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Leamington Business Awards – winners announced

Posted on March 21, 2022 by admin

Leamington Business Awards,Jonathan Smith,Matt Western MP, Talk Business UK — The winners of the Leamington Business Awards 2021. Photo by John Cleary.

CELEBRATING success was the theme of the seventh Leamington Business Awards which returned to a live event for the first time in three years.

Eleven winners were finally unveiled on Friday after being chosen from more than 180 nominations.

The ceremony, hosted by DJ – and Leamingtonian – Kirsty Leahy, took place at 1 Mill Street following a meal at The Drawing Board. It marked the completion of two stages of the Awards which earlier recognised COVID Business Resilience, Business Pivoting and Lockdown Heroes of 2020/21.

More than £1,000 was also raised through a raffle on the night which is being divided between the three finalists in the South Warwickshire Charity of the Year category – Molly Ollys, Safeline and Brunswick Hub.

Established in 2014 and now organised by Jonathan Smith, of Talk Business UK, the LBAs champion and celebrate the work of local businesses, individuals and organisations.

Jonathan said: “More so than ever, the judges were inspired by the resilience and ingenuity local businesses have shown in dealing with the pandemic and coming out the other side stronger and even more determined.

“It was a delight to read all the entries and learn so much more about the local individuals and their businesses and how they adapted and developed and used the challenges of the past two years to develop themselves, their people and their services.

“With businesses and organisations concentrating on getting their businesses and teams back up to speed, we decided to postpone the planned awards deadlines into 2022 and host the awards presentation in March. This was definitely the right decision as the volume and quality of entries we received for this year’s awards blew us away.”

The winners were chosen by a panel of five judges, including Roger Scott of Lloyds Bank and Sarah Windrum the Chair or the CWLEP and announced at a dinner and awards ceremony at The Drawing Board and 1 Mill Street in Leamington, on Friday, (March 18^th). Each winner received a bespoke award designed by 3D design student, Ollie Hill from Warwickshire College.

Guest of honour Matt Western MP, gave a short speech in which he also acknowledged the war in Ukraine.

He said: “It’s very difficult for me not to think and talk about Ukraine. And I want to say to those businesses and organisations who have made things happen in the last few weeks, thank you, because Leamington has done some special things, including everything that’s been going on at the Polish Mission and elsewhere. I think about what it would be like for that sort of atrocity to come and destroy our town and appreciate more than ever just how precious it is. And it’s precious because of people like you.

“I had a niece who was in Kyiv right up until a couple of days before the Russian invasion. What we have – our lives, our relationships and our community, are so very important and that’s why I’m so grateful we can have events like this again so we can all share in the recognition of the special people in our community.”

He went on to add: “All the finalists here tonight are great examples of the wonderful businesses we have in Leamington district and I’m very passionate about keeping our towns together. Without our town centres, without those areas where people come together – for the contact, for the trade, to consume, and share ideas and opportunities, we have nothing so they’re so important to our psyche and our prosperity as well.”

Brunswick Hub receive the South Warwickshire Charity of the Year Award from Matt Western MP. Photo by John Cleary.

WINNERS:

Outstanding achievement (Sponsored by the Leamington Courier)

Winner: Vogue International

Judges’ comments: “Vogue and Liz have committed to the town for over three decades and played a crucial part in the fabric of Leamington on a local and global stage. Vogue, shows significant international achievement in their industry over an extended period of time along with contribution to local charity.

Leamington Business Awards, Matt Western MP, 1Mill Street, Jonathan Smith — Aubrey Allen receives Employer of the Year Award. Photo by John Cleary.

Employer of the Year (Sponsored by Leap People Solutions)

Winner: Aubrey Allen

Judges’ comments: “Aubrey Allen are clearly a business that take care of their team, have strong values that they live by every day, and they support their team on their own paths to success and greatness through the awards they have picked up.

New Business of the Year (Sponsored by Lodders Solicitors LLP)

Winner: Caremark Warwick

Judges’ comments: “Caremark has set up the business in a challenging sector during the pandemic, showing strong growth and employment and providing a valuable service to the local community.”

Business and the Community Award (Sponsored by BID Leamington)

Winner: Make Good Grow

Judges’ comments: “Make Good Grow are looking at business and community in a totally new, more innovative way, creating connections between the needs of charities and the expert providers of these services and skills.”

