Fairford & Lechlade Business Club
Fairford and Lechlade Business Club - News
Good news for Fairford and Lechlade Business Club!
At the awards ceremony for The Calor Village of the Year held at Highnam Court on Friday 18 July, Fairford won the “Business” category of the competition for the dynamic support the club gives to local businesses. Chris Roberts, who was present at the ceremony, collected on behalf of the Business Club a large framed certificate and £400.
The Club was also recognised by Three Sector Match of Gloucester for “the mutual support that exists between the local businesses and the community”. Again, Chris accepted on behalf of the Club a large framed certificate and a Business Support Menu offering free business services. The aim of Three Sector Match is to encourage businesses and third sector organisations to work together for the benefit of Gloucestershire communities by exchanging skills and experience. To find out more, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.threesectormatch.co.uk".
In addition, Fairford won first prize for the “Older People” category and rounded off the evening by walking away with the top accolade of Calor Village of the Year for the newly renovated and extended Fairford Community Centre, which was visited by the Business Club at their June meeting. Fairford will now be entered into the national competition for overall Village of the Year for England.
Success in this competition is particularly welcome not only for the Business Club but also for our local area. Positive attention will now be focused on the Club and Fairford helping to boost the economy of the area. - Congratulations to Chris for her significant effort to enter us in for this competition and WIN!
RIAT 2008 Cancelled
We all feel for the visitors who had travelled far and wide to enjoy the
Airshow that began so well with the presence of her Majesty the Queen. A
very disappointed couple staying at Fairford Bed & Breakfast made the trip
from Brisbane, Australia. But to all circa 200,000 people who had made the
journey short or long we deeply regret the disappointment you suffered. We
as a club will do our utmost to lobby local government to improve drainage
and facilities for future years. After the disastrous flooding we suffered
last July, just a week after the 2007 Airshow, we must take rapid action.
In general the majority of members did not financially suffer as a direct consequence of the Airshow cancellation. However, certain members, such as Eventuality, campsite owner, made serious losses having to refund up to 1,500 people. On base catering suffered, provided in part, by Allium restaurant and 7a cafe. whilst in the towns of Fairford & Lechlade pubs, restaurants, shops and takeaways were busier than normal (given previous Airshow weekends). The latter witnessed an increase in trade providing meals that would have normally been absorbed by "On base" catering. Accommodation providers reported that most people booked for 2-3 days left after the first night.
However, the more serious issue is with the future. As a result, of inadequate drainage and increased rainfall, confidence in RAF Fairford as a host for RIAT has been lost. Unless assurances can be made, we face the serious risk of people not willing to come again "for fear of a repeat of the chaos suffered this year". Worse still if we were to lose RIAT to another air base. The consequences of either will have a devastating effect on the local economy. - Kev
Press release from Chris Roberts:
Just a year on from the disastrous flooding that devastated homes and businesses locally, members of the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club have had to face yet another catastrophe. Last weekend, the Royal International Air Tattoo that brings over 200,000 visitors to this picturesque corner of the Cotswolds was cancelled due to waterlogged fields and a rain-soaked airfield.
Businesses in Fairford and Lechlade faced mixed fortunes with campsites such as Kempsford Camping run by Club member, Clive Elliott, having to turn visitors away and having to refund money to 1500 people. Yet another campsite owner said that he had lost about £5,000 as his field was only half-full at the weekend. However, at The Bull Hotel in Fairford, it was a different story as the landlord there, Mark Dudley, had done a roaring trade providing food and drinks to the plane spotters and pilots, who would normally spend all their time on the RAF base.
“The Market Place on Saturday afternoon was buzzing” said Chris Roberts, former Mayor of Fairford and administrator for the Business Club. “Every café, restaurant and takeaway was doing a roaring trade and the town was alive with the voices of many different nationalities.”
Julian Hunt, who runs a Fairford B&B, said “All nine of my guests have come for the Tattoo, including two from Australia.”
