The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 42: April/May 2019 | Page 31

South West Business & Community Award Success The South West Business & Community Awards took place at the end of January, celebrating the region’s most ambitious, inspirational and exciting businesses, charities and individuals. Over 260 attended the special event which included a moving motivational speech from TV’s Monty Hall, the ex-Royal Marine Officer who notably worked with Nelson Mandela during the peach process. The award scheme is organised by Great British Expos, organisers of the South West Expo and Bristol Expo. The awards were judged by property tycoon Roslyn Bell, James Phipps, Chairman of Swindon-based Excalibur and publisher of The Business Exchange, Anita Jaynes. Alison Edgar, The Entrepreneur’s Godmother was the award night host, entertaining guests and fronting charity games and an auction. Award winners included The Cricklade Club in the Start-up of the Year category, Chippenham’s Waste Not Want Not won Charity of the Year, Melksham’s Grip It Fixings picked up Employer of the Year and Steve Nell from Swindon Wildcats Ice Hockey was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. For a full list of the award winners visit the award scheme website. Organiser of the awards Alec Jones-Hall said, “We are thrilled with the success of this year’s awards. 2019 was our biggest year yet in terms of entries and attendance at the awards ceremony. The South West Business & Community Awards are all about giving back. Not only do they recognise the best of achievement, but all proceeds from awards night are donated to charity. I would like to thank everyone who has supported the awards this year and we look forward to 2020!” Entries are now open for the 2020 South West Business & Community Awards. To find out more visit: www. southwestbusinessawards.co.uk Footgolf; not your average work social! Looking for something a little bit different to shake up your next office social or team building day? Swindon Wildcats Win South League Title The Swindon Wildcats Ice Hockey team have been hailed champions of the South National Ice Hockey League (NIHL). They won the title after a 4-2 victory against rivals Bracknell Bees at the Better Link Centre Swindon. It’s the first time they have taken the league title under the Swindon Wildcats name, which is great news for putting Swindon and Wiltshire on the map. Swindon Wildcats Managing Director Steve Nell said, “I couldn’t be more proud of the team. To be where we are now is just credit to the players and how hard they’ve worked. It’s massive and great for the club. I also can’t thank our fans and Footgolf has taken the UK by storm over the last couple of years, and combines two of the country’s most popular sports into one fun game - the best part is anyone, of any age, can play! Similar to golf, the aim of the game is to get your football into a large hole in the least kicks as possible, whilst avoiding various obstacles along the way. Basset Down Golf Complex, just a few minute’s drive from J16 (M4) has two footgolf courses for your team to choose from; a 9 hole ‘crazy footgolf course’ themed on local landmarks (it’s the only one like it in the country!), and an 18 hole course for those who fancy more of a challenge. Surrounded by the Wiltshire countryside, each course is perfect for corporate events, team building days or staff socials, and an ideal way to get all the group involved. Packages are available throughout the week, for groups of 8 or more people. There’s also the option of having home cooked food and drinks to enjoy after your game in their marquees. To find out more about having an office event at Basset Down, visit their website www.bassetdowngolfcourse.com or email [email protected] for a personalised quote. business supporters enough. They’ve been amazing. The atmosphere at the games has been fantastic.” Some of the club’s business supporters include Arval, Cardwave Services, Fleetcor and Royds Withy King. The new-look league structure for the 2019/20 season will see the Wildcats get more National exposure than ever before, making it a very exciting organisation to be a part of moving into the future. To find out more about sponsorship for the 2019/20 season contact Sally Price on 01793 781549 or email [email protected] THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019 31