Continued on page 4.
L Colin Mayes, of BGL Burhill the Red
Burhill Golf Club once again played host to the annual Nedbank South African Charity Golf Day, on Friday 9th September. Over the 28 years in which the charity day has taken place, more than £3.5 million has been donated to charities across South Africa to help improve the lives of children through the means of education, health, housing, and sporting facilities – in addition to providing support to those suffering with disabilities.
a group
ed by company CEO,
1 SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
GOLF DAY
Team News TOP STORIES / CEO UPDATE / LATEST NEWS / SUPPORT OFFICE / BGL BUZZ SEPT/OCT 2022
Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
British
team members have completed an immense cycling challenge to Paris from
BGL TEAM COMPLETE CYCLE CHALLENGE FOR UKRAINE CHARITY RELIEF
BGL
BGL NEDBANK CHARITY
15 PAGES
Continued on page 4.
Golf Club, raising nearly £10,000 to support
2 SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News LEISURENINJA Burhill Golf Club CharityannualhostsNedbankGolfDay UPDATECEO From Colin Mayes ADVENTURE LEISURE Latest Mulligans site opening in Worcester CONTENTS PAGE Latest Ninja Warrior UK site opening Acquisition of Total Ninja ESTATESBGL BGL GOLF BGL team complete Burhill to Paris cycle challenge for Ukraine Charity Relief Apprentice Opportunities Meet Bradley Bates
of weeks ago my wife Kirstie and I, together with a small group of other BGL employees, completed a charity bike ride challenge from Burhill to Paris for the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. The route took us through some wonderful countryside and, all in all, it was a huge success – we managed to raise £9,505 for the Ukraine Crisis Appeal. Richard Nuttall, Relationships Director at HSBC, has also raised an additional £1,500 for the same charity. I would like to thank the many people in the business who wished us luck on the ride – the messages of support were very much appreciated. Donations are still being accepted on
CEO
at BGL had the opportunity to celebrate her life in the way that they wish. There are some occasions when you just cannot think about commercial matters. Her passing is a very sad period for us all. If anything, I think this truly global news has brought our nation together, and the respect and love that we had for Her Majesty will really come through in the coming days and weeks ahead.
3 SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
On a more positive note, I am delighted to report that we are on-site at our next Mulligans venue in Norwich which, aside from any problems, should be opening just before Christmas. Thank you all for your hard work during the summer, and whilst we may all be facing difficult times in the near future, we will be doing our utmost to protect our business and our employees as we enter the winter trading period.
Warmest Regards, Colin Mayes
This summer we opened two new venues, including Ninja Warrior Swansea. General Manager, David Edwards and his team have done a great job with a very successful opening period and I’m delighted to report that current trading is in line with our initial expectations. The same applies to our new Mulligans business in Worcester, which opened in August. Christine Sparks, General Manager at Milton Keynes, and her team have been overseeing the opening and are starting to make a very positive mark on the town
wanteddecidedIfuneral,businessesElizabethhonouringThisattendedhugejobThewonderfulentertainmentindinnerThedifferentwhichGolfalsoLastbgl-bike-2-paris-2022www.justgiving.com/fundraising/https://weekBurhillGolfClubhostedthelargestCharityDayinEuropeforNedbankwassupportedbymanySouthAfricanbusinesses.dayendedwithacharityandauctionfor450peoplethegardenofBurhill,withprovidedbyaSouthAfricanband.Burhillteamdidawonderfulinservicingthewholeeventtoapplausefromeverybodythattheday.monthwewillalsobeHerMajestyQueenIIbyclosingallofouronthedayofherstateMonday19thSeptember.knowmanybusinesseshavetoremainopen,butItoensurethateveryone
Our country is currently going through some significant change. Our new Prime Minister certainly has her hands full, and like her, the business is having to react to inflation, energy costs, employment, and forecasting what the winter period will bring. You can rest assured we will be doing our best to manage our way through the many difficulties in the coming months. We will be reviewing wage rates and setting out a sensible business plan to keep the group moving ahead in what is likely to be some of the most challenging trading we have faced in the last two decades.
with this new entertainment venue. Richard Wood, General Manager at Mulligans Newcastle upon Tyne, will be taking over at Worcester
Ashortly.couple
CEO UPDATE Colin Mayes
Dear Colleagues, As the summer 2022 golf season comes to a close, I am delighted that overall, the total BGL business has managed to navigate its way through summer successfully. The Golf Division’s trading has held up very well, despite our golf courses being scorched as a result of the lengthy heatwave. I can’t remember a period where we went so long without any decent rainfall. With some hosepipe restrictions still in place, we will face considerable expense in supporting our greenkeeping teams in nurturing our golf courses back to the wonderful condition we saw in May of this year.
