to make the most of our training budget and develop our staff.”

Dan Conboy, Director of Wakefield based digital agency Statement and Employer Representative on the LEP skills service board said: “As an employer representative on the LEP Board, I would strongly urge employers throughout Wakefield and the Leeds City Region to take advantage of this great opportunity to access support and training.

Businesses are growing both in terms of staff numbers and diversifying services and in order to succeed it's important that workforces have the opportunity to develop the right skills.

“I am dedicated to supporting growth focussed organisations to unlock their potential, and through the Skills Service employers have the chance to do just this by accessing the training, support and expertise they need to develop their businesses."

•• Charity

SAINSBURY’S TRINITY WALK RAISES CASH FOR WAKEFIELD WILDCATS COMMUNITY TRUST

SIX NEW CLIENT WINS FOR GHOST COMMUNICATIONS Ghost Communications, the graphic design and marketing agency based in Unity Works has recently won six new accounts.

WDHCS the Wakefield Charity has appointed Ghost to develop a new brand covering not just the main charity but its nursery First Steps and retail outlet Flutterby’s. In addition to the new branding, Ghost will create a new website, brochures and relaunch with a number of roadshows across Yorkshire.

Sainsbury’s Wakefield Trinity Walk has raised £2240 for Wakefield Wildcats Community Trust, as part of the Local Charity of the Year scheme.

The charity is Community focused with a major objective of providing education, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle support for the children, young people and disadvantaged youth of Wakefield.

The group was chosen by customers and colleagues last June and has received support from the store for the past year.

The money was raised through the charity partnership year by activities including Quiz nights, raffles, bag packs, flower wrapping and bucket collections.

The Trinity Walk store has also made weekly donations of fresh fruit and water for the kids attending the learning zone at the club.

Earlier in the year the supermarket

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

awarded the trust a Community Grant of £300. It was used to buy t-shirts that will be awarded to kids who attend the clubs learning zone, as rewards for their achievements.

Sean Higgins, Store Manager said: “We’ve had an excellent year supporting the Wildcats Community Trust, our customers and colleagues have got involved with a number of fundraising activities. We’d like to thank everyone at Wakefield Wildcats for making it such a brilliant partnership.”

Tracy North, Wildcats Operational Support, added: “We’d like to thank the customers and colleagues at Sainsbury’s in Wakefield for their support over the past year. It has made such a difference to the Wildcats Community Trust and we’re extremely grateful for the donations and awareness we’ve been able to raise.”

The Wakefield Wildcats Community Trust will now be retained as the supermarkets Local Charity partner for a second year.

TopicUK proud to be working with...

Ghost have also been appointed

by Shire Beds to design, build and promote their exhibition stand at the forthcoming Telford Bed Show.

This involves all graphic design, photography, PR and marketing.

Ghost were chosen, as director Gill Laidler has extensive knowledge of the industry having worked for four years with elite bed manufacturers Harrison, Somnus, Spink and Edgar.

Pebel 3D, a Wakefield based company chaired by Sir Rodney Walker, who have launched the first non-glasses 3D tablet and smart phone approached Ghost earlier this year to design and develop their new global website.

Ghost were responsible for creating branding for Big Screen Weekends and Get Kirklees Working, two new initiatives launched by Stafflex Recruitment of Huddersfield.

Finally, Ghost are now working with Copiserv on marketing and design projects as the company celebrates its 40th year of trading in Wakefield.

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

Grand Boot Sunday

27th September 10.00am - 12.30pm Green Car Park

Prebook only at Ridings Customer Services 7. 50 per car - space limited ! www.ridingscentre.com

•• Commercial Property •• News Round Up

THE 1954 ACT

A Featherstone based structures and road maintenance company, have won a million pound contract to replace expansion joints on the M42 as part of a major re-surfacing works programme.

MILLION POUND CONTRACT FILLS IN THE GAPS

Jonathan Kidd, Partner at Holroyd Miller M.R.I.C.S. Those in the commercial property business will be well acquainted with the above piece of legislation, or The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, to give it it’s full title.

Others may have seen it mentioned on letting particulars, or mentioned in the agreed terms of a letting without being aware why. Often it will be accompanied with the phrase ‘contracted out’. What does this mean?

The 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act, while amended, has been around for over 60 years and amongst other things it gives the tenant of business premises the right to a new lease at the end of the existing one. There are some exceptions and certain reasons why a tenant might not be entitled to apply for a new lease, however, the essence is that business tenants should be able to renew their leases. This is comforting to a tenant who may have spent years building a successful business and doesn’t want to have to relocate at the end of the lease term.

The right to renew is contained in sections 24 to 28 of Part 2 of The Act and up until 2004 if a lease was to exclude this right the parties required a Court Order, both time consuming and costly, and therefore exclusion was uncommon, however, in 2004 the Act was amended and a lease could be excluded from the tenant’s right to renewal simply by prior service of an appropriate notice. As this has made the process simpler ‘contracted out’ leases are far more common.

