topicuk kirklees and calderdale jan 2016

TopicUK

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K I R K L E E S & C A L D E R D A L E F R E E B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E

Huddersfield Lit fest

Bringing Words To Life

Digital Skills Shortage Tackling the problem

Santander Interns Celebrate Success

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The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those held by the publishers and therefore no responsibility can be held by the publisher for misinterpretation. Reproduction of this magazine without the express permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Whilst every care is taken in the production of this magazine, the publisher/editor cannot accept any responsibility for errors in articles, advertisements or programme schedules. To subscribe to this magazine, submit an article or press release please contact Gill Laidler on: 07711 539047 or email [email protected] Published by Ghost Publishing Limited. Law pages are written by Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors and TopicUK is not responsible for any advice given.

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EDITORGILL LAIDLER

CREATIVE DIRECTORROB BLACKWELL

LOCAL HEROESTHE EDITOR

THE ARTSHUDDERSFIELD LIT FEST

LEGAL MATTERSSARAH CROWTHER, CHADWICK LAWRENCE

BEAUTY & WELLBEINGMAXINE STEAD, ALEXANDER HOUSE SPA

FASHIONKATIE PORTMAN

FOOD & RESTAURANT REVIEWANTHONY HEGNEY, ASPARAGUS GREEN

RECRUITMENTNADIO GRANATA, STAFFLEX

SOCIAL MEDIASINEAD SOPALA, RAMSDENS SOLICITORS

BANKINGJONATHAN ROSTRON, SANTANDER

EDUCATIONDARRYL WIDEMAN, SILCOATES SCHOOL

MUSICKATE HONEYMAN - MUSIC COLLECTIVE

SPORTSEAN JARVIS - HUDDERSFIEL D TOWN FC

COMMERCIAL PROPERTYMARK HANSON,

HANSON CHARTERED SURVEYORS

LEGAL MATTERSCHADWICK LAWRENCE

Tel: 07711 539047 - [email protected] - www.topicuk.co.uk - Ghost Publishing Ltd - Suite 6 Unity Works Westgate Wakefield WF1 1EP

We’ve had a busy couple of months here at TopicUK, most notably the launch of our third edition

covering Barnsley in November.

The event took place at The Oakwell Stadium, home to Barnsley Town Football Club, where we were joined by a large number of businesses who turned out to support us and of course to find out what TopicUK is all about. Renowed Yorkshire Artist Ashley Jackson joined us, as he had featured in the first edition and was our cover ‘star’ being a Barnsley lad! We were also joined by Sir Rodney Walker who has been a tremendous supporter of TopicUK since we launched in 2013.

In January, our attention will turn to London and our launch in Soho. We have a provisional launch date in late January which we hope to finalise in the next couple of weeks. And our plans don’t stop there, we are researching a fifth edition for Leeds and the launch of a TopicUK for young entreprenuers and students.

We are delighted to welcome our new Board Director, Nadio Granata. Nadio, a talented marketeer, has been working behind the scenes for us for several months and is responsible for the launch of Soho. Nadio will work for TopicUK for a few hours a month on business development, researching other towns to launch TopicUK.

In December I attended two charity events, the first to support Wakefield Cathedral, enjoying a superb ladies lunch at Cedar Court Hotel, where the special guest was Michael Parr, better known as Ross Barton from Emmerdale. As you can imagine, this, his first event of this kind, he was quite overwelmed with the number of ladies in the room, but soon got into his stride with the help of host and compere, Pat Langham.

My second event was the Wakefield Annual Charity Christmas Lunch (WACCL). In it’s third year, the event goes from strength to strength and this year, a fantastic £28k was raised for the young people of Wakefield from Wakefield Theatre Youth Academy and the Burns Unit.

Attention is now turned to the next major event on the Wakefield Calendar, the Wakefield Theatre Gala Dinner in February. So successful last year, the event returns again with a special variety performance at the theatre with dinner at Unity Works. Following this is the Yorkshire Health Charity (formerly WDHCS) Gala Dinner in May, at the Cedar Court Hotel. There are still a few tickets available for both, so anyone wanting to attend, please get in touch.

Gill LaidlerFollow the editor @topic_uk

TopicUK

The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those held by the publishers and therefore no responsibility can be held by the publisher for misinterpretation. Reproduction of this magazine without the express permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Whilst every care is taken in the production of this magazine, the publisher/editor cannot accept any responsibility for errors in articles, advertisements or programme schedules. To subscribe to this magazine, submit an article or press release please contact Gill Laidler on: 07711 539047 or email [email protected] Published by Ghost Publishing Limited. Law pages are written by Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors and TopicUK is not responsible for any advice given.

EDITORS NOTES

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NewsUpdate

FUND RAISER

Huddersfield Accountants Raise Over £1K for The Town Foundation.

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EDUCATION

The Media Centre in Huddersfield has decided to tackle the digital skills shortage head on. 9

AWARDS

The Applegate Properties team have received the award for ‘Regional Estate Agency of the Year’ 10 14

VICTORY PIE

Award winning Yorkshire Pie wings its way to victory

"We sought advice from Orchard on

the best way to improve our data processes

Halifax accountancy firm Broadbents has become the latest business in the region to sign up to a Yorkshire-based data security and storage service launched earlier this year by Elland IT consultancy Orchard Networks. Broadbents has been part of the Halifax business community since 1988 and partner Simon Brook told us client care and privacy had always been a priority. He said changes in the way businesses transmit and store information prompted a review of the firm’s data security and online backup. “With so much in the news recently about data breaches we recognised the need to make our systems as robust as possible and we

liked the idea of working with a local firm that would store and backup all our data right here in Yorkshire. “We sought advice from Orchard on the best way to improve our data processes so that the information entrusted to us by our clients could be stored safely and accessed easily without any risk of security breaches.” Orchard Networks currently protects 25 terra bytes of data for business clients and works for companies throughout Yorkshire as well as high profile national organisations including visitor attraction Chatsworth and architect HGP. It moved its data centre to a new state-of-the-art site

near Wakefield in May, so that stored information could be managed and monitored more closely and accessed quickly. The move coincided with the launch of a new standalone data service for Yorkshire SMEs. Orchard Networks director Neil Ewing said: “Broadbents is an innovative firm that carries out much of its client work online and this prompted a review of data storage and a trial of our new ONstore Yorkshire data service to manage around 350GB of data.

The initial trial was extremely successful and the firm has now signed up to on-going management of its entire systems and database.” Mr Ewing added that local businesses had responded positively to the Yorkshire-based data service making it one of the fastest growing areas of Orchard’s business. “Recent headlines about data breaches and the impact these have had on big brands and their customers has prompted businesses of all sizes to re-evaluate online security and we have seen a significant increase in enquiries as a result,” he concluded.

Broadbents Picks Orchard’s Yorkshire Data Service


Dr Emma Kirke of nutrition business Medicinal Kitchen based in Ossett, has been nominated for the Yorkshire Evening Post Best of Health Awards and three categories as part of the Yorkshire Choice Awards.

The nominations mark the end of a successful year in business for Emma who set up the business in 2013, following a series of personal battles including a car accident which left her paralysed, and most recently, breast cancer.

Emma has qualified for three categories in the awards, including Inspirational Woman of the Year, Businesswoman of the Year and New Business. The Yorkshire Choice Awards acknowledge local people and independent businesses that are an inspiration in their field.

The ceremony will be held at The Centenary Pavillions in Leeds on 2 April 2016 and the winners chosen via a public vote which remains open until February.

The clinical nutritional therapist was

also shortlisted for the Unsung Hero category in the Yorkshire Evening Post Best of Health Awards lunch held at The Queens Hotel in Leeds on 7 December 2015.

Through healthy food and fitness, Emma learnt to combat her own physical and mental afflictions and she has already helped hundreds of others via bespoke specialised dietary requirement plans. Teaming this with her knowledge of osteomyology, Emma has been able to treat sprains, arthritis, asthma, skin conditions and more.

Emma commented: “What a fantastic achievement to find out that I have been considered for all these awards! I was determined that my own battles I’ve overcome would be channelled in a way to help others but I would never expect to be shortlisted in such prestigious awards, I feel really honoured.”

To vote for Emma in the Yorkshire Choice Awards visit her website www.medicinalkitchen.co.uk.

Businesswoman shortlisted for four Yorkshire awards 1 Successful Year in business for Dr Emma Kirke

New TopicUK Board DirectorTopicUK are delighted to announce the further strengthening of our board, with the appointment of Nadio Granata.

Nadio, an experienced marketeer, has been working with TopicUK for the last few months on new business development and is responsible for overseeing the launch of TopicUK in Soho at the end of January.

“I have other committments and roles with other businesess that won’t change, but I am enjoying my time working with TopicUK, several days a month,” explained Nadio. “Once we have Soho up and running, my role will be to seek further opportunities for TopicUK in other areas of the country, including more areas of London.”

Speaking of the appointment, TopicUK editor, Gill Laidler said: “We are delighted to have Nadio on board, joining our other directors, strengthening our team further and demonstrating our commitment to encourage local businesses to work together and in the community.”

TopicUK now publishes three editions and two issues of Close Up for Business. The planned Soho edition will increase our magazines to four and with TopicUK Leeds planned in 2016 and a special section for students and young entrepreneurs, next year is going to be a very busy time.

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NewsUpdate

Huddersfield Accountants Raise Over £1K for The Town FoundationBusinesses from across Huddersfield came together recently to take part in Sheards Accountancy’s annual quiz night in aid of The Town Foundation.

The event, held at Huddersfield RUFC had 23 teams of four including Huddersfield Town’s commercial team, all battling to become Huddersfield’s leading brainboxes.

Kevin Sanders, Client Manager at Sheards pulled together yet another brain baffling quiz that put local businesses general knowledge to the test. After a competitive streak from Huddersfield Town’s Commercial team, staff from Handelsbanken in Huddersfield proudly took first place.

During the evening, a hot supper was served and a raffle took place, with prizes donated by Sheards, KC Communications, P2 Technologies and Huddersfield Town Football Club. All funds raised went directly to the charity that provides breakfasts for children and the young people across Huddersfield and the West Yorkshire area.

Kevin Winterburn, Director of Sheards Accountancy commented: “The turnout was the best yet, with some companies submitting two or three teams.

The support from local businesses was invaluable and the generosity we received was truly heart warming. Yet again, it was a great opportunity for local businesses to get together socially whilst raising vital funds for such an important charity.”

Local businesses managed to raise a grand total of £1,055, which has guaranteed over 2,000 breakfasts for children supported by the charity.

Mandy Taylor, Fundraising Manager of The Town Foundation quoted: “It was a pleasure to join everyone on the night, to see the venue packed with such a very competitive and kind hearted guest list really did reinforce that the businesses in our community, really do have charity at heart. Our charity partnership with Sheards is one that we value and it is a pleasure to work with them.”

The life in business recovery and insolvency is never dull and often rewarding, as businesses are rescued and put back on their feet again.

There are many tools available for that purpose from formal procedures such as Administration and Voluntary Arrangements which enable businesses and individuals to move on. But did you know that Insolvency Practitioners are the only people licensed to wind up solvent companies?

Solvent liquidations (also known as Members Voluntary Liquidations) are a tax efficient way of closing a company and enabling its owners to extract value at a much lower capital gains tax rate of typically only 10%. This is possible through claiming Entrepreneur Relief.

Another great advantage is that HM Revenue & Customs will approve the formal wind up which gives comfort to the owners of the business that all its tax affairs have been properly formalised, and usually all at a fixed price as well.

Rescuing business is rewarding


The Media Centre in Huddersfield has decided to tackle the digital skills shortage head on, with the launch of its own Code Club for 9-11 year olds. Having now run three weeks of free sessions for youngsters from the region, the hope is that more digital businesses and schools will collaborate to provide more coding opportunities for young people.

Eighteen budding developers attended the most recent workshops during the half-term holidays, learning how to use the visual programming language Scratch and the more advanced Python programming language. Guidance was available throughout from The Media Centre’s CEO Brent Woods – a STEM Ambassador – and a team of software engineering experts from Elder Studios, who support the programme by volunteering their time to teach club members.

But with the sessions a ‘sell out’ to date, Brent is encouraging more schools and professionals to get behind the concept.

“In the modern employment landscape, digital literacy is as important as English and numeracy skills,” he explains. “And the great thing is that there seems to be a real appetite among youngsters, to learn code. “But if we are to inspire the next generation of digital experts, and plug the increasingly likely skills gap, we need to increase the momentum with which we support their development while they have no creative inhibitions.”

The UK’s rapidly growing digital industry has been widely reported on in the media, with research showing it will outperform all other sectors in terms of jobs growth by 2020. More locally, in Kirklees – the district in which The Media Centre is based – creative and

digital is the fastest growing sector, employing more than 5,000 people and contributing £100m to the local economy.

However, in February 2015, a House of Lords Digital Skills Committee report said the UK is failing to address its digital skills shortage. Shortly afterwards, in May, Digital Skills Committee chair Baroness Morgan addressed the urgent need for more industry input into education.

Brent continues: “Code Club is a nationwide network of extra-curricular learning, and I’m told that there are 250 Code Clubs, and counting, in Yorkshire alone. However, the majority of these are in schools, and I think we, as creative and digital professionals, have a responsibility to proactively address the skills shortage as well.

At the age of nine, a child’s instinct it to explore, experiment and try new things. We want to harness this ingenuity, to inspire more children to grow.”

Linda Broughton, Regional Coordinator for Code Club in Yorkshire adds:

“Code Club aims to give children the opportunity to build their ideas with code. It’s fantastic what The Media Centre, in the heart of Huddersdfield’s creative and digital community, is doing to create opportunities for kids, and shows that Code Clubs work in lots of different locations. Our aim is to double the number of Code Clubs in our region so I’d encourage schools, parents and digital companies to get involved and follow The Media Centre’s excellent example.”

The Media Centre plans to run another week of workshops for up to 24 young people, during February half term. However, as Brent concludes “We want as many young learners to have access to Code Club as possible. We therefore need more schools and more businesses to link up to make it happen.”