Independent Business of the Year (Sponsored by HB&O)

Winner: Modern Homes

Judges’ comments: “Loved the Covid hero competition as well as their business resilience and agility over the last two years. Great story about finding a new supplier on Zoom!”

Customer Service Excellence Award (Sponsored by The Box Factory)

Winner: WDC Art Section

Judges’ comments: “Impressive year on year improvement in customer feedback, strong focus on training and implementation of a creative range of ways to provide good service and measure feedback. The team will often be a visitor’s first interaction in our town and it is crucial for the wider business economy that their welcome is warm to keep people coming back!”

South Warwickshire Freelancer of the Year (Sponsored by Beyond The Book)

Winner: Washington Levi Music

Creative Business of the Year (Sponsored by Fresh Seed)

Winner: Motionhouse

Judges’ comments: “Bringing dance to the masses for over 30 years using the latest technologies and gymnastic skills makes the choice of Motionhouse as Creative Business of the Year a simple one.

Innovation of the Year (Sponsored by Glued)

Winner: Nimbus Maps

Leamington Business Awards, Jonathan Smith, 1 Mill Street — Nimbus Maps receives the Innovation of the Year Award. Photo by John Cleary.

South Warwickshire Charity of the Year

Winner: Brunswick Hub

Business of Year (Sponsored by ActionCOACH)

Winner: Motionhouse

Judges’ comments: “They have made an enormous impact on Leamington, the region and around the world. From the award applications, Motionhouse has done the most for the region, as well as putting Leamington on the map.”

The previous winners of the first phase of the awards were:

Business Resilience Award:
WINNER: CJ’s Events, Warwick
This award went to a business that has demonstrated determination and resilience throughout the pandemic and tackled challenges head-on.

Business Pivot Award:

WINNER: Heartbreak Productions, Leamington
This category was open to any business that could demonstrate how they have ‘pivoted’ their product or service during the pandemic.

Lockdown Hero Award:
WINNER: Baabzi Takeaway, Warwick
This award recognised the Leamington business that has gone ‘above and beyond’ during 2020. The business may have provided products to vulnerable groups free of charge, offered their services pro-bono to struggling local businesses or individuals, or spread positivity during challenging times.

The sky’s the limit for Leamington chef following Alexander McQueen scoop

Posted on March 20, 2022March 20, 2022 by admin

Bramble Dining, Richard Bramble, fine dining, Leamington

A Leamington chef who walked away from commercial kitchens to launch his private dining business in lockdown, is celebrating his latest collaboration – with an international luxury clothing brand.

Bramble Dining was approached by Alexander McQueen fashion house to create a bespoke range of canapes and cocktails for the official launch of their much-anticipated ‘London Skies’-inspired SS22 collection last month.

Richard Bramble was tasked with creating the culinary artworks to complement McQueens’s ethereal Spring/Summer range, launched in their flagship store in Old Bond Street.

Bramble Dining enlisted the help of Liquid Spirit Events from The Cotswolds to provide bespoke cocktails and mocktails for the event to accompany the canapes.

Liquid Spirit Events in The Cotswolds worked with Bramble Dining to provide the drinks at the launch event

And Richard’s sweet and savoury recipes, which were perfected over several weeks, will now also be replicated at Alexander McQueen launch events and fashion shows by chefs across the globe, including Europe, China and the US.

Richard said: “You can imagine our excitement when we were contacted by Alexander McQueen. They asked us to create canapes and cocktails to match the colours of the sky and the London skyline.

“Obviously we are extremely proud to be working with a company of this calibre. It is a huge boost to our independent business to have such world-renowned companies that want to collaborate with us.”

He added: “As a chef it is a huge privilege that my canape creations are being replicated around the world by other chefs for each launch event this Spring and Summer. It has been a fabulous opportunity for us to showcase Bramble Dining, where we are already breaking through as a new catering company in London.”

Bramble Dining, Richard Bramble, fine dining, Leamington — Richard Bramble at work

The new SS22 Collection, overseen by Creative Director Sarah Burton, is being unveiled on runways across the world and is inspired by storm chasing, romanticising the often grey and unpredictable London weather.

