For the past three years Mike and I have hosted a live pop concert in the grounds of our home to raise funds for Steps Conductive Education Centre, Matt Hampson - the under-21s England Rugby player who broke his neck in training in 2005, and the church and village hall where we live in Ashby Folville in Leicestershire. This year the event is being held on Bank Holiday Saturday, 28th August. Every pound taken for the event goes to the charities and the proceeds are distributed 70% to Steps, 20% to Matt and 10% is divided between the village hall and the church. In the last three years we have raised over £70,000 from this event which offers a fun night out listening to live bands in glorious surroundings plus a mega raffle which boasts 10 holidays/breaks to be won!
We are very fortunate to live in such an idyllic village which is surrounded by magnificent mature trees, has a cricket field, a beautiful pub – the Carington Arms, a church, and that’s it! On Music in the Meadow night the villagers help to steward the event and everyone has a fantastic time. Folk come from far and wide and bring along their gazebos, picnics and chairs or they sit on bales of straw. The stage looks magnificent against the backdrop of such a lovely piece of Leicestershire which nestles in a valley just below Melton Mowbray.
The event attracts about 500 – 1000 music-lovers who thoroughly enjoy themselves as well as buy raffle tickets galore as the prizes are so amazing plus we have a tombola which boasts a phenomenal number of outstanding gifts that have been donated from local firms. The tombola will include hundreds of prizes including vouchers for meals out, days out, hampers, cosmetics, gifts, pictures, flowers – you name it, it’s on there! On Saturday I was even given a diamond pendant by Goldsmiths in Leicester for the event which we are going to raffle separately on the night along with a stunning watch which has been donated by another jeweller, Lumbers, and Fenwicks have given us six Royal Doulton wine glasses ..and there’s so much more.
We serve Pimms and we will be dancing the night away until gone midnight. Personally we will have a house full of guests which I adore. There will be camp-beds for the children snuggled into various corners and every one of our bedrooms will be fully occupied and our bathrooms will be working flat out.
On the Friday I will be cooking bacon sandwiches for Mike and the workers who are setting up the marquees, staging, lighting, toilets and so on. Incredibly, all of these facilities are given to us free of charge which is how we can give every penny we receive to the charities. Companies like Raynsway and Owen Brown are phenomenally generous.
Then of course there are the bands who give their time and energy for free. The lead act, the Don Watson Band, fly in specially for the event from Colorado, USA. They are an extraordinarily gifted band who play requests from the audience throughout and I have yet to find a song that they don’t know or cannot play. They are outstandingly talented. The support acts are local bands Rock Bottom and Hopwood Junction plus we have a brilliant guitarist/singer David Wyatt who opens proceedings at 6 pm.
Check out the website www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk to see some of the pictures from last year and details of this year’s event. It really is a fantastic night out so if you don’t know what to do with yourself on bank holiday Saturday, why not pop along?
For tickets for the event or raffle tickets, please call Gaynor Cawood on 01509 622022.
Showing posts with label steps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steps. Show all posts
Monday, 9 August 2010
Monday, 23 November 2009
The value of team spirit!
Last week our lovely staff went on a challenging bike ride together to raise funds for Steps Leicestershire Conductive Education Centre in Shepshed, Leicestershire, which is the main charity that Mike and I support.
The bike ride had started in the Spring of this year with the idea that, cumulatively, the staff would cycle the 2,775 miles which is the distance of the circumference of the UK and, by doing so, raise sponsorship to support Steps. With the end of the year approaching it was decided to hold a half day bike ride and the more folk that joined in the fewer miles everyone had to cycle to meet the grand total of 2,775 Miles. In the end the distance to be cycled by everyone was 17 miles.
So, last Wednesday, in the middle of a gale and torrential rain, it was decided to close the office and mount the bikes. Sadly (?) I couldn’t participate myself as I had a prior speaking engagement in Essex that evening, but the majority of the office staff did cycle with a few volunteering to prepare refreshments - faggots and mushy peas and soup and bread - when the cyclists returned.
Of course there were a few punctures, minor accidents when riders fell off in the mud, but all in all it was, by all accounts, a fantastic afternoon. Our housekeeper and our gardener were the marshals on the course, and indeed everyone was involved. Despite them all returning back at Quorn House totally frozen, soaked and exhausted, the overall feeling was that of elation! They had pushed themselves, encouraged and supported each other and had a lot of laughs. People’s roles within the company were totally irrelevant and there is nothing better for building camaraderie than putting everyone on a level playing field and letting them interact – particularly for a great cause.
As I was being driven down to Essex in my warm and cosy car and dictating replies to letters and emails from my in-tray, I felt a mixture of relief that I had a legitimate reason for not participating in this physical and presumably unpleasant activity, combined with a feeling that I’d missed out on all the fun. And I was right. They had had enormous fun and the aching limbs and sore back-sides evident as folk walked around the office like John Wayne the next day were testament to that. Everyone enjoyed it so much they’re now looking forward to the next staff bike ride and, yes, next time I want to do it too. Hopefully it will be in the Spring!
The bike ride had started in the Spring of this year with the idea that, cumulatively, the staff would cycle the 2,775 miles which is the distance of the circumference of the UK and, by doing so, raise sponsorship to support Steps. With the end of the year approaching it was decided to hold a half day bike ride and the more folk that joined in the fewer miles everyone had to cycle to meet the grand total of 2,775 Miles. In the end the distance to be cycled by everyone was 17 miles.
So, last Wednesday, in the middle of a gale and torrential rain, it was decided to close the office and mount the bikes. Sadly (?) I couldn’t participate myself as I had a prior speaking engagement in Essex that evening, but the majority of the office staff did cycle with a few volunteering to prepare refreshments - faggots and mushy peas and soup and bread - when the cyclists returned.
Of course there were a few punctures, minor accidents when riders fell off in the mud, but all in all it was, by all accounts, a fantastic afternoon. Our housekeeper and our gardener were the marshals on the course, and indeed everyone was involved. Despite them all returning back at Quorn House totally frozen, soaked and exhausted, the overall feeling was that of elation! They had pushed themselves, encouraged and supported each other and had a lot of laughs. People’s roles within the company were totally irrelevant and there is nothing better for building camaraderie than putting everyone on a level playing field and letting them interact – particularly for a great cause.
