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The dynamic UK networking and business club for rural women in business - WiRE, Women in Rural Enterprise

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E-Newsletter

Past Issues of E-Newsletter

 

Past Issues of Wire Directory

     
News and Opportunities

Congratulations
to the TOP 3 Rural Marketplace Listings for last month!

Muddy Matches

Lucy Reeves - Muddy Matches
www.muddymatches.co.uk

The Little Cake and Bake Company

Jennifer Gale - The Little Cake and Bake Company
www.littlecakeandbake.co.uk

Phoenix Trading

Harriet Burrows - Phoenix Cards
www.phoenix-trading.co.uk

Don’t forget the WiRE Conference 18th March 2007 - Harper Adams University College, Shropshire – PLACES STILL AVAILABLE!
Part Welly, Part WiFi, embracing everything that is rural; from traditional crafts, local foods and farm diversifications to everything that is high tech, women in rural enterprises embody the huge diversity of rural businesses. They remain true to their rural roots but gallop ahead in the new technologies field to build bigger and better businesses. The cost is £40 (+vat) for members £60 (+vat) for non members, ticket numbers are limited and can be booked online at www.wireuk.org or call the WiRE office on 01952 815338. Crèche also available.

Wire Conference

 

Prowess Awards
WiRE are proud to announce that our flagship status (recognising outstanding support to women in business) has been re-awarded for the next four years. At a glittering prize giving WiRE received the award and took the biggest cheer of the evening!

Prowess also have an awards ceremony to recognise women in business support and inspirational women who have made their dreams a reality. If you would like to nominate anyone for an award all the details can be found on the Prowess website www.prowess.org.uk/awards/aboutawards.asp The closing date is the 11th April 2008.

A HUGE THANK YOU to the following WiRE members for providing the images for our new promotional material –

Jay Watson www.allseeingeye.uk.com

Julia Stanley www.juliastanley.co.uk

Suzi Allen www.suziallen.com

Roz Gordon www.rozgordonphotography.co.uk

Mary Harman www.photographyourworld.co.uk

Alison Ball www.lemonphotographic.co.uk

Problems with BT internet emails
Apologies to all those members who have been receiving our emails more than once – there seemed to have been a technical issue which we hope has now been rectified! Please let us know as soon as possible if this is still occurring. Thank you!

Do you live on a working Farm?
Would you and your partner be willing to respond to an anonymous survey that is investigating the effects that the need for farms to generate extra income has on relationships?

If yes please would you contact: 04051100@harper-adams.ac.uk with your address by Friday 7th March 2008 All responses will be anonymous and treated in the strictest of confidence.

WiRE Glass Blocks and Promotional Material
By popular demand WiRE now have small glass display blocks to promote that you are part of WiRE! (They are approximately 2.5 x 3.5 inches) If you would like some WiRE leaflets and magazines to distribute at events and meetings or to borrow one of glass display blocks for a show or exhibition please contact robyn@wireuk.org.

WiRE's Facebook Page
WiRE has joined the latest online networking site Facebook.  The WiRE page has photos, event information, reviews and lots more so add WiRE as a friend and join the group : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8561171654

     
Member Events and News

Congratulations to Rosanne Kilbourn of MENTA
For receiving the acclaimed Prowess flagship award for its support to women starting their own businesses. They are one of very few Enterprise Agencies who have achieved this.

Ask an Expert
Do you need help with web design, emails, e-commerce or online shops? Lee Ann Smith of W3 Designs will be answering any questions posted at www.wireuk.org/forum. on ASK AN EXPERT.

W3 Designs

Also Sarah Flower of Elevale PR and Marketing Ltd will be answering questions on PR.

Elevale PR and Marketing Ltd

WiRE Member Opens up Farm to Public, Gloucestershire
Overbury Farms is inviting young and old to come and join in with the spring lambing. This is the fourth year that we have opened our gates, giving local people a chance to come and find out about what goes on “behind the scenes”. The event is on Saturday 29th March 2008 from 10am-3pm. Activities include Tractor and trailer rides to Park Farm, Ewe flock lambing at Park Farm, Meet the people who care for and manage Bredon Hill, Local Lunch and refreshments at the village hall and a Cookery Demonstration by Eckington Manor Cookery School. Adult cost is £5 and children can go for free. For more details contact Suzie Robinson 01386 725 119.

