Exeter Business Professionals Host Joint Seminar in Aid of Charity

PHOTOGRAPH L – R:

Tim Walker, Brewin Dolphin / Sean Priestley, Brewin Dolphin 

Sue Probyn, Francis Clark & Andy Welch, Francis Clark Financial Planning

A team of professionals from two leading Exeter-based businesses co-hosted a joint tax and investment seminar held in the Sidmouth Fortfield Pavilion in aid of Sidmouth Hospiscare. Celebrating their 250^th anniversary, Wealth Managers Brewin Dolphin joined forces with Francis Clark, one the largest accountancy and Financial Planning practice in the region.  The seminar focused on inheritance tax, financial planning and investing for income. The seminar was predominantly aimed at private individuals looking to improve their overall tax efficiency or gain more income from their cash and investments. 

Over 30 local people attended the event to listen to speakers from each organisation including a representative from Sidmouth Hospiscare who gave an in-sight into the works of the charity which cares for people with life-threatening illnesses in the Sid Valley.  The event culminated in a complimentary buffet and charity raffle for the chance to win two desirable and high-value prizes.  This included a one-day ‘introduction to wine’ course at Darts Farm with Alistair Peebles of Devon Country House & Wine School, who is one of only 295 Masters of Wine in the World.  Also a luxury two-night stay at Southernhay House, Exeter’s premier boutique hotel.  In addition, Brewin Dolphin and Francis Clark made donations towards the charity, helping to boost monies raised for Sidmouth Hospiscare to over £500 on the day.

Tim Walker, Head of Office Brewin Dolphin − Exeter says: “With a 250 year history, we have a wealth of experience and offer a very personal service. With no ties to any fund managers, banks or financial institutions, we are free to find the right solutions for our clients without any conflicts of interest. Sidmouth is the perfect location for this type of seminar as it is an affluent area with a high number of retired individuals; who would benefit from our qualified and experienced investment managers to help safeguard their long-term wealth. As this is our first joint seminar in Sidmouth we wanted to work closely with an associate who shares our values and ethos and Francis Clark fitted this remit. We feel, also that It is very important as a business to put something back into the community through a deserving local charity.”

Andy Welch, Chartered Financial Planner − Francis Clark says:  “Being Sidmouth born and bred I felt like this would be a great opportunity to let people know about the services that Francis Clark provides.  I am certain that there are many people in Sidmouth and East Devon, who will really appreciate the opportunity to hear from two of the most respected financial firms in the South West, right on their doorstep.  I am delighted with the feedback we have received so far for the seminar and feel there is real potential to make this a regular event going forward.”

Ground-Breaking New Medi-Spa To Open In The City

An East Devon based holistic cosmetic clinic dedicated to face and body skin health both physically and visually, is expanding to larger, brand new premises in central Exeter.  South West Skin & Laser based in Budleigh Salterton has acquired the 125 year leasehold interest of an extensive suite in Augustus House, a large residential development on Isca Place located in New North Road.  The 7,233 sq.ft. unit based near Central Station is currently nothing more than a concrete shell, however the Mother and daughter team Dr Ros Debenham a qualified doctor and Katie Debenham a fully qualified Laser Therapist, plan to develop the City-centre premises into a new clinic branded ‘Radiance MediSpa’.  

The part ground and lower ground floor premises open out onto a private garden and include private client parking spaces.  Exciting plans include sumptuous treatment rooms, a dedicated gym for personal training sessions and a high-end hairdressing salon.  Radiance MediSpa will pioneer the latest treatments in the South West, bringing London to Exeter.  This includes the launch of the latest products in cosmetic non-invasive surgery including CoolSculpting®, the newest, most innovative non-surgical and natural way to quickly lose unsightly bumps and bulges of stubborn fat. 

An ex-Principal in general practice and an Aesthetic doctor with advanced qualifications Dr. Ros Debenham together with daughter Katie currently operates South West Skin & Laser in the grounds of Knowle House in Budleigh where they will continue to see clients before the new spa opens which is planned for mid-February 2013.  The practice offers a range of skin rejuvenation treatments including Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels and laser treatments as well as non- Surgical Liposuction and retails scientifically proven skincare products and make up.  

The new premises are being fitted out to a superior finish by London-based specialist hair & beauty design company, Beauty Planet Salon Designs. The interior architecture will combine a top standard of design, technology and building detail overseen by Project Manager Malcolm Randall from Devon-based Build Consultants Ltd.

