Expansion for local coach company with sights on county crown
EMBARGOED UNTIL 14.00 ON MONDAY 1ST JULY 2013 Download high res versions of pictures from Flickr by clicking 
here Picture/interview opportunity with Glen Pratt and staff from Monday lunchtime onwards : please contact Maggie Taylor : Maggie@primapr.co.uk or 07973767602
Lincolnshire coach operator A C Williams has announced a fifty per cent expansion with the acquisition of neighbouring Southern Holidays, building on a record year which saw company turnover soar by 40%.
And now, the company’s chairman says they are setting their sights on becoming Lincolnshire’s biggest operator.
Together the merged companies will offer a fleet of nearly 30 vehicles, ranging from executive coaches through to double deckers and wheelchair minibuses and the merger will see the two companies offering a total of 50 holiday departures and over 200 day trips next year, alongside their schools and UK and European commercial contracts.
The entire fleet will be maintained through A C Williams’ own specialist workshop, and the company has invested £500,000 in equipment and vehicles this year alone.
“The joining of these well-respected names will provide all our customers with a bigger choice from our top of the range fleet of vehicles. Corporate customers will have greater flexibility from the bigger fleet and wider range of vehicle capacities, whilst our day trip and holiday travellers will find even more choice in types of trip and new destinations,” said the group’s executive chairman Glen Pratt.
“We want to become Lincolnshire’s best and most trusted coach operator and this expansion makes us well placed for future growth,” added Glen Pratt, who took over the A C Williams business just over twelve months ago, securing 25 local jobs at the time. The combined companies will employ 35 people.
For corporate customers, A C Williams has earned its reputation as a major contractor for schools transport, and also has a wide customer base in commercial contracts and private hire. For day trip and holiday travellers, the benefits will be a huge range, with the Spanish specialists Southern Holidays perfectly complementing the UK and continental itineraries of day trips and holidays offered by A C Williams.
Southern Holidays and the expanded fleet will benefit from future investment and expansion through the strong financial standing of A C Williams, which is owned and led by executive chairman Glen Pratt, a successful fund manager.
Directors Leigh and Rebecca Robbins and all the employees of Southern Holidays will continue in the newly merged group.
The intention is that in due course, A C Williams and Southern, both local family-grown companies, will operate all the merged services from the A C Williams site in Ancaster, with Southern staff transferring to the Ancaster offices from their current Sleaford base.
ENDS
Media enquiries: Please contact Maggie Taylor at Prima PR & Marketing: Tel: 01400 251557
Mob: 0797 3767 602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Editor’s note: Born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Glen Pratt is currently a Partner with a London-based fund management company, where he is a UK portfolio manager. He joined Fidelity, the world’s biggest investment house, direct from Nottingham University where he read economics, becoming one of their youngest ever fund managers at 25, and was managing a £2bn portfolio of client funds by his early 30s.
A C Williams was established in Ancaster in 1953, as a motor engineer and agricultural machinery repair business. Its first contract was transporting three children from a local farm to Ancaster Primary School. Now the company transports over 600 children every day, as well as providing transport for local football teams, service personnel and academic institutions. It also runs a year-round itinerary of leisure trips and holidays for local people, travelling throughout the UK and Europe. They bring to the merger a fleet of 24 buses, coaches and minibuses ranging from 65-seater executive coaches to specially modified vehicles which offer tables or wheelchair access.
Southern Holidays was established in 1998 with the aim of providing value-for-money Spanish package holidays without the hassle of airports. headed by Rebecca and Leigh Robbins it offers a wide choice of hotels and resort destinations from pick up points across the East Midlands, East Anglia and the South East.
Independents focus on putting clients first
Download photographs of the winners from Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawnet/sets/72157632578411694/
Clients came out on top in this year’s LawNet awards, with the winning firms all showcasing strategies that put the customer first.
And the law firm network says it shows the step-change in the sector that’s being led by the mid-size independents that make up its membership.
The winner of Law Firm of the Year went to Manchester’s George Davies Solicitors LLP and Managing Partner of the Year was Kim Carr of Midlands firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, who has led the firm since 2008.
