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chairman’s notes2014 is with us and we have a dilemma!

How do you better the events we held in 2013? Although it is a nice dilemma - the sort the TBVcommittee has every year when we sit down to discuss the annual programme. Improving on what has gone before is always difficult, but we all love the challenge and I do not think that we shall disappoint.

Lowri Morgan, who was our after dinner presenter at our Christmas 2013 event, was surely one of the most inspirational speakers we have ever had - even for someone who drives (like me) rather than walks or runs to the shop. The feedback we received on the night was fantastic. I am sure we were all left in awe of this wonderful lady!

Our final event of the 2013 -14 TBV membership year will be held on Thursday 6th March and will feature a round of our popular facilitated networking. We will also hear from Iestyn Gruffudd of Business Wales who will offer an overview and update into tendering and sell2wales. So please make sure that you book your places soon for this event! See page 4 for moreinformation! Please remember that you have 2 places per membership, so if you’re unable to bring another colleague from within your business, ask a client or business contact to join us as your guest!

Members of Torfaen Business Voice will soon bereceiving their 2014-15 renewal invitations.

The current membership year ends in March and we are looking forward to welcoming you all back as members of Torfaen’s business club. You will be able to bring your renewal form and cheque to the event on March 6th or if you prefer you can send them to Jo and Cheryl beforehand. We have held the current membership fees for next year, ensuring you continue to receive fantastic value for money!! And if you participated in our new Introduce a Member scheme last year, you’ll also be receiving a discount on your fee! See your renewal invitation, following shortly, for further information.

Look forward to seeing you all soon.

Regards

p.s.If you’re not a member of Torfaen Business Voice, why not use the membership application form on the back of this newsletter to take advantage of our special offer to join one of the most popular networking business clubs in the area. With this offer you can not only join TBV at last year’s rates, but you can also come along to our March 6th event (the final event of the current year) for just an additional £10.00 – enjoy an evening of meeting a host of new business contacts and potential clients, listen to our great speaker and network over a buffet supper.

Page 3 - Our previous networking event / Dates for your diary in 2014 / New membersPage 4 - Our next event with Iestyn Gruffudd from Business Wales / Time to renew your TBV membership!

Page 5 - Free Social Enterprise event / Jobs Growth Wales / Torfaen Leisure Trust membershipPage 6 - Competent construction advice / Indycube moves to CwmbranPage 7 - Afternoon Tea event with Carolyn Hitt / LMW information

Page 8 - Torfaen roundabout sponsorship scheme for businessesPage 9 - Meet the member - Keith Poultney, AFH Wealth Management / Be in the next newsletter Page 10 - Obesity awareness with Catherine Bonera / TBV member wins award

Page 11 - TBV membership information and benefitsPage 12 - TBV application form

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To book, please contactelizabeth.crowley@torfaen.gov.uk

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All events start at 6:30pm at Greenmeadow Golf Club, Cwmbran

- www.ageconcerntorfaen.org - www.cambridgeweightplan.com/catherineb - www.keystonescaffolding.co.uk - tutukina@gmail.com - www.ra-architects.co.uk - www.thomassafetyservices.co.uk - www.torfaen.gov.uk - www.vizibiz.co.uk

On Thursday 5th December 2013 we held our 3rd TorfaenBusiness Voice event of the 2013-14 membership. This is always a popular, entertaining and fun-filled evening and this event truly lived up to its traditional reputation.

A Hog Roast meal, followed by mince pies, provided a change to the usual buffet at this festive event. Then Lowri Morgan, BAFTA and multi award winning television presenter, extreme athlete who has completed the Ultra and Arctic Challenges represented Wales at rugby, athletics and cross country and dived to the wreck of the Titanic gave an inspirational after dinner talk. The whole audience were in awe of her achievements to date. Torfaen Business Voice Chairman Dennis Ricketts said: “We were privileged to have Lowri Morgan as speaker for our Christmas event and to get an insight into her monumental achievements as a television presenter, marathon runner and global adventurer.”

We also thoroughly enjoyed the live music provided by the violin group Violette. Additionally, there were plenty of opportunities to network, meet new contacts and welcome new members of Torfaen Business Voice.

Special renewal forms will be available and distributed in February, so please continue to take full advantage of your membership throughout next year. You can bring your payment and form along to the next Torfaen Business event on Thursday 6th March. For those of you who have participated in the Member get Member scheme you will be entitled to a discount off the membership fee. Further details will be sent to you individually.

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Iestyn Gruffudd works as a tendering Advisor for the Welsh Government’s Business Wales Service. His presentation on Thursday 6th March will run through the fundamental aspects that any business looking to compete for work with the public sector needs to be aware of, and the processes that need to be adhered to.

Through Business Wales, Tendering Advisors are available to give impartial one-to-one support to businesses based in Wales with any bid/tender/PQQ. For further information and to arrange an appointment please contact Business Wales on 03000 6 03000.

For more information about Business Wales,or to arrange an appointment with a

Tendering Advisor, please contact03000 6 03000

After the presentation we will have a round of facilitated networking followed by a further chance to network over the buffet.

