2 - 2022 | Chalmers News PR

Finalists announced for return of live business awards

Posted on February 9, 2022February 9, 2022 by admin

INSPIRATIONAL achievers across Warwickshire are among the finalists named in the fourth Ladies First Network Business Awards, being held next month.

Entrants from 25 categories have been selected from more than 270 nominations by a panel of 18 judges from across the UK at a special event in Coventry on Monday.

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony, hosted by BBC radio presenter Sandra Godley, on March 24^th at Coombe Abbey.

The awards, which returns to a live event following the pandemic, will also raise money for two West Midlands charities, St Basils and Suited For Success.

St Basils works with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to enable them to find and keep a home, grow their confidence, develop their skills and increase opportunities.

Ladies First Network Awards 2022, Tracey McAtamney — Judging takes place. *Photos by Dy Holme at Spaces and Faces Photography*

Established in Birmingham, the charity now has 42 accommodation projects across the West Midlands, including Leamington, Coventry, Solihull, Sandwell, Walsall, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Kidderminster.

Further information about St Basils can be found here

Established in 2016, award-winning charity Suited For Success helps unemployed men and women in Warwickshire and the West Midlands prepare for a job interview by providing free coaching, employment preparation skills and interview clothing.

Further information about Suited For Success can be found here

The new categories introduced this year are: Excellence in Health & Wellbeing, Digital Star, Man of the Year, Employer of the Year, Excellence in Education, Achieves in Marketing, Family Business, Service Provider of the Year and International Award – attracting entries from as far afield as Australia and South Africa.

Young people are also in sharper focus at this year’s awards which champion Young Entrepreneur and Inspirational Young Achiever.

Awards organiser and Ladies First Network Leader, Tracey McAtamney from Balsall Common, said: “Interview Day was a fabulous occasion. It never ceases to amaze me just how many talented and inspirational people I get to meet – this year starting at just 10 years old, our youngest ever nomination. Also, some remarkable women in business and inspirational lives, some incredible family businesses including a third generation business, husband and wife teams, an over 50’s all-female punk band and not forgetting a micro pigs business! – So many achievements to celebrate.”

For further information about the awards visit here

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities contact Tracey McAtamney at: tracey@ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk

The finalists:

Digital Star
Emily Cordwell – Online Toolbox, New Zealand
Sandy Hearn – Elite PA Solutions, Rugby
Amy Hobson – Focus your Future UK, Solihull
Sharon Louca – Women’s Business Networking Ltd, Tamworth
Jacqueline Leake – V A Services Nuneaton

Achieves for the Community
Louise Gilliard-Owen & Kate Porreta – The Horse and People Project, Coventry
Sharon Brooks – Headway Brain Injury Charity, Coventry
Fay Goodman – Goodmedia, Birmingham
Anita Dalton – Kenilworth
Christine Eade & Sarah Laughton – The POD Café, Coventry

Excellence in Education
Catherine Cossey – The Piano School, Coventry
Benita Belgrove – Bluecoat School, Coventry
Marie Crowder Shona Wallace Megan Lee – Nicola Smyth Academy, Leamington/Warwick/Kenilworth
Amandine Stone – Tutor in a Box, Leamington
Suneta Bagri – Teach well, Toolkit, Coventry

Ladies Network Awards, Tracey McAtamney — Woman of Courage finalist Rachel Ollerenshaw of Molly Ollys.

Man of the Year
John Coote – Coventry Comfort Carers Homeless Outreach Project, Coventry
Michael Mogan – Mogan and Mogan, Coventry
Dan Smyth Humphriss – Nicola Smyth, Leamington
Mark Elson – Pipistrelle Art, Exhall
Trevor Parkinson – Millie’s Paws Hydrotherapy Centre and Studio, Coventry

Achieves in Business (Employee)
Leanne Horne – Air Aesthetics Clinic, Henley-in Arden
Sarah Millington – Unique Venues, Birmingham
Carey Munn – Pertemps Network Group, Meriden
Kathy Halstead Smyth – Nicola Smyth
Corrine Seaborne – Alsters Kelley, Coventry

Achieves Through Networking
Amy Hobson – Connexions, Solihull
Sarah Millington – Unique Venues, Birmingham
Sharon Louca – Women’s Business Networking Limited, Tamworth
Yvonne McCabe – Minute Man Press, Hall Green
Amanda Bourne – Findabiz, Nuneaton