On the whole ‘contracting out’ benefits the landlord, so tenants should give this due consideration, particularly in a market which is still in their favour in certain sectors, however, often inexperienced tenants aren’t aware of what they are giving away and renegotiation at a late stage can prove difficult. While landlords are at an advantage they too should consider the effect this might have on marketability and ensure they get the notice right at the start and don’t allow the letting to drift passed the expiry date without taking action.

It is always best to deal with issues like this one at an early stage in negotiations and we have been advising both landlords and tenants on such matters since 1897, and there’s nothing like a bit of experience!

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Route One Highways will be working on 13.5km of motorway across three lanes at junctions 2-3 Northbound and 3a-2 Southbound to repair deteriorated sections of the carriageway as part of the Highways England Major Roads Improvements initiative.

The company’s civil engineering team has only two hours each night, over six days a week, for 10 weeks to complete the repair in order to limit disruption to the 120,000 flow of vehicles that use the motorway daily.

The scope of works involve the assessment of deterioration and vulnerability to concrete joints under the tarmac highway surface, followed by cleaning the area prior to repair with the application of a high movement modified polymer

bituminous sealant. Darryl Taylor, Commercial Manager at Route One Highways says: “The joint repairs needed are now at 20% more than initially anticipated but we are working hard to complete the additional works without any delays. We are extremely proud to be part of this mammoth scheme to improve the road surface and safety for all who use the M42.

Meeting the tight timetable of scheduled works, Route One will use their innovative highway repair system featuring a short curing time which allows the Binder and Surface courses to be re-laid after around 30mins.

Route One Highways is a privately held company providing quality structures and highway maintenance services across the UK.

DIGITAL ADVERTISING - DOES IT REALLY WORK?

It’s fine searching online for what we want, but what about the products and services we don’t know we want, the ones we are not even aware exist? This is clearly where printed advertising comes into its own.

How many times have you browsed a catalogue, brochure or magazine and spotted that must have item or service?

In a recent article by Worldwide web creator Sir Tim Berners Lee, he explained that he created the internet for people to collaborate, to share information freely, not to advertise their services through forced advertising.

Berners-Lee concedes that advertising “can be really creative and really fun”, especially if it is tongue in cheek. But, generally, he is not a fan of online ads: “I try to restrict the sites I use with no pop-ups and nothing flashy. It would be nice to have some sort of web standard which does forbid certain things. Keep the advertising to the bottom and the right. I resent the distraction.”

Berners-Lee also believes people should have the right to buy themselves out of advertising. He proposes that an independent arbiter could negotiate

between advertisers and the public. The public would be able to pay whatever the advertiser would have paid in order to not see its ads. He accepts this situation would add to the inequality in the world, but he still wants it – particularly for his children.

(Source : BrandRepublic). Read more at http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/ future-web-man-invented/1357956#k8yp 8APOUjSGDdzc.99 So what do we mean by forced advertising? Have you ever browsed the internet for a holiday only to find that your email box is filled with spam offering cheap deals on holidays?

This is forced advertising where your details are collected and passed to other companies who will mail you directly.

A classic example of this is Facebook.

You browse for a particular product or service online, only to find offers relating to similar products appear on your Facebook timeline, annoying isn’t it?

We also have to remember that not everyone has access to the internet.

Do you target the older customer who is retired perhaps? This would apply particularly in retail or the

restaurant trade. Not all older people are online or have access to a computer, or indeed know how to use one, when you advertise online you are missing this vital audience.

Digital marketing is becoming more and more popular without a doubt, but remember, many people do still like to read something in print, particularly when you consider its longevity, printed material is around longer than a quick browse on the internet!

What are your thoughts on the subject?

Do drop us a line and let us have your thoughts and indeed any issues you may have encountered with online advertising, either good or not so good. Contact editor@topicuk.co.uk

TopicUK www.topicuk.co.uk TEL: 07711 539047

Wakefield Edition August2015 47

•• Education

LET’S WIN, BY ALL MEANS, BUT NOT AT ALL COSTS Darryl Wideman is the headmaster of Silcoates School in Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, a co-educational independent day school for 670 pupils aged from 3 to 18 years. Darryl reports each edition on educational issues.

For many leaders in the world of education, the end of the summer term is the time when we need to summon our thoughts, sharpen our pencils and sit down to try to write something inspirational. It’s harder than it looks, particularly when you’ve been in charge for a while and you used up your best stories years ago when you were trying to make a good first impression!

Prize giving events are always troublesome. You have to find a suitable guest to talk to the children, parents and staff. You don’t want someone who is too witty and amusing, because they’ll put you in the shade. But if they are too dull, you find that people have long memories and delight in reminding you about what a poor choice you made for years to come.

