NEWS 2005

Poole Networking
The Chamber of Trade and Commerce and interested parties have been invited by The College Foundation connected to the Bournemouth and Poole College Foundation to attend a Business Network Club evening on Thursday Jan 12th from 6.30pm - 8.30pm at the prestigious The Study Gallery, North Road, Poole. Tickets are £18 each which includes wine and finger buffet. We have the opportunity of giving a 5 minute presentation and display marketing materials.
There are five slots available.
If you wish to attend and/or give a presentation contact Marion Davies on 01202 465509 or email daviesm@bpc.ac.uk
Belinda Charlton

Fancy Dress Winners
This year's fancy Dress Winners in the Christmas Shops Competitions were the staff at Lambert and Wiltshire Gunsmiths, 16 Market Place, 01425 473223. Second place went to Lorraine Tarrant Antiques also in the Market Place at number 23, 01425 46112, while Townhouse Hairshops at 19 High Street, 01425 473666 took third place. As usual there were plenty of shops taking part in the competition and our appreciation goes to all of them for their imagination, flair and in some instances their interpretation of the 'theme' this year which was 'elves and fairies'.

Reindeer Parade
"I was delighted by the hundreds of people who turned out for the Furlong Reindeer Parade last Friday. To stand in the rain and wind to see Santa and the reindeer and other intrepid entertainers was the true spirit of a Britisher not letting anything get in the way of their life and their reindeer."
"In particular I would like to thank all the voluntary workers who turned out in force. The Rotary members who supervised the photography of the reindeer in their enclosure and Trevor Wood our Santa photographer, plus Nicki Kerry who took pictures of the Fancy Dress. The Fire brigade and their YFA (Youth Fire Association) The members of the Chamber of Trade and Commerce who joined in and organised the competitions and other events in the town. The extremely intrepid stiltwalker who completed the Parade despite the imminent likelihood of being blown off his stilts, The St John's ambulance who can always be relied upon and of course, the police and the "specials" without whom this annual event could not be possible. We also had a pretty intrepid Carnival Marching band, they couldn't march but they still played. Thank you judges Cllr Danny Cracknell, Cllr Christine Ford and Chamber committee member Nigel Welsh, plus Lorraine Tarrant who entered into organising events with such enthusiasm."
"It was a shame about the weather which inevitably dampened the festive occasion, but in the 15 years I have been organising this event and others, I have never experienced really bad weather at Christmas for any event, so we have had a pretty good run."
Belinda Charlton 06/12/05

Let's Accommodate Sponsor Snow Machine
At this year's Ringwood Chamber Christmas Light 'Switch On', Let's Accommodate of 8 Market Place, are sponsoring a snow machine for the night of 25th November. This event is the first of the town's four late-night shopping nights and it starts at 6.00pm. The Town Mayor Cllr Danny Cracknell will be throwing the 'switch' and everyone is invited.
Barbara Kennar, seen here with her daughter Sophie Burgess-Kennar (standing) said: "After all the support I've received over the last seventeen years from the town and local businesses, I feel that this is something I can contribute towards the Christmas Festivities."

Barbara was recently elected as Vice-President of Ringwood Chamber at this year's Annual General Meeting. For more information on Let's Accommodate' services call 01425 478719, or visit their website: www.letsaccommodate.me.uk

Chamber Christmas 24/7 Advertising Boards Offer
If you wish to avail yourself of an advertising board around this year's Christmas Tree in the Market Place please contact either Rob James or Fiona Clapp. This Christmas promises to be an exciting one for the town with the preparations for Christmas lighting well under way and on schedule.
The boards are extremely good value when you consider how much advertising costs in any publication. The cost of a board is £250 and the benefit is 24/7 advertising over the next seven weeks. When the press photographers gather round over the Festivities will your message be seen? Positions are sold on a 'first come first serve' basis with prompt payment, unfortunately we will not be accepting promissory notes as this increases our overheads with unnecessary follow up.
If you don't have a board contact Les Hole at Multi-Signs (01425 471537) who did the Chamber a special rate last year. Rob James can be contacted on 01425 483747 or Fiona Clapp on 01425 473280.