According to John Thomas, chief executive of LawNet: “George Davies stood out this year, with a range of initiatives tailored to improve service for their clients, combined with robust internal processes to keep employees on track with the business plan. The firm is delivering real results with a number of high profile cases and a real presence in the legal rankings, all backed up by strong financial performance. They’re forging their own opportunities and this is a firm that is going places.”
Speaking of managing partner winner Kim Carr, FBC Manby Bowdler senior partner Niall Blackie said: “Kim has been instrumental in the firm’s continued growth. She is an inspirational and accomplished leader and we are fortunate to have her directing our business.” Mrs Carr’s award follows hard on the heels of recognition in the most recent Legal 500 for the 35 partner firm, and “One To Watch” in the 2012 Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For survey.
Young Lawyer of the Year winner was Emma Atkins of Denison Till. Less than 2 years post-qualification she is already handling complex and high level cases in her area of specialisation. She has also taken the lead in the firm’s online and social media activity.
Best Business Development or Marketing Initiative went to Grindeys LLP, who recognised the importance of the role they play in their local community and set about developing a platform to bring together their pro-bono, charitable and fundraising activities, which has raised their profile and attracted new contracts.
Best website went to Ashton KCJ, winning for content development and site navigation that is focused firmly on the client and their needs.
The award for Excellence in Risk Management and Compliance went to Vanderpump & Sykes Solicitors, for initiatives designed to embed a compliance culture in the firm, including long term compliance planning, comprehensive firm-wide training programmesand risk registers.
And Matthew Arnold & Baldwin won the Commitment to Client Care award, for a range of initiatives that range from secondments and flexible pricing models, to relationship partners and free in-house legal surgeries and training for clients.
Added LawNet’s John Thomas: “The aim of these annual awards is to get to the heart of what makes a LawNet firm, with an innovative attitude that’s underpinned by a commitment to excellence and strong risk management. Every submission this year demonstrated how firms recognise the importance of creating meaningful client interactions, and that’s going to be a game changer in the years to come. ”
This year’s winners were:
2012 LawNet Law Firm of the Year award, sponsored by Voicepath.
George Davies Solicitors LLP
Managing Partner of the Year, sponsored by SSG Legal.
Kim Carr, FBC Manby Bowdler LLP
Young Lawyer of the Year, sponsored by Wilkinson Read & Partners
Emma Atkins, Denison Till
Best Business Development or Marketing Initiative, sponsored by Sweet & Maxwell
Grindeys LLP
Best Website, sponsored by Conscious Solutions
Ashton KCJ
Commitment to Client Care sponsored by TikitTFB
Matthew Arnold & Baldwin
Excellence in Risk Management and Compliance sponsored by QBE European Operations
Vanderpump & Sykes Solicitors
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk Twitter : @magtay
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk Twitter: @helenhshaw
Notes to Editor:
About LawNet:
LawNet was established in 1989 to enable a collaborative, non-competing national network where independent law firms could access big firm resources and benefit from collective purchasing, shared knowledge, best practice and expertise.
All members share a commitment to excellence and must achieve and maintain LawNet’s own ISO.9001 standard and the associated Mark of Excellence in client service.
The combined income of the 65 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £250m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £15m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – training, networking, PII, practice development, marketing and compliance. It currently places some £1.2bn worth of PI cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
Twitter: @LawNetUK
Lincolnshire coach company on track to treble holiday turnover
Some coverage of this story: Midlands Business News: bit.ly/WPD6fW Lincolnshire Echo http://bit.ly/T4Ptk0
AC Williams Coaches continues to grow following take-over earlier this year, investing in new coaches and recruiting new staff as it prepares to launch expanded holiday programme
A Lincolnshire coach company is on track to treble its holiday sales following a successful take-over earlier this year.
Under the management of new owner, businessman Glen Pratt, A C Williams Coaches is already reaping the benefits of major investment and increased staffing during the year, with the announcement of more than £100,000 worth of new schools contracts won over the summer. Together with earlier wins, that’s helped boost the total increase in contract work this year to over 35%.
Now, the Ancaster-based company is launching a hugely expanded 2013 holiday and excursions programme, which is designed to secure a bigger chunk of this valuable market, with the company planning to triple the holiday division turnover in the next 12 months.
The company committed £10,000 of investment in the maintenance workshop to ensure the fleet runs at peak potential earlier this year, and has now invested a further £60,000 in new vehicles to cope with the increased demand.
