We are very aware of the many emails you receive each day so that we don’t clog up your inbox we will only send three each month from HQ!

• The WiRE e-newsletter will now be sent on the first Tuesday so please make sure anything you would like to put in is with Robyn by the Friday before! robyn@wireuk.org.
• So you get the most out of WiRE on the third Tuesday you will receive details from Heather focusing on one aspect of your membership and “Why & How” to use it to help your business.
• On the last Tuesday you will receive a quick update on the local WiRE networks.
  
  

Country Living Spring Fair
WiRE have secured a discounted rate again at the Country Living Spring Fair www.countrylivingfair.com. There has been a radical re-shuffle this time and although WiRE are still upstairs the “pitch” will be in the much busier bazaar, just by the coffee area. The cost will be £180 per m2 with the smallest stand size being 2x1.5m2 with the booking/service charge and vat it brings the cost to about £700.
This sounds like a lot but with some 30,000 visitors and an average spend of £180 – it really is a great opportunity. We have block booked about 40m2 but it will go quickly – please call Nicola on 0207 288 6071 or email nicolai@upperstreetevents.co.uk to book a place (make sure you tell them you are a WiRE member).
Last year WiRE member Jan Constantine had a stand for the first year – she sold more that she had ever done previously and secured a trade deal with Liberty’s – you never know where things will take you!

Do You Have An Interesting Story?
Dave Hancock is a freelance journalist who writes regularly for STAFFORDSHIRE MAGAZINE. He is always looking for potential features about interesting jobs, businesses and people. Maybe you restore old artefacts, you could be an artist or artisan, perhaps you produce food to a special recipe or have worked in a rain forest – Dave would like to hear from you. Contact him at - Dash Media, 01691 830175 or email hancock@dashmedia.demon.co.uk - Staffordshire only please!

Female friendly places to stay…
Claire Quinton has launched a new website www.female-friendly.com Claire decided that it would be good to have a national 'reference' resource of those businesses, including hotels, which were particularly female-friendly.
It's free to join and includes a Female-Friendly Business Directory, a news section, a forum, chat, events calendar and a Female-Friendly Award of the week.

Midlands Innovation Relay Centre (MIRC)
The MIRC is part of a network of 71 centres in 33 countries across Europe, put in place by the European Commission. Their services are free of charge and they can assist companies to:
Commercialise innovative products, services and technologies all over Europe, Access new technological solutions in particular sectors and Identifying European partners for development projects, licensing agreements and joint ventures
Contact KRISTINA ANDERS, MIRC, Coventry University Enterprises Ltd, TechnoCentre, Coventry University Technology Park, Puma Way, Coventry CV1 2TT

Leadership and Management Programme in the West Midlands
This programme is designed to train and develop the skills and capabilities of individuals within a business to support their development as leaders and managers and to facilitate the transformation of their organisation’s performance. The programme will provide trainees with the skills, tools and knowledge to develop management potential, create new ideas, implement change address real organisational problems and spread an ‘improvement culture’.
This support is free of charge to qualifying businesses. To find out if you qualify & for more information telephone 01785 827600 or email info@winningmoves.com

A Greener Way to Work…
Chartered accountant and WiRE member Elaine Clark is urging businesses across the UK to join in the fight to save the planet by claiming the "Green Business Mile." Elaine, a keen walker and founder of cheapaccounting.co.uk was surprised to discover that few of her clients were aware they could claim 20p a mile for using a bicycle for business.
Find out more at http://www.cheapaccounting.co.uk/green.php Elaine has also started a petition aimed at trying to persuade Chancellor Alistair Darling to introduce a new 10p walking mileage allowance. To sign the petition please following this link and add your details: http://www.cheapaccounting.co.uk/petition1.php

Could you nominate someone for a prestigious Royal Award?
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion recognises individuals who have played an outstanding and significant role in promoting business skills and attitudes in others. Those nominated are likely to be working in business, education, training or youth work. Awards will be announced on 21 April, HM The Queen's birthday. Closing date for the 2008 Award 31st October 2007. For more information and to make a nomination please visit http://www.queensawards.org.uk/individual/Home.html

Women & Work Project – SOUTH WEST
Laura Biddick is involved in a Project where women in certain rural enterprises can receive money (£650) towards training that is they feel is beneficial to their career progression and would like to let women know about it.
Rural Business School - Tel 01579 372323 Email: laura.biddick@duchy.ac.uk or visit the website www.duchy.ac.uk/rbs