The Media Centre tackles digital skills shortage

10

NewsUpdate

The Applegate Properties team are excited to announce that for the second year running, they have received the bronze award for ‘Regional Estate Agency of the Year’ in the Yorkshire & The Humber at the Negotiator Awards.

The Regional Award covers South, West and North Yorkshire, East Riding, York, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The award aims to recognise the very best agencies based on customer service, innovation, business growth and staff development opportunities.

The Awards are the most recognised accolade in the industry, with professionals being judged by leaders and experts in the residential property industry from around the UK. Over 360 entries were submitted by different

estate agents, lettings agents, property managers, auctioneers and industry suppliers from every part of the UK. Applegate Properties received two nominations and were shortlisted for both awards earlier this year; 'Property Management Department of the Year’ and ‘Estate Agent of the Year in Yorkshire and The Humber’. Managing Director of Applegate Properties, Amy Wray and colleague Laura Joy Everitt attended the event at the five-star London Hilton on Park Lane.

Amy commented ‘We were all thrilled to hear we had been shortlisted. To win for two consecutive years is simply fantastic. It was a great event and winning is a credit to all the team. It confirms that out hard work and proactive sales approach really does set the pace when it comes to property’.

Applegate Properties wins at Negotiator Awards

Mr Flyer has welcomed new apprentice, Jordan Lewis, who will be working as their HR and Recruitment Assistant.

Jordan moved to Huddersfield in 2000, from South Africa and hopes that the apprenticeship will give him the opportunity to earn and learn on the job whilst developing his professional knowledge.

He commented “I’m excited to start my career and help the business develop. I believe my passion for people will help me in my role, and my desire to see Mr Flyer grow will keep me working hard.”

Mr Flyer is the North’s expert flyer distribution service, providing campaigns for hundreds of top brands and businesses.

Both Mr Flyer and Jordan hope that the apprenticeship will result in Jordan becoming Mr Flyer’s HR and Recruitment Manager, taking over the department. Michael Gladstone, Director of Operations and Finance Manager said: “We’re all really happy to welcome Jordan. He brings great qualities and fresh ideas to the team. We hope that he continues to thrive and enjoy his apprenticeship with us.”

Apprentice for Mr Flyer


A West Yorkshire leadership facilitator and business coach, has become one of only 13 independent business owners in the UK accredited to deliver Clifton Strengthsfinder coaching from global organisational performance specialists Gallup.Jannine Oates, managing director of Inspirit Learning Partners in Halifax, has become an independent Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, and is now the first independent business owner in the region certified to deliver the Clifton Strengthsfinder coaching programme. Designed as a method to increase employee engagement and improve performance by

identifying and maximising an individual’s innate strengths within the workplace, the Clifton Strengthsfinder tool has been used by over 10 million people worldwide since its creation in the early 1990s.

Jannine’s certification follows the successful completion of three years of work with clients including Calderdale College, Imaginative Coaching and Inspired Marketing to apply Clifton Strengths coaching principles to aid personal and professional development within their organisations.

She also completed a one week long strengths coaching programme, and was required to submit an extensive portfolio evidencing the results of how strengths coaching had improved performance for the businesses and individuals involved – as well as completing an online examination for the final part of the assessment.

Commenting on her certification, Jannine said: “Everyone has a unique combination of talents, knowledge and skills that they use in their daily lives to do their work and achieve their goals. Becoming a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach means that Inspirit Learning Partners is able work closely with businesses and individuals to help them identify their strengths and then apply them every day for maximum success.”

She continued: “Being the only Gallup Certified Strengths Coach based in Yorkshire means that I’m uniquely positioned to work with businesses across the region to help them use strengths-based coaching to completely overhaul the dynamics within their teams. This can lead to increased employee engagement and ultimately higher levels of productivity and performance.”

Business coach going from strength to strength

Agency wins PR ‘Oscar’

Katie Mallinson, founder of Huddersfield consultancy Scriba PR, has scooped one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades – the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ Outstanding Young Communicator. Katie, 29 from Slaithwaite, beat off stiff competition from throughout Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, to pick up what is widely regarded as the PR industry’s ‘Oscar’. The results were announced by Calendar News star Gaynor Barnes, at a glittering ceremony at Aspire, Leeds, on 26 November. Open to communications professionals under 30, the award marks Katie’s nine year career in PR. Judges praised her ‘northern soul’, ‘grit and determination’, and a ‘clear set of professional values’. Her commitment to mentoring others, largely through her continued relationship with the University of Huddersfield, was also noted. Commenting on the news, Katie said: “It sounds clichéd but I honestly didn’t expect to win. The competition in my category was stiff! That probably explains why it took me so long to get up to the stage to collect the trophy, I just froze! “Some companies began to tarnish the reputation of PR during the recession, forgetting what good communications is all about. This made it hard for many businesses to project their voice. We wanted to address this. Now, by becoming immersed in clients’ businesses, understanding their proposition however complex, and really caring about their future, we’re fuelling the continued success of our own organisation too.” Based in Heritage Exchange, Scriba has recently recruited a PR assistant, Louise Jaggar and has its sights set on more staff in early 2016.

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NewsUpdate

His blog has caught the eyes of many and has gone viral with hundreds of shares on social media and thousands of website views.

Bruce has become an overnight sensation in the country following his blog post ‘101 Reasons to Live, Work and Love Calderdale’. Bruce’s blog creates a photographic journey highlighting why Calderdale is the place you should live in, work in and love. The blog promotes Calderdale through a photographic story of the community and celebratory local events such as Tour De Yorkshire. It features photographs of Hardcastle

Crags, Norland Scarecrow Festival, Dean Clough Mills and a few locals playing sport. Bruce states “I just wanted to share the beauty I see around”.

Bruce is a photographer who has lived and worked in Calderdale since leaving his native home, New Zealand, 10 years ago. Bruce begun his photography career in New Zealand before moving to the UK a year later. Since living in the UK, he has dedicated his time to photography, and started working for the Halifax Courier. Bruce had a lengthy career with the Halifax Courier before he became freelance last year after voluntary

redundancy, founding Bruce Fitzgerald Photography.

The company was set up with a view to ‘capture natural images for creative thinkers’.

Bruce originally focussed on commercial photographing but has recently work with the PR and Advertising Industry. He has worked on many large and local projects for companies such as Coca Cola, Aviva and Halifax Courier.

Bruce plans to continue developing his business and hopes to work with many new clients. To view the blog visit www.bfpix.co.uk.

Local photographer with a passion for Calderdale goes viral

Bruce Fitzgerald

Bruce Fitzgerald, founder of Bruce Fitzgerald Photography, has captured attention of the nation with his recent photography work.


The University of Huddersfield Careers and Employability Service has celebrated the success of it’s first group of interns who completed the Santander Internship Programme earlier this year.

Esther Orridge was one of three interns, who were asked to present and share their internship experience at an event held in November. Guests included representatives from Santander, The University of Huddersfield Careers Service and the employers who took on an intern through the Programme.

Esther completed her placement at Social Progress Ltd, a social media training and consultancy company in Honley, Holmfirth.

Director, Janet Bebb was looking to take on an employee and heard about the Santander Internship Programme through the University. Esther explained “I learnt so much from Janet over the 3 month Internship, including how to use social media specifically for business. We’ve been to various networking events, I’ve met lots of new people, I’ve presented to local business people and much, much more! I absolutely love my job (and working with Janet). I wouldn’t be at Social Progress had it not been for the Santander Internship Programme!”

Janet and Esther used the 3 months

as a ‘probation period’ to see whether Janet felt that Esther was the right candidate for the role and to see whether Esther liked and suited the role.

“The Internship Programme took the financial sting out of taking on a new member of staff. You pay the intern (at least) minimum wage for the 12 week internship. Then, if the intern completes the 3 months, Santander pay £1,500 to the business for taking them on.

“We’re very happy to say that Esther is still with us today. This wouldn’t be possible without the Santander Internship Programme and the help of Su Maynard at The University of Huddersfield Careers and Employability Service. Su made the whole process stress-free from start to finish!” added Janet.

The group of 11 interns, made up of undergraduates and graduates, attended an event at the University to receive a certificate in recognition of completing their Internship.

The event explored the success of the Programme and also looked at the

development of the Programme for the futureEsther graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a BA (Hons) Degree in Graphic Design in summer 2013, which also included a placement year. “A degree is not enough! Experience is invaluable and I would urge all students and graduates to do an internship or placement to get the vital experience needed in the real world of work.”

Fellow intern Grace Lenihan completed her Internship at KC Communications as an undergraduate and has stayed there to do a full placement year as part of her degree. Grace and her employer Katrina Cliffe also had the opportunity to share their success story at the event.

The Internship Programme is equally beneficial for both the interns and the employers. Whether you’re a student/graduate looking for a placement opportunity or a business looking to take on an intern, contact Su Maynard ([email protected]) at The University of Huddersfield for more information about the Santander Internship Programme.

Interns celebrate success with Santander and University of Huddersfield

Sue Maynard and Esther Orridge with Internship Certificate

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NewsUpdate

But two years after his death a pork pie recipe he devised 70 years ago has won a top award.

Eric was only 19 when he volunteered to fight for his country. He joined the RAF 100 Squadron stationed in Lincolnshire and flew on many successful missions.

When he left the RAF in 1945 he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a respected butcher with a factory in Ossett and seven shops in Yorkshire, mainly around the Wakefield area. He reared his own cattle and pigs and was so respected in the industry

went on to judge at the Royal Smithfield Show, an accolade granted to very few.

One of the first products his Eric Richmond company made was a small pork pie made to Eric’s secret recipe. The pie is still made at the Ossett factory using locally sourced pork with more than 6,000 sold every week.

The pie has won the Small Pork Pie class at the Great Yorkshire Pork Pie, Sausage and Black Pudding Competition held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. It also won the Willis Hall

trophy donated by a famous Yorkshireman and pie lover. One of the judges was celebrity chef, Brian Turner , who hails from West Yorkshire.

The event, in its 27th year, is organised by The Confederation of Yorkshire Butchers Councils. This year for the first time it was thrown open to butchers and individuals across the country and attracted almost 300 entries.

Tom and Anne-Marie Martin, who bought the business last year said today the award was a fitting tribute to Eric especially in the 70th anniversary year. “We are thrilled to win this award because it is the first competition we have entered since taking over last August. It proves how Eric wasn’t just a brave pilot who risked his life for his country but was also a great pie maker . He will now go down in history for both,” said Tom.

Tom, who has always had a passion for good food, worked in the IT industry until last year when he took redundancy and used the money to buy the Eric Richmond factory from Eric ‘s son Robin who retired. Another son, Michael runs his own butchers shop on Barnsley Road, Wakefield and is one of Tom and Anne-Marie’s best customers.

Pie wings its way to victoryYorkshire –born Eric Richmond believed his greatest triumph was being the youngest-ever Lancaster Bomber pilot in World War 2.

Eric Richmond flew with RAF 100 Squadron


Leading printing solutions firm ABS UK Ltd based in Elland, and growing Brighouse PR and marketing agency Faith PR, have joined forces in a reciprocal business deal.

The move sees ABS UK Ltd provide new, more efficient and cost-effective printing systems to Faith PR and ABS appoint Faith as its PR agency, providing ongoing media relations support. To maintain its continued growth in the SME sector, ABS looked to Faith PR for PR support to raise its profile both locally and along the M62 corridor.

The business deal came about after ABS carried out a consultation and identified Faith PR was spending over £2,000

per year on low quality and unreliable printers. Faith PR offers a design service to its customers and was getting through a considerable 2000 colour copies each month. ABS UK Ltd used its expertise to make recommendations to the business going forward and installed a new printing system which has led to monthly savings for Faith PR of just over 30%.

Stefanie Hopkins owner and director of Faith PR said: “We’ve been really impressed with the quality of the new printing system which helps the creative side of our business enormously. At the same time we are delighted to be appointed to provide ongoing PR support to help raise awareness of ABS, its staff and its products and services.”

Local firms strike up mutual business deal

Stefanie Hopkins, Owner & Director of Faith PR & Brett Abson, Managing Director of ABS UK Ltd

The couple have 15 staff and make over 100 different pies and more than 10 varieties of sausage. They supply around 40 independent small shops in Yorkshire.

Tom is in talks with a Super League Rugby Club at the moment to supply pies and he and Anne-Marie are working on attracting more new business over the next 12 months. “ We are absolutely loving it. It is a pleasure to get up in a morning and come to work, and we feel winning this award is a step in the right direction. The competition was tough and standards high.”

So what makes their pie a winner? According to Tom it is using locally sourced pork, a secret seasoning mix and making their own hot water pastry. “It’s down to the balance. Fans always comment on how crumbly and delicious the pastry is and the flavour of the meat and jelly.”

He is thrilled to see that baking is back in fashion and more and more men and women are making their own pies at home and using fillings such as rabbit, pheasant and partridge, like in the company’s famous Christmas Game Pies.

Tom and Anne Marie Martin

16

NewsUpdate

WHEN Moin Valli was just a twinkle in his parents eye Malcom Jones was launching his optical chain in the North West. Now, less than 40 years later the ambitious Huddersfield optometrist has acquired Malcolm’s seven strong group.

Valli Holdings acquisition of A H Merton’s Ltd doubles the number of stores in the Kirklees based group but almost trebles turnover and staff. It also makes Valli Opticians one of the largest independent groups of opticians in the UK.

It was an ambitious move by the Huddersfield optometrist who has previously acquired one practice a year for the last seven years in Yorkshire, but he said that the two businesses were a perfect fit sharing the same values yet having contrasting strengths that would merge to create a stronger optical offer for patients and staff.

“I was not looking to acquire any more practices this year having added Hull and Hebden Bridge to the portfolio in 2015. The ambition had been to acquire one a year, but when I heard of the opportunity it was too good not to investigate,” he said.

“Malcolm has built a very strong community based business that shares the same values as Valli,” he added. “His business model was the same as mine. Every five years he acquired an established business, retaining the practice name to maintain community identity.

“Both are family companies which always put a premium on patient service offering longer appointments times and working to ensure people feel we care about their visual health first and foremost. Our people also matter so we invest in their development.

