Lincolnshire’s county show keeps agriculture at its heart

 Released to agricultural media: 
   The 127th Lincolnshire Show will be keeping agriculture at its heart.  The Show – on 22nd and 23rd June – includes the best of the county’s livestock on the judging lines and all the latest trends in farming and agriculture from the top breeds to top machines.

Two native breeds that are likely to attract much attention once again are the Lincoln Longwool sheep and Lincoln Red cattle.

From near Woodhall Spa in eastern Lincolnshire, Maurice Parker will bring his 6 Lincoln Longwools when he attends the Lincolnshire Show for the 41st time.  He said: “It’s one of the best shows in the country.  It’s our home county show and the stewarding at Lincolnshire is always brilliant.”  Maurice has been winning championships firstly for others and for himself since 2000, including wool on hoof, interbreed and overall breed Champion.

In the cattle lines, Geoff Bolton from Market Rasen has notched up 52 Lincolnshire Shows, since his first visit as a schoolboy in 1959.  Now chairman of Lincoln Red Cattle Society for the second time, and a judge himself at other agricultural shows, he has breeding Lincoln Reds for over 20 years and now has a herd of 30 beast

He said:  “I’m a small player but I have had a fair bit of success both here and at other shows, including winning Lincolnshire Show Champion.  It’s one of our favourite shows and the one where you will see most Lincoln Reds.   Twenty years ago there were about five exhibitors, now there are many more, although they’re generally much smaller teams than they used to be, as I am”.

Her added:  “Lincolnshire Show is largely still agricultural and it’s got an important role to play in education.  I first came to the Show on a School trip in 1959, and now, just as then, it’s an opportunity for young people to learn and to be involved in agriculture, livestock and where food comes from.”

On the machinery lines, one major exhibitor is Househam Sprayers, the UK’s biggest supplier of crop sprayers, all manufactured in Lincolnshire and exported worldwide.  Said Mick Hill of Househam Sprayers:  “The Show is our PR flagship of the year. It’s great to see our customers and good to be on our home territory. We’ll be bringing a range of our machines, from a 600l mounted sprayer to our massive 6000l self-propelled sprayer with a 36m boom.”

There’s a vintage to modern day agricultural machinery display, sponsored by Spaldings and Woldmarsh.

There is a special Lincolnshire producer and supplier section in the food court this year and an educational framework for local schools in a series of farming related challenges.

And from Wrisdale’s farm in Wainfleet St Mary’s, four brothers will receive Long Service Awards for their contribution to the farming industry.  Norman, Percy, Gordon and Colin Gostelow have served a total of 174 years between them.

David Chiddick, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society President said: “The Lincolnshire Show is one of the few county shows to remain true to its agricultural heritage, a strength which has carried us forward.  The Show has a valuable role for the agricultural community with excellent networking, as well as educating our community.”

He added: “The Show makes a major economic contribution too.  Every £1 spent generates £20 in the local economy.”

The Show will be open from 8am to 6pm each day.  Visit the Show’s website for more information

and to book your tickets www.lincs-events.co.uk or call the ticket hotline 0845 2305171  This yea

ENDS

Media enquiries:
Sarah Poucher at Lincolnshire Events Centre inc Lincolnshire Agricultural Society spoucher@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585501

Maggie Taylor at Prima PR maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602


County’s big day out promises more than ever

Lincolnshire Show 2011 : Feature article  : download a copy of this : County’s big day out promises more than ever

Pictures for download on Flickr :  click here


More, more, more.... That’s the message from the organisers of this year’s Lincolnshire Show - the County’s big day out.

The two-day event is overflowing with attractions for the whole family and organisers promise that it will be even bigger and better than ever.

For at this 127th Show, there are more family attractions, more delicious foods from local producers, more schools taking part in the big Challenge and more sports to try out.   There are also more new attractions - like Express Eventing and the Scruffts crossbreed pooch competition.

It’s all taking place at the Lincolnshire Showground, Grange de Lings on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd June 2011.

