admin | Chalmers News PR

Coventry and Warwickshire finalists join Lionesses among those announced for sixth inspirational women awards

Posted on April 24, 2024April 24, 2024 by admin

Ladies First awards — The awards judges/ Photos by Karen Massey Photography.

INSPIRATIONAL achievers from Coventry and Warwickshire have been named among the finalists in the sixth Ladies First Network Business and Inspirational Women Awards.

Finalists, selected from hundreds of nominations from across the UK, were invited to an independent judging day at Mallory Court Country House Hotel & Spa in Leamington, ahead of a prestigious awards ceremony at Dallas Burston Polo Club, in Southam, on June 13^th.

New categories are also among those being contested this year, including Sustainable Business Leader, Trailblazer of the Year and Inclusivity Leadership with a special Inspirational Women Award going to The England Women’s football team, The Lionesses.

The Awards were unveiled at The House of Commons in January and are headed up by Ladies First directors Tracey McAtamney from Balsall Common and Karen Massey from Leamington.

Tracey said: “With over 300 nominations entering this year, each and every finalist should be exceptionally proud of their achievements.

“We strive to make every finalist feel special and like a winner, with goodie bags, certificates and professional head shots on interview day. A huge thank you to Mallory Court, the Awards Team, all of our judges and sponsors Edwards Wealth Management Ltd, Alsters Kelley Solicitors and Pertemps for a fabulous day!

“We are beyond excited to announce that we are presenting our 2024 Inspirational Woman Award to the England Football Team.

“The Award is in recognition of their outstanding leadership which embodies true spirit, determination, unity and excellence. Also, for their profound impact on the world stage, inspiring and capturing young hearts around the globe!”

Finalists from the Coventry and Warwickshire area are:

Business Woman of the Year (Sponsored by Edwards Wealth)
Elinor Perry – Pentlands Accountants and Advisors, Leamington
Jackie Allan – Revolve, Leamington
Jaide Ellery-Martin – Jaide’s Stage Studios Limited, Rugby
Louise Adkins – Share Haulage, Rugby

Trailblazer of the Year (Sponsored by Alsters Kelley Solicitors)
Helen Morton – Helen Morton Advocacy, Leamington
Lai-Yee Chung – Sanjay Foods/IXL Event Centre, Southam
Naomi McKeever – Naomi M Makeup, Coventry

Sustainable Business Leader:
Hannah Teale – Diffuse Retail, Warwick
Lyn Lapworth – ECO for ALL, Arlescote
Claudine Pearson – Rubbish Friends, Stratford
Amanda Bourne – Tree-v Limited, Nuneaton (based in Coventry)

Inclusive Leadership (Sponsored by Ash Family Law)
Anja Kozerski – Audley Binswood, Leamington
Tracy Evans, Pertemps Network, Meriden

Business Resilience Award (Sponsored by Affiniti Search)
Emma Sansom – Flamingo Marketing Strategies, Leamington
Clare Everest – Everest Fitness, Health & Wellbeing Centre, Southam
Vicky Farmer – Feelgood Factor, near Atherstone
Jo Williams – Joco Interiors Limited, Nuneaton

Bianca Rodrigues-Perry

Outstanding Entrepreneur Award (Sponsored by Chalmers News PR)
Bianca Rodrigues-Perry – Bia’s Kitchen Show, Leamington
Arabella Arkwright – Hatton Country World, Warwick
Sharon Varaitch – Build & Conquer, Warwick

Family Business of the Year (Sponsored by Benussi Law)
Tina Riley – Modern Homes, Leamington
Andy and Ann Hawkins – Franklins & Hawkins Funeral Directors, Coventry
Michael and Karen Mogan – Mogan & Mogan, Coventry
Tracey McCabe – Talentwise Solutions Limited, Coventry

Rising Star & Future Leader Business & Insirational (Sponsored by Bia’s Kitchen Show)
Siobhan Lewis – Jewson, Leamington

Start-up of the Year (Sponsored by Audley Binswood)
Emma Field – Harmony at Home, Leamington
Naomi Weetman – Paintbox Blooms, Kenilworth
Bianca Rodrigues-Perry – Bia’s Kitchen Show, Leamington
Joanne Maddison – Maddisons of Warwick
Emma White – My Optician, Coventry

Excellence in Technology & Innovation (Sponsored by Nomuda)
Perm Bassi – Unique Therapies, Warwick
Becky Patel – Tech She Can, Coventry
Louise Campton – Primary Goal Limited, Coventry

