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News Release

Rapid expansion for Ellis Electrical

An electrical company based near Redruth is planning for expansion over the coming year after launching its own security division.

Ellis Electrical, which has its offices at Scorrier, has launched Ellis Security to offer peace of mind and support to commercial, public sector and domestic customers across Cornwall and Devon.

Specialising in intruder and fire alarms, CCTV, door access, panic alarms and retail tagging, the company has appointed security expert, Lee Phillips, as operations manager.

Ellis Security has also gained accreditation from the SSAIB, the UK certification body which offers accreditation for providers of electronic security, fire systems and guarding security services.

Ellis Security’s managing director, Grant Ellis, said: “We’re very excited about the launch of Ellis Security as we believe we can offer a high level of quality, value and service to the market place.

“It’s great that Lee has joined us as he is well respected within the industry across the South West and is incredibly knowledgeable about the systems and how they can benefit people.

“Gaining SSAIB certification was also very important to us as it means that our customers can have peace of mind knowing that all our staff are fully accredited.”

Having already signed up a number of schools and private clients, the company is aiming to have 150 new clients on its books by the end of the year.

Ellis Security’s operations manager, Lee Phillips, said: “We think our figures are highly achievable as there is so much growth potential in the market.

“Whether it’s an audible only system or a monitored system which links directly to the police, businesses and individuals are becoming more aware of their safety and security.

“Once a basic system is in place there are many options that can be added, including a panic alarm so you can call for assistance should you have an incident at home whilst on your own through to smoke, carbon monoxide, flood alert detectors and more.”

For more information on Ellis Security please contact Lee Phillips on 01209 808239

Ends

4 February 2010

Press release issued on behalf of Ellis Security by mpad:

PR in Cornwall

For further information please contact:

Mark Picken,

mpad

Tel: 01872 321533 

Mob: 07866 860363

Email: mark@mpad.co.uk

News Release

Further expansion at Cornish Chiropractic Clinic

A Cornish Chiropractic practice, which has been praised for its customer service, is gearing up for the New Year after expanding its team.

Lifestyle Chiropractic, which holds clinics in Truro and Mawnan Smith, has appointed chiropractor, Ian Doble, and sports massage therapist, Jon Schofield.

Ian, who graduated in summer 2009 after gaining MChiro with merit, has joined through the Unlocking Cornish Potential (UCP) scheme, while Jon, who has been practicing for over 15 years, has recently relocated to Mawnan Smith from Devon.

Over the last three months the practice has appointed five new members of staff and is celebrating by offering free 10-minute consultations with Ian and a £10 taster massage session with Jon during February.

Doctor of Chiropractic, Amanda Hensman, who founded the clinic in 2005, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Ian and Jon to the team.

“They both have a real understanding of the body and how it works, and are also great with the clients.”

“Ian’s background in martial arts and life experiences have helped developed a strong sense of determination and respect for others, while Jon’s experience will add greater benefit to our clients.”

Ian joined Lifestyle through UCP after retraining in Chiropractic after previously working in the construction industry.

“I’m really excited about joining Lifestyle and working with Amanda and the team,” said Ian, who is also a martial arts enthusiast with 12 years experience in TaeKwon-Do.

“I was dissatisfied with the construction industry and after experiencing Chiropractic first hand, I changed careers and have never looked back.”

To begin with Ian will be offering free screening appointments on a triage basis.

“These will take the form of a free 10 minute consultation for suspected musculoskeletal complaints, where I will be able to offer impartial advice with recommendations to treatment or referrals as necessary.”

For more information on Lifestyle Chiropractic please contact Amanda Hensman on 01872 224011 or visit www.lifestylechiropractic.co.uk.

Ends

28 January 2010

Press release distributed on behalf of Lifestyle Chiropractic by mpad.

PR in Cornwall

For more information, please contact Mark Picken.

Tel: 01872 321533

Mob: 07866 860363

E-mail: mark@mpad.co.uk

News Release

National recognition for web developer

A Cornish businessman who has developed a programme to teach school pupils about website development has been recognised for his work.

Mark Grice, who runs Truro-based Redfuse Internet, has been invited to become an ambassador for the STEM project.

The national scheme aims to create opportunities to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“It’s a real honour to be selected as a STEM ambassador,” said Mark, who launched Redfuse in 2009 offering web specialist programming and development.

“The Web Academy has been a great success since its launch at Penair School in Truro and it’s really inspiring to see the pupils get to grips with web development and learn so quickly.