A spokesperson for Londis in Fairford said that business is always good during Tattoo weekend, but was busier than normal this year. “We get a lot of people come down from Scotland and Redcar in Yorkshire and they were very disappointed that the Tattoo had been cancelled.” - Chrs
The June 26th AGM - Main points
Peter Whistler will remain Chairman for the next 12 months, David Fowles will remain as Vice Chairman. Chris Roberts and Tim Small remain committee members and is Joined by Kevin Symons having been proposed by David Fowles and seconded by Chris Roberts. Resignations from the committee include Roger Fessey, Martin Harwood and Paul Fisher.
Membership fees will be increased from £25 to £30 per year with immediate effect. This is to help support administration and meeting room fees. As we are getting close to 100 members larger venues are needed to accommodate us all.
New, credit card style, membership cards were given out at the AGM. This card is to be used to obtain special rates / discounts that are offered by members to other members. This encourages local businesses to trade with other local business helping to grow the local economy and reducing emissions and traffic by sourcing locally. The cards were produced by Secure Escorts Ltd
Members voted for a new club orientated magazine. This will be called "The Fairford and Lechlade News". The magazine, in addition to club news & Farmor's school young entrepreneurs sections, will incorporate existing Fairford Town Council and Lechlade Town Council publications.
The "free" Fairford and Lechlade News will contain local news and events. The objective of the new magazine is to reduce the amount of publications though your letter box (helping to save trees), support and promote the local area and promote our local businesses.
First publication is targeted to be August 2008. The magazine will be funded by advertising and club members can enjoy huge savings on their existing advertising budgets. Any profits will be retained in the local area and to the clubs adopted charities.
Fairford Community Centre - officially opened on Saturday 14 June
The next club meeting on Thursday 26 June will be held at 7.30pm at the new Fairford Community Centre. The Centre, which was officially opened on Saturday 14 June by HM Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, has undergone a £1.3 million refurbishment to bring this Grade II listed building into the 21st Century.
Come along and see the array of meeting rooms and facilities available ‚most most rooms have beautiful views of the world famous St Mary‚ Church and are reasonable priced for commercial or community use.
One of the most outstanding features of the building is the glazed corridor which links the old 1738 school building with the brand new extension. The corridor leads out on to what used to be the school playground and is now a sheltered and attractive area for alfresco dining.
Club members will receive a marketing brochure at the meeting outlining what rooms are available for hire and the rates for each room. Fairford and Lechlade Business Club have negotiated discounts on behalf of club members. See members area for details.
Business and Business person of the year award 2008
Many congratulation to our winners of 2008 for "Business Person of the Year" and "Business of the year".
Our local MP presented the business of the year award to the Christmas Shop in Lechlade. Business nominated were:
Lechlade Trout Fisheries, Mitchell & Sarjent, Eventuality UK Ltd, Londis, 7a Coffee Shop, Whistlers Gallery, TJH Associates, Axiom, The Bridge Restaurant, Old Skool Disco & Performance Autoworks.
and the business person of the year was presented to Ali Junab, Jaflong restaurant in Lechlade. Nominated were:
Tony Cutler & Shane Bayliss Butchers, Peter whistler Whistlers gallery, Kevin Symons Services Web Design, Chris Roberts, Rebecca Sarjent & Barbara Ellen-Mitchell Mitchell & Sarjent, David Fowles Caer Publishing, Anne Wilden Lechalde Post Office, Roger Fessey The Plough Fairford, Shelley Moulden Fairford Therapy Centrex, Robin Worhtington & Mark Handscombe Fairford Opticians, Helen Grosscurth Cotswold Therapy Room & Simon Forster White Horse Estate Agents.
The award ceremony took place at the Fairford & Lechlade Business Club annual dinner. Each member nominated the business and business person they thought merited winning the award. A committee consisting of then had the arduous task of making the final selection. In all there were 15 nominations for business of the year and 13 for business person.
