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.”

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.”

APPRENTICE TAKES FIRST STEP ON CAREER LADDER

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

Nineteen-year-old Matthew Wordsworth has been accepted by Macclesfield’s Volkswagen retailer, Gilbert Lawton, to be the latest recruit on the technician apprenticeship scheme.

Over the next three years Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen will invest nearly £40,000 to train Matthew through to technician status.

Matthew has joined after completing ‘A’ levels at college, and is 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.”

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

Gilbert Lawton’s brand manager, Nick Ashton, said: “Matthew’s passion for cars was one of the main reasons why he’s been given this place on the apprenticeship programme.

“I’m confident he will come through the three years with flying colours.”

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.”

YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL! GILBERT LAWTON VOLKSWAGEN BACKS FUNDRAISING EVENT

Macclesfield’s car retailer Gilbert Lawton has pledged its ongoing support to sensory play centre JJ’s by sponsoring its annual fundraising black-tie ball.

The Volkswagen site has worked alongside JJ’s for the past two years to raise funds and awareness of the play centre, which relies solely on donations to operate, and has committed to sponsor the 2010 ball; a major source of vital funds.

The event will take place at Tytherington Golf Club in Dorchester Way on Saturday September 18th.

JJ’s, on Hurdsfield Industrial Estate, is a soft padded multi-sensory facility that provides relaxation and stimulation for children and adults with special needs, and hopes to raise £10,000 at the ball.

Joanne Griffiths, co-founder of JJ’s, said: “Gilbert Lawton has been a huge supporter of JJ’s over the past two years and we’re delighted that the retailer has chosen to continue its support for the centre.

“The ball is always well attended and it’s the highlight of all the events we work on. The funds raised during the course of the night will help us continue to provide vital support and stimulation to the hundreds of children and adults who use the centre.”

Nick Ashton, brand manager at Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen, said: “We’ve worked closely with JJ’s over the past couple of years and we’ve seen first hand what a fantastic resource the centre is. We’re delighted to continue our support and we’re thoroughly looking forward to the ball, which is always a superb occasion.

Joanne added: “I’m pleased to announce all tickets have now been sold but we’re hoping for further prizes from local businesses.”

To donate a prize call 01625 667 872.

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.

ROGER’S OFF TO A FLYING START

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

The 21-year-old joined the Salford retailer straight from school, but had to wait two years before an opportunity to join the apprenticeship programme, in order to become a fully-qualified Volkswagen technician.

To celebrate his achievement Roger was invited to a national awards ceremony in recognition of his graduation.

He now faces another year of on-the-job training to polish his skills in Gilbert Lawton’s Bridgwater Way after-sales workshop.

Gilbert Lawton’s after sales manager, Steve Keenan, said: “Roger has worked exceptionally hard during his apprenticeship to become a skillful Volkswagen technician; he will be a brilliant asset to the team.”

Roger said: “I’m so pleased to have completed my apprenticeship. All I have ever wanted to do is work with cars and I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to become a specialised technician.

“I’m very grateful to Gilbert Lawton and Volkswagen for investing their time and money in me so I can do a job I want to do.”

To date Gilbert Lawton has invested £40,000 training Roger to technician standard and will continue to invest their time and money so he can progress to the next step and become a master technician.

Roger’s next challenge to qualify as a master technician will take approximately six years of further training.