Art Of Stencilling Course, Worcestershire
The Art of Stencilling one-day course with guest tutor Helen Morris has been extended due to popular demand. We are now running an extra session on Saturday 29th March. Book now to avoid disappointment on 01905 821811 or visit the website www.klaragoldy.co.uk

KlaraGoldy

New Book Published
WiRE member Mary Lunnen has published her latest book “Dare to Blossom: Coaching and Creativity" and is available to buy now from her website www.daretoblossom.co.uk. Mary offers coaching workshops which run all over the UK. For more information on her latest book or coaching workshops please contact Mary on 01841 540552.

 

Survey Help Needed
Sarah Walker at ArtShades, the contemporary lampshade designer/maker for Worcestershire, is running a fun survey throughout March to discover the state of the nation's lampshades. Entitled 'Do you Love or Loathe your Lampshades?' the survey is sure to make you see your shades in a new light! There are just ten simple questions to answer and Sarah will let you know the results in April via her blog at www.artshades.co.uk/blog and her e-newsletter. To take part visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=diBNFGZsS06N3q5fHr5kvw_3d_3d

Workshops for WiRE members, West Midlands
Meditation and Spring Clean your Life Workshops are being run by WiRE member Louise Presley Turner. Places are very limited and classes cost from £7.50. For more details or to reserve your space call 01746 71 61 51 or visit the website www.gameoflife.co.uk

Latest Health and Safety Campaign
The HSEs latest campaign is on slips, trips and falls and is called Shattered Lives. They are centering on the catering and constructions industries, but the campaign is not limited to these areas. In previous campaigns they have worked with environmental health officers to look at local businesses. For more details on this please contact Helen Marsden at Common Sense Safety Solutions on 01723 871570

Textile Workshops - Shropshire
Fiona Nisbet is holding many various workshops in the Shrewsbury and Powys areas. Workshops include Crochet, Felt Making and Spinning. For more details on any workshops or to enrol contact Fiona on 01948 871618 or email fionanisbet@yahoo.co.uk

Painless Business Accounting?
WiRE Member Helen from Words Means Business has discovered Cash Plus, a program which shows how different parts of your business are performing, compares actual and forecast figures on a monthly and daily basis and starts from £295. For further information on the programme and how it can help benefit your business contact Helen on 01580 852719.

Artist Workshops in South Shropshire
Bobby Britnell has launched her new courses for the upcoming months. Courses include drawing and painting, machine embroidery and textile and design. For more details on the courses available please log on to the website www.bobbybritnell.co.uk


Bobby Britnell

     
Other Events

Plymouth Woodfair 2008
WiRE members are invited to exhibit at the Plymouth Woodfair 2008 on Saturday 22nd March from 9am-5pm. It includes locally-made, wooden products at the Foresters' Market, children's wood and willow workshops, demonstrations of rustic crafts, timber frames and woodburners, chainsaw sculptors in action, make your own nest box and Mountain bike demonstrations. Space allocation will be on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to participate in the 2008 Plymouth Woodfair, please contact Julie Bayliss at Julie.Bayliss@devon.gov.uk .

Launch of Eco Friendly Venue, Shropshire
WiRE members in Shropshire are invited to the launch of Shropshire’s first eco friendly conference and event venue on Friday 7th March at noon. The venue is the Green Wood Conference Centre in Coalbrookdale, Telford. As well as the prospect of viewing at first hand this unique and extraordinary venue, there will be helpful advice and information on how you can play your part in climate control. Places are free but limited – to register please send your contact details to polly@cherryeventmanagement.co.uk

Free Business Start up Event, London
The UK's biggest free exhibition is being held at ExCel, London Docklands on April 25th-26th. The show is now made up of four segments: Business Start-up, Social Entrepreneurs, Business Opportunities and Start-up Overseas shows. There will also be 250 exhibitors offering information, advice, products and services for new and developing businesses. For more details visit the website www.bstartup.com.

International Women’s Day, Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are celebrating International Women’s Day on Friday 7th March. The event is at the Loch Lomond Youth Hostel, opposite Duck Bay and runs from 9.30am-3.30pm. The day has networking opportunities and guest speakers from Scotland. Participant’s fee is £10 and there is free transport from pick up points in the national park. For more details or to book please contact Rachel McElroy on 01389 722634.

