Following a recent introductory conversation and on behalf of my team, I would like to invite you to our event at

Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH on Tuesday 8th June at 2pm.

This event will provide guidance and support for SME businesses aiming to “get ahead of the upturn”.

There will be presentations from local industry experts on Finance, International Opportunities and Employment as well as a networking area with trade stands where you can meet business people from our local area.

There will be refreshments provided on arrival.

Please email businesseventsglos@lloydstsb.co.uk to reserve your place.

The Forest of Dean Local History Society will be holding their 5th History Fair on Sunday 23rd May 2010 at Bells Hotel and Country Club in Coleford from 10am – 4pm.

Admission is £3-00 (Under 16’s Free)

There will be children’s activities run by John Putley from the Gloucestershire Archives. John will be asking the children to ‘Stand & Deliver’ making and decorating highwayman’s hats and masks plus making cardboard tube highwaymen Also activity packs to take home.

There will also be some short workshops (about 15 mins each one. Vicky Thorpe from the Gloucestershire Archives will be running a couple of sessions on Family history; Averil Kear will be running a couple on House History research and Cecile Hunt will be telling everyone how they can start with their research projects. If you would like some help with your research or have a history question about the Forest of Dean come and see us on the society’s help desk.

There will be variety of stands to browse at the Fair including English Bicknor Group, GSIA (Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology) , the Chepstow and Tidenham History Group, DAG (Dean Archaeological Group), Forest of Dean Family History Society and the Sealed Knot.

There will be a silent auction where there several quality lots to bid for including; a copy of the Victoria County History Vol V – Forest of Dean, Cyril Harts Industrial Dean, Fay Godwin’s The Secret Forest of Dean (signed by Edna Healey), a set of New Regards from the year 2000 to 2010 (10 copies altogether), a beautiful large paper weight, a large box of chocs and a framed photograph by Norman Hunt

Contact Cecile Hunt

01594 842164

When anyone starts a business, the thought of spending money to go to business networking clubs or events can sometimes seem like an unnecessary expenditure. But, once you have actually gone to these events, you will probably wonder why you didn’t join years ago, especially when you land your first referral from the club or your first bit of business.

Most areas have local business clubs where business owners and company directors get together, either in the morning or in the evening to showcase their company, have a general talk about what is happening and then to pass leads between each of the members. This method of networking can be incredibly effective because not only are you meeting local businesses who may require your services but you are also showcasing your company in front of other people who may well go and recommend you to all of their friends or people who might need your services.

As long as the club has enough members from enough different businesses, a networking club can be a fantastic opportunity to pick up new contracts and jobs, and even when you take into account your monthly membership fee, compared to other types of advertising, you will realise how cheap it is.

If you spend £200 a month on newspaper advertising and yet a business club wants to charge you £50 for four meetings a month and you pick up one £500 job from the newspaper and one £500 from the club, you can soon start to see how effective networking can be. Networking is always about getting yourself in front of others who might need your services who know people who possibly might need what you need to offer.

But, you also need to think long term as well. Often these clubs begin to really bond and start to look after their own members, meaning that in the future if someone needed something that you offered, one of the other club members will automatically think of you, which can help lead to generating long term and pipeline business. Although it can be daunting joining an established club, most always welcome new members as this is how the meetings keep going, by the introduction of new members on a regular basis.

If you want to find a club in your local area, you can either look online or speak to business owners in the town or city you are looking to become a member in. There are national groups who spread across the country and just have regional meetings and there are also smaller and more independent groups, which can sometimes offer a little more in terms of rewards because they are totally locally based.

It really is worth going along and trying things out for a couple of months, as you just never know who you might meet and the business you may attract.

The Bestof the Forest of Dean are holding one of their popular networking events on Tuesday the 30th March at the Farmers Boy Inn, Longhope – 6.30pm – 8.30pm.

Around 40 businesses will be attending the event and it promises to be another evening of relaxed networking in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

Mitcheldean Soap are the sponsors and will be represented by owner Sarah Gates who will give a short presentation on her business.

If you would like to attend or would like more information on this and future Bestof evenings please Email forestofdean@thebestof.co.uk or call Paul James on 01594 560604

http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/forest-of-dean

Title: Coleford Business Association
Location: Town Council Offices, Not District Council.
Description: Meet for 5:45pm and discuss town security, car-parkimng and any other town related matter for businesses and traders.
Start Time: 6:00pm
Date: 2010-06-15
End Time: 7:00pm

Press Release for Business First Networking Group

Bucking the trend for positive and genuine business recommendations are local business owners Allan Wasley & Roger James. Allan & Roger have formed a new business networking group namely ‘Business First’ based at Bells Hotel & Golf Club in Coleford. Meetings take place each Tuesday morning at 7:15am.

Roger James, Director of Office Star Group Ltd in Coleford and Allan Wasley, Dean Estate Agents have found an opening for like minded business folk looking to increase their network of contacts through a professional meeting forum.

