Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce
Members’ Newsletter – January 2006
Hello again,
As memories of Christmas and the New Year fade fast and the evenings begin to lengthen, we look forward to springtime!
Before you read this Newsletter the ‘Health Check’ team of Leatherhead Tomorrow will have published and presented their report, and the town will be getting involved in the initial stages of the implementation of some of their recommendations.
I believe that this is an exciting time to be involved with Leatherhead as it seems poised for another leap forward in its fortunes.
There will be a need for many people to help with the Leatherhead Tomorrow projects, and I hope that as many of you as possible will consider lending your talents and skills as and when needed.
I wish all Chamber Members and Leatherhead itself a prosperous and enjoyable start to 2006.
Peter Snell, Chamber President
The Leatherhead & District Scene
Our grateful thanks to all those Members with Town Centre premises who bought and displayed Christmas trees during the 2005 Christmas Season. Along with the non-member businesses who also purchased the decorated trees, your generosity made a major contribution toward Leatherhead’s Yuletide Celebrations. We also wish to express our sincere thanks to David & Sylvia Sharland, because without their extremely hard work, Leatherhead would not be “lit up” for Christmas !
[FURTHER NOTE: MVDC have reported this to be a bumper year for the recycling of Christmas trees … more than 15 tonnes of the trees were left at the designated collection points around the district, and have subsequently been ‘chipped’ and sent for composting.]
Leatherhead Health Check Launches This Month
Mole Valley District Council helps with the recipe for a successful town and backs public meeting in New Year
This month, with the help of Mole Valley District Council, the Leatherhead Tomorrow team has launched its ‘Recipe For A Successful Town’ at a public meeting for local residents.
A fascinating Report, setting out facts, figures, opinions and ideas for action, was launched on Wednesday 25th January in the Church Hall of St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Leatherhead. The Hall was open from 12.30 p.m. onwards for those who wanted to drop-in to obtain information on the Report and/or talk informally to the team members responsible for putting it together.
The Formal Launch during the evening of the same day provided an opportunity for listening to presentations on the findings of the Leatherhead Tomorrow project and for putting questions about both the Report and the future for the town. The Healthcheck is a structured way of allowing local people to consider the strengths, weaknesses, future demands and opportunities for Leatherhead, and then including those in an Action Plan.
The Leatherhead Tomorrow project has drawn together people from The Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce, LeatherheadAhead, The Town Centre Forum, The Leatherhead Society and The Leatherhead and District Countryside Protection Society, as well as from the Residents’ Associations of Ashtead, Bookham and Fetcham.
Mole Valley District Council had supported the Steering Group and given technical assistance as required. Councillor Tony Moore, who is a Member of the Group, said “The Report will mark the completion of the first phase of the project. It will highlight the real strengths of Leatherhead and identify opportunities to develop programmes that will further enhance the qualities of living or working in and around the town. Its most valuable feature is that it has been produced by a team created from within the community and the Report reflects the views of its residents. The next phase of the project will be to develop Action Plans for the delivery of the recommendations and, for this, it is essential that new volunteers are recruited from the community”.
Rod Shaw, Mole Valley District Council's Principal Conservation Officer, said “Those involved in the considerable undertaking of completing the Healthcheck have done a fantastic job and given a huge amount of their time. With a greater understanding of what the community wants for Leatherhead it is possible for all of us, in whatever sector we are involved, to work more closely together to deliver a sustainable future for the town”.
[Based on copy sourced from: Mole Valley District Council News Release dated 10th January 2006]
Council Calls On Early Morning Commuters To Help Shape District's Future
“Let us know your thoughts on the future of Mole Valley”, The Policy Team asked them
During week commencing 9th January, MVDC staff were present at various Mole Valley railway stations at the start of the day to offer commuters an alternative to their usual morning newspapers … a colourful brochure asking for people's views about a range of important issues which the community will have to face over the coming years.
The Local Development Framework brochure ‘Shaping the Future’ put a range of questions to both local residents and workers. Each page addressed a different set of issues, such as “where and what sort of new housing should be built”, “how traffic congestion can be tackled”, “whether more jobs should be provided” and “how access to services in the countryside can be improved”.
