Shrove Tuesday at the Lord Binning was an exciting affair, as local businesses and residents competed in a Charity Pancake Race to help raise money for St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice.

The Lord Binning Pub and Kitchen in Kelsall hosted an entertaining Charity Pancake Race, attended by The Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Eleanor Johnson and Chester’s Olympic triathlon hopeful Charlotte Roach, as well as an army of local businesses and residents including teams from The Hollies Farm Shop, This Lady Loves and Nunsmere Hall.

The evening’s hosts, co-owners of the Lord Binning, North West celebrity chef David Mooney and business partner Paul Newman came up with the idea of an old-fashioned pancake race to raise much-needed funds for the local hospice. To incorporate a modern twist, all the racers high-tailed it around a tailor made ‘agility’ course in the Lord Binning’s scenic grounds with frying pan and lemons in hand!

An evening of fun and frolics was enjoyed by all and the proceeds of the event will be going to St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice, an adult hospice that cares for people from Mid and South Cheshire suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

To add some excitement to the evening, Luke, the London Routemaster Bus which was restored by Bentley for St Luke’s was on-hand for race participants to look around.

The winning team were from Nunsmere Hall, and they received a voucher for an all-expenses-paid meal at the Lord Binning.

Everyone who competed was welcomed into the Lord Binning afterwards and enjoyed some complimentary seasonal hospitality, in the form of delicious local mulled cider and freshly made pancakes.

A percentage of proceeds from the evening’s food sales also went straight to St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice.

If you didn’t make it on the night, but would still like to donate to the event, you can visit: www.justgiving.com/lordbinning

With the London 2012 Olympic Games fast approaching, Blue Bell Wilmslow invited customers to get into the winning spirit and attend the dealership’s unique “Ride & Drive” hospitality event to celebrate the launch of the new BMW 3 Series Saloon.

The Olympic occasion took place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February at the De Vere Mottram Hall, where guests were offered complimentary test drives across the BMW range, from the 1 Series through to the M Powered BMW. Attendees were also treated to refreshments throughout the day, and invited to enter a free prize draw for a chance to win one of 147 exciting prizes.

With 147 dealerships in the network nationwide, BMW is the Official Automotive Sponsor of London 2012, with Blue Bell Wilmslow supporting local Team GB hockey star, Alastair Brogdon in his preparation for the Olympic Games. With its Olympic giveaway, Blue Bell Wilmslow is offering an exclusive chance to win VIP Olympic Games tickets, along with a selection of BMW M3 Driving Experience Days and a 3 month loan of the new BMW 3 Series Saloon.

The BMW 3 Series Saloon has dominated its class for the last 36 years, and refinements to the model now make it even more spacious and lightweight, delivering even greater performance. With a new selectable ECO PRO mode, the improved 3 Series Saloon range also offers enhanced economy, as well as an impressive high level of standard specification.

Also showcasing on 11 and 12 February at the De Vere Mottram Hall were “the ultimate in performance and efficiency from the BMW range”, including the new BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Sports Hatch, the first BMW emitting under 99g/km of CO₂, through to the new BMW M5 with 560hp, the most powerful road car BMW has ever made.

Jason Shenton, Sales Director at Blue Bell Wilmslow, comments: “With the London 2012 Olympic Games coming up this summer, it is a very exciting time for everyone at BMW, and were delighted with our exclusive launch event for the new 3 Series Saloon. We have had a lot of early interest in the new model, and the “Ride & Drive” weekend at the De Vere Mottram Hall provided a great opportunity for customers to take a closer look, as well as enjoy some of the other high performance and efficiency models our range has to offer.”

For more information call Blue Bell Wilmslow on 01625 446663, go to www.bluebellwilmslowbmw.co.uk, or visit the dealership on Manchester Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 2LE.

Specialist celebrity skincare treatments from Skin Health Spa are now available in Nantwich as leading national clinic chain opens its first Cheshire location on 24th November.

In a sparkling open day, attendees will be able take advantage of fantastic launch day half-price treatments, with all proceeds being donated to St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice in Winsford. Danielle Lloyd, former Miss England and Miss Great Britain, will be available for a meet and greet in the clinic from 1pm until 2pm

Located on historic Welsh Row in Nantwich town centre, within an eye-catching Tudor building, the new Skin Health Spa clinic incorporates six luxurious treatment rooms, a plush modern reception area as well as housing the new head office and operations centre for Skin Health Spa, who have six prestigious clinics across the UK.

Explained operations director Adam Flint: “We have created a wonderful, welcoming clinic that would sit happily in any major city. Everyone has been very welcoming; the council, the local retailers and the local residents.”