Advocate for Women
Andrea de Gabriel Robertson – Andrea de Gabriel Portrait Photography, Nuneaton
The Verinos – All Female Band, Leicester
Sarah Gray – Sarah Gray Styling, Leamington
Charlie Smith – Jennie Bear Blue, Balsall Common

Achieves for Charity
Jessica Weeks – Hannah’s House, Coventry
Emma Hallam – Alex’s Wish, Loughborough
Louise Hepburn – The Centaurus Trust, Wootton Wawen
Georgina Mosely – Help Harry, Help Others Charity, Birmingham

Service Provider of the Year
Lisa Whittleton – Illuminate VR, Kenilworth
Jayne Chambers – Haigs Hotel & McKees Restaurant, Balsall Common
Amy O’Keeffe – CTT Accounting Leamington
Abigail Farnham – Pertemps Network Group
Geraldine Davies – Senior Care Support, Solihull

Excellence in Health & Wellbeing
Julie Dalton – Elite Health & Wellness, Coventry
Asha Bezron – Inspired to Change, Balsall Common
Lorraine Checklin – Flourish Health and Wellbeing, Meriden
Julia Mitchell – Healthy Steps, Shrewley
Dr Verity Biggs – NHS GP Coventry, Balsall Common
Julie Garner – CBD Skindeep, Kenilworth

Woman of Achievement
Angela Gordon – I Love Inspiring Ltd, Rugby
Robyn Allen – Robyn Allen Solutions, Rothwell
Suzanne Reid Barreiro de Silva – Unique Venues, Birmingham
Samm Bain – Meriden Media
Fay Goodman – Goodmedia, Birmingham

STEM Award
Alexandra Knight – Stemazing, Morpeth
Ewa Truchanowicz – Dignio, Birmingham
Helen Routledge – Totem Learning, Coventry
Andrea Lowe – Accountable Solutions, Rugby
Ellen Badat – Purple Tree Solutions, Gloucester

Inspirational Woman
Siwan Smith – Anchored In, Liverpool
Sonia Parnell – Liberty House Care Homes, Birmingham
Suneta Bagri – Teach well, ToolKit, Coventry
Fay Goodman – Goodmedia, Birmingham
Natalie Heeley-Shields – Forever Living, Mollington

Business Entrepreneur
Amy Davies – Madame Caci Lounge & Store & Stove, Balsall Common
Leanne Armstrong – Black Ivy Design, Coventry
Olivia Mikail – Kew Little Pigs, Amersham
Donna Vaughan – Millies Paws Hydrotherapy Centre and Grooming Studio, Coventry
Taruna Chauhan – T Chauhan Consultancy Ltd. Coventry

Business Entrepreneur (Under 30)
Rebecca Cooke – George’s Swim Academy & Claudies Club, Solihull
Hannah Williams – Scribble Inc. Shropshire
Anisa Morridadi – Beatfreeks, Birmingham
Ananya Prajapati – artist, Coventry
Lauren Coombes – Pitch and Party Limited, Balsall Common

Businesswoman of The Year
Olivia Mikhail – Kew Little Pigs, Amersham
Michelle Kirkham – International Automotive Components Group (IAC Group), Coventry
Leanne Armstrong Peapell – Black Ivy Design, Coventry
Bal Heer- Regional Homes, Birmingham

Family Business of the Year
Kate Hunter – Bear Cleaning, Kenilworth
Ruth & Gillian Bridges – J Roberts SPV Ltd, Sutton Coldfield
Jayne Chambers – Haigs Hotel & McKees Restaurant, Balsall Common
Yvonne McCabe – Minute Man Press, Hall Green
Jo Watson – Halo Hair and Beauty, Balsall Common

Couple of the Year
Claudia & Richard Bramble – Bramble Dining, Leamington Spa
Charlotte & Jolyon Olivier – Napton Cidery, Napton-on-the-Hill
Gina & Ian Reinge -The Reinge Clinic, Kenilworth
Kelsey & William Seymour – St Maur, Alcester
Nichola & John Kelsey – Welcombe Hills Vineyard, Stratford-upon-Avon

