BRADFORDS SPONSOR CRICKET CLUB FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING

Leading builders merchant Bradfords Building Supplies has shown their support for the Axminster Cricket Club signing up for their third year of sponsorship.

Back row:- R Prior, N Davis (Scorer), T Wakeley, D Larcombe, M Pile,

Front row:- Clive Carvelle, Les Haynes, M Wakley, A Wraight, D Murnane,

                   G Larcombe, B Downton, P Miler (Captain), R Walker, N Taylor,

                   P Spong, Mrs S Brown

Area Manager Clive Carvell says, “We are proud to be supporting the cricket club for another year. They provide a fantastic service for so many people of all ages in the county.”

Established in 1850, Axminster Cricket Club has been at the present site since 1988 and had a second pitch added which saw its first whole season play out in 2008. The club has grown in popularity boasting 140 members and 70 patrons. 


Club President Les Haynes says, “The cost of running the club, as with any organisation, increases all the time and we are therefore grateful to the ongoing support shown by Bradfords. The cost of cricket balls alone has been £900 in the past so sponsorship like this is integral to the club being able to not only survive but thrive.”

The club hosts many of the Devon County Youth sides in their national competitions as well as the Devon Women’s County side, and welcome the recently formed Devon Disabled Cricket Association. The club prides itself in having developed a large junior section and often have 100 colts attending at their session on Friday evenings during the summer.  They are actively encouraging anyone wanting to take part in the coaching awards to do so having some 14 qualified coaches, many of whom are younger members who have come through from the colts system, in place. 

This years cricket season, which hit off in April runs through to the second weekend of September and is jam packed with events like the upcoming Lady Taverners Charity Day. Now in it's second year it involves a junior cricket competition, last years Devon Ladies Champions Axminster Women versus Devon Women's League XI. Funds raised on the day will be split between Axminster Cricket Club and the Lady Taverners Charity Fund who this year are supporting the Devon Disabled Cricket Association.

CITY CENTRE MANAGER OPENS NEW CASTLE STREET STUDIOS

City Centre Manager John Harvey used city sized scissors to cut the bunting signifying the opening of Castle Street Studios, an exciting collaboration of businesses and talents brought together in Castle Street.

City Centre Manager John Harvey / Erin Cox of Erin Cox Jewellery / Steve Marson of The Cubelab / John Cowen of Mekonta / Emily Gladstone of The Attic / Caroline Shortt of BAS Mooarc / Phoebe Stockman of Isabelle Montagu and Lucretia Van Rijbroek of Buttons & Beau

Driving force behind the project Erin Cox of Erin Cox Jewellery, left her premises in the coveted Magdalen Road earlier this year and bought the 300 year old building hoping to offer young businesses affordable letting space in a sought after area of Exeter.

Erin Cox says, “I'm so pleased to have the studios officially open, there is a real hub of excitement amongst the businesses here and we are all looking forward to a successful year of trading.”

The former home to Crosse & Cross Solicitors now collection of creative companies includes five start-up companies. The seven businesses include: award winning architects BAS Mooarc who have had projects featured times on Channel 4's Grand Designs; bespoke wedding dress designer Isabelle Montagu; two innovative website designers The Cube Lab and Mekonta; art gallery and picture framing service The Attic; Buttons and Beau offering everything from bunting to bags made from the very best cotton and silk and Erin Cox Jewellery, the driving force behind Castle Street Studios, who showcases her own designer jewellery and work from other contemporary British designers.

John Harvey, City Centre Manager says, “It was a honour to open Castle Street Studios which sees a network of creative people heading up exciting young businesses. It is a perfect illustration of the way Exeter City Centre is developing and entering an exciting era of positive change.”

Erin was born in Exeter and launched her jewellery business in her back bedroom, after five years and three different studios Erin opened her first boutique in 2008 on the coveted Magdalen Road. Erin knew there was a lack of affordable lettings in the centre of Exeter and so created Castle Street Studios to encourage independents and start up businesses to compete and have a presence in the centre of Exeter.

One of the business owners Phoebe Stockman of Isabelle Montagu says, “Castle Street Studios has come along at the perfect time in my business development, as it will enable me to further progress my label providing me with a new professional space in the heart of Exeter.”

John Harvey adds, “Exeter City Centre is moving very strongly in the right direction at the moment. There is a significant amount of ongoing investment and the development of Castle Street Studios is a distinct sign of business confidence. A yes vote in the BID ballot this year will help us keep up the the momentum for investment, change and renewal.”