Excellence In Health & Wellbeing (Sponsored by Air Aesthetics)
Jenny Davis – Arts Uplift, Harbury
Laura Dee-Patachi – Laura Dee Counselling and Psychotherapy, Stratford
Lisa Devine – Therapy and Fitness Centre, Leamington
Julia Senah – Almond Care, Nuneaton

Wellness Coach of the Year
Kirsty Heath – KH Bespoke Therapy, Bishops Tachbrook
Doroteya Goundry – Mission Nutrition Coaching, Southam
Lily Cook – LCD Sports Therapy and Yoga, Coventry
Pallavi Prasad – Positive Power Coaching, Coventry

Excellence In Professional Services (Sponsored by Pertemps Network Group)
Katie Wilber – Cotswold Connected, Stratford
Jo Meakin – Audley Binswood, Leamington
Natalie Ellis – Rebox HR, Rugby
Sarah Van Ristell – Armstrongs Chartered Accountants, has offices in Nuneaton and Coventry

Campaign of the Year (Sponsored by Richard George Tailoring)
Coventry Foodbank/Feed The Hungry team, Coventry
Gabrielle Back – Savers Charity, Baginton

Charity of the Year & Community Champion (Sponsored by Therapy & Fitness Centre)
Peggy King – ILEAP Charity, Kenilworth, Leamington and Stratford
Amanda Harris – Change Grow Live, Leamington and Wellesbourne
Cathy Wahlberg – Dassett Pottery Clay Club CIC, Southam
Naomi Rees-Issit – OurJay Foundation, Rugby

Volunteer of the Year
Emma Baker – CoppaFeel, Hampton-in-Arden
Jo Wheelwright-Horne – Sunday Lunch Club, Stratford
Amanda Burford – Packmore Estates, Warwick
Safeena Mohamed, foster carer, Coventry

Networker of the Year
Holly Nixon – The Athena Network: South Warwickshire, Warwick
Larissa Redman-Windsor – Southam Business Community CIC, Southam
Sarah Darby – Alsters Kelley Solicitors, Nuneaton

Business Consultant/Coach of the Year
Anita Dinnes – BCSL Consulting, Stratford

Business Man of the Year (Sponsored by Pertemps Network Group)
David Blick – Warwickshire Gin Company, Leamington
Richard Gunton – Richard George Tailoring, Leamington
Steve Bazell – That Gin Company, Warwick
Jon Burgess – Jon Burgess Wellbeing, Leamington
Robert Singleton and Gavin Leach – Windmill Hill Brewing Company, Leamington

For the full list of finalists visit: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk/

This year’s awards are also supporting The Giles Trust Brain Tumour Fund, established in 2015 by former England cricketer Ashley Giles MBE and his wife Stine, who was diagnosed with three brain tumours over 12 years. The charity raises funds for research, pioneering equipment and support for patients.

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

Join Founder along 34km foodbank fundraiser in Coventry

Posted on April 16, 2024 by admin

Feed The Hungry, Coventry Foodbank — Canon Gavin Kibble MBE in the Coventry Foodbank warehouse

The Founder of Coventry foodbank is taking steps to raise awareness and funds as demand on the facility continues to intensify.

Canon Gavin Kibble MBE is inviting members of the public to join him on all or part of The Great Coventry Foodbankathon – a 34km route stopping at all of the city’s 15 foodbank centres, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6^th.

It is expected the Foodbankathon, starting from the most westerly foodbank centre in Canley and ending at St Catherine’s Church in Stoke Aldermoor, will take around nine hours to complete.

Individuals and businesses are also being invited to sponsor the initiative and are hoping to beat last year’s total of over £5,000.

It marks the latest challenge for Gavin, who turned 60 this year, and who has worked hard to return to rude health since suffering a heart attack two years ago.

He said: “This year we want to go even bigger with a larger team walking, running or even skipping the route, with an aim to raise even more money to support the foodbank.

“I’d love it if as many people as possible could join me on this pilgrimage from West to East of Coventry to celebrate 13 years of the life of Coventry Foodbank. Please come and join me for one or two segments of the route or, if you’re feeling really up for it, the full 34 kilometres! Or just join us en route and take some photos to help raise awareness.”

Gavin Kibble, Coventry Foodbankathon — Last year – Gavin Kibble with his wife Viv, Debbie Rumbsy and Tracey Hayes and Revd Gareth Irvine, Vicar of St Laurence’s Church

Over 250k people have received food from the Foodbank in the 13 years since Gavin founded it. The cost of living squeeze is meaning that hundreds of people are needing to use a Coventry foodbank every week.