“Malcolm was keen to sell his business

to someone who understood the A H Merton’s Ltd ethos and it became clear as negotiations progressed that there was much synergy. At the same time we have enough differences to transfer that will be mutually beneficial.

“Valli has always been innovative and creative in our business methods such as outreach work into the community, while AH Mertons Ltd has invested very heavily in systems. It will be a perfect fit,” he said.

Mr Valli said that he had no plans to make any immediate changes to either business being keen to work alongside the existing A H Merton’s Ltd board, lead by Executive Director Christine Wrenn and includes Malcolm’s son and daughter Christopher and Tracey, who have run the company for the last 20 years.

“Malcolm Jones has been out of the day to day running of the business for some years and the A H Merton’s board is very capable and organised, we’re looking forward to sharing best practice,” said Mr Valli.

Christine Wrenn, Executive Director, of A H Merton’s Ltd said: “We have a strong reputation and we have worked tirelessly to ensure we provide our patients with a high standard of professional eyecare within the

independent sector. Our loyal practice teams are passionate about eye care and the ocular health of our patients, so it was essential we found the right company with a similar strategy and philosophy.

“We are absolutely delighted to be working alongside Moin Valli of The Valli Group and are confident Moin will take our company to the next level of eye care.”

Malcolm Jones said: “You just know when it’s right and a perfect match, the synergies between us were apparent from the first meeting, we have the same drive and determination to provide our patients with an excellent level of eye care and customer service.

“Christine Wrenn, Tracey Jones and Chris Jones of the management team remain and look forward to working with Moin and have every confidence the experience of both companies will enable us to nurture and develop our teams, ensuring we build on the continued success of our company well into the future.

“It was important to me that my team were going to be well looked after and I am confident that Moin will do that. We wish Moin and the team every success,” he concluded.

Valli seeing double after acquisition

AH Mertons Signing


The UK’s top business women have been recognised at the prestigious national finals of the Forward Ladies Women in Business Awards.

Hosted by ITV newsreader Charlene White, the glittering awards took place at The Queens Hotel in Leeds, where outstanding, entrepreneurial female business leaders from across the UK competed in 11 categories.

Each finalist triumphed in their regional heat to make it to the finals and were put through their paces at a live session with an expert judging panel held at headline sponsor HSBC’s offices in Leeds.

The WIBAs, now in its sixth year, has become one of the most high profile and respected accolades for

women recognising their enormous contribution to the economy and acknowledges start-ups to multi-million pound companies.

This year’s high profile speakers included Sahar Hashemi, founder of Coffee Republic and James Cliffe, HSBC Head of UK Business Banking. Griselda Togobo, Managing Director at Forward Ladies said: “We were delighted to welcome applications from women from across the UK in this year’s awards. As an organisation committed to supporting and developing women we are delighted to have been able to enlist the support of HSBC and Microsoft who have committed to providing business support and an ICT review to all our finalists.

Business women recognised at national finals

• Business Woman of the Year’ and ‘SME Business of the Year (Growth – 10 or more employees) – Alexa Greaves, AAG Systems, Killamarsh.• Retail Business of the Year – Claire O’Connor, babyballet, Halifax.• Rising Star of the Year – Amy Archer, Swift Leisure, Cottingham.• SME Business of the Year (Emerging – less than 10 employees) – Sam Pearce, The Potting Shed Spa & Eastthorpe Hall, Batley.• Start-up Business of the Year – Claire Turner, TLC Accountants, Wetherby.• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Business of the Year – Kate Krachai, Quality Context, Sheffield.• Special Lifetime Achievement award – Lady Michelle Mone OBE, founder of Ultimo.TopicUK were guests of Faith PR at the event.

Forward Ladies award winners

The winners from Yorkshire were as follows:

18

DiningOut

When you pay a visit to Pennine Manor at Scapegoat Hill, nestled in the hills between Huddersfield and Halifax, it’s like being on the top of the world.

This small family run hotel run by the Decker family, has 31 bedrooms, function rooms and a bar and restaurant with views of Kirklees and Calderdale from all aspects of the building.

I visited on a Wednesday night with Glen and my daughter Hattie. We sat in the bar area where a lot of the hotel guests were gathered, as there was a football match on the TV. Not being a football fan, I couldn’t tell you who was playing, but it looked like a big game.

Once seated, a member of staff came and took our drinks order, which was delivered very swiftly. We were presented with the menus and I choose Black Pudding rosti with a soft poached egg and hollandaise sauce. When it arrived, it was exactly what the menu had described and more. The dish was full of flavour and great textures that worked well together. Glen had homemade Scotch egg with crispy bacon

and mustard dressing, he really enjoyed his dish and was very complimentary about the flavours and textures. Hattie being a teenager was less adventurous than both of us and opted for the simple dish of Chicken strips with a tangy tomato sauce. Judging by her clean plate and the way she cleared her plate, she really enjoyed it.

With just a short wait we were served our main courses. I opted for the slow braised beef in tomato, mushroom & tarragon sauce, sat on a bed of creamy mashed potato served with seasonal greens. Great flavours came out of this dish and the meat was braised to perfection with the vegetables being firm but not crunchy which for me is great. I was pretty beaten by the portion if I am honest and I didn’t manage to finish it, but this is no reflection on the dish.

Glen went for the Ribeye steak. As far as I am aware, all the meat is purchased from Bolstermoor Farm Shop, which is only a stone’s throw away from the hotel itself. I was surprised when Glen ordered the steak as he usually only enjoys a steak when he is home and can cook it himself, as unlike me, likes it well done. The dish was well presented as described on the menu, with flat mushrooms and roast tomato and there

was a choice of potatoes, so he opted for the triple cooked chips, stating that this was what let the dish down. I have to say they didn’t look great and didn’t resemble the triple cooked look of light and fluffy. If I had to guess, they had probably been frozen, which is a shame really.

Hattie went for the Pennine Beef Burger, with bacon and mature cheddar, on a toasted bun, served with triple cooked chips, well that’s how it was presented on the menu, but Hattie being Hattie had to adapt it, so in the end it was a bacon burger with cheese, this in my opinion was a great burger spoilt by the accompanying chips and toasted frozen bun.

I wondered why they had not thought to serve it on a nice toasted glazed Brioche bun, it would have made all the difference

Dining at the top of the world!

Spectacular Views over Kirklees and Calderdale

by Anthony Hegney - Director Asparagus Green


to the meal and even Hattie, a simple eater commented on this.

Then it was on to the highlight of Hattie’s evening, dessert! I opted for the cheese board, a large portion and selection, which again I struggled to finish, as I was still pretty full after my main course.

Glen went for the Rhubarb Pannacotta with meringue shards, served with a Rhubarb liquor. This had great textures and flavour and the homemade meringue was really tasty with great sticky textures as you would expect from a well made meringue. The Rhubarb was sweet and not too bitter, as it can sometimes be.

In true Hattie style, she opted for the selection of homemade ice cream, that

had great flavour and perfect for the simple palate of a teenager.

All in all, it was a really enjoyable evening with good food. Menu prices range from £4.45 to £5.95 for starters and £9.95 to £15.95 for main courses The desserts ranged from £4.65 to £7.45 for the cheese, which again isn’t bad value.

The restaurant has a great offer of Two people can dine and sleep over from £65 per couple and you do get to choose from the a la carte menu, making this one of the best offers around.

For more information or to make a reservation, details are on their website: www.penninemanor.com or call 01484 642368.

20

Local Heroes

Publishing is in the blood

Originally from Brighton, Michelle grew up in Derby alongside her three sisters, before attending the University of Leicester where she gained a BA in French with History of Art.

After graduating in 1988, Michelle moved to London and began work at Macmillan Publishers as Publicity Secretary. Her career quickly progressed first as Publicity Director of Little, Brown Publishers then Associate Director of Midas PR. Michelle’s role was promoting books by novelists, celebrities, politicians, scientists and sportspeople including 10 years working with Iain Banks. “We remained good friends after I left publishing,” explained Michelle, “and was devastated when in died in 2013.”

So who has Michelle worked with? “Whoopi Goldberg was lovely to work with, I set up interviews for her book and took her to shows like TFI Friday. I remember they laid out a whole spread of food in her dressing room and all she took was two cigars! Damon Hill had a huge party for his book launch at the Science Museum with George Harrison and Mick Hucknall amongst the guests,” continued Michelle. “Paula Yates was so much fun, I remember picking her up from Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast, travelling straight to Birmingham for a TV appearance to promote her book. Afterwards she wanted to get presents for her girls, I’ll never forget walking through a Birmingham Shopping Centre with Paula wearing a fabulous designer evening gown!” Michelle also worked with Kenyan Paleoanthropolist Richard Leakey,

Nobel prize-winning physicist Murray Gell Mann, cricket commentator Richie Benaud, politician Edwina Currie and TV/Radio presenter Vanessa Feltz.

In 2000, Michelle decided she needed a change and took a career break, going to live in Guadeloupe, a French speaking island in the Caribbean where she stayed for six months.

On her return, she began working for the Guardian newspaper as a freelance sub editor and later for The Independent and the Independent on Sunday. After a while, she was offered a permanent job on The Guardian as a sub editor.

It was time for change again, this time it was a move to Yorkshire with her partner Chris, a sound engineer. “It was an incredibly sad time, within a few months of us settling, Chris was diagnosed with cancer and died soon after, aged just 42,” said Michelle. “As you can imagine, it was a difficult time and I gave up everything to look after him.”

Life goes on however and it was time for Michelle to think about work again. “I realised there were lots of companies needing copywriting so I set up Key Words Copywriting Limited and built up a client base over the years. It is a varied and interesting job and I enjoy adapting my writing skills to suit my different clients.” Michelle also set up a successful networking group, Coffee & Cake, who meet monthly at Cafe Society in Huddersfield for networking and business training.

TopicUK will be partnering Huddersfield Lit Fest 2016 and following a discussion with Lit Fest Director

Michelle Hodgson, we asked her if she would share her interesting career with our readers


Michelle is also Director of Huddersfield Lit Fest. “I love running the festival, it’s incredibly hard work, but extremely rewarding. It’s also fun reconnecting with authors and performers as it’s one thing I missed after leaving publishing. For me, the festival isn’t only about providing entertainment in the town. We also do outreach work and form partnerships with local writers groups and other organisations like Kirklees Library Services, the Packhorse Gallery and the charity Reading Matters.”

So, having lived amongst hustle and bustle of London for 20 years, what does Michelle think of Huddersfield? “It’s like a breath of fresh air, literally! I love that it’s a short drive into the centre of town, but if I head the other way, I’ll be in open countryside within minutes.

“Huddersfield has a vibrant and welcoming business community as well as a strong artistic community and I love being a part of that, through running the literature festival. The one thing I would like to see for Huddersfield is an arts centre, it would provide valuable space for local people and in draw in outside visitors.”

Michelle lives in Almondbury with partner Richard a salesman at a local air compressor supplier based in Halifax with their large Dogue de Bordeaux, Floyd and rescue cat Amber.

FACT FILE:Favourite food and drink: Fish curry; red wine or champagne.Favourite music:Eclectic; recent favourites include Temper Trap and Sia.Favourite sport:Work out with a personal trainer and do yoga once a week. I also walk the dog every day.Favouite holiday destination:Short breaks in the UK, but favourite destination is the Caribbean - I’ve visited five islands so far.Guilty Pleasure:EastEnders and cheesecake!

Health & Beauty

P o s i t i v e

WellbeingN e w y e a r d e t o x f o r y o u r m i n d a n d b o d y

1. Exercise You don’t have to go to the gym every day to incorporate exercise into your life. Find something that you enjoy doing and make time each week for this - walking with your family at the weekend, dancing, yoga or stretching exercises, walking to the local shops. They’ll all help to get the blood circulating in your body, flush out any toxins and keep your body healthy and fit

2. Relaxation It’s sometimes difficult to prioritise taking time out for yourself but it’s really important to create balance in your life – and that means finding time for relaxation – whatever that means for you – time with friends, time chilling with family, a spa day, tai chi. Top tip: find 10 minutes today to relax and notice how much better you feel afterwards

3. Declutter your home and workspace If your house or workspace is untidy and cluttered, it’s a sign of stress and a source of stress. You

can’t find things, everything looks a mess and it blocks the energy flowing around you. The New Year is a good time to be more organised and to have a good sort through things and a general tidy up. You’ll feel so much clearer in your mind as well as having a tidy home/workspace. Top tip: look around where you spend most of your day and spend 15 minutes tidying up and de-cluttering

4. Drink lots of water About two thirds of your body is water. It’s in your blood, muscles and brain and it’s needed to carry oxygen and nutrients to your cells and organs and to remove wastes. If you don’t drink enough water, your body will try and limit the amount it loses during breathing, perspiration and excretions. Your body will then show signs of dehydration such as pain in your joints and muscles, headaches, dry cough, constipation, dry skin, dark yellow urine. These signs often mean that your body needs more water to help it function properly. Drinking enough water will help you feel more energized (it helps

flush out toxins as well as keeping your organs and muscles fit and healthy). Top tip: try drinking 2 small glasses of water today and see how it makes you feel better

5. Detox massage Massage has many benefits including general relaxation, improved circulation, reduction of tension and lowering of blood pressure. Massage is great at cleansing the body of wastes and toxic debris, and so is perfect in the New Year after too many indulgences and a stressful build up to Christmas. There’s lots of types of massage to choose from

– hot stone, deep tissue, no hands, Swedish massage. Top tip: a regular massage helps to keep your muscles looser and helps to prevent pains and injury


Welcome to the era of gigabit business

The Kirklees CORE is a new, gigabit speed, pure-fibre network being built for businesses in Huddersfield. Explore the range of next generation voice and data services available through our service partner, Abzorb.

• Pure-fibre connection directly to your premises• Benefit from smart, cost-saving VoIP technology• Make the most of the latest cloud

applications and services• Future proof your business

Ultra-fast business internet has arrived in Huddersfield

Register today at kirkleescore.com

CLAIM UP TO

£3,000

TO COVER

CONNECTION

COSTS

Register today at kirkleescore.com

CityFibre is the largest independent provider of pure fibre optic network infrastructure in the UK.