PROFESSIONALS PUT THEIR ENERGY INTO BRIGHTENING UP CHARITY HQ

Twelve employees from Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) Lighting Services department donned painting gear to volunteer their decorating skills to help local charity Devon In Sight. The dedicated team painted a large number of rooms in the Charity’s Head Quarters at Station House, Topsham which adjoins the newly refurbished resource centre.

The Scottish & Southern Energy Lighting Services Team
with Martin Pallett of Devon In Sight and Mark Shepherd of Bradfords

The full day of redecoration organised by Exeter CVS “Time & Talents” Is part of a programme which supports and encourages business professionals to donate their time and skills to the operation and growth of voluntary and community organisations.

Local Business Partnership Co-ordinator for Exeter CVS Tim & Talents, Paul Simmons says, “Employer Supported Volunteering is a fantastic way for a business to contribute to the community within which it operates, whilst providing an opportunity to develop teamwork and staff motivation in an alternative environment to the normal daily workplace”.

Team Manager for Scottish & Southern Energy Lighting Services, Jerry Kay says, “It's great to be part of such a worthy cause. It was a tiring but very rewarding day and gave us all a chance to bond outside of the office.”

The initiative has turned into a great community project with Estuary League of Friends offering old blankets to use as dust sheets and Exeter based Bradfords Building Supplies donating 40 litres of paint . The upstairs offices, hallways, kitchen and bathrooms were painted in shades of peppermint green in just one day which enhances the adjoining newly refurbished Resource Centre which is due to be officially opened in the summer.

Director of Services at Devon In Sight, Martin Pallett says, “It really is fantastic to have such valuable support from the local business community. As a charity, we rely on the generosity of others and I would like to thank those who donated time and materials to help complete this long overdue regeneration. It also brings us one step closer to opening our exciting new Resource Centre which will offer increased services and support to the visually impaired of Devon.”

www.devonblind.org.uk

LEADING BUILDERS MERCHANTS HELP SAVE SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS FOR NEW SEARCH & RESCUE CENTRE

Bradfords Building Merchants with 27 branches in the South West have been a major contributor towards saving costs for the exciting new Exmoor Search and Rescue Centre based in South Molton, Devon.

The new centre was officially opened on 2^nd May, National Mountain Rescue Awareness day by the legendary Sir Ranulph Feinnes. Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: ‘I am delighted to be able to show my support for the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team. They are a dedicated and essential rescue team for the area, who make a huge difference, donating their time and efforts so freely.’

Clive Carvell, Area Operations Manager for Bradfords and Bill Allen, Chairman of the Exmoor Search & Rescue Team

Area Operations Manager for Bradfords Clive Carvell said: “As well as ensuring that we offered the best possible rates for building materials, we have worked closely with many of our suppliers to either donate materials or ensure that Exmoor Search and Rescue obtained very favourable rates. The total amount is hard to quantify, but we would estimate our contribution to have saved the team a substantial five figure sum”.

Another highlight was the launch of a specialist ale in aid of the team, courtesy of Exeter Brewery Ltd. The brewery has been working with the team over the last few months to develop an ale that will be sold throughout the South West. 10 pence of each pint for a year will go to assist the work of all the PenMCRA (Peninsula Mountain and Cave Rescue Association) teams. These include Exmoor SRT, Dartmoor Rescue Group, Cornwall SRT, Devon cave Rescue and SARDA, (the Search and Rescue Dogs Association). The ale is appropriately named ‘’Fraid Knot’ .

Sales and Operations Director for Bradfords Andy Gamble said: “We have supported Exmoor Search and Rescue team for a number of years, so we were delighted to be of assistance with this major project. The team cover a vast area, and in the past year they have been called out to many places including towns where we have branches such as Crewkerne, Taunton, Honiton and Bridgwater.”

The architect for this project was TWP based in Exeter and the structural works were completed by local builder Tim Stribley. The twelve month build comprised of a two storey building plus office area as well as the conversion of an industrial unit into a vehicle bay; a two storey classroom; meeting room; drying room and stores.

The Centre during building works

Phil Sparks, Team leader of Exmoor SRT said: “This was a very special day for everyone at Exmoor SRT because it has been the culmination of a lot of hard work by so many people. We would like to take this opportunity to pass on thanks to everyone who has helped, team members, supporters and sponsors alike. Without these special people, as well as everyone who donates so generously to us, our base and this centre would not have been possible.”