Blog Entries

PALLETFORCE members are continuing to invest in the network’s striking orange livery.

UK Freight Masters Ltd in Kent has taken delivery of 11 rigid trucks in the Palletforce colour while EDS Couriers in Cannock has become the first member to have all their trucks decked out in the livery.

Michael Conroy, Chief Executive of Palletforce, said: "Despite the uncertain economic conditions our shareholder members continue to invest to drive forward the success of the entire network.

"With support from our fantastic member the Palletforce brand – like the network – remains strong and continues to grow.”

Family-run firm UK Freight invested £300,000 in upgrading its fleet to hit the 2012 emission standards deadline.

The transport, warehouse and distribution firm became a member of the UK’s leading palletised distribution network six years ago and following this investment now has 16 vehicles dedicated to Palletforce.

"We are located within the Transport for London Emission Zone which means our vehicles have to be up to Euro 4 Emission Standard by January 2012,” said UK Freight Masters Director Dave Bland.

"Because of this, I decided to renew a lot of the fleet, so we’ve replaced seven trucks and added another four.”
 
At EDS Couriers all 10 of the firm’s Heavy Goods Vehicles have been re-branded after almost half were upgraded to newer trucks.
 
"I’ve always been a great believer that we are on the same hymn sheet as Palletforce in terms of how we do business, so what better way to show it,” said General Manager Chris Burton.
 
"Having a HGV fleet uniformly branded in such an instantly identifiable livery will increase our profile and we’re already becoming more recognisable around the area.”  
 
This significant investment comes after the Cannock-based haulier ploughed just under £1million into two new warehouses comprising a total of 25,000 sq ft on a 1.5 acre site in Bridgtown.
 
"Our new depot gives us much space than our previous premises and allows us room to grow as demand increases,” said Managing Director Andy Evans.
 
Michael Conroy added: "Our striking orange vehicles are a more and more common sight on our roads and it is a sign of the faith our members have in the strength of the brand and growth of our network.”

DELAMERE Forest is to host a world record attempt for the most people hugging trees at once.

The Forestry Commission needs at least 350 people to help set the mark for the ‘Largest Tree Hug’ at the forest in Cheshire on September 11.

World record rules state that participants will have to hug a tree for a minute. Only two people will be allowed to hug each tree and their arms will not be allowed to touch.

"It will be a symbolic way for people to show their love and support for their forests,” said Jeni West, Delamere Forest Ranger.

"This is a great way for anybody to help break a world record, but families can also combine it with a day out in the forest.”

Delamere’s world record attempt will mark International Year Of Forests and organisers will have to video and photograph those taking part in order to prove to Guinness judges that they successfully passed the test.

A series of events are being held at forests across the country, but only Delamere is hosting a world record attempt.

In recent weeks visitors to the forest have seen posters on trees inviting them to ‘Hug me’.

But the idea of ‘tree hugging’ is not new. It became famous in the 1970s after women in a village in India used the symbolic gesture to protect local trees from being chopped down.

The Forestry Commission simply want the world record attempt to show how much the British public love and support forests.

Pam Warhurst, Forestry Commission Chair, said: "The world record attempt for the largest tree hug is a fun way for people to get involved with the Forestry Commission and share their love for trees and the environment.”

Would-be record breakers are being asked to pre-register on the website www.forestry.gov.uk/hug however, they can just turn up on the day.

Supervisors are also needed on the day. Please email jeni.west@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you can help

Anyone taking part on September 11 will be given a wristband and a small wooden medal to commemorate the occasion.

Other events on the day – between 10.30am and 4pm – include guided nature walks, organised cycle rides, nursery tours, trade stands, competitions, quizzes and much more.

To take part in the tree hug make sure you are at Whitefield Car Park by 1.15pm and go to the registration marquee. All car parking for the celebration day and the tree hug will be at Whitefield Car Park.

TWO more Palletforce trucks will be hitting the roads after Knights of Old upgraded its fleet.

The Kettering-based company has invested in two new orange-liveried 18 tonne Scania trucks – taking the number of new additions to their fleet this year up to 14.

In keeping with the Knights of Old tradition of naming their vehicles after knights from the Arthurian legend the trucks have been called Sir Balin and Sir Clegis.

"In order to cope with the steadily increasing demand we have experienced we have taken this opportunity to invest in our fleet,” said Ian Beattie, Managing Director of Knights Of Old.

"By expanding our fleet we are not only meeting the extra demands that have been placed on us with the level of high service we have become known for, but we are also in a strong position to facilitate future growth.”