They design, build, own and operate gigabit speed, pure-fibre networks in mid-sized cities and major towns across the country. The networks provide transformational gigabit speed connectivity (up to 1000Mbps) as standard – speeds that would otherwise be unaffordable to all but the largest businesses.

What’s more, the network runs at symmetrical speeds. This means that our network is as fast at uploading large files as it is at downloading them. This is possible because our networks are pure-fibre. Unlike other ‘fibre’ services, delivered using technology known as Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC), there is no copper cable to slow your connection down. With pure-fibre from the exchange right through to your business premises you get the most

advanced digital connection possible. The mission is to bring the digital infrastructure of the UK into the 21st Century and help as many business as possible benefit from an infrastructure that is fit for purpose and one which supports their growth and ambitions.

Fibre-to-the-premises is not a new idea, it’s just very new to the wider UK market. Their dependence on the internet is matched only by countries such as South Korea, The Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden – all of which have benefitted from widespread deployment of pure fibre optic network connections over the past decade.

Akamai’s authoritative “State of the Internet” report shows that the UK ranks 11th globally in terms of average internet connection speeds, with only 30% registering an average of 10Mbps or more. In contrast, 21% said they register average connection speeds of 4Mbps or less. Running cloud services, VoIP and remote back up at these speeds becomes a practical impossibility. A whopping 69% of businesses believe broadband is restricting their business today (Atkins Survey, 2011). Well no more, a pure-fibre connection

enables a business to access all these services and more – all of which save them time and money.

Businesses are used to settling for poor and expensive internet connectivity because they think there are no other options. CityFibre are here to make sure that businesses are aware that there is an alternative and they no longer need to sit behind the buffer.

In 2014-2015 the Government ran a voucher scheme to help businesses boost their connectivity. The huge take up of this scheme proves how starved businesses are of good connectivity and evidence suggests that businesses who upgraded theirs saw an average of £1,300 per year increase in profits.

Technology is constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated and businesses need to keep up to remain competitive. Without a solid infrastructure to support these technologies, businesses will get left behind.

To find out more or register your interest visit: www.kirkleescore.com

Why Fibre?

Employment&Recruitment

There are currently only 32,543 new starters on teacher training courses in the UK, a shortfall of some 2,347 or put into percentages, this equates to a 7% gap in the number of teachers that will be required to deliver an equivalent level of service to today’s standards.

So what does this mean for teachers? It means they will command a higher salary with greater benefits. They will become like gold dust in the jobs market. Those with specialist skills will be in greatest demand and those with qualifications to teach STEM subjects will be at the top of the list. They will find themselves in that envious position, classed as ‘pillars of society’ and will attain celebrity-like status. Hopefully they will stay loyal to the profession and reap the rewards that go with performing an essential role within a niche market.

So what does this mean for the education sector? This is where it gets particularly complicated … as with many facets of life in the UK, the current trend is towards cost-saving through the rationalisation of resources. In other words, ‘getting more for less’. In practical terms, this is leading to the creation of a whole range of educational establishments such as Free Schools, Academies, Multi-Academy Trusts and Federations … to list but a few. Managing schools

and colleges will become more like managing a chain of supermarkets. Category leaders will deliver their teachings to a multiplicity of audiences facilitated through smart use of improved learning environments such as lecture theatres and virtual classrooms.

So what does this mean for society? Well, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out that unless things change soon, the country’s education system is heading for meltdown. More pupils, fewer teachers, higher expectations, more international competition, greater need for science and engineering skills and fewer resources with which to deliver the required outputs will inevitably lead to issues that make today’s concerns seem like heaven compared to where we are heading.

According to The Association of School and College Leaders, we are already experiencing significant recruitment challenges and according to Data for Education, two thirds of school places in physics and about 60% in maths and chemistry are currently unfilled.

So what’s our message? Do not panic. Skills shortages like this have been predicted ever since Noah required someone to steer the ark! We have time to

turn this around. New ways of teaching, enhancing digitalisation, developing better teaching resources and increasing emphasis on the responsibility of students to learn rather than be taught, are just some of the ways in which we will develop mechanisms to manage an industry which, to be frank, needed to smarten itself up.

If you would like to know more about the teaching opportunities currently available in West Yorkshire, then talk to Stafflex. They have been supplying teaching and support staff for nearly fifteen years and your career is our career livelihood. Stafflex will work with you to find the ideal position for you within their network of schools and colleges and we will help you to acquire the necessary means to obtain that perfect position.

Ring Stafflex on 01484 351010 or email [email protected] to find out more about the opportunities we have on offer.

Your Country Needs You!The uk will need 40,000 new teachers by 2025 to match the

increase of 800,000 new pupils

By Nadio Granata - Stafflex Recruitment

Education agenciesWorking hard for teachers, schools and pupils

@recpress | www.rec.uk.com

75% 56%of agencies o�er CPD opportunities to their supply teachers.

of agencies in REC membership o�er free CPD opportunities to their teachers.

The top two reasons a school use an agency for a short-term assignment are:

They trust the agency will find them a quality teacher

TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS

They know the agency will be able to find them a teacher quickly

1 2

41%

38%

97%of agencies have consultants in the office between 5AM and 8AM.

95%of education agencies typically receive less than 2 hours’ notice from a school in need of a teacher on the same day.

SHORT NOTICE

59%of schools use an agency to find a permanent teacher because they have struggled to hire directly themselves

AGENCY HIRING

EARLY START

80%of agencies have

persuaded a teacher to remain in the education

profession in the last year (Don’t know- 10% and No- 10%).

82%of agencies invest revenue in the education sector

OF THESE:

TEACHERS

INVESTMENT

AGENCY CHARGES

REC MEMBERS UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY WORK WITH SCHOOLS ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS AND BY GETTING TO KNOW THE CULTURE, ETHOS, PERSONALITY, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF BOTH THE SCHOOL AND THE TEACHER, THEY ARE ABLE TO BRING THEM TOGETHER AND GET THE RIGHT RESULT FOR ALL INVOLVED

STEWART MCCOY, CHAIR OF THE REC EDUCATION SECTOR

invest in professional support for supply teachers

invest in careers advice for young people

invest in support specifically for NQTs

of agencies charge a margin between 15-30% for

temporary assignments

60%

91%

invest in workshops for pupils

24%

This helps cover any of the following:

NationalInsurance

Holidaypay

Support to schools

CPDopportunities

Backgroundchecks

Pre-bookingmanagement

NI

26

NewsUpdate

Build your own empire in the heart of Dewsbury

Empire House can accommodate you if you are starting your own business and need a small serviced office. Equally, if you are looking to expand or operate a larger business with open plan office space and meeting rooms then Empire House can meet your requirements.

We can offer you furnished offices tailored to your specification with IT and telecom facilities. You

will benefit from all-inclusive accommodation packages, flexible lease arrangements suited to your individual requirement and budget as well as additional services including car parking, cleaning, low cost storage space and general maintenance.

With the support of our dedicated in-house management team all you will need to focus on is your own business.

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Contemporary, stylish, DDA compliant office accommodation and prominent retail space with good footfall due to the close proximity of the Market Place and shops.


Staff from leading Elland-based print solutions ABS UK Ltd, have returned from a life-changing volunteer trip to India and Sri Lanka.

Four employees from the firm embarked on the charity mission in October to lend their support to a local school and orphanage.

The one-in-a-lifetime experience was organised through ABS’ charitable arm, the ABS Foundation, which supports community projects.

David Lees, CSR and marketing coordinator at ABS, kicked off the mission by revisiting the school to see how their funding had helped and to discuss future projects including new toilet and playground facilities and new flooring to help improve the facilities and environment for the children. The company has estimated

it would need to raise £5000 over the next quarter in order to deliver this.

David then joined three of his fellow ABS colleagues in Sri Lanka at the Eliya Children’s Home. The volunteers spent three days at the children’s home and took part in vegetable cultivation, gardening, water pipe repairs, IT literacy training and general maintenance of the home. The team also delivered clothes and toys to the orphans and to a nearby charity for the disabled, which had been donated by their colleagues.

Since 2015, ABS has donated more than £18k to the children’s home, which has helped the home build a new infirmary and install solar panels. The solar panels have helped the home to make a saving of 95% on their monthly energy bills.

Huddersfield based display specialist The Wonderworks stepped into the shoes of Father Christmas with gifts for the Honley Business Association.

Supporting the association with their second annual Christmas event, The Wonderworks donated animated penguins and a polar bear to the Santa’s grotto display as part of the “What’s happening in Honley” Christmas lights switch on, which saw over 2000 people in attendance.

Adele Oxley, on behalf of Honley Business association commented; “Honley Business Association would like to thank The Wonderworks for all their help with the Santa’s Grotto. The display would not have looked as spectacular without their creation and we have had many positive comments from both parents and children alike.”

Rob Curran, Director of The Wonderworks added: “As we know all too well at The Wonderworks, Christmas is a magical time for many and we are delighted to have helped Honley Business Association bring the magic of Christmas to the local community”.

The Wonderworks Bring Christmas to Honley

ABS staff return from life changing trip

Petr Pospisil, David Lees, Stacey Langley and Ben Tighe

Rob Curran - Managing Director, The Wonderworks

By Michelle Hodgson, Director of the Huddersfield Literature Festival

Bringing words to life

No chickens were harmed...

Darth Vader, Indian dancing and exploding chickens may not be the obvious things you’d expect to see at a literature festival, but in Huddersfield we

like to do things a little differently.

When I took over as Festival Director of the Huddersfield Literature Festival in November

2012, there was £40.70 in the bank and the festival hadn’t run that year.

With a background in publishing, event management, PR and newspapers, I jumped at

the chance to get involved.

As the festival runs in March, I got straight on to my publishing contacts to book authors

and on to my business contacts (I run a copywriting company in Huddersfield) to

generate some sponsorship.

The School of Music, Humanities and Media at the University of Huddersfield also offered a

grant and free use of space. Four months later, with the help of student volunteers, the festival was relaunched for a long weekend of events.

28

Photo Credit: All images unless stated Jonathan Jacob Photography Ltd - www.jjacobphotography.co.uk

Huddersfield Literature FestivalHealth & Beauty


A joint Kirklees Library Services event with US novelist Jodi Picoult brought 450 people to Huddersfield Town Hall, and we were fortunate to have the support of an internationally bestselling author who lives locally, Joanne Harris (Chocolat, The Gospel of Loki), who continues to offer her time to the festival every year.

But we also started our trend for the unusual by with a Manga Convention, a Byron-inspired performance poem accompanied by live cello music, and a ‘Shuddersfield’ ghost tour to accompany a book of ghost stories by The League of Gentlemen writer Jeremy Dyson.

From Kate Adie to Afternoon TeaIn 2014, we stepped things up and ran a 10-day festival – after all, we had the luxury of a year to prepare! However, a lot of work went on behind the scenes, establishing the festival as an independent, not-for-profit limited company, getting policies in place, setting up a steering committee and relauching the website. The 2014 festival attracted 550 people to the Town Hall for a talk by reporter Kate Adie and launched some new events: Polari Up North, showcasing LGBT writers; a fun Literary Afternoon Tea; and some open mic events.

Other highlights: our Patron, the poet Lemn Sissay MBE gave an inspirational talk about growing up in care and drama students from the University of Huddersfield performed a piece about the terrible treatment of ‘deserters’ in the First World War.

The Annapurna Indian Dancers delighted audiences with their storytelling, music and dance performance, and Lilian Bellamy from Radio 4’s The Archers – aka Sunny Ormonde – presented a wonderfully original cabaret-style show.

No chickens were harmed…In 2015 we ran our first Poetry Slam, which was a huge success; Helen Lederer and David Nobbs went down a storm at our Afternoon Tea and we ran our first events for National Libraries Day.We also secured a pop-up shop at the local Packhorse Centre, where we held a free Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland-inspired day, with balloon twisting/storytelling, face painting, children’s croquet and a ‘Pin the smile on the Cheshire Cat’ competition. On a more serious note, author Matt Haig gave a truly memorable talk on depression, as recounted in his book Reasons to Stay Alive. US slam poet Jamie DeWolf gave a lecture on Scientology – he is the great-grandson of L Ron Hubbard and an outspoken critic of the ‘family business’. Jamie also generously gave his time to do some outreach work with the Kirklees Youth Offending Team.

Darth Vader came to MajikkonOur growing Manga, Anime

Huddersfield - Literature Festival

Jamie DeWolf

LtoR Kate Pearson, 'Alice', Cat Lumb, 'Mad Hatter'

Wilf' Lunn with chicken

Manga Con, Cosplay singerVG Lee, Polari Up North, Byram Arcade

30

NewsUpdate

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS IN BUSINESS

Would the flexibilityof reduced fixed costs

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Huddersfield - Literature Festival

and Comic Con – surrounded by Stormtroopers. Majikkon is taking a break in 2016 while we sort out a new venue but will return in 2017.

And the exploding chicken? Local inventor Wilf Lunn gave a fascinating talk, with several experiments including blowing up a model chicken. We promise no animals were harmed during the making of this show!

HLF2016 – our 10th anniversaryThis year’s festival marks our 10th anniversary and it promises to be the biggest and best yet.

We have secured grants from the Arts Council and Kirklees Council as well as the University of Huddersfield and continue to receive invaluable support from the local business community. This includes Huddersfield law firm, Wilkinson Woodward, which has generously provided sponsorship for the past three years and remains on board for HLF2016.

So what can audiences expect to see in March 2016? Spearheading our National Libraries Day celebrations in February is An Evening With Explorer Levison Wood at the Town Hall. Following the success of his book and TV series Walking the Nile, Levison has been busy Walking the Himalayas and will be hotfooting it to Huddersfield on Tuesday 9 February.

We are also delighted to welcome a new business sponsor on board. Stafflex will be partnering with HLF for the Stafflex/HLF Big Screen Day on Saturday 27 February, with free family films and children’s activities and author talks.

The festival runs from 3-13 March, with all of our regular events, plus lots more. Joanne Harris will be presenting a storytelling and musical event, discussing the Brontës with Clare Harman, author

of an acclaimed new biography of Charlotte Brontë, and presenting an In Conversation with novelist Christopher Fowler as part of our crime-themed afternoon.