Then you have to decide what you are going to say. You know the staff have a sweepstake going on how long you’ll drone on, the weather is warm and everyone would rather be somewhere else. If you are too brief then people

will wonder why they bothered coming and if you go on too long then they start looking at their watches and yawning.

The awarding of prizes brings its own challenges. The clichéd view of the influence of the loony left in the 1970s was that either everyone won a prize or no one did. Competition was seen as divisive and it was not worth the risk to little Johnny or Jemima’s self-esteem to teach them early on in life that that we can’t all be winners. Such views probably didn’t do children, and in turn our wider society, any favours in the long term, when playing the game came to be seen as more important than winning. As the American football coach Vince Lombardi said, ‘Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser’.

But I don’t believe the alternative view, espoused by a succession of right-wing politicians in the 1980s and 90s, that it was best to behave selfishly and just look after number one was really any better. There’s no such thing as society, and all that. It seems to me that we are

still paying the price of the ‘loadsamoney’ culture that such ideas created and still perpetuate. Greed is not good, Mr Gekko – just look what it did to our economy!

So my message this summer to anyone who is still listening is that we want to promote a winning culture, of course.

The reality is that winning is a lot more fun than simply taking part, and if you are not trying to be competitive then you are not trying hard enough. But it’s not acceptable to seek to win at all costs. If you are too ruthless in your desire to succeed, you end up cutting corners and taking unacceptable risks.

You trample other people under foot and damage them, either emotionally or sometimes physically. In short, you become a cheat, which is not an acceptable way to lead a life.

Now I’d better go and write that letter to Mr Blatter to tell him I’ve found another guest speaker for this year’s event!

Independent Education for Boys & Girls

Silcoates School An all-round education with an academic edge

Fantastic new location at Silcoates for Pre-School from September 2015.

Registering now!

2 0PD enquiries@silcoates.org.uk www.silcoates.org.uk | Charity No. 1158796

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Since 2008 we have invested £22.3 million in modernising our independent living schemes.

With 45 facilities to choose from, located right across the district, all our schemes cater for those who want to maintain an independent lifestyle and like the extra perks that come from being part of a self-contained community.

All schemes are within close proximity to shops and essential services, and residents have the added peace of mind Care Link provides, offering an emergency support system to people in their homes.

Living in a flat or self-contained bungalow on-site, residents have access to a host of facilities and support from one of our Community Support Works or Residential Scheme Managers who look after each resident’s welfare - liaising with relevant agencies as required. They also arrange and support social activities to encourage the active and happy atmosphere found in all our schemes.

Whether it’s a trip out, a get together in the residents’ lounge, boccia bowling, bingo, charity events, learning to get online or even hosting an MP visit, there’s something for everyone.

Modernising our schemes All our refurbished independent living schemes have been completed to a high specification and benefit from fully modernised living spaces including kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and communal areas.

Some of our most recent projects include Church Court in Ossett, Hatfeild Court in Wakefield and Silkstone Court in Altofts.

For more information about any of our 45 independent living schemes phone 01977 724449 or visit www.wdh.co.uk

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Find us under Wakefield and District Housing

•• Recruitment

10 TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST DAY AT WORK In a previous edition I asked the question ‘is it time to find a new job?’ Industry experts suggested that this year up to 37% of people would be looking for a new job. So you’ve been to see your friendly local recruitment agency and got the job of your dreams but how do you prepare for that crucial first day and more importantly that first impression?

The first day is critical, after all, no office needs another toxic co-worker: the know-it-all, the gossip hound, the death breath guy and the “hey, look at my underwear” lady. Instead, you want to ooze dependability, preparedness, politeness, good grooming and above all, normality.

 5 Take notes

Here are my top 10 tips for a successful first day, starting with something you should try to do away from your desk: sleep.

 4 Don’t be yourself!

 10 Get 2 weeks of sleep before the big day: Your mum was right when she told you to get a good night’s sleep before your first day of work. You want to be sharp, clear-eyed and preferably awake while you meet dozens of new people, process lots of critical information, choose your network password and figure out the quickest route to the canteen.

You need to re-train your body to keep regular “working” hours. Experts say this requires two weeks of going to sleep at a reasonable time and waking up unreasonably early. Stick to this regime, and soon your internal clock will jibe with the alarm clock.  9 Test drive your route beforehand: Whether you’re on the bus, walking, on the train or driving – make sure you arrive in good time, not too early but certainly not late. Your interview might not have been in the rush hour which could double your travel time ’traffic’ will never be an excuse, it’s the same for everyone else!  8 What will you eat?

Unless this has been made very clear at your interview, take a discreet ‘packed lunch’. Your boss could take you out for lunch, your colleagues might work through – either way as an old boy scout ‘be prepared’!