Dr Ros Debenham says: “Katie and I are very excited about our new business venture.  The premises are being designed by Beauty Planet Salon Designs who have created Spas internationally, working on design projects with blue-chip beauty brands such as L’Oreal, Lancôme, Wella and Estée Lauder and Urban in Harrods.  With my medical background and Katie’s qualifications and experience we are looking to create a Medi-Spa with a difference by giving clients the luxury of a state-of-the-art environment together with the confidence that they are in the safe hands of experts which gets real results!”

 
www.radiancemedispa.co.uk

Independent Developer Wins Regional Award For Third Consecutive Year

Frys’ newest champion: Nathan Pyett and partner 

Julia at the regional Pride in the Job awards at Bristol

Dorchester-based C G Fry & Son has for the third year running won a top industry regional award for the medium size house builder category for their site at Balidon Place, Yeovil.  Judges in the ‘Pride in the Job’ competition organised by the National House Building Council (NHBC) voted Fry’s building site manager Nathan Pyett as this year’s South West regional winner in the category for medium-sized building

The awards made from an initial pool of over 13,000 site managers across the UK chose Nathan as one of the top-performing site managers to receive a 2012 Pride in the Job award. A Pride in the Job award is the highest industry accolade a site manager can receive and all winners have excelled in 12 months of rigorous judging.  The Regional Award winners will continue within the competition to compete for the ultimate accolade - the Supreme Awards - to be announced in January 2013.

41 year-old Nathan, lives at Beaminster and has been with C G Fry & Son all his working life. He joined the firm as an apprentice carpenter at the age of 17 and progressed rapidly to become a site manager at the age of 21.  Nathan says: “I enjoy the whole process of overseeing a project through, from the very start to the end result.  I’m hugely proud of this award, but it is also recognition for the efforts of all my team.”

Nathan won the ‘Pride in the Job’ award for his work at the new high-quality development, Balidon Place in Yeovil.  A former Maternity Hospital, Balidon House is located on West Coker Road one of the premier areas within the town.  The stone façade of Balidon House has been taken down and re-used to form the façade of a brand new building full of character, but with the benefit of being up-to-date with current building standards.   

C G Fry & Son is no stranger to awards and has an excellent reputation for producing a high-quality build.  The company has extensive experience in refurbishing and remodelling buildings of historical significance and the facade of the house has been painstakingly re-created using the original stonework. Balidon House will comprise of 12 spacious one and two bedroom apartments. Outside there will be communal gardens and parking.

Kevin Murch, Construction Director says: “This development is an exciting opportunity to restore and reinstate an important local building creating a quality new environment.  I am extremely pleased for Nathan and his team. The award sends out a clear message about the standards they are achieving. I am also delighted that this is the third year running that we have won the regional award - each time with different developments and site managers. It is always good to be publicly recognised with a prestigious award and it says something about the determination of everyone at the company who constantly strives to produce the very best in quality”.

An award-winning builder, C G Fry & Son is renowned for its extensive portfolio of high-quality projects ranging from private individual houses to major developments such as the prestigious Poundbury development in Dorchester for The Duchy of Cornwall.  And it’s a double celebration for the company in the 2012 ‘Pride in the Job’ awards with site manager, Steve Walker, receiving a Quality Award for his work at Poundbury.

The Dogs are Back in Town!

Trevor Boobyer (Austins, Store Director) with
Dixie, & David Austin (Austins, Managing Director) with Monty

Two of the famous Radley Scottie dogs make a guest appearance at leading department store, Austins of Newton Abbot as part of their UK tour to promote the popular and highly-collectable Radley accessories range.  

Over 100 shoppers flocked to the store to meet the celebrity canines and receive treats of festive cupcakes and bubbles.  Visitors also had the chance to receive a limited edition Radley Christmas gift when making purchases of £100 or more on the day in-store.

The high-quality London designed Radley range which includes bags and purses was originally launched in 1998 at Camden Market.  The company has developed into the British iconic brand of coveted affordable luxury accessories we know today which is instantly recognisable by its signature leather Scottie dog shaped label.   Independent and family-run retailer Austins boasts the largest concession of Radley accessories in the South West and this is the second time they have welcomed the famous Highland Terriers to the store.