As I was being driven down to Essex in my warm and cosy car and dictating replies to letters and emails from my in-tray, I felt a mixture of relief that I had a legitimate reason for not participating in this physical and presumably unpleasant activity, combined with a feeling that I’d missed out on all the fun. And I was right. They had had enormous fun and the aching limbs and sore back-sides evident as folk walked around the office like John Wayne the next day were testament to that. Everyone enjoyed it so much they’re now looking forward to the next staff bike ride and, yes, next time I want to do it too. Hopefully it will be in the Spring!
Friday, 21 August 2009
MUSIC IN THE MEADOW 2009
Their generosity know no bounds!
In a week’s time we will be hosting Music in the Meadow 2009. This is a highly professional gig which is more a mini Glastonbury than Glyndebourne, and we are hoping that everyone who attends will have a fantastic time but the icing on the cake is that every cost for staging the event has been met by the wonderful local companies who are providing all the equipment. Staging, lighting, facilities, marquees, printing, insurance have all been given to us, plus the bands are playing for no charge. Isn’t that brilliant!
In this economic climate I think it is extraordinary and inspiring that firms can be so generous and I hope that everyone will leave the event feeling that they have had a fun and entertaining evening, happy in the knowledge that every £ paid for an entry ticket, raffle ticket, Jug of Pimms or for a go on the Tombola will be given to the charities – STEPS Conductive Education Centre for children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome,(70%), The Matt Hampson Trust (20%) and Ashby Folville Village charities (10%). Last year the event raised over £26,000.
So, on behalf of the charities, we would like to thank the following companies for their support. Without their help this event would not have been possible.
If you would like to join us on the evening, or buy a ticket for the Mega Raffle, check out the website www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk or call us on 01509 622022.
In a week’s time we will be hosting Music in the Meadow 2009. This is a highly professional gig which is more a mini Glastonbury than Glyndebourne, and we are hoping that everyone who attends will have a fantastic time but the icing on the cake is that every cost for staging the event has been met by the wonderful local companies who are providing all the equipment. Staging, lighting, facilities, marquees, printing, insurance have all been given to us, plus the bands are playing for no charge. Isn’t that brilliant!
In this economic climate I think it is extraordinary and inspiring that firms can be so generous and I hope that everyone will leave the event feeling that they have had a fun and entertaining evening, happy in the knowledge that every £ paid for an entry ticket, raffle ticket, Jug of Pimms or for a go on the Tombola will be given to the charities – STEPS Conductive Education Centre for children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome,(70%), The Matt Hampson Trust (20%) and Ashby Folville Village charities (10%). Last year the event raised over £26,000.
So, on behalf of the charities, we would like to thank the following companies for their support. Without their help this event would not have been possible.
If you would like to join us on the evening, or buy a ticket for the Mega Raffle, check out the website www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk or call us on 01509 622022.
Friday, 14 August 2009
I’m exhausted!
It’s been a strange week. One filled with frustration at bureaucracy with the Highways Department as I’ve tried to get permission to erect posters to promote Music in the Meadow charity event; excitement as we photographed four wonderful successful slimmers for my magazine; the limitless generosity of our printer Geoff Lagor of Alpha Print who printed us an extra 350 posters for Music in the Meadow for free as the Highways Dept. were being so difficult, and Geoff Adams of Wordcraft who has printed us 10 roadside placards that are as big as a door (the Highways chaps will LOVE them! Not!) – also for free. Mike is all ready to erect them around our local villages on Saturday.
Check out the website www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk for details of the event being held on 29th August, 2009.
The tally so far for sales of Mega Raffle tickets, Gazebo Plot bookings and tickets for the Music in the Meadow event have already totalled £4k and everyone is getting excited. In two weeks’ time Ashby Folville will be turning into a mini Glastonbury and we will be ready for action. But in the meantime, I’m exhausted. It’s because organising events like this – with a wonderful team of helpers – takes time and it has to be fitted in between doing the day job and life carrying on as it does with all its twists and turns, ups and downs.
Last evening it was STEPS Trustees’ Meeting- STEPS is a conductive education centre for children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. STEPS will receive 70% of the proceeds of M.I.M. and as such, it is a very significant event for the charity. This week we have welcomed our wonderful new General Manager to STEPS. This is what we have been working towards for the last three years. Someone, full time, to be ‘head mistress’ to run the school and take it forward to new heights. Up to now we have run the STEPS Centre with the teaching staff, volunteers and Trustees with the lion’s share being done by the charity’s founder and President, Dr Heather Crate. When Heather’s grandson, Shaun, was born with severe Cerebral Palsy 19 years ago, I am sure Heather would never have guessed what challenges lay ahead and that so much would be achieved as a result of her outstanding dedication and determination. Last night was a proud evening.
So, today, at the end of this peculiar week, life will continue to be hectic and I will look forward to the weekend and being able to do some exercise to re-energise myself. I have sat down too much this week and my stress levels have suffered because of my inactivity. As soon as I start getting more active, my body and my brain will benefit hugely. Where’s Waise (our dog)? Let’s go for a walk!
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
I can’t believe it!
It is very rare that I get really cross. Yesterday I did get really cross!
Mike and I are organising a charity event two-weeks-on-Saturday, (29th) to raise funds for children with cerebral palsy (STEPS), a rugby player who had his neck broken (Matt Hampson) and our local village hall and church. In the last two years that we have hosted this event in our field and over £50,000 has been raised for these charities. The event is called Music in the Meadow and all the costs are covered by ourselves and our very generous sponsors. Every penny and pound raised goes to the charities. It is a brilliant event and the folk who attend love it – and so do we. It truly is a fun evening out for everyone.
Obviously the event needs to be publicised. We have a website www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk , we produce leaflets and posters and some large roadside posters to publicise the event. Ah! That’s the problem - roadside posters.
Now, we’re not stupid. We’re not going to place the posters in dangerous places to obscure vision of traffic or in fact anywhere that would cause a public nuisance. The day after the event all posters are taken down as we are responsible organisers. This event is not for commercial or personal gain. IT IS ALL FOR CHARITY!