Other sporting equipment (such as cricket bats, tennis rackets, hockey sticks, boxing gloves, and footballs) was also collected in aid of emphasising the importance of sport to those in struggling South African communities.
jerseys, upon arrival the group of cyclists were recognised by a Ukrainian family who had just arrived in Paris, having fled their hometown of Odessa due to the invasion – a sobering reminder of why the team made the decision to take on this challenge.
4
national colours of Ukraine on their
Continued from the front page.
The 300km+ challenge got under way outside Burhill on Friday 2nd September, with a difficult 75-mile ride over the famous Ditchling Beacon to catch the ferry to France at Newhaven. Day two was the longest of the three planned, covering nearly 120km and around 2,400 feet of elevation. The team suffered five punctures and two mechanical issues before arriving at the overnight stop. The final day involved a 105km ride into Paris from the west, via the Palace of Versailles. The team approached the finish line at the base of the Eiffel Tower with a burst of energy and were greeted by the support team and a well-earned glass of Wearingchampagne.the
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
Continued from the front page.
The golf day – which has grown to be one of the largest in Europe, with around 320-360 golfers participating from all over the country and further afield – was followed by an entertainment-filled gala dinner designed to support the South African charities involved.
The team were eager to take on this challenge to support the millions of people who have suffered so much in the past year, both in Ukraine, and trying to flee the war-torn country. 100% of the money raised will be used to directly aid the humanitarian efforts in the country being led by the Red Cross.
The total amount raised for the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal is currently £9,105, and company CEO, Colin Mayes, is set to present the full amount to the British Red Cross in early October.
In the build-up to the day, Burhill Golf Club gathered donated golf clubs, golf bags, golf shoes, and any other golfing equipment that was deemed in usable condition to be shipped to South Africa in a 40-foot container – giving hundreds of children the chance to properly experience what the sport has to offer.
This year, along with the Nedbank South African Charity, we took on a new initiative, perhaps the largest to date, to help grow the game, as well as supporting those who otherwise may not have access to sporting equipment in South Africa.
BGL GOLF
BGL GOLF
Back in 2007, Tom started working at Abbey Hill as a Ranger on a weekend morning. After three years as a Ranger, and a gap year, in 2011 Tom was ready to start his PGA Training and was successful after applying for the job at Abbey Hill. In 2014, after passing his PGA Foundation Degree and becoming a fully qualified PGA Professional, Tom got his first taste of management as the new Junior Academy Manager.
Following Sarah Blunden’s appointment as the new General Manager at Hoebridge Golf Centre, Tom was drafted in and spent the second quarter of 2022 as Interim General Manager at Wycombe Heights. In June, Chris Young was announced as the new General Manager at Wycombe Heights, meaning Tom could return to project work. After spending the last month finishing up his projects, he has decided he’s ready to move on to the next chapter of his life.
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
After a few years of gaining experience at Abbey Hill, in March 2018 he applied for the job as Head Professional at Wycombe Heights, knowing that it would be a massive step in his career. When he took on that role, he became the youngest Head Professional in the BGL Group.
Towards the end of 2021, Tom was given the opportunity to spend some time doing project work around the company, to give him greater knowledge in the areas in which he had no experience. Projects included, helping with driving range refurbishments and improving risk assessments for greater efficiency.
A FAREWELL TO TOM BLICK
After more than 15 years with the company, the BGL Group is sadly saying its goodbyes to Tom Blick.
5
BGL GOLF
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone I have worked with over the past 15 years. Although there have been a lot of challenges, I have enjoyed every moment of it and wouldn’t change a thing. A special thank you to Ross Edmond, Steve Brown, Andrew Scholey, Robin Cheng, Sarah Blunden, Scott McKittrick, Guy Riggott, and Colin Mayes, who have been massive parts of my life at BGL, and I couldn’t be more grateful to all of you. I wish everybody at BGL the very best for the future, and farewell”. - Tom Blick
SWIMTAG AT BIRCHWOOD PARK
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
On Monday 5th Sept we launched Swimtag at Birchwood Park, in an effort to help our members achieve their goals.