Unique Business
Lauren Coombes – Pitch and Party Limited, Balsall Common
Olivia Mikhail – Kew Little Pigs, Amersham
Jessica Moorley – Bread for Life, Leamington Spa
Phaedra Elson – Pipistrelle Art, Exhall
Debbie Lynn – Violinist, Coventry

New Business of the Year
Nikki Watson – Solihull Baby Massage
Helen Bradley – Quirky Little Bird, Coventry
Claudia & Richard Bramble – Bramble Dining, Leamington Spa
William & Kelsey Seymour – St Maur, Alcester
Helen Pritchett – The Soap Sisters, Birmingham

Successful Career from Home
Taran Natt – Mum’s Bistro, Meriden
Maxine Round – Pure Nails & Beauty, Balsall Common
Colette Jacobs – Hounds ‘n’ Harmony, Coventry
Lindsay Gillespie – Pawsome Pooches, Balsall Common
Isabel Lawson – Isabel’s Flowers, Balsall Common

Marketing Award
Colette Bratton – Small Business Equaliser, Lichfield
Felicity Newsome – Sheldon Bosley Knight, Stratford-upon-Avon
Vicki Bravington – Shakespeare Media, Stratford-upon-Avon
Katie Wilber – Cotswold Connected, Stratford-upon-Avon
Louise Wood & Natalie Corcoran – Lime Communications, Leamington Spa

Venue Award
Coombe Abbey
Binswood Hall
Telegraph Hotel
Wroxall Abbey

Woman of Courage
Veronica Kumeta – Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer, Birmingham
Rachel Ollerenshaw – Molly Ollys, Warwick
Andrea Rainsford – SEO Angel, Tamworth
Louise Bates – Heathcote Holistics, Leamington Spa
Sharon Luca Chatha – The Luca Foundation, Coventry

Ladies First Network Awards — The judging took place on Monday at The Metropolis in Coventry.

International Award
Innocentia Mahlangu – SHEngineers, South Africa
May Zaki – Rashaqa by May, Australia
Emily Coldwell – Online Toolbox, New Zealand

Inspirational Young Achiever
Twins Stacey & Tracey William from Coventry
Twins Alice & Hattie Mogan from Coventry

Feast on comedy in Warwick

Posted on February 4, 2022February 4, 2022 by admin

We all need a laugh these days . . . am I right?

Hail then the much-anticipated return of the live arts and, in particular stand-up comedy. The perfect antidote for a post-pandemic chilly February evening!

If you’re not in the know, then I’m referring to Comedy at Work’s monthly stand-up gigs at Revive Café and Bar in Warwick.

Revive Cafe and Bar, Warwick, Comedy at Work — Comedy compere Elliot Powell

Selling out faster than booze at the PM’s nearest off-licence(!) – these popular events are going down a veritable storm with locals and out-of-towners alike.

So I thought it was time to check out the vibe at their latest laughter fest this week.

The Comedy at Work team assembled a line-up of five laughter makers – and with the help of Warwick’s very own funny man compere Elliot Powell – kept a packed audience entertained for more than two hours.

Word of warning though – don’t sit on the front rows in what is already an intimate venue for comedy if you don’t want to become part of the show!

But it was clear everyone was up for plenty of banter and the jokes were lapped up as readily as the liquid refreshments.

Headline act Rachel Jackson made the most of a whipped up comedy crowd by the time her act closed the show. It had been a fun and lively evening for the appreciative crowd- and just the tonic we all needed.

The live gigs return once a month to Revive so if you want to feast on the fun, book now here

Next month’s headliner is the newly crowned British Comedian of the Year, Jeff Innocent.

Comedy at Work, Anne Docherty, Mark Hinds, children's comedy workshops — Mark Hinds and Anne Docherty who run Comedy at Work. Photo by jane@janusphotography.co.uk

Anne Docherty and Mark Hinds from Warwickshire are the creative minds behind Comedy at Work, an innovative business that brings stand-up to venues across the country.

For details of all Comedy At Work’s upcoming gigs visit here

As well as monthly comedy morsels, Revive Café and Bar is serving up a newly extended menu under new Executive Chef Catalino Bernal. ‘Cats’ – as he’s known – has spent 25 years working in restaurant kitchens at home and abroad, including the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel in his native Philippines and, locally, The Saxon Mill in Warwick and The Orange Tree, in Chadwick End.

