9 - 2025 | Chalmers News PR

Local glamping business’s national TV spotlight coincides with expansion

Posted on September 17, 2025September 17, 2025 by admin

Four In A Bed, Channel 4, glamping, Apple Farm — **Charlotte and Matt at The Apple Farm.**

A family-run glamping site near Stratford-upon-Avon will be in the national spotlight next week when it appears in the latest reality series of Four In A Bed on Channel 4.

The Apple Farm in Snitterfield is one of four businesses to come under the public scrutiny of its peers in a week-long run of episodes, from Monday. (September 22^nd)

Charlotte Cleveley and Matthew Wood’s business is among those featuring on the show, which invites hospitality business owners from across the UK to take turns staying at one another’s B&B establishments, giving honest feedback and paying what they consider fair. The winner is the place which scores most highly, revealed in the final episode, on Friday. The episode dedicated to Apple Farm is being aired on Tuesday.

Four In A Bed, Channel 4, glamping, Apple Farm

The Apple Farm episodes are also released ahead of the latest addition to the site being unveiled – two brand new boutique Shepherd’s Huts, offering visitors the ultimate countryside experience — a blend of rustic charm and modern comfort in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside.

Charlotte, 47, is remaining tight-lipped about the result, except to say: “We had a great time in the two weeks filming the show. It’s a full-on experience but we met some lovely people with lots of fun along the way.

“One bit of feedback we got was that they didn’t like walking to the toilets so we made sure to make the new Shepherd’s Huts en suite!”

The former sales and marketing manager established the glamping site, near Cobbs at The Farm, in 2016, after returning from 14 years in Australia, soon taking ownership of a derelict fruit farm purchased by her late father. Also marking a successful diversification of the 55-acre site, its mission is to provide guests with memorable countryside escapes while raising awareness of the challenges and rewards of farming life — and to support the local community through care farming projects.

As part of its wider vision, The Apple Farm is also proud to start operating as a care farm, providing a safe and supportive environment where people can connect with nature, build confidence, and improve wellbeing through farming activities. This is a project driven by a cause close to her heart after many years of helping to care for her older brother, Sam, who has cerebral palsy.

Charlotte said: “This awareness of the special needs community gave us the idea. We’re very lucky that we have a great care team who look after his physical needs but unfortunately I’ve noticed there is less provision for social needs, which are important because they provide a better quality of life. Through the care farm we will be doing our bit to address this by opening our doors to a wide range of people with different needs and abilities. ‘Sam’s Farm’ already welcomes Heart of England Mencap staff and clients on a weekly basis. Being outdoors in nature is good for everyone.”

She added: “Farming is full of challenges — from rising costs to unpredictable weather — and this summer has especially highlighted the pressures many farms are facing. We’re passionate about helping people understand what it really takes to run a farm today. Diversifying into glamping has been a lifeline for us, and after 10 successful years with camping pitches and bell tents, the Shepherd’s Huts are a natural next step. Alongside our care farm, they allow us to sustain the business for the future while creating opportunities for guests.”

Bookings for the Shepherd Huts open next month. Visit HERE for further information.

Each shepherd hut – ‘Apple Pie’ and ‘Apple Crumble’ – is designed with relaxation and comfort in mind, featuring:
– A traditional wood-burning stove for cozy evenings
– A king-size bed with premium linens for restful nights
– A private ensuite bathroom with a spacious waterfall shower
– A fully equipped kitchen with gas stove, fridge, and all self-catering essentials
– A personal BBQ and firepit for al fresco dining and stargazing

Four In A Bed airs on Channel 4 at 5pm weekdays. It’s also available to view on Channel 4 +1, More4 And More4+1. Check listings for schedules.

Rotary creative Climate Change exhibition is a hands down success!

Posted on September 11, 2025 by admin

Scores of visitors turned out to support the launch of a Rotary project on the subject of Climate Change, last week.

The Handprints For Action Exhibition, organised by Heart of England Rotary Clubs, is the result of the collaborative efforts of more than 25 schools across Coventry and Warwickshire, as well as community groups and Rotary Clubs across the region.

The colourful flower collages – made up exclusively of handprints – were unveiled by The Lord Mayor of Coventry Rachel Lancaster at a special event at the city’s Holy Trinity Church, on September 5^th.They will remain on display there until the end of the year.