JUST BE YOU – Weekend breaks for single women
Julie Tooke has just launched a company which provides UK breaks for single women, either those travelling alone, and those who want to take some time out but still have their children with them. The launch weekend is Friday 14th – 16th September. For more information contact Julie Tooke on 01539 726716 or email enquiries@justbeyou.org.uk or visit the website www.justbeyou.org.uk

Yorkshire Networking event on the 5th September at 6.30pm at Bellezza Academy in Bridlington book on 01262 603767
It’s is a numerology workshop and colour workshop 2 hours tea and coffee provided cost £5.00 per person we wanted to try something very different for a change!
Angela Langton, Bellezza Academy - 01262 603767

Wedding Flowers Course
Come along and make a shower bouquet and corsage for a wedding. The course will take place at Amerton Farm, near Stafford on Saturday22nd September -
10am-4pm. Places cost £120 including all materials and lunch. Step by step instructions will be given, but some experience of working with flowers is preferable. Friendly informal tuition- to book a place contact Julie White 07971 666474 or email julie@juliew.co.uk Visit www.juliew.co.uk

Craft with Heart Charity Craft Fair - Lilleshall Memorial Hall, Saturday November 3, 2007 2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
WiRE members who produce high quality arts and crafts are invited to take a stall at this event. Cost is £10 table and we would ask that you give a donation to the charity of your choice - there is no fixed amount. Booking and further details from:
Liz Llewellyn - telephone 01952605046 or e-mail LizLlewellyn@BTopenworld.com

BUSINESS ENHANCING EXPERIENCES (B.E.E.)
The programme has been designed specifically for women in business. It will focus on your particular needs and equip you with the means to sustain business success. Joining a BEE group will help you to grow your business in the company of like-minded people with fun, support, action, learning and challenge. Please register to join us at the project launch at 6 for 6.30pm on Thursday 27th September at Taunton Jaguar, Bridgwater Road, and Bathpool. B.E.E. THERE OR MISS OUT!! Contact Kath Gigg of KmG Management Consultants - kath.gigg@btinternet.com

Treat yourself to a day out at a Dare to Blossom Workshop:
Saturday 22 September: Bideford, N Devon
Saturday 13 October: Chacewater Village Hall, near Truro, Cornwall
London date to be confirmed, please contact me to register your interest in receiving details
Venues around the UK in 2007 - contact me to book an event in your area. www.daretoblossom.co.uk

Congratulations to WiRE member Pat Oxley’s boutique bed and breakfast has again been recognised by making the final six in the BBC sponsored Yorkshire Tourist Board "White Rose Awards", as Best Guest Accommodation. The result will be announced later this month. Pat has reached this final for the second time in only her second year of trading. ‘17 Burgate’ has also been awarded a "Highly Commended" accolade by the AA putting it in the top 10% of all 5 Star properties in the UK. All WIRE members are welcome at 17 - offering a 10% discount rate on any midweek stay over 2 nights for the remainder of 2007.

Business Advice with Credentials
Congratulations to member Jeanette Howells of Oaklands Resource Management who has become one of the first women in the UK to achieve SFEDI Accreditation for quality Business Advice – giving small and medium sized businesses peace of mind that their organisation is in good hands. Jeanette has been supporting rural and family businesses with growth and development for over ten years. For professional business support in SW England contact her on Tel: 01373 -865000 or visit www.oaklandstraining.co.uk 10% discount is given to all WiRE members based in SW England

WiRE member Lisa Pitchford entered the regional heats of the Master Photographers Association Awards, not only retaining her titles with the pictures she entered in the wedding category last year, she swept the board being awarded the gold, silver and bronze at the ceremony held in Loughborough. For more information on Lisa Pitchford Photography contact Lisa on 07713 123606 www.lisapitchfordphotography.co.uk

Design Your Own Wedding Favours on NEW Website
WiRE member Elaine Stavert of the The Littlecote Soap Co. has launched her new website. Customers will now be able to design their own wedding favours on-line and wholesalers will also be able to purchase from the website. Visit www.littlecotesoap.co.uk

Yorkshire member Susie Hart have been awarded Yorkshire Brides Florist of the Year again. The bouquet that won was made into a hand tied design, followed the company's style of quintessentially English, with a quirky twist.
The business was started last year offering brides and clients, flowers, hair and beauty for weddings, parties and events.
Contact Susie on 01325 389834 or email susie@hartcompany.co.uk - The business is based in Northallerton and Darlington, Yorkshire.

