an auction prize at an Andover Youth Football Tournament held each year in memory of Troy Parker. 

Troy died in May 2002 (aged 12) as the result of a road accident, he was on his bike and hit by a car. Thought to be an insignificant knock on the day it happened, Troy died 8 days later. He was football mad and so his family and his team, The Test Valley Lions, established the annual tournament which last year saw 99 local teams (girls, boys and adults) take part over a two-day event. They have raised £46,703 so far....

Stannah decided to donate two tickets to an Arsenal game at The Emirates Stadium and, fittingly, it was Troy's uncle and aunt, Wayne and Lorraine Annetts who secured the tickets in the auction. As Wayne is an Arsenal fan and Lorraine a Liverpool fan the 10th February clash was chosen.

On a freezing night the winners were met and escorted by Colin Payne, Stannah Dartford Branch Manager (also an Arsenal fan).

The victory was Arsenal’s but a good time was had by all. 

Wayne commented: ‘Thanks for a wonderful night it was great from the moment we met Colin at Waterloo. I cannot praise Colin enough for the way that he looked after us, he had thought of everything. It was great to see our teams play but the company and atmosphere made the night.’

Troy died in May 2002 (aged 12) as the result of a road accident, he was on his bike and hit by a car. Thought to be an insignificant knock on the day it happened, Troy died 8 days later. He was football mad and so his family and his team, The Test Valley Lions, established the annual tournament which last year saw 99 local teams (girls, boys and adults) take part over a two-day event. They have raised £46,703 so far....

Stannah decided to donate two tickets to an Arsenal game at The Emirates Stadium and, fittingly, it was Troy's uncle and aunt, Wayne and Lorraine Annetts who secured the tickets in the auction. As Wayne is an Arsenal fan and Lorraine a Liverpool fan the 10th February clash was chosen.

On a freezing night the winners were met and escorted by Colin Payne, Stannah Dartford Branch Manager (also an Arsenal fan).

The victory was Arsenal’s but a good time was had by all.

Wayne commented: ‘Thanks for a wonderful night it was great from the moment we met Colin at Waterloo. I cannot praise Colin enough for the way that he looked after us, he had thought of everything. It was great to see our teams play but the company and atmosphere made the night.’

Local company Stannah have long been supporters of the school, contributing the whole amount the school had to raise from local business to successfully apply for Specialist Status from the Department for Children, Schools and Family (DCSF). The school now has ‘Cognitive & Learning’ Specialist Status which gives them additional funding of £300,000 in total over the next 3 years.

So when Icknield School Headteacher Sharon Ghiacy was asked if there was anything else Stannah could help the school with, via their staff volunteering scheme, Sharon pointed out ‘a very small problem’ in one area of the school playground.

The school had been given a storage cabin which stood in the corner of the playground but it extended right across the marked pathway that guided the childrenon bikes and scooters, on foot or in wheelchairs. If it could be turned just 90 degrees to stand alongside the track life would be that little bit easier for everyone.

Stannah Premises Maintenance Manager, Gary Woods, takes up the story:

‘I popped along to survey the site in October 2009 and realised this little problem may be growing. We considered all sorts of ways of keeping our promise but each time we came up against obstacles. Access was the first problem and then the cabin weighed in at 2.2 tons empty and 4 tons full, too heavy for our own vehicles. Then the snow fell and we began to think we’d never get the job done. Eventually we enlisted a Stannah supplier who, very kindly, was only too pleased to help us solve the problem.’

Father and son, Brian and Jim Bailey run Meon Valley Crane Hire and were due to do some work for Stannah in January. So, once the children had all left for the day the massive crane squeezed through the only gateway to the site and began the smooth turning of the cabin, making it look like a matchbox. The Stannah maintenance team did a little tree pruning to make room for the cabin’s new position and plenty of manual guiding of the suspended cabin to get it in the perfect place. 

Poignantly, the cabin revealed a lost teddy bear who became the symbol of the whole operation.

Icknield Deputy Headteacher Ruth Drewett watched the proceedings and was delighted with the results: ‘When I saw the size of the crane approaching I realised our small problem had definitely grown! We are so grateful to Stannah and Meon Valley Crane Hire. The playground circuit can now be used as it was intended and the children are absolutely delighted.’

