» Welcome
2025, What an unbelievable Start!
Welcome to the 18th edition of Infinite Beyond. It feels like a lifetime ago since I last contributed to our Winter Newsletter, and in many ways, it has been. The start of the year has truly been a whirlwind, and we’ve been running at full speed since our Christmas break, with many exciting developments underway.
As we embrace the New Year, we’ve been expanding our team, and I’m thrilled to introduce some new faces. Please join me in welcoming Richard, Katie, and Liz, who have joined us at our HQ, along with Liam and Chris, who have come on board to strengthen our engineering team. Their energy and expertise are already making a big impact, and we’re excited to see all the great things we’ll achieve together.
One of the most significant changes I am especially proud to announce is that we’ve moved our Headquarters! After over six wonderful years at the Coach House on the High Street, where we’ve made countless memories and built our foundation, it was time to spread our wings and step into a new chapter. Our new office is already bringing fresh inspiration and opportunities for growth. You can get a sneak peek at our new space on pages 6 & 7, and be sure to keep an eye on our social media for updates on our upcoming open day – we’d love for you to join us and celebrate this new beginning!
In this edition, we have plenty of exciting content for you to explore. We’re unveiling a brand-new service we’re offering, the “IRT,” Flip to page 10 to learn more about how this innovative service can benefit you. We also have a case study from Heather Brett at William & Julia Shaw Jewellers, shedding light on the work we’ve been doing together. For those with a love of history, our historical segment this time delves into the remarkable story of the Theft of the Buccleuch Madonna, a tale of art, mystery, and intrigue.
And, of course, no edition would be complete without a bit of fun! Don’t miss out on our competition, where you can win a luxury Easter Hamper. The details are on page 11, so be sure to count those daffodils and enter – it’s a prize you won’t want to miss!
As always, I hope you enjoy reading our Spring edition. There’s so much to look forward to, and we’re so excited to share all of this with you. Here’s to a fantastic season ahead!
Chris Gillis Managing Director Infinite Fire & Security
» Spring is in the air
Nationaltrust.org.uk:
Take care not to disturb nesting birds and always check carefully before pruning hedges or shrubs – you many even find a hibernating hedgehog!
Every year in Springtime almost half the worlds bluebells are found in the UK and transform woodland floors to a delicate sea of blue – it takes on average five to seven years for a bluebell colony to establish
ywt.org.uk:
There are more than 200 species of bee in the UK! Only one of them is the honeybee, and just over 20 are bumblebees, the rest are solitary.
Metoffice.gov.uk:
The warmest Spring on record was 2011, the coldest was the Spring of 1962 but best of all the sunniest Spring on record was in 1948 with a total of 558 hours of sunshine .
When does Spring officially start? Well that depends on whether you are referring to the astronomical season which this year starts on 20th March or meteorological season which starts on 1st March.
The first day of Spring is known as the vernal equinox –in Latin vernal means “Spring” and equinox meaning “equal night”
Nationalsheep.org.uk:
The sight of Lambs in the fields are a welcome sign of Spring, but British farmers have been working all year round to get to this stage - the gestation period for sheep is on average 145 days!
» The Theft of the Buccleuch Madonna
WHEN?: 2003
WHERE: Drumlanrig Castle
It was a summer afternoon in 2003 when a piece of history was stolen from its home.
Drumlanrig Castle, nestled in the Scottish countryside, housed one of the few remaining works of Leonardo da Vinci still in private hands: The Madonna of the Yarnwinder. The painting had been a prized possession of the Buccleuch family for generations, a treasure passed down through centuries. It was also the only Leonardo to reside in Scotland.
On that fateful day, a group of unsuspecting tourists wandered through the grand halls of the castle, admiring its treasures. Among them, four men welldressed and unassuming blended in seamlessly, making no more fuss than anyone else on the tour. But as the crowd meandered further into the castle’s heart, the men fell behind. It was a carefully orchestrated move. They pounced on the lone security guard tasked with protecting the painting, overpowering him swiftly. In a flurry of activity, they pulled the Madonna
from its spot on the wall, wrapping it carefully as if it were just another artefact to be handled with respect.