“Hopefully through the STEM project and Web Academy I will be able to help more young people to be inspired about website design and creation.”

Mark was invited to become an ambassador by Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership’s Kate Whetter after launching his Redfuse Web Academy.

Kate said: “I’m working with Mark on the Redfuse Web Academy and I have been extremely by his enthusiasm and commitment to pass on his knowledge to the next generation.

“He’s only just started out in business himself and to commit that much time is brilliant.

“That’s why I nominated him to become a STEM ambassador as I know more young people will be able to benefit from his support.”

After starting the Redfuse Web Academy at Penair School, Mark hopes to roll the scheme out to other schools across Cornwall during 2010.

For more information please contact Mark Grice on 01872 888238 or visit http://www.redfuse.co.uk.

Ends

28 January 2010

Issued on behalf of Redfuse Internet by mpad.

PR in Cornwall

For further information please contact:

Mark Picken,

mpad

Tel: 01872 321533 

Mob: 07866 860363

Email: mark@mpad.co.uk

News Release

It’s H2O on the Go! for marathon runners after water company signs up to support Duchy Marathon

Runners taking part in this year’s gruelling Duchy marathon will be well watered after a Wadebridge company has agreed to sponsor the event again.

Cascade Spring Water Company will be providing water for competitors throughout the 26.2 mile race, which starts and ends at The Penventon Park Hotel, Redruth.

“I’m really pleased to be supporting and providing water for this event once again,” said Cascade’s managing director, William Hiley.

“Its quite a challenging event so it’s great to be involved and supplying our water, which comes from our own spring to help refresh the runners.”

Water will be provided for the runners at three-mile intervals, as well at the finish.

Marathon organiser, Alan Rowling, said: “We’re really pleased that William and his team at Cascade have agreed to support the Duchy Marathon once again.

“The runners really need to drink water during the race and I’m pleased that we’re able to supply them Cornish spring water.”

The run, which is the second longest established marathon in the country, takes place on Sunday, March 7.

For more information on Cascade Springs please contact William Hiley on 01208 814544, and to enter the Duchy Marathon contact race secretary, Vance Webster, on 01736 366319 or email kvtremeneth@aol.com.

Ends

25 January 2010

Press release issued on behalf of H2O on the Go by mpad:

PR in Cornwall

For further information please contact:

Mark Picken,

mpad

Tel: 01872 321533 

Mob: 07866 860363

Email: mark@mpad.co.uk

News Release

Live webcam fitted to historic ferry crossing

An historic ferry crossing in Cornwall can now be viewed across the world thanks to mobile phone technology.

The St Mawes Ferry Company has fitted a live webcam to one of its ferries, the Duchess of Cornwall, which runs all year round between St Mawes and Falmouth.

Mounted in the Duchess’ wheelhouse the webcam uses 3G mobile technology to upload an image every 10 seconds on to the ferry’s website, http://www.kingharryscornwall.com/webcam.

Once online visitors will see a picture of the 120 year-old route looking forwards over the ferry’s foredeck.

Toby Budd, from the Ferry Company, said: ”We had already tested the technology in the summer with the ‘Cow Cam’ on our Jacks Cow when we moved it around the river.

“After the cow was sold we decided to fit the webcam to the Duchess and already it has proven very popular with people checking that the ferry is running, as well as just taking a look to see the view, stormy days are often the busiest.”

Paul Harry from Falmouthphotos.com, who installed the webcam, said: ”This has been a really fun project, normally webcams require broadband and so it took quite a bit of development to get the mobile element working. 

“We are now looking at other webcams, mobile and fixed, that we can install around the river in addition to the cameras already installed at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and on Gyllyngvase Beach.”

The new St Mawes Ferry, which was launched by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2008 and runs seven days a week on the historic ferry route which was established over 120 years ago.

For more information please visit the website www.stmawesferry.co.uk or phone 01872 861917

Ends

25 January 2010

Issued on behalf of St Mawes and King Harry Ferry Companies by mpad

PR in CornwallFor further information please contact:

Mark Picken

Mpad

Tel: 01872 321533

Mob: 07866 860363

Email: mark@mpad.co.uk

News Release

Worldwide issue warning for homebuyers

to think independent

An award-winning Cornish independent financial adviser is warning homebuyers to be aware of sales tricks employed by unscrupulous estate agents wanting to make extra cash.

With the housing market beginning to come back to life after the break for Christmas and the snow, Worldwide Financial Planning want people to be on their guard.

