Category Archives: News

Powys social enterprise to relaunch websites and increase brand awareness

Cae Post, the Powys based charity and social enterprise working to provide opportunities for disadvantaged people in Powys and Shropshire, has appointed Oswestry-based Ethos public relations to relaunch its website and to help increase recognition of its trading brands.

Cae Post is based in Trewern, Welshpool, and operates the Council’s recycling collection service in North Powys, as well as commercial recycling collection and processing in Powys and North Shropshire. The charity has also recently launched a hydrographics print business in Mile End, Oswestry, called Liquid Print Factory, to help support their ethos of providing work and training for people with disabilities or disadvantages in the jobs market.

Speaking about the link up, General Manager Sue Packer said: “Cae Post is a well regarded charity based in Powys, with 20 years’ experience working with people with disabilities and those who are disadvantaged in the jobs market, offering them useful and worthwhile work opportunities.

“We are a business just like any other, but the income we generate helps us to fulfil our charitable objectives to give everyone a chance to be part of the working world. We are looking forward to working with Ethos public relations to relaunch our websites, to help us gain even more recognition of our work in Powys and North Shropshire.”

Shaun Fisher, a Director at Ethos public relations, said: “As a business with a social conscience, we are looking forward to working with Sue and her team at Cae Post to help promote the charity and its commercial objectives. We have worked with a wide range of charities and social enterprises over the past 18 years and we have a real empathy for the work carried out by Cae Post for their beneficiaries.”

London Capital Credit Union commits to London Living Wage

One of London’s largest member-owned financial businesses has become a London Living Wage employer to demonstrate its commitment to its employees.

The London Living Wage award marks the continuing commitment by London Capital Credit Union in Archway, where, regardless of whether they are permanent employees, third-party contractors or suppliers, everyone receives a minimum hourly wage of £9.40 – significantly higher than the current national minimum wage of £6.70.

The London Living Wage is set annually by the Living Wage Foundation and calculated by the Greater London Authority. It covers all boroughs in Greater London. The UK Living Wage for outside of London is currently £8.25 per hour. The UK rate is set annually by the Living Wage Foundation and calculated by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University.

Felix Hebblethwaite, is a director at London Capital Credit Union

Felix Hebblethwaite, a director at London Capital Credit Union, said: “A key principle of the co-operative movement – of which credit unions are a part – is to champion the sustainable development of the communities in which we operate. At LCCU we believe that paying our employees appropriately is an important step forward in achieving this objective.”

Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. The Living Wage enjoys cross party support, with public backing from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Living Wage Foundation Director Sarah Vero said: “We are delighted to welcome London Capital Credit Union to the Living Wage movement as an accredited employer.

“The best employers are voluntarily signing up to pay the Living Wage now. The Living Wage is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living, rewarding a hard day’s work with a fair day’s pay.

Added Felix Hebblethwaite: “We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer and we would encourage other employers within London to do the same.”

Find out more about London Capital Credit Union at www.credit-union.coop. Find out more about the Living Wage at www.livingwage.org.uk.

Year of Adventure set to boost tourism to Wales

Travel professionals from UKinbound and Germany were amongst those in North Wales this weekend to experience adventure activities that are hoped will attract more overseas tourists to North West Wales and Anglesey in 2016.

The travel professionals took to the Menai Straits in a high speed rib.

The group representing tour operators and travel agencies were in Wales as part of the Discover Wales travel trade event which took place at the Quay Hotel and Spa, Deganwy on 1-2 October. The event is one of a series of initiatives to grow the sales of holidays in Wales through tour operators and travel agents in key international markets and was organised in partnership with UKinbound and VisitBritain.

Familiarisation tours of north and mid Wales took place before and after the event which included a fact finding trip put together by Visit Wales and Janet Redler Travel and Tourism to get a hands-on taste of the best leisure facilities available in North West Wales.