Roger commented ‘There is no substitute for meeting like minded business professionals face to face, and the power of business referrals via Word of Mouth. No single personality type is right for every business as different businesses demand different skills and attitudes, however, all successful entrepreneurs share a passion for what they do and the ability to inspire others to work with them. Your own approach will have a significant impact on the success of your business and whether it achieves its full growth potential. We have a great mix of business people that bring their experiences to the table on a Tuesday morning and offer members good, solid and sound advice. It is without doubt that combined pooling of contacts, referrals and experience has helped many members gain business that they simply would not have received without ‘Business First.

Since the formation in January 2010, Businesses First have hit the ground running and growing week by week. However, you just can’t turn up and join as the standards are set high. Allan Wasley believes that honesty and a genuine desire to exceed expectations are the foundations of what the group aspires to. Allan said ‘I have referred members to my clients on the basis that I know they will deliver a first class service, be punctual and above all remember that they are also representing the member that referred them in the first place. It is with this expectation that many local folk are experiencing great service and support from local businesses, something that we all strive towards. Our trades members work hard to get their quotes out within hours of an appointment, something that you may normally wait days if not weeks for. By making commitments to join, it is absolutely essential that we live up to our expectations of supplying the area with reputable businesses and trades’

Allan also continued ‘A well-run network will thrive if its participants play an active role in keeping the network topical and relevant. If you have experienced the benefits of a network group then you will no doubt know that there is additional work, referrals, contracts etc available out there. However, they are rewards of participation and a well run, focused meeting that brings together local businesses to create a vibrant and dynamic organisation that provides its members with greater opportunities to develop networks.

If you think that Business First is for you, please contact either Allan Wasley 01594 835751 or Roger James 01594 810081. A genuine group of local business folk with exacting standards offered to all customers.

http://www.businessfirstglos.co.uk

Sara from Mitcheldean Soaps is looking for the following :

Was wondering if you could ask members is they had any cardboard boxes (adult shoe size box or above) they could spare me, I need them to cure batches of soap in! Also any old knives , spoons or saucepans would be great.

So, if you have any :

• Cardboard Boxes – Adult Shoe Size Or Above
• Spoons
• Knives
• Saucepans

You no longer need, please let Sara know on – 01594 542252

Many thanks!

The Miners Arms Whitecroft is the Most Loved small business in The Forest of Dean according to a massive nationwide search run by TheBestOf to find the best local shops and companies in towns and cities across the UK.

The results of the 2 week campaign reveal that The Miners Arms based in Whitecroft is the most loved business after 266 people recommended it.

The Miners Arms in Whitecroft is owned by Mario and Karen Constantinides who bought the business in 2007  With its stylish interior and freshly cooked gastro style food, this well known bar and restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere and is run by a well trained team who provide excellent customer service with a smile.

Mario says “It is fantastic to have received so many testimonials and see how much our customers appreciate the great food, choice of real ales and ciders that we have on offer and the welcoming atmosphere.  All my staff are highly trained, so we can provide that ‘personal touch’ meeting all our customers’ needs. We hope to bring a real centre of the community feel to the area so that locals and visitors alike, feel welcome. ”

The 266 recommendations bestowed on the public house included praise for its good service’, ‘friendly atmosphere’ and ‘delicious food, not to mention great live music!’.

“Mario and Karen are running a superb business, and should be rightly proud – but to be honest what’s been underscored again and again in this campaign is just how many fantastic local businesses there are in The Forest of Dean today.  These business owners and their staff are the life-blood of our economy and it’s tremendous that they’ve been shown so much love. We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response from the people of The Forest of Dean who wrote 100s of glowing testimonials in support of local businesses”, says  Paul and Sharon from TheBestOf The Forest of Dean, a comprehensive directory of The Forest of Dean’s best local businesses.

The ‘14 Days of Love’ campaign from TheBestOf generated over 138,000 testimonials from the length and breadth of the country.  More than 30,000 businesses drawn from almost 400 towns and spanning every business type – from hairdressers, tattoo artists, fitness instructors and bridal stores through to bouncy castles accountants, architects, solicitors – even dentists and funeral directors – all received nominations from adoring customers.

Nigel Botterill CEO of TheBestOf commented “Small business owners have kept our economy going over the last 18 months.  They employ millions of people, provide services that we all use and can have a massive impact on our quality of life – whether it’s delivering to customers out of hours, calling on older customers to check they’re ok or simply looking after their customers brilliantly.  In fact in our research one in five people say there is a small local firm they just can’t live without.  We wanted to give people the chance to throw the spotlight on these superb small businesses – and they have!”

The Top 10 most loved small businesses in The Forest of Dean are:

A full list of the top 20 most loved businesses in  and its most active recommenders or ‘Lovers’ can be seen at www.thebestof.co.uk/loveometer.  The Top 100 most loved local businesses across the UK are also listed as well as top 5 businesses by category.

For more information about the campaign, to interview someone from TheBestOf, or a business in the top 20 contact:

Paul & Sharon James

T: 01594 560604

E: forestofdean@thebestof.co.uk

W: www.thebestof.co.uk/forestofdean