13 minute read
Business
Legal eagles from Ringwood law firm Ellis Jones have been flying high to raise thousands of pounds for charity. The intrepid fundraisers also came back down to Earth as they successfully completed a skydive in aid of Julia’s House. Ellis Jones’s daredevils have so far raised £4,611 for the Corfe Mullen-based children’s hospice charity. The spectacular stunt took place at Netheravon, base of not-forprofit organisation the Army Parachute Association (APA), near Salisbury. Included in the fearless sevenstrong Ellis Jones team was partner and head of dispute resolution Lauren Day and marketing and events manager Georgina Wright. Also taking the plunge were legal placement student Howard Hasan, legal assistant Sandra Dakanyte and admin assistant Sam Smith, alongside two friends and family members in Sian Smith, wife of Ellis Jones managing partner Nigel Smith, and Chris Holt. Following training, they jumped from a modern Cessna Caravan aircraft at 13,500 feet – or two miles – above the Wiltshire countryside, with freefall taking about 45 seconds at speeds up to 120 mph. The tandem jumping team was in the safe hands of association military instructors who have had parachuting experience in some of the most challenging environments in the world, and all landed safely. Team captain Georgina Wright said: “It was an absolutely exhilarating experience to do this skydive. “We all had a fantastic time and the atmosphere was electric. “Everyone was very nervous and excited in the build-up but all were so thrilled afterwards. “It was so heartening that we were able to raise such a good amount for this brilliant charity. “Julia’s House delivers practical and emotional support for families that are facing unimaginable heartbreak – the knowledge that their child may not live into adulthood. “The charity provides frequent, flexible care for children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and support families in their own homes, in the community or at hospices and give their parents a muchneeded break.” Julia’s House has children’s hospices in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, and Devizes in Wiltshire. As well as inpatients, more than 65 per cent of its care is community based.
Legal eagles on the wing for children’s hospice
HEAD & WHEBLE THUMBS UP: Ellis Jones legal placement student Howard Hasan gets to grips with his tandem skydive instructor and, inset, the skydiving team from Ellis Jones, from left, Lauren Day, Chris FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS Holt, Georgina Wright, Sandra Dakanyte, Howard Hasan, Sam Smith and Sian Smith ESTABLISHED 1926
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HEAD & WHEBLE FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS HEAD & WHEBLE FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS ESTABLISHED 1926 HEAD & WHEBLE FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS ESTABLISHED 1926 HEAD & WHEBLE FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS ESTABLISHED 1926 HEAD & WHEBLE FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS ESTABLISHED 1926 HEAD & WHEBLE FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS ESTABLISHED 1926 ESTABLISHED 1926
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POSITIVE: Dorset Chamber president Caron Khan, chief executive Ian Girling and vice-president Tony Brown with some of the members of the business support organisation’s board. From left, Lesley Fox, Phil Popham, Nicky Busst, Ian Girling, Caron Khan, Gary Neild, Tony Brown and Simon Boyd
Rallying cry as business awards return
Revamped business awards are set to burst back into life during a three-day festival of business being held by Dorset Chamber in 2023. The new-look Dorset Business Awards were announced at the chamber’s annual general meeting along with a major conference and exhibition over three days in October. Chamber president Caron Khan was elected for a historic third successive term at the AGM at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth – becoming the first person to serve three consecutive years in office. A Christmas lunch followed the AGM with a raffle raising £1,265 for the Faithworks charity, which helps people affected by homelessness, food poverty, debt, addiction and lone parenting. Guests also donated hundreds of items – including food, socks and toiletries – for the chamber’s Festive Food Bank for Faithworks to distribute across Dorset. Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said at the AGM: “We all know the economic climate looks challenging but as businesses we must keep moving forward with a positive, although not naïve, attitude. “I want Dorset Chamber to be leading from the front to support our members and the wider business community, and I urge everyone to keep talking business up rather than down.” He added afterwards: “It was another hugely successful AGM and Christmas lunch with a staggering amount raised for Faithworks and hundreds of generous donations for the food bank. “Our deepest thanks go to everyone who donated items and prizes, and bought raffle tickets.” The chamber is revamping the Dorset Business Awards after a three-year hiatus following their 25th anniversary in 2019 and the intervening Covid pandemic. The AGM was told that more details will be announced in due course but they are likely to include changes to judging, the awards night and other improvements. A major conference focusing on business issues, such as sustainability and technology, will be held in the same week with keynote speakers and expert panels. The bumper business week will also include an exhibition for companies to network, showcase their services and products, and celebrate the county’s successes. Other plans for the year ahead include a Future Leaders Forum for young people under 30, an inclusivity and diversity forum and the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards as well as progression of the county’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) support. President Caron Khan said that she was excited to announce the return of the Dorset Business Awards as an ‘even better event experience’. She added: “I truly believe that for the chamber, its members and the Dorset business community at large the future still holds wondrous possibilities if we can work together, support one another and lead the way as the dynamic forward thinking business leaders that we are.” The AGM voted for Tony Brown to continue as vicepresident. Honorary treasurer Stephen Mills – the longestserving board member in the chamber’s 70 year history - stepped down after 19 years to be replaced by his fellow Mazars partner Lesley Fox. Long service awards also went to former presidents Paul Tansey and Simon West in recognition of their commitment and support for the chamber over many years. The chamber – Dorset’s leading business support organisation – has a mission to ‘enable better lives through business’.