Christmas Fun in Ringwood
Ringwood is already swinging into the Festive Season with the 'switching on' of the new Christmas lights, the magical reindeer parade, and a Christmas tree festival and plans to have four late night shopping days this Christmas.
With the co-operation and financial support of the Ringwood Town Council and the Ringwood Chamber of Trade & Commerce, the town is able to greatly upgrade the Christmas lights. On Friday November 25th the Ringwood Mayor Danny Cracknel will be formally switching them on at 6.00pm. There will follow a late night shopping evening for the whole town with the Ramsey pipe band, Big Little Theatre Choir and fairground entertainment. More...

Future President and Vice-President?

Ringwood Day Nursery joins Chamber
Ringwood Day Nursery opened its doors in January 2005. Being the first Nursery in Ringwood it has received a great amount of interest from the Ringwood community and from further afield, due to an easily accessible location in Poulner, minutes away from the A31 and A338.
The Nursery is housed in an attractive Victorian building which has been refurbished to create light, bright rooms with new additional French doors to encourage as much natural light. The owners were careful to ensure the homely warm feel was not lost and this has been achieved by new central heating (with cool touch radiators), new flooring and complete re-decoration using warm colours. The extensive outdoor play facilities consist of a garden at the rear, and an all weather play area to the front of the building.
The emphasis at the Nursery is to create a caring, fun programme in which the children have the time to play, discover and understand. A vibrant, rich curriculum has been developed with interesting activities that will inspire children.
Neil and Jeanette Dowden, the proprietors, believe that a healthy balanced diet is essential for happy well developed children. Therefore, they offer well planned meals using organic vegetables, meat and fish from local approved suppliers, freshly cooked and prepared on the premises.

Example of a weekly menu

• Roast chicken with lemon and rosemary, roast potatoes, and vegetables of the day.
• Simple baked lasagne and vegetables of the day.
• Tasty fish bake and vegetables of the day.
• Chilli con carne with basmati rice and vegetables of the day.
• Sausage casserole, celeriac mash and vegetables of the day.

Lastly but certainly not least is having the right staff team, which is key to the goal of providing the very best childcare. Neil and Jeanette believe they have achieved this by employing people who bring passion and skill to their Nursery.

For more information please telephone 01425 470709 or visit their web site on www.ringwooddaynursery.com

NEW PRESIDENT FOR RINGWOOD CHAMBER
A new President was voted in at the AGM of Ringwood Chamber of Trade and Commerce this week.
Following the resignation of President Cllr Nicki Wood, the Vice President Cllr Belinda Charlton was elected to take over. Barbara Woodifield was voted in as Vice President, and Ian Badley as junior president. A new committee member is Audrey Pocock from the Ringwood Tourism Group which has now merged with the Chamber of Trade.

Outgoing President Nicki Wood who owns the Ringwood Surplus Stores in Meeting House Lane and Just Tools in Southampton Road said: “I have enjoyed working with our team of fresh, energetic and enthusiastic committee members. This year we have established a strong voice with the Council over issues affecting the traders in the town. Issues such as the long term car parking problems, and the Wednesday Market. We have also succeeded in getting a programme of new Christmas lights into being with the help of the Council. This year will see the Switch On of the first phase.” Nicki will continue working for the Chamber on the committee.

The new President, Belinda Charlton of BCA Marketing and Public Relations said: “My business is promotion and I intend to do the best I can for the whole of the town. I intend to work very closely with our vice president Barbara Woodifield who will also be very involved with the running of the Chamber. I believe a decent civilisation is built on the economic success of small communities who work together. Towns like Ringwood are the building blocks of a successful and decent country. An urban sprawl invites crime, trouble, and a break down of community values. As a councillor I can continue to represent the views of Ringwood people and I hope to change things for the better. I want all of the town, and not just parts of the town to prosper.”

New Vice President Barbara Woodifield from Let's Accommodate in the Market Place said: “I am looking forward to assisting Belinda in her new role and will continue to work with the Chamber for the good of the town.”

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
At the AGM Rob James of Roban James Lighting reported about the Christmas Lights, the first phase of which will be switched on with a ceremony at 6.00pm on November 15th in the Market Place. This will be done by Ringwood Mayor Danny Cracknell, with carol singing from The Big Little Theatre School choir and music from the Ramsey Pipe Band. Forest Forge Youth Theatre will also be performing around the town.

