ALTRINCHAM MAN CELBRATES TWO DECADES IN INDUSTRY

An Altrincham man is celebrating after reaching a major career milestone.

Alister Stones, who works at Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen on Manchester Road, has chalked up 20 years in the motor industry, most of which have been with Volkswagen.

The 42-year-old (above) originally trained as a joiner and then financial advisor, before he took up a sales role in the automotive industry working alongside his mum. He is now the brand manager at Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen.

Alister puts his long length of service down to people he has worked with over the years, the ever changing nature of the automotive industry and of course the tutoring he had from working with his mum.

He said: “The time has just flown by. I thoroughly enjoy working with cars and I’m glad I’ve been able to progress a career I enjoy.

“Everyone at Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen has congratulated me on reaching this landmark and I’m looking forward to celebrating many more years to come.

“The ever changing nature of the job ensures I’m kept busy and I look forward to going to work every day. That’s not something everyone can say.”

ALTRINCHAM APPRENTICE TAKES FIRST STEP ON CAREER LADDER

A young car enthusiast from Altrincham has embarked on three-year apprenticeship with the aim of becoming the best in the business.

Seventeen-year-old Tom Critchley has been accepted by Altrincham Volkswagen retailer Gilbert Lawton to be the latest recruit on the technician apprenticeship scheme.

Over the next three years Gilbert Lawton will invest nearly £30,000 to train Tom through to technician status.

Tom is now looking forward to achieving his ambition of working on Volkswagen vehicles.

He said: “I love all types of vehicles and this is the only job I have ever wanted to do. I am passionate about the Volkswagen brand and I want to go as far in my career as I can.

“I am over the moon to I be given this opportunity and very grateful to Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen for giving me this chance.”

Gilbert Lawton’s service manager, Mike Davies, said: “In the current economic climate, it’s important local businesses give youngsters the opportunity to learn and develop a career.

“Tom’s passion for cars was one of the main reasons why he’s been given this place on the apprenticeship programme.

“He may only be 17, but I’m confident Tom will come through the three years with flying colours.”

TOP MARKS FOR TIMPERLEY SALES MANAGER

A Timperley sales manager is celebrating becoming one of the first in the UK to graduate from a new two year management training programme.

Steve Jones, who works at Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen in Altrincham, recently completed the course launched by Volkswagen’s training academy to retain some of the top talent in the industry.

The 41-¬year-old has almost 25 years’ experience in the automotive industry and graduated with one of the top marks in the country.

He said: “I am delighted to be one of the first people to complete the course and impressed at getting one of the top overall marks.

“The qualification has given me extra knowledge and experience to ensure customers are provided with the service they need from all staff.”

Steve was marked on three sections, role play, interview and 100 question exam to gain the NVQ Level 4 equivalent qualification.

Alister Stones, brand manager at Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen, said: “We believe having knowledgeable staff is paramount to the success of a business.


“The course is designed to equip some of our senior staff with the very best knowledge to deal with customers and pass on to other employees.

“The fact Steve scored the best overall mark in the UK shows we have the best sales manager in the country.”

CHARITY FAMILY WIN TRIP TO THE WILD WEST

A family from Congleton in Cheshire is saddled up and ready to fly out to a Texan ranch holiday after winning a national competition.

Denise Page secured the ‘Wild West’ break for her family after she won a ‘spot the ball’ contest at JJ’s Sensory Play Centre annual charity ball, which was sponsored by Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen in Macclesfield.

The holiday was the main prize of Volkswagen’s national competition to mark the launch of their new Touran and Sharan models.

Denise (below with Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen's brand manager, Nick Ashton) will fly out to Texas in early April with her daughter Francine and partner Guy.

Speaking of her prize, Denise said: “I was a little surprised when I had the call to tell me of my win, as I didn’t really expect all the flights and accommodation to be paid for.

“But once I had confirmation in writing, I was very excited by the choice of holidays on offer and a trip to Texas appealed to all the family – although Francine said she won’t be coming if she has to eat beans around a campfire!”

Nick Ashton, brand manager at Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen, said: “Our congratulations go out to Denise and her family and we hope they enjoy their holiday to Texas.

“We’re also pleased that we’ve helped raise awareness about the work of JJ’s Sensory Play Centre, as we extended an invitation to the charity ball to all of our customers.”

JJ’s Sensory Play Centre, which is located on Snape Road in Macclesfield, is a soft play environment which includes a sensory room. It relies entirely on donations to provide its services.

Their specialist facilities encourage young children, including those with special needs, to play in a safe environment through stimulation and interaction by using multi-sensory equipment.