Having obtained all the necessary licenses to run the event, get insurance, and so on, we thought we would inform the local county council of our desire to publicise the event and our wish to place some large roadside posters, just for two weeks, in safe but strategic positions. Last year we hadn’t realised that we had to do that and our beautiful, expensive-but-kindly-donated posters were whipped away, destroyed and discarded two days after they had been put up! After a pleasant and peaceful discussion it was agreed that they would allow us to replace some of them (kindly re-produced by our very generous printer) and there they stayed until the day of the event and then dismounted.
So, yesterday I popped in to the appropriate office to discuss our proposal. Unfortunately, my meeting was with someone who had a degree in Highways Management but who had presumably failed his ‘O’ level in Common Sense and Community Relations! I was informed that whilst we could place some signage in our immediate village location, beyond the Parish of Ashby Folville was not permitted. It was considered to be ‘advertising’. Our village has 80 inhabitants. It isn’t even included on the signpost on the main road a mile away! We have a pub, a cricket field and a church and that’s it! We have virtually no passing traffic.
I have a variety of character traits, (good and bad!), and one of them is persistence. I pleaded for a sign to be placed at the side of a roundabout in a particularly strategic position, where all traffic slowed down and it would not cause a hazard. I was told it could be a distraction to motorists so could be classed as dangerous. I persisted ‘but what about the signage on the roundabout itself, displaying the sponsorship of the roundabout, which the council had sold for financial reward?’ My man didn’t approve of that either! It wasn’t his decision. I was told I could put in an application in writing to the manager detailing my wish-list for consideration, but he was currently on holiday and didn’t return until five days before the event. My man was not for turning and I was getting nowhere!
I left having shaken hands with my Graduate in Highways Management and sat in my car in disbelief. I am so not used to dealing with people who just cannot make common sense judgements. I drove back to our office and looked at all of our employees with a sense of pride, believing that any one of them would be able to make a sensible, responsible decision if called to do so, that would be appropriate.
By this time the big posters were coming off the production line at the printers and I had visions of them only making a wonderful display in our village. For my own sanity I had to call the Highways Dept. again. Thankfully, another, more helpful guy at the council spoke to me and agreed that the posters could be displayed in the two neighbouring villages as well as our own and that another manager would be returning from holiday next Monday – a week earlier than the other guy. Progress! So, it’s fingers crossed for a positive response and let’s hope we get more than a handful of folks coming to our event!
Mike and I are organising a charity event two-weeks-on-Saturday, (29th) to raise funds for children with cerebral palsy (STEPS), a rugby player who had his neck broken (Matt Hampson) and our local village hall and church. In the last two years that we have hosted this event in our field and over £50,000 has been raised for these charities. The event is called Music in the Meadow and all the costs are covered by ourselves and our very generous sponsors. Every penny and pound raised goes to the charities. It is a brilliant event and the folk who attend love it – and so do we. It truly is a fun evening out for everyone.
Obviously the event needs to be publicised. We have a website www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk , we produce leaflets and posters and some large roadside posters to publicise the event. Ah! That’s the problem - roadside posters.
Now, we’re not stupid. We’re not going to place the posters in dangerous places to obscure vision of traffic or in fact anywhere that would cause a public nuisance. The day after the event all posters are taken down as we are responsible organisers. This event is not for commercial or personal gain. IT IS ALL FOR CHARITY!
Having obtained all the necessary licenses to run the event, get insurance, and so on, we thought we would inform the local county council of our desire to publicise the event and our wish to place some large roadside posters, just for two weeks, in safe but strategic positions. Last year we hadn’t realised that we had to do that and our beautiful, expensive-but-kindly-donated posters were whipped away, destroyed and discarded two days after they had been put up! After a pleasant and peaceful discussion it was agreed that they would allow us to replace some of them (kindly re-produced by our very generous printer) and there they stayed until the day of the event and then dismounted.
So, yesterday I popped in to the appropriate office to discuss our proposal. Unfortunately, my meeting was with someone who had a degree in Highways Management but who had presumably failed his ‘O’ level in Common Sense and Community Relations! I was informed that whilst we could place some signage in our immediate village location, beyond the Parish of Ashby Folville was not permitted. It was considered to be ‘advertising’. Our village has 80 inhabitants. It isn’t even included on the signpost on the main road a mile away! We have a pub, a cricket field and a church and that’s it! We have virtually no passing traffic.
I have a variety of character traits, (good and bad!), and one of them is persistence. I pleaded for a sign to be placed at the side of a roundabout in a particularly strategic position, where all traffic slowed down and it would not cause a hazard. I was told it could be a distraction to motorists so could be classed as dangerous. I persisted ‘but what about the signage on the roundabout itself, displaying the sponsorship of the roundabout, which the council had sold for financial reward?’ My man didn’t approve of that either! It wasn’t his decision. I was told I could put in an application in writing to the manager detailing my wish-list for consideration, but he was currently on holiday and didn’t return until five days before the event. My man was not for turning and I was getting nowhere!
I left having shaken hands with my Graduate in Highways Management and sat in my car in disbelief. I am so not used to dealing with people who just cannot make common sense judgements. I drove back to our office and looked at all of our employees with a sense of pride, believing that any one of them would be able to make a sensible, responsible decision if called to do so, that would be appropriate.
By this time the big posters were coming off the production line at the printers and I had visions of them only making a wonderful display in our village. For my own sanity I had to call the Highways Dept. again. Thankfully, another, more helpful guy at the council spoke to me and agreed that the posters could be displayed in the two neighbouring villages as well as our own and that another manager would be returning from holiday next Monday – a week earlier than the other guy. Progress! So, it’s fingers crossed for a positive response and let’s hope we get more than a handful of folks coming to our event!
Friday, 7 August 2009
Music in the Meadow 2009
On Saturday, 29th August, the Bank holiday weekend, we will be hosting Music in the Meadow close to our home in Ashby Folville, near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. Whilst Music in the Meadow is now in its fifth year, this is the third time we have hosted it ourselves.It is a fantastically fun evening in the glorious setting of Ashby Folville, one of the prettiest villages in the midlands, and all the monies raised from the event go straight to the benefitting charities. No expenses are deducted because our kind sponsors pay for everything. Last year we raised £26,500 for charity.
