We extend a warm welcome to our latest member Ghis of Shropshire Therapies. She is an Holistic and Beauty Therapist. Take a look at the members page to see how she can help you.

An energetic and interesting first meeting of the New Year took place this morning with 16 members and 2 visitors. The 10 minute presentation was given by Farrell McManus of Pi Financial Dixon Sutcliffe & Co who gave us a superb history of his financial career - in rhyme!

It was annouced that a Visitors Day will be held on 29 February 2012 which will be a morning meeting. Until 14 March 2012 there will be a special offer of no joining fee for new people applying to join in that period.

INC members ended their networking year with a lively meeting today. We enjoyed a great meeting and Holly Robinson of Timeless and Tasty gave everyone a chance to sample her delicious baking while she sang to us about all the other INC members and their contributions this year. We loved the new lyrics to the classic "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"!

In addition two further awards were made to members making a significant contribution to the network club this year. Nigel Lomax received the award for Introducing the Most New Members, and Holly Robinson received the award for the Best 10 Minute Presentation. (Given this meeting's presentation she's a shoe-in for next year's award!)

Chris Page showed a short comedy video entitled "How Not to Network". Brain Surgeon meets Rocket Scientist!

Chairman Andrew Sceats closed the meeting by wishing everyone a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year. The first meeting of 2012 will be on Wednesday 4 January in the morning.

Last week our Charity Quiz Night was held at Hawkstone Park Hotel. 31 people attended the evening with 9 teams taking part. In the absence of quizmaster Chris Page, who was having to work over in Naples, Italy (poor thing) his incredibly handsome son Phil took over. Six rounds were held and the winning team with 61½ points was Meat and 3 Veg. Congratulations! The Chairman Andrew Sceats awarded them the Quizzer's Cup and will also send them a bottle of wine, when he buys it!!

The results for the quiz are:

Winning Team 'Meat and 3 Veg' - 61½ points

Teams 'IDA No' and '12 Eyes' - 61 Points

Teams 'In Safe Hands' and 'Coalition' - 60 points

Team '3's More Fun' - 56 points

Teams 'Wooden Spooners' and 'The Windy Willows' - 55 points

Team 'LBC' - 39 points

INC members celebrated their networking year with the Annual Awards Evening. We enjoyed a fun evening meal followed by the traditional awards made to members who have had an impact on their fellow club members. A great, relaxed evening was enjoyed by all with everyone at the end saying that they had had a super evening. Hawkstone Park Hotel had once again done a brilliant job with a very nicely decorated table and superb food. Members took part in a game of "What was the first record you ever bought?" and revealed some surprising and diverse responses - plus a number of well remembered renditions of the records from other members. Together with jokes and trivia questions it was night to remember.

The Pink Slip award, given for the member giving the most business referrals to other members of the club, was given to Suzi Rixon of 2's Company.

The Best Attendee award, given for the member attending the most number of meetings, was given to Graham Skeats of Computer Therapy.

Two other awards will be made to members who could not attend the evening, at a meeting later this year.

We extend a warm welcome to our latest member Matthew Ashton of Positive Safety Training Ltd. Matthew provides training in first aid, health and safety, fire safety and food safety. Take a look at the members page to see how he can help you.

The Annual Awards Evening will be held this week on 25 November 2011 at Hawkstone Park Hotel, at a tremendous price of only £16.95 per person. This is a great opportunity for members and partners to have a fun evening and three-course meal together with the annual awards to the members who have made an impact during INC meetings through the year. The evening will start at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. The evening is open to members and their guests. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the Secretary. This is a great celebration event and chance for your company to be recognised by winning an award.

The INC had a great evening meeting with Nigel Lomax taking his ten-minute presentation to brief members about some current tax implications for businesses and limited companies.

There was a lively, vibrant mood at the morning meeting today. 21 Members attended what would normally be a quiet time of year. Charles Lawson of Forge Property Consultants gave the 10 minute presentation and gave all of us a valuable insight in to the services his business can provide.

The INC charity golf challenge on 10 August 2011 was won for the second year running by the team captained by Jeremy Lloyd. Teams consisted of golfers and non-golfers, so it was an opportunity for those who had never tried the game to give it a go.

