Azure Company Newsletter - December 2008

A Very
Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year
from everyone
at Azure
Chef Malcolm Brown
Si King
Malcolm & Commis Chef Jake Gray
refer to the centre section for details and more photos of Café Azure’s opening
Dave Myers, Matt Minto & Si King
Dave with Marie & Lindsay Ras & Holly McGregor
Si & Dave (The Hairy Bikers) with Peter Elliott
Dave & Si with Claire Buchan (of Sorted PR)
a
efi
pl
e
on
49
esi
eopl d adults lfare ben g missi it training bled peo -ch
nd d
p
a
f
o
g
an
tin
es
ure
we
rkin
isa
27
he liv g people orkstart rship wo er 16660 about d www.az ervic
t
g
n
w
b
un
ive
ts
lity
tne
ovi
or yo orkstep ities par any num gn posit th disabi e suppor serv
f
s
e
i
p
wi
vic
m
es
ice
e w
tun
zur
castl e oppor 3149 co ng and d f people adults a efits adv missio
w
e
i
N
1
nc
en
d
so
print
ber 5
rking
perie
le an
are b
pa
e live
rk ex arity num en centre oving th ng peop tart welf rship wo 49 com
pr
ch
rd
31
ar
ou
tne
rks
o.uk
ail ga sion – im ices for y step wo ities par umber 51 t retail g r
t
e
r
t
n
is
v
is
k
p
ockis 1982 m land ser stle wor opportu charity n urf stock as shaw
t
e
a
g
d
c
teeth
o.uk rolawn
own ty www.a
ewc - p2008
ienNewsletters
r
c
n
.
N
istere ast of enHen’s
e
k
e
l
d
y
x
b
l
ili
e
e
an
es
er
ita
disab
work
form
scap
char
north
north tynedale
,
Simple
pressure
of
work,
including
overseeing
the
major
Café
n
ni
o
d
t
hing work an Azure investment, prevented the preparation and publication of mu
g
work
ainin ww.azure the spring and summer newsletters in 2008.
w
velop
andl
site
)
e
leWe apologise for this and hope to return to the pattern of at least sion
esal
whol in peop three per year in 2009.
r
h
ble.c
vesto ople wit
pe
e
cash
s of
d th Logo modification
n
a
n
d
t
erlan ces com a s t l e skills de ing mis c h a r i t a p l a n printing a
c
i
je
v
t ser nd New Those with an eagle eye will have noted a subtle change to the pro
a
w
edale es basic Azure logo – although the revised logo is very much in keeping ity
i
t
- with the earlier version( see new logo at the top of this page). st
ili
g fac hip work This change was made as part of the work to create a number of ea
s
r
ss
artne ww.azure new documents published recently – and will follow through in ce
w
s
work
site
rserie all future Azure printed documents.
u
n
e
al
opm
ultur en centr
rd
impr
shawWeb sites will also be updated in due course.
l ga
s
a
n
ity n
know h disabil th
–
l
p
r
c
r
a – “it’s sofficial”
oCafé
ha
Azure
te
y
wit
eve
rk
ls d mission co.uk c and carr
ople nd the n munity
l
i
o
k
s
w
a
rland es com In the past year our eco-friendly Café Azure has been completed. sign
c
i
v
ar
e
t ser ewcastl It hosted its first function on 18th June 2008 – Azure’s Annual ch
N
General Meeting. Since then it has traded every day but the long azur
and
basic awaited “official celebrity opening” has just taken place.
s
tie
of en
facili working
.
ce
hip
ners haritable See the special four page centre section (and extra photos in the ac
c
w
h
azure lant cas Christmas wrap). When we get big name celebrities we make the tle
p
e-most of it!
sic s
ies
nd d
a
g
t
in
ship
print
rojec 2009 Annual General Meeting
p
w
.
ha
site w
as s lity www
i
s
t The date for the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Charity has
disab orth eas been fixed as Wednesday 24th June. As in 2008 it will be held in nur
n
d
d the mmunity Café Azure. Would charity members and all other usual attendees an
o
c
1982
ces
wcas please note this important date in their diaries.
e
N
d
land
e an ilities ba
c
in1 cra
Page
ing fa partner
p
s
b
l
-
Azure
Informing members, trustees, staff, trainees and friends of issues and developments relating to the Charity (Charity No. 513149).