One of the star attractions, the Knights of the Damned, are returning with a new show.  Britain’s premier medieval jousting stunt team are promising more excitement and a new format for this year, according to leader Justin Pearson, who is fresh back from performing the stunts on Pirates of the Caribbean IV.   The troupe also includes two local riders, Rob and James Pavey, both 21 and just qualifying as stuntmen.   The Knights of the Damned will be performing both days of the Show in the Isuzu Countryside Arena.

This year’s Sports Zone is doubled in size and in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, it will feature almost all the Olympic sports.  Features include the ECB cricket factory – an 11 x 9m self contained cricket batting and fielding area.  Boston United will bring their inflatable penalty shoot out and wheelchair basketball in an inflatable sports barn, 20 x 11 ft.  For water based sports, Lincoln Canoe Club will have virtual racing machines linked to a computer screen for visitors to test their technique and the RYA will have dinghies on show.   Other sports include table tennis, volleyball, badminton, hockey and a specially adapted set up for street athletics.

Joining the Show will be Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from the county. They are all on the Lincolnshire Elite Champions programme and include Andy Skinner of Lincoln, the GB sitting volleyball player; Bernice Wilson, the 100m sprinter from Boston, who has just undertaken the European championship; and Richard Sargent, representing wheelchair basketball.

Said Marc Rhodes, events officer with Lincolnshire Sports Partnership:  “We’ve got a fantastic range of sports on offer for visitors to try out, including nearly all the Olympic sports.  My favourite thing about coming to the Lincolnshire Show is the sheer numbers we get taking part.  Last year we had 3,400 young people taking part and around 1,000 adults.  We’re hoping to beat that this year, with even more on offer.”

In the Exhibition Hall, more local schools than ever will be taking part in this year’s Schools’ Challenge, sponsored by Farmacy Plc and E Park and Sons,  it aims to encourage young people to understand more about food, farming and agriculture.  Phil Everett, marketing and communications coordinator with the Education Business Partnership explained: “Every previous year we have been over-subscribed so we’ve decided to move from the Discovery Zone into the Exhibition Hall, and that allows us to have 33 entrants this year.  We’ve also got a new special schools category.  It’s all booked up and with a waiting list – the schools love it.”

Primary, secondary and special schools are all taking part and one new challenge for this year is called One Brand, which encourages young people to make contact with a school in a different country, where they speak a different language and have a different climate.

Phil added: “Lincolnshire is a rural county and this Challenge gives children an excellent foundation in understanding where food comes from and how it can be sourced locally.  They also go on farm visits as part of the Challenge which helps to show career options in the horticulture and agricultural industry.”

This year is a real first for dog lovers.  For the first time dogs will be allowed to join in the fun at the Show.  They must be kept on a lead, but owners can also leave them with a special doggy-crèche being run during the Show by local animal charity, Jerry Green Dog Rescue.  And not only can people bring their dogs, there’s also a chance to compete - with the Kennel Club Scruffts Competition, sponsored by James Wellbeloved, taking place at Thursday’s Show. The four competitions taking place are The Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog, The Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch, Child’s Best Friend and Golden Oldie Crossbreed. Entries for the heats will be taken on the day.

A major new attraction that will make it into the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring this year is the qualifying heat for Express Eventing, a mini version of eventing which promises a thrill a minute. The Express Eventing Series 2011 will see dressage, cross country and show jumping being completed in one arena.   Eventing celebrity and 2008 winner Oliver Townend has already announced his intention to compete. “I am really looking forward to having the chance to compete. It is developing into a spectator and TV friendly version of our great sport.”

Throughout the Show, the Lincs FM stage will host the best acts who make it through the qualifiers of the radio station’s You’ve Got Talent competition.  Also appearing will be two successful acts from previous years - The Substitutes and Route East.  Said Katie Trinder of Lincs FM: “We have something for everyone on the stage during the two days – from rap music to heavy rock, pop to classical.”   The Lincs FM presenters will also be trying their skills as a dance troupe, with some help from local dance school Streetbeat.

And BBC Lincolnshire will be in a new home near the entrance to the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring, with on stage entertainment throughout the two days, together with an exhibition explaining the digital switchover which is coming to Lincolnshire this summer.