Diners are now able to choose from new dishes including steaks, ribs, risotto and wider vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free selection. A new range of bar snacks has also been introduced. (Look out for reviews in the local press soon!)

Revive Cafe Bar, Cats Bernal, Comedy at Work, menu

The popular venue, in Smith Street, is now open even longer, from 8am-6pm Monday and Tuesday, 8am-11pm Wednesdays to Saturdays and 9am-10pm on Sundays. Visit here to check out the menu or to book a games table. Group bookings can be made by calling 01926 403 333.

This successful Revive and Comedy at Work collaboration reminds me of the words of a certain William Shakespeare: “Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast.”

And we all deserve to gorge on as much of it as possible. . .

Let there be light. . . at Compton Verney

Posted on February 4, 2022 by admin

Described as wonderful, dazzling and enchanting, Compton Verney’s new visitor experience for 2022 promises to be truly spectacular.

The famous Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped park and woodland of the historic Warwickshire gallery will be transformed by a series of stunning, night-time light installations, creating a magical illuminated trail under the stars.

Spectacle of Light invites you to walk through the changing Light Curve, immerse yourself in the Carpet of Colour on the main lawn and be amazed by the sparkling light beams across the lake.

The Spectacle of Light trail is set to take you on an amazing journey as you wander from the welcome centre, through the woodland, along the lake, and over the bridge to the house, and back again.

The trees will be lit up all the way, with incredible light installations to admire and photograph before reaching the magnificent, majestic house bathed in gorgeous, soft tones. Music will play at each spectacle, to further create a magical atmosphere.

There are treats in store for our other senses along the way too. Sip delicious, mulled wine or hot chocolate as you wander along, before pausing by the house to tuck into scrumptious hot food and mouth-watering treats courtesy of Digbeth Dining Club.

To maximise visitor safety and enjoyment of the enchanting experience, a staggered entry system has been created, to create 15-minutes distance between each group of visitors on the Spectacle of Light trail. Entry begins at 5.30pm and the last trail tour commences at 7.45pm, with the park closing at 10pm.

Julie Finch, Director/CEO of Compton Verney said: “Compton Verney is the perfect, safe place to meet with family and friends in the fresh air and our new Spectacle of Light is another fantastic, and new, reason for people to come and visit. We can’t wait to welcome more people to our grounds to enjoy art and creativity in the great outdoors.”

Hatton Adventure World hosts half term pantomime fun – oh yes it does!

Posted on February 1, 2022February 1, 2022 by admin

Hatton Adventure World is to host a brand new pantomime to entertain children during half term from 19th– 27th February.

Families can laugh and join in with ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, one of the world’s favourite fairytales, as the fearless Jack encounters a Giant during the 40-minute show. Held indoors in the pop-up theatre, there’s no worry about the British winter weather causing any disruptions!

In addition, there are fantastic magic shows throughout the day and a host of other indoor activities including animal handling, guinea pig village, Scales & Tails exotic experiences where children can hold a snake, feed a lizard, or cuddle a chinchilla plus play on the huge indoor soft play and slide mania centre.

Johnnie Arkwright, owner of Hatton Country World, said “We’re delighted to be offering a brand-new hilarious pantomime adventure for all the family, full of laughs, fun, music, magic and total nonsense! Children love pantomimes and audience participation is much encouraged. Whatever the weather this half term, there’s plenty of animals, action, and adventure to keep the whole family entertained!”

Outdoors the action continues with the return of the epic laser combat battles – Death Match, Domination and Capture the Flag, plus amazing falconry displays, mini funfair rides, giant helter-skelter and family games, with plenty of space and bags of fresh country air.

Visitors can also meet Bubbles, the world’s oldest donkey, who has lived at Hatton since it first opened its doors in the 1980s. Bubbles is now in her sixties and still loves a fuss from visitors in the Farmyard Favourites Barn.

The all-inclusive price at Hatton ensures a carefree day out on the 100-acre site with loads of shows and activities throughout the day, a 2-acre laser combat field, one of the largest indoor play areas in the Midlands and a 20-unit shopping village next door.

Tickets cost just £14.95 and must be booked online. All day parking is £2. Tickets include a full day entry to Hatton from 10am. Hatton Adventure World is open every day throughout the year (excluding Christmas Day & Boxing Day) from 10am to 5.30pm. For more information, please visit the website at https://adventure.hattonworld.com/