Don’t turn up with a 3-course meal and alternatively you’d hate to be really hungry at close of play – take something not too smelly or offensive just in case.  7 Do your homework You should have done this pre-interview but check out the latest company news, to be aware of anything happening recently, don’t go over the top by checking out your boss but to know what’s topical to be used or not used is vital…  6 Dress down day At the interview take note of the dress code and that includes (if they do it) ‘dress down day’....you don’t want to look like the Pizza Delivery Boy or too flirty.

50

Invest in a notepad and make notes – you might be introduced to 3 John’s and your boss might ask you to do a specific thing – you’ll look much more studious and more importantly – be less likely to get anything wrong!

This is possibly the hardest thing to do – use ‘restraint’ and ease into your sense of humour, don’t be too bouncy, you need to ‘suss’ everyone out certainly on the first day, probably the first week. Play it safe – smile a lot but don’t go over the top with anything!  3 If you don’t know the answer ask.

Day one is the perfect time to ask questions but don’t believe there’s no such thing as a dumb question but you must fully understand your bosses first instruction so ask away, get all the details down – you won’t look stupid, just attentive and thorough. If you’re half way through a task and you’re unsure, pop your head round the door and clear it up – you’ll appear sincere not slow!  2 Shut up & listen Sometimes your first day at work is more of a declaration, perhaps you’ve been hired to bring in new ideas or a fresh perspective but not on day one. Offices can be insular places, resist change and deeply distrust outsiders, so even if you see something or come up with a fantastic observation immediately, keep it to yourself.

The best way to win people’s trust is simply by listening to them. Show respect for their opinions and seek feedback on your ideas before presenting them as the new reality.  1 Get on the same page Managers aren’t mind-readers and neither are you.

Clear communication is essential to a successful working relationship. I’d request a 1-to-1 meeting with your immediate boss to talk about communication and management style – by understanding their expectations and management styles, you’ll avoid some of the bumpy learning opportunities during the first few weeks and jump straight into a smooth a productive relationship.

Remember – we only get one chance to make that everlasting first impression!!!

Andy Turner @AndyPTurner5 @FirstChoice_ UK andyturner@firstchoice-uk.com

UNITY WORKS A FABULOUS PLACE FOR PARTIES

CHRISTMAS BUFFET PACKAGES 2015 Friday 4th December LIMITED AVAILABILITY BOOK NOW Friday 11th December - SOLD OUT 150 places available (15 tables of 10) at £18.00 per head + VAT includes two course buffet with live band performing 70's & 80's classics

PLEASE CONTACT EITHER CAT OR HOLLY FOR MORE INFO

CATHERINE.YAFFE@UNITYWORKS.CO.UK OR HOLLY.DUGAN@UNITYWORKS.CO.UK

Wining & Dining

ALLUMS BUTCHERS GLAZED BLADE OF BEEF WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUREE, TRUFFLE AND PARMESAN CHIPS Welcome to our sixth wining and dining feature, where we have teamed up with the Iris Restaurant and Sainsburys Trinity Walk to bring you a recipe and wine review.

This issue we bring you a delicious main course created by proprietor and chef Liam Duffy from The Iris, using the finest locally sourced ingredients.

Paul Heigham, director at Bellingham IT has kindly agreed to take part and will also sample the two bottles of wine donated by Sainsburys to accompany the meal.

As usual, we have asked a member of the local business community to make the dish and report back.

If you would like to feature in a future issue, drop us a line at editor@topicuk.co.uk

WHAT YOU WILL NEED...

BEEF • • • • • • • •

½ featherblade of beef 1 large cup red wine Beef stock Bunch thyme 1 bunch rosemary 1 onion (chopped) 2 carrots(chopped) 1 celery (chopped)

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUREE • • •

1 butternut squash 200 ml double cream 100ml water

Peel, deseed and dice and add the squash to a pan, cover with the water and cream and simmer until tender, season with salt and blend until smooth.

TRUFFLE AND PARMESAN CHIPS In a hot frying pan seal off the beef and get plenty of colour on it. Once coloured add to a deep casserole dish. Pour the red wine into the frying pan and deglaze and pour on top of the beef. Add the chopped veg and herbs and cover with the beef stock (don’t worry if it doesn’t cover just top it up with some more red wine, a cheap cooking one from Sainsbury’s will do the trick) Simmer for 2-3 hours until tender Remove the beef and cool to room temperature and then roll using clingflim into a large sausage shape and chill.

Once chilled slice into portions and set a side Put 1/3 of the stock to one side and save until later.

Pass the rest through a sieve and reduce into a sauce.

TO SERVE Cover the beef with the remaining beef stock and gently heat in a pan until warm, remove the Clingfilm and put on the plate and spoon over the sauce. Spoon and swipe the puree and serve with a side of truffle and parmesan chips. Enjoy. Any problems tweet liam@iriswakefield 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

DINNER GUESTS ARE ‘SPARED’ A PIZZA TAKEOUT Our latest amateur chef is munir mamujee, m2r education Iris Restaurant and Sainsburys Trinity walk to bring you a recipe and wine review.