Skin Health Spa sets itself apart from a typical high street beauty salon with a sophisticated treatment list of new and advanced treatments. Explained Mr Flint: “It’s about improving your skin; its texture and tone, as well as fighting off the signs of ageing.  In addition, our expertise lies in treating difficult skin conditions such as acne and acne”.  Treatments offered will include skin rejuvenating laser treatments, anti-ageing and wrinkle reducing options, treatments for sun damage and scarring, permanent hair reduction, pioneering Derma Roller facials, plus more traditional waxing, indulgent facials, massage and spray tanning.

The clinic also boasts an exclusive organic skincare range from luxury brand Aromatherapy Associates; creators of pioneering aromatherapy-based products for over 30 years.

Half price treatments will be available throughout the launch day, from 12 noon until 8pm, with all proceeds from the day being donated to St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice in Winsford. Champagne and canapés will be available and every person who visits will get the opportunity to look around the clinic’s state-of-the-art facilities. Everyone who attends the launch day celebrations will be entered into a prize draw to win treatments vouchers, with the top prize being a £1,000 treatment certificate to be used in the Nantwich clinic.

Skin Health Spa is located at 63 Welsh Row, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5EW.

Visit: www.skinhealthspa.com to find out more.

 Launch Day Event:

Skin Health Spa Nantwich, will be opened by model and TV presenter, Danielle Lloyd.

On Thursday 24th November Skin Health Spa Nantwich will be opened by Danielle Lloyd; former Miss England and Miss Great Britain. To celebrate the launch, from 12 noon until 8pm; half price treatments will be available, with all proceeds going to St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice in Winsford. Danielle will available to meet and greet and sign autographs from 1pm until 2pm. Anyone wanting to book in for a half price treatment can call 01270 613890 or email: nantwich@skinhealthspa.com for further details. Alternatively pop along on the day and have a chat with the friendly staff.

Liz Elam, Principal, and Pat McQuade, Director of Students at Abbey College Manchester, this week presented Francis House Children’s Hospice with a donation of £2,500 and a celebratory cake, following a successful fundraising campaign for the charity.

Based in Didsbury, Francis House provides essential support for families and their children, who have been diagnosed as having life threatening or life limiting conditions. The hospice provides a home from home, where families can receive professional care, support and friendship, free of charge and regardless of faith or cultural background.

Abbey College is a leading independent college in the heart of Manchester, with a fast-growing and vibrant community, and over the last year staff and pupils have undertaken a range of fundraising initiatives to support the local hospice.

The college’s efforts include a charity fashion show, which saw students present their creative collections at an event brimming with cultural inspiration, an annual charity dinner, in which staff and students gave generously to support the cause, and a sponsored bake sale.

Kate Puc, Fundraising Officer for Francis House Children’s Hospice, comments: “We are extremely grateful for this kind donation from Abbey College. The hospice provides vital support for local families and their children, but we rely on the generous fundraising efforts of local establishments like the college to enable us to continue with our work.”

Liz Elam, Principal of Abbey College, adds: “We are delighted to be able to present Kate and the team at Francis House Children’s Hospice with this donation. The admirable work done at the hospice to provide care and support for children and their families is fantastic, and we hope to be able to continue our support of the charity with ongoing fundraising events in the future.”

To find out more about Francis House Children’s Hospice visit www.francishouse.org.uk, or call 0161 434 4118.

For more information on Abbey College visit www.abbeymanchester.co.uk, or call 0161 817 2700.

Leading Cheshire-based independent financial advisors, JW Financial Planning, has unveiled their plans for a major one day conference focussed on personal investment and estate planning.

The firm has assembled speakers from the UK’s foremost national investment companies to give ‘best in class’ information to individuals attending the conference, which is being hosted on 30 November at Stanneylands, Wilmslow.

 Headlining at the conference will be one of the most recognisable and trusted market commentators in television, radio, and press – Justin Urquhart-Stewart of Seven Investment Management (7IM).

Justin has observed a unique understanding of the market’s roles and benefits for the private investor. Justin founded Broker Services in 1986, which went on to become Barclays Stockbrokers where he was Corporate Development Director. In early 2001, he co-founded 7IM.

At the conference Justin will share his insights on Controlling Risk in a Volatile Environment. Also headlining the conference is Philip Collins, Chief Investment Officer at Newton Investment Management, the global investment management subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.  Philip will share his thoughts on  areas of transition for our thematic thinking, and address the associated opportunities and risks for investors. 

Philip joined Newton in 1994 and is the Chief Investment Officer of the private client and charities business.  He is a member of the Newton Investment Committee and is responsible for the investment process for private clients and charities.  He is also the lead manager of the Newton Phoenix Fund which he has managed since its launch in 2003.

Philip has 25 years investment experience, investing money for UK and offshore individuals, trusts and pensions.  Philip began his career at Leopold Joseph, before moving to Capital House in 1990.

Philip is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities.