Azure Newsletter
Issue 23 December 2008
charitable enterprises
In the money
Neil Robinson MBE (Vice President )
and Charity member David Pallett
have worked hard over some
months approaching grant giving
trusts to obtain assistance towards
the capital costs of Café Azure.
It is very pleasing to report that
they have succeeded in getting
assistance from a number of grant
givers – no mean feat in these
difficult times. To date their efforts
have raised around £25,000.
The photo here shows Neil
receiving a cheque from the
Neil receiving Azure’s cheque from Bill Brooks,
“Christ’s Hospital in Sherburn”
Chairman of Governors Sherburn House Charity
charity - at a function he attended
on Azure’s behalf. We are grateful to all grant givers who have supported
Azure – and to Neil and David for their considerable and successful efforts.
Vice President
Azure’s other Vice President, Lord
Howick, took time to visit Azure in June
to get up to date with developments.
He was given a conducted tour by
Peter Elliott OBE, Chief Executive, and
by Vice President Neil Robinson MBE.
Charles, Lord Howick of Glendale,
runs Howick Estate in Northumberland
which includes a garden and arboretum
open to the public. Prior to returning to
Howick in 1982 he spent twenty years
as a merchant banker. He has been
a non-exec director of Northern Rock
and a trustee of the Northern Rock
Lord Howick of Glendale
Foundation. He was also a trustee of
the Baring Foundation for 17 years. He
has been a trustee of The Art Collection Fund and a council member of The
Friends of The Tate Gallery. Among current commitments Charles is a trustee
of The Physic Garden in London, The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
and is also a member of The Advisory Council for the National Arboretum at
Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
Page 2
Children in need
Azure Printing’s
trainees, guided by
Training Coordinator
Pauline Allen, made
a great effort to assist
this annual appeal.
In the lead up to
the main day they
gathered materials
and used these
to produce some
impressive hand
made decorations.
On the day they
were given a prime
position in Azure Garden Centre and went on to sell over £300 of goods –
with all proceeds being donated to Children in Need. The trainees found it
both enjoyable and worthwhile. The Evening Chronicle sent a photographer
and Azure was acknowledged in the television coverage.
Success for supported employee - Michael Wilson
Asda is supporting the Tony
Blair Sports Foundation in
its aim to recruit more adult
coaches and officials to help
and encourage children in
local communities to take part
in sporting activities.
Employment Services
Workstep programme member
Michael Wilson is one of the
lucky 100 Asda employees to
sign up to achieve a level one
football coaching qualification
Michael Wilson is at left rear (Tony Blair centre)
- with 100% of the costs to be
paid by Asda. The launch of this event took place on Friday 14th November
with Tony Blair in attendance.
2008 - champions again (cup final score Azure 4 Pathway 1)
For the fifth year in succession Keele Drive’s 5 a side football team won the
competition - hosted at Northumberland College in Ashington. Well done!
Page 3
2008 Annual General Meeting
As mentioned on page 1 Café Azure’s first function, as had been promised
to the Chairman, was the 2008 AGM. In fact, the builder’s vehicles only
pulled off site on the afternoon of the meeting. However, promises to the
Chairman are not given lightly!
The event was well attended - with some additional guests who had been
involved in the Café Azure development. These included: architect David
Simpson, project manager Peter Sample as well as David Curtis and John
Boyd from the main contractors, DP Builders. Following the formalities and
speeches, Azure’s President, the Bishop of Newcastle, blessed the building
before an excellent buffet was served. The food had been prepared by Chef
Malcolm Brown (who is profiled on the Azure People page of this newsletter)
assisted by his team.