And staff numbers have increased from 25 at the time of take-over to more than 30, with recruitment now underway for another full time marketing position at the Ancaster headquarters.
Owner and executive chairman Glen Pratt, said: “We are exceeding targets across the board and now our sights are set on taking a much bigger share of the local market for UK and European holidays. We’re offering three times as many holiday trips as last year, with many new destinations and many more departure dates and pick-up points.”
He added: “Now we’re on an extremely strong financial footing, we’re attracting many contract customers as well as being able to offer additional benefits to our holiday and day trip customers. That includes a 100% commitment to the brochure price, as I’m personally guaranteeing there will be no fuel or currency surcharges and no credit card charges. It’s a tough time at the moment for everyone, and we want to show how much we value our customers.”
ENDS
www.acwcoaches.co.uk
Media enquiries:
Please contact Maggie Taylor at Prima PR & Marketing:
Tel: 01400 251557 Mob: 0797 3767 602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Editor’s note:
Born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Glen Pratt is currently a Partner with a London-based fund management company, where he is a UK portfolio manager. He joined Fidelity, the world’s biggest investment house, direct from Nottingham University where he read economics, becoming one of their youngest ever fund managers at 25, and was managing a £2bn portfolio of client funds by his early 30s.
A C Williams was established in Ancaster in 1953, as a motor engineer and agricultural machinery repair business. Its first contract was transporting three children from a local farm to Ancaster Primary School. Now the company transports over 600 children every day. It also runs many leisure trips and holidays for local people, travelling throughout the UK and Europe, as well as providing transport for local football teams, service personnel and academic institutions. A fleet of 22 buses, coaches and minibuses range from a 75-seater Sykliner double decker executive coach to specially modified vehicles which offer tables or wheelchair access.
Farming sector bites back at organised crime
Coverage of this story:
Midlands Business New: bit.ly/ObVvuH
National Farmer: 
(click the image to read full size)
The farming sector is hitting back at the wave of organised crime which is now estimated to be costing UK agriculture as much as £50million per year*.
With a recent survey by the NFU*2 suggesting that more than one third of farm businesses in the East of England suffered crime in the last year, with theft of farm machinery, tools and metal the common targets for organised criminals, more farms are demanding high tech security solutions, which are being adapted from commercial situations.
A recognised authority in security technology speaking on the trend has said it’s forcing security suppliers to think outside the box to manage the different threats found on the farm.
Neil Jackson, who has been involved in a number of advisory panels for the industry regulator, the British Security Association (BSIA), explained: “It’s a big challenge, but with the level of losses being suffered by the agricultural sector, the security industry has got to find the right solutions. Figures suggest that many crimes are going unreported, because farmers think the police do not have the resources, but having the right sort of system installed to an industry-standard means you’re guaranteed a police response.“
Some of the examples given include arable farmers C F Hardy in Lincolnshire. They are using a state of the art control system to combine security with production control. The control system incorporates intruder protection, cctv and heat detection. The cctv is remotely monitored by a 24-hour control room and together with infra red lighting, it gives the farm assured police call-out as the system complies with the BS8418 standard. As well as monitoring for intruders, the heat detectors in each of the eleven ambient stores are designed to trigger cctv cameras for visual verification by the control room if temperatures change.
Another sophisticated security solution has been designed to deliver both internal and external protection for Lincolnshire horticulture business R Fountain and Sons. With cctv cameras and remote monitoring, the system also includes infra red lighting together with an integrated intruder alarm and is protecting two solar fields as well as extensive glass houses on site. Integrated access control operates in all the areas, with live monitoring of doors to ensure they remain closed and keep out animals and pests, and temperatures inside glasshouses are also being continually monitored.
Neil Jackson, who is well known in the agri-sector through his work in the East of England as sales director of GB Security Group, added: “The system at Fountains is an example of what can be done if you stretch the boundaries. Here the extent of remote control and checks is being achieved by exploiting video receiving capabilities.”
Solutions are also being adapted for smaller farm security issues, such as false alarming due to vermin chewing cables, which has been overcome for Casswells Farmers in Donington. If an intruder enters the site, external infra red beams will detect movement and activate an ultra loud masterblaster siren. At the same time as the beam goes off and the blaster sounds, a cctv camera is activated, linked to a screen in the nearby farmhouse.
