Bath biz June:Layout 3
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CITYpeople
News in brief ■ Bath Racecourse has appointed Kate Cook as marketing & PR executive. She joins the team from tourist attraction Brunel’s ss Great Britain in Bristol. Kate, who lives in Bristol played a key role in the ss Great Britain’s 40th anniversary marketing campaign that saw record numbers visit the ship in 2010. Bath Racecourse’s general manager, Jo Hall, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Kate on board, no doubt she will be a great addition to the team, and an invaluable asset in growing our racing and event businesses.” ■ Individuals and Bath businesses dug deep in their pockets to support a charity auction at Hall & Woodhouse which raised more than £14,500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and The Lifetime Children’s Trust. The auction was organised by Fiona Masud, whose two year old daughter Saira-Jane has cystic fibrosis. Saira-Jane has received help and support from both the charities, which is what inspired her mother to organise this event. ■ Congratulations to Bath’s Mr Music, Grenville Jones, founder of the Golden Oldies singing charity, who was asked to represent the Big Lottery Jubilee People’s Millions at the Queen’s Jubilee Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Grenville took with him Tessa Cox, who lives near Bath, as she has written a Jubilee song, Diamond Day, which Bath schoolchildren are learning. The pair were singled out for a chat with the Queen and Grenville said afterwards: “She was so gracious. What a huge honour.” ■ Dragons’ Den’s Theo Paphitis is the backing behind a new lingerie boutique which has opened in SouthGate, Bath. Boux Avenue, whose models include Strictly star and professional dancer Ola Jordan, pictured, is the 12th branch of the chain. Boux Avenue stocks underwear in sizes 8 to 20 and in bra sizes 30A to 40H. The shop also sells pyjamas, bikinis and accessories.
58 THEBATHMAGAZINE | JUNE 2012
COMMUNITY AWARDS: the judges for the Bath Building Society awards, including outgoing Mayor Bryan Chalker, Dick Jenkins, chief executive at Bath Building Society; Ralph Oswick and Nick Steel both of Widcombe
Building society at the heart of city If it weren’t for the community-minded businesses and private sponsors who lend money and support to all kinds of events in Bath, the rest of us wouldn’t be able to enjoy them. Bath Building Society is one such donor, which has launched its annual charity grant awards scheme. Local groups have until 11 June to submit their applications via www.bathbuildingsociety.co.uk for a share in the £5,000 pot. In addition to cash grants the building society gives away free hot air balloon flights which local charities and groups can then
raffle to raise more funds. Ralph Oswick, organiser of the community event, Widcombe Rising, said: “Widcombe Rising – which takes place on Sunday 17 June this year – is one of the biggest street parties; this family fun day in June fills our streets with fun, food and frolics and really brings the community together. This year’s theme is the Olympics.” He added that thanks to building society money Widcombe Rising will be able to have a children’s creative corner at this year’s event.
Property finders expand south west service Garrington Property Finders has joined forces with Bristol and Bath property expert Mark Gedye to serve clients in Bath, Somerset and Bristol. A new office in Bristol provides a comprehensive service to source, negotiate and secure residential properties for buyers in the area. The same level of service is offered to investors looking to develop their property portfolio in Bristol and Bath and those looking to rent in the area. Mark Gedye, who grew up in the west country, said: “With low levels of property entering the local
market, demand from buyers for property finding services has been steadily rising in the region over recent years. Property finding services are particularly beneficial to buyers from outside the area or overseas investors, but can also be of considerable value to local buyers who have equal pressures on their time and/or are frustrated with the progress they are making in their search to secure the property they want.” To find out more about Garrington, visit: www.garrington.co.uk or contact Mark Gedye directly on tel: 0117 214 0165.
Look out for lawyers in Lycra Training is underway for a team of cyclists from Bath solicitors Mogers who are tackling the Bike Bath challenge this month to raise money for charity. Bike Bath is a new cycling event and takes place over the weekend of 22-24 June, offering 30, 60 and 100 mile rides leaving from and returning to the centre of the city. The Queen Square-based team is taking part in the 30 and 60 mile rides as part of fund-raising for its chosen charity for 2012, the Bath Rugby Foundation. Steven Treharne, managing partner, said: “We’re taking part because it is good for team camaraderie, there are obvious health benefits to help counter our sedentary desk based work environment.
“We are used to operating at a high performance level in our day jobs but there is a real sense of achievement in training and completing challenging rides together bearing in mind we are all novice cyclists, we only started cycling this year. “There is a real buzz in the firm with many of us having dusted down our old bikes to participate.” Tom Webb, head of commercial team, added: “Not only has the training for the Bike Bath challenge allowed us to support our chosen local charity, The Bath Rugby Foundation, but it has also been a great team building exercise internally with up to ten of us heading out each week for training rides in what’s been dubbed internally as The Mogers Peloton.”