Seeing how the other half live! www.seekitout.co.uk goes on tour…
Seek It Out set off on the 17th July from Shropshire for a tour of East Anglia. The purpose of the tour was to raise awareness of Seek It Out and using our marketing skills we came up with some unusual ways to do this, including using WiRE membership to reach other members. Rosie said Thank you East Anglia for being such great business people and thank you WiRE for making it possible for these ladies to be accessible.
Rosie Beswick – Seek It Out and Rosie Consulting - www.rosieconsulting.com or call 01743 885292.

Diva Biz- The new leading edge video based website for business and professional women, being set up by successful entrepreneur Fiona Price, which launches on 5th September. You can click on the following link to view the test site. Please note, it is still being tested, tweaked and amended so it is strictly for your eyes only! Furthermore, all adverts and sponsors are examples at this stage. http://diva-biz.v2i.net/index.asp
If the site asks you for a user name and password, they are both ‘sponsor’.
For further information, contact Sue Stockdale on 07780 670664 or 01367 244855. Or email her at: sue@missionpossible.co.uk

Your Invitation To A Clearly Confident Workshop
Tuesday 25th September 2007 - Mind and Body Makeover.
£150.00 including lunch & refreshments. Venue: ACTIONCOACH, Greystones Court, Towthorpe Moor Lane, Nr Strensall
Tel/Fax: 01904 702734 email: sallyhanley@btinternet.com

New half-day marketing "Level 1" workshop from Jane Heaton. From awareness to action - how to convert complete strangers into paying customers". Wed 26 September 2007 Cotswold Innovation Centre, Upper Rissington,
Gloucestershire, GL54 2QB or
Tues 9th October 2007 Warwick HRI, Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, CV35
9EF-just 10 minutes from M40 Jct 15
Full details at www.janeheatonassociates.com Jane on 01386 701944. 15% discount for WiRE members!"

Leicestershire Business Event - Wednesday 3rd October 2007, Walkers Stadium, 10.00am - 4.30pm.
The events are relaxed and friendly and can produce many new business leads. By keeping the cost as low as possible, Hi 2 Events have brought exhibiting within the reach of the smaller organisation to give them a wider exposure, for just £250.00 for a 2.5 metre stand. Contact Elaine Vandelli Tel 0116 240 2330 www.hi2events.co.uk

Autumn programme coming soon…
An exciting programme of performance, workshops, classes and exhibitions will be available at the Old Court House from September. Come and join us to improve your French or Spanish conversation, try yoga, jewellery making, drawing, film-making or creative writing.
Don't miss out… visit our website www.ruralarts.org for the latest news or call in at The Old Court House, Westgate, Thirsk YO7 1QS.Tel: 01845 526536 or email info@ruralarts.org

Social Enterprise London Conference 2007
Social Enterprise is the Business: Creating New Markets in London - Tuesday 9th October 2007, British Museum, London WC1. To request a brochure or to reserve a provisional place, contact Sarah Spencer on 020 7324 4359, email
sarah.spencer@neilstewartassociates.co.uk

Institute of Leadership & Management
The ILM Level 5 Introductory Diploma in Management is a short flexible programme which provides an introduction to the wide range of responsibilities of the middle manager. It is designed to work effectively with experience from any working environment - wherever people and resources are employed.
Course fees are £681.81 inc VAT. This covers all learning materials, ILM registration fees and assessment. For further details contact Helen Ure at info@development-continuum.com or call 01788 547975 / 07921 815551

FREE interactive workshops - Hull University Business School @ Scarborough
Coordinated by Hull University Business School at Scarborough and the Community Economic Development Centre and designed to provide knowledge and practical skills to assist individuals working within both private business and the voluntary and community sectors. For further information about 'business and community bites' or to book your place contact: Catherine Mason Telephone +44 (0)1723 357246 or email c.a.mason@hull.ac.uk

FREE WEB TRAINING
www.visiblewomen, the website for women over 50, run by South East Enterprise is sponsoring the Fab at 50 Show in Bournemouth on 7th & 8th September. As a special promotional offer they are offering the chance to win two free tickets for a 2 day "Planning and Creating a Website course" to be held on 9th & 10th October from 9.30-4.30, worth £400. Anyone who is interested in entering the draw can simply register on www.visiblewomen.co.uk. The course is aimed at helping women develop an effective online presence for their business.