ENDS
*NFU Mutual annual Rural Crime Survey – figures published 2011 related to 2010 statistics and showed a cost of £49.6million.
*2 NFU survey amongst members – published June 2012
Media enquiries:
Maggie Taylor at Prima PR
maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602
Editor’s Note:
GB Security Group has a 30 year track record in security and fire protection, with customers ranging from multi-site food processing plants, commercial businesses, professional firms and schools through to retailers and housebuilders. Their portfolio delivers a complete range of security products and services, backed up with leading edge technical expertise, including:
- CCTV
- Fire Alarms
- Guarding Services
- Intruder Alarms
- Access Control
- Gates & Barriers
- CCTV Monitoring
- Integrated Systems
GB Security Group also operates its own specialist 24 hour remote monitoring centre. working to the highest achievable accreditation levels with NSI and SIA, and with a proven track record since 1993. All monitoring centre staff are SIA licensed for monitoring both private and public space and the company operates under the Approved Contractors Scheme (ACS), the independently assessed quality standard for suppliers of private security services.
Peak performers scoop LawNet Challenge
A group of London lawyers has taken the LawNet Challenge title, after battling with torrential rain and mud to become the only team to complete this year’s punishing 28 mile course.
The Barker Gillette team, comprising partners Steven Barker and Qaiser Khanzada and office assistant Marc De Vera, completed the gruelling trek in the Shutlingsloe area of the Peak District in 11 hours and 40 minutes.
Over 70 walkers in 16 teams had started out, all drawn from LawNet member firms across the country, but only four walkers managed to complete the trek – the three remaining members of the team from Barker Gillette and LawNet organiser George Coombes.
Qaiser Khanzada said: “Our success was down to the excellent map reading skills of Steven Barker, who is a seasoned walker and really knows how to navigate. We also took tips from the local sheep, which were sheltering by the stone walls, and we tried to do the same when Singapore-style rain was combined with biting wind. But we are very pleased we made it – although very sore too.”
Each year leading law firm network LawNet arranges a Challenge event for its 67-strong membership of independent firms. Previous events have included the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and Striding Edge to Helvellyn.
It’s organised by George Coombes, LawNet’s Marketing & Services Manager, who said: “We thought it was bad luck last June when there was snowfall just a week before we tackled Snowdon. But the weather this weekend was even worse, with already wet ground becoming impossible as we were hit by downpours from lunchtime on. The field sections of the walk were like a bog, and the up and downhill sections gradually became a mud slide.”
One team of walkers found themselves five miles off track, and despite getting back on to the route, were forced to retire when they could not reach the final checkpoint in time. The conditions saw most people forced to give up about half way through and the winning Barker Gillette team lost two members at 26 miles, just a mile before the final check point, when Laura St-Gallay was injured and colleague Penny Bax stayed with her whilst help arrived.
The challenge is overseen by a support team of mountaineering experts, and support leader Stephen Evered said: “We saw a few who were really struggling around the third and fourth checkpoint, but who carried on regardless, which was surely a huge personal achievement for them. We also were impressed by the leadership of some of the team captains who maintained their group’s morale, even though some were really struggling.
LawNet chief executive John Thomas added: “It was great to see the determination and enthusiasm of all the members who took part in such tough conditions.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About LawNet:
The combined income of the 67 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £250m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £20m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – training, networking, PII, business development, marketing and compliance. It currently places some £1.2bn worth of PI cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
Each year LawNet delivers over 40 CPD accredited learning events at venues throughout the UK, covering a wide range of technical legal updates, practice management and business development topics, including a leading-edge strategic leadership and management development programme. All the learning days are CPD accredited, many are provided as a free service within membership, and the member-defined programme ensures that topics tackle key issues affecting that particular area of practice.
All LawNet firms must achieve ISO 9001:2008 LawNet Quality Standard certification within two years of joining, and securing and maintaining that accreditation is a condition of membership. Through a unique agreement with the Law Society, firms can also secure and hold the Lexcel practice management standard and benefit from a simplified dual auditing process for the two marks, with the independent assessment delivered through LawNet.
