PARTNERS


CONTACT: Chris Plant T: 01283 535640


Stone free: Heather Wheeler takes a closer look at the work produced by competitors in the stonemasonry finals


MP visits college


skills academy South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler has visited visited Burton and South Derbyshire College’s Construction Academy in Swadlincote to see the finals of the WorldSkills Team UK selection competition. The visit was an opportunity for the MP


to see the most talented and inspirational students from training providers across the UK competing against each other for a coveted place in Team UK, who will move forward to the WorldSkills finals in São Paulo, Brazil, in August. WorldSkills is a competition to showcase


the skills of young workers, created in Spain in 1946 when there was a need to address a shortage of skilled tradespeople. During the selection finals, the college


hosted a range of competitions, from visual merchandising, restaurant service and hairdressing to stonemasonry, brickwork and carpentry. College chief executive Dawn Ward said:


“The college was delighted to host this prestigious event which further reinforces our commitment to promoting excellence, encouraging our students to participate in skills competitions and raising the aspirations of young people.” Heather Wheeler said: “Holding this


competition in South Derbyshire is a real feather in the cap for our area. Not only do we make things well here but even more importantly, we train people to the highest of standards, indeed world class.”


Simon Chapman is pictured (right) with Chris Else and Russell Jeans (left) of Birmingham Chamber


President looks to future B


urton Chamber’s new president has vowed to extend the organisation’s influence and build up membership


numbers during his term in office. Simon Chapman, who is


managing director of electrical contractor Yee Group, said this would include persuading greater numbers of ethnic minority businesses to join the organisation. He said: “My plans are to continue building on


the role and reach of this Chamber. “Over the coming two years, my aims are to


retain the existing membership by ensuring we offer products and services that they need, and to also recruit 50 new members. I want to ensure we gain members in business sectors that are either not represented, or where there is currently very little representation, within Chamber. “I am planning on working with the Institute


Mower to keep fairways in trim


You wouldn’t use it on your back lawn – but Branston Golf & Country Club has taken delivery of a £47,000 lawnmower. The new machine is a John Deere precision cut mower, which is designed for use on golf fairways. Branston director Richard Odell said: “In striving for continuous improvement in our facilities and


benefits for members we're delighted to have this superb machine that'll be taking our golf courses to another level of all year round excellence. Unlike many other golf clubs our membership continues growing as more new and experienced golfers realise the added benefits and enjoyment of Branston's magnificent facilities and friendliness for which we are famous right across the Midlands.” Gavin Robson, Branston’s course manager, said the new machine would help keep the fairways


clear of grass, which would help golf balls to ‘sit up’. He added: “It’s the very best available and a great vote of confidence in our talented green-keeping


team who are working hard to achieve the high standard of our academy and championship courses.” The new mower joins other recent investments, a back-hoe loader and course maintenance machinery costing £120,000.


30 CHAMBERLINK JULY/AUGUST 2015


Keep them mowing blades sharp (L-R): Branston's new fairways mower being delivered by James Robson (area sales manager, Henton & Chattell), Richard Odell and Gavin Robson


‘My plans are to continue building on the role and reach of this Chamber’


of Asian Businesses to encourage more of their businesses to join our Chamber and increase the proportion of them in our membership. “In the final strand of my three-part plan, I want to create and roll out a patronage offering that will help to further expand our Chamber and offer new, additional services to members.”


Simon took over as president from Chris Else,


of Else Solicitors, and praised his work in successfully integrating the Chamber into the Birmingham Chamber Group. He said: “Our members are increasingly


recognised and our views sought on a wide range of topics in the areas of finance, the economy and commerce – all subjects that potentially affect every business in East Staffordshire and where nationally Chambers of Commerce are having a greater say and positive impact.”


Photograph courtesy of Dean Martin


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52