The Select Lincolnshire and Tastes of Lincolnshire Food Court will feature a special Lincolnshire producer and supplier section this year, with a mouth-watering selection of local produce and some great homemade recipe demonstrations throughout each day from local food champion Rachel Green.

The Select Lincolnshire programme aims to raise awareness of the county’s food brands directly to the consumer.  Its sister organisation Tastes of Lincolnshire encourages tourism destinations like bed and breakfasts and farm shops to put Lincolnshire produce on the menu.

“The Show is the home of Lincolnshire produce, which is arguably the best in Britain, and we need to be shouting about it,” said Helen Scott of Select Lincolnshire and Tastes of Lincolnshire.  “The biggest draw is always the demonstration marquee and we’re very pleased to have local celebrity chef Rachel Green leading the line up once more.”

In the Greenhouse, a range of companies will be explaining how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. The organiser, Jo Huggett, director of 4Eco explained: “We have put together companies who cover a range of different techniques, and importantly they are all accredited organisations.”  Technologies on display include solar power, biomass, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps and rain water harvesting.

And for the shopper, there will be more than 600 stands to visit, including the boutique style shopping on The Mews avenue featuring everything from bespoke kitchens to handmade pearl bracelets.

Alongside all the new attractions will be the features that lie at the heart of the Show’s traditional agricultural heritage, with events such as pig racing, showjumping, the spectacular Grand Parade of the best of the county’s livestock sponsored by Saul Fairholm in the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring and the vintage to modern day agricultural machinery display sponsored by Spaldings and Woldmarsh.

And from one of the county’s farms, an outstanding family tradition will be recognised when four brothers from Wrisdale’s farm in Wainfleet St Mary’s receive Long Service Awards, sponsored by Harold Woolgar Insurance for their contribution to the farming industry.  For Norman, Percy, Gordon and Colin Gostelow have served a total of 174 years between them.  Oldest brother Norman first started work in 1961, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather at the farm.

Said Mark Farmer, chief executive of Lincolnshire Agricultural Society:  “This is the county’s big day out and we’re really thrilled with this year’s line up.  There’s something for everyone who has a love of the countryside.”

He added:  “The Lincolnshire Show is an agricultural show, one of the few county shows to remain true to its agricultural heritage, a strength which has carried us forward.  It’s important to stimulate awareness of countryside matters, and the vital role that agriculture plays in the local economy.”

The Show will be open from 8am to 6pm each day.  Visit the Show’s website for more information and to book your tickets www.lincs-events.co.uk or call the ticket hotline 0845 2305171

ENDS

More about the Show:

See other releases and facts about the Show by clicking here

Follow the Show:

Twitter :  @lincsshow
Facebook:  LincolnshireAgriculturalSociety

www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk



More independent firms sign up for joint power

LawNet

LawNet, the leading network for independent legal firms, has announced four new members – Breeze & Wyles in Hertfordshire, Denison Till in York, Godloves in Leeds, and Swinburne & Jackson in the North East.

Welcoming the firms, LawNet chief executive John Thomas said: “It’s excellent to welcome four more firms with such strong credentials - they will be a credit to the LawNet community.  I am sure they will bring real value to other members through their involvement in the specialist groups, training and other peer to peer events.”

He added: “We’re committed to the continuing growth of the network and it’s great to see the recognition by such firms of the benefits and strengths that we offer them, in this fast-changing legal environment.”

The signing of the new members brings total LawNet membership to 68 firms, and the network ambition is to reach 80 firms by 2012.   Membership is by invitation to those firms who fit the LawNet profile of £2m - £15 turnover and will commit to securing and maintaining the LawNet ISO 9001:2008 standard.  The quality standard is mandatory for all firms, with rigorous six monthly audits to ensure standards are held across the membership.

Breeze & Wyles Solicitors has four offices across Hertfordshire and North London, employing more than 130 fee earners and staff.  It has a range of specialist departments providing  volume legal services to banks, building societies, housing associations and other corporate customers, alongside its more traditional and longstanding legal services for local markets.

Denison Till is a 14 partner firm with a head office in York.  It has the largest corporate department in the city and specialises also in ecclesiastical law.