According to Worldwide’s managing director, Peter McGahan, there has been an increase in reports of estate agents forcing potential buyers to see their mortgage adviser before being allowed to view a property.

“Whilst most estate agents stay clear of mortgage advice or make referrals to a trusted independent professional adviser, some agents have seen this as a chance to make extra money out of the sale of a property,” said Peter.

“The tip of the iceberg for us came when our mortgage manager, who won FT Mortgage Adviser of the Year, was frogmarched in front of an adviser when he was buying a home to check he could afford it!

“If it’s happening to him then we’re concerned about how many people it’s affecting across the country and how much it’s costing them.”

In order to be aware Mr McGahan wants people to check the agent’s independence for mortgage advice and for life insurance and pension products.

“If they say no to any of these points then you should just walk away,” said Mr McGahan.

“We’ve found a number partner with selected providers, or even just one to ensure they get a bigger commission and revenue stream.

“But as well as giving more money to the agent, it can also cost house buyers in the long run.

“We carried out a mystery shopper test and found that buying life insurance from Friends Provident through an estate agent gave £28,876 less cover than if you’d bought the cover from an independent financial adviser.

“People really need to be aware as buying a home is one of the most stressful things you can go through so before you take advice or packages from an estate agent, stop and think and get a comparison from an independent adviser.”

Ends

18 January 2010

Issued on behalf of Worldwide Financial Planning by mpad

PR in Cornwall

For further information please contact:

Mark Picken

Mpad

Tel: 01872 321533

Mob: 07866 860363

News Release

Pupils get virtual support for stock market challenge

A Cornish company behind a stocks and shares competition for schools is using the latest technology to ensure that pupils are able to access support.

Teams taking part in the third annual Virtual Trading Challenge will use internet phone services and video conferencing to get advice from two of Cornwall’s leading independent financial advisers.

Launched in September last year by Truro and Wadebridge based Worldwide Financial Planning and Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership, the competition gives teams a virtual £100,000 to invest in the stock market.

The winner is the team that makes the greatest return by March.

Peter McGahan, Worldwide’s managing director, said: “We’ve got 20 teams from schools from throughout Cornwall taking part.

“We wanted a simple way in which to offer advice to them all in one day.

“The easiest way for myself and fellow independent financial adviser, Chris Rowe, to reach them all in one day is to utilise the power of the internet via Skype and a webcam.

“This way we can ensure that we can give everyone the same amount of time and offer the support they need.”

Kate Whetter, Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership’s coordinator on the competition said: “Its such a great and simple idea to reach all the schools.

“It also means that the students also learn about how technology is helping business.

“We really value Peter, Chris and the Worldwide team’s time in running this competition and by using initiatives like this more, then the students will be able to get so much more out of the competition.”

Since its launch in September last year three teams have been vying for top spot – Falmouth Business, Helston A and Callington B having returned over nine percent.

Ends

12 January 2010

Issued on behalf of Worldwide Financial Planning by mpad

PR in Cornwall

For further information please contact:

Mark Picken

Mpad

Tel: 01872 321533

Mob: 07866 860363

News Release

Worldwide launch campaign to get businesses thinking about protection

One of the South West’s leading firms of independent financial advisers has launched a campaign to get business owners thinking about business protection.

As the country gears itself up to move out of recession Truro and Wadebridge based Worldwide Financial Planning is urging business owners to think about how to give more protection to their company.

And to help businesses across the South West Worldwide is offering free one-hour consultations to look at the key aspects which can have an impact.

“Business protection is easily one of the most passed over subjects in any company,” said Worldwide’s managing director, Peter McGahan.

“The business owner is too busy either making hay while the sun shines or battling recession to think about one of the key areas that can cripple even the most successful businesses.”

According to Worldwide there are three key areas of protection in a business: succession planning post the death of the owner; protection in the event that a key person dies, and debt protection.

“In terms of succession planning post the death of the owner, far too many businesses don’t even have a business will,” said Mr McGahan.

“A business will makes it clear what should happen to the business when the owner dies. Without a business will, a business that has built up quite a value over the years can easily become valueless.

Mr McGahan believes that the lack of direction after a death can also cause fear within staff and customers.

He added: “Competitors can soon seize that opportunity to move in and a considerable percentage of value can be wiped out in months. The key is to have the correct instructions and protection in place to avoid financial catastrophe.”

Mr McGahan also thinks that business should take more care to protect key members of staff.

He said: “Protection of a key man is simple. The business insures a key member of staff for any financial loss should they die. The death benefit is used by the firm to cushion the financial impact of the key person’s death on the business whilst they replace the key member of staff.”