We are raising funds for STEPS Conductive Education Centre for children with Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and other motor dysfunctions, (70% share), The Matt Hampson Trust – Matt was a Prop Forward for Leicester Tigers and suffered a serious neck injury whilst training for the England Under 21s in 2005, (20%), and Ashby Folville Village Hall and Church funds (10%).
A variety of music will be played throughout the evening including the Beatles tribute band – The upBeatles, and Midlands-based Soul and R&B dance band Hopwood Junction plus support acts. There will be a Mega Raffle which includes five holidays for two to be won, a Tombola to beat all tombolas as one in five tickets wins and the prizes are superb. You can pre-order jugs of Pimms or buy it (and wine) on the night.
It really is a great event for all the family, so if you live within a 50 mile radius of Ashby Folville maybe you’d like to come along, bring a picnic (no naked flames and no glasses please) and have a great time supporting very worthwhile charities. The gates open at 5pm with the music starting at 6pm. The event closes at midnight. Tickets cost £20 for adults and £5 for children under 16. Car parking is free. If you are thinking of coming, check out the Music in the Meadow website: www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk or maybe you’d like to purchase some tickets for the Mega Raffle. The prizes are all listed on the website and tickets can be order by post or by calling out event organiser Gaynor Cawood at our offices on 01509 622022.
Monday, 3 August 2009
Please vote for Steps!
Those of you that follow my Blog regularly will know that we are big supporters of STEPS Conductive Education Centre in Leicestershire which helps children who suffer from Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome and other motor dysfunctions from across the East Midlands to tremendous effect. The charity helps children of all ages but particularly from birth to five years, some with severe learning difficulties, and each year we need to raise £200,000 to pay the running costs of the school so that the facility is free to the children and families who benefit.
Last year a super new John Lewis store was opened in the new Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicester and, as in all John Lewis stores, each year the staff organise a variety of fundraising events in aid of their chosen charity. As the Leicester John Lewis couldn’t agree on one particular charity, they have listed ten very worthy causes, including STEPS, and have asked customers and supporters to vote for their favourite. The one that gets the most votes becomes their nominated charity for this year. STEPS NEEDS YOUR HELP and all you have to do is JUST VOTE FOR THEM!
How do you vote?
To vote for STEPS please visit John Lewis' in Leicester and vote INSTORE. For more information about STEPS go to www.stepscentre.org.uk. Or you can go to our website www.rosemaryconley.com. Remember you can only vote INSTORE.
Your vote will be so appreciated and if we are able to get STEPS nominated as the John Lewis Charity of the Year in Leicester it will make a massive difference to these very special children and the Charity. Thank you very much in anticipation of your support.
Last year a super new John Lewis store was opened in the new Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicester and, as in all John Lewis stores, each year the staff organise a variety of fundraising events in aid of their chosen charity. As the Leicester John Lewis couldn’t agree on one particular charity, they have listed ten very worthy causes, including STEPS, and have asked customers and supporters to vote for their favourite. The one that gets the most votes becomes their nominated charity for this year. STEPS NEEDS YOUR HELP and all you have to do is JUST VOTE FOR THEM!
How do you vote?
To vote for STEPS please visit John Lewis' in Leicester and vote INSTORE. For more information about STEPS go to www.stepscentre.org.uk. Or you can go to our website www.rosemaryconley.com. Remember you can only vote INSTORE.
Your vote will be so appreciated and if we are able to get STEPS nominated as the John Lewis Charity of the Year in Leicester it will make a massive difference to these very special children and the Charity. Thank you very much in anticipation of your support.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Tom Daly has done it!
This time last year many of us hadn’t heard of the name Tom Daly but he shot to fame when he was included in the British diving team for the Beijing Olympics. He hit the headlines because then he was only 14 years old. Whilst he performed well at the Olympics, he didn’t win a medal. And as we all said at the time, ‘but he has plenty of time – he’s only young’.
Today we woke up to the news that Tom had won Gold in the 10m Diving at the 13th Fina World Championships in Rome. It was Tom’s first World Championship competition. What an astonishing achievement and many congratulations to Tom! Olympic Gold Medallist, Matt Mitcham, came fourth.
Tom, has now experienced the amazing feelings of being the best in the world at his chosen sport. It is an extraordinary achievement by anyone but particularly by someone as young a 15 years old.
The discipline, the focus, the hour and hours every day training are way beyond our comprehension. All of his training has to be done alongside his schoolwork which will mean very early mornings and relentless training after school hours. The support from his family will have played a major part because no one gets to the top without others being there for them, encouraging, rewarding, appreciating their talent.
I was saddened to read that Tom had had to change schools because after the Olympics last year Tom became a victim of bullying. How very sad is that? Why can’t folk be supportive of success and happiness rather than jealous? Such negative response says more about the aggressor’s lack of self-esteem and I believe parents have a lot to answer for in that respect. We should empower, praise and encourage our children, whether they are talented or not, but at least we should look for the best in them and tell them so.
I am just off to collect a cheque for STEPS, the charity we support as it helps children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome to progress their limited abilities in a way that changes their lives. For them there will be no Gold medals but the day they take their first steps, unaided by a parent or walking frame, is even more significant. They will probably have worked just as hard as Tom Daly to reach that point, and, just as it has for Tom, it will change their life forever.
Today we woke up to the news that Tom had won Gold in the 10m Diving at the 13th Fina World Championships in Rome. It was Tom’s first World Championship competition. What an astonishing achievement and many congratulations to Tom! Olympic Gold Medallist, Matt Mitcham, came fourth.
Tom, has now experienced the amazing feelings of being the best in the world at his chosen sport. It is an extraordinary achievement by anyone but particularly by someone as young a 15 years old.
The discipline, the focus, the hour and hours every day training are way beyond our comprehension. All of his training has to be done alongside his schoolwork which will mean very early mornings and relentless training after school hours. The support from his family will have played a major part because no one gets to the top without others being there for them, encouraging, rewarding, appreciating their talent.