Godloves Solicitors has four offices across Leeds, employing more than 70 fee earners and staff, with a range of specialist departments providing legal services to a private and corporate customer base across Yorkshire.

And North East firm Swinburne & Jackson has grown from a traditional family practice to operate from four offices across the North East, with headquarters in Gateshead.

ENDS

 333 words

 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 68 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, 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.

LawNet

Lincs Show 2011: now live for press passes

THIS LINK IS NO LONGER LIVE - CHECK BACK EARLY 2012 WHEN ACCREDITATION OPENS FOR THE 2012 SHOW.

The online registration process is now open for journalists looking to attend this year's Lincolnshire Show on Wednesday 22nd June and Thursday 23rd June 2011.

Press passes can now be requested by (NO LONGER LIVE)

Every application must be made by using the online registration form.

Once accredited, all press journalists, broadcasters and photographers will receive access to a website to finalise their online registration and will be able to print off press pass(es). This will enable them to access the Show and receive the support of the staff in the press tent for interview arrangements and IT/communication links throughout the Show.

If you have any problems regarding this process or have not had a response by the first week of June, please contact Maggie Taylor at Prima PR 01400 251557  maggie@primapr.co.uk


Lincolnshire Show 2011: press passes, feature articles and reader competitions

This year’s Show takes place on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd June 2011

PRESS PASSES WILL BE DIGITAL: For 2011, press passes for the Lincolnshire Show will be managed online.  ALL requests will have to be made through the website, specifying named contacts and the days on which they are attending, as digital passes will be issued this year.  This forms part of the media centre area of the web site which is scheduled to go live in April.

PRESS RELEASES AND FEATURE ARTICLES ONLINE: The media centre on the web site will also include copies of all press releases and feature articles as they go live, providing a single easy-to-access route. In addition, if you would like exclusive feature material, or if you require interviews before or at the Show, we will be happy to work with you – contact Maggie Taylor at Prima PR : maggie@primapr.co.uk

READER COMPETITIONS: Each year we work with media titles to offer their readers the chance to win tickets to the Lincolnshire Show.  If you are interested in discussing such joint promotions, then please get in touch and tell us how you would promote the offer to your readers or use the request form you will find within the media centre pages of the web site, when live.

PHOTOGRAPHY FROM PREVIOUS SHOWS: A selection of stock photographs from previous shows is available.  A small batch from 2010 is on Flickr at the following link:   primaprandmarketing You can also find many pictures from other people on Flickr if you search for Lincolnshire Show.  We have archive catalogues here and elsewhere online click here for a 2009 gallery and will be happy to provide unique or specific shots on request.

Keep in touch:

The Show online: www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
Follow the Show on Twitter: @lincsshow
Follow the Show on Facebook:
LincolnshireAgriculturalSociety

All PR and Media enquiries should be made via:
Prima PR & Marketing : info@primapr.co.uk : Tel: 01400 251557 : www.primapr.co.uk
Twitter: @magtay
Flickr: primaprandmarketing
Client news feed: click here

NB: Press releases about the Show are also available online through the Prima PR client news feed.  There is also  content and photography from previous years still available online, but it sits within the old client news area of www.primapr.co.uk – links can be provided on request.

ENDS

http://twitter.com/#!/magtay/status/52697287100600320


World class event draws international names

28.03.11 : POST EVENT UPDATE: For results from the Lincolnshire Horse Trials click here to read the report in Horse and Hound.  And click here to read the Event Centre's review of the coverage.

The annual Lincolnshire Horse Trials takes place in March at the Lincolnshire Showground at Grange de Lings.

International riders will head up an exciting three day event when this year’s Lincolnshire Horse Trials gets under way, with up to 700 competitors expected to take part.

The 2011 event takes place at the Lincolnshire Showground from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March with competitors taking part in dressage, show jumping and cross country over the three days at pre novice (BE100), novice and intermediate levels.

Once again, selectors for the British team are expected to be on the lookout during the pony trials that are also held.

The venue is recognised as an excellent event for early season because the flat, well drained ground is a good proving ground for both horse and rider.