Lemn Sissay is returning, this time to discuss Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, with his great-nephew Dr Asfa-Wossen Asserate.Meanwhile, anyone with a budding scientist in the family – or interested in the question ‘are we alone in the universe?’, should beam down to a talk by comedian and actor Ben Miller (Armstrong & Miller, Death in Paradise, Doctor Who), based on his new popular science book The Aliens Are Coming!

The centenary of the birth of one of Huddersfield’s most famous sons and British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, falls during the festival, on 11 March 2016. On this date we will be partnering with the University of Huddersfield for the annual Harold Wilson lecture, presented by politician and writer Alan Johnson MP.

The festival will continue to work with local groups and schools – at our November festival Preview, a refugee we invited through Huddersfield Town of Sanctuary read a poem about his experiences. Although one of our aims is to increase visitor numbers to the town, we are very much rooted in the local community and always welcome new volunteers, who do so much to make the festival a success every year. Hope to see you there!

The 10th anniversary Huddersfield Literature Festival, HLF2016, runs from 3-13 March with additional events for National Libraries Day in February. For more information, please visit www.litfest.org.uk or email: [email protected]

Levison Wood

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Hanson Chartered Surveyors was established in October 1989, by Mark Hanson BSc FRICS to service the needs of clients expecting direct and uncomplicated advice

Genuine Optimism for 2016With less than two weeks to Christmas, I got the call for my December article from the publisher. Demands from our clients are high with pending transactions and agreements being under pressure to be completed by Christmas and I have to write an article!

What is it about Christmas and this particular date to have to have things done by? Why do we allow ourselves to be put under such apparent pressure? Why do we put others under the same pressure?

Is it the proximity of the calendar year end, or is it because we want a break with a clear head and conscience? It isn’t anything to do with the religious holiday. If it were, we would be under the same pressure at Easter. There is some pressure coming up to April and the financial year end, but nothing that compares with Christmas.

It is the same every year, (worse last year as we moved to our existing offices a year ago to the day after 25 years at The Old Gatehouse) but in fact, it is quite helpful because some matters which have been allowed to drift are more often brought to a head quickly as the psychologically significant, but otherwise thoroughly unimportant date (economically) of Christmas Eve looms.

We have done some of our best deals historically at this time of year. I get asked every year “can you have a look at this, or that tomorrow – you must be quiet coming up to Christmas”. What sort of business are these folk in I wonder? Why can they possibly think that we are sat around twiddling our thumbs? We fit all, or

most requests in, but some can be difficult.

One such came in yesterday. “Oh Mark, can you have a look at a building I want to buy? We have agreed a deal. We just want to make sure we’re getting value for money. Oh yes – remember to bring your ladders. It is four storeys high but the stairs have been removed for security purposes. We need to finalise the contract by Christmas (why?) and will also need a structural survey”.

We will get something done for this new client in time, but why the need for Christmas? Does the vendor change into a white mouse on Christmas day? Of course not. It is a convenient date to aim at so we all start the New Year afresh.

2016 looks to be shaping up nicely

with much that will be reported, but the most important ingredient – confidence – is slowly coming back in the regions and locally. It is interesting to see that the OECD latest report on economic growth in the UK is very optimistic, even inflationary growth is projected through 2016. This is likely to include base rate increase(s) to stem demand through the year. We do not need to hold anything up in the regions, but discussions concerning regional devolution may also play a part.

Meanwhile, whilst the economists make their forecasts, and the politicians argue over devolution, to say nothing of the vote on Europe, industry and commerce continues to fund public services and the profit motive remains the real power house in the north. Bring on 2016!

32

FashionUpdate

By Katie PortmanFreelance journalist and award winning lifestyle blogger at Pouting In Heels.www.poutinginheels.comTweet: @KateLPortman

Five Ways To A New (More Stylish) You This Year

So if you’ve felt more frump than fabulous this year, then fret not! Here are five simple things you can do to help you look and feel your very best this coming year.

GET RUTHLESSWe’ve all got those pesky items in our wardrobes that we never wear, usually from years gone by or stuff we bought on a quick whim.

But these garments are taking up precious room in your wardrobe and clouding your judgement, so it’s time to ditch them.

Grab some black bags, be ruthless and remove anything that you no longer love, no longer fits or doesn’t make you feel incredible. Life is far too short to wear clothes that make you feel less than your absolute best.

(If in doubt about an item, try it on and observe your posture and facial expressions. When we wear something we love, we tend to stand prouder and

generally smile!)BE HONESTWhat are the parts of your body that you love the most?

We’ve all got areas of our bodies that we don’t particularly like (and that’s OK), but the key is to not worry about those (or think anyone else notices them) and concentrate on the areas that you are happy with.

Otherwise known as your best bits.

So if you’ve got incredible legs, wear short skirts or skinny jeans to show them off. If you’ve got shapely breasts, wear tops and dresses that flatter your shape.

Dress for you and own your shape.

PLAY AROUNDIf you can’t remember the last time you tried on something different or had a new haircut, it’s time to start experimenting.It’s very easy to get stuck in a style rut, especially when life is busy, which is why it’s always good to shake things up a bit

and try something new.Fashion is supposed to be fun! So experiment, play around and dare to try things you would never have thought of in a million years. Your findings may just surprise you.

SEEK INSPIRATIONIf you’ve lost your way with style or your wardrobe no longer suits your life, then there’s only one thing for it - it’s time to look around for inspiration.

Read some style books, go on Pinterest, visit some fashion blogs and rip out anything you come across in a magazine that takes your fancy or ‘speaks to you’.

Finding new ideas is the first step in helping you to discover a new, more stylish, you.

ASK FOR HELPWe all struggle with our style from time to time. So if you really are at crisis point and have no idea how to move forward, then call in an expert.

There are some brilliant fashion stylists out there, who can come to your home and give you advice and guidance, as well as tips.

Or alternatively if it’s something in particular you need, like a new work wardrobe, make sure you take advantage of the great personal shoppers that all major department stores now offer.

And finally, don’t forget to reach out to your closest friends and ask for their opinion. Or better still, make an occasion of it and invite them to your wardrobe revamp party and ask them to help you go through your racks, with some fizz in hand.

What could be more fabulous than that?!


Nicky has been described by her clients as a genius in sales and a quick visit to her website www.nickypattinson.com will explain why

I wake up every morning laughing at the joke that was played on me in my younger life. Society and expectations were different – to conform and ‘be accepted’ was where we were – in life, in business, in ourselves. I was told by my Mother, teachers and bosses ‘You speak like that love – and you will never be anything.’

Really?

I mean, anyone who has ever met me will know I have the strongest of Holmfirth accents, which does not get reigned in to project an untruth of who I am and where I came from - for ANYONE!

Millions of pounds in new business contracts later (yes millions – the magic of new business has never left me. It’s the thrill of it all, it changes everything – not just bank balances of the aspiring and already rich – but lives). I’ve spoken to many thousands from the stage, yes - Yorkshire to Timbuktu. My heart fluttering with every gig I do. – and thereby I’ve created my own little ‘place in the world.’ I like it here – in the principality of Nicky.

I would strongly contest the out dated and often destructive concept of bending to someone elses messed

up picture of what business dialogue should be. That is the concept of putting an untruth into the world that to be honest – the recipient of such will always know on some level – that ‘this is not real’ - if your presence even gets acknowledged in the first place.

It’s not your fault though! – every day I meet people who sell allsorts, from the top legal brains in the country (they still have to ‘sell’) to my good friends on the pizza counter at TESCO. They were all inducted into a world of ‘trance words’ that never reach the buyers consciousness. Never move people enough to unfreeze the wallet and be compelled to relate to you – over all others. ‘All others’ being the rest of the saturated market of whatever business you are in…

If we hear the same business phrase more than say…3 times, we don’t just delete the words, we delete the person saying them. I’ve lost count of how many lovely shop girls and boys who have enthusiastically enquired ‘can I help you’ to customers – only to be blanked with ‘No thanks’, followed by a cold shoulder.

I've had experience in that situation enough times - and they may think its themselves who are flawed in some way, or the customer is a pompous ass, or even – as I was told in one business – ‘90% of our customers are on anti –

depressants or have got some kind of severe mental disability that causes them to be aggressive’.

No. We just need to craft the words that connect us to our buying public in a real and genuine way – expressing our engulfing desire to help – and ‘be someone’ in the world. And delete the kind of lingo a politician would use when evading an issue – ie: getting to the end of a sentence and actually saying NOTHING. Revealing NOTHING of themselves – so there is no character, no soul and no personality to relate to in the first place.

They say ‘people buy people’ – yes they do. But I’m asking how YOU project the real self that people can see clearly why they should have you in their world?

If you don’t get emails returned , If customers leave never really knowing you or the business any better than when they came in – and if you feel frustrated, never really expressed in the world, never really received by your buying public – maybe its time to think again about what is true – really you and what you are actually trying to convey?

Leave the ‘it’s a numbers game’ ‘blue sky thinking’ ‘we pride ourselves on our customer service’ speeches to the polititians. After all – there are a lot of people out there…. But there is only one you!

And in the beginning was the WORD ( and of course…the accent)

TopicUK recently caught up with the very successful entreprenur, business woman and public speaker Nicky Pattinson who has shared with our readers, her thoughts on how to win that elusive new business.

34

EntertainmentUpdate

To Plato it was ‘the Imitation of Nature’. In the 19th Century photography took over and gave us a different interpretation....a portrait in time and space. When abstract Art took hold in the 20th Century it overturned the concept of representation and became Expressive, a different way of looking. Paul Klee expressed ‘Art reveals the essential or hidden truth’. An eight year old I know thinks Magrittes Hegel’s Holiday: the painting of an umbrella with a glass of water on it, is literally just that! Maybe we need an eight year old to tell us the truth about Art.

Well if you are looking for a version of the truth about ART just go to the Hepworth on a Preview night.....the night before an exhibition starts. It is an invited audience consisting of exhibition contributors and or their foundation representatives and families, Hepworth patrons, members, staff, and other supporters. Its a good thing to do, invite people who support what you do, I salute that.

However when a relative went to a recent preview she felt the staff a tad overbearing. She is an adult and does understand that exhibits need to be respected and viewed with care. It is really patronising to tell someone not to look through an exhibit but go around and look at it from the other side. Really. You don’t say! Is that Art imitating idiocy?What if it had been one of the legion of people who don’t usually go to Art Galleries or Theatre’s because they believe its for the ‘upper classes - arty people? Their assumptions would be confirmed that the truth about ART is its a precious thing, it’s for the elite, for those who are ‘in the know’.

The truth is, it’s for those who come with their subjectivity and first timer’s innocence, it’s for the honest 8 year old who sees Magritte in a simple form, it’s for the Art historians, the Patrons, the experts, the appreciators, those in the know and those not. That’s the hidden truth about ART, it’s for all of us.

What is ART? Well there’s an ongoing debate. A lot of us I suspect, ART is what you like.

If you want to see ART in an innovative space that is the Award Winning Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield, go visit and seek the hidden truth for yourself.

A variety of Exhibitions including: • Wild Girl - Gertrude Hermes and Enrico David to to Jan 24th 2016.• The Rhubarb Triangle & other stories - Photographs by Martin Parr starts 4th Feb - June 2016.• The Greater Freedom: Barbara Hepworth to April 2016.• Des Hughes: Stretch to Spring 2016.• Plaster Casts and Copies 8th May 2016 to end of November 2015.

by Kate Honeyman

The Truth about ART ?

JANUARY

12th IDA (Film) Wakefield Film Club @ Unity Works, Wakefield

13th Dorre + easy Bake Snooty Fox, Brunswick St, Wakefield 01924 782929

15th Dragged into Sunlight,Gnaw their Tongue, DUNE,

Brudenell Social Club, Leeds,( see website for times)

20th The Hisras Snooty Fox, Brunswick Street, Wakefield

22nd Panjumby Jazz Club, Eastmoor Sports & Social Club, Wakefield 01924 684775

23rd Let’s Hang On (Musical) Theatre Royal, Westgate, Wakefiield 01924 21131130

23rd T-rextasy (7pm) Warehouse, Smythe Street, Wakefield

26th Linda Ortega Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (see website for info)

27th Wakefield Art Walk Various venues - see Art Walk website starts 5pm (free)

30th The Clone Roses Unity Works, Westgate, Wakefield. 01924 831114

February

5th Ian Dixon-Les Chisnall Duo Jazz Club, Eastmoor Sports & Social Club, Wakefield

5th Yorkshire Rats Snooty Fox, Brunswick St, Wakefield

6th Craig Charles Funk & Soul Unity Works, Westgate, Wakefield 01924 831114

12th Graeme Wilson Quartet Jazz Club, Eastmoor Sports and Social Club, Wakefield

19th to 21st Festival of Food Various activities see Experience Wakefield site (WMDC) Drink and Rhubarb

20th Rhubarb Rocks & Rhubarb JamVenue TBA

Fringe event for Rhubarb Festival hosted by Wakefield Music Collective 01924 695060/07913170445

20th Cotton Club - 1920’s New York Musical Theatre Royal, Westgate, Wakefield. 01924 211311

27th BADASS BASH Snooty Fox All Dayer, Brunswick St, Wakefield

29th - March 5th Avenue Q -Musical Theatre Royal, Westgate, Wakefield

Also Open Mics in Wakefield at Black Horse and The Waggon (Sun) The Hop (Mon), The Bull & Fairhouse (Thur) and The Bull Sessions every 3rd Sunday.

Live Music every Friday and Saturday at The Bull and Fairhouse and The Hop (downstairs), also at Players Bar and Snooty Fox. Various gigs at The Hop (upstairs) see website for listingsSee Unity Works listings for all their events, music, comedy nights.

January & February Entertainment Listings

Continued over v

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that when a worker increases their working hours, any annual leave which has already been accrued does not need to be recalculated retrospectively to take into account the increased hours. The case does differ in relation to future leave entitlement, which should be recalculated to reflect the increase in working hours.