Pictured:  The team that made the difference at Icknield School -

L to R:  Gary Woods (Maintenance Manager), Geoff Whatley(Maintenance Supervisor), Brian Bailey(Meon Valley Crane Hire), Ruth Drewett and the lost bear, Jim Bailey (Meon Valley Crane Hire), Steve Collins (Maintenance Team Leader), Derek Mitchell (Maintenance Operative) and Pete Mildenhall (Maintenance Operative).

The unit takes shoppers with their shopping trolleys effortlessly from the car park into the new 11,500sq ft Co-operative Food store and new 5Rise shopping centre beyond.

This unusual inclined walkway is lit by eco-friendly LED units to direct pedestrians safely into the store. The wheels of the trolley cleverly lock into the bed of the moving walkway to ensure ultimate safety at all times.

The £5 million 5Rise complex, opened in December 2009, is part of a master plan to revitalise the Airedale towns of Keighley, Bingley and Shipley. The plan focuses on the core of the town and aims to provide a much-improved environment for residents and visitors alike. The vision centres on three elements; development, transport and environmental projects.

The original Myrtle Walk Shopping Centre was earmarked for demolition and total redevelopment, however the developers, 4Urban, managed to regenerate most of the existing buildings, whilst adding some new build for the new food store and also relocating the library to a state-of-the art facility within the scheme. The result is the new shopping centre and library that will act as a catalyst for the next phases of the redevelopment of the town-centre. 

The impressive development incorporates a chain of pedestrian walkways to link all facilities in the town centre. The Stannah moving walkway replaces a difficult and uninviting flight of steps and provides the ideal pedestrian link to the south car park.

Architect for 5Rise: FJ Architects

Developer: 4Urban

Authority: Bradford City Council

Contractor: Spring & Co

Since opening in September 2009, the lift has played a vital role in opening up the comprehensive teaching facilities, ranged over five floors, to two hundred students plus staff and visitors. By optimising access for everyone, including those with compromised mobility, it also helps the school’s owners meet with the requirements of the DDA.

With the hydraulic-drive system in the pit and the controller in any of the landing architraves, this flexible, motor room-less model saves on space and cost, making it the ideal choice for this contemporary and innovative building which features a number of environmental features, including solar water heating.

Woodbridge School Headmaster, Stephen Cole, is delighted with the Belstead Centre and with the moving role played by its Stannah passenger lift: “Our new high-tech 6th-form teaching complex helps us to maintain and develop our reputation for producing well-educated, secure and confident young people who will become the happy and balanced adults of the future. Since the complex opened, our Stannah Maxilift M passenger lift has helped students and staff access its outstanding facilities. Life and learning would be very difficult without it!”

A major development programme, including a brand new visitors’ quiet room, a refurbished chapel area and a revamped reception, rendered the original 2-stop, single-entry lift unable to provide the essential ‘behind-the-scenes’ movement of deceased patients from the 16-bed unit on the first floor to the Chapel of Rest below.

With Grade II constraints ruling out the installation of a new lift, the Bristol branch of Stannah Lifts Services completely transformed the original into a highly versatile, through-car stretcher lift for use by everyone involved. Critically, it provides for the discreet transport of deceased patients: the ground-floor car door to the reception area can be locked against general access whilst the opposite car door opens into the chapel area. It also helps Sue Ryder Care meet with the requirements of the DDA and BS5655.

Retaining only the original guides, car and sling, this ‘down-to-the-guides’ rejuvenation saw the installation of new entrances, a pump unit and controller. This comprehensive makeover has resulted in problem-free performance since handover in December 2008, as Hospice Head of Support Services, Steve Kirkwood, confirms: “The need to develop our facilities meant that our original passenger lift couldn’t provide the sensitive service required. As Grade II Listing made the installation of a new lift impracticable, Stannah Lift Services’ thorough refurbishment has given us the ideal lift for the job. Going on its present performance, our modernised lift is set to provide a flawless service for the foreseeable future.”

Stannah Lift Services maintains, services, repairs, modernises and refurbishes all types of lifts, stairlifts, escalators and moving walkways – not only those from the Stannah product range, but also other lift manufacturers’ equipment. The company also offers a Bespoke Lifts service, custom-building lifts to meet customers’ specific requirements.