 

Marketing on a Shoestring Event, Staffordshire
A one day marketing Course for rural SMEs is being funded and organised through Staffordshire Rural Hub. It is on Wednesday 12th March from 10am- 3pm at Venue Buzzard Valley Vineyard, near Tamworth. Marketing activities covered include Press Releases for FREE newspaper and magazine articles, Designing leaflets and flyers, Making the most of your website, Market Research- running your own Focus Groups, Image and customer care getting repeat custom and Using a strap line for effective customer communication. The cost is £15 per person and includes tuition, teas/coffee and lunch. To book or for more details contact Julie White on 07971666474.

Tendering For Success Roadshow 2008
The Tendering for Success Roadshow 2008 will improve your knowledge of the tendering process and provide details on how SMEs can maximise the potential from public sector contract opportunities. The programme includes how to understand the market, key issues you should know, how you are assessed and how to improve your chances. Cost is £115 and is visiting Manchester, Bristol, London and Birmingham. To book your place please visit: www.supply2.gov.uk/events/s2grs08/agenda.html

Devon Business Awards 2008
The Devon Business Awards are now looking for applications and nominations for this years’ ceremony. Categories this year include Business Award for Enterprise, Business Award for Innovation and Business Award for Best New Business. The latest date for application is the end of April 2009 and the ceremony is being held on 6th June. For more details ring 01803 322499 or visit the website www.fsb.org.uk/121

Enterprise HQ Events in Shropshire
Enterprise HQ are holding a website Magic event on the latest website technology on Tuesday 11th March from 5pm-7pm. The venue is the Shropshire Conference Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Frances Edmonds will be the guest speaker. To book and reserve your place or for further details please ring 01743 246988.

     
Offers  

Offers

Win a FREE 10 Page Website
WiRE member Leeann Smith of W3designs is offering members the chance to win a 10 page website design or re-design. This includes: Scanning and Editing of a limited amount of Images, 12 Months Hosting on Domains from W3designs, Free Domain Name (.co.uk or .com), e-mail Addresses, Keyword optimising and Search Engine Submission. If you are interested in taking part in this draw, please do not hesitate to contact Leeann on how you can enter, visit the website www.w3designs.co.uk. Or come and see her at the National WiRE Conference (18th March 2008)

W3 Designs


Book Offer for WiRE Members

Second Steps 4 is a pocket sized guide to setting up a business, particularly in a craft related area but many of the topics covered are relevant, whatever business you are in. It is illustrated with a variety of case studies by practioners, tutors and professionals in specialist fields, with a large selection of contact details to take your research further. Some of the areas covered include: Self promotion; marketing, research, press releases; planning, business plans; financial, pricing, health & safety, legal, income tax, companies, support & insurance; preparing for shows, exhibiting abroad; selling via the internet & web design. Second Steps was first published in 1998 and has been updated 3 times since then. Offer to members £6.50 including P & P within the UK. For further details visit: www.bcfbooks.co.uk.


Second Steps

15% off Re-Cycled Office Furniture
Optimum Office Solutions are offering 15% off all recycled office furniture for WiRE members. They have over 25 years experience and supply nationally. For more information contact Mike Mannion on 07922-264246 and state you are a WiRE member.

 

Updating your image??
Have you considered your company image? What does your target market think when it sees your logo, website and other visual material? Which button have you pressed? On or off? To make sure you turn them on, sarabrown.co.uk is offering 10% off to all WiRE members! For revamps or starting from scratch, we do websites, logos, stationery, fliers, and posters. Visit www.sarabrown.co.uk. for more information, or call Sara on 07828 568224.

SaraBrown

And Finally

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

AJC Coaching

Shelia’s Choice:

AJC Coaching
www.ajc-coaching.com -

Amanda Crow – Found on the Rural Marketplace - http://www.wireuk.org/directory.aspx?member=2579

Well it is my turn and how delighted I am to have been asked! It is very hard to choose as so many of the websites on the rural marketplace are good. I have selected Amanda’s website as the colours utilised to me mean peace and tranquillity. Certainly when you meet Amanda she fills you with a peaceful feeling and starts to get you to talk to her. She has a certain ambiance about her and she has managed to portray this on her website.

Opening Doors

Shelia Henshall
Opening Doors Staffordshire Project Officer

     

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