Twitter: @LawNetUK
Blog: http://www.lawnet.co.uk/lawnet-blog
Sunshine and showers but the Show goes on
GO TO FLICKR click here FOR THE FULL PHOTOSTREAM FROM THIS YEAR’S SHOW.
The hottest day of summer was followed by a day of stormy showers, but that didn’t stop the visitors coming to this year’s Lincolnshire Show, the county’s big day out.
Early estimates put total visitor figures at almost 60,000, an “outstanding result” in the face of the changing weather conditions, according to organisers. A lively social media feed helped to boost visitor interest, with the Show recording a mammoth 4 million Twitter hits.
Organisers also reported trade stand bookings up 5% on 2011, as well as an increased number of livestock and equine competition entries, with many entrants travelling from across the UK to take part.
For Showground Director Jayne Southall, it was her first year leading the team. She said: “We’ve had a fantastic Show and it’s been wonderful to see everything come together. The biggest highlight for me was seeing the smiles on the faces of everyone visiting.”
She added: “We had a big boost to visitor numbers with the wonderful sunshine on day one, and although numbers were down on Thursday, the showers seemed to do little to dampen enthusiasm and we had a steady flow of visitors arriving throughout the morning.
“The Show has proved itself once again as a major visitor attraction which helps to bring Lincolnshire’s wider visitor and tourism story to a national audience.”
Each year the Show is a big earner for the county of Lincolnshire and it is estimated that every £1 spent at the Show generates £20 in the local economy and the Show provides a major boost for local hotels and B&Bs, creating demand for 18,400 overnight stays locally.
A new initiative for this year’s Show was the Trading in New Markets marquee. Designed to celebrate the successes of those Lincolnshire companies already trading nationally and internationally, its aim is to encourage other Lincolnshire businesses to open up new export markets and take their products to a wider audience. Amongst those visiting was a group of 30 Australian farmers on a UK fact-finding mission. Their group leader, former State Wool Manager Frank Jones, said: “The Lincolnshire show was a real highlight of our trip, with a huge crowd and brilliant sunshine.”
This year’s Sports Zone had top billing in the run up to the 2012 London Games, encouraging visitors to try their hand at a huge range of Olympic and Paralympic sports and a visit from cricketing legend Alec Stewart was a crowd-pleaser. Stewart visited the Show as part of his role as sports ambassador for Clydesdale Bank, one of the main sponsors of the Lincolnshire Show, and during his visit he gave a master class to some of the county’s young cricketers.
More than a thousand young people took part in the Schools Challenge, demonstrating their understanding of food, farming and agriculture. Winners were Wragby Primary School, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar in Alford, and St Lawrence School in Horncastle.
The Hugh Bourn special trophy for the best agricultural machinery stand went to Louth Tractors. Presenting the award Show President Lord Taylor of Holbeach, said: “The display represented all that is good in Lincolnshire farming, energy, enthusiasm and technology.”
He added: “I attend many Shows throughout the country, and I know that the general standard at Lincolnshire is extremely high. Touring the Food Court and seeing the quality of produce, shows how lucky we are to live in Lincolnshire.”
In the equine rings, a busy programme saw top level competition with enthusiasts travelling from as far as Taunton in Somerset and St. Albans in Hertfordshire to enter the wide variety of pony and horse classes. Both days gave Chief Equine Steward Peter Crafts a busy schedule. He said: “I am extremely pleased and all the classes had a fantastic turnout, to a very high standard .”
Philip Hilton, horse ring controller commented on the highlights saying: “Last year’s Horse of the Year Show winner Danielle Heath has had a fantastic show, winning both Champion Hack and The Hunter challenge class, and a particular highlight for me was Marie Girdham winning the ex Racehorse challenge. She is a local girl who took time off from nursing at Lincoln County Hospital to compete at the Show. She won her class and qualified for The Royal Windsor Show.”
In the livestock lines, John Davies, the judge for the Texel sheep, was very impressed with the standard of sheep at the Show, saying: “All the sheep showed excellent attributes.” Judges were also impressed in the cattle section. The Bull class on Thursday had one of the largest number of entries and judge of the Limousin group Mr Tippetts said: “The class this year was really good, the best I have seen for a long time.”
