NEWSLETTER  October 2007

Meeting No. 186

Over 70 members attended this month's meeting and heard from John Dean, Chief Executive of British Shops and Stores Association.

John gave an excellent presentation and a very clear insight into some of the problems that face the high street, where the stores have to battle with internet shopping and now supermarkets. On top of this the SME's have to compete against the highly commercialised chain stores and in order to stay above water the owners are also expected to be trained and educated in all areas of the business, including dealing with complex staffing issues, marketing and managing budgets and cost issues, which as you would have thought is not always the case. Undoubtedly the high street has changed dramatically over the years and is expected to continually do so.

The morning raised over £60 for charity, so many thanks for your generosity.

Geoff Bell - The Environment Agency.

Geoff Bell is a Flood Risk Manager working in the West area of the Environment Agencies Thames Region. He is a Chartered Civil Engineer with more than 30 years experience in the water related industry.

Geoff will be talking about the role and responsibilities in the Environment Agency with respect to flooding. He will also explain how dealing with flooding has changed from simply building flood defences to flood risk management. This includes development control, flood warning and improving flood resilience of our homes, businesses and general infra-structure.

After the recent floods we have had this summer when the River Cherwell burst its banks, causing extensive damage to the Sports Centre, Railway and homes in and around Middleton Road, where our offices are situated ... we will be there listening!

Juliet McGill is seeking support for the Hook Norton Horse Show which will be held in 2008. If your organisation would like to find out more about the sponsorship opportunities, then you can contact Juliet at scotlandend@btinternet.com

Oxford Does Breakfast.  Third Wednesday of each month.  For further details visit www.oxforddoesbreakfast.co.uk.  Contact Shaun Jardine on (01295) 270999 or shaunjardine@brethertons.co.uk for further details.

Oxford Networking Lunch Club (ONLC) The next meeting is on Tuesday 6th March 2007 at The Plough, Clanfield. For more information, please visit www.onlc.co.uk

729 Chipping Norton Breakfast Club.   Ken Norman and Tim Lyon have formed a new Breakfast Club which meets in Chipping Norton on the second Wednesday of every month.   For further information contact Ken or Tim on (01608) 643336.

Chippy Lippys.  For further information contact Lesley Reader on (01608) 644032/(07725) 655320 or email her at lesley@lesleyreader.co.uk. 

Friday Lunchtimes – Rotary Club of Banbury.  Contact Bernard Goodchild on (01295) 279227.

Tuesday Evenings - Rotary Club Of Banbury Cherwell. Contact Craig Brodey on (01295) 753624.

Bicester Breakfast Club.  If you enjoy networking, the Bicester Breakfast Club meets on the fourth Thursday of every month.  For further information contact Kelly Durrant on (01869) 602067 at North Oxfordshire Consortium.

Bicester Speakers Club. First and third Thursday of each month at The Council Chamber, The Garth, Launton Road, Bicester.  A friendly, informal place to improve your public speaking skills and confidence.  Contact Paul Holmes on (01869) 245900 or paul@ppptraining.co.uk for more details.

Missing Link Meetings.  Missing Link has a number of networking meetings around the county each month. For further details contact Charles Lovibond on (08707) 876874.  www.missinglink.co.uk

First Bite Business Networking Meeting. This is an independent networking group. They meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at Veritas Wine Bar, North Bar, Banbury. If you would like to attend please email info@firstbite.biz.

Banbury Business Women’s Club. Second Tuesday each month at Rye Hill Golf Club. Places must be booked by the Friday before the meeting. Further details can be found on www.banburybusinesswomen.co.uk

The Witney Big(ger) Breakfast Club. Operates on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Starts at approximately 7.15 for 7.30 and finishes at 9. Contact details are Mike Leggett. mike@southill.co.uk or (01608) 811533

Brackley Means Business.  Brackley has an active business networking organisation, Brackley Means Business.  For further details visit www.brackleymeansbusiness.co.uk. 

Banbury United.   See website www.banburyunited.co.uk for full details.

Banbury Hockey Club.  If you are interested in sponsorship, playing or supporting please have a look at the new website www.banburyhockeyclub.co.uk.  Juniors and Seniors are welcome.

Lions Club of Banbury.  Meetings on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month, held at Wroxton Manor Hotel at 7.30pm. For further details contact Tim Holloway on (01608) 659241.

Banbury Business Referral Exchange (BRE). Meets every Monday in the heart of Banbury at the Cromwell Lodge Hotel, 9-11 North Bar, at 7.15 a.m. All Banbury based businesses are welcome to visit and discover a highly effective way of gaining more business at minimal cost. For further details contact tony.harrison@brenet.co.uk

Rye Hill Golf Club
Milcombe, near Banbury
www.ryehill.co.uk/directions/

Situated just off the A361 from Banbury to Chipping Norton, sign-posted with the brown tourist signs 1 mile out of Bloxham.

If you are attending the next meeting please either press reply to this email now, or email mariaali@brethertons.co.uk or telephone Maria on 01788 532909 as she is the custodian of the breakfast club attendance list.

Shaun Jardine, Brethertons LLP
Strathmore House, Waterperry Court, Middleton Road, Banbury, Oxon OX16 4DQ

Tel: 01295 270999 Fax 01295 661469
E-mail: shaunjardine@brethertons.co.uk
Web: www.brethertons.co.uk

BBBC Website: www.banburybreakfastclub.co.uk

Brethertons LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales, registered number OC317116
Registered office at 16 Church Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3PW

A list of members is available for inspection at the offices of the firm
Regulated by The Law Society
Legal Services For Businesses and Individuals - Offices in Banbury and Rugby