John Wilkinson of JW Financial Planning explains: “The conference was born out of the massive demand for more incisive information, opinions and market commentary in this unprecedented uncertain and extremely difficult market.   

“We are thrilled that we are bringing to Wilmslow such a wealth of knowledge within a single venue.

“Conference attendees will benefit greatly from the invaluable content shared by the extremely high calibre speakers, offering first rate commentary on what is happening in the market, and how to wisely invest in the future.

“Investment and planning decisions should not be taken lightly in this current climate, and the speaker list and agenda topics have been designed to ensure all attendees leave considerably more informed than when they arrived.” 

Other Confirmed speakers also include:-

 John Wilkinson, MD of JW Financial Planning, who will be hosting and introducing the event.  John has worked in financial services for 25 years and over that period has built up a number of different businesses. Having a broad range of financial services experience has enabled John to develop a very client focused approach to advice and solutions.

William Day and David Blake of Jupiter Asset Management, who are going to give an overview of “The Income Challenge Today and Tomorrow”.

Christine Hallett, Chief Executive of Carey Pensions UK, who will speak on the topic of “Flexible Income in Retirement”.

Neil Buckland, Head of Relationship Management at Octopus Investments, who will give an overview of “Tax Efficient Investments”.

Jan Holt, Head of The Business Development Team at Just Retirement, who will speak on “Enhanced Income in Retirement”.

Jamie Hamilton, Partner and Head of the Private Client Department at Temple Heelis solicitors, sharing his thoughts on “Inheritance Tax, Succession Planning and Oversees Property Ownership”.

Tickets are priced at £29.00 per attendee and include access to all presentations, refreshments and lunch.

For more information on the event, and to book tickets go to http://www.jwfp2011.co.uk.

Blue Bell BMW Group Managing Director, Sue Brownson OBE, has been elected ‘Master of the Coach & Coach Harness Makers’, becoming the first ever female to hold this highly acclaimed position with The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers of London.

Sue Brownson has joined a long list of previous ‘Masters’ dating back to 1677. The official ceremony took place at The Tallow Chandlers on 1st September and Sue will now enjoy her historic position as ‘Master of the Coachmakers’ for the next year.

The Coachmakers’ Company is a charitable association, which traditionally supports the heritage of coach and coach harness making, and today promotes excellence in the modern automotive, aerospace and rail industries. With over 35 years of association with BMW, Sue Brownson is ideally placed to lead the company that amongst other things, recognises and rewards distinction within the automotive industry.

Together with her husband, Group Chairman Chistopher Brownson, Sue heads up the Blue Bell Group, which includes four BMW and MINI dealerships in Wilmslow and Crewe as well as a group Bodyshop in Wilmslow. Sue received royal recognition for her services to the retail motor industry and charity work back in 1998 when she was awarded an OBE and last year she was also honoured with the title ‘Modern Muse’ by Everywoman – the UK’s leading provider of training, resources and support services for women in business. Everywoman created the ‘Modern Muse’ initiative to inspire and engage the next generation of female business leaders and entrepreneurs by showcasing successful and inspirational women of today from all walks of business life.

As part of her most recent accolade as ‘Master of the Coachmakers’, Sue Brownson will become involved with The Coachmakers’ Company’s charitable work, which sees donations made towards training in the automotive and aerospace industries, and educational bursaries granted to students studying Motor Vehicle Design at the Royal College of Art.

Sue Brownson comments: “I am extremely honoured to become ‘Master of The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers of London’. It has a wealth of heritage, and I am delighted to be involved with a company that promotes excellence within the automotive, aerospace and rail industries, as well as providing essential support to emerging talent within the sector. I was nervous at the official ceremony, but I am now looking forward to contributing to the excellent work of The Coachmakers’ Company over the next year.”

For more information on the Blue Bell Group, visit www.thebluebellgroup.co.uk and to find out more about The Coachmakers’ Company, go to www.coachmakers.co.uk.

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In its 25^th year, award winning Greater Manchester based theatre company, GW Theatre is celebrating the launch of GANGING UP, their brand new play tackling knives, guns and gangs.

Arts Council England, GMP Tackling Knives Action Programme, New Charter Housing Trust and AGMA have all come out in support of the development of this latest project which follows hot on the heels of a 4 year national tour of their hugely successful and award winning production “One Extreme to the Other”.

GANGING UP, written by the award-winning writer Mike Harris has received tremendous feedback from its pilot tour in schools to nearly 700 young people across 11 locations throughout Greater Manchester and Yorkshire during June and July.