Running alongside a program of activities, seminars and partnerships to help educate and raise awareness in the local community, it is the culmination of the latest initiative, which has been organised for the last 11 years by Heart of England Environment Officer and District Assistant Governor Gabrielle Back.

Gabrielle said: “The launch was very busy and attended by visitors from the community, Rotary and schools. It’s a wonderful exhibition well worth seeing and worth all the effort. It’s amazing what can be created from simple hand prints.”

She added: “The project overall has been a huge success. Its purpose is to engage people in thinking about the environment and how their families interact with it and to encourage young people to explore what positive actions they and their families are already doing, or could do, to look after our planet. We might not know what our ecological or carbon footprint is, but we can keep track of our positive contributions to help heal the environment.”

Heart of England Rotary Club, Handprints For Action — Vistors appreciate the collages at Holy Trinity Church.

The 28 collages will now also be incorporated into the Rotary Christmas tree festival and Lord mayor’s carol service in December as well as displayed at various locations including the Rotary District Conference on October 25^th and Eco International Seminar in the spring and Nuneaton Museum.

Everyone who took part received a certificate. Primary schools involved in Coventry and Warwickshire included: Coten End School, Warwick; Shipston on Stour Primary School; Burton Green CofE Academy, Kenilworth; Bilton CofE Junior School and Paddox Primary School, both in Rugby; and Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School; Baginton Fields Academy; Cannon Park Primary School; Earlsdon Primary School; St Thomas More Catholic Primary School; Allesley Primary School; St Anne’s RC Primary School, all in Coventry.

Themes over recent years of the Rotary Art project have included Oceans, Recycled Angels, Switch Off, Carbon Footprint, Around The World, Cut Down On Plastics, Green Hearts and Helping Hands. Planning is now under way for next year’s project on Endangered Species.

Any schools or groups interested in taking part can contact Gabrielle at: gabrielle@back.f9.co.uk

To find out more about the work of Heart of England Rotary or how you can help, visit HERE.

Rotary is a worldwide association of local clubs, for men and women in business or the professions who: provide service to the community at local, national and international level; encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and work for goodwill and peace in the world.

Hundreds of women have a hand in major community art project

Posted on September 5, 2025 by admin

The Esther Project, Queen cape, Lianne Kirkman. — Over 1,000 hand-stitched hearts and flowers went into making the cape. Photos by Alex James Harvey.

A spectacular community art project which brought together the collaborative creative efforts of vulnerable women across the region, was unveiled for the first time at a special event in Leamington. (September 4^th)

Called ‘Queen,’ the impressive patchwork is made up of more than 1,000 hand-stitched hearts and flowers and took over six months to complete.

The seven-metre hooded cape, is the initiative of The Esther Project, a Leamington-based CiC dedicated to supporting vulnerable women, including those dealing with mental health challenges, escaping domestic abuse, overcoming addiction, transitioning from prison or facing homelessness.

It was completed with the backing of Leamington Town Council’s Community Grant Fund, established to support Community and Voluntary groups with projects that are of benefit to the wider Leamington Spa community.

Lisa Nicolle, spokesperson for The Esther Project, said: “The Queen project exemplifies how craft and creativity can empower individuals, while building links with the wider community. It brings together women from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and breaking down barriers between age groups, skill levels and social experience.

“Each stitch carries a story – of courage after hardship, of rebuilding confidence, of daring to dream of a new future. Piece by piece, these individual creations have been joined together to form a spectacular cape fit for a queen.

“It is more than an artwork – it is a powerful symbol of what is possible when women stand together, support one another, and believe in themselves again. The project brings women together in a supportive and collaborative setting, reducing feelings of isolation.”

She added: “Craft activities like crochet and patchwork promote relaxation and offer mental health benefits and participants gain a sense of pride and accomplishment by contributing to a visible and meaningful art installation. A group activity like this also fosters social bonds, which are crucial for mental health, as well as encouraging self-confidence, teaching planning, coordination, and project execution skills.”

The Esther Project was established by Lianne Kirkman in 2023 – her mission, to create a nurturing and empowering community where every woman can heal, grow and reach their future potential. It does this through a range of services, including counselling, one-on-one support, creative activities, employability opportunities, and drop-in sessions.

Esther House – a seven-bed supported living accommodation, opens its doors for vulnerable women who need a safe space to recover.

