This page will show brief snippets of previous meetings, please contact the speaker for more information:
Meeting 30th April – Sarah Talbot – Garden Designs -Chair
There was a good number of members in attendance, several apologies had been received and there were also two guests. Megan Gibbons the Manager of Cook, the new frozen food shop adjacent to Waitrose and Dave Gibson, a self-employed tree surgeon from Blandford.
The new format of the membership structure of £100 pa to include what was originally charged as a £3 per person per meeting, attendance fee, was widely welcomed. In future the joining fee for new members will be £30.
In general, most people seemed fairly buoyant about their current business levels, no one said they were doing anything in particular, such as new marketing strategies to increase business but there was an overall feeling of optimism. Although, some of us are experiencing situations where potential customers’ budgets are taking precedence over quality and personal service.
Paul from West Coast Window Centre said they had had their best winter yet. Lesley Ford said that the owner of a Datsun 260Z was so pleased with their restoration work that he asked them to do some additional work on the engine bay, to complete the job. Megan said Cook had got off to a strong start in the town and several of us had sampled their food and agreed it was extremely tasty and good value.
Tim Gallego too was optimistic, but said that cash ISAs were not worth doing because the return was so poor, but Investment ISAs were performing well. He also asked if anyone who hadn’t yet paid their subscription, could do so soon.
There was an enthusiastic show of hands for Neil’s arrangements to visit the Forge at Langton Herring, planned for 28th May at £5 per person, please email Neil before next week, those who would like to attend.
Meeting 19th March _ Ivor Cardall – Utility Warehouse -Chair
The meeting started around 5-40 after waiting for late arrivals.
All members introduced themselves and gave a brief description of their businesses. Jo Maidment gave us an insite into her Energy Consultancy Business.
Ivor gave a talk on the benefits of joining the Utility Warehouse Discount club, which includes providing the cheapest phone,broadband,mobile phones standard gas and electricity,Guaranteed. Members who already use U W for their services learnt how to save more money using the unique cashback card which reduces the cost of services even further.
The business sheet was passed around and recent jobs were recorded.
Meeting finished at 6-35pm. In all it proved to be a good and lively meeting.
Meeting 5th March – Open meeting for Visitors
This was one of DOC’s occasional meetings that are held to introduce visitors to the group.
Leigh in the chair started by welcoming members and guests of which there were many, a good turn out all agreed.
The members then took their 1 minute to introduce themselves and their business, this was followed by the guests who were given the same oppertunity.
This provoked several questions and a good dialogue was started.
As promised Adrian gave a talk on the new tax laws coming into force, a brief overview here:
Adrian Bridle of Poundbury Tax Consultancy spoke to members and guests about the introduction by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) of Pay As You Earn in Real Time (RTI).
Only businesses with employees or businesses run through a limited company are affected by RTI. Adrian stressed that as RTI was being introduced on 6 April 2013 it was important for those affected to ensure that:
- Payroll software is upgraded to cope with RTI.
- Employee information is complete and accurate so that it matches that held by HMRC.
- New information required under RTI is obtained and given to HMRC to avoid unnecessary communications.
- Contingency plans are in place should computer/internet access not be available when employees are being paid.
HMRC have issued letters to those affected and further guidance was offered via the HMRC website.
For more information call Adrian on 01305 26887
Tim Gallego from Poundbury Wealth Management then gave an overview of the benefits of joing DOC
Leigh then thanked everyone again for attending and closed the meeting.
Meeting 19th February 2013
DOC turned out 
in force (5!) to support Darrin Hill who was Dame Dolly Drinkup in the annual pantomime at Preston.
Darren certainly proved that he is not only an excellent decorator but also a skilled thespian.
For 3 hours we were entertained with a very well staged extravaganza of gags and songs.
His wall paper hanging scene was particularly cunning, although I certainly wouldn’t be employing his decorating skills if this is what he does in his day job!
All those that could not make last night you still have every night this week plus two shows on Saturday,
Darrin makes a excellent woman, (You must have a strange taste in Women – Ed)fully recommend you go it will make you smile plus its for a good cause ( cancer charity)Ring to book 01305 834410 7.30 start Adults £6
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Meeting 5th Feb 2013 Tim Limbach of Dorset Water in the Chair
Tom, from Dorset Water Centre, of Dorchester, did a soap test to demonstrate the difference in suds between using hard and soft water. The soft water producing nice frothy water, whilst the hard produced no bubbles and plenty of scum. Tim offered a free installation on a Kinetico 2020c water softener, to DOC members, during February – a saving of up to £350!
See Dorset Water website for competion to win a weekend in Paris
Tim then started a discussion on how we could improve DOC. Did we need a vetting process for members? Should new members provide testimonials? Should new members undertake a trial membership?
This provoked a healthy discussion, but some members remained fairly quiet, which I believe is not helpful. It was decided to pretty much operate as we are currently, but for all members to work hard at promoting other members trades / skills and at inviting new members to the group. The meeting on March 5, is aimed at recruiting new members, so please make every effort to bring a guest to this informal meeting. Adrian Bridle, of Poundbury Tax Consultancy, will be doing a short presentation, which should benefit all those who attend.
It has also been suggested that we have a few meeting off-site, at place such as the Piddle Brewery, as these help liven us up rather than always sitting around a table discussing the same old things. Therefore, if anyone can think of any venue that may like to entertain, educate or market to us, please organize it, when it is your turn to ‘Chair’ the meeting.
The meeting closed with members able to promote anything of interest, which lead to a proposal that the meeting in two weeks’ time, on February 19th, be held in Preston, where Darrin is appearing in Pantomime. It was agreed that we should go as a group and Darrin will email the details along with any discounted group ticket prices.