Non-golfer Holly Robinson demonstrated tremendous poise through the challange and won the most memorable shot award. Not bad for a beginner!

Janet Dale won the best non-golfer awarded playing a particularly fine shot from the 5th tee.

The Chairman's prize for the shot nearest the pin on the 6th green was won by Christian Channer.

The Golf Challenge teams were:

First Team

• Jason Jervis (Captain)
• Colin Jones
• Holly Robinson

Second Team

• Jeremy Lloyd (Captain )
• Christian Channer
• Graham Skeats

Third Team

• Andrew Sceats (Captain )
• Ann Page
• Chris Page
• Janet Dale

The rain held off for the whole challenge. Everyone finished the course and retired to the meeting room for well earned drink and sandwiches courtesy of the INC.

The Charity Golf Event on 10 August 2011 will start at 4.30pm in the Hawkstone Park Hotel Conference Centre Foyer. £10 for all people taking part.

We extend a warm welcome to our latest member Farrell McManus of Pi Financial Dixon Sutcliffe & Co. Farrell is an IFA providing advice on all aspects of financial planning. Take a look at the members page to see how he can help you.

The INC had a great charity evening cruising the River Severn on the Sabrina. About 60 people were onboard, with both decks full. The weather was sunny and we all enjoy a brilliant barbeque. Holly Robinson entertained us with renditions of some big-band classics. She did a great job and wasn't even phased when the microphone packed up.

Jon Rixon was our auctioneer for the evening and with his encouragement we raised £507 on the promises auction. A further £201 was raised in the raffle.

Together with ticket sales for the evening we raised about £1,000 for the Menieres Trust. Well done everyone!

There will be a charity golf event to help raise funds for the Chairman's Charity. This will be held on 10 August 2011 at Hawkstone Park starting at 4pm until 6.30pm ready for the evening's meeting, which will be a Visitor's Day to encourage new members. If golf at Hawkstone Park interests you, it will cost just £10 (members and visitors) with all proceeds towards the Menieres Trust. Interested parties should book directly with the Chairman, Andrew Sceats.

There will be a Charity Quiz Night at Hawkstone Park Hotel on Wednesday 30 November 2010 starting at 7.00pm to help raise funds for the Chairman's Charity - the Ménière’s Society.There will be a £10 entry fee for each person. Teams from other business networking clubs are welcome to attend. This will be a fun evening with plenty of opportunity to meet other like-minded business people. Book with the Secretary.

Past Chairman Nigel Lomax and other INC members and guests presented a cheque for £600 to Craig Burchell, the West Midlands Regional Fundraiser of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) was Nigel's charity during his chairmanship last year, and the charity does great work in helping young people fight cancer. Craig told the meeting the teenagers do not fit the paediatric or adult profiles in hospital and the charity provides facilities and support that help the teenagers cope at a difficult time. Many of the facilities are designed by the teenagers themselevs. INC was glad to help.

For the coming year our new Chairman’s Charity, selected by Andrew Sceats, is the Ménière’s Society and to kick off the fundraising in grand style Andrew is organising a great social and fundraising evening for INC on 13 July, using the Sabrina Cruise Boat.

Numbers are limited to 60 and it will be on a first come/ first served basis for tickets, however, this is open to non-INC members. All tickets are £25 per person, which is great value for money, and members are invited to bring guests to the event. Please let the Secretary or Andrew know if you are able to come and how many tickets you require. Tickets will be prepared but will not be handed over until they are paid for! Cash or cheque will be accepted at INC meetings, or send a cheque direct to the Treasurer. Please note if you book places you are making a commitment to purchase that number of tickets!

The provisional programme for the evening is as follows;

• 7pm – guests will board the Sabrina cruise boat at the Victoria Quay next to the Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury and have a welcome drink
• 7.30 – boat sets off for a 3 hour cruise on the River Severn
• 8.00 – BBQ food is served
• 9.30 – Promises Auction
• 10.30 – Sabrina returns to Victoria Quay
• 10.30 until 1am - INC has exclusive use of boat to continue fun

There will be entertainment from Holly Robinson during the evening.

PROMISES AUCTION: We will be looking for some great items for the auction and Andrew has already had several pledges. Please let Andrew or Ann Page know if you would like offer a “promise”.