This will be the first of four successive Friday late night shopping evenings for the town. They are as follows:

• RINGWOOD LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
  • Friday November 25th 6.00pm - 8.00pm Chamber of Trade Christmas Lights Switch On
  • Friday December 2nd 6.00pm – 8.30pm Reindeer Christmas Parade sponsored by the Furlong Centre.
  • Friday December 9th 6.00pm – 8.30pm Large scale exhibition of Liberty’s Raptor and Reptile Centre. Birds of Prey and Owls on display during the evening and around the town.
  • Friday December 16th - Chamber of Trade Carol Singing with the Big Little Theatre Choir around the pubs, and restaurants of Ringwood.

Annual General Meeting 2005
This year's AGM will take place at Ringwood Conservative Club on Wednesday the 19th October at 7.00pm.
We are also inviting nominations for the Geoff Eales Cup which is presented for outstanding contribution to the business community of Ringwood. Last year the winner was Nigel Welsh of Ringwood Brewery. Please email your suggestions prior to the AGM.

Lighting Up Ringwood with the Chamber of Trade and Commerce
The Ringwood Chamber of Trade and Commerce lit up the Conservative Club when the comedy evening in aid of the Ringwood Christmas lights, erupted into a hilarious and dazzling night of champagne, music and fun.
The event, which was sponsored by The Aga Shop in the Furlong Centre, saw eighty people enjoying the champagne summer supper superbly catered by the Chamber president Nicki Wood and her staff. The guests listened to jazz musicians Mosaic and a truly funny comic Rob Taylor who has just finished the summer season at the Pier theatre Bournemouth.
There was also an opportunity to network with other businesses and customers.
Said Chamber President Nicki Wood "We raised about £300 towards the Christmas lights but more importantly we raised the spirits of everyone in the rooms and the profile of the Ringwood Chamber."
Over £20,000 is being spent on Christmas lights this year with the help of the Ringwood Town Council and the grand "switch on" is scheduled for Friday November 25th. Other fund raising events for the lights are being planned including carol singing around the pubs and restaurants of the town with the help of the truly talented choir from the Big Little Theatre School. This is an ongoing project with plans to increase and improve on the lights each year.
The Comedy night was an ongoing plan of the Chamber of Commerce to provide networking opportunities for people who live and work in the town, to meet new clients and make new friends. There are networking opportunities every second Thursday in the month at the Inn on the Furlong at 6.00pm or businesses are invited to come along to the monthly Chamber meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at the Inn on the Furlong at 6.00pm.
From Belinda Charlton 01425 473813 ~ www.bcamarketing.co.uk

Ringwood Shopping Guide 2006
The Ringwood Shopping & Services Guide for 2006 will be published on November 17th and distributed with the Avon Advertiser to over 21,000 homes throughout the area. An additional 9,000 copies will be available to visitors etc. throughout the coming months. If you would like to promote your business for the coming year please contact Terry Pattisson on 01425 674007 or email: terry_pattisson@hotmail.com for further details.
Deadline is Wednesday 26th October. If you have a public event that you would like included in the free listings section of the Events Diary please contact Belinda Charlton on 01425 473813 or email bchar4444@aol.com details to arrive by Monday October 24th.

The CEM Group join Ringwood Chamber
When Charlotte Hockey and Anna Wallis met eight years ago, they both had a similar goal: to run their own business. With experience in conference & event management and sales & marketing, the pair joined forces to open The CEM Group.
Based on the Crow Arch Lane Industrial Estate, The CEM Group has grown to 7 members of staff who all work very hard in organising a whole host of exciting and wide-ranging corporate events. From breakfast meetings to days out in the country, sailing, tank driving and the Bournemouth Hotel & Catering Exhibition, CEM are presented with daily challenges from a vast variety of customers. More...

The Gallery
The Gallery is a new concept and natural progression for Design Interiors, brainchild of Roban James, offering classic and modern contemporary art and sculpture. The Gallery is located at the rear of Design Interiors, 35/37 High Street Ringwood, Tel: 0800 077 6008.