Company Secretary Geoff Crosby
Sir Terence & Lady Harrison
Page 4
The full Cafe Azure Project Management Team - with formal handover on AGM day
Graham Barnard (Dickinson Dees)
& Azure’s Chairman Joe Oliphant
David Pallett & Neil Robinson MBE
Thanks to Peter Ellis for the photographs.
Chief Executive Peter Elliott OBE, Treasurer Neville Furness, Chairman Joe Oliphant & President Bishop Martin Wharton
Café Azure Café Azure Official Opening
fine food - fine value
Cafe Azure has been trading since
its first event - the charity’s AGM in
June. However a formal opening
with celebrity presence had always
been planned. This took place on
Friday 21st November 2008. Azure
were extremely pleased to welcome
the phenomenally popular “Hairy
Bikers” of TV fame.
Much in demand Dave Myers and
Si King provided their services free
to the charity. They spent over four
hours with us and demonstrated
why they are so popular. As well
as being excellent cooks they are
extremely funny and made a fuss of
all present. Great people people!
Following a press call the invited
guests enjoyed a meal taken from
one of their cook books prepared
and served by Cafe Azure’s team
- ably led by our Chef Malcolm
Brown.
Dave and Si “The Hairy Bikers”
have very kindly agreed to be the
official Patrons of Café Azure.
Dave & Si - now official Café Azure Patrons
with regular customer Helen Pemberton
with Azure resident Malcolm Hughes
with Chairman Joe Oliphant, Brenda Oliphant, Chief Executive Peter Elliott OBE & Judy Elliott
with Claire Hodges
Dave Myers
Vicki Cox
Azure’s Kristen Dearing & Tom Turnbull presented gifts to Café Azure’s new Patrons
“The Hairy Bikers” – Si King & Dave Myers
posing for the press with Susan Dent & Chef Malcolm Brown
Jean Coleman & John Taylor
Kristen Dearing & Georgina Worrell
Geoff Crosby & Peter Sample
Wendy Graham with Carol English
Allan Lynn & others examining “The Hairy
Biker’s Cookbook” (a sell out on the night)
Eileen Watson, Ian Watson, Marie Wood, Doreen Kilburn,
Barry Wood and Jackie Axelby
We are grateful to Paul Stephenson and Peter Ellis for the photography
e2e
Azure’s Employment Services department is
currently running a successful e2e training
course – awarded to Azure by the Learning
and Skills Council.
Elsa Landreth with e2e trainees
At present ten to twelve learners are engaged,
typically for 22 weeks, in horticultural and
retail programmes – both of which address
basic skills development. The programme
is a combination of practical and classroom
based learning.
Malcolm Hughes receiving his Mencap Gateway Silver Award
Malcolm Hughes, an Azure
Supported Living resident,
is seen here receiving his
Mencap Gateway Silver
award from the Mayor
of Gateshead Councillor
Maureen Chaplin. The award
consists of four categories:
Service, Physical recreation,
Life Skills and Adventure.
Malcolm is presently
working towards the Gold
Award.
“A big thank you”
Tracey Pears, Support Worker, would like to thank everyone
in Azure who has supported her throughout her treatment
for cancer. She was off work for 2 years and often received
kind gift and cards of encouragement from colleagues.
“Everyone has been great!” she says. A special “big thank
you” goes out to her colleagues and the management team
on Keele Drive and to Elaine Dobson for specialist advice.
Tracey joined the Company in April 2003. She is married to
Jonny and they celebrate 20 “very happy years” together
this year. Jonny also became a Support Worker with Azure in October
2007. They have 3 children – Christopher, James and Michael. Tracey is
very happy to be back to normality and to the job she enjoys.
Page 9
An “amazing ducks” story (which started local and went international)
This item is only included due to pressure
for its inclusion by certain staff - perhaps to
demonstrate that the Chief Executive really
does have a heart! If you are interested check
it out on the web by typing the following
words into a Google search - amazing rescue
mother duck. Even five months on it’ll bring
up many links. Fan mail was received!
Halloween fun
Azure Garden Centre staff entered into the spirit of Halloween recently.