If anyone would like to lend a hand with the organisation of the evening that would be great....please contact Andrew direct.

Andrew Sceats, the new Chairman for 2011, today confirmed the Ménière’s Society as his choice for the Chairman's Charity. This small charity supports people who suffer from this very debilitating condition which affects an estimated 1 in 20,000 people in the UK. It can affect all ages and both sexes. Its symptoms include hearing loss, tinnitus, migraines and headaches, vertigo, nausea and sickness, push and drop attacks and fullness of the ear. Like most ENT conditions it can leave sufferers unable to work or lead a normal social or family life. It also affects the family, friends and employers of sufferers and is an extremely debilitating condition.

During our Annual General Meeting members voted in the new committee. Andrew Sceats of Pressuredown Therapies becomes the new Chairman for 2011. Nigel Lomax, the retiring Chairman, remains on the committee as a non-executive member. Christian Channer of Maine Marketing joins as Vice Chairman, and Ann Page, of Page Communication Ltd stays on the committee as Secretary. Eira Moore remains as Treasurer having done such a great job last year, and Graham Skeats of Computer Therapy remains as the Business Referrals Officer (or the 'Pink Slip Man'). Ian Ross also joins the committee.

We also extended a warm welcome to our latest members Sue Ashton-Green of Arbonne, Janet Dale of it'seeze Web Solutions and Jason Jervis of J.Jervis Carpentry. Our membership number currently stands at a great 33! Our vibrant, lively business club is the best in Shropshire and our members prove it! Take a look at the members page to see how they can help you.

What a great year 2010 was for the Independent Network Club. A grand total of 72 visitors attended one or more meetings during the year, and out of that we had a net increase of membership by 10. Take a look at the members page to see how they can help you.

A special visitors meeting will be held on 9 February 2011 starting at 7.45am for 8am start. Visitors can pay £10 to attend and see how the club operates. Also there is a special half-price offer for any membership application between 9 February 2011 and 8 March 2011 where the joining fee is reduced to only £25. Contact the Secretary to book.

Last night our Christmas Charity Quiz Night was held at Hawkstone Park Hotel. Despite the freezing weather conditions 30 people attended the evening with 7 teams taking part and having great fun answering a variety of questions. Six rounds were held and there was a prize of a bottle of wine for the winner of each round. A fantastic £444 was raised for our Chairman's Charity which this year is the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The results for the quiz are:

Round 1 - General Knowledge - Won by 'The Centre Table'

Round 2 - Art and Literature - Joint Winners 'Snow White and the 3 Dwarfs','The Centre Table', and 'Safe Clean Ear Candles'

Round 3 - The Picture Round - Won by 'Safe Clean Ear Candles'

Round 4 - Movies - Joint Winners 'Merlins Magic' and 'Ipswich are 1 down'

Round 5 - Christmas - Won by 'The Centre Table'

Round 6 - Music - Joint Winners 'Holly and the Ivies','Ipswich are 1 down', and 'Safe Clean Ear Candles'

The overall winning team was 'Safe Clean Ear Candles'

INC members celebrated another great networking year with their Annual Awards Evening. 18 of us enjoyed a fun evening meal followed by the traditional awards made to members who have had an impact on their fellow club members. A great, relaxed evening was enjoyed by all with everyone at the end saying that they had had a super evening. Anyone who didn't come should ask any of those who did come all about the frog racing!

The award for the most Entertaining 10-Minute Presentation was given to Holly Robinson of I Do Weddings.

The award for the most Interactive Presentation was given to Andrew Sceats of Pressuredown Therapies.

The Best Attendee award, given for the member attending the most number of meetings, was given to Graham Skeats of Computer Therapy.

The Most New Members award, given for the member introducing the most number of new members to the club, was given to Nigel Lomax of Tax Assist Accountants.

Finally Nigel Lomax presented Ann Page with a bouquet of flowers as thanks for all her hard work as Scretary of the club.

We extend a warm welcome to our latest members Charlotte Cluderay of Insight Technical Services Ltd and also Jeremy Derrick. Our membership number now stands at a great 35! Our vibrant, lively business club is the best in Shropshire and our members prove it! Take a look at the members page to see how they can help you.