Dixie and Monty (in the foreground)

Store Director, Trevor Boobyer says: “We were delighted to be selected as the local store for the guest appearance of these ever popular and adorable dogs for a second year. Everyone wanted to pet them and have their photographs taken with the famous duo.  It proved a good draw to get both loyal and new customers in to the store to meet these adorable dogs.  Shoppers also had the opportunity to relax and browse in all our departments for a great day’s shopping in time for Christmas.”

www.austins-uk.com 

Kenpo Karate Feature Kick the Winter Blues

Glen King doesn’t pull any punches when meeting 6th Degree Black Belt Karate instructor in Kenpo, Damian Abbott to learn about the art of self defence and how it helps you grow stronger in both mind and body…

The American Kenpo system devised by the late Grandmaster Ed Parker known for choreographing Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther movies, has touched the lives of many including King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley.  Passionate about the Martial Arts, Elvis regularly incorporated Kenpo moves into his famous stances on stage.  

Officially trained under, arguably, one of the world’s best practitioners Grandmaster Larry Tatum in Pasadena, California, Exeter born Damian first discovered Kenpo in 1984. 

“At the age of 14 I played the piano and was a wildlife enthusiast so not your stereotypical young lad in to distractions such as football.  A bit of a loner I needed a physical pastime to broaden my horizons and to meet new friends. I saw a small advert in the local paper promoting a Martial Arts class,” reminisces Damian.  “Since then I’ve been incredibly lucky to travel Worldwide in pursuit of my training including regularly visiting America.  Teaching Kenpo has opened up amazing opportunities for me not least right here in Exeter.”

Damian invites me to one of his weekly Sunday lunchtime classes held in a mirrored studio at Fitness First, Exeter. Having in the past experienced some of the better known styles of Karate such as Tae Kwon-Do and the very much in-vogue Body Combat, I expect to see rows of bodies robotically punching and kicking aerobic style, in time to popular music.  I soon discover Kenpo is a very different experience. Dressed in the traditional black Kenpo Gi, I join the mixed group of students and immediately feel the high energy radiating throughout the room.  Each individual stares unblinking, brows furrowed in intense concentration and totally focused on the act of practicing their fluid moves effortlessly yet with lightening speed and grace.

Damian expands.  “Some of the popular karate classes are more about exercise and fitness than self defence in practical terms.  It can become just about brand and image where as Kenpo Karate is a passion not a fashion. Our club is based on quality not quantity with people from all walks of life, from charity workers to solicitors and each are here for their own reasons; whether to feel safer on the street; to build self-confidence, broaden their horizons or to make new social contacts.  The fact that they will inevitably become honed and toned is an added bonus.”

Following the initial warm up, Damian divides the group into sections according to their levels of ability. As a white belt beginner (the virgin of the group) I receive personal instruction from 2^nd degree Black Belt Miles Copp in a basic self defence technique called Lone Kimono. Meanwhile Damian returns to the main group barking rapid instructions which are instantly obeyed without hesitation or question.  The fluidity and speed of the controlled moves audibly slice through the air and the grunts and rhythmic stomping of bare feet on wood only adds to the atmosphere – it literally makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! From my vantage viewpoint at the back of the class it feels like being engaged in a wave of synchronised emotion - a beautifully staged but macabre ‘dance of death’.  From purple belt intermediate Ali Price to the five Black Belts with a combined 100 years experience, the group systematically moves as one. The scene before me feels so real I momentarily think I have inadvertently wandered on to a Jackie Chan film set!  

“If a potential ‘Kenpoist’ approaches the system with the mindset that it will become a life-time decision and that the curriculum cannot be rushed or diluted then the benefits will be all the more rewarding” explains Damian.  “Kenpo is a thinking person’s art and once you take the time to absorb the basic fundamentals and principles, it becomes an explosive and powerful series of motion which will flow effortlessly.”

Boxing gloves donned, the one hour session culminates on an exhilarating high with a realistic and extremely noisy bout of sparring between each of the Black Belt partners. I look on completely mesmerised at what looks like a well choreographed fight scene from a fast moving action movie as it unfolds in front of me.  This not a rehearsed act however; the highly trained students instinctively know the correct moves and techniques to use as they switch effortlessly between an attack or defence position as appropriate.

2^nd Degree Black Belt and original team member Neil Thacker tells me how learning Kenpo was a life changing choice for him. “I was in my 20’s, going through divorce and had lost everything precious to me. When I was at my lowest ebb I saw an invitation to a Kenpo Karate class.  It took guts to walk into that training hall which was merely an old scout hut, but it turned out to be the best decision I would ever make. It helped to channel my aggression and frustration in a controlled manner; focused my mind; made me stronger in both body and spirit and regain my confidence.  Kenpo literally put my life back on track.”

Photographs taken by John Rose