Within moments, the painting was hustled into a car parked just outside the castle walls. The thieves discarded the frame, unimportant to them as they made their getaway into the sprawling landscape of the Scottish lowlands.
News of the theft rippled through the world. The Madonna of the Yarnwinder wasn’t just any old painting; it was a
How it got there, and why it turned up so unexpectedly, was a mystery that would never be fully explained
masterpiece by one of history’s greatest artists, and it had been snatched from the very walls of the Duke of Buccleuch’s family seat. The 9th Duke, Walter Francis John Montagu Douglas Scott who had carried the painting with him on travels and held it close to his heart, was devastated. It wasn’t just a loss of art - it was a personal tragedy. His family had cared for the piece for generations, and now it was gone, stolen by criminals who would likely never
be caught.
Time passed, and the Madonna seemed to vanish into thin air. For four long years, there was no sign of the painting. The Duke held out hope, but with each passing day, it seemed more and more likely that the masterpiece was lost forever.
But then, in 2007, something extraordinary happened. The Madonna of the Yarnwinder, that priceless treasure, was discovered, not in the hands of blackmarket collectors or hidden away in some forgotten warehouse, but sitting in the office of a law firm in Glasgow. How it got there, and why it turned up so unexpectedly, was a mystery that would never be fully explained. Yet, there it was, in plain view, returned almost as if by miracle.
Sadly, the Duke would never see his beloved painting again. He had passed away just weeks before the Madonna was found. His final days had been shadowed by the theft, and though the painting’s return was a small consolation, it was bittersweet. The painting was returned to the Buccleuch family, but it would always carry the heavy weight of the Duke’s absence, proof of a legacy lost and found again, but never fully restored.
Sources: Thehistorybog.com, Historichouses.com
» Ajax Fire & Life Safety Systems
Ajax has recently expanded its portfolio with a range of fire safety devices designed to meet the highest British standards and provide comprehensive protection for residential properties.
Their new additions include heat, smoke, and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, along with manual call points, all of which comply with the rigorous requirements of BS5839:6. Whether wired or wireless, these devices are equipped to meet the diverse needs of any residential environment, ensuring top-notch safety for your home.
These new Ajax products are designed to adhere to the most stringent regulations, giving you the ultimate peace of mind knowing that your property is protected.
The fire devices offer three types of power supply: wired, wireless, with an option for either replaceable batteries or sealed units. This variety ensures that Ajax fire detectors can cater to every market demand, providing flexibility and reliability for any situation.
When it comes to fire safety, Ajax detectors are equipped to respond quickly and effectively. The heat, smoke, and CO detectors will raise an alarm when they detect a sudden increase in temperature, the presence of smoke, or a carbon monoxide leak. This comprehensive coverage is designed to provide the earliest possible warning, enhancing the safety of your home or building.
Advanced Sensor Technology:
What sets Ajax fire safety devices apart is their exceptional technology, which not only ensures superior performance but also reduces the likelihood of false alarms.
These devices are carefully engineered to meet fire safety requirements, providing reliable protection when you need it most.
Built-in Maintenance:
Another feature that makes Ajax devices highly user-friendly is their built-in maintenance alerts.
Users will be notified in advance if the batteries need replacing or if the smoke chamber requires cleaning. The devices will emit an audible signal to indicate these needs. Additionally, the system owner will receive a notification via SMS and through the Ajax App, ensuring that maintenance requirements are easily addressed.
Manual Call Point:
Ajax’s Manual Call Point provides a quick and easy way for anyone to activate the fire alarm in the event of an emergency.
By simply pressing the button, the system is immediately triggered, activating the sounders across all detectors within the system. This alerts everyone in the vicinity and ensures a swift response to the emergency.
The system also provides instant data within the Ajax App, showing exactly which device was activated, as well as the time and location of the activation.
With Ajax Fire & Life Safety Systems, you can rest assured that your property is protected by high-performance devices that are easy to maintain, reliable, and compliant with the latest fire safety regulations. Whether it’s for a single residence or multiple properties, Ajax offers the ideal solution to keep you and your loved ones safe.
For a bespoke designed quote by our accredited design engineer, please get in touch via our website or calling the office.
» Case Study: WJ Shaw Jewellers
WJ Shaw Jewellers is a family-run business started in 1988 by husband and wife team William and Julia Shaw.