The law covering annual leave is contained in the Working Time Regulations 1998. Full time workers are entitled to a minimum of 20 days’ (four weeks’) annual leave per year; employees also have the right to an additional 8 days’ (1.6 weeks’) annual leave under regulation 13A. The Part Time Worker Regulations set the pro rata principle which is applied in the case of part time workers so that part time workers receive the same proportion of holidays as full time workers.

In a recent case Ms Greenfield was employed in the care industry, working different days and hours each week. In July 2012 Ms Greenfield took some annual leave, at which point she was working one day a week. She had taken more than her leave entitlement for that period. From August 2012 Ms Greenfield increased her hours and was working 12 days at work, 12 days off work. She requested one week’s annual leave but the employer refused, stating that she had exhausted her entitlement.

Ms Greenfield successfully claimed for the week’s holiday pay in the Employment Tribunal. The Employer appealed and the case was stayed following a reference made to the ECJ on the issue. Ms Greenfield’s case was that the law requires that leave already accrued and taken should be retrospectively recalculated and adjusted after the increase in working hours. The employer argued that this is not the case.

The decision of the European Court of Justice stated that the law does not require a retrospective recalculation and adjustment of leave already accrued whether this leave had been taken or not. However, the leave going

forward must be recalculated to take into account the increased hours. Case law is clear in showing that a reduction in hours cannot reduce the right to annual leave which has already been accumulated during full time work. Annual leave must be calculated separately for each different working time period.

Employers should take care to look at each period of work carefully when employees change working patterns. Holiday entitlement should be reviewed when employees change working patterns and the matter should be discussed with them to avoid any confusion and to manage expectations. The recent case has shown that care should be taken when employees increase their hours in relation to annual leave entitlement going forward.

Treatment of employees in ‘truly parallel circumstances’

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has clarified previous guidance relating to cases where employees involved in similar acts of misconduct are treated differently by employers; most commonly where one employee is dismissed and the other is not. It has been confirmed that the relevant question is still whether the employer has acted reasonably towards the employee who has been dismissed irrespective of what action has been taken against the other employee. Whilst the disparity between the treatment of the two employees will sometimes be relevant when assessing whether the employer acted reasonably, the circumstances will need to be what the Employment Appeal Tribunal called ‘truly parallel’.

One consideration in an unfair dismissal case involving alleged disparity of treatment involves the previous actions of the employer and how employees involved in similar situations or have been guilty of similar misconduct have

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled

that when a worker increases

their working hours, any annual

leave which has already been accrued does

not need to be recalculated

retrospectively to take into account

the increased hours.

Each issue Chadwick Lawrence, Yorkshire’s Legal People share with TopicUK & Close UP readers information to keep us all within the law. If you have a legal question, or need to know about a particular subject, email [email protected] and we’ll get Chadwick Lawrence to answer it for you!

Part time worker holiday recalculation

Employee Service

YOU CAN RELY ON US TO TAKECARE OF EVERYTHING FOR YOU

chadwicklawrence.co.uk

Wills & Probate ExpertsOur dedicated Wills & Probate team are highly trained with many years’ experience to help you on

all areas of wills and probates. We handle these issues with professionalism and understanding

and take care of everything in the correct manner.

To speak to our team, call 0800 015 0340 today

Employee Services Wills & ProbateFamily Law Personal Injury Home & PropertyMedical Negligence Dispute Resolution

38

LegalMatters

Unfortunately, (or perhaps fortunately), it is a fact that more and more of us are living longer and will require long term care on our later years.

Care fees are very costly and can cause people to worry about losing their family home. However, a care home provider cannot force the sale of your home if certain conditions apply. This article sets out the instances when your home will be disregarded for care home purposes and some of the ways to fund your care.

The cost of care home fees is usually dependent on location and care needs. On average the annual cost of residential care in the West Yorkshire and Humber region is £25,500, however, this can rise to £34,500 if nursing care is also required. You will be expected to contribute to the cost of your care even if you are in the residential home temporarily however, as your stay is temporary your home will not be counted as capital.

Your Local Authority is responsible for arranging funding for people who are assessed as needing care in a care home and needing assistance with funding. If you do not meet the criteria for needing care, the Local Authority are not under an obligation to provide financial support.

If you do qualify as having eligible care needs, your Local Authority has a duty to meet these needs, but they can charge for their services. If you meet the criteria, a financial assessment of both capital and income will be undertaken to calculate the individual’s contribution towards the cost of their care.

This assessment is carried out by applying a nationally set means test, which is as follows:

1. If you live in the UK and have over £23,250 in capital (this includes your home, savings and investments) you will be assessed as being able to meet the full costs of your care.

2. If your capital is between £14,250 and £23,250, you will contribute £1 per week for each £250 of capital between these two figures.

3. If you are assessed as having below £14,250 you will get maximum support although you will need to contribute from your income less £23.50 for personal expenses.

For couples, only the partner requiring care should be means tested and only half your pension/joint savings should be taken into account. In order to accelerate financial help, it is better to have separate single accounts meeting care costs paid from the account of the person needing care.

After you permanently move into a care home, there is a 12 week disregard in respect of your property. Furthermore, your home would not be counted as capital if the following people reside there:

1. Your spouse or civil partner

2. A close relative over the age of 60

3. An incapacitated person

4. A dependant child

5. An ex-spouse/civil partner who is a lone parent.

From April 2015 your Local Authority must provide each individual who has been assessed, with a personal budget which shows their calculations of how much they should pay towards your eligible needs. The amount of money in your budget will depend on the needs identified in your personal care plan. It is designed to allow you to arrange your care in the way you think best and provide you with an appropriate level of support.

NHS FundingNHS Continuing Care covers the costs of the nursing element (including medical care, personal care, living costs and accommodation costs) of any care

Are You Concerned About Care Home Fees?

been disciplined and sanctioned. Where one employee is dismissed and the other is not for the same misconduct, the dismissal will only be unfair if the employees had been led to believe that the employer would overlook such behaviour or at least not dismiss the employee for such behaviour, or where the misconduct was not the real reason for the dismissal.

In the recent case an incident occurred at an event arranged by the employer out-side of the work place. Following a verbal altercation, one employee “kneed” another and was punched in retaliation. The em-ployee who kneed the other later sent the other seven texts threatening violence. He did not, in fact, take any further action. Whilst the employee who punched the other was dismissed, the second employ-ee was given a final written warning for sending the violent text messages. The employer took the view that although he had kneed his colleague, this was not done with force or aggression and was not sufficiently provocative for his colleague to react by punching him. The employer felt that the text messages were Mr an immediate response to being punched; in other words he was provoked.

The dismissed employee brought a claim for unfair dismissal. Having initially won his case, the matter eventually reached the EAT, who held that the dismissal was fair. In some circumstances, the disparity between the treatment of employees is a relevant factor to be considered, however the tribunal must look at the guidance in previous cases carefully. Where employers treat employees in ‘truly parallel circum-stances’ differently, it may be unreasona-ble but not always.

Employers should be mindful of the test for unfair dismissal and in circum-stances where employees are in similar circumstances and are treated differently. Employers need to be conscious that they take a consistent approach towards employee misconduct, though the mere fact that two given employees are treated differently is unlikely to be a reason for unfair dismissal on its own unless the circumstances are ‘truly parallel’.


The team at the Wakefield branch of a large optical company celebrated not one, but two wins at the firm’s annual Christmas awards dinner recently. Valli Opticians – which acquired AH Merton’s Ltd in a recent takeover – hosted the dinner to recognise the staff who have gone above and beyond in terms of customer care, as well as help boost team spirit. The evening, organised by company MD Moin Valli, took place at Bertie’s @La Cachette restaurant in Elland, with smiles all round as delighted team members walked away with an accolade or two. The Wakefield team was nominated for the ‘Valli Group Best Act of Customer Service 2015’ award after being nominated by company MD, Moin. Going on to win the award, the branch was absolutely thrilled, thanks to the care and attention team member, Lisa Mosley showed a customer.

After a blood vessel on a customer’s leg burst on the shop floor, Lisa rushed to her aid – and despite all the blood, was able to assist her in a calm, friendly and

confident manner. Calling for an ambulance and helping to clean the store afterwards, Lisa was dubbed by her fellow team mates as a ‘hero’. The Wakefield team, based at Barbara Watson Eyecare on Leeds Road, was doubly delighted when team member – Adelle Mitchell was presented with the overall company ‘Employee of the Year 2015’ accolade (sponsored by Rodenstock).

The awards follows Moin Valley’s recent acquisition of seven-strong optical group A H Merton’s Ltd. Doubling the number of stores in the Kirklees-based group but almost trebling turnover and staff, the takeover makes Valli Opticians one of the largest independent groups of opticians in the UK.

“The Wakefield team is passionate about eye care and continually update their product knowledge in order to advise our patients on the right choice of eyewear that gives optimum vision and comfort.“You can’t train people to be nice – our team care and want to provide exceptional customer service on a consistent basis – not just occasionally.

“I am absolutely thrilled the Wakefield branch is doing so well – the awards are very well deserved and I am confident our loyal patients will agree and new patients to our practice will be delighted to experience the level of service from the team. They certainly take time to focus on you!”

For more about the Valli group of opticians, or to book an appointment, head to www.valliopticians.co.uk

Seeing Double: Two Award Wins for Wakefield-based Opticians

that a person is assessed as needing, which is provided in a nursing home or at the individual’s home.

Eligibility depends on the type of illness (based on its nature, complexity, intensity and unpredictability) not on the care needs. There is a comprehensive assessment of physical, mental, psychological and emotional needs by NHS multi-disciplinary team however the tests are extremely stringent and difficult to clearly define.

Self – Funded1. From savings/investments

2. Deferred payment schemes

3. By renting our your home and using rental income to pay your fees

4. Equity Release schemes

5. Selling your home

6. Care fee annuity

If you are self funded, you can still take advice from your Local Authority in respect of the best way to manage your care. You can also pay the Local Authority to arrange the services for you and they will charge you the same as their charge for someone whose care they are funding.

At Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors we strongly advise you NOT to transfer your assets or property in to the names of others as this may be considered a ‘deliberate deprivation of an asset’. If you are giving away an asset to another person specifically to avoid paying care home fees, your Local Authority has no time limit as to how far back it can go to find out if you have given away an asset in order to avoid having to pay care home fees and they can reverse this transaction.

If you have the means to pay your care home fees then this will ultimately need to be paid from your assets, including your home. This cost may be met upon your death from the sale of your home. A Will trust can protect at least half of your property’s value from being used to fund care home fees.

The specialist solicitors at Chadwick Lawrence can advise you in respect of setting up a Will trust to protect your property for your beneficiaries. However, the earlier you start planning for this, the more effective it will be. Great care should be taken in the timing and creation of such trusts and we can ensure this is done correctly for you.

We at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors can provide you with specific, tailored advice in respect of planning for future care home fee liability. If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact one of our experienced solicitors on 01484 519999

40

Wining&Dining

For the Mousse:• 6 oz. dark best quality chocolate• 3 egg whites• 1 vanilla pod with the seeds scraped

out.• 1 1/2 oz butter• 3 egg yolks• 3 tablespoons hot water

Directions:In a bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt the broken up chocolate. Add the butter and vanilla, gently whisking all the while.

Add the egg yolks, one at a time, gently whisking constantly. Take off the heat. Add the hot water, stirring it in with the whisk. Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold into the cooled but not cold chocolate mixture.Pour into serving dishes and chill over-night before serving.

Toasted almond brittle• 4oz flaked almonds• 8oz white sugerEnough water to cover the sugar twice

Directions:In a small pan bring the water and sugar combined to the boil. Turn down the heat to a simmer, stirring constantly till all the sugar is dissolved. Turn the heat up to a boil. Rapidly boil the sugar and water. In the mean time toast the flaked almonds, shaking them around till golden all over. Scatter the almonds on a small tray lined with non stick baking paper on the bottom. When the sugar and water start turning golden brown, take off the heat and pour evenly over the almonds. Leave to cool.

When cold gently bang the tray on a hard surface. The almond brittle should break up into shards.Take the mousses out of the fridge an hour before serving.When you are ready to serve, stick the shards of brittle at angles in top of the mousse.

Janet and Simon Baker opened the doors to Gimbals Restaurant in 1995 with the aim of bringing simple but sumptuous, seasonal food to the quaint Yorkshire village of Sowerby Bridge, and that remains their passion today.

The cooking at Gimbals is modern yet rustic using wild, organic, locally sourced ingredients as much as possible, which adds a Yorkshire earthiness to the fayre.

They create honest dishes, inspired by both classic and more unusual flavour combinations, brought together by the skills of their talented chefs. Janet has a flair for decor and her show stopping finds, such as an actual Blackpool illumination, help to create a seductively decadent restaurant atmosphere and a unique upstairs lounge area. Here one can enjoy artisan cocktails with friends, relax on a chesterfield with an aperitif or sink into a sofa with an after dinner coffee.

Whatever the occasion, Gimbals promises to create a truly special evening for you.

This issue Janet has provided our readers with a beautiful Chocolate mousse and as usual we have asked a member of the business community to make the dish and let us know how they got on.

For those of you who would like to have a go at making the dish for yourself, we have listed the full recipe and all the ingredients you will need.

Take a look at their websitehttp://www.gimbals.co.uk/ Or call to book a table 01422 839 329

.

Once again, we return to the beautiful Gimbals restaurant, in the village of Sowerby Bridge, to bring you a delicious dessert. This quick and easy dish is just the ticket after Christmas, to give a little boost to those dark evenings. Never mind the diets, wouldn’t it be terrible if our last meal had been lettuce!

Portuguese chocolate mousse with toasted almond brittle

If you would like to take part in a future wining and dining feature, drop us a line at [email protected] or ring Gill on 07711 539047

Movember Awards Party Raises funds for Men’s HealthOn 30 November, staff from Stafflex joined forces with Sam Watt and her team from The Star Inn at Folly Hall, to host the second Huddersfield Movember Awards at Lockwood Park Rugby Club, featuring the Big Hairy Shave Off.

The winner of the coveted Stafflex Movember of the Year Award was Ash Naylor, beating into second place by a close shave, last year’s winner, Chris Liversidge of Northlight Physio.