When the Editor asked me to review a dish from Iris Restaurant, I naturally agreed. An evening at a lovely venue eating great food and drinking great wine sounded ideal...

It was then that the editor clarified what I had actually signed up to, I had to make the food, from scratch, at home, from an Iris recipe! After the initial shock and having looked at the recipe, the challenge was set. My confirmation was made somewhat easier when I was also told that Sainsburys would be giving me 2 bottles of wine, for free, on the proviso that I review them..

So, presented with a Taste the Difference Petit Chablis and a Taste the Difference Aconcagua Chilean Pinot I locked them away (for fear of drinking them before the main event) and arranged a dinner party, myself, my other half and two friends, one of which doesn’t drink wine. Just Pimms. Would make for an interesting review later then!

Now I love cooking but I had never made anything like this before. Would it turn out OK or is the local pizza shop going to get another order?

The biggest baking potatoes I have ever seen went in the oven whilst I set about making the English mustard veloute. So far so good. Shallots, wine and cream happily bubbling away before popping into the blender with some English mustard. Confidence was running high, my kitchen was resembling a minor bomb site however.

The ostrich egg sized potatoes were now ready for grating. Being the

impatient chap that I am, I rather foolishly tried to peel and grate them within a few minutes of coming out of the oven. I now don’t have any fingerprints. I have never grated a massive potato before, it takes a while but thankfully my now sore finger ends didn’t end up in the mixture. I was still on time, and now had a massive bowl of grated potato. Into the metal rings, popped in a slice of black pudding and then topped with more potato. I have never done this before so I was quite impressed when I saw my first creation.

Now the recipe says to make four. But with the giant potatoes I had purchased, making just four would have created hash browns about a foot high, but I carried on and eventually, I made…. 9.

Now it was all about timing as I had to fry the hash browns, pop on a poached egg and a slice of decent quality streaky bacon. The recipe doesn’t mention the last part, but having examined the photo the general consensus was that the object on top of the poached egg was indeed bacon.

The plan was to fry each hash brown, put them in the oven to keep warm and then do the poached eggs and the bacon. This was supposed to be less stressful. However, to deep fry a deep fat fryer is needed. I don’t own one. Wok frying whilst trying not to get splattered with hot oil was the only alternative.

It sort of worked. The first hash brown went in and immediately stuck to the bottom of the wok. Damn! A bit of cajoling and help from one of my guests and the first one was done. Another 3 then followed, no doubt the whole episode would have been a doddle in a deep fryer but they were done, if looking rather ragged. In the oven, they went. Then the eggs into the boiling water and bacon in the pan. Due to the wok issue, dinner was now 30 minutes late and the guests were getting restless and slightly drunk.

Did it all come together in the end? Well see for yourself from the photo. Four clean plates and I was even asked for a bit of bread to mop up the remaining veloute!! The bacon on top worked, it added a saltiness to the dish and if I made it again, I would repeat this.

I would use a deep fryer though!

We had the Petit Chablis with the dish itself and I also used some of it in the veloute. I and my 3 guests were suitably impressed, even Julie, my non drinking wine guest. Comments (that can be printed) ranged from ‘It was very crisp and it did cut through the potato’, ‘very refreshing’ and my favourite, from said wine connoisseur Julie, ‘it’s a bit winey and would taste better with a blueberry in it…’ I don’t think Sainsbury’s will use her review anytime soon.

The Pinot was drunk afterwards, comments were mixed. Fruity, sharp and fresh was the general consensus. Wannabee sommelier Julie decided to express her views in the form of an emoji. The one that looks like it has sucked a lemon.

To be fair, we all preferred the Petit Chablis. Sorry Sainsbury’s, the Noir didn’t do it for us but thanks all the same for the free wine.

Finally, thanks to TopicUK and Iris for what was a great experience and made me cook a dish that I would have never in a million years done otherwise. I had 3 happy guests with full stomachs and enough hash browns left for breakfast too!!!!! Liam, if you need any help, just give me a shout.

*Prices correct at the time of going to press. Adults over 18 years should drink responsibly Wakefield Edition August2015 53

•• Special

Feature

THREE CUNARD QUEENS SALUTE THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL AND OUR MR TRICKETT WAS THERE! WRITTEN BY KEVIN TRICKETT - Follow him on twitter @ MrTrickett

F

or the first time ever, all three Cunard Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – would be in Liverpool together and we had been promised a truly wonderful event.

The holiday was actually a round-trip cruise from Southampton and back, taking in a number of ports of call. The first of these was Cobh in Ireland. From Cobh, we sailed to Dublin and then onto Oban and Greenock in Scotland before reaching the highlight of the trip, our entry into the port of Liverpool.

Liverpool is the ancestral home of Cunard and there has long been an affinity between the people of Liverpool and the company.