Working closely with their daughter and business manager Heather, they established their store in Dodworth in 1999. Since then the business has gone from strength to strength, expanding on their site multiple times to accommodate their ever-growing team of jewellers and jewellery specialists. Their front of house Showroom is home to many individual and one-off pieces alongside popular Jewellery brands such as Nomination, Kit Heath and Clogau Gold. However, the beating heart of the business is very much the on-site Workshop, which offers a wide range of design and manufacturing services including repairs, alterations and fully bespoke pieces.
Wedding rings and diamond-set jewellery is a speciality, and the onsite private Consultation Room takes appointments to ensure all client needs can be discussed in a comfortable setting. A combination of traditional and modern jewellery-making methods are used to create perfect pieces, from hand-carved wax models for shaped wedding rings, to CAD. As Heather is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and a qualified
Diamond Grader, specialist gemstone and diamond advice is available to every client, ensuring they feel supported and informed when making purchasing decisions.
The business recently launched a new website, which showcases their large selection of products for sale online, and introduces their specialist Team. Many
“ WHAT THEY SAID:
“We have used Infinite Fire and Security now for many years and can’t recommend their products and service highly enough.
As a Jewellers security is of paramount importance and it’s vitally important that our people, premises and products are kept safe at all times. Infinite provide our Intruder Alarm System with monitoring, and we have recently signed up to the Infinite Rapid Response Service for additional piece of mind. All our maintenance is done promptly
clients are passionate about supporting smaller local businesses, and WJ Shaw Jewellers is keen to share information about their products and services to the wider community.
For more information, to shop online or to book an appointment, visit wjshawjewellers.co.uk.
by experienced engineers who work closely with us to ensure minimal disruption while work is being undertaken.
Chris, Caroline and the Team always go the extra mile to make sure we are looked after, and are just an email away for all our Security needs. Happily Infinite are also our neighbours in Dodworth, and we feel very fortunate to be a part of the community of excellent local businesses located within our village.”
» HQ Relocation Moving on up!
What a remarkable way to begin the year!
It’s truly incredible to think back to where it all started 14 years ago. Infinite Fire & Security began as a small business operating out of an office at home, with a clear vision and determination to make a difference in the fire and security industry.
Over the years, we’ve worked tirelessly to build our reputation, strengthen our services, and grow our client base. Then, in late 2018, we took a major step forward and moved into The Coach House on the High Street in Dodworth. This move allowed us to spread our wings, serve our customers better, and continue building on the solid foundation we had laid.
As the business continued to flourish, it became clear that we were outgrowing
the space at The Coach House. With an expanding team and a demand for more services, we knew it was time to look for a new home. After months of planning and searching for the perfect location, we are thrilled to announce that in late February of this year, we officially signed for our new premises Nexus at Capitol Park, Dodworth. This move represents a significant milestone in our journey and provides us with the space and resources to continue evolving and meeting the needs of our customers.
Our time at The Coach House has certainly been memorable. Over the years, we’ve forged strong relationships with our loyal customers, trusted suppliers, and dedicated team members. These connections have been crucial in enabling us to grow and take the next steps toward becoming the company we are today. We’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve
made, and are immensely grateful for the support and trust we’ve received from all of our customers along the way. Those relationships, built on trust and mutual respect, have played an essential role in the success of Infinite Fire & Security.
Now, with our new location at Capitol Park, we have an exciting opportunity to not only expand our existing services but also offer even more to our clients. Our new unit has been carefully designed to accommodate our growing needs and allow us to continue providing the high level of service our clients expect. One of the most exciting additions is the creation of an onsite training facility. This facility will allow us to deliver a wide range of Health & Safety training programs led by our own in- house specialists. These programs will cover a variety of essential topics to ensure that our clients and their teams are equipped with the
knowledge and skills needed to stay safe and compliant. In addition to the in-person training, we will also be offering online training programs, making it even easier for clients to access the training they need from anywhere.
The new space also allows us to enhance our ability to serve our customers more efficiently, with room to accommodate a larger team, increase our stock and inventory, and improve our overall operational capabilities. We’re excited about the future and the possibilities this new chapter brings.