I was saddened to read that Tom had had to change schools because after the Olympics last year Tom became a victim of bullying. How very sad is that? Why can’t folk be supportive of success and happiness rather than jealous? Such negative response says more about the aggressor’s lack of self-esteem and I believe parents have a lot to answer for in that respect. We should empower, praise and encourage our children, whether they are talented or not, but at least we should look for the best in them and tell them so.
I am just off to collect a cheque for STEPS, the charity we support as it helps children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome to progress their limited abilities in a way that changes their lives. For them there will be no Gold medals but the day they take their first steps, unaided by a parent or walking frame, is even more significant. They will probably have worked just as hard as Tom Daly to reach that point, and, just as it has for Tom, it will change their life forever.
Monday, 29 June 2009
When confidence is key
Last evening I was asked to speak at a Model Show held in Loughborough Town Hall in Leicestershire. It was organised by the local modelling school – the Pat Keeling Model Agency – and the event was being held in aid of the charity STEPS Conductive Education Centre in Leicestershire, of which I am Patron. The event was supported by Next, John Lewis, Adams and George.
The theatre was full and 130 students of the modelling agency strutted their stuff, danced and posed like true professionals. Their ages ranged from as young as four to models in their mid twenties – boys and girls. Everyone had fun! The students had obviously worked extremely hard to practise their routines and the adoring audience of friends and family were encouraging them every step of the way. Pat Keeling should be proud of what she had achieved as the event went seamlessly. The very notion that you could organise 130 young people to be at the right place at the right time wearing the right clothes was impressive.
Some of the models were outstanding. There were glamorous models, male and female, in their early twenties who had stage presence, looked stunning and were confident without being too much so. I have no doubt that they will go far and develop a successful career in this cut-throat business. Some of the children were unbelievable too – gorgeous smiles, confident on a big stage in front of hundreds of people, and a dream for any children’s fashion house. Others were less comfortable and probably won’t make it to the big time but that doesn’t matter. Just going through the process of learning how to walk elegantly, how to smile, how to stand tall and hold yourself well, and generally, just building self-confidence is brilliant. Every single one of those young people, potential models or not, will have benefitted from going to the school and performing last night.
When I was 18 I went on a modelling course at night school. I learned about hair, make-up, how to stand for a photograph, how to dress and so on. My intention was not to become a model but to learn how to make the most of myself and the confidence it gave me was priceless. I would not be where I am today without the confidence that the course gave me. Little did I realise then that years later I would be putting what I had learned into practise at photoshoots for the wonderful folk who appear in my magazine. And that’s why I am at every shoot that we do, to make sure we make our successful slimmers look their absolute best in the photographs. Check out our latest issue of Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness at your local supermarket or call us to take out a subscription if you have difficulty finding a copy. Call 01509 620444 and ask for Lucy who is our Subscription queen.
So, if your son or daughter want to go to a modelling school, encourage it. It will build their confidence and enable them to grow as individuals. I am so glad I did all those years ago.
The theatre was full and 130 students of the modelling agency strutted their stuff, danced and posed like true professionals. Their ages ranged from as young as four to models in their mid twenties – boys and girls. Everyone had fun! The students had obviously worked extremely hard to practise their routines and the adoring audience of friends and family were encouraging them every step of the way. Pat Keeling should be proud of what she had achieved as the event went seamlessly. The very notion that you could organise 130 young people to be at the right place at the right time wearing the right clothes was impressive.
Some of the models were outstanding. There were glamorous models, male and female, in their early twenties who had stage presence, looked stunning and were confident without being too much so. I have no doubt that they will go far and develop a successful career in this cut-throat business. Some of the children were unbelievable too – gorgeous smiles, confident on a big stage in front of hundreds of people, and a dream for any children’s fashion house. Others were less comfortable and probably won’t make it to the big time but that doesn’t matter. Just going through the process of learning how to walk elegantly, how to smile, how to stand tall and hold yourself well, and generally, just building self-confidence is brilliant. Every single one of those young people, potential models or not, will have benefitted from going to the school and performing last night.
When I was 18 I went on a modelling course at night school. I learned about hair, make-up, how to stand for a photograph, how to dress and so on. My intention was not to become a model but to learn how to make the most of myself and the confidence it gave me was priceless. I would not be where I am today without the confidence that the course gave me. Little did I realise then that years later I would be putting what I had learned into practise at photoshoots for the wonderful folk who appear in my magazine. And that’s why I am at every shoot that we do, to make sure we make our successful slimmers look their absolute best in the photographs. Check out our latest issue of Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness at your local supermarket or call us to take out a subscription if you have difficulty finding a copy. Call 01509 620444 and ask for Lucy who is our Subscription queen.
So, if your son or daughter want to go to a modelling school, encourage it. It will build their confidence and enable them to grow as individuals. I am so glad I did all those years ago.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Being Thankful.
This week has been the first ever Step it up for Steps Week for STEPS Conductive Education Centre in Shepshed, Leicestershire. The aim was to raise the profile of the amazing work, and shout about the benefits derived by the children, who have motor disorders such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, who attend STEPS for conductive education therapy.
Yesterday was our big Open Day at the STEPS Centre and we worked hard to attract as many visitors as possible to visit the school, meet some of the children, chat to the staff and hopefully achieve some financial support to help fund the remarkable facility which helps these wonderful children in such a valuable way but costs around £200,000 to run each year.
The local media were brilliant. Central ITV did a wonderful piece which went out on Wednesday’s 6 o’clock news and this brought four families who had children with motor dysfunctions to visit the school with a view to them attending on a regular basis. They had not been aware of STEPS before. One family had young twins – both with cerebral palsy. That would be so tough for that family as one child with CP must be hard work. I cannot imagine what it must be like to have two of the same age!
During the day BBC Radio Leicester came along with their radio car and interviewed a STEPS mum, Sally, Dr Heather Crate who is the founder and President of STEPS, and myself as Patron. As well as talking about STEPS we also had some fun and entertaining activities for people to enjoy. Radio Leicester reporter, Julie Mayer (who is also the wife of the morning show presenter, Tony Wadsworth, that she reports for) bravely volunteered to step on to our very sophisticated weighing scales which print out your body fat percentage, muscle mass, weight of your bones (and trust me, forget using ‘I have heavy bones’ as an excuse for weighing more – bones do not weigh much!), your hydration levels, our BMI, your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and your metabolic age. The last detail is very revealing and it is determined by your weight, gender, age, height, fat percentage, your muscle mass, your BMI, etc. Some of our Trial Dieters have had predicted ages as high as 89!