Once a workout is complete and the watch handed back to reception, it automatically uploads training data to the system so that customers can track their progress via the Swimtag app.
A message fromTom:
Over the coming months, we will be setting club challenges, competitions and building a swimming community within Birchwood Park.
Swimtag is a watch that can be worn while swimming to log lengths, stroke type, pace etc.This then feeds to a display screen on the poolside delivering live feedback.
Our swimmers have never been offered so much support, and we are excited to now be able to offer this service as a part of their membership.
6
Continued from the previous page.
The launch night was a VIP friends and family, with the addition of some invitees from local businesses, press, and celebrities. Attendees were invited to come along and try out both crazy golf courses and enjoy the various other activities the venue boasts, including shuffleboard, pool, ping-pong and electro-darts, as well as tucking into some food and beverages.
MULLIGANS WORCESTER
The evening created a surge in social media coverage with many of the guests posting images and videos on their channels, creating invaluable word of mouth exposure.
Overall, there were more than 200 guests including the Mayor of Worcester, Worcester Warriors, and Worcester University, as well as a couple of local social media influencers. Guests were very complimentary about the venue, highlighting the wide array of activities available, the friendly atmosphere, and how exciting and enjoyable the two courses were.
The latest addition to the Mulligans brand opened in Cathedral Square, Worcester on 18th August with a launch night prior to opening held on 16th August.
7 Adventure Leisure SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
NIC KARANICOLA SMASHES TOUGH MUDDER CHALLENGE
8
We set out a target to get a medal, knowing that France and England were both very strong teams.
“I’m really excited to continue working closely with Richard and the BUNKERS! family to make this venue the very best it can possibly be!”
Adventure Leisure
to the quarter final against Ireland, which resulted in a 10-6 victory! We were through to the semi-finals.
Following her promotion to Assistant General Manager, Nic Karanicola from our BUNKERS! site in Swansea, set about taking on the infamous Tough Mudder challenge – to celebrate?!
I started playing touch rugby alongside contact when I was 16 years old in Pontyclyn, for the Untouchables. From there, I played for Gower Dragons as well as regional touch rugby for the Rebels. I had my first cap for Wales in 2016 in Jersey, and now have 22 caps in total.Touch rugby has kept me doing what I love to do, with less Injuries from playing contact.
One of our players, Robert Kotyla, sadly lost his life in 2021.This tournament was the first time he had not been with us.We had his initials on our playing shirts so that he was not far away.
RICHARD BYRNE, GM OF BUNKERS! SWANSEA COMPETES INTOUCH RUGBY EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
In our first game, we lost 9-4 to England, but we were
I9-8.was
This meant we would play Scotland in the bronze medal decider.We took the edge and beat them again,
After completing the event, Nic said: “Tough Mudder was a great experience. Especially being able to run it with Richard, who made the 3.5 hours it took us to get around fly by, as we laughed our way around the course. Running as a pair, it felt like I had a personal trainer running next to me, providing constant encouragement, just as he does in the workplace. I can’t wait to do it all again next year!
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
lucky to pick up our team’s Player of the Tournament, voted by our coaches. This was my 30th cap for Wales, and a great experience was had by all.
The semi-final was against France. It was one of our best performances of the tournament even with three of our key players out with injury.The second half saw France coming out firing.We couldn’t match their pace with the final score, 17-7 to France.
Richard Byrne, General Manager of BUNKERS! Swansea tells us about competing in the Touch Rugby European Championships.
Ninja Leisure
TheJuly.
launch night was run as a private VIP event in which local businesses, press, and celebrities were in attendance with their friends and families to try out the courses, and enjoy some food and refreshments. In all, there were just over 250 attendees including guest appearances from Chris Kamara, Ospreys Rugby, Shane Williams, and Ninjas, Alix and Dean.
e completed the purchase of Total Ninja Manchester on 1st July this year. The latest addition to Ninja Leisure’s brand portfolio, the acquisition provides BGL with the ability to expand our adventure park and inflatable park offering alongside our ITV Partnership.
The evening generated nothing but positive feedback from our guests, highlighting the friendly and thoroughly enthusiastic staff members, enjoyable yet challenging course, and exciting atmosphere.