Our Christmas Charity Quiz Night will be held at Hawkstone Park Hotel on Wednesday 1 December 2010 starting at 7.00pm. There will be a £10 entry fee for each person. All proceeds go to our Chairman's Charity which this year is the Teenage Cancer Trust. Teams from other business networking clubs are welcome to attend. This will be a fun evening with plenty of opportunity to meet other like-minded business people.

Our Annual Awards Evening will be held at Hawkstone Park Hotel on Friday 26 November 2010 starting at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. The evening is open to members and their guests. Tickets cost £20 per person from the Secretary. Tickets must be purchased in advance. This is a great celebration event and chance for your company to be recognised by winning an award.

We extend a warm welcome to our latest members Frank Smith and Wolverhampton University. This brings our membership total to 33. Take a look at the members page to see how they can help you.

We extend a warm welcome to our latest member Open All Flowers who sell quality flowers and more. Take a look at the members page to see how they can help you.

This week one more business became a new member and joined the Independent Network Club (Shropshire). Welcome to Bonnie Huval of Havenshire Limited. We hope you enjoy the club.

It is really great to see that we have reached 30 members and it is fantastic to welcome new members in to our lively business club. Take a look at the members page to see what they can do for you.

This week another new member joined the Independent Network Club (Shropshire). We are really pleased to welcome Charles Lawson of Forge Property Consultants and wish him succesful networking ahead!

We now have 29 members and it is great to welcome new members in to our lively business club. Take a look at the members page to see what they can do for you.

The INC charity golf challenge on 14 July 2010 was won by the team led by Jeremy Lloyd with a score of 18 for the six holes. The event was organised by Neil Pharo.

When asked to make a statement, Jeremy responded, “I would firstly like to thank my fellow team members Leon Blair, Carolyn Ling, Claire Power-Browne and Ian Ross, for their wonderful company and undoubted golf skills in achieving what is I believe a feat to rival that of The Open which came to a conclusion on Sunday at St. Andrews, albeit that the financial rewards are not quite as great!!”

During the evening meeting of 14 July last year's chair Terry LeLong presented a cheque for £1000 to Dianne Kidd of 2Hands Charity. This represented the funds raised by the sterling efforts of INC members during Terry's year as chair. 2Hands was his chairman's charity.

INC will be holding a charity golf challenge before its evening meeting of 14 July 2010. Meet in the Hawkstone Park Golf centre foyer at 4.45pm. Tee-off is at 5.00pm and you will have the opportunity to play 6 holes of golf on the prestigious Hawkstone Park 6 hole 'Par 3' course,and follow in the infamous footprints of the likes of British Open winner Sandy Lyle. This event, organised by Neil Pharo who is a founder member of INC-Shropshire, will be open to golfers but more importantly, non-golfers. The fee is £3 payable on the day(bring extra coins for 'charity fines' that might occur)! Should you wish to attend, contact secretary@inc-shropshire.co.uk to book. There are footwear requirements (golf shoes or trainers/pumps), but golf clubs are not essential!

This week three new members have joined the Independent Network Club (Shropshire). We are really pleased to welcome them and wish them succesful networking ahead! Our new members are:

• Ian Ross of Robertson Technologies
• Howard Shakespeare of EuroDebt
• Nick Lee of RSM Tenon

We now have 28 members and it is great to welcome these new members in to our lively business club. Take a look at the members page to see what they can do for you.

This week 3 new members have joined the Independent Network Club (Shropshire). We are really pleased to welcome them and wish them succesful networking ahead! Our new members are:

• Shane Hawkins of C2 Recruitment
• Nicola Brown of In The Shed
• Gaynor Gravestock of Synergy and Strategy Ltd

Take a look at the members page to see what they can do for you.

INC Members fielded two teams for a Charity Quiz Night hosted by the Business Friends of Hope House network club at the Wroxeter Hotel last night. While they did not win - the winning team scored 79 points - the "INC Team"(imaginatively named) scored 68 and the "Two geeks plus two" team avoided coming last with 56½ points.

Well done. No winners but it's always good to network and help in a good cause. INC, the friendliest, fundraising network club in Shropshire.