To book your places please contactelizabeth.crowley@torfaen.gov.uk

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Jobs Growth Wales is a Welsh Government programme that encourages sustainable employment for young people by covering salary costs at national minimum wage and national insurance contributions

for the first six months of newly created jobs.

For any organisation interested in getting involved thefollowing should be true:

You would like to take on a 16-24 year old for at least six monthsThe vacancy is for a minimum of 25 hours a week and is additional to the current workforceYou have the intention that the job becomes sustainable after the six monthsYou are based in South, West or Mid WalesThe candidate will be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age

We believe that tailored support is required for both employers and participants to make this programme a success. Even before a participant starts, we will steer you through the recruitment process and provide guidance and support for the first day of work. Throughout your journey as a Jobs Growth Wales employer 3SC will contact you regularly to make sure the process is running smoothly.

To register, visit http://www.3sc.org/jgwEmail kathryn.jellings@3sc.org for more details

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If you’re a Social Enterprise in Torfaen then don’t miss out on these inspirational speakers.

Join us on Wednesday 19th February 2014, 9.00am - 2.00pm at Cwmbran Stadium, Henllys Way, Cwmbran. NP44 3YS

Case Studies: Lisa Marie Brown fromPinkspiration and Jo Draper from Fighting FitTop tips on how to survive and grow in the current recession Bev Garside from EmpowerInteractive break out sessionsLimited free one to one surgeriesNetworking

Book your place at: http://sent2014.torfaen.gov.ukFor more information: sent@torfaen.gov.uk http://www.southwalesbusiness.co.uk

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Thomas Safety Services Ltd are an accredited Safety, Health, Environmental & Fire (SHEF) consultancy with the highest level of academic SHEF qualifications.

Businesses (including ‘not for profit’) have a legal obligation to appoint a ‘competent person’ for corporate and fire safety matters. Construction related businesses have an additional requirement to have access to ‘competent construction advice’ (even when working on domesticproperties).

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A SPECIALIST office space to support workers and freelancers is continuing its expansion by opening a new base in Cwmbran.

Indycube established Wales’ first coworking space at the Media Centre at Culverhouse Cross in Cardiff in March 2010, and in the past year has opened further offices in Newport, Ebbw Vale, two more in Cardiff and one in Swansea, with plans to open further sites over the next year.

We work with Small/Medium Enterprises providing them with a comprehensive range of services, including bespoke & certified training courses, and have helped our clients achieve quantifiable benefits, such as winning new contracts and CHAS accreditation.

We provide expert assistance with SSiP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) applications, such as CHAS (Contractors Health And Safety assessment scheme) accreditation. We are a SSiP 'Worksafe Consultancy', our MD is an IRCA SSiP Registered Auditor, and to-date we have a 100% client success rate!

You will find that we are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and that we listen carefully to your requirements so that we can provide you with a level of service that is tailored to your needs.For more information, please see our website www.thomassafetyservices.co.uk or call our office on 01633 420290 to book your FREE no obligation consultation.

The latest phase of the expansion sees indycube open up at the Springboard Business Innovation Centre ~ Wales, Llantarnam, in Cwmbran, on Friday, October 18.

The concept offers those who are traditionally home-based or other freelancers the use of a desk, wifi and boardroom facilities for a set fee of £10 per day, or cheaper if more days are pre-booked.

More than 200 workers, either as individuals or employees of micro-businesses, already operate out of indycube’s sites in any given month, with some using it as their permanent workplace and others using the space for a few days a month.

The new site in Cwmbran will help indycube, which was established as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and reinvests any surplus profits for the befit of the coworking community, continue its ambitious growth plans.

Mark Hooper, indycube founder, said: “Since indycube was established in 2010 we have expanded rapidly to offer those who were working from home or who had no business base the chance to professionalise their operation.”

“We are often full with freelancers and micro-businesses who find it an excellent, low-cost way for them to work, and get out of the back bedroom or coffee shop. There are also a number of established businesses, which have found the coworking experience a better option than the standard office lease.

The real attraction for many is the community of other businesses in the same space – and the new site in Cwmbran will give entrepreneurs the chance to operate in an environment where there’s always someone available to bounce ideas off.”

Further information is available from www.indycube.biz

www.lmw.org.uk

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Carolyn Hitt is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster and is a popular choice as hostess and speaker for events throughout Wales and the UK, delighting audiences with her warm and witty anecdotal speeches.

Carolyn has written, presented and produced television and radio series on the arts, popular culture, consumer issues, history and sport for Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales and ITV Wales and during her career has worked with some of Wales’s best known personalities.