International names attracted over recent years include last year’s Open intermediate winner Piggy French, Oliver Townend, Polly Stockton, Caroline Powell, Sharon Hunt, and Ruth Edge; and Olympic riders William Fox-Pitt and Nicola Wilson, both members of the Gold medal winning team at the World Equestrian Games last year, and New Zealand double gold medallist Mark Todd.

The event has also positioned itself as a showcase for local Lincolnshire talent. Last year’s successes included local Walesby rider Emily Parker who took the under-21 Open Intermediate section on Treefers, her 2009 young rider team gold medal winner.  In recent years, Emily has had a stream of successes including runner up in the Pony Club Championships and Junior Regional Novice Championships in 2007. She was also fourth in the U21 Eventing National Championships at Weston Park.

Amongst other local riders, Matthew Wright from Retford won the 2010 final Open Intermediate section on Hugginstown.   From Louth, Rosalind Canter had success with a win in one of the BE100 sections plus placings in other sections.   And 17 year old Gina Ruck friom Tealby, a previous gold medal winner for Britain at pony level, came in sixth in the Open Intermediate Under 21 Sections.

Another BE100 section winner was Helen Scholl from near Grantham on Blackstairs King, and in the local novice section, the winner was Deborah Doyle from Lincoln.

Last year’s event provided record visitor numbers and Show director Charles Hood is hoping to build on that success in 2011.  He said: “Our courses have a good variety of well-built straight forward fences, designed to give confidence for early season and it’s run over flat, extremely well-drained light land, giving ideal going.”

The event draws large visitor numbers to the county each year, providing a boost to the local economy, and is organised by Lincolnshire Events Centre on the showground site at Grange-de-Lings, which is also home to a major national conferencing venue and the groundbreaking EPIC green building project.

Running order:

Each day of this three day event is focussed on a particular class, giving visitors the chance to see all events each day, cross country, dressage and show jumping.

Friday 18th March:

BE100 and Open BE100 classes.
8.00am   Dressage
8.50am   Show jumping
9.30am   Cross country
5.00pm Approx finishing time

Saturday 19th March:

Novice and Open Novice plus Pony Trial dressage and show jumping
8.00am   Dressage
8.50am   Show jumping
9.30am   Cross country
5.00pm Approx finishing time

Also taking place on Saturday is Pony Trial dressage and show jumping.  The pony cross country is on Sunday at 9.00 am.

Sunday 20th March

Intermediate and Open Intermediate classes plus Pony Trial cross country
8.30am   Dressage
9.00am   Show jumping
9.00am   Pony Trial Cross country, then the open intermediate cross country

Entry on Saturday and Sunday is £5.00 per car to include all occupants.

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Laura Luty at Lincolnshire Events Centre inc Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
lluty@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585501

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.


Putting the froth on fundraising for young people

Dave Simpson and the Relate team

A unique new fundraising venture has been launched in Lincoln by the charity Relate to support their counselling work with children and teens, and it’s got off the ground thanks to the support of a local security company.

The Re-latte café bar at 137 High Street Lincoln  is now being protected round the clock with a sophisticated intruder alarm system that’s been donated and fitted free of charge by Lincolnshire based GB Security Group, who have also installed other equipment at cost in Relate’s adjoining offices.

Security is a major concern for the charity.  As well as protecting against shop theft, they now have a secure electronic door system which is keeping clients safe when they visit the main Relate offices alongside the new café bar.

“We needed the security system for our insurance as well, and without this support we would certainly have struggled to get this new venture off the ground,” explained Becky Wright of Relate.

“Now we’re hoping to give a big boost to our income, which will mean we can respond to more young people who need our support.”

The café bar is also home to a dress agency, offering customers a 50% return on selling their unwanted clothes, as well as a traditional charity shop.  But it’s the local produce and cooking that is drawing in customers.

GB Security director Dave Simpson added: “As a family company, with a long standing heritage in our local Lincolnshire community, this was something that really matched our ethos, and we were very happy to be able to help when Relate made the approach.”