Other category winners were:• ‘The Healthiest Mo of the Year’ -

Robert Mallelieu sponsored by Prohms Occupational Health

• ‘The Fittest Mo of the Year Award’ - Chris Liversidge sponsored by Brian Stahelin

• ‘The Star Mo of the Year Award’- Adam Fazakerley sponsoredby The Star Inn

• ‘The Mo Teacher of the Year Award’ - Jonathan Stahelin-Hall sponsored by Kirklees College

• ‘For Those That Can’t Mo Award’ - Nick Briggs sponsored by

• Northlight Physio

“The Awards featuring The Big Hairy Shave Off is a great way of getting lots of people together, in a fun way, for a very serious cause. Approximately 100 people braved the weather with 10 Mo contenders entering the competition to be crowned Stafflex Movember of the Year. Alltogether, with the raffle and the fundraising taking place throughout Movember at the Star Inn, well over £2,500 was raised,” Poppy Stahelin from Stafflex told us.

Thanks also to John Steel Photography for taking pictures of the event. Photos can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/1LNR4BU.

42

NewsUpdate

Run by the lovely John and Ceilia, it’s one of the most picturesque places you will ever visit, and completely carbon neutral.

Nestled right in Snowdonia National Park near a reservoir, it is just 200m from the local steam railway, and has views that are hard to beat – with all mod cons thrown in.

There are ensuite bedrooms, a nice cosy dining room with a log fire and even a sauna.

But John and Ceilia also bake their own bread and keep ducks, who will provide the eggs for your scrumptious Full English.

Our two kids (three and five) loved getting up in the morning to feed the ducks with the beautiful countryside all around them, and then chomping their way through a hearty breakfast.

Built in 1883 for the local slate mine

manager, the house now runs on solar power with a biomass boiler fed by wood pellets. It even has two electric charging points for cars. And as a gateway to Mount Snowdon and all the wonders of this part of the world, it’s hard to beat.

If you’re into rambling, John is a qualified guide and can show you around, and he can even take you out on the water because he’s also a qualified canoe and kayak instructor. He used to teach autistic and disabled children too, so you won’t find a more patient host.

But it’s not just ramblers and climbers who come here. City-dwellers visit to get away from it all, twitchers come to spot local Ospreys and Red Kite, and thrill-seekers come for the adventure.North Wales is becoming one of the UK’s biggest hotpots for Adventure Holidays because of the amount of disused slate mines in the area.

Visitors can go Extreme Caving at

Conwy Falls, near the beautiful village of Betws-y-Coed, with Go Below, who also give you the chance to try out all 130m of the longest undergound zip line in the world.Or you can take a trip to the nearby Llechwedd Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog where even children as young as three can go trampolining underground.

The big attraction for us though was the local castles. Our two children love pretending to be knights and hearing scary stories about times of yore.So they were in their element here learning about the Princes of Gwynedd, whose bloodthirsty history spans 900 years and left its mark on the modern landscape. If castles are your thing too, you’ll love this part of Wales, which is why the Government have pumped £112,000 into their Princes of Gwynedd scheme through Cadw, their historic environment service. Criccieth Castle is probably the most spectacular, sitting high on a headland above Tremadog Bay, which also boasts a lovely beach. But even more impressive is Conwy Castle. Built for Edward I in the 13th century and beautifully preserved as a World Heritage Site, it’s well worth a visit. The romantic, windswept ruins of Dolwyddelan Castle are also great for capturing the imagination, and the views of the surrounding countryside are magical.

But wherever you go you can be sure of a warm welcome back at Bryn Elltyd, and you won’t have to worry about your carbon footprint.

Why fly to the Alps when you can go mountain climbing in your own back garden?

Eco TourismGoing Green in the splendour of the Welsh mountainsby Paul Brown - (@pbsportswriter)

Now it’s your chance to visit this fabulous hotel. TopicUK have teamed up with the hotel to offer a two night stay for 2 people. All you have to do is send us your name and contact details before February 10th and the first to be ‘pulled out of the hat’ after that date will win.You can email your details to [email protected] or post to: TopicUK, Suite 6 Unity Works, Westgate, Wakefield WF1 1EP.Good luck!


New Year, New Skills for over 2,000 employeesThe Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has committed over £1 Million to local businesses, enabling over 300 employers to invest in training and upskilling more than 2,000 staff.

Companies in Huddersfield and throughout the Leeds City Region that have a budget to put towards training could be eligible for grant funding of between £500 and £50,000 to train their staff through the £13.9 million skills service.

One business taking advantage of the skills service is Pontefract-based firm Advanced Diesel Engineering.

Advanced Diesel Engineering have manufactured and supplied diesel generators, acoustic enclosures, fuel tanks and switchgear containers for over 20 years. Due to a rapid expansion within the organisation it became apparent that in order to make the most efficient use of the new company structure they needed to invest in upskilling their workforce. They secured a grant from the LEP skills service to train four of their staff in MPI ASNT Level 2 and ASME 6G Pipe Welding.

Kevin Bell, General Manager of Advanced Diesel Engineering explains:

“We were keen for members of the team to undertake courses in order to retain existing customers and secure new business. Through the LEP skills service we were able to train four of our

staff in MPI and welding at a reduced rate, effectively doubling our training budget.

“Having more highly qualified staff will result in us being able to take on more work, as well as increasing customer responsiveness, speeding up the manufacturing process and ultimately increasing turnover and profit.

“The skills service really is an excellent opportunity for employers to make the most of their training budget and invest in staff. Our skills advisor supported us through process, taking care of the application and working with us to pull together a complete training plan for our team. I would definitely encourage other Wakefield businesses to contact the LEP to see how they can benefit”

LEP Board Chair and skills lead, Mark Ridgway, of Group Rhodes said:

“With grants of between £500 and £50,000 available to businesses with a budget to put towards training, employers have the opportunity to work with a team of expert skills advisors, discuss their long term growth plans and skills needs, and put together a robust training plan for their staff.

“Offering a comprehensive service

to businesses, the team of advisors support employers to tackle paperwork, source appropriate training provision and submit an application for funding. The LEP are dedicated to ensuring local businesses primed for growth have the skills to succeed.”

The LEP skills service supports businesses to identify their training needs, and access advice, support and funding to upskill their workforces based on business growth objectives.

The aim of the funding is to put money in the hands of small and medium sized businesses in the region’s key sectors, enabling them to source the skills solutions they require to develop and grow.

Do you want to find out more about how the LEP skills service could help your business? Find out more and apply for funding by visiting: www.the-lep.com/skillsservice or contact one of our experienced skills advisors: [email protected] or 0113 386 1910.

44

NewsUpdate

The website will deliver up-to-date news and information on the Manchester City player’s life both on and off the pitch. The site will be a one stop shop for all her social media accounts and will feature free and exclusive behind the scenes content, competitions, charity news and a host of other exciting features, keeping fans and sponsors in the know.

Since bursting onto the England scene in 2007, 27-year old Steph has been a leading figure in promoting women’s football. She became a household name during the London 2012 Olympics when she scored the winner against medal favourites Brazil.

Her commanding style and strong personality meant she

was soon made captain of the national team whom she led to the a third place finish in the 2015 World Cup in Canada – the highest placing of any England football team in an international competition since 1966.

Steph currently has over 73,000 followers on twitter and her growing profile has seen her feature on BBC’s Question of Sport and a number of different TV adverts.

“I am delighted to be working with Fantastic Media on this project,” said Steph Houghton. “Women’s football is the fastest growing sport in the UK and, I hope that by creating this website I will give Manchester City, England and football supporters

in general greater access to the women’s game”.

“It’s about giving fans information they can’t get anywhere else. It will have my latest campaigns and appearances away from football and information on my work with partners and charities.”

Fantastic Media’s Creative Director, Paul Whitcroft, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Steph on this project. She is an icon of the women’s game and our job is to make sure that her online presence reflects that. It’s an exciting time to be involved in a project like this and we looking forward to getting it off the ground.”

England women’s football captain

Stephanie Houghton has

joined forces with Leeds-

based marketing agency Fantastic Media to create a personal website

where fans and sponsors

can find out more about the

football star.

STEPH HOUGHTON signs with team fantastic for online project


Corporately, it is an exciting time for us, as we continue to promote the exciting games coming up in January and with the possibility of some exciting FA Cup fixtures on the horizon, it certainly keeps us on our toes. If you are into your curry, then we have a Ruby Tuesday at our game against Charlton on 12 January which may tickle a few tastebuds whilst enjoying the football after work.

As I write, the Events team and I have sat down and planned our Events calendar for 2016, and I can tell you that there are some exciting plans in place for this. I dare say there are very few football clubs in the country who have as unique an events calendar as we do, with Firework Displays, Beer Festivals, Team Reunions, Drive Thru Theatres, New Year’s Eve parties and Days at the Races all in our plans. As a Club, we try and cater for lots of different audiences, so there is always something that will be of interest for our local community.

I am a big believer in “Making Things Happen” and the staff under me know that it is important as a Club that we keep that drive and determination going – it is what sets us, I believe, apart from any other Club. Our Partnerships with organisations and businesses continue to get stronger and stronger, as we approach the “Huddersfield Hundred”. Our

unique selling point as a Club is that we do not offer ‘off the shelf’ packages – the key is to listen to an organisation’s objectives and match what we offer to tangible results. Our retention rate of businesses is exceptional, and if you are interested in understanding how this could work for your business, then challenge us to come up with some ideas on how we could work to meet your goals.

We welcome our Shooting Stars winners on Saturday 16 January 2016 at our game against Fulham. This set of awards, supported by Lucas Lee, has rewarded small and medium enterprises in the local area over the past twelve months with recognition, and all the monthly winners now vote for the ultimate Champion of Champions for 2015. Tickets are available now from the Club – contact us for details.

On the field, it has been an exciting time for us as we get used to Head Coach David Wagner’s ‘genenpressing’. The concept of this style of football is around pressing for the ball when out of possession, and then advancing quickly with lots of passing and movement when attacking. Our fans have been receptive to this style, and the Club have been quick to build on this success, with a range of merchandise around our new Head Coach, including David Wagner mugs and t-shirts.

Exciting plans for 2016

Talented Dance PupilWins Award

The Audrey Spencer School of Theatre Dance, in conjunction with local ISO Process Management company Synergos Consultancy Ltd has presented a Scholarship Award to one of its talented young pupils.

Following an audition process where candidates took part in a jazz and tap workshop as well as performing a prepared piece of their own choreography and a song and monologue, Emma Chapman, from Lindley, was chosen as this year’s winner.

The Award which is jointly funded by Huddersfield firm Synergos Consultancy Ltd and the Audrey Spencer School of Theatre Dance, is worth up to £2000 and will pay for Emma’s lessons for a year, enabling her to further her training through attending workshops, courses and singing lessons.

Emma, 16, joined the Audrey Spencer school in 2003 at the age of four and has attends classes ten hours per week. She has been involved in a number of local amateur productions over the years and is currently rehearsing for the musical ‘Hairspray’ with the Huddersfield Musical Theatre Company.

Principal Joanne Perkins, said; “Our pupils are very lucky to have this fantastic opportunity given to them. I’m sure many will strive over the years to achieve this award and gain valuable experience.”

Pictured from Left: Jenny Kilburn, Managing Director of Synergos Consultancy Ltd, is pictured presenting Emma Chapman with her Scholarship Trophy with Joanne Perkins, Principal of Audrey Spencer School of Dance.

46

NewsUpdate

Daniel Cawdron, CEO of Discourse Agency, a Public Relations agency based in Halifax, commented “Increasingly we are seeing a number of existing clients re-allocating their advertising budget towards a more PR based strategy. We’ve also seen an influx of new clients, some of which are consistent advertisers in local media, coming to us as a means of reaching their audience, rather than spending on press or radio.”

David Bannon, Managing Director of Bannon Environmental, an energy efficient lighting specialist operating in Brighouse, stated “We appreciate the value that good PR can bring, but we felt we were underrepresented in the industry and priced out of the market. It’s great that there are companies coming through now that will help local professionals with their marketing.”

PR is expected to see a boom in 2016 as content marketing and perception management services become more

appealing to companies, particularly in industries saturated with advertising. In the 2015 Holmes PR Report, the trend is echoed across the globe, with most businesses expecting to see the largest amount of growth from digital communications and media relations, with paid media falling several spaces behind the more brand-building orientated drivers.

“The key thing that advertisers are beginning to understand, particularly as the millennial generation enters the marketplace, is that more so now than ever before people need to feel a human connection with a brand” Mr. Cawdron stated. “We’re seeing this too in the way that advertising itself is changing. Companies need shareable media that spreads quickly, such as the #ManOnTheMoon campaign by John Lewis. Many businesses are simply opting to do this with PR as they do not have the budget or time to allocate towards a multimedia advertising campaign.”

Businesses Embracing the Possibilities of PR

Equilibrium Risk recently spoke to members of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association at the Yorkshire & Northern Regional Knowledge Forum Tour 2015. As a young, but industry-leading company, they gave advice on how to reduce the risk of a cyber attack and how to protect electronically, and physically, held data.

Headed up by Jason Donaldson and Luke Appleby, Equilibrium Risk provide comprehensive services including but not exclusive of confidential waste disposal, cyber security, information security, personal protection and alarm response.

The conference, held in the Leeds United Banqueting Suites at Elland Road was an opportunity for insurance companies and their

Addressing the needs of Yorkshires cyber security

Local enterprises across the county have been setting a trend, moving away from traditional advertising and utilising more Public Relations tools to grow their businesses.


Set up by businesswoman Ellie MacDonald, MacComms has worked with a range of businesses from fellow start-up firms to the largest paper manufacturer in the world.

MacComms’ first account saw the successful VIP store launch event of designer childrenswear retailer, IndiaCoco, assisting with the growing business’ move into Trinity Walk, Wakefield.

Since working with IndiaCoco, Ellie has picked up business working with a number of agencies, including digital experts Ascensor, nutrition firm Medicinal Kitchen and personal development company Lattitude7. With some excellent contacts, the company has even picked up work for International Paper, organising

events for the firm to treat clients to an exclusive venue to watch the Rugby World Cup.

Based at the 3M Buckley Innovation centre, MacComms has managed its fast growth by offering work experience opportunities to young people including students from the neighbouring University.

