Date: August 18th 2010

Welcome to our August monthly email – keeping you up-to-date with all the very latest Chamber news, events and offers.  (A bit later than usual this month – apologies for holidays!)

Make sure you send your latest business news for us to include in September’s email.  The deadline is the 5th of each month.  We can also pass on your news to be considered for inclusion in Wessex in Business, the monthly business supplement to the Gazette & Herald.  Just for Chamber members, this is a great way to get your business name out to a wide area.

RAF LYNEHAM
The closure of RAF Lyneham in 2012 means the local economy will suffer!  Do your bit to save our towns and add your voice to the campaign to find an alternative use for the Lyneham site now by visiting our website.  
(Many thanks to Hulbert and Woodall Print Ltd http://www.handwprint.co.uk/ for their assistance in producing the poster).

EVENTS
a)    Laser Quest – 14th September, 7-7.30pm, Shaw Ridge, Swindon.  Member only offer – FREE OF CHARGE! We thought it was time we organised an event on a purely fun/social basis, with no business purposes whatsoever – and this is it!  For those of you who think Laser Quest is just for kids, THINK AGAIN!  Click here for more info.  
b)    Christmas Lunch – 14th December, 12.30pm, Marsh Farm Hotel.  Yes, it’s that time again!  Well, not quite, but we like to book in advance.  Those of you who came last year will remember how good it was to get together and celebrate the festive season over a really good 3 course meal, with coffee, crackers, etc.  Non-members also welcome. More info here.

WANTED!
a)    Space in town centre.  Do you have a room you are not using?  One of our members would like to rent space for a business display. Contact us if you may be able to help.
b)    Computer required.  A Chamber member is looking for a second-hand computer.  It’s for infrequent use so doesn’t have to be an all singing, all dancing, high spec model.  Anything considered - just name your price.  (No keyboard or monitor needed).
c)    Venue for Xmas Card Workshop.  The town council needs to find a venue to hold a card making workshop during the Xmas Lights & Shopping Evening on Friday December 3rd (from about 5.30 til 8.00pm).  Somewhere around the centre of town would be ideal.  Can you help??

MEMBER OFFERS
Don’t forget the special offers specifically for Wootton Bassett Chamber members on our website www.woottonbassett.biz.  The latest is from Lis McDermott Photography offering a FREE business profile picture for Chamber members to use on websites, brochures, etc.  See here for latest offers.  We are looking for more, so if you have a discount/benefit for local members or for the wider North/West Wilts WACC membership, email secretary@woottonbassett.biz.

WILTSHIRE PARKING STRATEGY
You still have chance to comment on the new parking strategy from Wiltshire Council (until Friday 3rd September).  The draft strategy is available for viewing at http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal.

WELCOME
Welcome to our latest new member Supercakes.  We’ve been pleased to meet owner Diane at our last couple of Chamber get-togethers, so it’s great to welcome her to our group ‘officially’ now.  Supercakes makes and decorates cakes for all occasions.  Visit www.supercakes.co.uk for more info and some fab pictures.

COLLEGE COURSES
Swindon College is offering business courses this autumn, including selling, time management and presentation skills. A course guide available to download from the website.
http://www.swindon-college.ac.uk/news/new-autumn-2010-part-time-courses

CHIPPENHAM RIVER FESTIVAL – 28/29th Aug, Monkton Park
The organisers are particularly keen to sign up a few more business team entries for the raft race – so maybe you could put a team together?  Get back to them this week if you’re interested.  See their website here.
 
UPDATED WESSEX WEBSITE
Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce (WACC) launched its updated website in July.  See www.wessexchambers.org.uk.  All Chamber members have a listing in the business directory and there are details of all the Privilege Card offers.  

Did you find this email useful/informative?  We are constantly looking at ways to improve services to members, so any feedback will be appreciated.

www.woottonbassett.biz

The Wootton Bassett Chamber is a member of the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce
Registered in England No. 02911453
VAT Reg. No. 639 4392 08