Over the last month 6 new members have joined the Independent Network Club (Shropshire). We are a livel, vibrant business club and this fantastic increase in membership shows that there are great opportunities for networking and increasing business in Shropshire. Our new members are:

• Carloyn Ling of St James Place
• Claire Power-Browne of Auditel
• Eric Churchyard of Severnserve Ltd
• Holly Robinson of I Do Weddings
• Jeremy Evans of Greenlands Insurance
• Trevor Palmer of Churchill Insurance Consultants Ltd

Welcome to them all! Take a look at the members page to see what they can do for you.

The Independent Network Club (INC) held a great Visitors Day on the morning meeting of 5 May 2010. In total 26 visitors attended the meeting with several going on to the Golf Challenge afterwards.

The meeting opened with the Chairman, Nigel Lomax, reminding everyone the reason why INC is regarded as the friendliest yet most effective network club in Shropshire. A large number of members stood up to give testimonials for other members and it was clear that a lot of business takes place between INC members. Suzi Rixon, a past Chairman, said "If there is only one network club that you join in Shropshire, make sure that it is INC."

The ten minute presentation was given by Christian Channer of Maine Marketing.

After the meeting closed, a number of members and visitors headed off for the INC Golf Challenge. Teams consisted of golfers and non-golfers, so it was an opportunity for those who had never tried the game to give it a go.

Visitor Stuart Smallwood, of eDrive West Midlands, hit a cracking shot on the first tee. Not bad for a beginner!

Other visitors and members stood ready to play, as soon as their work and mobiles would let them! Nigel Lomax once again demonstrated his willingness to try anything.

The Golf Challenge results were:

First Team

• Neil Pharo (Captain).......19 Shots
• Nick Lee
• Ian Ross
• Lee Smallwood

Second Team

• Andrew Skeats (Captain ).....20 Shots ..(On last 2 hole countback)
• Christian Channer
• Trevor Palmer

Third Team

• Alasdair Hobbs (Captain).....20 Shots
• Dan Bones
• James Creswall

Fourth Team

• Jeremy Lloyd (Captain ) .....21 Shots
• Stuart Smallwood
• Nigel Lomax

Nigel Lomax, the new Chairman for 2010, today confirmed the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) as his charity for his year of office. TCT fund and build specialist units for young people in NHS hospitals. TCT units bring teenagers with cancer together with loads of new friends of their own age so they can support each other. Alongside all of this is a medical team of teenage cancer specialists who pool knowledge to create a body of expertise that’s second to none. Teenage Cancer Trust units aren’t like ordinary cancer wards. Everything about them has been designed to give teenagers the very best chance of a positive outcome.

The Independent Network Club (INC) will be holding a Grand Visitors Day on the morning meeting of 5 May 2010. All visitors are welcome to attend the meeting.

At 10am (until approx. 12 noon), immediately following the meeting, you will have the opportunity to extend your networking by playing 6 holes of golf on the prestigious Hawkstone Park 6 hole ‘Par 3’ course,and follow in the infamous footprints of the likes of British Open winner Sandy Lyle. This event, organised by Neil Pharo who is a founder member of INC-Shropshire, will be open to golfers but more importantly, non-golfers. The Team format will be explained at the Breakfast Meeting and will be a game to suit you all. Should you wish to attend, further details about this event will forwarded to you when you book - there are footwear requirements (golf shoes or trainers/pumps), but golf clubs are not essential! Find Hawkstone Park Hotel here.

The attendance fee of £10 will include tea/coffee and a breakfast bap, and there is no extra charge for inclusion in the Golf Challenge. If you want to visit us please contact the secretary to let us know and you will be assured of a warm welcome: secretary@inc-shropshire.co.uk.

Nigel Lomax of Tax Assist Accountants becomes the new Chairman for 2010. Terry Le Long, the retiring Chairman, remains on the committee as a non-executive member. Andrew Sceats of Pressuredown Therapies joins as Vice Chairman, and Ann Page, of Page Communication Ltd joins the committee as Secretary. Eira Moore remains as Treasurer having done such a great job last year, and Graham Skeats of Computer Therapy remains as the Membership Liaison Officer (or the 'Pink Slip Man').