ENDS

www.relate-lincs.co.uk
www.gbsg.co.uk

Online coverage:  

http://bit.ly/jhDcGv 

http://bit.ly/mtbnzU

Media enquiries:

Maggie Taylor at Prima PR  maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602

Editor’s Note:

About relate:
For over 40 years relate Lincolnshire has been providing a wide range of counselling services for the people of Lincolnshire.  relate nationally, has over 60 years experience of recruitment, training and supervision. Over 150,000 people are seen by relate counsellors each year. As well as the much publicised problems of relationship difficulties, separation and divorce, the counselors also deal with problems such as sexual abuse, domestic violence as well as problems that arise from extended families and step parenting issues. They also offer support to young people who are having difficulties coming to terms with the breakdown of their parents’ relationship or other .

About GB Security Group:

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.

www.gbsg.co.uk

From: Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Gelston House, Gelston, Grantham, Lincs, NG32 2AE
Tel: 01400 251557  Mobile: 0797 3767 602 Email:  maggie@primapr.co.uk Web: www.primapr.co.uk
Company VAT Reg No: 598 3614 90


New BS 8418 Code of Practice will improve detection standards

A new code of practice for remotely monitored CCTV systems designed to increase detection standards is expected to put pressure on non compliant operators.

GB Security has been a longstanding contributor to the development of industry standards and the company’s NSI ARC Gold remote video response centre was one of the first NSI ARCs to gain BS 8418 approval.

BS 8418 is the Code of Practice used for the installation and remote monitoring of detector activated CCTV systems. It has recently undergone a review and the 2003 version will be replaced by the 2010 version.

There will be a “dual running” period of one year, which expires on 31st July 2011. This allows installers to use either version of the Code of Practice and is subject to availability of compliant manufactured equipment.

New requirements covered in BS 8418:2010 include:

-          Drawings should show the extent of the secure area (area which unauthorised access is intended to be detected) and location of vehicles / other moveable objects that could compromise the effectiveness of the system.

-          Ensure PIRs facing east or west are not affected by the sun or from reflection and shadows.

-          BS 8418 Annex B provides onsite related factors to consider for the correct location and operation of detectors. These include preferred use of multiple short range detectors over long range detection.

-          Ensure detectors are uniquely identifiable to the system. Note: multiple detectors should not be identified as a single entity but each individual detector must have its own ID.

-          IR illumination should not surround the camera lens on external cameras.

-          Agreement should be in place between the system owner and the RVRC when it is acceptable to isolate a detector. Such instances might be where a change to site operation (builders working on site) would mean the detector would send unwanted alarms to the RVRC.

-          Housings containing power suppliers to detectors should be equipped with tamper detection to detect opening through its usual method of opening.

-          Two transmission paths are required, both being capable of transmitting images to the RVRC.

-          A back-up UPS is required (where mains power is not supplemented by a stand by generator) to supply control and communications equipment for a minimum of 4 hours. Power supplies to detectors should also have 4 hour battery back-up.

GB Director Neil Jackson, who is a regular contributor to BSIA developments including this updated BS 8418 Code of Practice, commented:  “I welcome the new standard as it will certainly improve detection standards.

“It will also increase the divide between those working to BS 8418 and non compliant remote monitoring providers. There are too many unreliable remote monitoring systems out there and the aim of the standard is to bring CCTV monitoring up to the mark.  It’s a similar situation to the intruder alarm market 25 years ago, and the insurance companies are pushing to get compliance to a measurable standard.”

He added:  “We are already implementing the new Code of Practice and so all our up and coming installations will be compliant irrespective of completion date during this year.  It’s an important set of changes and demonstrates once again the high standards that are needed to secure a police response to any activation.”

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Maggie Taylor at Prima PR

maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602

Editor’s Note:

About remotely monitored CCTV:

Remotely monitored CCTV is a cost-effective method of providing live on-the-ground site protection around the clock, without the huge costs associated with providing 24 hour manned cover.  It works by connecting motion detectors to cameras, linked to a 24 hour remote monitoring control centre, and is increasingly used on commercial, public sector and even domestic sites.  Using high speed broadband and wireless 3G connections, the integrated cameras and motion sensors detect any movement on site.  If an alarm/detector is triggered, images from an associated camera are transmitted to a specialised Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC), 24 hours a day.

