Waterford City Enterprise Board – recognising local excellence

Three local businesses received accolades from Waterford City Enterprise Board last week as they picked up Best Business Awards at a reception in the Mayors Office.

The three companies, South Eastern Tyre Recycling Centre, DessertFirst and Marla.ie were presented with specially commissioned Irish Handmade Glass Trophies and the overall winner, Marla.ie, received a Waterford Crystal Perpetual Trophy.

The premise of the awards is to recognise excellence in SME’s and the

Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Pat Hayes along with Chairperson of Waterford City Enterprise Board, Bertie Rogers, praised the innovative ideas and dedication of the winners, adding that they have done so much to contribute to the local economy.

South East Tyre Recycling Centre Ltd. was a recipient of the Best Business Award. Established 18 months ago by Brian Bambury, the company recycles old and end of life tyres which are then converted into rubber chips for equine use. The rubber chips are used by horse trainers to improve racing performance and reduce training injuries. Although Brian was out of the country and unable to collect his award in person, he did comment that he was delighted with the award and the assistance he and his company has received from Waterford City Enterprise Board.

Another recipient of the Best Business Award was Margaret Fleming’s Dessert First. Ferrybank woman Margaret Fleming established the dessert and baked goods business in March 2010. In those short 18 months Margaret has gone from producing everything in her own kitchen to employing five full time and two part-time employees.

The winner of the Best Overall Business Enterprise Award was visual communications agency Márla.ie. Established in 2004, Sheila Gallogly joined Marla.ie in 2006 and has grown the company to service an expansive list of national clients including Neven Maguire, Superquinn, Sunshine Juice and The Irish Exporters amongst others.

According to Ciaran Cullen, Acting CEO of Waterford City Enterprise Board, the annual awards recognise innovation, dedication and commitment to building a successful enterprise. He added “Waterford City Enterprise Board is privileged to work with a host of start up and established businesses that have the focus and vision to generate ideas, to grow their business, to create jobs and to contribute to the local economy.”

Waterford Enterprise Board was established in October 1993 by the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and to provide direct grant-support to new and existing enterprises and promote entrepreneurship. Through a wide range of programmes including clinics, courses, enterprise development assistance and funding Waterford City Enterprise Board has assisted 24 start ups this year alone.

Solas Centre expands support services to cancer patients in the South East

The Solas Centre, the South East’s cancer support service, is expanding its portfolio of services to cancer patients and their families in the South East.

Whilst the journey for the Solas Centre began in 2008, in 2010 support was provided to 250 patients from the South Eastern Cancer Foundation’s small house in Earlscourt. With 2,000 people diagnosed with cancer across Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny, the state-of-the-art Solas Centre provided support for over 500 cancer patients in 2011 and anticipates that it will be able to provide support services, such as counselling, relaxation therapies and group support services to over 1,000 people affected by cancer in 2012.

According to Iain Munro, Chairman South Eastern Cancer Foundation, every effort is being made to ensure that the best cancer support services are provided across the region.

“Cancer affects us all and with more and more people being diagnosed with cancer each year, we are working hard to ensure the Solas Centre has a range of the best possible support services for cancer patients and their families.”

“We couldn’t have done this without the phenomenal generosity of the people of Waterford and the South East. The monies raised from a host of events such as the South East Run For Life, the Boobs ‘n’ Balls Bike Ride, the Vintage Tractor rally and so many more group and individual donations will allow us to provide further services that will enable cancer patients to receive the optimum support”, Mr. Munro added.

One such initiative recently launched is the Centre’s Art programme for people affected by cancer. This therapeutic programme, under the tutelage of artist Philip Cullen, provides participants with the opportunity to explore their creative sides. With a focus on nature, people, textures, landscapes and colour the programme aims to create an evocative and relaxed atmosphere that heightens the senses.

The Solas Centre has also expanded its counselling and therapy services and has introduced new programmes for groups including stress management, yoga, and a new support programme for men.

The philosophy of the Solas Centre is manifold; to provide cancer patients and their families with a safe place to talk things over and to help them cope with living with cancer. It also will work closely with the hospitals of the region in promoting and supporting patient-focused, cutting-edge cancer research and continues not only to educate people about cancer prevention, but also to change our mindset around cancer.

For more information about the cancer support services at the Solas Centre call 051 304604, visit www.solascentre.ie or check out the Facebook page Solas Centre – South Eastern Cancer Foundation.

Local food heroes supporting local charities

Rotary Club of Waterford presents an evening with the award winning Dungarvan chef Paul Flynn of the Tannery Restaurant and local MasterChef winner Mary Carney, returning to Waterford publicly for the first time since winning the inaugural MasterChef Ireland on RTE. This exciting event will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday November 30^th at the Tourism and Leisure Building WIT, Cork Road.