As well as the county’s finest animals on show, there was an exciting mix of rural and family attractions, including the best of Lincolnshire produce at the massive Select Lincolnshire and Tastes of Lincolnshire Food Court which saw a big turnout, for the tastings and demonstrations. Exhibitor Simon Jones of Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese won the best Food Court stand. He said: ‘’We are a family run business since 1917 and we sell only Lincolnshire produce. We’re Lincolnshire through and through, and still in shock to win overall.’’
For many businesses around the county the Lincolnshire Show gives them the chance to showcase their products and services. Printing business Systematic of Caistor attend the show every year and Paul Bingham from the company said: “The wet and windy weather meant that business was slow in the morning on the second day but overall this year’s Show has been absolutely phenomenal for us, with some firm enquiries from large companies.”
ENDS
@lincsshow
Media enquiries:
Karen Malpass at Lincolnshire Events Centre and Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
kmalpass@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585504
Maggie Taylor at Prima PR
maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602
Editor’s Note:
Lincolnshire Events Centre is a major national conferencing venue, home of the Lincolnshire Show and the groundbreaking EPIC project. Just outside the historic city of Lincoln, the Centre hosts events for 10 to 10,000 visitors on its 200 acre showground site and 3000 square metres of indoor exhibition and venue space.
Outdoor events include the flagship Lincolnshire Show, antiques fairs and horse trials, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year. Under cover, there are exhibition halls and conferencing facilities, including the recently completed EPIC centre, the second largest purpose-designed showcase for environmental technologies in the UK, it enables event organisers to reduce, monitor and offset their carbon footprint.
Visit by cricketer Alec Stewart to the Lincolnshire Show
Story by Daniel Clark, volunteer press steward, currently a student at University of Lincoln
For pictures to download : click here
There was a special visit to the Sports zone at this year’s Lincolnshire Show when ex England and Surrey wicket-keeper Alec Stewart visited the ECB cricket factory to pass on his knowledge and experience in the game. Stewart visited the show as part of his role as sports ambassador for Clydesdale Bank, the main sponsors of the Lincolnshire Show.
Alec Stewart gave a short master class to four young cricketers, where he showed them the correct technique to playing on the front foot when batting and how to throw accurately at the stumps. He also managed a brief moment to show that he could still play that exquistic front foot drive that made him such a success as a wicket keeper batsman for so many years. After the session Alec stayed to sign merchandise and to pose for pictures.
Alec’s visit was an important one for the sponsors of Clydesdale Bank; he spoke to the media on his role for the show’s main sponsor, saying:
“My role as sports ambassador is to encourage people to get involved into sport and to stress the importance of sport in everyday life”.
With this summer’s calendar packed full of major sporting competitions it was fitting that an ex professional sportsman visited the show.
Alec also explained how he got into cricket and the amount of time he spent playing the sport as a youngster: “Whenever I had a spare moment I would have a bat in my hand or I would be throwing a ball around”.
ENDS
Special evening concert announced for county show
There’s a rumble in the bush, that’s sure to keep toes tapping at this year’s Lincolnshire Show...
For local band the Bush Doctors is set to perform a special evening concert to entertain the crowds on the Wednesday evening after the main Show programmes closes.
The band is made up of Richard Askam on lead vocals, Richard Banks on lead guitar, Jo Banks on bass and local farmer Bob Greetham on drums and they will be performing for members of the Agricultural Society. The cover band has been playing to audiences all over the UK during the past 12 years, and this year sees them playing the outdoor stage at the Lincolnshire Show on Wednesday June 20th, in the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society members’ area.
And according to lead singer Richard, the band will be delivering a set that’s designed to suit all tastes and guarantee everyone is swinging at this year’s Show. "We have been working on the set list for this gig and think we have come up with the perfect blend of classic tracks that will suit the audience. I have been coming to the Lincolnshire Show for many years and can't wait to rock the members on the Wednesday evening," said Richard. “Our drummer is a Lincolnshire farmer and a member of the Agricultural Society and I have enjoyed the hospitality in the members’ bar over the years courtesy of my father in law who is another farmer.”
“This promises to be one of the biggest and best gigs of our summer schedule."