As part of a Halloween Weekend promotion staff used their imagination
– coming up with some excellent outfits. The weekend was promoted in
the press. A spooky storyteller proved popular with the children and there
was also a pumpkin lantern competition - which attracted some excellent
entries.
Matt Minto & Malcolm Birnie
Cath Campbell
Diane Rodgers & Deborah Britton
Kath Turnbull
Page 10
Amanda Skirpan
Holly McGregor
Heidi Knaggs
Michael Coppen
Congratulations and Best Wishes
Milestone birthdays (too many to mention but represented by.......)
Milestone “30”
Vicki Cox
Café Azure
Milestone “40”
Sue Dean
Finance
Milestone “50”
Barbara Chapman
Rosemount resident
Milestone “60” Peter Elliott OBE, Chief Executive
Milestone “70” Neville Furness, Treasurer
Milestone “80” Jean McCallum MBE, founding member.
Marriages (those which have been made known to the editor)
Kim Edmondston (nee Cram) - Support Services Community Access.
Jacqueline MacLauchlan (nee Potter) - Support Services Keele Drive.
New arrivals
Aidan Gardner b.11 th June 08 to Rachael Page Grant b.23rd July 08 to
Claire (Employment Services) & Ian. Caron (Nurseries) & Jamie.
Retirements
Lynn Atkinson (Supported Living) & Jim Whisson (Employment Services).
Page 11
Azure People
Malcolm Brown, Café Azure’s Chef/Manager
With many years of relevant experience Malcolm
came to Azure in April 2008 - from Newcastle’s
Mansion House where he was Head Chef. Whilst
in that role he was in charge of their catering from intimate dinners for visiting dignitaries up to
events such as the Lord Mayor’s garden party,
where there were hundreds of guests. Malcolm
came with an impressive clutch of personal
testimonials from satisfied customers!
Malcolm’s earlier career, always catering based,
was interesting and included some years
instructing young offenders. He also worked
in the offshore industry - catering for hungry oil
workers for seven years. That position took him
off to many far away places (Malcolm is never stuck for a good story).
Married to Margaret and living in Pegswood Malcolm is an extremely active
sportsman – with mountain biking and scuba diving important to him. He
is also a very keen photographer.
Peter Stokel, IT Tutor (Newcastle IT Training Centre)
Peter started working for Azure in September
2004 as an IT Tutor in the IT Centre,
Newcastle. Before joining Azure he taught
IT at Gateshead College for two years. He
was an ‘Overhead Engineer’ at BT for 13
years before that, erecting poles and all
overhead plant.
Peter has been married to Allison for 21
years and has two children, Craig 20, a
Sales Assistant at House of Fraser, and
Laura 15, who hopes to gain access to design course after leaving school.
Peter’s hobbies are; motorcycling, camping and astronomy.
Due to the forthcoming closure of the IT Centre, Peter is leaving Azure at
the year end. Azure are very sorry to be losing him and we all wish him well
for the future.
Page 12
Contributions and suggestions to Peter Elliott. Tel: 01670 733966
Email: [email protected]
Neil Robinson & Lily Myers
Jane King
Café Azure – external view
Richard Walker (& Jennifer Walker)
Lindsay Ras
refer to the centre section for details and more photos of Café Azure’s opening
Si King
Malcolm Hughes & George McCaughey
Deborah Britton, Diane Rodgers & Toni Richardson
with Moira Dinning & Caroline Stobbart from Lifestyle Magazine
Café Azure
fine food - fine value
Café Azure - an environmentally friendly building
Café Azure aims to provide “fine food at fine value” - to suit all tastes. Wherever
possible we will use high quality local suppliers to maximise quality and to minimise food
miles travelled .
An attractive children’s play area has been
constructed with a range of equipment
(slide, swings and an adventure trail).
Parents can supervise from the external
patio or from within.
Café Azure
at Azure Garden Centre, Station Road, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 8BJ
tel: 01670 733762 e/mail: [email protected]
www.cafe-azure.co.uk