Our Christmas Charity Quiz Night will be held at Hawkstone Park Hotel on Wednesday 2 December 2009 starting at 7.45pm. There will be a £10 entry fee for each person but the evening does include light refreshments. All proceeds go to our Chairman's Charity which this year is 2 Hands. Teams from other business networking clubs are welcome to attend. This will be a fun evening with plenty of opportunity to meet other like-minded business people.

Great fun was had by all in our charity quiz night held at Hawkstone Park Hotel. Our master of ceremonies Chris Page took us through 6 rounds of questions that certainly had a few people scratching their heads for answers! All proceeds went towards the Chairman's Charity which this year is 2 Hands. Ten teams took part and a good time was had by all.

Members of the Independent Network Club recently celebrated the culmination of a huge charity fundraising campaign with a cheque presentation of over £1100.

The Independent Network Club raised the money for the Midlands Air Ambulance and 2008 Chairman Ann Page presented the cheque for £1162.43 to Tony Neville, Volunteer Co-ordinator with the Air Ambulance at a group celebration held at Shropshire’s Hawkstone Park Hotel.

"The Air Ambulance was my chosen charity" explained Ann, "The Independent Network Club committee and members managed to raise the money through a Race Night at Lower Lacon Caravan Park, Wem, An Evening with Mike Southern which included a promise auction and by taking part in the ‘Festival of Food and Drink’ at Dearnford Lake, Whitchurch."

Hawkstone Park Hotel was the natural location for the presentation as it’s where we hold our fortnightly networking meetings and where much of the fundraising was planned. We are thrilled with the total raised and know that it will make a big difference for the charity.

2 Hands has been chosen as the group’s charity for the coming year by Independent Network Club Chairman for 2009, Terry Le Long. Born in Telford the charity works to mentor young students in the 12 to 18 age group, in UK schools, as part of their 'It’s Our World' programme, and help them design, develop and deliver fundraising projects for the benefit of poor communities in Ecuador, and Zimbabwe.

"We’re holding a Charity Quiz and Raffle on December 2nd 2009 to raise funds for 2 Hands and provide a festive end to the 2009 Networking Programme. Each round will be sponsored by a business and the overall winning team will receive the INC Charity Quiz Trophy for 2009 sponsored by Nigel Lomax Tax Assist Accountants" explained Terry. "Everyone’s welcome and anyone interested in taking part can contact the INC Secretary Jan Lloyd".

Hawkstone Park Hotel was the venue for a stimulating talk by Mike Southon, International Speaker and Author, who currently has a weekly column in the Financial Times. His presentation entitled 'Something About the Beatles' was actually an inspirational talk about succeeding in business - which the Beatles overwhelmingly did - and included clips from many of the Beatles songs which the audience, young and old, joined in with - the finale concluded with everyone singing 'All you need is love'.

The event was organised by Independent Network Club (Shropshire) and Mike's talk was followed by an auction of 5 unique items which raised £550 for the charity.   With ticket sales and a raffle, a total of £1192.00 was raised for County Air Ambulance. Winning bidders can now look forward to golfing in style, a Magical Mystery Tour flying over the Welsh borders, tea for two at the House of Commons, a luxury caravan holiday and a visit from the spring clean fairies.

The event was attended by Independent Network Club members and guests and Mike was delighted to have two Mayors - Pauline Dee (Wem) and Doris Ankers (Whitchurch) in the audience.   At the end, Mike Southon offered a free business consultation to everyone in the room.   Everyone said how much they had enjoyed the talk and left feeling greatly inspired.

International Business Speaker And Author, Mike Southon, Visits Hawkstone Park

Mike Southon will deliver an interactive presentation called ‘Something About the Beatles' in the beautiful surroundings of Hawkstone Park.

Renowned author of 'Sales on a Beermat' and 'The Beermat Entrepreneur', Mike has helped thousands become millionaires with his sales tips and motivational talks. He is currently a weekly columnist for the Financial Times,

The event has been organised by Independent Network Club (Shropshire) which is a business network club and rural support group that meets at Hawkstone Park every fortnight.   It will take place on Wednesday evening, 8th October in place of the normal INC meeting, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm start.

