AND FINALLY


Elephants on the road thanks to Gibbs & Dandy


Fourteen staff from Gibbs & Dandy Luton, have pulled together to deliver over 31 beautifully painted elephants to all corners of Luton for the biggest brightest outdoor public art event Bedfordshire has ever seen. The Big Trunk Trail which runs until Friday 9th October is being bought to the town by Keech Hospice Care to celebrate its 30th anniversary. It comprises 31 life size elephant structures painted by local artists, and 40 baby elephants painted by local schools. The Luton branch team coordinated logistics and distribution, from using the Gibbs & Dandy warehouse to fix the concrete plinths to the elephant structures, to rallying the team and the use of 11 lorries to deliver


the elephants to the homes they will occupy for the remainder of the summer.


Stuart Wells, Luton Branch Manager, said: “Logistically this was a massive operation for us. There were many layers to consider as part the process including Highways England restrictions which we had to take into account when mapping out a delivery plan, however we were determined to make it happen whichever which way we could.” To Gibbs & Dandy staff who had worked out of hours to deliver the elephants, Wells offered to pay overtime hours, but staff refused, instead requesting that the money be donated to Keech Hospice Care, totalling in excess of £750.


He added: “I am so proud of my team for their hard work and dedication to this project. Everyone


knows someone who has been touched by this special charity, so to see everybody pulling together to fill the streets with these beautifully decorated works of art was a such a joy.


“We received so much support. I followed the first five lorries down Dallow Road at 4.30pm, the look of amazement and joy on people’s faces as elephants went past them on Gibbs & Dandy lorries will stay with me forever; people literally took a double glance, stopped and waved. One lady even took her child out of the


Above: L-R - Paul Power, Jack Murphy, Paul Graham, Jamie Lingard, Richard Brinkley, Jonathan Reid, Jason Murray, Steve Byers


pushchair to get a better view. It was heart-warming to see. “Whilst delivering in Wardown Park, people stopped to watch the elephants be unloaded. I said to one little girl, do you think elephants can fly? She replied no, so I said ‘watch this’. Our driver then hoisted the elephant high in the air using our crane to offload it and put in place on the floor; her face was a picture.”


Members and Suppliers reunite for NMBS Golf Day


NMBS members and suppliers reunited in Buckinghamshire last month for the long-awaited NMBS Golf Day, which took place after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.


Sixty-five keen golfers from across the country came together to network on the Duke’s Course at Woburn Golf & Country Club. The Duke’s Course is one of the top 100 golf courses in the country and has been the home of the NMBS Golf Day for many years. It has also played host to top-level golf competitions including the British Masters and the Women’s British Open Championship, making it the


perfect venue to enjoy some friendly competition. Representatives from a cross-section of NMBS’ 1,200 independent merchant members and 500+ suppliers played 18 fantastic holes of golf at Woburn Golf & Country Club. Although Covid-restrictions meant the usual evening meal was not able to go ahead, all the golfers instead received a luxury lunch to take with them after they had finished playing.


The Individual Winner’s prize was given to Warren Oakley of Toolbank. Sean Adams of A Solutions UK claimed the prize for being Nearest the Pin after a


Marshalls; Mike Davies-Key of M Markovitz; Chris Carter of Sydenhams; and Andy Hextall of NMBS.


The winning three-ball team was Christopher Sherfield of Gripfixings; Tony Males of Pulse Fixings; and Chris Norden of Norden Heating.


fantastic tee-shot, while the prize for the Longest Drive went to Jack Greatorex of Fischer Fixings. Prizes were also awarded to the most successful three- and four- ball teams. The four-ball team winners were: Andrew Miller of


Sam Hunt, Events Manager at NMBS, said: “We were very pleased to be able to hold the NMBS Golf Day again this year. Golf is one of the most popular sports in the industry, and one that gives our members and suppliers the opportunity to network and discuss business in a relaxed and enjoyable way.”


ERA sets its sights on 100 mile charity cycling challenge


ERA is taking part in a 100 mile bike ride this summer to raise vital funds for its nominated charity in 2021, Hope House Children’s Hospices. On Sunday 8th August 2021, ERA employees, including Helen Downer, President of ERA’s parent company Tyman UK and Ireland, joined many other businesses across the UK for the


46


‘GMF 100’ Cycling Challenge. Starting and finishing at ERA’s headquarters at the i54 business park in Wolverhampton, the team cycled a total of 100 miles between them throughout the day to raise vital funds for Hope House.


The charity supports over 750 families throughout Shropshire,


Cheshire, Mid and North Wales, providing palliative care for children with life‐limiting conditions. With over 95% of Hope House’s annual costs met through charitable donations, it relies heavily on the contributions from fundraising events such as the ‘GMF 100’ Cycling Challenge to carry out its essential work.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2021


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