The evening created a social media buzz with many of the guests posting images and videos on their social media channels, such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
9
TOTAL WPURCHASENINJA
ur latest Ninja Warrior UK venue opened in Park Tawe, Swansea on 22nd July with a launch night prior to the opening on 21st
The venue offers multiple fixed ninja runs, climbing walls, one of the largest inflatable courses in Europe, soft play, arcades, and a full service café offering a variety of hot and cold food and drinks.
NINJA WARRIOR UK OSWANSEA
Your GM has a registration form for you to complete with your details, which will then be forwarded to Emma Olley at Support Office. Once registered, you will receive an email directly from The Perks.
How to
ClaireWarmestoccasions!regards,
I have sent a comprehensive list of benefits to your General Managers to place on your notice boards as a reminder of what we are all entitled to as employees of BGL.
Benefits – the nice to haves...
link: www.eap-carefirst.com 2)Username: Lifestyle1234 3)Password: carefirst
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1)Click this
You will then see the option to register your details. When you have completed this step, you will be able to visit the homepage and navigate through the various options.
CAREFIRST – EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Perks
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
Performance Management & Employee Relations Skills Training
A more personal thank you to Janice for being the easiest line report I have ever had to manage, to Heather for being... well... Heather! And to Colin for his counsel and support.
Too many great people to name individually, so I will wish BGL, and the entire team continued success and I will pop in to see many of you during my travels in my new role – make sure the red wine is plentiful for those
Claire Boulden
The two recent additions to the benefits package, the ‘Employee Assistance Program’ (EAP) called Carefirst, and the ‘Perks’ offering substantial savings and discounts, have seen minimal uptake. So, I would urge you to peruse the information sent to your General Managers on both.
AND THEN IT’S GOODBYE FROM AME…
s this will be my last newsletter contribution before I depart the business in October, I’d like to say a huge thank you for the warm welcome and support I have received over the last year. I feel we have made great strides in better understanding HR as a function in looking after both the business AND its employees.
on
Support Office
register:
Kevin Steppings - 21 years Abbey Hill
JaniceThanks,Moore
Janice Moore Learning and Development Manager
Michael Smith - 22 years Birchwood Park GC
Alan Walker - 5 years Abbey Hill
already done so, go to the App Store and download ‘SAP Litmos’ (The Academy).
Lisa Dicketts - 8 years BPGC Health & Fitness
Michael Law - 19 years Birchwood Park GC
Michael Hayes - 5 years
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
The July 2022 content release consisted of 32 courses – eight new and 24 translations (including Japanese, Portuguese, and Korean). In addition, 23 courses were enhanced.
Did you know that The Academy is home to 1000+ courses to support your development? It’s available 24/7 and can be accessed from anywhere in the world on any Ifdevice.youhaven’t
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
When prompted for domain, enter: bglacademy, then enter your usual username and password.
Alexandra Ware - 6 years Birchwood Park GC
BPGC Health & Fitness
I.T. Skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Leadership and Management, Ethics and Conduct, Finance Skills, Communication and Social Skills, Customer Service Collection, Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Wellbeing, Hospitality, Human Resources, Sales Mastery, Project Management, The Retail Collection, and more!
Sandra Tipping - 5 years
Mahfoud Ben Mesbah - 7 years
Aldwickbury Park GC
Do you need to be alert to do your job? Would you know how to spot the onset of fatigue? This course will explore fatigue, the risks involved, and techniques to manage it.
THE ACADEMY: Not just a place for compliance training
Julian Bamford - 6 years Redbourn GC
Stephanie Martin - 11 years Sidcup
A couple of new ones that caught my attention are:
Other topics available in The Academy
Leading Learning – Eating Habits at Work 1.0
Leading Learning – Fatigue Management 1.0
Birchwood Park GC
11
We would all like to eat healthier but it’s not always that easy, especially at work. This course can help you make smarter choices when it comes to eating better at work.
Support Office
With a range of ’60-Second Skills’ to choose from, learning is something you can fit in while waiting for the kettle to boil.
Scott McKittrick - 12 years Support Office
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you ended up doing an apprenticeship
Bradley joined the company in October 2020, and recently qualified as a Horticulture and Landscape Operative with flying colours. We asked him to down tools for a while so that we could ask him a few questions!
Completed
An opportunity came up for me to work at a local garden centre and I decided to go for it. In my time there, I developed a keen interest in horticulture.