Karen Malpass, who handles membership at Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, added: “Membership isn’t just restricted to the farming community, as it’s open to all. Many local people join up because of the benefits they get – as well as free entrance to the Show on both days and special events such as this great concert that’s planned withe the Bush Doctors, they also get special invitations to other events outside the Show and discounts with local businesses.”
More details about the show and membership is on the web at www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk or by calling 01522 585504. www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk @lincsshow
ENDS
Media enquiries: Karen Malpass at Lincolnshire Events Centre in Lincolnshire Agricultural Society kmalpass@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585504
Maggie Taylor at Prima PR maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602
Editor’s Note: Lincolnshire Events Centre is a major national conferencing venue, home of the Lincolnshire Show and the groundbreaking EPIC project. Just outside the historic city of Lincoln, the Centre hosts events for 10 to 10,000 visitors on its 200 acre showground site and 3000 square metres of indoor exhibition and venue space. Outdoor events include the flagship Lincolnshire Show, antiques fairs and horse trials, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year. Under cover, there are exhibition halls and conferencing facilities, including the recently completed EPIC centre, the second largest purpose-designed showcase for environmental technologies in the UK, it enables event organisers to reduce, monitor and offset their carbon footprint.
Drew keeps the traffic flowing at the Lincolnshire Show
Local farmer Drew Smith is a man who likes a challenge.
When he’s not working on the family arable and livestock business in the Lincolnshire Wolds, or as a director of Louth Tractors machinery dealership, he takes on the complex task of overseeing the movement of 12,500 cars a day on and off the Lincolnshire Showground site.
As chief traffic steward for the annual Lincolnshire Show, Drew Smith has been heading up the traffic management team for more than twenty years. A volunteer, like the 200 plus stewards who work together to create each year’s Lincolnshire Show, he has led the way on many changes that have transformed the visitor experience over the past decade, speeding up the time it takes for each vehicle to get on and off site.
He explained: “We have introduced many changes, such as the changeover from charging per vehicle for entry, to free car parking combined with individual entry tickets. “This created an immediate and dramatic improvement on our traffic management. Despite increasing the number of cars coming through, we managed to cut the queues down to virtually none, where it had previously taken as long as one hour to get in.“
The other major change for car drivers visiting the Show, has been the increase in the number of hardstanding and roads across the 200 acre showground site at Grange de Lings.
Drew added: “We’re very lucky to have fast draining soil here at the Showground, and the hard roads have made a big difference and allowed us to reduce our wet weather contingency plans, which involve holding cars back and avoiding too many vehicles travelling over any individual route, to avoid churning up the site.”
He added: “We have two days of Show each year, but there are lots of other events taking place in the weeks before and after, and the Showground has to look its best all the time, so we have to minimise the impact of all the vehicle movements before, during and after Show.”
Each year the layout is reviewed and improved, with Drew and his team scrutinising aerial shots to see how things are working and where improvements can be made for future. “None of this would be possible without my trusty team of stewards, who have worked together for over 10 years,” added Drew.
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Final update for press attending the Lincolnshire Show 2012
Before the Show:
Day One press conference and interview opportunities: See the list of interview and picture opportunities for details of the press conference slot on day one and some suggested photo and interview slots. Photo and interview opportunities
Press packs, maps and programme: Now available for download the press pack:LincsShow2012_presspack and also map and full PDF of the programme – click here.
Getting into Show:
Press passes and proof of identity: You must have a press pass showing your name and the correct date of entry. To enter the Show you will have to show your press pass and produce matching proof of identity. This should be your business card showing your name, job title and publication, or otherwise your photocard driving licence. Remember: Press passes are valid for one person, as named, for one day, as printed.
Change of name: If any personnel have changed, just log back on to the Evenbrite site and make your changes and download new passes.
Gates and car parking: All car parking is free and you can enter from any of the numbered gates (see the map on the press feed).
At the Show:
Register: Come to the Press Tent on Eighth Avenue, not far from the EPIC Centre to get your badge and a press pack. You will need your press badge to access the Wednesday morning press conference. If you require access to other restricted areas, make your request in the press tent and passes can be provided on request on a timed slot basis. There are drinks during the day and sandwiches at lunchtime.
Wi Fi: Available in the press tent, log on as follows:
SSID: BTBusinessHub-250 Password: 2025065247
Tweeting? Hash tag for the Show is #LincsShow