To celebrate this exciting new chapter in our journey, we would love to share our new home with you! On Thursday 22nd May, we’ll be hosting an open day at our new location, and we would be delighted if you could join us. This will be an excellent opportunity to come and see the new space, meet the full team, and learn more about the exciting developments we’ve been working on. We’ll be providing food and drinks, and we’d love for you to relax, mingle, and celebrate this moment with us. It’s our way of saying thank you to all of you—our valued customers, partners, and supporters—who
have played such a significant role in our journey so far.
We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on and what’s coming next. The future is bright, and we’re incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead. We truly hope to see you there on 22nd May to celebrate with us and to learn more about the exciting changes taking place at Infinite Fire & Security.
Thank you once again for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming you to our new home!
» Jargon Buster Facts about accreditations
Who are the SSAIB?
SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) is a UKAS approved certification body.
Founded in 1994, the SSAIB is a company limited by guarantee, operating on a not-for-profit basis. It promotes high standards of service and is focused on serving the certification needs of organisations providing security and safety related services. The remit of the SSAIB as a certificated body is to protect the consumer (specifiers, purchasers and end users.)
What is UKAS?
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is the national accreditation body for the United Kingdom, appointed by government, to assess organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and collaboration services. They were founded in 1995. In short UKAS ‘checks the checkers’.
Third-party certification plays an increasingly important role in enabling firms to compete in the marketplace and access to some market sectors, and may be conditional on having third-party certification.
Does SSAIB effect my Insurance?
SSAIB certificated companies and individuals enjoy insurance approval. For most installations requiring a security or fire system for insurance purposes, the Insurer will insist that a Third Party Certificated provider (e.g. SSAIB) is appointed.
The SSAIB Directory lists all registered companies by product offered, service sector and region. It is a much sought after reference document for insurance companies, insurance brokers, police, specifiers and purchasers of security services and systems.
What are the Benefits of SSAIB Certification?
Simply put the main benefit is given to the customer, regulator or specifier to help them make an informed choice when purchasing or selecting a product or service.
The services that carry SSAIB certification will give safeguards to its performance demonstrate that they are subject to independent scrutiny and will deliver a quality product or service that can be relied on.
Source www.SSAIB.org, www.ukas.com
Further information can be found by visiting www.ssaib.org
» Meet the team
Lee Foster - Fire Alarm Engineer
Hi, I’m Lee. My background is 15 years loyal service in the Royal Navy as a Leading Hand in electronic warfare. During my time in the Royal Navy, as well as being in combat missions, I had the pleasure of meeting Queen Elizabeth II twice (even though she told me off!)
I have been in this Industry for over 4 years. I am very family oriented and enjoy exploring the countryside and caravanning. I am also a huge sports fan and I am particularly interested in Football, Ice Hockey and Rugby Union. Being a Sheffield Wednesday fan leads to plenty of office banter!
Question Time:
What’s your favourite Drink? Rum
What was the worst style choice you ever made? Fluorescent Yellow Nike trainers
What was cool when you were a kid but isn’t now? Power Rangers
If you had to write a book about your life, what would you title it? Would I do it all again
What’s your biggest pet peeve? Not putting things back in the right place
What is the best concert you have been to? Arctic Monkeys
If you had a warning label, what would yours say? Do not irritate
If the police arrested you with no explanation, what would your family/friends assume you had done? Beaten someone up
What is your favourite childhood memory? On holiday to Cornwall with the whole family, there were about 20 of us.
If you could appear on any game show, which one would you choose? Wipeout.
» Did you know?...
Rural crime cost the UK an estimated £52.8m in 2023, up from £50.6m the previous year. GPS unit thefts alone rose by a staggering 137% to an estimated £4.2m.
There are over 20million hectares of farmland in the UK - that’s equivalent to 30 million football pitches!
We love our spuds in the UK so much so that we produce 5.5 million tonnes – that’s £897 million’s worth every year, as well as importing 1.3 million tonnes. Our production of potato crops in England and Wales peaked in 1948 at almost 400,000 hectares and were are ranked no11 in the world for potato production.
The UK has a long history of sheep farming and is the largest producer of wool in Europe producing 28,000 tonnes each year, the majority is exported to other countries.
