New radio station’s ‘Big Build’ weekend

Help needed this weekend to get community venture ready

Ribble fm, the Ribble Valley’s new volunteer-run local radio station, is due to go live on air in July ─ but there’s a lot of work needed before the big launch.

The new fm station will broadcast a wide mix of community-focused programmes to the whole of the Ribble Valley from its studio based at The Grand, in the heart of Clitheroe.

But at the moment that ‘studio’ is little more than an empty room and now organisers are appealing for lots of help this weekend to get it ready for the launch.

“It’s absolutely fantastic that The Grand have offered us a home,” said Kath Lord-Green, station manager of the new not-for-profit community interest company.

“It’s a great base for us because The Grand is a buzzing arts and entertainment venue right in the heart of Ribble Valley’s principal town, but we need to do a lot of work to be ready to launch in July and we’re hoping community-minded local people will help and support us.”

To get the studios ready, organisers are planning a ‘DIY SOS Big Build’-style event this Saturday and Sunday, April 23^rd and 24th, appealing to local tradespeople, DIYers and anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand.

“We need carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, carpet fitters, handymen and women ─ in fact anyone willing to give us a few hours of their time and skills,” said Kath. “We’ll also need materials so we’re appealing to local building supplies companies to get in touch, and to food businesses who might be able to donate food and drinks to keep our volunteers going.”

Anyone who thinks they might be able to help is asked to call Kath on 07921 072792 or fellow organiser Sharon Blake on 07739 682351. Helpers can also email kath@ribblefm.com, get in touch via Twitter @ribblefm or the station’s Facebook page (facebook.com/ribblefm) or just turn up ready to help from 10am on either day.

“With just over two months to our launch the panic’s starting to set in,” joked Kath, “but I know if the wonderful Ribble Valley community gets behind our ‘Big Build’ weekend we’ll take a giant leap towards being ready to flick the switch to go live on fm in July.”

In the run-up to the launch, Ribble fm is broadcasting online via its website at www.ribblefm.com

The website also has details of how volunteers can get involved with the new radio station, either behind the scenes or as on-air presenters. Local businesses can also find out about the various advertising and sponsorship opportunities available.

SDA helping you stand out from the crowd

Promoting your company at key trade shows and industry events is a great way to win new business.

But in order to stand out from your competitors it is vital to showcase what you do in the best possible light, maximising the limited space available to you.

Here at SDA we have more than 25 years’ experience in marketing your business to its full potential, including the design, build and management of exhibition stands for a wide variety of events. We have worked with national and local companies including Crown Paints, Ted Todd Hardwood Floors and Glen Dimplex to meet their needs for inviting and attractive exhibition spaces which draw in customers like a magnet.

Our skilled and experienced team of designers, builders and fitters will work with you from the outset to ensure all your needs are met in an exhibition stand which encapsulates everything that is best about your business. And because SDA is able to do everything in-house, our bespoke solutions are extremely cost-effective.

One of our most recent clients was The Bathroom Furniture Co. by Burbidge, designers and builders of luxury, quality handmade bathroom furniture. They required a stylish and compelling stand for the four-day KBB (Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom) exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham. This show is an unrivalled platform for architects, interior designers, retailers, contractors, plumbers and developers to source and specify the latest products, so it was vital they had a stand which reflected the tailor-made quality of their high-end product.

Working closely with our client we were able to design and build a 24 square metre exhibition stand to meet all their needs on deadline and within budget. We also transport the stand to the exhibition and manage its timely on-site assembly as well as dismantling and removal after the show.

Mark Bailey, from The Bathroom Furniture Co. by Burbidge, told SDA: “I feel it is right to let you know how much I appreciate the help, support, flexibility and professionalism you and your team have given me personally and ‘The Bathroom Furniture Co. by Burbidge’.

“The stand looks absolutely fantastic and this is without doubt down to Andy and the rest of your team. I am looking forward to seeing great results from the exhibition.”

