NEWS

VITAL NEW PRESIDENT FOR A VITAL NEW CHAMBER

The new President of the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce is 36-year-old Nicki Wood owner of Ringwood Surplus Stores. She replaces Ted Leigh of the Railway Hotel, and is only the second President who has been a woman since the Chamber's inception 40 years ago. (Kay Duncalf was president in the 80's). Newly appointed vice president is Belinda Charlton from Avon Castle. Belinda has a marketing and public relations company with accounts in Ringwood.

Nicki Wood's family have been traders in Ringwood for 40 years. Her father John Chambers, known locally as Johnny Junks started several surplus goods stores in the area. Up until recently there was a store in Alderholt and there remains Nicki's store in Meeting Meeting House Lane, Ringwood. Said Nicki, "We have sold just about anything from dish mops to Austin Sevens, but mostly it is discounted hardware and DIY materials. We believe in passing the discount on to the customer."

Nicki lives in Poulner with her two children 4 year old Liam and 8 year old Connor. She has a genuine interest in Ringwood and says she wants to give something back. Her hobbies are petit point embroidery, the history of England and watching her sons play football. She says "We have a new vitality in the Chamber committee they are all young or youngish and raring to go. We would like to hear from our members. We want to find out what you want from your Chamber. We would like greater involvement with our members and invite you to come and talk to us.

"We meet the first Tuesday in the month at 6.30p.m. at the Conservative Club, so come along, have a drink and meet us we would love to see you.

"Our aim this year is to greatly improve the Christmas lights and we will be fundraising all year. You will notice that many of the shops have Christmas Lights appeal collecting boxes so we would like people to give generously. and we welcome any suggestions for fund raising ideas.

"We are also considering providing a legal / business and Vat consultancy service for our members, and would like to know if Ringwood shopkeepers would welcome this.

"But most of all we intend to have fun. We will be organising several social networking events, the first of which is our comedy evening at the Conservative Club on July 9th, tickets only £10 each which includes a champagne buffet and top comedy show.

"This year we hope to hold our AGM in Greyfriars with a champagne reception, music and some lively conversation, this is a not- to- be- missed opportunity for all businesses.

For more information or for tickets for the show phone Nicki Wood on 07730 983550 or Belinda Charlton on 01425 473813

From: Belinda Charlton 01425 473813 www.BCApublicrelations.co.uk