It was Cunard’s ‘home port’ right from the company’s inception until 1967, when they switched to Southampton, and it was from Liverpool that, in 1840, the company’s first ship, RMS Britannia, a wooden panel steamer with a cruising ship of 9 knots, set off for Canada and the United States on her maiden voyage to Halifax and Boston.

Today’s ships are veritable floating palaces offering five star hotel luxury, but with a view that changes constantly. Queen Mary 2 can accommodate over 2,600 passengers, supported and looked after by a crew of around 1,250. With nearly 4,000 people on board, you might think that things get rather crowded – well, not a bit of it! At 1,132 feet long (that’s almost a quarter of a mile) and with over 13 passenger decks, there is plenty of space.

Now, if you were so minded and have the constitution for it, on Queen Mary 2, you could eat continuously for 24 hours a day. There is a self-service café, Kings Court, open all day and most of the night. Light snacks are also available in some of the bars and lounges at different times of the day and, if you get really stuck, 24-hour room service is also available. There are also speciality 54

restaurants to choose from, some with themed nights, although these are at a supplement. Oh, and there is the daily ritual of the afternoon tea, served Cunard style by white-gloved waiters as a string quartet plays music to eat scones by….

The main restaurant on board is the rather spectacular Britannia Restaurant and this is where most passengers will have dinner. Furnished and decorated with a strong Art Deco theme (as is much of the ship’s interior, recalling the heyday of ocean liners), it is nearly three decks high with a glass atrium-style roof and can seat around 1,300 passengers at one sitting. Food quality is very good and there’s plenty of choice. You can work your way through three or four courses, and even more if you are really peckish.

Portions are not overly large but with so much food available during the day, this is not a problem. You are far more likely to add weight than lose it while on board!

For those wanting to upgrade to the ‘Grills experience’, you will find yourself with a larger and better equipped stateroom – anything up to a full suite – and with a butler to look after your every need on board. You will also dine in one of the Grills dining rooms; more intimate than the Britannia Restaurant and with extra menu options.

But back to the 175th anniversary celebrations….

We sailed into Liverpool on the morning of Sunday, 24th May and, once we had docked at the cruise terminal, we had the day at our leisure to explore the city, go off on one of the organised excursions or just kick back and enjoy the facilities on board.

At 10 pm that evening, we were treated to a special sound and light show when images were played against the architecture of Liverpool’s Three Graces on the waterfront, followed by a magnificent fireworks

display. Thousands and thousands of people had gathered on the quayside to enjoy the show while we on deck had an unrestricted view of the festivities.

The following morning, Spring Bank Holiday Monday, Queen Mary 2 cast off from the quayside and sailed out to the estuary of the Mersey to meet the other two ships, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. All along the shore line stood people watching, waving and taking photographs. Then, emerging from the mist, we saw them, the two Cunard sisters waiting for their turn in the limelight.

Slowly, our captain turned Queen Mary 2 around through 180 degrees to face back inland. Never has a manoeuvre been so carefully and slowly executed.

With sandbanks visible all around us, it was important that nothing went awry at this stage! But we made the turn and then waited for Elizabeth and Victoria to sail past us in procession with much sounding of the ships’ whistles (horns if you prefer) in salute. Once they had passed, we followed the sisters back

"It’s not often I need an excuse for a party but when I read that Cunard would be celebrating their 175th anniversary with a special ‘Three Queens Salute’ in Liverpool this year, I decided that it was one party I didn’t want to miss. Hence, I found myself aboard Queen Mary 2 back in May this year, centre stage on the River Mersey, for what was to be a unique part of maritime history."

into Liverpool where all three ships lined up in front of the Three Graces, which fittingly include the Cunard building. Then it began. All three ships commenced their synchronised ballet, turning slowly around to face back out to sea. Although the Mersey is a wide river, these are long ships and the turn was completed very gently.

Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria then sailed alongside Queen Mary 2, one ship on each side of us and very close!

Whistles of salute reverberated between the ships and with other vessels in the river. We then waited. At just after 2 pm, the Red Arrows flew overhead and that flypast signalled the time for Queen Mary 2 to set sail to her next port of call, which would be St Peter Port in Guernsey.

Slowly, we sailed away leaving the slightly smaller Cunard sisters to continue their celebrations in Liverpool.

I’ve read various reports of how many people turned out to watch. Some say that the number topped a million. I’ve spoken to people who were on the quayside and they tell me how marvellous it was. Others have watched clips on tv and on the internet and remark that it was a sight to see. What I can tell you is that it was a great experience to be a part of.

Look very carefully at the photos of Queen Mary 2 and there, on the top deck as the Red Arrows fly over, just in front of that distinctive red funnel, you will see me: waving, and yes, grinning from ear to ear!