During their weekend in Wales the group spent time at the newly opened Surf Snowdonia, visited Penrhyn and Caernarfon castles, took the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway, spent time in Portmeirion and took a high speed boat ride down the Menai Straits and through the Swellies.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates said: “2016 is the Year of Adventure in Wales and it will see Wales building on a wave of exciting new openings and developments, and more than 10 years of ongoing tourism investment to make Wales the leading adventure destination. Research has shown that familiarisation trips arranged by Visit Wales for operators to experience Wales tourism products are the most influential intervention in increasing an operator’s interest or ability to feature or sell Wales programmes.”

Speaking about the trip Janet Redler said: “As a tour operator bringing tourists from across the world to Wales, we know how much they appreciate the scenery, heritage and sporting activities available to them. Hosting this group has given us the opportunity to work with Visit Wales to show more people what this area has to offer which will hopefully lead to more overseas visitors to the area in the future – and that has to be good for the local economy.”

According to Janet Redler, travel and tourism is a growing sector of the Welsh economy. “Wales is a super destination for both holiday and business trips and we know that nearly a million overseas visitors come each year to enjoy a Welsh welcome. We want to help increase that number during the Year of Adventure in 2016.”

Credit union calls for volunteers to help with soaring demand

London Capital Credit Union is looking for volunteers in the run up to Christmas as it deals with rocketing demand for its services. The credit union saw membership increase by 10% in September alone.

This follows a recent call by Sir Hector Sants, the former Chief Executive of the Financial Services Authority, who now heads up the Church of England’s taskforce on credit unions, asking people with a professional background to consider volunteering for a credit union or standing for election to the board, in order that credit unions can benefit from a wide range of expertise and ability.

Martin Groombridge, Chief Executive of London Capital Credit Union, says: “We are experiencing a high level of demand for our services at the moment, and this is likely to increase further in the run up to Christmas – our busiest time of year. So we are looking for people with a wide range of skills to donate some of their time to help us.”

As financial co-operatives, credit unions are owned and controlled by their members and rely on local volunteers to help deliver their services to the community. “Our volunteers get involved with the day-to-day running of the credit union,” explains Martin Groombridge. “Duties include customer services, handling phone enquiries, processing membership applications, helping to maintain our database and working on marketing materials.”

Sir Hector also called for more people to deposit money with a credit union – money which can then be lent out at an affordable rate of interest to help those in need. Those who save with a credit union then qualify for a share in the profits of the credit union in the form of an annual dividend.

Sir Hector’s comments came as the Church of England rolls out its programme to provide financial support through its new Credit Champions network across 2,000 churches. The initiative encourages church congregations to promote saving as an alternative to borrowing and to raise awareness of the role of credit unions in providing low cost loans in times of need. London Capital Credit Union is working with a number of churches across North London as part of the scheme.

70th Anniversary of VJ Day sees charity membership swell

An increasing number of relatives of Far East Prisoners of War have been joining national charity COFEPOW (Children and Families of Far East Prisoners of War), as the country prepares to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day.

COFEPOW was set up to ensure that World War Two Far East Prisoners of War are never forgotten and the charity has seen a 10% increase in new members over the past few weeks as more relatives of those incarcerated in the Far East during the Second World War join to honour their relatives’ heroic past.

New member Tracey Marinelli from Derby says that she joined COFEPOW to be part of the VJ Day commemorations.

Tracey Marinelli joined COFEPOW to take part in the VJ Day commemorations

She said: “My Grandfather, Flight Sergeant John Price, was a prisoner of war in the Far East and was one of the lucky ones who made it home after the war. He kept a diary throughout his time in the Far East, written on cigarette packets and scraps of paper, but back in England he never talked about being a POW. I think it is so important that we remember.”

Says Paul Watson from COFEPOW, the 70th anniversary of VJ Day is a very important one. “Sadly many of the prisoners of war who returned from the Far East are no longer with us and so younger people often do not know about this important chapter in our history. The suffering of many was immense and our new members will be joining others who want to ensure that the suffering they went through is not forgotten.”

Following the fall of Singapore to the Japanese on 15th February 1942, almost 200,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers became prisoners of war in the Far East. Thousands of these left Singapore on prison ships – “hell ships” – to be used as forced labour in other parts of Asia. Nearly 10,000 of these men died building the Burma-Thailand railway with many more dying as a result of starvation, barbaric treatment and tropical diseases.