The final area that Worldwide want people to think about is debt protection.

“Debt protection is the third area of business protection which can be overlooked. This is normally the insurance that the bank adviser forces down your throat when you are asking for any business finance,” added Mr McGahan.

Ensure your debt is covered in full in the event of death, and critical illness if you can afford it, and use a fee based independent financial adviser, like us, to acquire the cover. The premiums will be much cheaper than those offered by banks’ products direct.”

For more information and to book your free one-hour consultation please contact Peter McGahan at Worldwide Financial Planning on 01208 816667 or visit www.wwfp.net.

Ends

6 January 2010

Press release distributed on behalf of Worldwide Financial Planning by mpad.

PR in Cornwall

For further information please contact:

Mark Picken,

mpad,

Tel: 01872 321533

Mob:  07866 860363

Email: mark@mpad.co.uk

News Release

Schools show businesses the way to success

in Virtual Trading Challenge

Schools from across Cornwall have left leading businesses in their wake as a virtual stocks and shares competition reaches the halfway stage.

The Virtual Trading Challenge, which is organised by independent financial advisers, Worldwide Financial Planning, is now in it’s third year.

Originally run in schools across Cornwall the competition, which sees teams compete to make the greatest return on a virtual £100,000, opened to businesses for the first time this year.

And out of the six business organisations taking part only one, Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership (CLEBP), is currently in profit.

“The schools have once again shown that they have a really good understanding of the competition and investing in the stock market,” said Worldwide’s managing director, Peter McGahan.

“For the past two years most of the teams have outperformed the country’s leading fund managers, so it’s not surprise to see them currently beating some of Cornwall’s leading business organisations.

“Out of the top ten teams at the moment only one business, CLEBP, is listed, so if I were the other businesses I’d take some time over Christmas to take a look at my portfolio and see how I can try and get back in the competition!”

Currently leading the way in the competition is Callington B team, who have returned just over eight percent.

They are closely followed by Launceston A, Helston A and Falmouth Business.

Kate Whetter from CLEBP, which help to organise the competition, said: “It’s great that we find ourselves top of the business league, but we’ve got a lot of work to do if we’re to catch up with the leading schools.

“Working on the project I get to see the enthusiasm and commitment the pupils, the teachers and the schools put into the competition every week, so it is no surprise that they are leading the way.”

Other businesses taking part in the competition, which ends in March 2010 include ECIF, MPAD, Stephens Scown, Unlocking Cornish Potential and YTKO.

For more information on Worldwide Financial Planning please contact Peter McGahan on 01208 816667 or visit www.wwfp.net.

Ends

17 December 2009

Press release distributed on behalf of Worldwide Financial Planning by mpad.

PR in Cornwall

For further information please contact:

Mark Picken,

mpad,

Tel: 01872 321533

Mob:  07866 860363

Email: mark@mpad.co.uk

News Release

Highfields’ pupils support shoebox appeal

A headteacher from Redruth has praised parents and pupils for their support of a charity scheme aimed at giving a boost to under privileged families this Christmas.

Pupils from Highfields School, an independent school based in Cardrew Lane, have collected 39 boxes full of presents for the West Cornwall Christians Against Poverty’s Shoe Box Appeal.

The appeal will send the boxes to families across West Cornwall, who have approached the charity for help with debt issues.

Mary Haddy, Highfields’ headteacher, said: “I’m incredibly proud of my pupils and their parents for their support of the shoe box appeal this year.

“The people that Christians Against Poverty support have great difficulty in even having enough money to buy food, let alone Christmas presents.

“This is the second year that we have run the appeal at Highfields and we feel it has been even more successful than last year.

“It’s wonderful that people want to get involved and these boxes will go a long way to ensure that those less fortunate will be able to have some cheer this Christmas.”

Cally Dowsett, centre manager for Christians Against Poverty UK, said: “The support that the parents and pupils from Highfields have given us is fantastic.

“The shoe boxes full of gifts will be distributed to children in the local community who may not be so lucky.

“The gifts will really brighten up a lot of people’s Christmas mornings.”

For more information about Highfields School please contact Mary Haddy on 01209 210665 or visit www.highfields-school.com.

For more information about Christians Against Poverty visit www.capuk.org

Ends

11 December 2009

Issued on behalf of Highfields School by mpad

PR in Cornwall

For further information please contact:

Mark Picken

Mpad

Tel: 01872 321533

Mob: 07866 860363

Email: mark@mpad.co.uk