Mary Carney grew up in Waterford City as the youngest in a family of five children and food has always been a huge part of her life. Her mother ensured that the kitchen was where everyone wanted to be. She involved the entire family in the preparation of meals so cooking has always been second nature to her. Of course Mary’s family has a long tradition in the food industry in Waterford, her grandmother being a Flahavan of Kilmacthomas.

Mary spent her college years in Dublin and it was there that she met her husband Mike - a fellow Waterford man - who shared her passion for food.

Then, this year she entered MasterChef Ireland and had the great fortune of winning the title. After winning she decided to pursue a career in the food industry full time.

Paul Flynn, renowned chef is proprietor of the Tannery Restaurant. The Tannery Restaurant is located in Dungarvan and has long been regarded as one of Ireland's leading restaurants. In 2005 the boutique style Tannery Townhouse was also opened and just a few years later the Tannery Cookery School featuring a state of the art demonstration kitchen with further adjacent guest accommodation was added to Paul and Maire Flynn’s culinary offering.

Paul Flynn is regarded as one of the foremost Irish chefs, cooking exciting and modern Irish food. The Tannery Cookery School reflects his cooking ethos with cookery courses for everyone from the amateur home cook to the more adventurous cook and even those who might want to cook for a living.

Both chefs are passionate about Waterford and as such were delighted when given the opportunity to cook together in the renowned facilities at WIT. The evening will include some useful culinary tips for the festive season.

Mrs. Kathleen Fitzgerald President of the Rotary Club of Waterford said, “The Rotary Club of Waterford is so proud to present this event. Two of Waterford’s best exports offering their time and talent for local charities is such an exciting prospect.”

Benefiting local charities include the Camphill Community in Ballytobin and the Simon Community in Waterford.

This is strictly a ticket only event and priced at just €25 tickets can be bought from Nolke Opticians at Ardkeen and David M Breen & Co, Chartered Accountants (Ph 051-875222) and Lily O’Brien’s Chocolate Café in Georges Court.

Spinnaker Bar set to represent Waterford in Good Food Ireland’s Food Pub of the Year

The Spinnaker Bar and Restaurant, in the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East has been nominated as Food Pub of the Year in Good Food Ireland Awards 2011. The awards will be presented by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on November 22nd at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel.

As the only Waterford pub to be short listed in this prestigious category, the Spinnaker’s proprietor Niall Edmondson was delighted with the nomination.

“The philosophy of Good Food Ireland is to recognise businesses in the food and tourism sectors that promote high quality produce and work to provide a well rounded good eating experience. It really is a great accolade to be nominated in the Food Pub of the Year category and a big boost for the great crew we have here.”

“We have spent a considerable amount of time refining our menu to offer something for everyone. In fact Good Food Ireland remarked on our varied offering featuring everything from our signature Surf ‘n’ Turf dish, our Wexford lamb, Aberdeen Angus steak and the fresh seafood from Dunmore East which is caught quite literally a few feet from our front door.”

Niall added “The team at the Spinnaker has worked hard to create a memorable family experience and as most peoples’ purse strings are that bit tighter kids can now eat for free on Fridays. The feedback on this initiative has been phenomenal and our customers do appreciate the focus we have placed on family time.”

The Good Food Ireland awards celebrate those within the industry who have show innovation and position themselves as food and tourism champions. The Food Pub of the Year category recognises pubs that deliver superior food whilst emphasising an Irish–ingredient led experience.

To find out more about the Spinnaker Bar and Restaurant check out www.thespinnakerbar.com or call 051 383133.

Sienna Celebrates!

Congratulations to Sienna home Furnishings on their great success and achievement on being one of the Top30 Stores in Ireland!

Retail Excellence Ireland, Ireland’s largest retail industry body, presented the awards on Saturday night, November 5^th at a ceremony in Galway that was attended by over 500 retailers.

The awards are the biggest event in the Irish retail industry calendar. Retail Excellence Ireland is the largest retail industry group in Ireland with over 8,500 store members employing over 110,000 people.

Solicitor fights for school’s sight loss campaign

In 1982 Sinead Kane was born in Youghal, Co. Cork with just five per cent vision and was registered as blind. However this was one obstacle that didn’t stop her from qualifying as Ireland’s first visually impaired solicitor in 2009.

Ms. Kane explained, “I was told by eye doctors that I would be totally blind by the time I would be 23 years old. I am 29 years old now so I am six years overdue. My childhood was a battle against adversity because I was constantly fighting the system to get appropriate needs and supports.”

Most of her life has been about triumph over adversity and fighting for what she believes. Now she has turned her attention and positive attitude to the cause of Fight for Sight and in particular its recent project; the production and distribution of an educational film called “Wally’s lucky day”.

In June 1984 Fight for Sight was founded in Waterford by Ophthalmologist Mr. Paddy Condon for the purpose of prevention of sight loss.