There will be events across the UK to commemorate Victory over Japan Day 2015 this Saturday, including in Horse Guards Parade in Central London and a Service of Remembrance at Lichfield Cathedral, with an Address by Terry Waite CBE.

For more information about COFEPOW visit www.cofepow.org.uk.

BBC garden expert welcomes Swedish garden enthusiasts to North Wales

Swedish visitors at Plas Brondanw with garden expert Tony Russell (far left) and head gardener John Rippin (far right).

BBC garden writer and broadcaster Tony Russell welcomed a delegation of Swedish visitors to Plas Brondanw in Gwynedd, on their recent tour of the gardens of Wales.

The well known expert was on hand at the Clough Williams-Ellis Estate near Portmeirion to meet and welcome the group of Swedish travellers, who were visiting the gardens of Wales as part of a new tour developed by Janet Redler Travel and Tourism in Montgomery, to help bring more overseas visitors to Wales.

The seven day itinerary took in many of the most spectacular gardens in Wales, from Bodnant in the north to Aberglasny in the south, as well as including a number of intimate private gardens.

Tony Russell said: “I was delighted to welcome the group from Sweden as part of their tour of the gardens of Wales. Wales really does have some of the most wonderful gardens and so I am pleased to able to support Janet Redler Travel and Tourism in their efforts to bring more overseas visitors to our beautiful corner of the world.”

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel and Tourism, said: “We are so pleased that Tony Russell could join us to welcome our inaugural garden tour from Sweden. The tour was extremely well-received and we are already planning a follow up next year. We hope this will be the start of a long and successful relationship between the garden enthusiasts of Sweden and the picture perfect gardens of Wales.”

Esther Roberts, Managing Director of North Wales Tourism, was also happy with the tour and is looking forward to welcoming more visitors from Sweden. “North Wales has many fabulous gardens, from the well-known Bodnant to hidden gems such as Plas Cadnant and Brynbella. We are keen to encourage many more people from around the world to come and see just how beautiful these places are and to experience the warmth and hospitality of a trip to Wales.”

Book launch to raise funds for COFEPOW

A new book about the experiences of a Far East Prisoner of War is being launched in London on Tuesday 28 July, with 30% of the proceeds going to national charity COFEPOW.

The launch of Benedict’s Brother and the Benedict’s Appeal takes place on Tuesday 28 July in London, in conjunction with COFEPOW, at Foyles bookshop and the Victory Services Club. The charity’s supporters and all those interested are invited to go along.

The acclaimed “Book of the Year” novel by Tricia Walker is based on the story of her great uncle who was a Far East Prisoner of War and Tricia has kindly agreed to donate 30% of the book and film proceeds to COFEPOW (Children and Families of Far East Prisoners of War).

COFEPOW is a national charity dedicated to to keeping alive the memory of Far East Prisoners of War and raising awareness of the suffering they endured.

The event takes place from 9.30am to 1.30pm at Foyles on Charing Cross Road, and then from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at the Victory Services Club on Seymour Street.

American visitors explore their Welsh roots

David Melding AM welcomes visitors from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

David Melding AM, Deputy Presiding Officer at the National Assembly of Wales, welcomed visitors from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania to the Senedd during their recent tour of Wales.

Bryn Mawr College is a women’s arts college in the town of Bryn Mawr near Philadelphia in the United States. The town of Bryn Mawr takes its name from a house near Dolgellau which was owned by Rowland Ellis, a Quaker who emigrated to America in1686 as a result of religious persecution. Bryn Mawr College itself was founded by Quakers in 1885.

The group travelled all over Wales on a 10 day tour organised on behalf of Academic Arrangements Abroad by Janet Redler Travel and Tourism in Montgomery. As well as the National Assembly and Cardiff, the group visited Swansea, Snowdonia, the Conwy Valley, Llangollen and of course the Bryn Mawr Estate near Dolgellau.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel and Tourism, said: “We are seeing increasing interest from visitors across the world in coming to Wales. In this case, Bryn Mawr has a deep association with Wales and a history going back over 300 years. It was a pleasure to help bring these tourists over from America to find out more about Wales and their Welsh heritage.”