Started
Burhill
also be recruited into the business, which is how Bradley Bates came to join.
Name Bradley Bates of Work Estates, based at Support Office in Walton on Thames and Landscape Operative, Level 2 Provider Activate Learning qualification October 2020 qualification June 2022
Training
The opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification via the apprenticeship scheme is available for existing Adventure Leisure, Ninja Leisure, Golf, Group, and Estates employees. Qualifications covering most areas of the business are available, and there is no upper age limit. If you are interested, speak to your manager for further Apprenticesdetails.can
APPRENTICE OPPORTUNITIES
Place
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Support Office
I love the outdoors, which probably stemmed from my family owning a stable yard. I was often helping with jobs and my interest in pursuing an outdoor career grew from there.
My desire to learn about a wider variety of outdoor work, led me to join Burhill Estates as an apprentice. The fact that I could be getting paid while gaining experience and studying towards a qualification really appealed to me.
Qualification Horticulture
Apprenticeship training is available to existing employees of BGL, what tips can you offer about juggling work with study?
Listen to the advice of your training provider to achieve assignment deadlines. They want you to succeed and provide lots of guidance to help you plan and stay on track.
Having a better understanding of the legislation that determines how we do things has helped a lot. I would always follow the H&S rules, but now I really understand why it’s all so important.
What’s next for you?
I’d also say make sure that your line manager is kept in the picture with what you need to get done. Set up regular meetings with them to discuss how you are getting on and make sure you let them know if you are slipping behind.
Do you have any advice for colleagues who didn’t particularly enjoy school/college, but who would like to gain a nationally recognised qualification?
Support Office
Another main learning is to do with the finer points of hard and soft landscaping and fencing. When I’m involved in projects now, I’m able to add more value because of what I learnt on my course.
I want to get involved in larger tree work and groundwork projects, so I’m speaking to my manager about how I can go about that. It’s going to involve further training, but having achieved this qualification, I’m ready to continue on the learning journey!
SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
Focus on all the new skills and knowledge that you are going to acquire. Study does take effort, but any qualification worth having requires effort. For example, I didn’t like all the writing that I had to do, but I just got on with it. As long as it’s a subject area that interests you, my advice is there is no time like the present. Speak to your manager and explore the options.
What are some of the things you have learnt through doing this apprenticeship, and how have they helped you in your role?
Bradley Bates
In at 06:15am. First things first, swipe in, mug of tea (milk, two sugars), water plants and hanging baskets, obtain start sheet for the day, open the Starter’s Hut for the 06:56 first tee time. Repair divots on the tee if there’s time. Then the fun begins. I am not what you would call a ‘normal’ starter, as our members will confirm, and although I will praise a good shot,
SATURAY - COMPETITION DAY
Course Marshall | Ramsdale Park
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF, BRIAN BAILEY
I have been known to throw out the ‘occasional’ insult if the tee shot is not to my liking. Remind players to rake bunkers and repair pitch marks, which sometimes is like water off a duck’s back, but all we can do is try. I also have a charity bucket, charging £1 if the tee shot goes into the fairway bunker on our first hole, which raises around £800 each year for our charity (Maggies). Some members who are not the most accurate of strikers take out an annual pass for £10 – that’ll do nicely.
14 SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
It’s the Club Pairs today, so a smaller field than normal of around 120 players. Last competition tee time is 12:00. Time to empty the bins around the clubhouse – they fill up very quickly with bottles in the hot weather. Then general play will commence with mem bers, visitors, and societies. Two societies, one of 30, and another of 12 keep me on my toes for a while. Any newbies are blessed with a few hints and tips to help them on their way. Our course tends to be very busy, no time at present to Marshal the course, but timing players as they pass the 9th green indicates a reasonable pace of play, so no problems yet.
I always try to catch members, visitors, and societies after their game to ensure they had a good day and gather their opinions on the course (normally, comments are excellent). 14:30ish, the course is quietening down a bit, time to get the Marshal’s buggy out and have a trip round the course, checking for pace of play etc. Also, feed the fish near the 6th green on the way round, watch a few play, making sure they rake bunkers and repair pitch marks. It’s funny, they always do when they see me around. It must be the bunker and green pixies that do all the damage. Back to the clubhouse, water the plants again, and empty the bins. Time for a well earned mug of tea, before swiping out for the day.
15 BGL Buzz SEP/OCT 2022Burhill Team News