Gavin says the walk will also support his training towards a planned 200-mile Coast to Coast charity trek starting on May 18^th in aid of Feed The Hungry UK, of which he is Projects Director.

He added: “If you don’t fancy taking part and aren’t able to give money, you can help by raising awareness of the Foodbankathon and, on the day, you are welcome to come and support those doing the walk.”

More information about taking part or donating is available here

Businesses interested in sponsoring The Great Coventry Foodbankathon are invited to contact: fundraising@coventryfoodbank.org.uk

Gavin Kibble, Coventry Foodbankathon

The route will take in the 15 Coventry foodbanks and the central distribution warehouse as follows:

Canley, St Stephen’s Church
Our Lady of The Assumption RC Church, Aldermans Green
Allesley Park Evangelical Church
Queens Road Baptist Church Centre
Christian Life Ministries
Mosaic Hope Centre
RCCG Holy Ghost Zone
Foleshill Baptist Church
St Francis of Assisi Church
Holbrooks Evangelical Church
St Laurences Church
Coventry City Mission
Walsgrave Baptist Church
The Halo Centre, Binley
Willenhall Foodbank (Haggard Centre)
St Catherine’s Church, Stoke Aldermoor

Please be aware that the suggested route for the Foodbankathon uses public roads. It is the participants’ responsibility for their own safety when taking part in the event. Coventry Foodbank cannot bear any responsibility for the safety of participants taking part.

Review: Scratch Cook Social

Posted on April 15, 2024 by admin

Scratch Cook Social, Leamington, private chef

Breaking bread with friends in the familiar surroundings of your own home is a popular past time.

But it’s also one which, at least in my household, has diminished in recent years due to busier lives.

I wonder too, whether a post-pandemic society is still leaving its mark on dinner parties. Have we been left with a new-found appreciation of the convivial atmosphere of a busy restaurant, united with fellow diners by our love of a social occasion.

But, since being invited to partake in one of Scratch Cook Social’s private dining experiences, I’m genuinely keen to repeat it.

Scratch Cook Social, Leamington, private chef — Poppadoms and Mint Sauce

Having grown up as a second generation Indian immigrant in London, Rajesh ‘Raj’ Darji was exposed to a wonderful concoction of cultures, aromas and flavours. Later in life and mainly through his long corporate career, Raj was able to travel to, and live in different parts of the world. All of these experiences have informed the types of ingredients he likes to cook with and the styles in which they are prepared.

Today, Scratch Cook Social exists in south Warwickshire as a celebration of Raj’s passion for creating traditional Indian dishes in a contemporary style, working with his diners to curate a bespoke menu to suit every palate or occasion.

As a guest of Raj, you have the choice of tasting menus ranging from four to seven courses, along with optional wine pairings – making for a deliciously adventurous – journey through food.

With dietary requirements nailed down a couple of weeks in advance, Raj was given free rein to work his magic and what he presented on the day left us with a memorable first impression of his culinary prowess.

Poppadoms and Mint Sauce (Toasted padad, mint-infused yoghurt sauce and kachumber salad) were the perfect delicate palate cleanser and pre-show to the starter of Desi Scotch Eggs (Quali egg, lightly spiced duxelles, panko and Malabar sauce).

This was followed by the main event – in every sense – with Lamb Tenderoast, again with Raj’s unique Asian twist by adding Tandoori Masala, coconut-infused crushed sweetcorn, pomegranate, pickled onions and chutney. I could have personally lived off this for the week. A melt-in-the-mouth plate of food absolutely popping with the most exquisite combination of flavours and aromas.

The Scratch Cook Social dining experience was concluded with Raj’s take on a classic -the French Financier, an almond cake, complemented with apple strips and cardamom foam. The perfect finale to a show-stopping foodie extravaganza and one that leaves you craving an encore.

And every course was introduced by our friendly host and paired with a specially selected wine from Scratch Cook’s hand-picked ‘wine cellar.’ (The wine pairing is optional but certainly recommended) – and another advantage of private dining from home right there!)

After dinner it’s a great feeling to know you can just retire with your companions to bask in the shared five-star dining experience and enjoy what remains of the wine and conversation. Meanwhile our host is busy donning his washing up gloves and eventually leaves our kitchen as clean and tidy as when he first arrived. What’s not to love?

Scratch Cook Social, Leamington, private chef

After 22 years in the corporate world, the nouveaux entrepreneur is clearly enjoying his reinvention as a fine dining chef and, if my experience is anything to go by, will continue to build on his early success, elevating more and more recipes that excite our senses.