This the first meeting of the 2013, was chaired By Leigh Hastings-Murray of Kitchen style,
Recorded business since last meeting was very encouraging as over £14,000.00 of business was done.
Then Leigh went on to discuss the pro’s & con’s of worktop materials that are available to the consumer in kitchen environments.
The members packs are in progress, Angie has got this in hand.
Neil successfully took part in xmas swim and survived and raised money for his chosen charity for re-homing dogs.
Darrin will be taking part in panto at Preston from 22nd of January, (not doing a world tour), contact him for more details.
With any other business discussed, the meeting was closed.
The next meeting will be 22nd January
Tuesday 27th November 2012
Chair – Leigh
Angie introduced her ideas for a members pack which was readily agreed and asked Angie to proceed with the prototype.
Brief discussion on the website and members were encouraged to send news to John M for inclusion, John is to prepare an HTML file for members to add the DOC logo & link to their websites.
Christmas dinner discussed and Tim asked all members and guests to settle on the night.
Gareth presented the list of dates and Chairs for next years meetings which are now on the website.
Tuesday 13th November 2012
Chair for Tuesday’s meeting was jointly hosted by Leigh & Tim.G
With a great turn out from members with plenty of exchanged & recorded business generated, figures to be released at next meeting.
With a board room style format went down well with members as it engaged every one.
Main topic was arranged chairs up and coming meetings. We had various suggestions with permanent chair & vice chair but it was felt that the commitment was too much on one or two members. So Gareth will sort out A rota system for next year this works out that everyone will only chair one meeting.
The chair will have the freedom to arrange meeting away from walnut grove if they so wish, if they cannot fulfil the dates given they find a replacement.
We will provide various agendas for them to follow suitable for each type of meeting.
Also the chair will have to sort out table arrangements at the walnut grove.
On the social side Tim G reminded everyone to confirm xmas meal attendance, payment & meal choice, everyone should have had a menu.
Meeting was closed with a few finding their way in the Blue Raddle.
Dorset County Show DOC Stand L7
Members were on hand to talk about DOC and to point visitors to individual members who can offer the services they require. Every one of the show visitors (from Dorset that is) are either potential members or customers of members so with a visitor number exceeding the expected 40,000 a busy couple of days was had!
more info Dorset County Show
Meeting 2nd October Leigh Hastings Murray in the chair
After open forum last night members thought we try DOC advert in local parish mags starting with Dorchester & Poundbury plus a couple of others, we have set aside budget of £500. We will use the doc card as a template for ads, hopefully this will drive customers & new members to the web site to locate businesses they require.
Also attending members agreed by the end of this year if any member has not attended 13 meetings then their category will become open for sharing.
So with 6 meetings left for this year how many have you been to?
You can check with Mark as he holds attendance records
Meeting 4th September
Neil Legg from Cleaner & Greener Carpet Cleaning was in the chair, much discusion on Dorchester Show centered around the good and badpoints of this years show and the general view was to go again next year.
General discussion was featured on how to promote DOC to its members benefit to the Dorset Community – several ideas were put forward which will be evaluated and if decided upon implemented in a Autumn campaign
Meeting 24th July 2012
Prior to our Mid Summer break members enjoyed a social evening at Dorchester’s Taste Restaurant – as the picture below shows an enjoyable evening was had by all.
Meeting 12 June 2012
In the chair, Adrian Bridle of Poundbury Tax Consultancy
Following on with the theme of his talk on tax evasion and tax avoidance, Adrian told members how successful some national companies had been in minimising their tax bills by using legal avoidance methods. It was felt, however, that using companies based in Luxembourg to achieve this was not something local businesses could afford! But it did highlight the need to get good accountancy and tax advice.
Tax evasion does result in penalties, both financial and, in some cases, custodial. Adrian advised members that recent prosecutions by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) had resulted in custodial sentences for a Poole man in a £7 million VAT fraud and a Bristol man who was involved in a £500k income tax fraud.
New taskforces have been set up by HMRC in various parts of the country to look at a number of different trades. This appears to suggest that if successful the taskforces will cover the whole country.
Finally, Adrian reminded members with payrolls that Real Time Information is being introduced by HMRC in 2013.
Meeting 15 – 05 – 12 In the chair
John Moyce from Osprey Marketing.
John outlined to the members the new DOC website his company has recently built and the various uses it can be put to.
We also discussed the various opportunities for additional businesses / trades to join us. These can be found following the link below.
Also discussed was the proposal that the members whose business would be of interest to Estate & or Letting agents should produce a pack to show the collective services within DOC and to invite the local agents to a presentation evening.
MEETING 01 – 05 – 12
In the chair Keith Clifton from B.W.Clifton Ltd
Keith outlined the wide range of services and equipment the business is involved with which includes;
Plant hire & repair – from ride on Lawn Mowers to Earth Movers and all in between – Ground Works, Foundations Drains, etc. – Demolition & Site Clearance.
For more information on their services call Keith on
01305 871 942
MEETING -17-4-12
Steve Lucas from Steve Lucas Carpet Supplies & Fitting was in the chair, after giving some background to his business the meeting was opened to the members to discuss how we can increase the already considerable inter business between members.
MEETING – 3-4-12
Tim Gallego of Poundbury Wealth Management gave a presentation on pensions, the main points being:
• Details of Pension Reform and the effect it will have on businesses
• NEST – the new government pension scheme for low-medium earners
• How Life Insurance premiums can be paid by employers and be tax deductible as a business expense and not taxable as a benefit, therefore much cheaper
