BUSINESS SHOCKED AS LETTER ARRIVES FROM 1993

When a recent delivery of mail arrived at a West Cumbrian business one letter stood out from the rest.

As Walkingshaw Volkswagen staff looked through the delivery they noticed one of the envelopes had taken a while to reach the business.

For the letter was posted in 1993, meaning it had taken 18 years to reach its destination, even though it was sent from a company just 18 miles down the road in Calderbridge.

The letter was sent to Walkingshaw’s old address, but even more remarkable was the contents of the envelope; it contained a cheque for a payment on a car.

Andy Walkingshaw, brand manager at Walkingshaw Volkswagen, said: “We noticed the letter was unusual because it was in a plastic bag with a note from the Post Office offering apologies for the poor condition of the item.

“When we looked at the date stamp we realised just how long it had taken to reach us and were amazed.

“I don’t think the company that issued the cheque is still in existence, but anyway the delay would mean it could no longer be cashed. There must have been some amusing conversations back in 1993 along the lines of ‘the cheque’s in the post’.

“Although this was before my time and no-one here can remember the incident, I’m sure the money would have been paid eventually.


“We’ve been in business since 1968 and a Volkswagen franchise since 1985, but we’ve never had anything arrive this late before, post or otherwise.

“We moved to our new site at Lillyhall in 1999 so for the letter to reach us after so long is remarkable.”

The envelope and its contents have now been filed in the company’s archives but the incident is still providing a talking point for staff and customers alike.

STATE-OF-THE-ART VEHICLE FOR YORKSHIRE RESCUE TEAM

Four years of fundraising have paid off for a Yorkshire mountain rescue team after it took delivery of a brand new vehicle, full of the latest communication technology.

The Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) spent many years struggling with an old box trailer they towed to major incident scenes to use as a communications base.

But thanks to the fundraising effort, the team now has a brand new Incident Control vehicle packed with state-of-the-art equipment, from Cleckheaton-based Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire)

The vehicle (above) is a specially adapted short wheel base 4x4 Volkswagen Transporter with special off road tyres and front and rear swivel seats.

Mike Brown, transport officer, at the UWFRA, is delighted with the new vehicle and knows it will provide a vital link between members of the team and other emergency services.

He said: “The old trailer we used was 30 years old and just had a couple of radios inside and with no heating, it was pretty grim in winter!

“As it only had room for one person discussions with our controllers, the police and other key personnel had to done outside in all types of weather.

“We needed a four wheel drive vehicle, but it had to be compact enough to navigate the tracks and pass through the gateways found in the Dales.

“We took months to find the right one and then ensure it had all the equipment we needed along with the capability to navigate rough terrain. Volkswagen’s reputation for ruggedness, durability and reliability meant the Transporter was the perfect choice for us.

“Special thanks must go to everyone at Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) in Cleckheaton which has provided UWFRA with the ideal vehicle to use on rescues.

“It could potentially enable us to save lives, especially as we reach the colder months of the year with some of the harshest weather conditions.”

The Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue team, based in Grassington, is the third oldest team in the country and consists of over 80 highly trained volunteers who are on call 365 days a year.

They are one of only three teams in the country who perform both surface and underground rescues - all three are in the Yorkshire Dales.

Mike added: “In 2010 the team attended a record 40 call outs and this year we’re already on course to go passed that total.

“It costs approximately £35,000 to run the team every year and the funds for the new vehicle were in addition to the normal annual costs.

“We cannot thank the local people enough for their generosity and in particular Mark Wheelwright from Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) who was really keen to be involved in our major project and gave great support in driving it through for us.

“We are all volunteers and while we’re willing to go out in all weather conditions on the fells or down caves if someone needs help, everyone has been boosted by the extra assistance the Volkswagen Transporter will provide.”

In addition to the latest technology the modified Volkswagen Transporter can carry four personnel and has a 40 foot electronic mast to aid communication.

Andrew Caygill, brand manager at Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), said: “The members of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association risk their lives in sometimes terrible weather to help people in the Dales.

“We’re pleased to have been able to help facilitate this vehicle and hope it provides many years of service.”

Charity jump to raise hundreds for Children in Need

Players from Derby County Football Club are teaming up with a Mackworth business to help raise hundreds of pounds for this year’s Children in Need appeal.

Imperial Commercials, Derby’s dedicated Volkswagen commercial vehicle site, is inviting the members of the public to join its staff and Derby county players in a charity bungee jump fun day, taking place on Friday 18th November.

The Ashbourne Road van centre team will be plummeting 175 feet in a series of sponsored bungee jumps and welcomes visitors to take their own charity plunge to help raise funds for the annual children’s appeal.

The bungee jump will be erected in the Volkswagens forecourt and will take place between 10:30am and 4pm, refreshments will also be available.

The Derby County Football Club players will be available in the afternoon to greet fans and sign autographs.

Van drivers will also have the opportunity to get Derby County match day tickets as 20 pairs will be up for grabs to anyone who test drives a new Volkswagen vehicle on the day.

Matthew Lawrenson, regional director at Imperial Commercials, said: “This is a great opportunity for the business to help raise awareness and money for a worthy cause.