Julie Mayer is a slip of a thing. At 52 years old and 5” 1” tall and with a very youthful figure, Julie weighs 7 ½ st, plus she is very fit and looks great. Live ‘on air’ on the show Julie bravely steps on to the scales and has to give out all her person details. When the scales printed out her results there were shrieks of delight as her metabolic age was predicted at 37 – 15 years younger than her actual age! You can imagine the banter that then followed between her and her husband-presenter! It was great fun.
Off air, Julie also had a go at the ‘how many times can you step on and off a Reebok step in 60 seconds?’ challenge. She managed a superb 67 times in the minute, to shouts of encouragement as she attempted to break the day’s record set by a 16-year-old who had achieved 81! Great fun was had by all! And, thanks to the sale of Mike’s abstract paintings, sale of toys and some of our silverware (the rest is going on ebay), we managed to raise over £1000 in the day. Plus lots of folk took away our pledge forms which we hope they will use to make a small donation to STEPS on a regular giving basis.
The whole day was fabulous. The sun shone and visitors were able to eat their low-fat and free refreshments in the Sensory Garden. The raffle was well supported and all or my Trial Dieters popped along for their weekly weigh-in which boosted the number of visitors. We also invited all the staff from our offices at Quorn House to pop along as they are all involved in fundraising for STEPS. And one of my star trial dieters, 21 year old Ryan, has promised to walk from Leicester to London along the Grand Union Canal next year in aid of STEPS. All together, a momentous and enjoyable day and certainly one to be repeated next year.
Two of the mums of children who had previously attended STEPS, who were now attending mainstream school and in their teens, also asked me for some advice. Children with Cerebral palsy and Down syndrome sometimes have difficulty in keeping their weight down because of their restricted mobility. I had a lovely chat with them, and one of their daughters, to try and find areas of their diet that could be slightly altered to help prevent any weight problems. Eating at regular meal-times and not snacking on high-fat foods in between, such as crisps, biscuits and cakes was my main message but I also suggested they try to exercise in their wheel-chairs with the seated workout we did a few years ago on one of my DVDs. One of the workout-sections within my Ultimate Whole Body Workout DVD offers a fantastic workout for anyone who is physically restricted. A copy will be in the post to each family today. Let’s hope it helps.
But the thought-provoking moment of the day came from my colleague, Linda Parker, our in-house PR manager. A week last Sunday Linda tripped over and broke her wrist in two places. Bravely she has managed to travel from Derbyshire each day on the train as she can’t drive at the moment, to get to work. This is despite the pain and frustrations of her restricted mobility that her broken arm has caused. Linda said, “Sitting here today (on one of the stalls) and looking at the children who come to STEPS has made me realise how lucky I am. My arm will mend in a few weeks but for these children, their disabilities are permanent – I am so fortunate, breaking my arm is nothing by comparison”. I think that is something every one of us should appreciate.
Let’s hope STEPS is able to continue the fantastic work that it achieves and we can all look forward to another great Open Day next year. Let’s hope none of us forget how fortunate we are that we are healthy and physically able.
Yesterday was our big Open Day at the STEPS Centre and we worked hard to attract as many visitors as possible to visit the school, meet some of the children, chat to the staff and hopefully achieve some financial support to help fund the remarkable facility which helps these wonderful children in such a valuable way but costs around £200,000 to run each year.
The local media were brilliant. Central ITV did a wonderful piece which went out on Wednesday’s 6 o’clock news and this brought four families who had children with motor dysfunctions to visit the school with a view to them attending on a regular basis. They had not been aware of STEPS before. One family had young twins – both with cerebral palsy. That would be so tough for that family as one child with CP must be hard work. I cannot imagine what it must be like to have two of the same age!
During the day BBC Radio Leicester came along with their radio car and interviewed a STEPS mum, Sally, Dr Heather Crate who is the founder and President of STEPS, and myself as Patron. As well as talking about STEPS we also had some fun and entertaining activities for people to enjoy. Radio Leicester reporter, Julie Mayer (who is also the wife of the morning show presenter, Tony Wadsworth, that she reports for) bravely volunteered to step on to our very sophisticated weighing scales which print out your body fat percentage, muscle mass, weight of your bones (and trust me, forget using ‘I have heavy bones’ as an excuse for weighing more – bones do not weigh much!), your hydration levels, our BMI, your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and your metabolic age. The last detail is very revealing and it is determined by your weight, gender, age, height, fat percentage, your muscle mass, your BMI, etc. Some of our Trial Dieters have had predicted ages as high as 89!
Julie Mayer is a slip of a thing. At 52 years old and 5” 1” tall and with a very youthful figure, Julie weighs 7 ½ st, plus she is very fit and looks great. Live ‘on air’ on the show Julie bravely steps on to the scales and has to give out all her person details. When the scales printed out her results there were shrieks of delight as her metabolic age was predicted at 37 – 15 years younger than her actual age! You can imagine the banter that then followed between her and her husband-presenter! It was great fun.
Off air, Julie also had a go at the ‘how many times can you step on and off a Reebok step in 60 seconds?’ challenge. She managed a superb 67 times in the minute, to shouts of encouragement as she attempted to break the day’s record set by a 16-year-old who had achieved 81! Great fun was had by all! And, thanks to the sale of Mike’s abstract paintings, sale of toys and some of our silverware (the rest is going on ebay), we managed to raise over £1000 in the day. Plus lots of folk took away our pledge forms which we hope they will use to make a small donation to STEPS on a regular giving basis.
The whole day was fabulous. The sun shone and visitors were able to eat their low-fat and free refreshments in the Sensory Garden. The raffle was well supported and all or my Trial Dieters popped along for their weekly weigh-in which boosted the number of visitors. We also invited all the staff from our offices at Quorn House to pop along as they are all involved in fundraising for STEPS. And one of my star trial dieters, 21 year old Ryan, has promised to walk from Leicester to London along the Grand Union Canal next year in aid of STEPS. All together, a momentous and enjoyable day and certainly one to be repeated next year.