It was a straightforward attempt to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Planning and Housing Policy Manager Jack Straw explained, “We are trying very hard to reach those people who have an opinion but may not usually contact us or get the chance to air their views. It was suggested to us that workers might have time to answer our questions on the train to work and then post the tear-off booklet back to us in the freepost envelope inside the brochure”.
[Based on copy sourced from: Mole Valley District Council News Release dated 10th January 2006]
So, It’s An 0870 Number … So What ?
It seems that every-other week we are contacted by one company or another offering us reduced call charges and, in some cases, reduced line-rental fees. One suspects that a number of us have made use of one-or-another of these offers, and now benefit from lower telephone call charges.
(Do bear in mind, though, that these ‘nuisance’ calls are being made by people trying to earn a living … and it is a tough game being told all-day, every-day “No thanks” and “Go away”.)
Do you realise, however, that your skill and expertise in reducing your communication costs is annulled every time you or a member of your team uses an 0870 number in particular, and an 0845 number, very often ?
Every time you use an 0870 number, you are not only paying the full BT rate for your ‘phone call, but the owner of the 0870 number will usually receive between 1.5p/2p per minute for the time that you are on the ‘phone to them … and that includes the time you are pressing ‘1’ for Sales, ‘2’ for Home Sales and listening to “please hold the line, your call is important to us”. I find this particularly galling when I am wishing to buy a product or service from the organisation I am calling, or need to raise a complaint about poor service or the like. Why should it cost me extra to buy from them by telephone ?
Most of us can request an itemised ‘phone bill. I was looking at mine recently, and was surprised to see that a call to an 0845 local call number cost me almost twice as much as a geographic 01932 local call !
Therefore, my advice to one and all is to make a note of this very helpful and informative website address: www.saynoto0870.com/search.php.
I have found that it has provided me with the geographic number which underlies every 0870 and 0845 number on around 50-60% of the occasions I have made an enquiry.
In addition, if you are aware of the geographic number underlying the ‘08XX’ number, you can provide this to the ‘SAY “NO” TO 0870’ service … and they will then check-out the information you’ve provided before publishing it … so the system seems well-organised to me.
So, if you wish to reduce your call costs, then: www.SAYNOTO0870.com.
[Nick Hoskins, Corporate Office – Providing More Than Just Low Cost Office Supplies: www.OfficeSupplies.GB.Com]
£200 Great Reasons To Get Connected To Broadband !
Broadband has the potential to benefit many areas of our lives – at work, at home, and in the community. Many businesses have already recognised the benefits of internet access, but are still using traditional dial-up services which tie up the telephone line, take ages to download files and frequently crash in the middle of doing so!
Broadband offers cost-effective, fast, and immediate access to a wide range of internet-based resources. Because it allows you to send and receive large amounts of data more quickly and efficiently than a standard dial-up account, it means you can use the same line simultaneously for viewing web pages, downloading files and making/receiving telephone calls.
Businesses that have taken the plunge and signed up for Broadband report increased sales, cost savings, better productivity, improved employee satisfaction, and a healthier bottom line.
Successful businesses are using the internet to promote themselves in a global marketplace, sell more goods and services, communicate more effectively with their customers and suppliers, access training, complete paperwork more efficiently, make savings on the cost of telephone calls, and provide their employees with opportunities for flexible working. It also helps networks of businesses to share information more readily.
To get a £200 grant towards your Broadband Connection,
plus FREE one-to-one advice about making the most of Broadband,
please contact the Business Link Broadband Business Adviser:
telephone: 0845 7 49 49 49
Or visit the Connected Surrey website: www.connectedsurrey.com
[and see enclosed Flyer]
The Connected Surrey partnership has been set up to promote the take-up and effective use of high speed internet access across the county.
[Dr Lauren Read, Head of Strategic Projects, Surrey Economic Partnership]
Rotary Club of Leatherhead ‘Golf Day’
An ideal opportunity for you to arrange a Corporate Social Event, and to meet representatives (and their business contacts !) from other local companies.
A letter from the Rotary Club of Leatherhead is enclosed with this Newsletter, outlining the details of the ‘2006 Golf Day’, and recommending that you ‘put the date in your diaries’.
Final details, including a booking form, will be included with a future issue of your Newsletter.
