Gillingham & Shaftesbury Guide December 2018

A note from the Chairman of the Gillingham Chamber of Commerce
Wow what a busy hot summer we have had. It is hard to believe that the
nights have drawn in and preparations for Christmas will soon be upon us.
During the summer I had the pleasure of judging one of the categories for
The Blackmore Vale Business Awards and visited several of the finalists.
There are some amazing business in our Town and surrounding area, all worthy of mention,
however I am proud to say that Gillingham’s Howell landscaping was one of the deserving
finalists in the Small Business Awards and Keith Browning from Dextra , one of our past
Chamber Committee members won Business Man of the year award. Many congratulations
to both.
In September we started a monthly Network Happy Hour Evening on a 3-month trial basis
which has been extremely successful, we aim to continue this regular event in 2019. We
welcome fellow business owners to join us in the Wine Bar for a Happy Hour to have an
informal chat and a chance to network so please look out for future dates and join us.
Sadly, the Next Steps evening was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, we are
waiting to hear from Gillingham School before we announce the new date. We will be sure
to let you know. This evening offers an opportunity to showcase your business to the next
generation of workers.
For those members with shops and businesses in the High Street, Gillingham Town Council
have organised a Festive Lighting Event, starting with a Window competition for the best
dressed Christmas Window, Judging will be on the 28 th November. On the 30 th November,
Entertainment will start at 5pm on the meadow and Father Christmas will Parade along the
High Street starting at 6pm lots of fun for all the family;
Over the last three months we have said fond farewells to our Treasurer Robert Setchell
who has moved to pastures new in Devon, Rob remains a member as he still operates the
Dorset Chef. Julie Cousins our Secretary has retired due to work commitments and Vice
Chairman Rebecca Anthill has left to start a new job in London. We wish them all well;
We are very excited to welcome our New Treasurer Bev Kemp from TS Accounting, Karen
Auckland from Farnfields is our new secretary. We have two new committee members Tom
Shean from Clifford T Shean Electrics and Mark Hansford from Telecom Services ,so
looking forward to some fresh ideas and moving forward
with the new committee;
I would like to take this opportunity by Wishing all our
members a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous 2019
Best Wishes
Sharon
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