Intelligence shows thieves frequently target several farms in one night before moving locations to steal these highly valuable and portable kits, often revisiting farmyards weeks later to steal any replacements.
By far, the biggest farm in the world (in terms of acreage) is the Mudanjiang City Mega Farm in Heilongjiang, China. This astounding farm manages 22,500,000 acres. The Mudanjiang City Mega Farm specializes in dairy and has around 100,000 cows. For reference, that is 50 times bigger than the largest dairy farm in Europe.
The third largest working cattle farm in the world and largest one in Australia is Anna Creek in South Australia. Anna Creek oversees 6,000,000 acres, a land size that is larger than Isreal. Over 17,000 heads of cattle are reared here to keep up with demands for beef, making this farm the largest beef cattle producer in the world.
A large tractor can do in a day what used to take 100 people a week
60% of Food eaten in the UK is grown in Britain
» Secure Remote Sites Stop Intruders Remotely
Meet our newest addition to the services we offer - “IRT” Infinite Response Tower.
This robust unit will secure the most remote sites with no power or internet and notify you instantly with visual verification
direct to your smart device.
Powered by a built in battery with integrated Solar Technology, incorporating a 360 degree detection range of 3 – 15 meters, this is sure to deter or detect those unwanted visitors and photo verification of the alarms in 9 seconds. Also a user can request real time images for situational awareness via the Ajax app.
Upon the system detecting possible intrusion the IP rated siren activates the 113db sounder and LED flashing lights for up to 3 minuets alerting the intruder that their presence has been recorded.
The hub instantly notifies all users with push notifications about alerts via the App. The hub also allows remote management showing battery health and remote arming/disarming of the system. Thanks to the smart anti-masking technology the system will instantly alert you about any accidental or malicious actions aimed at blocking sensors even if the system is unset.
This unit can be either self monitored by the end user and/or be linked to our Rapid Response Option for an SIA Approved Officer to attend on your behalf.
The sturdy design of the IRT is made out of galvanized steel , weather resistant and has anti vibration feet that protect the tower from impacts.
Purchase or hire options for a little or as long as you need.
» Competition Time
WIN our Easter Hamper filled with lots of chocolatey goodness.
Find the daffodils
To WIN Simply find all of the Spring Daffodils that are sneakily hidden throughout our Newsletter
How to enter
Once you think you have found them all, email your answer to competition@ infinitefiresecurity.co.uk along with your name and phone number.
Entries will be accepted up to Monday 14th April and a winner will be drawn on Wednesday 16th April on all our social
media platforms so make sure you are following our pages, use our QR codes at the bottom of the page to follow us on all platforms.
The Winner will be the person who guesses correctly or as close to the winning number as possible. Where we have more than one correct answer, we will draw a name out at random.
Ts & Cs – Winner must be able to collect their winnings from our office in Dodworth, Barnsley.
» Cross Word
Across:
1. These come after the egg and before the butterfly or moth (11)
3. Mother ducks may be seen leading groups of these to water (8)
6. A collection of eggs and jelly laid by frogs (9)
8. Like toads, before they can breed these amphibians must return each year to their original pond (5)
9. These tall, blue flowers are often found in woods (9)
10. Young leaves that appear in spring are mostly this colour (5
12. These little aquatic creatures hatch out of frog and toad spawn (8)
15. Like frogs, these amphibians must return to their own pond to breed (5)
16. A word used to describe lots of different green plants; in springtime, a great deal of this appears (10)
18. The season between winter and summer (6)
19. Toads produce strings and frogs produce dollops of this when they mate (5)
Down:
2. These plants have large, flat leaves and small, pale yellow flowers (9)
4. Tall, yellow spring flowers with trumpets (9)
5. Horse chestnut (conker) trees have sticky ones (4)
7. This bird lays its eggs in another bird’s nest (6)
9. In springtime, these can be seen building nests for their eggs (5)
11. Birds hatch from these and we eat the kind laid by chickens (4)
13. This tiny white, bell-like flower is seen in late winter as well as early spring (8)
14. Horse chestnut trees have... buds (6)
17. This is constructed by a bird as a sort of nursery (4)
Follow along on social media
Take a look at our social media pages using the QR codes, they are full of installation images, customer feedback and much more.