A major development programme, including a brand new visitors’ quiet room, a refurbished chapel area and a revamped reception, rendered the original 2-stop, single-entry lift unable to provide the essential ‘behind-the-scenes’ movement of deceased patients from the 16-bed unit on the first floor to the Chapel of Rest below.

With Grade II constraints ruling out the installation of a new lift, the Bristol branch of Stannah Lifts Services completely transformed the original into a highly versatile, through-car stretcher lift for use by everyone involved. Critically, it provides for the discreet transport of deceased patients: the ground-floor car door to the reception area can be locked against general access whilst the opposite car door opens into the chapel area. It also helps Sue Ryder Care meet with the requirements of the DDA and BS5655.

Retaining only the original guides, car and sling, this ‘down-to-the-guides’ rejuvenation saw the installation of new entrances, a pump unit and controller. This comprehensive makeover has resulted in problem-free performance since handover in December 2008, as Hospice Head of Support Services, Steve Kirkwood, confirms: “The need to develop our facilities meant that our original passenger lift couldn’t provide the sensitive service required. As Grade II Listing made the installation of a new lift impracticable, Stannah Lift Services’ thorough refurbishment has given us the ideal lift for the job. Going on its present performance, our modernised lift is set to provide a flawless service for the foreseeable future.”

Stannah Lift Services maintains, services, repairs, modernises and refurbishes all types of lifts, stairlifts, escalators and moving walkways – not only those from the Stannah product range, but also other lift manufacturers’ equipment. The company also offers a Bespoke Lifts service, custom-building lifts to meet customers’ specific requirements.

12 January 2010

Dear Sirs

Yesterday I rang your Brackley Service Station at 0910 to report a problem with our stair lift. A mechanic arrived at 1040 and corrected the fault in about 10-15 minutes.

Both members of your staff were most helpful and efficient. I am most grateful for this excellent service.

Yours faithfully

D Willis

In keeping with the hospital’s commitment to excellent patient care, Bristol Stannah Lift Services Ltd was commissioned to give the two lifts a complete overhaul.  From satin-stainless-steel lift cars to entrances, controllers and slings, all components were replaced in order to deliver and maintain the highest level of long-lasting performance within this challenging environment.  

Contracts & Specialist Services Manager, John Stewart, commented: “To maintain the safety for our patients, equipment has to operate to the highest standard.  The two bed lifts refurbished by Stannah provide a superior service for the safe and efficient movement of patients and staff with the inclusion of expensive and sophisticated lift technology.”

Stannah Lift Services maintains, services, repairs, modernises and refurbishes all types of lifts, stairlifts, escalators and moving walkways – not only those from the Stannah product range, but also other lift manufacturers’ equipment.  The company also offers a bespoke lifts service, custom-building lifts to meet customers’ specific requirements.

In keeping with the hospital’s commitment to excellent patient care, Bristol Stannah Lift Services Ltd was commissioned to give the two lifts a complete overhaul.  From satin-stainless-steel lift cars to entrances, controllers and slings, all components were replaced in order to deliver and maintain the highest level of long-lasting performance within this challenging environment.  

Contracts & Specialist Services Manager, John Stewart, commented: “To maintain the safety for our patients, equipment has to operate to the highest standard.  The two bed lifts refurbished by Stannah provide a superior service for the safe and efficient movement of patients and staff with the inclusion of expensive and sophisticated lift technology.”

Stannah Lift Services maintains, services, repairs, modernises and refurbishes all types of lifts, stairlifts, escalators and moving walkways – not only those from the Stannah product range, but also other lift manufacturers’ equipment.  The company also offers a bespoke lifts service, custom-building lifts to meet customers’ specific requirements.

Our ‘lifting the lid’ slogan precedes the hourly update of what’s happening in Andover and North Hampshire and has done since the new radio station was launched. Since then The Guide has grown and grown in popularity. Our sponsorship means you can list your local event completely free of charge and add it to the station website too. 

It’s a great way of getting your message out there – along with our name too! 

Tune in to 106.4FM any day of the week, on the hour, every hour for The Guide ‘lifting the lid on community events’.

Stannah service engineer Ashley Lough was delighted to give Nora’s stairlift its annual service and update the footrest too. 