Summoning the changing skies, the British designer has showcased a range of gowns as well as dramatic coats and blazers, which seemingly dance in the wind. More information can be found here

Visit Bramble Dining here

Entrepreneur tastes success after pivoting his wine tasting business during pandemic

Posted on March 16, 2022 by admin

Tomelier, Tom Newbold, wine tasting, Rugby — Tom Newbold

A Warwickshire man who turned his back on a career in law to set up his own wine tasting business just before the pandemic struck, has unveiled plans for expansion ahead of his third anniversary.

Tom Newbold was forced to reinvent his fledgling wine tasting business when Covid-19 put a sudden halt to all face-to-face events in March 2020.

Quickly pivoting the in-person business model, he also introduced virtual tasting packs, which became popular and, post-pandemic, continue to be so, now making up around a third of Tomelier’s total revenue.

Tom, from Rugby, is now recruiting other wine experts to help build his brand beyond the Midlands and offer more face to face tastings UK-wide.

He said: “After working in law for ten years, I started to fall out of love with the industry and specifically my long commute.

“I love wine but there is so much choice out there and so many confusing labels, it can be really daunting for consumers. From this came the idea of a tasting company where I could introduce people to different styles of wine and using my knowledge explain to them why or why not they worked for their palate.”

The bespoke virtual tastings, delivering airtight wine pouches by post, have proved particularly popular with corporate clients who can involve teams of colleagues scattered across the country.

“The business had only been running for less than a year with a focus on tastings at venues and conference centres throughout the Midlands. We had worked hard to build up connections in the industry and had some exciting events lined up. Of course this stopped overnight,” recalls Tom.

“It was incredibly worrying not knowing what the future held but, early on into the first lockdown we started hosting live tastings on social media with wines that people could pick up in big supermarkets. These tastings gained popularity and a loyal following and we realised that there was an appetite for virtual tastings. We subsequently developed a way of sending out 100ml samples, securely and safely whilst maintaining the integrity of the wine inside.”

It was following the birth of his daughter in 2016 that Tom took his first steps into the wine retail industry and going on to achieve a Distinction in the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Level 3 Award in Wine as well as the prestigious Michael Cox Vintners Award.

But as he approaches Tomelier’s third anniversary – and with his sights firmly set on growth – Tom has recruited wine professionals to offer tastings in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and is also on the lookout for someone in the north of the country.

Tom added: “Whilst the pandemic has clearly been horrific for so many people, it has forced us a business to adapt and think outside the box, and I don’t think we would have ever developed the virtual tasting side of the business if we hadn’t had to experience lockdown. With everyone shut up inside this proved very popular and we were incredibly busy throughout the period of the pandemic.

“A lot of businesses have also now adapted and see the benefits and financial savings of not having a large group travelling to one location. People are also happier using virtual meeting technology and having a tasting from the comfort of their sofa has the added benefit of you not having to drive home afterwards!”

Further Information:

All Tomelier tastings are bespoke to the customer’s brief and budget. Wine is sourced from a number of places depending on what the customer wants to achieve in their tasting. Unlike a lot of wine tasting companies, Tomelier does not sell the wines tasted and as such the tasting does not turn into a sales event. This means they can be objective, discussing the shortcomings of those wines if necessary. There is also full transparency with customers about where the wine is sourced and how much it costs.

Tom’s favourite wine is a Syrah (Shiraz) or a Syrah blend from either the Rhône valley or the South African winelands.

Visit: https://tomelier.co.uk/

Steve’s emotional reunion with the firefighter who saved his life

Posted on March 14, 2022March 14, 2022 by admin

A south Warwickshire man has said thank you to the firefighter who saved his life following a recent blaze which destroyed his family’s home.

Steve Taylor presented Pip Blair with a bouquet during an emotional reunion at Winchcombe Farm, a holiday retreat on the Cotswolds border, he runs with his wife Jo Carroll.

Steve, 64, collapsed while trying to contain a blaze at the farm, in Upper Tysoe, on January 14th, which raged for more than five hours.

Pip was among the crew from Banbury who attended, along with other appliances from Hook Norton, Fenny Compton and Shipston, managing to resuscitate Steve after administering CPR for more than 20 minutes.

Winchcombe Farm, fire, reunion, Steve Taylor — Rugby Fire Station Manager Andy Paxton, Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor at Winchcombe Farm.

Steve, who has suffered two previous heart attacks, is now continuing his recovery at home after undergoing a triple heart bypass at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. He has also had a defibrillator fitted in his heart.