The Work Shop Have Moved
A new recruitment agency in Ringwood is on the move following its hugely successful first six months trading from the Church Hatch Centre. "Church Hatch was a terrific place for us to start from, the location was great and gave us the opportunity to properly research the area and establish ourselves. We are now really excited about our move to the High Street which will give us a higher profile and encourage more candidates to give us the opportunity to find them the right role locally."
The Work Shop, was established in June 2001 and aims to provide local companies with a recruitment service second to none - combining the vibrancy of a new business, with over 15 years experience within the industry. The Work Shop are now located at 7 High Street, Ringwood. Telephone 01425 489393, Fax 01425 489402 or Mobile 07966 314002.

CHAMBER COMEDY NIGHT & NETWORKING EVENT
The Ringwood Chamber of Trade & Commerce are having a networking Comedy evening to help raise money for the Christmas lights. This lively event, which is sponsored by The Aga Shop in the Furlong Centre, will help businesses meet other Ringwood businesses, make new contacts, win new customers and forge new friendships - it will also be a seriously fun night out.
It takes place on Friday September 16th at the Ringwood Conservative Club at 22, Christchurch Road, Ringwood at 7.00pm. Tickets are £10 each and will include live music from Mosaic plus a fabulous comedian Rob Taylor, currently starring at Bournemouth's Pier Theatre, and a meal consisting of either salmon, cheese, chicken or ham salad.
Tickets are strictly limited and can be obtained with a credit card by calling 07730 983550. Call now to avoid disappointment. Raffle prizes welcome.
From Belinda Charlton - 01425 473813 - www.bcamarketing.co.uk

Ringwood Brewery 35th out of 100 Best Small Companies to Work For
The Sunday Times in association with Best Companies, Investors in People and the Department of Trade & Industry held a competition to find the Best Small Companies to Work For. Our very own Ringwood Brewery achieved 35th place in the top 100. The full article from the Sunday Times supplement is reproduced here..

Frampton's Mill Paintings
When chartered accountant and part time artist Robin Frazer-Clark heard 20 years ago that a Waitrose store was to be built in Ringwood on the site of the old cattle market, he was most concerned and assumed that the old Frampton Mill granary store would also be pulled down to make way for the new supermarket.
His reaction was to save the building for posterity and sat down with his easel and watercolours to paint the old Frampton Mill building complete with the original brick wall in front. More...

Festival Eating, Drinking and Dancing
The Ringwood Festival is promising to be the best ever this year. Programmes are now available in most of the Ringwood shops and in all of the Furlong Shops.
A special additional event to the programme is an all day food demonstration and sampling at the new Aga shop in the Furlong Centre. This will run from 10.00am to 4.00pm drinks will also be served. You are invited to come along and, free of charge, watch cordon bleu chef Sarah Whitaker cooking delicious Summer Food, showing you how to do it and inviting you to taste the results. In the evening Aga are holding a more focused cooking demonstration and eating event which is limited to just 15 people around a table with everyone having a go at a cost of £10 a head.
The Festival is starting off with local schools giving a dancing demonstration from 12.30pm to 3.00pm in the Furlong Centre. Eight schools are now performing in addition to Dance Crazy, Danceworks, Stage Door School of Dance, Miss Lyn's Academy of Dance and New Forest School of Dance. Newcomers are The Elite Academy of Dance, Rachel's Dance Company and the Ringwood Waldorf School.

The Work Shop joins Ringwood Chamber
The Work Shop, was established in June 2001 and aims to provide local companies with a recruitment service second to none - combining the vibrancy of a new business, with over 15 years experience within the industry. As a truly independent recruitment consultancy, The Work Shop is committed to providing an unparalleled service to its clients and candidates with both permanent and temporary sectors. "We see each assignment as a new and unique challenge and our goal is to find the right solution each and every time".
The Work Shop are located at 7 High Street. Telephone 01425 489393, More...

Recently Spotted on the Web
Ringwood Brewery have appeared at number seven in the 'Best Small Companies to work for in South East' category of the Best Companies website. The sponsors of the web site include The Sunday Times, The Learning and Skills Council and the Department of Trade and Industry. The following is taken from the Best Companies web site and gives us all something to aspire to:

"Being the best company takes a deep-rooted commitment to being the best you can be in every area of the workplace and in the day to day lives of your workforce. The very best companies realise that focusing on people brings real benefits, not the least of which is improved financial performance."  More...