Two of the mums of children who had previously attended STEPS, who were now attending mainstream school and in their teens, also asked me for some advice. Children with Cerebral palsy and Down syndrome sometimes have difficulty in keeping their weight down because of their restricted mobility. I had a lovely chat with them, and one of their daughters, to try and find areas of their diet that could be slightly altered to help prevent any weight problems. Eating at regular meal-times and not snacking on high-fat foods in between, such as crisps, biscuits and cakes was my main message but I also suggested they try to exercise in their wheel-chairs with the seated workout we did a few years ago on one of my DVDs. One of the workout-sections within my Ultimate Whole Body Workout DVD offers a fantastic workout for anyone who is physically restricted. A copy will be in the post to each family today. Let’s hope it helps.
But the thought-provoking moment of the day came from my colleague, Linda Parker, our in-house PR manager. A week last Sunday Linda tripped over and broke her wrist in two places. Bravely she has managed to travel from Derbyshire each day on the train as she can’t drive at the moment, to get to work. This is despite the pain and frustrations of her restricted mobility that her broken arm has caused. Linda said, “Sitting here today (on one of the stalls) and looking at the children who come to STEPS has made me realise how lucky I am. My arm will mend in a few weeks but for these children, their disabilities are permanent – I am so fortunate, breaking my arm is nothing by comparison”. I think that is something every one of us should appreciate.
Let’s hope STEPS is able to continue the fantastic work that it achieves and we can all look forward to another great Open Day next year. Let’s hope none of us forget how fortunate we are that we are healthy and physically able.
Monday, 22 June 2009
Step it up for Steps week
STEPS Conductive Education Centre in Leicestershire helps children aged from birth to five years who are born with celebral palsy, Down syndrome or other motor dysfunctions. It is a fantastic facility, offered free to families of these very special children. The conductive education, based on the principles created by the Peto Institute in Hungary, enables the children to progress physically and mentally and the results are astonishing.
STEPS was formed some 15 years ago by a few families in Leicestershire, including George and Heather Crate who’s grandson Shaun had been born four years previously with Cerebral Palsy. In fact, Shaun’s condition was described as being so serious by doctors that they said he wouldn’t even be able to turn over in bed. Family and friends set about raising funds to send Shaun to the Peto Institute in Hungary on three separate occasions. Each trip cost £10,000. But the progress in Shaun was dramatic and today Shaun is 18 years old and has just completed a course at Brooksby Agricultural College, and over the last year Shaun has been helping out John, our gardener at Quorn, on work-experience. Shaun is an inspiration to us all and next week he goes for training in readiness for the arrival of –Hooch, his new ‘dog-for-the disabled’.
STEPS was created to help and support other families by providing the amazing teaching and benefits of the Peto, but here in Leicestershire – available to any child who needs help in the East Midlands. I have been Patron of the charity since its inception and I, along with the wonderful Trustees, staff and parents, work hard to raise the £200,000 needed every year to keep the school going. To illustrate how highly respected STEPS is, this year STEPS were thrilled to be awarded a grant from BBC Children in Need for £60,000 a year for three years towards staff costs.
But we still need to raise £140,000 p.a. and the STEP IT UP FOR STEPS WEEK is designed to raise the public awareness of the wonderful facility at STEPS, raise funds and welcome people to STEPS to see how the school works, and how it also helps the older children, even after they leave to go to mainstream school at age five.
Tomorrow Central ITV News will be visiting STEPS as they have played a major role in getting STEPS on its feet. Two years ago, after we had managed to purchase the building, Central helped us facilitate a complete a total makeover of the derelict school building when 130 companies gave goods and services worth in excess of £500,000 completely free. Hopefully, STEPS will be featured on tomorrow’s 6 o’clock news on Central publicising our special week of activities.
The money raising initiatives we have planned include an Art Exhibition of abstract paintings by Mike Rimmington (my husband), with all proceeds of sales to go directly to STEPS; we will be selling a selection of our family silverware on eBay, and on Thursday we are holding an Open Day at STEPS when people can come and have some fun with us as they see how many times they can step on and off a Reebok step in 60 seconds; get weighed on our magic scales that tell you everything about yourself; and visitors can eat a low fat cream tea or a low fat bacon serine from Rosie’s Kitchen! We are also putting around 300 gorgeous teddy bears out across the nation in the hope that folk will pay £1 each to name him. We still have 50 teddies left so if you would like one, together with poster for people to write in their name, we will be delighted to send you one. You just send us the £45 after you have managed to sell for £1 each all 45 names that are printed on the poster. (Call our Teddy Hotline and speak to Alison on our office number 01509 620222).
We are also hoping that some folk will be kind enough sign up to our monthly pledge request. If we can get say 1000 kind souls to pay just £2 a month by Standing Order, it would make a real difference. We have pledge forms which we would be delighted to send out. Just drop me an email at rosemary@rosemaryconley.com and we’ll get one in the post to you.
So, my week is going to be a bit different from usual. I really, really hope that by this time next week we will have raised the profile of STEPS, raised some much needed funds and had some fun along the way. If you can support STEPS in any way, THANK YOU!
STEPS was formed some 15 years ago by a few families in Leicestershire, including George and Heather Crate who’s grandson Shaun had been born four years previously with Cerebral Palsy. In fact, Shaun’s condition was described as being so serious by doctors that they said he wouldn’t even be able to turn over in bed. Family and friends set about raising funds to send Shaun to the Peto Institute in Hungary on three separate occasions. Each trip cost £10,000. But the progress in Shaun was dramatic and today Shaun is 18 years old and has just completed a course at Brooksby Agricultural College, and over the last year Shaun has been helping out John, our gardener at Quorn, on work-experience. Shaun is an inspiration to us all and next week he goes for training in readiness for the arrival of –Hooch, his new ‘dog-for-the disabled’.
STEPS was created to help and support other families by providing the amazing teaching and benefits of the Peto, but here in Leicestershire – available to any child who needs help in the East Midlands. I have been Patron of the charity since its inception and I, along with the wonderful Trustees, staff and parents, work hard to raise the £200,000 needed every year to keep the school going. To illustrate how highly respected STEPS is, this year STEPS were thrilled to be awarded a grant from BBC Children in Need for £60,000 a year for three years towards staff costs.