“Staff are busy fundraising for their bungee jumps and we hope that other members of the public take advantage of the 175 feet plunge and give generously.

“We are delighted that players from Derby County are joining us and hope the day is a huge success and lots of money is raised to support the vital work done by Children in Need.”

Further charity fundraising action will see three teams of Imperial Commercials staff compete in a “jailbreak” race on Friday 18th November. The teams will be dropped off ten miles from the van centre in fancy dress outfits, they will then have to race back to the site, blagging their way without using any money or mobile phones.

A suitable donation to Children in Need is requested for all bungee jumps by the general public, availability will be on a first come basis.

Digital expert in the fast lane

Citygate Volkswagen is taking a major step forward by appointing one of the youngest digital experts in the region.

Jade-Elise Brooke-Read, from Great Missenden is Citygate Volkswagen’s new marketing executive, responsible for all aspects of the automotive group’s digital strategy including social media.

The 21-year-old has always being passionate about digital developments and held a position at one of London’s top IT firms before starting at the Volkswagen retailer which has sites in Ruislip, Colindale, Watford, Chalfont and High Wycombe.

Speaking of her appointment Jade-Elise said: “I’m excited to be using my skills in an industry that is relatively new to this area of communication.

“I consider myself experienced in the ever changing digital industry. Since leaving school at 18, I’ve completed many different training programmes and worked with some of the best people in the digital arena.”

Citygate’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Simon Bennett, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Jade-Elise to our team. It has become very apparent over the last few years that a digital presence in our industry is becoming increasingly more important. Jade’s appointment will allow us to continue providing customers with a level of service they would expect from Citygate.

“We felt it appropriate to bring in somebody who was young and fresh and had a good understanding of the market and how to apply it to the Citygate business.”

Van-tastic deal for Bangor City FC

Bangor City Football Club is hoping the delivery of a new mode of transport will help drive them back to the top of the Welsh Premier League.

The club has just been passed the keys of a new Volkswagen Caddy van as part of the continued link with main sponsors, Pentraeth Volkswagen Van Centre.

The Caddy will mainly be used by manager, Neville Powell, as he scouts rival teams and to take the kit and other materials for matches and training.

Pentraeth Volkswagen Van Centre’s owner and former Bangor City director, Ken Jones, said: “We’re delighted to hand over the Caddy to Neville as part of our commitment to helping Bangor City retain the Welsh Premier League.

“It has always been our focus to provide as much support off the field as possible to the club and ensure the players only have to concentrate about what happens on the pitch.”

After watching the club secure another kit sponsorship deal with Pentraeth Volkswagen in the summer, manager Powell, is delighted with the Caddy van.

He said: "Our partnership with Pentraeth is very important to everyone at the club and we’re aiming to show our fans just how good the team is over the next couple of months.

“There are some fantastic games coming up and we hope the supporters can get behind the team, just like Pentraeth have.”

Hollinwood youngster given exclusive apprenticeship

A young car enthusiast from Hollinwood has just embarked on an exclusive three-year apprenticeship with an Oldham business.

Matthew Friend, 17, has been accepted by Oldham Volkswagen retailer Smith Knight Fay, on to the technician apprenticeship scheme.

Over the next three years Smith Knight Fay will invest nearly £40,000 to train Matthew through to technician status.

Matthew, who has joined straight after leaving Astley Sports College, is looking forward to achieving his ambition of working on Volkswagen vehicles.

He said: “I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity and very grateful to Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen for giving me this chance.

“I have family members who are technicians which has helped me develop an understanding of 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’m now looking forward to completing the apprenticeship and developing a career in the motor industry.”

Smith Knight Fay’s brand manager, Jason Chisnall, said: “In the current economic climate, it’s important local businesses give youngsters the opportunity to learn and develop a career.

“We only take on an apprenticeship every two or three years so Matthew can be satisfied he’s achieved something already by being appointed.

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

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

HIGGS & SONS STRENGTHENS FAMILY TEAM AS NEW REPORT IS PUBLISHED

Award-winning legal firm Higgs & Sons is strengthening its family team with a new associate, coinciding with the publication of a new far reaching review into family law.

Sarah Martin joins Higgs as an associate. She specialises in divorce, civil partnership dissolution and cohabitation disputes as well as advising on issues relating to children and relationship breakdown.

Speaking of her appointment, Sarah said: “There has never been a more important time in family law than now. The long anticipated Family Justice Review panel final report has been published this week and it’s clear that people in the region need to ensure they get the very best legal advice in the most cost-efficient way.”

Sarah is a member of Resolution and qualified as a solicitor in 1999. She said that the Family Justice Review will bring the biggest changes to family law in a generation: “It’s been well documented in the press this week about the legal rights of children after a break-up, with fathers not automatically being given shared or equal time with the children, should a relationship end. Similarly, it is not proposed that grandparents have an automatic right to have contact either.

“An increase in the number of cases being dealt with by the family justice system means it is being put under significant strain. In my experience, parents often find the system complicated, expensive and emotionally exhausting. It’s therefore important that clear, concise advice is given.”

The Family Justice Review panel was commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Education and the Welsh Government to undertake a comprehensive review of the family justice system in England and Wales.

To find out more about the report, visit www.higgsandsons.co.uk.