Stannah Field Service Manager, Andy Kendrick, took the good news to Nora and comments:

‘It was a pleasure to call on Mrs Innes. She told me she was born in Leicestershire in 1908 (when average life expectancy was 47 years), has three children and four great-grandchildren and expressed her extreme gratitude for our gesture. It really sparked off thoughts about the huge changes she has seen in her lifetime – including the invention of a stairlift!’

Local company, Stannah, have sponsored this initiative for a number of years, but this year they are adding four delivery volunteers to their cheque for £700.  Jacqui Turley, Kevin Bennett, Martin Alexander and Lynne Johnson are looking forward to helping Age Concern distribute the seasonal goodies.

Jon Stannah comments:

‘We are delighted to add a little extra to our support of this Age Concern scheme. This year many members of our staff have volunteered in support of numerous Andover charities, across all age groups in the community. Getting personnel involved gives us a greater understanding of ways we can help in the future and the real difference these charities are making to people’s lives.’

Up to eighty elderly people will benefit from the Christmas hamper scheme which sees the Andover Age Concern staff assembling a collection of treats and essential food items to ensure a little Christmas cheer is delivered to their door.

Valerie Partridge from Andover Age Concern, who has organised this wonderful project for many years, explains:

‘By working with many agencies in Andover and the more isolated rural areas we are able to give these wonderful Christmas Goodies to the elderly who most need them.  They are on their own for Christmas and they love to have some presents to unwrap on Christmas day.  With the money given by Stannah we can give them treats such as a Christmas cake, mince pies tins of fruit salad and much more.  This year is even better as the volunteers from Stannah will be more involved and meet the people who are going to benefit. It’s a fantastic example of the community pulling together, often the elderly are forgotten at Christmas.’

To find out more about how you can support the work of Age Concern by donations or volunteering please call 01264 354425 or

email: acandover@hotmail.com

Caption: (left to right) Martin Alexander, Lynne Johnson, Gabrielle Preedy, Chairman (Age Concern), Jon Stannah, Valerie Partridge, Christmas Parcel co-ordinator (Age Concern) and Kevin Bennett.

The girls, who have been together for 5 years are determined to get noticed in their league this season and team manager, Ken Hardy, is backing them all the way:  ‘The girls are delighted with their new look that has actually lifted their spirits for the start of the season. Many thanks to Stannah for getting the fixture list off to a flying start.’

Wolversdene Youth Football Club was established in 2004 and now run 15 youth teams, from Under 7s to Under 16s, girls and boys, with a total of 170 children involved in the Club. The Club is run entirely by a group of volunteers who just want to enable the children to play the game they love.

After only one season the Club obtained the FA’s Charter Standard Award. Achieving this brings new pressures of having to train all coaches to Qualified Stage 1 status at a cost of £200 per adult. All Club running costs are generated through fundraising and most teams are sponsored by local companies or individuals.

You can see the Girls Under-15 team playing on Sundays at the Charlton Leisure Centre.

To find out more about how to join Wolversdene as a player or volunteer please  call Steve Murphy 077718455691 or Debra Murphy 01264 333398.

As part of their ‘ lifting community spirits’ initiative to support all sectors of Andover community local company, Stannah visited Fusion and were very impressed with their endeavours.

Jon Stannah comments ‘This is a group of up to thirty young working people who are dedicating many volunteer hours to helping young people within the Andover community.  Their challenges are huge but they seem undeterred.  We have simply provided the Fusion volunteers with some hoodies to serve as a casual uniform so they are identifiable as the team leaders.  The building they work from is really in need of renovation and in particular re-roofing and if anyone has time, materials and skill they could donate, Fusion would be most grateful’.

Fusion began at the warehouse in October 2008 and has seen over 200 hundred young people come through it doors this year alone.  The young people who attend Fusion come from many different backgrounds and simply need a safe space to meet on a Friday night.

One of the key team leaders Sarah comments: ‘We are really grateful for the interest Stannah have shown in our work.  At the current time, according to Test Valley Borough Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Officer for Andover and the Safer Streets Police co-coordinator, Fusion is the only provider of open access youth work on a Friday night in North Andover.  We welcome new volunteers, visiting agencies and anyone who can enable us to support young people in Andover.’

To get in touch to find out more information about Fusion, please text the team on 07543837824 or email them on valley.fusion@hotmail.co.uk.