About GB Security Group:

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.

www.gbsg.co.uk

From: Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Gelston House, Gelston, Grantham, Lincs, NG32 2AE
Tel: 01400 251557  Mobile: 0797 3767 602 Email:  maggie@primapr.co.uk Web: www.primapr.co.uk
Company VAT Reg No: 598 3614 90


Business gets on board to back this year’s Lincolnshire Show

Big business and small local companies are coming together to help Lincolnshire’s agricultural heritage and education to flourish.

They are all backing the annual County Show, organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society to boost awareness of countryside matters, and the vital role that agriculture plays in the local economy.

It will be the 127th Show, the 52nd to be held at the Grange-de-Lings 200 acre site and the two-day event will take place on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd June 2011.

Billed as Lincolnshire’s big day out, the Lincolnshire Show is an agricultural show, one of the few county shows to remain true to its heritage, and last year attracted more than 68,000 visitors and some 650 exhibitors – both numbers that the organisers hope to beat this year.

“The Show is for everyone living in the countryside, working in the countryside and those who enjoy the countryside,” explained the Show’s business development manager Laura Luty.  “It’s really great that local businesses are keen to back us in this way.  As a charity, it’s sponsorship like this which allows us to continue to develop the Show.  As well as helping us to keep costs down, such as visitor prices, we also inject the sponsorship support into educational activities, such as our Schools’ Challenge, which encourages young people to get involved.”

She added: “Many of our sponsors come year after year, because they know it has a commercial value as well as supporting their place in our local community.  We have had an excellent response so far but are still talking to companies that are active across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands region.”

Clydesdale Bank is once again the major sponsor for the Show, Langleys Solicitors and BBC Lincolnshire are jointly sponsoring the equine area, which attracts 2000 entries each year across show jumping, mountain and moorland ponies and ex racehorse classes.

Plans for this year’s Show will be announced soon, but organisers say visitors can be confident they will experience another exciting line-up at the renowned county event, with entertainment that will appeal to all tastes and ages.

As well as the show’s traditional agricultural theme – with events including pig racing, show-jumping, the spectacular Grand Parade of the best of the county’s livestock in the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring and the vintage to modern day agricultural machinery display – there will also be a host of other stalls and activities.  Last year’s line up included medieval cooking and world-class jousting knights, through to advice on horticulture and sustainable living.

Sponsor of the Lincoln Red Cattle once again this year is The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation plc (AMC).  Adrian Cawood, regional agricultural manager said:   "AMC view Lincolnshire as one of the most important and foremost farming counties, and the Lincolnshire Show demonstrates the great commitment and enthusiasm towards farming within the county.

“When the opportunity arose three years ago to sponsor the native breed we were very happy to support it and are delighted to continue sponsor the Lincoln Reds again in 2011."

SHOW IS BIG EARNER

The Show is a big earner for Lincolnshire and research carried out last year showed that a massive £44m is being injected into the national economy thanks to the events held at the Lincolnshire Events Centre at the county’s Showground, attracting over 215,000 visitors a year.

More than 80 per cent of exhibitors return each year because of the amount of business they do at the Show and it is estimated that every £1 spent at the Show generates £20 in the local economy. The Show and other events at the Showground boost local hotels and B&Bs, creating demand for 18,400 overnight stays locally.

“The annual County Show is a major tourism attraction, alongside the city’s Cathedral and Castle,” said chief executive Mark Farmer, “It’s also a big earner for the economy, although it’s not just about the Show nowadays, as we have expanded the Showground site to become a major year-round regional conferencing and outdoor events centre.”