Envirowise - Free day of Seminars/Workshops
A chance to attend seminars and workshops for businesses interested in saving money and reducing their environmental impact. Please follow the links below for further information.
http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/003331 Wednesday 19th September 2007, Cardiff
http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/003330 Wednesday 26th September 2007, Llandrindod Wells
http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/003329 Thursday 27th September 2007, Bangor.
To attend, please email tanya.crapper@envirowise.gov.uk
If you have any queries about the event, please call Tanya on 01635 280408.

COLLOGRAPH COURSE AT THE OLD COURTHOUSE, THIRSK
15th And 16th September (10am - 4pm Each Day)
Weekend workshop at the Old Courthouse, Thirsk.
Collograph Printing with artist Hester Cox. Cost: £150 including lunches. A deposit of £50 is required when booking with the remainder payable 2 weeks before the course date. For further details or to book a place contact Rural Arts: email info@ruralarts.org website www.ruralarts.org

Personal development course for women in Yorkshire and the Humber
Courses will be taking place in Leeds and York on a range of dates between July 2007 and March 2008.
The course is subsidised by Yorkshire Forward, so we are able to offer the course at the reduced price of £125 per person for women who live in Yorkshire and the Humber.
For women who live outside the Region the course may be accessed at the full price of £500.
To register your interest email mail@fairplaypartnership.org.uk

Farming – The Next Generation
A conference for farming families and business professionals, with practical advice on how to prepare for the next generation in farming. Held on the 8th November 2007, at Pavilions of Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground, HG2 8PW.

West Yorkshire Jewellery Coaching Sessions
Jeanette Sargent would like to offer Wire members 20% off her jewellery and coaching sessions and workshops. Jeanette recently left her job to start her own business. Her necklaces are unique, hand crafted silver and premo.
Jeanette made a necklace for Ruth Badger of The Apprentice and is exhibiting in Studio 61 amongst others. She is ILM Level 5 and 7 qualified in coaching and has an MBA. Workshop delivery includes be your own life coach and living the life you want. She specialises in affordable coaching so contact her for prices. Call Jeanette on 0780 6801411, visit www.jeanettesargent.com or email jeanette@jeanettesargent.com

Arrow Small Business Finance
Unsecured Loans from £1000-£7500 to those who wish to start a business, Own existing small businesses and want to grow or are unable to obtain commercial finance. 'Arrow' is an independent loan scheme based at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. We work closely with Lloyds TSB to ensure that enterprising people that have been declined business finance are able to obtain business loans.
For further details or to make an application please visit www.arrowfund.co.uk or Call Una on 0121 607 0129 Email u.brown@birminghamchamber.org.uk

20% Discount on Jewellery Making Workshops
Joelle, Original Handcrafted Jewellery, is offering WiRE members a 20% discount on her Jewellery Making Workshops at Rosliston Forestry Centre, South Derbyshire. See The e-Directory for Dates
The cost is £20 (including refreshments and materials) for each workshop, payable in advance. £16 for WiRE members. Places are limited. For further information, and details of future workshops please contact Joelle on 07913 995564 or email joelleharris@tiscali.co.uk

What’s caught our eye on the WiRE Rural Marketplace this month …

Lois’s choice:

Handbag Hire HQ - designer handbag rental and sales (www.handbaghirehq.co.uk)

Joanna Trafford - Found on the WiRE Rural Marketplace http://www.wireuk.org/directory.aspx?member=2379

“I really enjoy looking at the new business’ that join WiRE each month but this website really grabbed my interest and I think a lot of ladies regardless of your style would like it. This website allows you to hire designer/luxury handbags for how long you want them for. So for those events where you would like to have a new handbag on your arm but not sure how much use you will get out of it - and that is more than often the case for not investing in one, this site is just perfect! And remember, a bag may not be for life, maybe just Christmas… (or that week at least!)”

Lois Macdonald
WiRE placement student