He said this week: “Pip is a very special person. On the night of the fire I remember my sight going and collapsing onto the stone slabs. Then my heart stopped for three minutes. The next thing I remember was Pip’s warm arms above me and a feeling of safety. I knew I had come back from a cold, dark, silent place. It was a surreal experience and I owe her my life”

On the night of the incident, Pip, who previously worked in the Ambulance Service, was called away from the fire by colleagues to attend to Steve, whom she had to shock three times following his collapse.

She said: “It’s pretty rare to get someone back from cardiac arrest of the extent that Steve had suffered. I’ve only had one other similar case where they survived in my seven years in the ambulance and fire service. He was a very lucky man.

“It was the most amazing feeling when he finally came round. I asked him to squeeze my hand and he did. Then he started talking and at this point I called Jo over. Everyone was so relieved.

“It was so lovely to see him again the other day. When I walked in, there were big smiles, he gave me a big hug and we had a really long chat. It was quite emotional really.”

She added: “The worst part about my job is we do the best we can to help people, whether it’s putting a fire out or administering first aid, and then go and don’t see the aftermath of it all, so it’s good to know there’s a happy ending to this one.”

The family of four is still counting the cost of the blaze which was started by an ember from their log burner. They are now living in temporary accommodation in one of their guest lodges while the repairs are being assessed.

Jo, 51, said: “We’re likely to be out until at least late summer, as there is extensive work to be done to the roof, electrics and plumbing plus there is significant water damage.

“But we’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness of friends, family, villagers, staff, school mummies and guests since the fire. They’ve helped us move into our temporary home, until our own home is repaired and helped us with everything from replacing school unform to books and toys for our children.

“There are no words to express the gratitude and thanks we have to Pip and her colleagues from the Fire Service. We are forever indebted to them for everything they did to help us that night. I still have a husband and my children still have a father because of them.”

Last week Jo and Steve also presented Rugby Fire Station Manger Andy Paxton with a cheque for the Firefighters Charity. And they have already already purchased a defibrillator for the farm with plans also in place to roll out first aid training across their team, which will be delivered free of charge by a friend and former guest at Winchcombe, Gill Cleeve.

Gill, who will become Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon in May, runs Brookvale First Aid which offers training in first aid skills.

Gill said: “In the UK there are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests a year and the survival rate is low – just 1 in 10 people in the UK survive. However early CPR and defibrillation can double the chances of survival, this is why knowledge of CPR and access to a defibrillator is vital, so we can change those statistics.”

Pip agrees: “The more people trained in it the better, especially in places that are in the middle of nowhere like Winchcombe. If we hadn’t been there that night it would most likely have been a very different story,” she said.

Winchcombe Farm, Jo Carroll, Steve Taylor, Coronavirus, Tysoe — Steve and Jo in front of one of the lodges.

More about Winchcombe Farm

Winchcombe Farm is an idyllic five-star boutique holiday retreat on the Warwickshire and Cotswolds border.

The remote family-run retreat nestles on a private estate in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and beneath the famous battlefield landmark of Edgehill. It’s an oasis of tranquillity with just sheep, chickens, moorhens, ducks, ponies and alpacas for company.

Designed with outdoor living in mind, this unique collection of six beautiful holiday homes – includes Warwickshire’s only treehouse – offering the height of luxury and nestling in four sycamore and ash trees – three of them growing through the outside deck and one even growing through the kitchen!

Luxury features range from private hot tubs, hanging chairs, hammocks and outside shower, to barbecue shed, pizza oven, BBQ hut, firepit for toasting marshmallows and even geodesic domes with king size circular bed plus personal telescopes for a spot of stargazing! Guests even receive a welcome hamper on arrival to start their holiday in style.

Inside, the properties are well equipped with all the latest technology including 55-inch SMART TV and DVD and, in the kitchen, a range on lush josephjoseph and SMEG accessories plus all the mod cons.

https://winchcombefarm.co.uk/

Fundraising in memory of young man who took his own life

Posted on March 8, 2022 by admin

Red Lion, Hellidon, fundraising, mental health awareness, Papyrus, Freespirit Pub Company — The Red Lion team

Staff at a pub swapped roles for a special night of fundraising in memory of a Warwickshire regular who took his own life on New Year’s Day.

The Turning Tables dining experience last week raised nearly £1,000 and marks the first in a series of charity events organised by The Red Lion in Hellidon, in aid of three mental health and suicide charities close to the family’s heart.