Images and captions from the 2010 County Show are available for download at :http://www.flickr.com/photos/55414176@N07/sets/72157625298289904/

Who’s backing this year’s Show:

Company: Sponsoring :
Jackie Strange 

Private sponsor

Shire Horses
BBC Lincolnshire Equine Ring
Brown Butlin 

A trading arm of Farmacy PLC

Young Farmers’ Trailers
Woldmarsh 

Farming agricultural buying group, Louth

Machinery Parade
Spaldings 

Agricultural and groundcare replacement parts, tools and accessories

Machinery Parade
Streets 

UK Top 30 firm of accountants, Lincoln

Vice President’s Area
E Park & Sons Ltd 

Potato supplier

Schools’ Challenge
Farmacy PLC 

Agronomy and environmental services to arable sector, Sleaford

Schools’ Challenge
Complete Print Group 

Printing supplies

General support
Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry
Brewin Dolphin 

Investment solutions, Lincoln

Parade of Hounds
McKinnells 

Solicitors, Lincoln

Courtyard
Langleys 

Solicitors, Lincoln

Ancaster Ring
Clydesdale Bank Main Ring
Double M Catering 

Catering business, Lincolnshire

General support
Lincolnshire Co-op Lincoln Longwool
Lincolnshire Co-op Commercial Beef
Savills 

Agricultural and rural estate agency services, Lincoln

Roadside Signage
Swales Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream British Charolais
Agricultural Mortgage Company Plc 

Mortgage finance for land based commercial businesses

Lincoln Red
Robert Bell & Co 

Auctioneers and Land Agents, Horncastle, Coningsby, Woodhall Spa and Lincoln

Pig Interbreed Supreme Champion
Masons Chartered Surveyors 

Property professionals, Louth

Interbreed Championships
Bang & Olufsen 

Sound and vision products, Lincoln

Screens in the EPIC Centre
Saul Fairholm 

Chartered Accountants and Auditors, Lincoln

Grand Parade of Livestock

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Sarah Poucher at Lincolnshire Events Centre inc Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
spoucher@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585501

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.


Independent law firm network and online specialists tie the knot


Helen Hamilton Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet

Technology-based services for legal solutions will improve internal efficiencies and open new markets without compromising professional offering

A group of leading independent firms are pioneering online legal service delivery following an exclusive deal between the LawNet network and Epoq’s DirectLaw online document automation solution.

Under the agreement, each of the 68 LawNet member firms will be able to deliver online legal services to clients through their own personalised portal, designed and integrated with each firm’s individual web site.

The move is designed to help create a new edge to the firms’ traditional service offering, but there’s no plan to push customers into DIY, according to LawNet.

“This agreement provides a perfect fit to the ambitions we have to provide members with online marketing and technology-based legal solutions,” explained director of services Helen Hamilton-Shaw.

“DirectLaw should help firms secure a strong position in online markets as well as delivering internal efficiencies, by getting to first draft documents faster.  It gives them new options in terms of services, whilst still assuring their customers that there will be an expert and careful eye over anything undertaken online.”

She added: “We are committed to helping our firms keep ahead of the competition through the LawNet national framework which gives them quality accreditation, networking, knowledge sharing and buying group services, and outsourcing is high on the list of where we will be delivering over the coming year.”

Epoq’s executive chairman, solicitor Richard Cohen, said: “Creating a successful offering depends on how inbound enquiries are dealt with.  Customers are drawn to a service giving accessibility and clear pricing, but don’t want to be roaming around the web unaided.  DirectLaw provides a differentiator for firms, a move towards enabling greater involvement by clients and the ability to make more from each hour for the firm by using document automation.”

LawNet firms will have access to five libraries of DirectLaw documents covering wills and probate, family, landlord and tenant, employment and business start-up.

ENDS

308 words

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

Emma Hopson, Marketing Manager, Epoq
Direct line: 020 8731 2432  Email: emma@epoq.co.uk

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.  Each firm has an exclusive geographical operating area to enable collaboration.

The combined income of the 68 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, 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.

www.lawnet.co.uk

About Epoq and DirectLaw:

DirectLaw from Epoq has led the way in enabling law firms to deliver legal services online.  By utilising Rapidocs®, Epoq’s unique, content rich document automation system and delivering it seamlessly via the web, DirectLaw allows solicitors to engage with clients conveniently online and make their firms more competitive, efficient and profitable.

And, because Epoq is the leader of developments in online legal solutions, law firms can be sure of technological excellence as well as affordability.  Today, over 150 law firms are using Epoq’s online technology to differentiate their firms and deliver legal services more efficiently and profitably.

www.directlaw.co.uk