Following the occurrence of several serious industrial accidents in the South East of Ireland in the early 80’s involving, in particular, a number of young people losing their sight Mr. Condon decided that through education and resources many of these incidents could be prevented.

Since its establishment the Fight for Sight has raised more than €2 million through continuous fundraising programs and donations.

In 2010 Fight for Sight started plans to produce a film based upon the potential dangers for sight loss in everyday life for teenagers. Acclaimed and award winning playwright and director Jim Nolan was asked to write and direct the film.

Following the assistance of a number of groups including the talent of local teenage actors Wally’s Lucky Day was completed in spring 2011.

Wally’s Lucky Day is a thirty minute fictional film designed to encourage eye safety awareness amongst its target audience of young teenagers.

Wally is sixteen, he’s got a cold sore and he’s in love with the lovely Louise. Viewers are asked to join him on his lucky day; a day when despite the combined efforts of breakfast rolls, city traffic, scratch cards, welding machines, his cousin Ray and his mates Tom and Joe, absolutely nothing goes wrong. Then you see a few people who weren’t so lucky.

The film shows how simple daily activities can be dangerous for ones eyes. It is hard hitting and quite graphic towards the end of the film, but needs to be in order to make an impact on today’s teenage viewer. It is an original way of communicating to this age group and both Fight for Sight and Sinead Kane think is worth assisting.

Fight for Sight’s aim is to distribute this film to every secondary school in Ireland and is currently looking for sponsorship in order to assist with this plan.

Following Ms. Kane’s decision to help Fight for Sight she has learned that her connection with the charity goes back many years.

“My mother recently told me that Mr. Condon saw my grandmother back in the late 1970s and operated on her eyes. Also around that time he saw my mother and treated her eyes. When he realised that my mother had glaucoma he ordered that she get all her brothers and sisters down to Waterford straight away to be checked for Glaucoma.

In 1980 my mother gave birth to my sister Aisling. My mother was so impressed by Mr. Condon’s caring nature that she brought my sister at 6 weeks old to see him. I was born just before the Fight for Sight charity was set up and as a baby my mother also brought me to Mr. Condon.

The wheel seems to be coming full circle. Mr Condon has assisted generations of my family and now its time I assisted him and do whatever I can for his charity.”

Wally’s Lucky Day was officially premiered and launched at the Greyfriars Gallery in Waterford City on Thursday November 10th 2011. It is Fight for Sight’s plan to distribute the film to every secondary school in the country in the New Year.

Geraldine honoured at Mayoral Reception

Geraldine Grant, CAREGiver of the Year, was recently honoured with a Mayoral Reception in the Mayor of Waterford's Office.

In October, Geraldine was announced as the overall winner of the national Home Instead Senior Care’s CAREGiver of the Year.

The national awards recognise the work of Home Instead Senior Care’s CAREGivers and acknowledge their dedication and commitment to providing the best care for seniors.

Raising Bank Finance – an enterprising lunchtime seminar!

Waterford City Enterprise Board recently launched a series of Networking Lunch events that address the pertinent and real issues affecting businesses in today’s tough economic climate.

The first of these lunchtime seminars took place last week and the topic was “Raising Bank Finance” with Mr. Freddie Hatton of FP Consulting. Never before has the issue of bank funding been more outstanding. In August the Central Bank in Ireland announced that the pillar banks cannot lend over €3 billion in Microfinance loans to small business because of the quality of applications and a lack of demand.

With banks no longer responding positively to applications for funding from SME’s this has left many small businesses unable to secure much needed capital.

The premise of this inaugural lunchtime presentation was to offer attendees a better understanding of the change in banking policy, the revised criterion in banking, how best to position funding requests and the kind of supporting documentation that is required from the banks. Following on from this, there will be a series of one day workshops on November 9^th and December 7^th.

According to Ciaran Cullen, Acting CEO of Waterford City Enterprise Board, the event proved hugely enlightening for those in attendance. “The Waterford City Enterprise Board has fashioned an agenda of lunchtime events that are pertinent and, in many cases, critical to SME’s today. Over the course of the next few months we will be offering people in business, at all stages, the opportunity to gain some practical advice and a comprehensive insight into the areas that are affecting them.”

“Freddie Hatton is well regarded in the financial services, with over 33 years experience with Bank of Ireland and subsequently as CEO of the SAP Group. Therefore he is well positioned to offer an informative and constructive overview of what SME’s need to do in order to secure bank funding. Applying for finance to any bank or financial institution can be a daunting process and a quagmire of red tape, bureaucracy and rejection. That is why an event like this and the follow up one day workshops are of huge benefit to anyone seeking finance and can give them the confidence to apply in the knowledge their chances will be vastly improved.”

If you would like to find out more about Waterford Enterprise Boards workshops which take place on November 9^th and December 7^th from 9.30am to 5pm and cost €25, call 051 852883 or email info@waterfordceb.com