Visit Wales, the body set up to encourage more tourism to Wales, has offices in the US and works closely with tour operators like Janet Redler Travel and Tourism to bring visitors to Wales to experience the culture, language and historic towns that the country has to offer.

David Melding AM said: “I was delighted to welcome this American delegation to the Senedd and to show them the hospitality that Wales is renowned for across the world.”

Five Star Fairbanking Mark for London Capital Credit Union

The Fairbanking Foundation – the not-for-profit charity dedicated to encouraging banking institutions to improve the financial well-being of their customers – has awarded its first Mark certifications to credit unions, with London Capital Credit Union receiving 5 stars for its personal loan products.

London Capital Credit Union had to demonstrate that its personal loan customers have experienced a tangible positive impact on their financial wellbeing from using their products.

Martin Groombridge, Chief executive of London Capital Credit Union

Speaking about the award of the 5 star mark, Martin Groombridge, CEO, London Capital Credit Union, said: “Our focus is always on our members, which is why 76% of our personal loan customers interviewed by the Foundation said that they had one or more other products with us. It is not just about offering competitive and transparent products, but also a range of features and services that help people manage their money better.

“Many in the financial services industry are too obsessed with getting into best-buy tables, but to do this transparency can often be lost with many products offering short term “teaser rates” that can quickly get expensive. People with these products can end up worse off than if they chose another product that takes a more holistic approach to helping customers with their money.”

Fairbanking’s assessment also reviews the provider’s complaints procedures and experience for the product in question. Antony Elliott, Chief Executive of Fairbanking Foundation said: “Our quality mark programme is an important step in helping customers to identify products that have been rigorously tested for the financial well-being they can deliver. Crucially, it also provides a powerful incentive for financial institutions of all sizes to compete through continual improvement of their products in ways that will truly benefit their customers.”

Over the last ten years, London Capital Credit Union has seen a 1,400% increase in members’ savings from £436,000 to over £6 million. And as co-operative, London Capital Credit Union is owned and controlled by its members – not outside shareholders.

Find out more at www.credit-union.coop.

Father and son’s cycling challenge raises over £1,000 for charity

Paul and James Housden in Bridlington at the end of their Coast to Coast cycling challenge

A father and son from Preston have raised over £1, 000 for national charity COFEPOW by successfully completing a cross country cycling challenge.

Paul Housden and his son James cycled across Lancashire and Yorkshire from Morecambe to Bridlington to raise funds for national charity COFEPOW, which is dedicated to keeping alive the memory of prisoners of war held in the Far East in World War Two.

As well as raising funds for the charity, Paul and James wanted to highlight the suffering of the Far East prisoners of war, as this year sees the 70th anniversary year of Victory in Japan (VJ) Day. More than 200,000 Allied civilians and service personnel were taken prisoner by the Japanese and by VJ Day, on 15 August 1945, some 50,000 of these people had died.

Paul says: “We’re very pleased to have successfully completed the Coast to Coast cycle ride. Day one was very challenging as it poured down for 55 miles across the Pennines, but day two was much better with a nice breeze from behind and only a couple of showers.

“I came off my bike once and finished up with some cuts and bruises, but I survived. I thought about what happened to my Dad in the war and that stopped me feeling too sorry for myself.”

Paul Watson from COFEPOW says: “We are delighted that Paul and James got from Morecambe to Bridlington by bike and we can’t thank them enough for raising funds for COFEPOW. The money collected will go towards building a memorial garden for Far East prisoners of war at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. We would also like to thank all those who donated and supported them.”

Paul Housden adds: “My Father was a POW in the Far East and it is hard to imagine just how much he and thousands of others suffered. COFEPOW exists to ensure this important part of history is kept alive. What we went through on the cycle ride was a small effort compared to what my Father and many others like him went through in World War Two.”

The 70th anniversary of VJ Day takes place on 15 August 2015 and there will be a number of events taking place around the country to commemorate this important occasion.

There is still time to sponsor Paul and James by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Housden and to find out more about Far East Prisoners of War visit www.cofepow.org.uk.