Tickets cost £15 and include a glass of wine/juice on arrival.   Places limited.   Contact Jan at secretary@inc-shropshire.co.uk or on 01948 840102 for tickets.   All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Chairman's Charity - County Air Ambulance – along with proceeds from the auction of 5 unique iitems:

Tea for two and a tour of the House of Commons with Owen Paterson, MP;  a flight in a private plane donated by Graham Skeats of Computer Medicine; a Caravan weekend at Lower Lacon Caravan Park; a round of golf for 4 on one of Hawkstone Park's championship golf courses and a meal in the Terrace Restaurant; a mini spring clean from MyHome Cleaning Services

The auction will take place immediately after Mike's talk.   INC (SShropshire) would like to thank Hawkstone Park for sponsoring the event and the people who have donated auction items.

Independent Network Club(Shropshire) raised over £300 for County Air Ambulance at their Race Night.    The event was held at Jakk's Barn – the new function room at Lower Lacon Caravan Park which has an 8 ft LCD screen.  

INC members sponsored the races which included:

The Coniston Wealth Management Trophy,

The Utility Warehouse ‘Win a Mini' Sweepstake,

The Barbara Guest Fear & Phobia Eliminator,

The Duo Solutions Health and Safety Trophy,

The Rent-a-Rep Derby and

The Lower Lacon Holiday Sweepstake.

Members and guests at a recent meeting of the Independent Network Club (Shropshire) were treated to a fund-raising surprise when 2007 Chairman, Suzi Rixon, arrived to present Elodie Home with a cheque for £1539.73 for Macmillan Cancer Support.   Along with the INC committee and members, Suzi had organised a Barn Dance ‘Midsummer Madness' at Northwood Farmhouse, Wem and a 'Festival of Food and Drink' at Dearnford Lake, Whitchurch to raise funds for her charity of the year.  

Founder member, Neil Pharo of Park Row Associates also made a significant contribution to funds by donating to the charity part of his remuneration on referrals received from club members.

Apart from providing excellent networking opportunities, the events were a great success for all concerned.   Last September, MP, Owen Paterson joined members and guests on a beautiful sunny evening at Dearnford Lake along with North Shropshire District Councillor, Marilyn Patrick and Mac Sandal, North Shropshire Economic Forum Officer to support the event.   North Shropshire District Council provided £500 towards funding and many of the local food and drink producers that exhibited that evening have since benefited from the links that the event provided - in particular with an introduction to the buyer for the new Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway.

Ann Page, Chairman for 2008, has now chosen her charity for the year - Shropshire Air Ambulance - which provides a rapid paramedic response to the most life threatening medical emergencies and remote destinations, carrying out over 180 missions per month. The charity relies on people and organisations to raise in excess of £3 million every year to operate this valuable service.

INC (Shropshire) is a business network club and rural support group that meets at Hawstone Park Hotel every fortnight, alternating morning and evening meetings.   The club has grown steadily since its inception nearly six years ago and now has over 50 members.   Known fondly as 'the friendliest network club' INC has a warm welcome for guests at meetings.  

The Independent Network Club (Shropshire) is pleased to announce Ann Page as their Chairman for 2008.   Traditionally the chairman chooses a charity for his or her year in office, so one of Ann's first duties will be to select the charity that INC will suppport during 2008.

Ann Page runs Page Communication Limited, a company offering IT training and software development, which she set up with her husband Chris back in 1995.

One of INC's founder members, Ann has been a member of INC for over 5 years, often winning awards for giving referrals and introducing new members to the club.   At the annual awards evening in November, she again won the annual award for most referrals.  

Other awards winners were: Eric Churchyard of SevernServe, David Tipper of Driveway Doctor, Andrew Sceats of Pressuredown Therapies, Graham Skeats of Computer Medicine and Barbara Guest .   

'Hosts of the Year' were Nick and Margie Chavasse - for hosting the barn dance in June - and Jane and Charles Bebbington of Dearnford Lake where the food festival was held in September.   Both these events helped to raise a total of over £1400 for the Chairman's charity last year - Macmillan Cancer Support – the cheque will be presented by Suzi Rixon to Elodie Home at Hawkstone Park Hotel later this year.