Many of the ladies who attend The Esther Project’s weekly support groups also had a hand in creating the designs which were then meticulously sewn onto the cape over several weeks by a team of hardworking volunteers, overseen by Judith Perry.

The Esther Project, Queen cape, Lianne Kirkman.

Judith said: “The ladies have made various contributions involving learning new skills – not only crochet, but also papier mâché, fabric painting and beading, all of which adorn the cape. And many different organisations and individuals were involved in making the hearts and flowers, including local WI groups and members of Leamington Studio Artists.”

Specially invited guests, including the mayor and Warwickshire Police Crime Commissioner, Philip Seccombe, gathered to witness The Queen’s grand unveiling at The Riverside Glasshouse in Jephson Gardens on Thursday, ahead of its tour of other locations in the town.

Mr Seccombe said: “The Esther Project is doing fantastic work and Lianne is one in a million. I know it will continue to grow and the cape is incredible.

“One of the main themes of my real time plan is to put more and more into prevention of reoffending and this is one of the projects that’s making a difference.”

Leamington Mayor Councillor Ruggy Singh said: “It’s not very often we have the opportunity to come back and hear about the fantastic work that has taken place as a result of our community funding. It’s a wonderful cause, creating a space where women can come together, find support and be part of a community that helps them through life’s hardest challenges. I would like to thank you for the amazing work you continue to do. The difference you make to those who need it most is truly invaluable.”

The cape is also on display at The Autumn Market at The Pump Rooms this weekend (September 6^th-7^th) as well as The Esther Project’s Fundraising Dinner on February 7^th at Kings High School, in Warwick.

Further information about the work of The Esther Project can be found HERE. Donations can be made via HERE.

The Esther Project, Queen cape, Lianne Kirkman.

Why Does The Esther Project Exist?

While women are often less visible on the streets rough sleeping, they actually make up 60% of those who are homeless and in temporary accommodation. In the last 10 years, the number of women in England who are homeless has increased by 88%. The evidence from the latest census, conducted across 41 local authorities, estimates there may be up to nine times as many women rough sleeping across England than the government’s annual rough sleeping snapshot suggests.

Globally, women are disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination, inter-personal violence and exploitation. Women have fewer economic assets than men and limited participation in influencing economic and social policies. Women also perform the bulk of childcare and household work and have less access to education and economic opportunities than men in their societies (UN Women, n.d.). Despite some important increases in women’s equality in the 20th Century it is still the case that women in Britain are likely to:

Earn less money than men
• Undertake certain kinds of paid work (e.g. lower paid, personal services)
• Enjoy less progression at work
• Have less freedom and leisure than men
• Spend more time looking after people

For some women and girls these structural factors, combined with gendered life experiences, such as being a victim of violence, lead to extremely difficult lives. Women may be dealing with multiple issues at any one time, such as:

Homelessness
• Involvement in prostitution or sexual exploitation
• Mental health problems
• Domestic violence
• Drug and alcohol problems
• Contact with the criminal justice system

Isabella leads the charge for late-life entrepreneurs with latest innovation

Posted on September 3, 2025 by admin

The Olderpreneur Alliance, Later Creator, Isabella Moore

When it comes to blazing a trail in business, Dr Isabella Moore CBE has learned a thing or two along the way.

Indeed, far from planning for retirement, the 77-year-old grandmother has become a leading advocate for entrepreneurialism and is getting set to unveil her new Later Creator e-learning modules as part of a launch event next month.

The training programme is designed specifically to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of people over the age of 50 and is the culmination of Dr Moore’s academic insight, lived experience and extensive consultation with experts in government, enterprise, health and education.

The Olderpreneur Alliance, Later Creator, Isabella Moore — **Isabella is appointed the first female president of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce in 1999 and British Chamber of Commerce in 2002.**

On September 11th Later Creator will be launched at an event when specially invited guests will hear from a panel of experts from the worlds of business, education and politics, brought together for the first time in a bid to widen the conversation around the subject of supporting business goals in later life.

Topics include:

Motivations behind later-life entrepreneurship
The need to challenge ageist attitudes
Common barriers (access to finance, digital skills, self-confidence, ageism).
The role of support organisations in enabling older entrepreneurs
What needs to change in government policy
Investor perceptions of older entrepreneurs

The Later Creator training programme offers three levels of expert support to help plan and kickstart a new business – from online and app-based learning to a full in-person training and mentoring programme, the focus of which is on building emotional support and soft skills that help lay the groundwork for developing the practical skills required to launch a sustainable business.