Twenty-two-year-old Leonard Eadon, from Napton-on-the-Hill, tragically took his own on life on the morning of January 1st.

The only child of Andy and Lynda Eadon, he was a popular figure in the local community, and between his studies, often worked with his dad at the family business, F L Eadon & Son Farm, in Southam.

Andy and Lynda said: “Losing our son, Len, as we did, and at such a young age was a massive shock. It has left an equally large void. We have also seen so many of his friends who are hurting badly and are shocked by what happened.

“We decided, early on, that we need to do something to try to prevent other parents, families and friends from going through a similar, dreadful experience.

“The response from the local farming community, and wider, was immediate and so very heart warming. Of course it will never replace our fantastic, caring, humorous and loving son and friend. But knowing others care and hearing their tales of shared experiences and laughter with him goes a long way.

“Len enjoyed meals and drinks with his friends at the Red Lion. They have kindly set up some amazing fundraising events in March and April to help support Len’s legacy. We are touched and very grateful to them, their customers and everyone who has made donations.”

The former Southam College student also had his sights set on a career in agriculture having recently completed a degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University in Shropshire.

Len’s funeral took place at Banbury Crematorium on what would have been his 23^rd birthday, February 14th. He was involved in all sorts of hobbies, including drumming, sports and clay pigeon shooting as well as being a talented mechanic. And his funeral procession included a Landrover which he’d recently rebuilt from scratch with his best friend.

Len’s uncle, Larry James, who is helping with the fundraising campaign, said: “It’s been an absolutely unbearable time. It’s really hard to grieve. Firstly because of the shock, you’re thinking it can’t be possible. Secondly, you can’t work out why he did it and will probably never know, and thirdly, constantly asking yourself, what could I have done? It’s the same for all his friends and family.

“I spoke to him the evening before he went out with a friend to a New Year’s Eve party and everything seemed fine. This sadly shows the importance of young people opening up about their fears and worries. It is okay to say ‘all is not okay’ and to ask for help.”

The Red Lion’s Turning Tables event invited customers to be wined and dined as part of a topsy turvy evening of hospitality which saw front of house staff swap roles with kitchen staff. It was the first of three events at the pub, total proceeds from which will be divided between the Eadon family’s nominated causes – PAPYRUS, The Farm Safety Foundation and The Farming Community Network.

PAPYRUS works to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by shattering the stigma around suicide, including equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to, suicidal behaviour. https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

The Farm Safety Foundation, also known as Yellow Wellies, is a Stratford-based charity dedicated to raising awareness of farm safety and mental wellbeing in farmers. https://www.yellowwellies.org/

The Farming Community Network is a voluntary organisation, based in Northamptonshire, which supports farmers and their families, with a particular focus on preventing suicide in farming and rural communities. https://fcn.org.uk/

Since opening the fundraising campaign a few weeks ago, the family have already raised more than £18,000 for the charities.

The next event being hosted by The Red Lion is a Chilli & Quiz Night, on Sunday, April 17^th. Tickets for this are £10 per person, available from the pub.

An Easter raffle will also be drawn on the same evening, all proceeds being added to the total pot. Prizes include a Fortnum and Mason Hamper and Afternoon Tea for two at The Castle at Edgehill, a sister business in the Freespirit portfolio. Tickets available at £1 each from the pub.

Red Lion General Manager Jane Hearsay said: “What a fantastic night was had by all for our Turning Tables evening. An incredible evening where roles were reversed, the front of house served up a treat out of the kitchen, served excellently by our kitchen team!

“A huge thank you to everyone who attended and also those who supported with donations from afar for truly amazing charities.”

The family are now planning an event in celebration of Leonard’s life on June 5^th at Stoneleigh Park Estate, in Kenilworth. The day will be themed around farming in the community and will include agricultural competitions, Best Scarecrow Fancy Dress and sporting competitions.

Donations can also be made via: https://leneadon.muchloved.com/ where there is also further information about other events being planned in Len’s memory.

The Red Lion serves food throughout the week and has seven rooms, each individually designed. It is one of five venues under the Free Spirit Pub ownership, owned by Mark Higgs, the others being: The Castle at Edgehill; The Sun Inn, Hook Norton; The Seven Stars, Marsh Baldon and The Bel Inn, Southam.

https://redlionathellidon.co.uk/