Knights of Old has been a member of Palletforce – the UK’s leading palletised distribution network – for the past five years.

The two new Palletforce trucks – which will operate in the London area – are in addition to two trailers that the company operates in Palletforce’s livery.

"It is brilliant to work with forward-looking companies who know the value of re-investment and providing a consistent reliable service,” said Michael Conroy, Chief Executive of Palletforce.

"Our members continue to perform strongly and their customers continue to trust both them and Palletforce because they know they will receive quality, efficient service built on years of experience.”

THIRTEEN new homes – built on a demolished working men’s club site – have been shortlisted for a major award celebrating the country’s best affordable housing.

Stafford and Rural Homes’ development at Douglas Road West, in Coton Fields, is one of three shortlisted in the ‘Best Small Development’ category of the Affordable Home Ownership Awards.

The awards aim to recognise excellence within the sector and champion housing organisations who build lasting and sustainable homes.

"We are delighted that our new homes on Douglas Road West have been shortlisted in this prestigious award,” said Karen Armitage, Chief Executive of SARH.

"Building quality homes that give families in Stafford a solid footing is what SARH has strived to achieve since it was formed in 2006 so to be acknowledged for our work is extremely rewarding.”

The Best Small Development award is open to housing developments of less than 30 homes and is judged by a panel of housing experts on a number of criteria including:

- How the development met the needs of the local market.
- How well the cost of the property was managed without compromising the design and build quality.
- How the design features used made the most of the site potential.
- How specific challenges or local considerations were taken into account when developing this small scheme.
- How well the development met its objectives, including sales success and feedback from residents.

The Douglas Road West development is part of a £4.7million project by SARH which has created 44 affordable homes in the borough with our development partner Housing Plus and constructors William Davis Ltd and Clutton Homes.

In addition to the 13 new homes at Douglas Road West the project includes a further 22 completed on previously disused land at St Peters Close in Silkmore and a former garage site at Hawksmoor Road, in Rising Brook. Nine homes were also completed at Morton Road in Burton Manor.

"Our new build housing project is about so much more than bricks and mortar, it is also about creating homes where families can put down roots, bring up their children, go to work and build supportive communities,” said Karen Armitage.

The Affordable Home Ownership Awards will be held on Thursday, September 8, in London.

ONE of Britain's young Olympic hopefuls is helping to organise a community games event in Stafford.

Sprinter Abbi Tyson, 22, is in the 100m trials for the London 2012 games and is teaming up with Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) to organise the Meadow Games, in Penkside, on August 4.

The event will take place on Meadow Road and include a variety of activities such as dance, arts and crafts, a mobile skate park and taster sessions from local sports clubs.

"These games are inspired by the London 2012 Olympics and our aim is to get out and engage with the local community to promote health and wellbeing,” said Abbi, a health support officer for Stafford Borough Council.

Abbi, who grew up in Stafford, runs for Birchfield Harriers and has qualified for the trials for London, took on her role with the council to help spread the message about keeping fit and healthy and hopes her efforts will inspire others.

The Meadow Games will be another opportunity to pass on that message and also give local residents the chance to take part in a consultation on how the area can be developed for all members of the community to enjoy.

SARH and Stafford Borough Council have provided funding for a mobile skate park, zumba equipment and marquees at the event.

"The Games will be aimed at all ages and sporting abilities,” said Pam Smith, Customer Participation Officer for SARH. "The Penkside Community Champions Network, supported by partner organisations including SARH and Stafford Borough Council, will lead on this activity and hope to encourage more people to take an active role in forthcoming community projects.”

Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent together with south Staffordshire PCT have also provided funding as part of a commitment to supporting 12 community-focused events up to 2014.

For more information about the event please call SARH's customer participation team on 0800 111 4554 or emailcp@sarh.co.uk. Or Abbi Tyson at Stafford Borough Council on 01785 619392 or emailatyson@staffordbc.gov.uk

BRIDES-TO-BE who have been inspired by the recent Royal wedding are being given the chance to visit one of Cheshire’s premier venues.

The four-star Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa – part of the prestigious Macdonald Hotels & Resorts group – in Tarporley is holding a series of free wedding open days with the first one later this month.

Brides-to-be will be able to speak to the hotel’s expert team of wedding coordinators, indulge in a free glass of bubbly and canapés, view the suite set for a wedding and wander around the grounds, which include three golf courses that provide the perfect photographic backdrop.