Dr Moore’s resume makes for impressive reading. As well as being the founding director of Comtec Translations in Leamington – a company she sold and then bought back with her daughter at the age of 60 – her accomplishments include CEO of The National Centre for Languages, Vice President of Business for New Europe and Vice President of Eurochambres.

She was awarded a CBE for services to Commerce in 2003. Her work in the language services and in supporting women’s enterprise has also been recognised with Honorary Doctorates from Sheffield Hallam and Aston Universities as well as a National Award for Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Enterprise development in 2006.

But among her proudest achievements is becoming the first female president of both the Coventry and Warwickshire and British Chambers of Commerce in 1999 and 2002 respectively, plus chairing a panel to choose the first women’s Business Council in 2005.

She said: “I’ve been a supporter of entrepreneurship from the beginning, when I first became involved with the Chambers of Commerce and really started to understand the specific issues that small businesses experience, especially in relation to government policies that impact them.

“In relation to support for older people considering the option of setting up a business, there’s very little help. At 60, when my daughter and I bought back COMTEC, I began to realise that the issues you experience at this age when running a business are a lot different to those you experience in your 30s. I had a husband who had retired and wanted me to be at home. I had a mother who was in her 90s, who lived in Warsaw, so I had to go back and forward to keep an eye on her. And then my daughter Sophie got married and had children and she needed my help, as she was working in Comtec.”

Dr Moore’s PhD, explored gender differences in how and why people start businesses in later in life. Her investigations looked at motivation, societal norms and perceptions of older people, as well as the challenges of securing the necessary resources to start a business in later life.

Armed with her findings, and on a mission to drive change, three years ago Isabella set about creating The Olderpreneur Alliance, a social enterprise offering both practical and emotional support to help realise the entrepreneurial ambitions of the over 50s.

She said: “I have been working to raise awareness among politicians, business support organisations and anyone working with older people, who are considering next steps, about the specific requirements they have.

“The people I interviewed for my research were unhappy with existing business support. They felt patronised and uncomfortable speaking to somebody often 30 years younger, who often don’t take them seriously.”

She added: “One of the biggest issues that came out of my research was around confidence in later life. People were applying for jobs for which they were vastly overqualified. “You can write 10 business plans, but if your inner voice is saying to you, you can’t do it, then you’re not going to go far,” said Dr Moore.

“As well as the harder skills such as dealing with financial institutions, selling and goal setting, we also do a lot of work on the softer skills such as dealing with your inner critic, developing an entrepreneurial mindset, examining what it is that’s stopping you from considering the option of setting up your own business and undertaking an audit of your skills and experience – your age capital, if you like.”

Dr Moore has also pledged to seek funding to develop a subsidised programme to help those who might struggle with cost, access to the IOEE- (Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs) certified Later Creator programme.

The programme launches against a background of official projections by the Office for National Statistics, which forecast a significant rise—up to 40%—in the UK’s pension-age population over the coming four decades (ONS, National Population Projections).

Dr Moore said: “Older people bring skills and experience built over many years, but it’s also life experience, resilience and work ethic, which are hugely undervalued by employers.

“When it comes to the older generation, as a society, we’re still not addressing their real needs and understanding how they feel. There’s a lot of loneliness and isolation and I think there’s a huge job to be done there.

“Society often thinks older people are there just to play golf, look after elderly relatives or grandchildren, but certainly NOT starting a business. My research showed that those that do start their own business are even regarded as “deviant!”

“Later Creator offers a crucial resource for people as they transition into the next chapter of their lives, counteracting ageist narratives and stereotypes about older people not being productive.”

For more information visit HERE and HERE.

Did You Know?

UK life expectancy is at its highest level (79.4 for males and 83.1 years for females).
Financial viability of adequate state pensions at risk (70% of older women of all social classes have no private retirement income).
More than twice the number of women than men identify that their retirement income does not meet their needs.
Despite a general increase in entrepreneurial activity among older people, there remains a gap between male and female rates of business creation in later life, with many more men entering entrepreneurship.
Fear of failing is five times greater for women than for men.