For a one-stop-shop solution to your bespoke exhibition stand needs, call Andy Tyrer at SDA on 01282 426846 or email andy@scottdawson.co.uk to set up a meeting or get a quick quote.

Countdown on to the 2016 Accrington Food and Drink Festival

Gold Sponsors secured to help make day even bigger and better

It might seem a long time until summer, but the countdown to the 2016 Accrington Food and Drink Festival has well and truly begun.

Festival co-ordinator Sue Lawson is pictured with Liz Murphy, PR Manager at Simon Jersey

Last year’s revamped and revitalised event was one of Accrington’s biggest crowd-pullers, with more than 10,000 people filling the town centre for a day filled with flavours and family fun. Now planning is well under way for this year’s event, to be held on Saturday June 4^th.

Many of the same ingredients will help make a recipe for success, including an array of regional stalls showcasing the area’s finest food producers and retailers, live cookery demonstrations with a celebrity chef, a fabulous Continental food market on Broadway, “Accrington Pals” uniformed actors giving talks throughout the day, and a live World War II re-enactment commemorating D-Day.

Another heritage highlight this year will be a Spitfire, the iconic fighter aircraft of the Battle of Britain, on display in the town centre. Visitors will be able to view the historic aeroplane at close quarters and have their photo taken next to it.

Two Gold Sponsors have already been secured for this year’s event, helping make it even bigger and better than 2015. The first is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of uniforms, Altham-based Simon Jersey, which is celebrating 45 years in the area as well as sponsoring Team GB for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

and with MD Jim Harness (left) and Operations Director Gareth Lindsay from NLTG.

The second Gold Sponsor is one of the UK’s largest training providers, North Lancs Training Group, which has been training and supporting young people through apprenticeships and other vocational programmes for more than 45 years. With one of its two Vocational Centres of Excellence based in Accrington, it has strong links with the town and was keen to support its flagship food festival and participate with its catering students.

The event will once again take place in Broadway and in and around the award-winning Market Hall. Back by popular demand is celebrity chef Richard Fox, who will perform live cookery demonstrations in an outdoor cookery theatre on Broadway and host other demonstrations by local restaurant chefs.

Another huge hit last year and set to return for 2016 was a live World War II re-enactment by the North West Military Collectors, which saw Germans and American GIs locked in an action-packed skirmish in the usually peaceful grounds of St James’ Church.

This year also marks the centenary of one of the darkest days in Accrington’s history, when the famous “Accrington Pals” battalion suffered devastating losses on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, during the First World War. It will be commemorated at the food festival by various displays and activities, including uniformed Accrington Pals actors.

Children can once again join in the fun with activities including the popular cake decorating competition, and once again a vintage double-decker bus will transport people to the festival free of charge from pick-up points across Hyndburn.

This will be the second year that the Accrington Food and Drink Festival has been organised by Scott Dawson Advertising (SDA) as part of its civic pride initiative, working in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council and the Town Team.

Murray Dawson, from SDA, said: “Last year’s revived Accrington Food and Drink Festival was a great success and we want this year’s to be even better. Having a tank parked in the town centre as part of the D-Day commemorations proved a very popular attraction so we wanted to go one better this year and have a Spitfire on display.

“That and all the other attractions certainly put Accrington Food Festival on the map for must-see event this year!”

Coun. Clare Cleary, Cabinet Member for Accrington Town Centre, added: “Last year’s Food and Drink Festival was a huge success and this year’s looks set to be even bigger and better. It’s a superb family day out for all age groups to enjoy, so make Saturday June 4^th a date in your diary to come along and join in the fun.”

Opportunities to get involved with the festival, either through sponsorship or by having a stall, are still available and anyone interested can phone Sue Lawson at SDA on 01282 426846 or email: sue@scottdawson.co.uk

To keep up to date with the latest developments on the 2016 festival, visit it’s website at www.accringtonfoodfestival.co.uk where you will also find a gallery of photographs and videos giving a flavour of last year’s event. You can also ‘like’ the festival Facebook page at www.facebook.com/accringtonfood or follow it on Twitter at twitter.com/AccringtonFood