Carolyn is also in demand as a media pundit on a wide variety of subjects and is one of Wales’s most popularnewspaper and magazine columnists. Amongst her awards she has won Welsh Feature Writer of the Year and Welsh Sports Journalist of the Year (the first woman to do so) and the UK Sports Journalist of the Year.

http://www.ageconcerntorfaen.org | tel for more info: 01495 769264

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Torfaen County Borough Council operates sponsored advertising on all major roundabouts and various flowerbeds throughout the borough. The scheme is currently in its third year with many of its original sponsors still supporting the scheme, as an affordable and cost effective way to raise the profile of their business with a large and diverse audience 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information and current availability please contact our Commercial Officer on 01495 766394, email business.transformation@torfaen.gov.uk or look online at http://bit.ly/1fnnEws

Mae Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Torfaen yn cynnig cyfleoedd i noddi hysbysebion ar bob prif gylchfan ac amrywiol welyau blodau ledled y fwrdeistref. Mae’r cynllun yn ei drydedd flwyddyn gyda nifer o’i noddwyr gwreiddiol dal i fod yn cefnogi’r cynllun, fel ffordd fforddiadwy a chost effeithiol o godi proffil eu busnes, diolch i gynulleidfaoedd mawr ac amrywiol 24 awr y dydd, 365 diwrnod y flwyddyn.

Am ragor o wybodaeth a’r lleoedd sydd ar gael ar hyn o bryd, cysylltwch â’n Swyddog Masnach ar 01495 766394, e-bostiwch business.transformation@torfaen.gov.uk neu edrychwch ar lein, ar http://bit.ly/1fnnEws

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With 30 years business experience, Keith transferred to Financial Advice with a leading US Investment company, where he trained as an IFA and Stockbroker to give him a better understanding of pensions and investments. So Keith is able to combine a wealth of knowledge with practical life & business experience!

With satisfied clients around the UK, Keith, who lives in Magor, is focussing his business in the South East Wales region.

Being independent, Keith is able to offer totally unbiased advice on:

Individual/ Directors/ Company Pensions –(Auto Enrolment which will affect all businesses over the next few years)

Tax efficient investments - some with up to 30% income tax relief

Life and/or Critical Illness InsuranceFamily and/or individual Income protection

Business Continuity and succession - Shareholder protection – Keyman insurance

Mitigating 40% Inheritance tax

Few businesses owners of limited companies realise that they can get Life Insurance as a business expense saving up to 45%

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Keith Poultney: tel: 07545 255860 or 01633 880658 | email: keith.poultney@afhgroup.com | web: www.afhwm.co.uk

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Obesity, what a horrible word. I remember reading my hospital notes once and a nurse had described me as an obese lady. It broke my heart, although it was true! Struggling with my weight I yo-yo dieted all my adult life until I took the plunge and tried The Cambridge Weight Plan. After losing 7 stone and maintained it, I decided to become a consultant. January 13th 2014 marked Obesity awareness week. Government figures predict that by 2050 as much as 50% of the UK population could be obese. To help make obesity a thing of the past, not a prediction for our future, I organised an aware-ness afternoon at The Parkway Hotel. Offering Free bmi checks, diet & weight management advice, tasters and samples. Whilst raising money for just a drop charity.

I felt that if I was able to plant the seed of a suggested lifestyle change, in just one person, that it may grow and spread. For things to change you have to change things.

As parents, our children watch and learn from us. They absorb like sponges. Let's be the example they need. I remember not being able to leave the table until my plate was empty. I remember being rewarded with sweets for good behaviour. I bet I am not the only ones with these kind of memories?

Through education, healthy choices, active lifestyles, let’s hope that in the future, there will be little need for diets. Until then I help anyway I can to assist in weight loss & its maintenance. I endeav-our to lead by example and promote obesity awareness. (I still despise that word)

If you are interested in holding an awareness day/afternoon at your place of work please get in contact, I would be more than happy to pop along.

BlessingsCatherine Bonera, CambridgeWeightPlan Consultant CwmbranTel 07948373090 www.cambridgeweightplan.com/catherineb

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When Hannah Harris took on the role as honorary Secretary at Pontnewydd Golf Club in 2012, little did she know that she would be picking up the Volunteer of the year Prize at the Golf Union of Wales Awards in such a short time.

“I have been a member of the club for 20 years but over the years the membership has been declining and costsincreasing. Like many other clubs the club felt it was in a fight to survive. It was such a shame for the oldest golf club in Wales, where we have the earliest printed record of golf being played in Wales since 1875. Myself and a team of dedicated volunteers and the Golf Union of Wales were determined to help turn around the fortunes of the club” Hannah said.

Hannah has been part of a series of changes including attracting 100 plus new members that see the club looking forward with renewed confidence.

Hannah and her team’s achievement was celebrated at the Golf Union of Wales ceremony held at Ryder Cup venue, Celtic Manor and sponsored by Future Financials. Hannah was presented with the award by former GUWpresident Louise Fleet.

Pontnewydd Golf Club is a member of Torfaen Business Voice.

http://www.pontnewyddgolf.co.uk

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in

Membership Fee (includes 2 places at our March 6th 2014 event) Please Tick as Appropriate

£60.00 (Companies with 1-4 employees)

£75.00 (Companies with 5+ employees)

£40.00 (Companies under 1 year of trading)

Company Name:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Company Address:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contact Name:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contact Telephone Number:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Position in Company:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

E-mail address:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Website address: www. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Brief Description of company products/services: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Post Code:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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No of employees:

Length of time business has been operating:

Under 1 year 1-5 years 6-10 years 11-15 years 16-20+ years

Introduce A Member schemeIf an existing TBV member has introduced you, pleaseenter their name and company name below:

Name :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Company Name :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .