Monday 30 January 2012

Legal firm shows support for food bank this winter

Black Country law firm Higgs & Sons has shown its support for a local food bank by donating eight large boxes of essential supplies.

The team, led by head of employment, Tim Jones, put together the boxes for Black Country Foodbank which helps vulnerable individuals and families in crisis through the provision of three days of emergency food supplies while a longer-term solution is developed.

Each Higgs’ box contained tinned food, cereals and other essentials, providing enough food for 120 meals. The Foodbank helps around 6,500 people each year, providing 65,000 meals. The demand for its services is rapidly rising with an increase of 47 per cent last year alone.

Speaking of the contribution, Foodbank co-ordinator Wendy Fryatt said: “At Foodbank we're so pleased that local companies like Higgs & Sons aspire to contribute to their local community in this very practical way. The food which Higgs’ staff have donated will make a difference to those families and individuals referred to us over the coming weeks."

Tim Jones said of the donation: “We had a most moving and humbling tour of the Black Country Foodbank when taking our contribution. In addition to the food they are involved in all sorts of other projects including Christmas presents for needy children.

To find out more about Higgs and its activities in the community visit www.higgsandsons.co.uk or call 0845 111 5050 and speak to Tim Jones.

Monday 16 January 2012

Sinclair van specialists scoop national trophy



A team of specialists from a Swansea business is celebrating after winning a coveted national title.



Team Sinclair, from the Sinclair Van Centre on Gorseinon Road Swansea , has been crowned the most knowledgeable aftersales’ experts by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK.


The four-strong Sinclair Van centre team emerged victorious after beating over 60 other aftersales teams from across the UK Volkswagen network.

The battle of expertise quiz focused on all aspects of Volkswagen aftersales practices to assess the knowledge of the commercial vehicle network in the national final at Volkswagen’s UK headquarters in Milton Keynes.


Kevin Jones, team member and master technician at Sinclair stated: “It was certainly a fun way to review the technicial knowledge that is essential to ensure we keep our customers vehicles correctly maintained.


Huw Jones, parts advisor, commented: “The Sinclair Group prides itself on providing a consistent level of service and this is only possible with regular training. They say knowledge is power and this is certainly true for us.


David Jones, after sales manager, said: “We were delighted to receive the ‘Who Knows Wins Aftersales’ trophy and intend to vigorously defend our title next year.”


The Sinclair team was made up of David Jones, Kevin Jones and Huw Jones from Sinclair Van Centre Swansea and Andrew Molyneux, Volkswagen area aftersales manager for the region.

Friday 13 January 2012

Volkswagen team pedal to Paris for cancer charity




A ladies night at a Bury St Edmunds car retailer helped raise over £1,000 for a cancer charity.

Over 125 ladies attended the event at Northgate Volkswagen as it was transformed into a venue to raise money for Macmillian Cancer Research.

The Ladies Pampering and Shopping Night was organised to help showcase the fundraising efforts of a team from Northgate Volkswagen who are taking part in the London to Paris cycle ride in July in aid of the charity.

Cars were moved aside as the showroom was converted into a pampering arena of beauty treatments, colour analysis sessions plus stalls of homemade crafts, gifts and jewellery.

Shaun Barlow, Joe Parmenter and Terry Scott from Bury St Edmunds hailed the event as a huge success as Volkswagen business manager, Shaun, explained.

He said: “We were overwhelmed with the response and the money raised.

“We are very grateful to our colleagues who helped sell tickets for the evening and kindly baked cakes as refreshments for our guests.

“We were delighted that so many local shops and suppliers supported the event, with over 22 different stalls and services there was plenty to keep everyone entertained.”

The £1,000 raised on the night was generated through tickets sales and a raffle supported by stall holders and Northgate Volkswagen.

Shaun, added: “The three of us all cycle but the 408km ride in July, which we have to complete in four days, is certainly a tough challenge for us.

“The money raised has certainly kick started our fundraising efforts as we have a target of £4,650. We are so pleased our employer was willing to let us take over the showroom for the night.

“There is a lot of organisation to events like this and a special thanks must go our work colleague, Amelia, who helped coordinate the stall holders.”

Robert Rolfe, brand manager at Northgate Volkswagen, added: “The spacious showroom provides plenty of space for this sort of event so we were more than happy to support our staff on their impressive charity challenge.”

To support Shaun, Joe and Terry donations can be made by visiting justgiving.com/northgatevolkswagen.

Thursday 12 January 2012

Kirkcaldy teenager given exclusive apprenticeship



A young car enthusiast from Kirkcaldy has embarked on a three-year training course with the aim of becoming the best in the business.

Michael Given (18), from Burnt Island, has been accepted by Volkswagen retailer, Specialist Cars in Kirkcaldy to be the latest recruit on the company’s technician apprenticeship scheme.
Over the next three years Specialist Cars will invest nearly £40,000 to train Michael through to technician status.



Michael originally approached Specialist Cars for a role at its customer services centre. The team felt his knowledge, skills and passion were more suited to the apprentice programme and offered him the role.


Speaking of his new role Michael said: “I have always been technically minded and fascinated by the way things work so I am really looking forward to working on Volkswagen vehicles.

“I decided to turn down a university place to study astrophysics so I am over the moon to have secured the apprenticeship with Specialist Cars. My aim is to go as far as I can in my career.


“This is a great opportunity for me and I want to show everyone how much this apprenticeship means to me.”


Specialist Cars’ brand manager, Paul Lanni, said: “Michael’s passion and technical know-how was one of the main reasons why we choose him for the apprenticeship programme.


“We are confident he will come through the three years with flying colours.”