Business
There’s treasure in those hampers...
Andrew Diprose is the founder and editor of dorsetbiznews. co.uk
Mother and daughter duo Mary Palfreeman and Anne East, pictured right, can’t believe how their family hamper venture has taken off. What began in October 2020 as a business delivering cream teas in lockdown has grown into a company handling more than 400 hampers in just the last year. From the cabin at the bottom of Anne’s Ferndown home orders are packed and despatched around the world. And, as the name of their business – Dorset Treasures – suggests, every item is sourced from Dorset. From jams, chocolate brownies and cheeses to biscuits, fudge and artisan gifts. Anne, 39, said: “Being a small business we wanted to help other small businesses and artisans. “That’s our big niche and hence why we call it Dorset Treasures.” A former high-flier with car rental giant, Hertz, responsible for the HR service across its UK sites, the mother of two was looking for something to keep her busy after being furloughed. Anne, said: “I’ve always wanted to have my own business. “The whole of my family has been selfemployed and entrepreneurial. “Before lockdown I had completely different aspirations and big plans, including moving to America. “But then I was furloughed and I knew I wouldn’t be going back. “The thing to keep me going through that time and cope with all the uncertainty was to keep busy.” It was Mary’s husband, Charles, who came up with the idea of delivering cream teas. Anne said: “We thought: why not give it a go? “If it lasted six months then it would keep our brains going during Covid and, particularly for me, keep me focused. “But it’s just never stopped.” Mary, 62, who previously worked in new house sales, said: “We’re quite detailed people. “Because we have a gift-giving business – and we have competitors like everybody else – we wanted to be a little different with the presentation of our product. “We started market research by ordering loads and loads of cream teas. “Instantly we thought ‘that’s tacky’ or we wouldn’t be impressed to receive this or that. “We wanted people receiving gifts sent through our company to really smile and think ‘this is something’.” As people returned to work after the end of lockdowns, the emphasis moved from cream teas to a wider range of baskets and hampers. Costs range from under £30 to around £80 while products aimed at the corporate market are priced at up to £200. As well as Dorset and the UK, customers are worldwide including Australia, New Zealand and America. The eco-friendly packaging includes using biodegradable bags instead of cellophane plastic and wooden gift tags which can be reused, such as Christmas tree decorations. The business moved to a new level when Wyatt Homes, the Poole-based property developer, approached Dorset Treasures to enquire about hampers for their new homeowners. Anne said: “Wyatt Homes was a complete and utter game-changer and got us into thinking corporate. “People moving into one of their new homes have one of our hampers on their kitchen table. “Wyatt Homes wanted Dorset produce because it’s for a Dorset property. “They were also looking for a small business and wanted to consider the environment which is our entire ethos. “They’ve just renewed our relationship and have, in fact, expanded it. “They’ve also asked us to create baskets for their properties in other counties such as Somerset. “We’re only too happy to tailor things to their requirements and expect to provide around 400 hampers for Wyatt Homes, alone, in the coming year.” Tara Kelly, Wyatt Homes’ sales director, said: “Last year we wanted to find a local company to supply our new homeowner hampers across our developments and we discovered Dorset Treasures. “Anne and her team have been fantastic with their support in sourcing local produce from local businesses. “The process from order to delivery is smooth and stress free.” A true family business, Anne’s sister, Rachel Cash, is also a director and exclusively provides her Seascape range of artisan gifts including coasters and decorative cheeseboards. Anne’s husband, Steve, helps with the IT while the aforementioned Charles contributes his creative and marketing skills. Mary said: “Anne and I have never worked together before but our skills are complementary and we’ve got confidence in each other’s abilities.” Anne said: “We’re closer than we’ve ever been in our lives through this business. “I’m just so proud of how we’ve come together as a family. “Having this business allowed me the freedom to be around my family, to build our relationships and to bring my sister into the venture. “In terms of the future, there are so many avenues for us to tap into rather than just staying with gifts and food. “We’re a real feel-good business and we love what we do.” dorsettreasures.co.uk.