"These open days are about giving people the chance to see the fabulous facilities and level of luxury and service they can expect from the hotel for both wedding receptions and civil ceremonies,” said General Manager Jerrod Latham.

"Our private grounds offer spectacular views of the Cheshire plains from the moment you approach the hotel and it only gets better from there.

"The panoramic views are carried on at the hotel’s double AA rated restaurant and our two wedding suites, one of which overlooks the Premier 18-hole golf course.

"A wedding day is the most special day of many people’s lives and with our team of expert wedding coordinators and award-winning spa facilities, we aim to make it as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.”

The first open day takes place between 4pm and 8pm on June 30 with others in July, August and October.

The hotel is also hosting a free wedding fayre on September 25 with bridal catwalks, a free glass of bubbly and canapés and exhibitions on everything a bride needs to make her the day special including table centres, chair covers and the all important wedding dress.

Anyone wanting to attend a wedding open day or the wedding fayre should contact the hotel on: 0844 879 9082.

Dylan Lewis, one of the world's foremost sculptors of the animal form, with one of his creations at Arley Hall & Gardens. Picture by Nick Jones.

BRONZE sculptures have been craned into the gardens at Arley Hall in Cheshire for a unique exhibition.

The statues of African big cats – by South African artist Dylan Lewis – are on display around Arley’s famous double herbaceous borders, ilex columns, walled garden and outside the entrance to the Hall.

They will be on view to the public until June 5.

Chris Beardshaw, who will attend Arley’s Garden Festival on June 25 and 26, said: "Arley’s gardens are spectacular at this time of year and they provide a great stage in which to have an exciting exhibition such as this.”

More than 20 works by Dylan Lewis, one of the world'sforemost sculptors of the animal form, are being exhibited at Arley – the first time he has shown his work outside of London.

"I was looking for a contrast between the wild African animals
of my sculptures and a beautiful English country garden and I think the effect is magnificent. It is a huge privilege to be able
to exhibit my sculptures here,” said Dylan.

Christie’s will be auctioning the collection in London on
June 16.

Lord Ashbrook, whose family has owned the Arley Estate for more than 500 years, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Christie’s has chosen Arley for this rare viewing of such important artworks.

"It is a particular honour for us to host the Dylan Lewis exhibition as I know Christie’s had the choice of many other fantastic gardens in the region.

"They look very striking against the backdrop of the gardens and will really give our visitors another dimension to a day at Arley.”

North West Director for Christie’s Jane Blood said: "The captivating beauty of the gardens at Arley Hall and their accessibility to towns historically connected with the arts make them the perfect setting for Christie’s May exhibition.

"Dylan Lewis always dreamed of being able to hold his own exhibition in an English garden, and he is thrilled with Arley.”

John Feeney of PVC Wizard.

A BRIGHT new business opportunity awaits visitors to this year's British Franchise Exhibition, in June – when specialist conservatory cleaning company PVC Wizard conjures up some excitement.

PVC Wizard, headed by successful businessman John Feeney, is about to launch its UK-wide roll out as a franchise network – and it will be the first specialist conservatory and PVC cleaning company to appear at the exhibition, at Manchester Central, on June 10 and 11.

Although the official launch will take place at the exhibition, the PVC Wizard team is already attracting a great deal of interest from people keen to snap up franchise territories.

"There is a clear gap in the market for our service, and our eye-catching brand offers a unique window of opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to join us across the UK,” said John.

"Based on the excellent trading figures of our existing franchise operations, we've developed a very attractive franchise package with a strong support structure and exciting marketing campaign,” he added.

And with more British householders choosing to improve their existing homes, rather than move during the recession, potential sales are forecast to remain strong.

John, who previously designed and built conservatories, has worked at some of the biggest conservatory installer firms in the country.

And that's where he first came up with his bright idea for business…eight years ago.

He explained: "I was seeing conservatories installed every day but there was no thought given to how they might be cleaned. PVC manufacturers like to say that their installations are maintenance-free, but this is not really true as anyone with a grubby conservatory and stained window frames will tell you.”

John added: "I realised the potential of setting up a professional conservatory cleaning company in a field of work that traditionally has attracted here-today gone-tomorrow operators. It's a service rarely offered by window cleaners and it can be a dangerous and messy job for homeowners.

"We were inundated from the first month because of our system of cleaning and the specialised products we use to bring weather-beaten conservatories back to their original pristine condition, inside and out.”