But we still need to raise £140,000 p.a. and the STEP IT UP FOR STEPS WEEK is designed to raise the public awareness of the wonderful facility at STEPS, raise funds and welcome people to STEPS to see how the school works, and how it also helps the older children, even after they leave to go to mainstream school at age five.
Tomorrow Central ITV News will be visiting STEPS as they have played a major role in getting STEPS on its feet. Two years ago, after we had managed to purchase the building, Central helped us facilitate a complete a total makeover of the derelict school building when 130 companies gave goods and services worth in excess of £500,000 completely free. Hopefully, STEPS will be featured on tomorrow’s 6 o’clock news on Central publicising our special week of activities.
The money raising initiatives we have planned include an Art Exhibition of abstract paintings by Mike Rimmington (my husband), with all proceeds of sales to go directly to STEPS; we will be selling a selection of our family silverware on eBay, and on Thursday we are holding an Open Day at STEPS when people can come and have some fun with us as they see how many times they can step on and off a Reebok step in 60 seconds; get weighed on our magic scales that tell you everything about yourself; and visitors can eat a low fat cream tea or a low fat bacon serine from Rosie’s Kitchen! We are also putting around 300 gorgeous teddy bears out across the nation in the hope that folk will pay £1 each to name him. We still have 50 teddies left so if you would like one, together with poster for people to write in their name, we will be delighted to send you one. You just send us the £45 after you have managed to sell for £1 each all 45 names that are printed on the poster. (Call our Teddy Hotline and speak to Alison on our office number 01509 620222).
We are also hoping that some folk will be kind enough sign up to our monthly pledge request. If we can get say 1000 kind souls to pay just £2 a month by Standing Order, it would make a real difference. We have pledge forms which we would be delighted to send out. Just drop me an email at rosemary@rosemaryconley.com and we’ll get one in the post to you.
So, my week is going to be a bit different from usual. I really, really hope that by this time next week we will have raised the profile of STEPS, raised some much needed funds and had some fun along the way. If you can support STEPS in any way, THANK YOU!
Monday, 15 June 2009
How Fitness Can Be Fun!
Last Saturday our staff organised a charity bike ride around Rutland Water to raise funds for a charity that we support called Steps Conductive Education Centre Leicestershire. Over the next few months they are planning to cycle the equivalent distance to the perimeter of the British Isles – some 2,775 Miles. Overall , they hope to raise around £10,000 for Steps. Click here to view the sponsorship page
The ‘Round Britain Bike Challenge’ launched on Saturday with a ride around Rutland Water. The perimeter distance, at its maximum, is 26 miles (there is a shorter route of 19 miles) and the 19-strong team pedalled their way around the marathon course in the glorious sunshine and enjoyed every minute, riding a total of 480 cumulative miles! At this time of year there is nowhere more beautiful than the blossoming countryside and natural beauty of this part of England. And they all loved it.
Afterwards, the cyclists and their spouses and families came back to our house for a barbecue. We had such a fun time together, eating and drinking and sharing the adventures of the day. The camaraderie between the staff was almost tangible - the fun, the laughter, the way everyone was walking like John Wayne. Everyone mucked-in cooking the sausages and burgers and serving the drinks. They were really ready for it and felt they’d earned a good feed.
Then it was time for cricket. Then rounders. Then football! Shrieks of laughter echoed around the garden as balls were bowled by an aspiring Andrew Flintoff, age 8, at the adults to hit or miss, according to where the ball arrived which was very varied! Men and women, girls and boys, all having a fabulous time being active. If all fitness could be so much fun we would undoubtedly do it more often. And I hope that many families will do just that on the glorious summer days that we have been promised this year.
Yesterday, many of our staff also ran the Race for Life. Click here to view the sponsorship page. I have spoken to a couple of them already today and yes, they are stiff – and that’s not surprising taking into account all that they have done this weekend. But what a sense of achievement. They are all buzzing with it.
Sometimes we need the encouragement of other to help us get active, to do things together. Sometimes we need a reason for doing it too and raising funds for good causes is as good a reason as any to get out there and get active. Training ahead of the event is going to stand you in good stead for the event and gives you a reason for getting on your bike or putting on your running shoes. It is about having a goal, having someone to share it with and that what you do, makes a difference. What could YOU do to inspire YOU into action?
The ‘Round Britain Bike Challenge’ launched on Saturday with a ride around Rutland Water. The perimeter distance, at its maximum, is 26 miles (there is a shorter route of 19 miles) and the 19-strong team pedalled their way around the marathon course in the glorious sunshine and enjoyed every minute, riding a total of 480 cumulative miles! At this time of year there is nowhere more beautiful than the blossoming countryside and natural beauty of this part of England. And they all loved it.
Afterwards, the cyclists and their spouses and families came back to our house for a barbecue. We had such a fun time together, eating and drinking and sharing the adventures of the day. The camaraderie between the staff was almost tangible - the fun, the laughter, the way everyone was walking like John Wayne. Everyone mucked-in cooking the sausages and burgers and serving the drinks. They were really ready for it and felt they’d earned a good feed.
Then it was time for cricket. Then rounders. Then football! Shrieks of laughter echoed around the garden as balls were bowled by an aspiring Andrew Flintoff, age 8, at the adults to hit or miss, according to where the ball arrived which was very varied! Men and women, girls and boys, all having a fabulous time being active. If all fitness could be so much fun we would undoubtedly do it more often. And I hope that many families will do just that on the glorious summer days that we have been promised this year.
Yesterday, many of our staff also ran the Race for Life. Click here to view the sponsorship page. I have spoken to a couple of them already today and yes, they are stiff – and that’s not surprising taking into account all that they have done this weekend. But what a sense of achievement. They are all buzzing with it.
Sometimes we need the encouragement of other to help us get active, to do things together. Sometimes we need a reason for doing it too and raising funds for good causes is as good a reason as any to get out there and get active. Training ahead of the event is going to stand you in good stead for the event and gives you a reason for getting on your bike or putting on your running shoes. It is about having a goal, having someone to share it with and that what you do, makes a difference. What could YOU do to inspire YOU into action?
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