QM2 Britannia Restaurant

TopicUK www.topicuk.co.uk TEL: 07711 539047 Wakefield Edition August2015 55

•• Local

Music

Music Corner Welcome to our regular feature about what our region has to offer music lovers. Dean Freeman from Unity Works who is responsible for organising music festivals and bringing live bands to the region regularly updates us with what’s happening in the music industry.

O

ne thing I really like about the Wakefield Music scene is how it isn’t worried about being cool. An absence on Metropolitan Hipsters in our city makes this easy to explain away, but it is the community and inclusivity that makes a great place to enjoy music. Which, conversely, makes it a very cool place.

Last month Unity Works hosted Craig Charles’ Funk & Soul Club. His BBC6 Music show is the longest running on the station and certainly one of the best. To see him bring that eclectic taste and passion to Wakefield was great.

But more than that, it was the age ranges of the audience which impressed. At least a five decade spread between the youngest and oldest, all sharing a dancefloor.

Friends of mine tour the country as Too Many T’s, a Hip Hop duo. They usually play to groups of early twenty somethings in cool underground clubs but when they last played The Hop the audience were again incredibly broad in age.

It’s a hugely positive thing for the city.

In places with more venues and events, every niche taste, every demographic has its own place to go. In Wakefield, they mix.

The only connecting feature is a passion for live music in all its forms.

The other area that I am keen to cover at Unity Works is family friendly activities – another chance for the different generations to have fun together. The first ever Wakefield Comic Con last month was a sublime experience for me. Although there were plenty of young kids excited at seeing Iron Man, I think Darth Vader parading around the building with his Stormtroopers brings out a childish glee in most adults too.

In August 22nd and 23rd Unity will be hosting a Summer Market. Our Easter Market was a success and we will be looking to build on that. Many people in Wakefield mourn the loss of the old Indoor Market and the new one has never really taken off.

We clearly aren’t trying to replace that, but the dimensions of Unity’s Major Hall

make a great space for that kind of thing, and by mixing it with some street food and live music, we hope we can give it a unique edge whilst also offering families a fun and free means to spend some quality time.

In fact, the success of our community focussed events have contributed – alongside some amazing sellout shows from the likes of The Cribs, Embrace and New Model Army – to a bit of a headache for us.

Our beautiful Canadian Maple Sprung Floor has begun to creak under the weight of activity. It has been used more in the last 12 months than the previous 30 years combined.

Repairs were made prior to opening, but after all those Northern Soulers and Indie lovers have grooved and moshed away, it is beginning to suffer.

So, ahead of our birthday on Sept 5th, which will be a free full day event celebrating all aspects of the building, we are looking to fundraise to have it repaired.

There will be opportunities to sponsor its repair, getting you or your business on a fancy plaque on the wall or you can ‘buy’ yourself one of our balcony seats, complete with your name attached and first call on its use over the year.

Because this is yet another side of what Unity Works is trying to achieve in Wakefield; the different age groups mingle with ease, but within Unity we have the added benefit of culture and business working side by side too. It’s an exciting mix and I can’t wait to see how it develops into our second year.

Photo credits : John Jowett

56

#feelgoodfamilyfun

L TH AUN IS C SU HI MM NG ER

Meet our characters for fun and games Enjoy free face painting, giant games, freebies and deals this summer with our Trinny’s Kids’ Club. Meet characters like our giant T-Rex, Phil & Stuart, Spongebob, Batman and more!

See www.trinitywalk.com

OVER 50 STORES / 1000 PARKING SPACES / DESIGNER RETAILERS / GREAT RESTAURANTS ‘Characters are lookalike mascots and not associated with the actual characters’ *Events subject to change. Please don’t leave children unsupervised.

Wakefield Edition August2015 57

MORE THAN A MATCH Whilst professional Rugby League has been played here at the Post Office Road since 1921 the Big Fella’s Stadium is home to more than Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Football Club.

The facilities we have here mean that whether you are looking for a venue for business or pleasure we can offer a bespoke package to meet your needs at a price that we believe represents outstanding value for money.

We have various spaces that can cater for a business meeting for four to a wedding reception for 120 with the added bonus of your business helping our community Club progress as we tackle the challenge of the 2015 season.

We can offer

• Conferencing

• Christenings

• Training

• Wakes

• Meeting Rooms

• Lunches

• Weddings

• Parties

• Dinners

• Ample free parking

Along with the opportunity to utilise our partners County Caterers who have over 45 years experience in the business and provide the catering for many venues in Yorkshire.

For details of our prices and facilities please contact our Commercial Manager Paul Taylor on 07584 684 329 or via paul.taylor@featherstonerovers.net 58

Convert Linked in activity to business OPPORTUNITIES Over the last five years, we have become increasingly seduced into the power of Linked in and the benefits it can bring to us as individuals and to our businesses. However for many of us we do not reap the rewards of the time we invest.

