At the AGM on 26th April, Andrew Pywell was elected Chair of the Fairford & Lechlade Business Club. Helen Webb was elected to Vice-Chair. Other elected members of the Steering Group are: Des Coates, Jan Federlein, David Fowles, Trish Poole, Chris Roberts, Heidi Sear, Jason Smith and Madeleine Tierney.

Andrew Pywell runs his own business, Plan-A Planning & Development Ltd, and Helen Webb is the Deputy Marketing Director at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, who organise the Royal International Air Tattoo.

After three good years in the Chair of Fairford & Lechlade Business Club, Tim Small, owner of Lechlade Trout Fisheries, has decided to stand down and hand over the reins to new blood. Under Tim's leadership, the Club has grown from strength to strength with possibly the largest membership in the area. The Club is pleased that Tim is not leaving the Club completely and will continue to be an active member and even offering to continue to host the very popular August BBQ at his Bushyleaze Lake. Thank you, Tim, for all your hard work and dedication over the past three years.

Over 100 business people from all over Gloucestershire – not just Fairford and Lechlade - attended the 5th annual Fairford & Lechlade Business Club Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the newly refurbished Crown of Crucis Hotel at the end of January. Following a delicious three course meal of Oak Smoked Duck Breast; Pan Fried Tenderloin of Old Spot Pork and a choice of sumptuous desserts, many of the guests were able to treat themselves to a real bargain in the Grand Auction, which was conducted by Roy Bowyer from Moore, Allen & Innocent. The prizes included a day at Cheltenham Races for 2 people; a specially commissioned portrait painted an acclaimed local artist; overnight stay at a luxury lodge for 6 people and a round of golf for 4 people.

But the highlight of the evening and, indeed, the whole business year was the Awards Ceremony which celebrates and recognises company excellence and achievement as well as the potential of budding entrepreneurs from Farmor’s School.

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