Keen to share his passion and culinary tips and techniques with as many others as possible, Raj also offers cooking classes and team building events, including Spice Blending Nights and Kitchen Takeovers and collaborations.

Visit here for more information.

Free and discounted tickets for volunteers who help build three-day festival in Warwickshire

Posted on April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 by admin

ALSO24 Festival, Compton Verney — Rob Doolan at ALSO

As preparations continue to secure leading lights in the worlds of music, comedy, wellness, food and nature for ALSO24 Festival this summer, the heat is on to find Midlands volunteers willing to help bring the festival to life.

Now in its eleventh year, ALSO24 – on July 12-14^th, brings together performers and musicians, best-selling authors, celebrated scientists and experts in a variety of fields to create a one-off ‘magical and immersive experience,’ in Compton Verney, Warwickshire.

ALSO24 Festival, Compton Verney

Festival organisers are now looking for volunteers from across the Midlands who would like to take advantage of discounted or free tickets, in exchange for their time and graft in the weeks running up to the event.

Diccon Towns, the CEO of ALSO, said: “There is no doubt that ALSO wouldn’t be standing if it wasn’t for the phenomenal input from our volunteers. What sets us apart from other festivals is the myriad of ways they can engage with the event.

“If people want to get two-thirds off the ticket price and work a single shift across the weekend, they can do that. If others fancy joining a group of creative spirits on one of our spring build weekends, designing, building, sewing and painting, then come along. Some of our volunteers have been doing exactly this for years.

“The beauty of volunteering in an economic crisis is that it solves two problems: it gives access to the event for those with limited disposable income while limiting production costs to the organisers.”

Volunteer tasks include building and dismantling stages, signage, decoration, painting and building temporary structures.

There are many opportunities to help with the build. Build weekends are on the 27th & 28th April, 18th & 19th May, 1st & 2nd June, 22nd & 23rd June and the 6th & 7th July. The Build Week is the 8th – 11th July and volunteers are needed in the days after the festival to help with the take down.

Volunteers are, of course, needed over the course of the three-day festival as well. The volunteering options range from the opportunity to secure a free festival ticket in exchange for two days of a helper’s time, to a heavily reduced ticket price of £60 in return for one 6-hour shift during the festival.

Or for those who want to get more deeply involved in the delivery of ALSO, volunteers will get a completely free ticket if they are happy to do 3 shifts of four hours each over the weekend. This will most likely be one per day and people could be volunteering on a wide variety of roles from box office and stewarding to stage management, food programming, artist liaison and tech support.

ALSO24 Festival, Compton Verney

Thirty-five-year-old Rob Doolan and several members of his family, including his brother Tim, 37, have volunteered since 2017 and this year’s festival is the ninth one Rob has helped with.

He said: “We just love volunteering at ALSO. It is set in 50 acres of Capability Brown-landscaped and lakeside gardens which are just beautiful. It is unlike any other festival – I find that I reconnect with myself and the world around me.

“I come up the weekend before ALSO with my 9-year-old dog, Milo and we do the building of various things. He loves running about the field and swimming in the lake and keeping the ALSO team relaxed during the run-up.

“The weekend before is awesome as you get to enjoy the site, build lots and spend quality time with friends and family. It’s great to see it progress from a verdant field to a festival and your hard work can make that happen.

ALSO24 Festival, Compton Verney

“I like how it’s a volunteer-led organisation where amazing speakers like Jessica Winter, Adam Kay and Marcel Le Cont are enjoying the festival alongside you. The speakers are invested in the idea of ALSO so it feels like a community experience. That and getting down the Rum Shack or disco bunker and dancing the night away.”

The current line-up for this inspirational summer festival is extremely impressive with big names such as comedian Sara Pascoe, Indie folk band Stornoway, Brazilian-influenced soul and funk collective, The Fontanas, broadcaster and satirist Nels Abbey, TikTok sensation Marcel Lucont, best-selling writer and comedian Adam Kay; experimental musician Jessica Winter and best-selling children’s author Andy Stanton.

These are just a handful of the acts performing across the weekend…more information on the line up can be found at www.also-festival.com

Aside from performances, festival-goers can be at one with nature or join in with a huge programme of wellness activities such as laughter therapy, fitness workshops, a Zen Ten Spa, fire yoga, moon yoga or floating SUP yoga, wild swimming, paddleboarding, painting meditation, den building, rocket workshop and raft building.