Bartistic Design - The only design agency in Ringwood above the Town Council
After 17 years as a graphic designer with the Abbey Life Assurance company in Bournemouth, Steve Bartlett was given an 'opportunity' to start afresh (along with 1700 other employees!)
In June 2000, he created Bartistic Design as the in-house design studio for the Ringwood management consultancy CW International Ltd which specialises in providing expert services to large multinationals, mostly within the oil industry. More...

Moortown Lodge Hotel
It is about a year since Moortown Lodge reopened for business following an eight month closure for major repairs and modernisation. The new owners, John and Joy Meredith, had previously scoured the Wessex area for a suitable small hotel or B&B with home and income potential but kept being drawn back to the Georgian character of Moortown Lodge and the friendly small town atmosphere of Ringwood. More...

Liberty's Raptor and Reptile Centre's Free Offer of Advertising
A free advertising opportunity is being offered by the new Liberty's Raptor and Reptile Centre in Ringwood. This new tourist attraction, which recently opened in March, has some empty wall space by the entrance and exit. This is an ideal opportunity for local businesses to place their advertising board. This would be seen by the 100,000 visitors which are estimated to pass through the doors this season. Details...

New Ringwood Chamber of Trade Secretary
The Ringwood Chamber of Trade has a new Honorary Secretary, Fiona Clapp from Woodford Close.
Fiona has lived in Ringwood for over 5 years and works part time for the Nationwide Building Society in Fordingbridge. She is married to IBM Project Manager Keith and has two children at local schools 9 year old Martin and 6 year old Abigail.
Fiona was a career woman until husband and children took their toll she says: "I am delighted to be working in Ringwood, it is a town I love, but I do miss my career. With this job as Chamber secretary I feel I can become really involved and help the community. More...

Just Tools For Everyone
Just Tools, the new shop in Southampton Road, Ringwood, is unscrewing its shutters and flinging open its doors for business in early May This new tool shop is for keen DIY'ers , the professional trade and the enthusiastic hobbyist and replaces the old saddlers shop near to Woolworths. More...

French Street Market
A fantastic Genuine French Market will be in Ringwood on Friday April 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th in the Ringwood Market Place and the Furlong Shopping Centre from 9.00am - 5.00pm each day.
On Friday April 22nd the Ringwood Mayor Cllr Michael Thierry will be meeting the French traders from Normandy in the Market Place and the Furlong Shopping Centre from 11.00am to 12.00noon.
On Saturday 23rd The Starburst Can-Can dancers will be performing from 10.30am to 3.30pm at regular intervals in the Market Place and in the Furlong Shopping Centre. The girls are students of the Stage Door School of Dance in Bournemouth and are between 16 and 18 years of age.

SWOT Analysis Part 1
The Ringwood Chamber of Trade Committee commenced a SWOT analysis in February, under the guidance of Committee member Ian Badley. Part I was to identify The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of and to the Chamber from which an Action plan could be devised. The ultimate objective was for a stronger Chamber providing even more and greater benefits to you the Members. Details...

RAPTOR AND REPTILE CENTRE OPENED WITH A SHOW
The Liberty's Raptor and Reptile Centre in Crow, Ringwood opened today with MP Desmond Swayne with is wife Moira and daughter Emma cutting the ribbon and meeting Liberty the American bald headed eagle who flapped her wings majestically in honour of this important event. More...

Moira and Desmond Swayne MP,  Belinda Charlton and Anne James

DESIGNER PARTY
A glittering occasion occurred in Ringwood High Street this week on the 25th January when the new Design Interiors shop flung open it's doors to welcome invited guests to an elegant launch party officially opened by Ringwood Mayor Cllr Michael Thierry. More...

RINGWOOD CHAMBER BREWERY BASH
Over 70 people crammed into the Ringwood Brewery bar and boardroom for the first ever Ringwood Chamber of Trade and Commerce networking evening on the 25th of January.
It was standing room only while net-workers drank Ringwood beer and wine, swapped business cards and ate a finger buffet supplied by the Sanctuary restaurant. The speaker for the evening was sales expert Mike Adcock of Falcon Sales Coaching in Poole. More...

ANNE JAMES - A DESIGNING WOMAN
The newest, smartest and most comprehensive interior design shop is to open soon in Ringwood High Street, called Design Interiors at 37 The High Street and is run by Anne James of Roban James, the elegant Ringwood Lynes Lane lighting emporium. More...

News from 2004