For more information about JJ’s Sensory Play centre, please visit www.jjsplaycentre.co.uk or call 01625 667872.

ALTRINCHAM WORKERS CYCLE FOR CANCER FUNDRAISER

Two members of staff from an Altrincham retailer have raised thousands for charity after completing a coast-to-coast bike ride with friends.

Steve Bradin, a sales controller, and Tom Carrol, a sales executive, from Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen completed the 131 mile trek from Whitehaven to Sunderland, raising £2,675 for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process.

Reflecting on the journey, Bradin thanked his supporters and highlighted the difference that the money raised would make.

“I want to say a big thank you to everybody who sponsored me and Tom for the coast-to-coast bike ride.

“We managed to raise a huge amount of money and this will make a massive difference to a lot of people’s lives.”

The pair embarked on the journey after Tom’s mother, Kathleen Carroll, recently died from cancer.

Fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, Grace Higgins, spoke of how the funds raised will go a long way to sustaining the costs of specialist nurses.

She said: “This type of fundraising is vital to us - £2,675 will go a long way to support other families that are affected by cancer.

“It costs £191 to fund a Macmillan nurse for one day - Steve and Tom’s efforts could pay for fourteen days, helping families deal with cancer.”

JJ’S CHARITY BALL RAISES THOUSANDS

The third annual charity ball by JJ’s Sensory Play Centre has raised over £6,500 for the South Cheshire children’s charity.

A total of £6,550 was raised before, during and after the Oscar-themed ball at Tytherington Hall Golf Club.

Part of the money raised will go towards the ongoing fund, started by main sponsor Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen, to install a hydrotherapy pool at the Hurdsfield Industrial Estate centre.

The rest has already been allocated to buy new equipment to update and extend the sensory room.

JJ’s, which relies entirely on donations, is a soft padded multi-sensory facility that provides relaxation and stimulation for children and adults with special needs.

Joanne Griffiths, co-founder of JJ’s, said: “I’m delighted with the money raised as it means additional equipment can be installed immediately for the children to enjoy and benefit from.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of local businesses, including Gilbert Lawton, and this is greatly appreciated by everyone at JJ’s.”

Nick Ashton, brand manager at Gilbert Lawton Macclesfield, said: “JJ’s provides a fantastic service to the community and we’re delighted to be able to continue our involvement in raising money and awareness of the charity.”

TOP MARKS FOR LOCAL PARTS ADVISOR

A parts advisor from Altrincham is celebrating after passing a new training course designed to benefit customers.

Andy Lennon, who works for Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen, recently completed the senior parts advisor aftersales qualification programme, launched by Volkswagen’s Training Academy.

The 28-year-old has worked for Gilbert Lawton for nearly ten years and is focussing on his next career goal, training to be a parts manager by 2011.

He said: “I am ecstatic and relieved to have passed the course and really proud to have done so well.

“The course taught me new skills to help give customers the best advice when they want something new for their car.”

During the 12-month course Andy completed practical and theoretical assessments, take part in an interview and conduct a presentation on a project he was responsible for running.

Gilbert Lawton’s brand manager, Alister Stones, said: “We believe that having knowledgeable staff is paramount to the success of a business.

“We are all very proud of Andy and think his new skills will provide customers with the best parts advice possible.”

TECHNICIAN GRADUATES WITH FLYING COLOURS

A man from Brooklands is living the dream after passing the first hurdle on his career goal.

Three years of hard work and training have paid off for Steve Flanigan after he graduated from his technician apprenticeship with Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen.

The 20-year-old from joined the Manchester Road retailer straight from school and embarked on the intensive three-year programme to become a fully-qualified Volkswagen technician.

He has always wanted to be a top car technician and is delighted to have passed the apprenticeship. Steve said: “It’s been a tough three years but this is the only job I want to do and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.

“There’s a long way to go before I reach my career goal, but passing my apprenticeship is the first major hurdle.

“Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen has provided me with the perfect platform to start my career and I can’t thank the company and staff enough for the support I’ve been given.”

Steve now faces another year of on-the-job training to polish his skills in the after-sales workshop.

His next challenge is to qualify as a master technician, a process that will take approximately six years.

Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen’s after sales manager, Mike Davies, said: “Steve has worked diligently during his apprenticeship and fully deserves to have reached technician status.

“He’ll now be able to work on his own on some jobs, but still receive elements of training in order for him to progress further.”

To date Gilbert Lawton has spent over £40,000 training Steve to this level and will continue to invest in his future career.