Ellie said: “It has been a whirlwind few months but I’ve loved every second! I am keen to support local businesses to help them raise their profile, get noticed and ultimately grow. I think West Yorkshire, boasts a fantastic business community and I couldn’t have got off to such a strong start had it not been for the good will of key business people in our region.”

Start-up PR firm’s first successful year in business

staff to improve their knowledge about understanding why cyber attacks happen and how to tackle them.

With recent national events, such as the TalkTalk and Sony Pictures cyber attacks, it has become vital for companies to understand why and how hackers strike, in order to tackle threats to privately held information. There may be a number of reasons for online hacking, such as financial or commercial gain, but also may simply be down to disgruntled employees.

With cyber hacking comes the risk of the loss of data and customer dissatisfaction, which puts businesses at risk of negative press. There has never been a better time to think about business cyber security.

Jason Donaldson, Head of Operations said: “The threats modern businesses face is growing in number and constantly evolving. The security landscape now incorporates the physical and the virtual world. Failing to recognise this will leave businesses exposed to unnecessary risk. The repercussions of getting it wrong are widely publicised. Businesses of all sizes need to ensure they are protected no matter what the threat.”

For more information about Equilibrium Risk visit http://equilibriumrisk.com/

Huddersfield-based PR, communications and marketing firm MacComms has experienced significant growth since it launched in April 2015.

48

NewsUpdate

£400,000• Grade 2 Listed Offi ce Building• 418.40m2 (4,504 sqft)• On the outskirts of Halifax town centre• Excellent car parking• Suitable for regional headquarters• Suits conversion into residential for

single or multiple occupation subject to planning permission

The Old Vicarage, All Souls Road, Halifax, HX3 6DR

19-27 Thistle Street, Huddersfi eld, HD1 3HJ

Unit C Birstall Retail Village, Bradford Road, Birstall, WF17 8NN

Rear of 20 Manchester Road, Huddersfi eld, HD1 3HJ

For Sale

To Let

To Let

To Let

£19,000 per annum• Prominent Showroom with Parking• 107m2 (1,155 sqft)• Showroom/Trade Counter Premises in

a highly prominent main road position• Intersection of the A652 Bradford

Road and A62 Leeds Road• Adjoining occupiers include Subway

and Carpet & Vinyl Showroom

£21,000 per annum• Offi ce building with secure car parking• 233.18m2 (2,510sqft)• Close to Huddersfi eld town centre• Secure car parking for 20 cars• High quality open plan

accommodation• EPC Asset Rating D

£20,000 per annum• Prominent Retail Accommodation• 250.28m2 (2,694 sqft)• Highly visible from Huddersfi eld

Ring Road• Accessed via Lidl supermarket car park• Large open plan retail space suitable

for bulky goods retailers or alternative leisure uses, subject to PP

bramleys Industrial & CommercialProperty Consultants

14 St. George’s Square, Huddersfi eld HD1 1JF

01484 [email protected]/commercial

Offi ces also at Mirfi eld, Heckmondwike, Elland and Halifax

BRAMLEYS COMMERCIAL CLOSE UP AD_190x115_301115.indd 1 30/11/2015 13:32

The group was recognised for their commitment to raising awareness about the principles and values of Fairtrade in their local community during Fairtrade Fortnight 2015. During Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 Social Progress displayed a 5ft inflatable Fairtrade Banana and Mug of Fairtrade Tea outside their Honley Bridge

Office. Within 48 hours the banana went missing so they launched the “#MissingBanana” campaign. Through the various channels of social media and a few tongue-in-cheek posters, they called upon the help of local people, as well as Honley High School. Within 48 hours students from the school spotted the banana in the river! We’re pleased to say that it helped to raise the profile of Fairtrade and Fairtrade Fortnight through the use of the hashtags #FairtradeFortnight and #FairtradeMatters on social media – and the story reached the local press too!

Janet Bebb from Social Progress said: “We were aware that we were Runners Up but never expected to get any formal recognition at the awards.

The framed certificate we received was a total surprise and we’re proud to be displaying it in our office at the moment.”office at the moment.”

Fairtrade has paved the way for sustainable trading by providing a safety net for world’s poorest farmers against volatile market prices, and the Fairtrade Premium to invest in vital community, business and environmental projects. “Choosing to support Fairtrade doesn’t have to cost the earth. Some Fairtrade teas and coffees (and sugar) are actually cheaper than the branded versions. Consider providing your clients with a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee and ensure the people who produced the product get a fair wage,” added Esther Orridge, Social Progress

Missing Banana Campaign Wins an AwardSocial Progress, were awarded second place in Best Media Campaign at the annual Fairtrade Campaign Awards which took place at the Fairtrade Foundation’s National Supporter Conference in London.


Sheffield bakery make cost savings on energy A Sheffield bakery has made significant cost savings on its energy bills with the help of Elland-based energy management specialist, Orchard Energy. Orchard Energy analysed Brook Bakery’s energy usage and found it was paying a considerable amount for its tunnel oven at the facility which was using a large amount of gas. Orchard has helped the company make a number of savings which has made a significant difference to the company as it continues to expand and invest in future growth plans.

John Ames, managing director at Brook Bakery said: “The bakery facility uses the most energy and Orchard identified that our tunnel oven was using a phenomenal amount of gas. They worked with us to secure the best deal and this has led to a cost saving of 7% on the contracts we have most recently signed with Orchard. Due to the savings gained, we have been able to update our delivery vehicles, employ four new members of staff and open a new shop also employing a further five people.”

Amar Hussain, commercial director at Orchard Energy said: “We have been working with Brook Bakery for a number of years and have reduced their overall energy spend significantly by around 25%, alongside effectively managing their various different sites.

“At Orchard we strive to secure the best rates for our customers and are really pleased that this has led to positive change for Brook Bakery.”

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Fantastic Media’s Sally Willis scooped the esteemed Employee of the Year award sponsored by Towndoor at the Examiner Business Awards on 12 November.

The prestigious event held annually at the John Smith’s Stadium recognises outstanding achievement in all areas of local business. Categories include Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year and Employee of the Year.

Sally joined Fantastic Media in September 2013 as Account Manager and quickly progressed to become a senior member of the team. Recently appointed as Head of Client Services, Sally is now responsible for managing the seven-strong client services team, looking after the daily and long-term needs of clients and developing strategic campaigns to exceed expectations and objectives.

Sally played a pivotal role in delivering record results for Fantastic Media, which saw an 18% uplift in new business. She has also been heavily involved in driving new business into the agency, securing a number of new clients including Deborah Services

Limited and Rosenbauer UK.

Speaking at the Examiner Business Awards, Sally said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this award. It would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the very skilled people that I work with at Fantastic Media. “It is such a great place to work. I am immensely proud to be part of such a dynamic, progressive company and I am looking forward to many more years of success with them.”

Fantastic Media’s Managing Director, Andy Hobson, said: “We are all delighted for Sally and immensely proud of her. She truly is a fantastic person. She is focused on driving the business forward and delivering fantastic results to all of our clients. “She lives and breathes the company and understands all aspects of what we do as a full services marketing agency, from social and PR strategy to advertising and digital. Just as importantly, she is well respected by our clients and her colleagues and this award is well deserved.”

Fantastic employee Sally Willis wins Examiner Business award

50

NewsUpdate

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (“CRA”) replaces certain key provisions as applicable to consumers in three existing pieces of legislation – Sale of Goods Act 1979, Unfair Contracts Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982.

The CRA imposes new implied terms, introduces new rules on unfair terms and on supplying digital content in consumer contracts and provides for a private right of action for competition law infringements (which is not dealt with here).

The CRA applies between ‘traders’ and ‘consumers.’ The onus is on a trader to show that an individual is not a consumer within the context of the CRA.

The CRA will be key to most businesses, but will be of particular interest to businesses that supply digital content, as this sector is now specifically dealt with by the CRA.

New defective goods remedies

• Consumers will have 30 days within which to reject substandard goods and be entitled to a full refund

• After 30 days have expired, the trader will have a right to (at the consumer’s option) repair or replace the goods

• The consumer will have a right to a price reduction or right to reject the goods if the consumer has not received adequate redress by way of repair or replacement

• Any faults discovered within six months of delivery are regarded to have been there from the outset and the onus is on the trader to prove otherwise.

New implied statutory terms in relation to digital content

• The same rights will apply to digital content as apply to goods in that digital content must be of satisfactory quality, fit for a particular purpose and as described by the trader

• If digital content does not conform, the consumer has a right of repair or replacement for digital content purchased and this repair or replacement must be within a reasonable period of time

• The trader must compensate the consumer if any device or other digital content owned by the consumer is damaged as a result of the digital content which the consumer has downloaded. This could apply even if that content was provided free of charge.

New statutory remedies for poor quality or defective services

• The services must be carried out within a reasonable period of time

• The consumer is entitled to repeat performance of part or all of the services which are inadequate, at the trader’s cost.

• If repeat performance is impossible or can’t be done within a reasonable period, the consumer

can claim a price reduction, which could be up to 100% of the cost.

Unfair Contract Terms

• Key contract terms may now be assessed for fairness unless they are prominent and transparent and, if written, are legible

• Terms that restrict a consumer’s legal rights could be deemed unfair

• Terms that allow a trader to determine the price after the consumer is bound may be deemed unfair

How to implement the changes

Businesses should ensure that their contract documentation is compliant with the CRA and review advertising materials or other information provided to consumers pre-contract to ensure compliance.

Online retailers should consider undertaking a full review of their terms and conditions, internet ordering processes and returns policies and may also need to make structural changes to their websites to reflect the new requirements.

The issues set out above are only intended to be indicative of the issues to be considered and are not exhaustive. If you require help in reviewing your current terms and conditions, or with any other contract documentation, please do get in touch on 01484 821300 or at [email protected]

New consumer rights in force from October 2015

Businesses contracting with consumers should be aware of new consumer rights that apply to all consumer contracts from 1 October 2015.


Protect your business premises, and your home, with an industry-leading wireless alarm from Ti Installations.

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In Ti Installations’ recent poll we asked what people look for when selecting an electrician. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that, with only 30% of the votes, price wasn’t the priority. Of course electricians should strive to be cost effective. But price and value aren’t the same, and the danger is that less scrupulous firms who significantly undercut more reputable contractors will cut corners to get the job done cheaply. If this puts safety standards at risk, the project could prove incredibly ‘costly’.

With 60% of the votes, the most important factor was that an electrician comes recommended. An independent endorsement helps evidence the

quality of the electrician’s work. So, when you next need some electrical support, speak to your colleagues, family and friends. Recommendations or testimonials on social media or an electrician’s website are also very helpful.

Worryingly only 10% of participants selected industry certifications as important, when choosing their electrician. However, seeing an electrician is an NICEIC registered contractor, for example, should give more peace of mind than a recommendation. NICEIC status evidences the contractor’s continued competence and capability of meeting relevant technical and safety standards.

It authorises them to self-certify any work that requires notification under Building Regulations, leaving you with hassle-free reassurance that your job is fully compliant. And, if any work carried out by an NICEIC registered contractor proves to be deficient, the NICEIC will help you put it right. Their website should therefore prove a helpful point of reference, during your next electrician hunt.

Ti Installation poses a different online poll question every month at www.ti-installationsltd.co.uk/contact. Every vote is very valuable and it takes less than 10 seconds to take part.

With thousands of electricians to choose from throughout the region, how should you go about selecting the right team for the job?by Ti installations

What to look for in an electrician…

www.eatonsmith.co.ukEmployee Management Skills Workshops

Eaton Smith and The Personnel Partnership are continuing their successful series of practical and interactive workshops aimed at all managers with responsibility for people management or HR sta� who would welcome additional skills development. Each workshop will cost £49 plus VAT and will include refreshments and all training materials.

Attendance management: 12 January 2016 9.30am – 12.30pmAbsence management can be a thorn in the side for employers. In this workshop we will look at how absence can be managed e�ectively and we’ll also discuss stress in the work place, which is becoming an increasing problem for many businesses. We will use practical examples and case studies to look at both short term and long term absences, and what to do when you think an employee can no longer continue in their role. We will look at what you might want in an attendance management policy and give you the tools to create this.

Performance management:9 February 2016 9.30am – 12.30pmThis workshop will look at a strategic approach to performance management to help improve sta� performance and to deal with issues at an early stage before they become unwieldy. We will look at what you might want in a performance management policy and give you lots of ideas to help you create your own or change your existing policy. We will also look at how performance management might lead to dismissal, and how it may be used to your favour in the Employment Tribunals. Back by popular demand and only one space remaining.

Restructures and Redundancy: 8 March 2016 9.30am – 12.30pmThis workshop will take a strategic look at the factors to consider when re-structuring a department or a business, and how you might go about changing an employee’s job role and their terms and conditions. We will look at some practical case studies to help you work through a best practice approach to this often di�cult and emotive area. We will also take a look at lay o� and short time working, and redundancy procedures including the use of “bumping” and trial periods.

Helen Straw from The Personnel Partnership - Helen is the Managing Director of The Personnel Partnership and is also a Chartered corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Helen operates at a senior level, providing HR support and advice during times of company set up, business growth, major reorganisations and deals with complex employee issues. She has developed and implemented a range of HR policies and strategies as well as managed day to day operations and developed and delivered HR training programmes across the UK for many small to medium businesses and larger blue chip companies. Helen is both pragmatic and commercially savvy.

Group booking discount: If you book 3 or more workshops in one go or book 3 or morepeople into a particular workshop you will receive a discount of 10%.

Who are your speakers?Kate Booth from Eaton Smith - Kate is a Partner with Eaton Smith and an experienced solicitor specialising in employment law, with particular interest in business acquisitions (including the TUPE Regulations), restructures and discrimination issues. Kate has been dealing with employment law issues for many businesses in and around Kirklees and nationally for the last eight years and brings with her practical examples of what can and does go wrong in the workplace and how you might address this!

For deta i ls contact Kate or E leanor a t katebooth@eatonsmi th .co .uk or e leanorcummings@eatonsmi th .co .uk

topicuk kirklees and calderdale jan 2016

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