Cockburn School in Leeds said: ‘we’re very impressed with GW Theatre’s ability to get hard messages across to students in an engaging and non-patronising way. Students delighted in telling the characters how they should see the error of their ways. This company knows how to talk and interact with inner city high school students without a hint of stereotypical self- importance that is sometimes seen from T.I.E. companies…”

Dave Jones, GW Creative Director explains: “We are very excited about the launch of our new play which is based partly on research with young people and professionals. After its initial run of pilot performances this summer, the play will be touring from the late Autumn of 2011, supported by specially developed educational resources and a national website. We believe it has huge potential’

“This is the 25^th new show in as many years by a company that has reached almost half a million people with exciting and memorable theatre productions.”

GANGING UP is a furiously paced, funny and moving drama about how teenagers get into gangs and how hard it is to get out of them. It’s about gangs now and gangs in the so-called ‘good old days’. It’s a tragic-comedy of love, betrayal, and taking responsibility. It’s designed to provoke discussion amongst anyone from 14 to 40 (and beyond) and is always followed by a session in which the actors come back in characters to allow the audience to interrogate them about what they did.

A cross brand electrical industry taskforce formed in aid of ‘It’s a Mistry’ – a campaign to raise funds to purchase pre-term baby equipment at Lister Hospital in Stevenage – has raised over £2000 in the first major leg of its ambitious programme.

‘It’s a Mistry’ is bringing together representatives from Dixons Group, Hotpoint, Whirlpool and retail training specialist Beyond The Box in memory of Priya Mistry, a former employee of Beyond The Box, and her new born son Jayden. Both mother and son lost their fight for life last December, as Priya suffered a brain haemorrhage at eight months pregnant.

The cross industry team, who are aiming to raise at least £6500, through numerous activities, completed a sponsored climb of Ben Nevis on 25 June 2011, generating just under £2500 towards the campaign total.

The Ben Nevis ‘It’s a Mistry’ challenge team ascended and descended in between 7-10 hours, and included electrical retail stalwarts: Karen Shaw from Whirlpool, Natasha Farrell, Laura Jones and Toby Kheng from

Dixons Group, Christine Knott and Joanne Cox from Beyond The Box, and Emma Bowers who is a former Beyond The Box employee, and her friend Jo Riddle.

Additional funds will continue to be raised through quiz nights, cook-ins, sponsored weightloss campaigns, and a national prize draw with electrical goods donated by Hoover, Whirlpool and Hotpoint and a weekend break prize donated by Beyond The Box. Other corporate donors include Whitbread, Ikon Photography and Manchester-based Alter Ego.

BMW and MINI dealership Blue Bell Wilmslow has announced its sponsorship of hockey star, Alastair Brogdon, in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Alastair has 39 caps for England, and four for Great Britain, with two major medals to his name – a 2009 Amsterdam European Championship gold and a Champions Trophy silver.

The sponsorship deal is to assist Alastair in meeting his transportation needs for training, competitions and events, and Blue Bell presented him with a BMW 1 Series at the dealership on Thursday 4th July.

Alastair currently plays for, and trains at Bowdon Hockey Club, which finished 5th in the UK Premier League last season.

Sue Brownson OBE, Blue Bell Group Managing Director, comments: “Alastair is an outstanding locally-based athlete and we are thrilled to be in a position to lend our support to him.”

“We wish him every success in his pursuit to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games. We will be arranging events this year and in 2012 at our MINI and BMW showrooms in Wilmslow, as many of our customers will be keen to meet Alastair.”

The announcement follows the appointment in 2009 of BMW Group as the Official Automotive Partner of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As well as supplying over 4,000 fuel-efficient vehicles throughout the Games, BMW is also actively supporting British athletes, such as Ellie Simmonds and Louis Smith, via the BMW London 2012 Performance Team.

Meanwhile, in line with the Performance Team initiative, BMW dealers such as Blue Bell Wilmslow are working with local athletes, supporting their endeavours to qualify for Team GB or Paralympics GB.

On Sunday 15 May, 26 Arighi Bianchi directors, employees and friends completed the challenging Bupa Great Manchester 10K Run to raise a substantial £5,505 to date with an expected final total in excess of £6,000 for East Cheshire Hospice.

Nick Bianchi, Arighi Bianchi Director, and ‘Team Bianchi’ runner comments: “We would like to thank everyone for their generous donations. It has made all the runners’ hard work seem worthwhile with such thought felt donations coming in.

“East Cheshire Hospice do such a fantastic service in the area, and in particular, they were so wonderful with our late colleague and friend Eric Moores, who was very much in our thoughts on the day.”

 Fiona Beasley, Major Relationships Manager at East Cheshire Hospice adds: “We are overwhelmed with the number of people who joined ‘Team Bianchi’ to support the hospice, and the enthusiasm emanating from the runners. In total 95 people registered to support East Cheshire Hospice in the run which means in total around £12,000 will have been raised”.

“As we are Arighi Bianchi’s official charity, we are so grateful to them for their continued support which contributed in no small way to our significant participation in this fantastic event.”