Whilst we generally feel our activity on Linked in is raising our personal profile, making us more visible and credible, raising brand awareness and helping us reach new business people, quite often we never actually analyse the true time invest cost and measure the quantifiable return. I suspect therefore for many of us, the ROI would not be great reading.

Having listened and worked with industry leading Linked in trainers over the last three years and from my experience in managing and testing the success of different Linkedin strategies for clients across many different sectors, I have found there are some critical factors that consistently determine success. These are outlined below:

 Set yourself some clear goals (connections / leads / prospect meetings / sales)  Create a content plan and schedule Understand the type of content that will influence and engage with your target audience  Create a process of how you will transition the customer from connection to prospect meeting  Position yourself as the expert and assume a position of authority  Post twice daily (one update before 9am and one update after 5pm)  Ask questions to create interaction  Ask clients for recommendations  Grow your connections weekly  Align your LinkedIn campaign with your face to face network activity  Follow up connection activity by suggesting face to face meetings  Measure and monitor progress In all walks of life, success drives a greater motivation for more success. Following these simple guidelines will therefore not only open up more business opportunities, but it will also make the investment of time far less arduous.

Jonathan Scott, Sales Director Northern Media jonathan@northernmediauk.com

Wakefield Edition August2015 59

•• Motoring

THINKING OF TOWING A CARAVAN OR TRAILER FOR YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS?

O

ne of the first major factors to consider is the weight. There can be a large variance in the weight of Caravans, for instance, a small Caravan can weigh around 750kg, and a large Caravan can weigh up to 2,500kg. It is really important you do your research. It is essential you also factor in any additional weight you might also be towing.

Vehicle manufacturers towing capacities are easily accessed these days whether it be documented in a vehicle brochure or alternatively found online. It is also important to remember to check with dealers to ensure the vehicle you have interest in has the capabilities to tow the caravan or trailer you own or have access to.

A number of towing specialists recommend that whatever you’re towing doesn’t exceed 85% of your vehicle’s weight. For instance, if you have a car that weighs 1500kg, it would only be recommended to tow something weighing less than 1200kg.

Vehicle manufacturers quote ‘braked’ and ‘unbraked’ maximum loads. The braked figure refers to

Audi

Wakefield

trailers and caravans that are hooked up to the car’s braking system and have their own brakes that are activated when you press the pedal. If what you’re towing doesn’t have its own brakes, it needs to weigh much less than this to be safe to tow.

If you have a large load, for instance a horse box, boat or a large caravan. You will need a full-sized 4x4. Vehicles like the Range Rover, Audi Q7 or VW Toureg would all do the job sufficiently.

For medium sized loads suggested 4x4s include the Audi Q5, Honda CR-V and Skoda Yeti. A number of estate cars would also be suffice, cars like the Ford Mondeo or Skoda Octavia. For lighter loads, with modern day engine technology, medium sized family hatchbacks can also do the job. Our current Audi A3, for example, has maximum towing weights of up to 690kg / 1,800kg (unbraked/braked).

It is always a good idea to conduct research on different websites. Maybe sign up to online forums or clubs when considering your purchase. For instance the Caravan club often posts articles relating to their members preferred towing cars.

These types of organisations provide reviews and opinions on different types of towing vehicles.

Finally, if you are unsure, seek advice from your local Caravan dealer or your local vehicle dealer. Both of which will be able to provide advice and information relating to the most suitable vehicles for your choice of Caravan or Trailer.

Joe Wilson Audi Wakefield

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An evening with

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BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE (Group bookings of 8 or more)

Enjoy a Champagne celebration with colleagues & friends Tonight is about two things – it’s about raising funds to support future productions and give young people the opportunity to grow as individuals, ‛ and supporting Thea’s Trust, which is named after my youngest granddaughter Thea who died aged just 11 months of a rare genetic disorder.

I hope that you will enjoy the array of talent we have planned for you.

Murray Edwards, Executive Director

Box Office: 01924 211311 Quote Topic Champagne Offer F o r i n d i v i d u a l t i c k e t s B o o k O n l i n e : t h e at r e r oya lwa k e f i e l d.c o.u k

Wakefield Edition August2015 61

Creative Constructors to Art, Brand and Sport

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FOR

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SPONSORSHIP pl

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THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS BOTH OF WHICH ARE GREAT WAYS TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS. Match Sponsorship£1,750+VAT - Ball Sponsorship£650+VAT Both options include: Hospitality Logo printed on the front page of the match day programmes Anouncements throughout the day Our match Sponsors also have the opportunity to distribute products and information around the stadium on the day.

CONFERENCE AND EVENTS Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have a range of facilities to cater for any business event.

We can offer ten seater corporate boxes to larger rooms that can accommodate up to 150 guests. With free on site parking and in house catering facilities serving both 3 course meals or hot & cold buffets, the club have the flexibility to fit your requirements.

New 2015 shirts and season tickets are available to order online now. For details visit: www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk

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