2005 Business Community Carol Service …
… Hosted by Parallel Business Centres in Conjunction with the Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce
Taking place at St Mary’s Parish Church on 22nd December, and conducted by The Reverend Paul Boughton … a charming Christmas scene had been created to welcome the carollers, with the approaches to both Fetcham Park House and St Mary’s Church being beautifully candlelit. Five Lessons were read during the Service, including three by Chamber Members Laura Young, Fetcham Park House, Parallel Business Centres, Ruth Cook, Centre Manager for Fetcham Park House, Parallel Business Centres and Tom Spoors, Co-ordinator, Leatherhead Market Co-ordination. Being held closer to Christmas this year, there was a larger congregation and the Christmas message was perhaps more relevant.
The Carol Service was followed by a Reception held in Fetcham Park House, where Champagne donated by Parallel Business Centres & Mince Pies donated by the Leatherhead Chamber (delicious, and supplied by Chamber Member Harringtons Bakery, Leatherhead) were served.
A collection was held during the evening in support of the Neo-natal Unit at St George's, which raised £120 towards the fund … many thanks to everyone for your contributions.
Our thanks also to Laura, Ruth & Tom … to Paul Boughton, his organist and choir … to the staff at Fetcham Park House & Parallel Business Centres … and to everyone who joined the congregation … for making the evening so enjoyable and such a success. And do put the date in your diary now for next year, Thursday December 21st.
Please do let us know if you have any news which you’d like to share with your fellow Members. Maybe you’ve: won an award … implemented a new scheme or working practice … taken part in an exhibition – or possibly you are: running a special offer … hosting an event for local businesses ?
The ‘Members’ Soapbox’ hasn’t been ‘mounted’ for quite some time now … but the section does remain ready-and-waiting ‘in the wings’ for such time that you’d like to comment on anything at all, whether it’s: your response to any content in this or a past Newsletter … to initiate debate on a new topic … to offer either praise or censure in any direction … we really do want to hear from you !
Your feedback and contributions are highly valued … they keep the Chamber and its Newsletter alive and kicking … and assist the Board of Directors in the decision-making process they undertake on your behalf.
… so please do keep in touch …
… and help the Leatherhead Chamber to help you ! …
(An opportunity to publicise your organisation to the Membership. Up to two profiles will be presented in each Newsletter, and contributions are published in order of receipt. Your next Newsletter will be printed at the end of March 2006.)
Would YOU Like To Be In The Spotlight ? …
Do get in touch if you would like your business to be featured in the next Newsletter issue … and don’t forget ! … ‘Spotlighters’ are very welcome to contribute their company literature in the form of flyers or leaflets to accompany submitted copy, for distribution along with the Newsletter which carries their article.
Please contact the Chamber office for further information, or if you would like your business to appear in the March Newsletter’s ‘SPOTLIGHT’ … as well, of course, in future issues during the year.
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FEBRUARY Live Theatre Chas ‘n’ Dave This charismatic duo are known across the globe for their eccentric brand of solid Rock ‘N’ Roll fun and witty storytelling. Their songs about London hold a strong affection for all things English, adding a Rock ‘n’ Roll twist in a style reminiscent of the music hall acts successful many years ago.
7.30pm Friday 10th 7.30pm. Tickets £16, Members £13.50 MARCH Live Theatre Rockin’ On Heaven’s Door A Rock ‘n’ Roll musical extravaganza that defies belief, Rockin’ on Heaven’s Door brings together the sights and sounds of four music legends. Paying simultaneous tribute to Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Roy Orbison and The King - Elvis Presley, this non-stop musical onslaught guarantees to satisfy even the thirstiest of rock lovers.
Thursday 9th 7.30pm. Tickets £15, Members £12.50 Clare Teal With passionate vocals and mischievous humour, let singing sensation Clare Teal escort you on an eclectic evening of Jazz, Soul and Swing that can’t fail to enthral. “If we rave about her it’s because she’s worth raving about” – Michael Parkinson.
Friday 10th 7.30pm. Tickets £14, Members £11.50
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The Leatherhead Theatre 7 Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8DN For advance ticketing and further information: Please telephone the Box Office on: 01372 365141 (Tuesday to Saturday – 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.) Visa, Amex, Mastercard, Delta and Switch cards are all accepted Alternatively, please visit The Theatre or Email us at: boxoffice@the-theatre.org www.the-theatre.org |