Initially run under the company name of Specialised Conservatory Cleaning, the company has just re-branded as PVC Wizard as part of its franchise roll out across the UK as a household name in conservatory cleaning.

To find out more about franchise opportunities, ring PVC Wizard on 0800 012 2501, or visitwww.pvcwizard.co.uk

Left to right, competition judges Mike Roberts, Jason Palin and Nigel Evans.

ROBERTS Bakery is asking all budding chefs to use their loaves and submit their best recipes incorporating bread as an ingredient.

The master chef who comes up with the best creation will have it reproduced in the Food Live Theatre at this year’s Cheshire County Show in June.

"As well as being great for toast and sandwiches bread is also a fantastically versatile ingredient; from bread and butter pudding to chicken goujons there’s a huge number of ways to use it.

"We’re looking for the region’s budding chefs to take a loaf of Roberts bread and use it to create an exciting and original recipe, ideally also utilising some of Cheshire’s other delicious produce,” said Carolyn Chadwick, Marketing Manager for Roberts Bakery.

An expert panel of judges will whittle through the applications to find the
best three recipes and the amateur cooks who submitted them will be
invited along to the Cheshire Cookery School for a MasterChef-style cook
off in early June.

Judges will include local celebrity chef Jason Palin, Executive Director of the Cheshire Show Nigel Evans and the ultimate bread connoisseur, Mike Roberts, deputy chairman of Roberts Bakery.

"I can’t wait to taste the delicious dishes created using Roberts bread. I use bread in a range of dishes including a crunchy homemade fish finger, a hearty soup and it’s also great for making some stunning summer canapés” said Jason Palin.

The winner of the competition will receive a pair of tickets to this year’s Cheshire County Show and a year’s supply of Roberts Bakery bread.

They will also be invited to join Jason Palin on stage in the Roberts Bakery Food Live Theatre to help demonstrate their dish in front of the audience at the show, which is held at the Tabley showground in Knutsford.

Roberts Bakery are proud to support the show for a sixth consecutive year and will sponsor the popular Food Hall and Food Live Theatre – where more than 100 food producers from across the country will display a range of produce for the public to enjoy.

In the Food Live Theatre some of Cheshire’s top food experts will give live cookery demonstrations on how to produce a range of mouth-watering delights.

Executive director of the Cheshire Show Nigel Evans said: "Cheshire is a county of bread lovers and we want to celebrate this as part of our successful partnership with Roberts Bakery by finding out how the public is using their loaves.”

To enter the competition visit www.robertsbakery.co.uk.

The Cheshire County Show takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday June 21 and 22. Advanced tickets are available by calling 0845 124 9822 or for more information visit www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk

KHT Chief Executive Bob Taylor

Knowsley Housing Trust says it will be working to support its tenants as they cope with changes to housing benefits, rents and tenancies that came into force this month.

As of April 1, the Government introduced many changes including absolute caps for Local Housing Allowance weekly rates, affordable rents at up to 80 per cent of market value and the end of guaranteed ‘lifetime tenancies’.

Bob Taylor, Chief Executive of KHT, said although the old system was in need of overhaul, tenants are likely to face tough times ahead.

"Over the last year we’ve seen and heard the government’s plans for change and for dealing with the spending deficit and it is now starting to hit home,” he said.

"Within the housing sector the first wave of benefit changes has taken effect and will hit thousands of people in both the private and social housing sector.

"It is unlikely that people will really have planned for these changes as after all many are living from week to week on extremely low incomes.

"We will now start to see the ‘fall out’ as people try to adjust. There will be a massive strain on those agencies providing debt advice at a time when grants and support to those agencies has been severely reduced.”

Other measures introduced as of April 1 include:

● Ending the maximum £15 weekly Housing Benefit excess that some customers can receive under the Local Housing Allowance arrangements,

● Removing the five bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate so that the maximum level is for a four bedroom property

● Reducing all Local Housing Allowance rates so that about 3 in 10 properties for rent in the area should be affordable to people on Housing Benefit rather than every 5 in 10 properties as now,

● Introduction of New Homes Bonus scheme to incentivise councils to build – the Government will match the council tax collected on new homes for the first six years.

Bob added: "We all know we’re in challenging times and I think deep down most would agree the previous systems could have done with an overhaul.

"Our short term challenges are to support as much as we can those people making the transition under the new arrangements to be living in the right places for them and to be able to work through and manage their finances.

"KHT will be working to provide the right homes in the right places and a range of tenures to suit what people want and can afford."