Anyone interested in volunteering can register on the website or email volunteers@also-festival.com for more information.

ALSO24 Festival, Compton Verney

About ALSO Festival

ALSO is the annual festival where ideas run wild. An immersive escape set in divine surroundings, ALSO-land features eccentric, playful, thought-provoking programming. It’s a place to get involved, reflect, be inspired and experience ideas through creating, experiencing and experimenting.

Perfect for friends and family alike, ALSO is the place for a transformative weekend filled with quality time, wining and dining in nature with the promise of experiencing something new.

ALSO appears like a magical mirage for one July weekend only in a site borrowed from nature, fauna, beasts, birds, mini-beasts and trees who call it home year-round before disappearing. Everything is built to be designed for the longtime – sustainability is our middle name.

Plus ALSO is an escape from retail, you don’t need to buy things but to experience things we offer only things to do and experiences to book, we love to work and support any businesses or founders or companies that have similar ethics.

Sunday Lunch Club’s latest fundraiser is close to founder’s heart

Posted on April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 by admin

Jo Wheelwright-Horne, Stratford — Jo receives her BEM from Lord Lieutenant for Warwickshire Tim Cox alongside Alex and her daughter Grace

Jo Wheelwright-Horne was inspired to establish Stratford’s now hugely successful Sunday Lunch Club after experiencing the loss of her mum to a brain tumour.

After eight years and more than £100k raised for local charities, Jo now finds herself rallying the Club’s members to support another cause close to her heart – her husband’s cancer battle.

Alex, 59, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma last year after his dentist spotted a worrying patch in his mouth and immediately referred him for a biopsy.

More tests detected tumours and the news that his condition is incurable has left the couple devastated, but determined to work as hard as ever to raise much-needed funds for the Rigby Unit at Stratford Hospital, where Alex is being treated.

Jo receives her BEM from Lord Lieutenant for Warwickshire Tim Cox alongside Alex and her daughter Grace

The initial target is to raise £5,000 for a new blood analysis machine, which can reduce the wait for results from two days to just two hours.

Jo said: “After speaking to the Rigby Unit head nurse she suggested that they could really do with a blood analysis machine – so my goal this year is for the Lunch Club to raise enough money – £5,000 – to buy one for the unit. But I intend to continue to fundraise for the Rigby Unit throughout the year.

“The impact of Alex’s diagnosis and treatment has been huge on both of us. And it’s been so hard to tell the family. His liver is in poor health so they only want to do chemotherapy once, at the moment he is on watch and wait. We live our lives for three-month periods between his blood tests. At the moment, thankfully, they are stable.

She added: “It was hard to tell Alex’s parents who live in Scotland, especially as his mom has seen two of her family members pass away from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but we are hopeful that modern medicine has moved on since then.”

Jo’s journey with fundraising began – and continues – with Brain Tumour Support, following her own mum’s death to the disease. The charity is now the biggest beneficiary of Sunday Lunch Club proceeds with more than £37k raised.

Since its inception, Jo has enjoyed seeing The Sunday Lunch Club grow to 900 members, aged between 18 and 80, and has supported a wealth of other local charities, including Warwickshire Air Ambulance; Myton Hospice; Shakespeare Hospice; Amicci Dog Rescue in Worcester; Avon Cat Rescue, in Welford, MIND and Molly Ollys in Warwick. Fundraising has also paid for six defibrillators for Stratford.

Last year Jo was proud to be presented with a British Empire Medal by the King as well as a clutch of local awards recognising her voluntary contribution. And she was recently named among the finalists for Ladies First Professional Development Awards.

All this is even more remarkable against a background of battling her own long term health challenges, including Chronic Pulmonary Disease, Ankylosis Spondylitis and Ménière’s disease, which have all been further aggravated by the recent stress.

But for now, her focus is on helping her husband of eight years navigate the toughest of all journeys ahead, however long it may be.

She said: “We are both finding it so hard to function and have sought the support of counselling. We do our best to live for today as we just don’t know what’s around the corner. He could live for five years or 20 years, it all depends if it spreads as it is a blood cancer.”

“I didn’t cope well with my mum’s death at all and I became very depressed. It all happened so fast I decided though my grief I wanted to help other people which is why I set up the lunch club and decided to raise money for Brain Tumour Support.

“Alex has always been very supportive of the club and enjoys the meetings and seeing friends. It seems fitting that their support will have been, again, inspired by someone very close to home, but which will also help countless others in the years ahead.”

To donate visit here