For many years I have played table tennis in Medway, Maidstone & Ashford. Currently I am only playing in the Maidstone league for Hillreed Homes. The firm sponsor the local league, cover all the costs of entering their teams, and provide a venue for the home matches. The firm have a very long and successful affiliation with the league, but recent developments mean a nationwide house builder have brought the firm and is likely to lead to their withdrawal from the league in any capacity. What this means for the league only time will tell, and I'm sure alternative sponsors will be sought to assist the league financially (and in many other ways). What is certainly true is that the league/local community has benefited from the company support, and may suffer as a result. But the support was purely to support the league, there was no true financial benefit to the company beyond a small amount of publicity, and the odd blog!
Now I find myself in a position to be able to support some events in this manner, but at what cost? R L Surveys Ltd is doing well, but at what point do you take on a commitment in the community for the long haul?
Monday 10 March 2014
Saturday 27 October 2012
Know your neighbour
Has anyone ever flicked through the blogs directly following them on the site, well I have and it is a bizarre collection:-
1) What a complete blunt - The trials and tribulations of your average everyday man-whore....
2) Taste of Vanilla - Things overheard in public
3) Monologos Esporadicos - An insight to the life and thoughts of an ordinary man
4) Smile Like you mean it - Design, Location, Independence,, Social Media, Irreverence
5) Travels aboard the Blue Selkie
Nothing if not diverse, but I'm thinking I need to make this blog more quirky, with more pictures...
1) What a complete blunt - The trials and tribulations of your average everyday man-whore....
2) Taste of Vanilla - Things overheard in public
3) Monologos Esporadicos - An insight to the life and thoughts of an ordinary man
4) Smile Like you mean it - Design, Location, Independence,, Social Media, Irreverence
5) Travels aboard the Blue Selkie
Nothing if not diverse, but I'm thinking I need to make this blog more quirky, with more pictures...
Monday 24 September 2012
It'll never happen again!!
Cracked the top ten for the top division averages, ok it's only after the first match but I'll enjoy it for now!! Enough said. 1st Division - Player Averages |  |
Only displaying registered players of this division and players that have played more then 100% of games. Click here to view all players averages
| PLAYER | TEAM | RATING | P | W | L | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIPPERFIELD, Dean | HILA | 2876 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100.0% |
| BANNISTER, Steve | CIV1 | 2872 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100.0% |
| CRIPPS, Mick | MWCB | 2914 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100.0% |
| WRAPSON, Will | BARC | 2855 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100.0% |
| FRENCH, Graham | MWCA | 3059 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100.0% |
| PETERS, Nigel | MWCA | 2982 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100.0% |
| BARDEN, Greg | MWCB | 2991 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| HOLIDAY, Mike | HILD | 2624 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| SAVILL, Charlie | LARB | 2711 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| FEAVER, Richard | BARA | 2874 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| LEES, Brian | HILA | 2796 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| HEATON, Mark | BARC | 2762 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| BALL, Martin | BARB | 2895 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| MALHOTRA, Raghu | BARC | 2775 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| WATERS, Gary | LARA | 2946 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| LAWS, Brian | MWCC | 2926 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| WOOLLVEN, Paul | MWCA | 2925 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| DRURY, Chris | MWCC | 2849 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| THOMPSON, Spencer | CIV1 | 2940 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| TOVEY, Emma | BARA | 2879 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| ARMORY, John | BARB | 2791 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| DINNES, Kevin | CIV1 | 2817 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| HOLBROOK, Paul | BARB | 2868 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| HENDERSON, Mark | MWCB | 2948 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| HARRIS, Dan | LARC | 2555 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0% |
| BIRD, John | LARB | 2612 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0% |
| DOUST, Alan | MWCC | 2709 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0% |
| HARRIS, Roger | BARA | 2778 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0% |
| CLUCAS, Hazel | LARA | 2618 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0% |
| HALL, Adrian | LARA | 2642 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0% |
Sunday 23 September 2012
Taking Responsibility
In the coming weeks we have the AGM of my daughters schools Friends Association, and currently they are short a Chairperson, Secretary & Treasurer (possibly even more). General consensus in the play ground is to take a step back from these roles on the simple ground that the system is too established & 'clicky'. However the result of this could be the loss of an important source of funding for the school, and affect our children's education.
The solution? A complete overhaul of the Association? Hope someone else steps up? Bite the bullet and step up? Let the association die?
All options, some less viable than others. I'd personally love to take on more responsibility but it's not in my nature to be the front person - the idea of chairing a group of virtual strangers comes a close second to pulling my own finger nails!! Co-chair, maybe if someone else is equally willing to be the face/voice but is not so fussed on being the engine. Obviously time could be an issue but if enough people we're willing you could 'sub' the work out to various other people with each 'quango' taking on their own event.
Whoever steps up needs to be in the role for some years to ensure continuity, and perhaps gradually bring new people in and I would suggest trying to get the local businesses involved - almost make it more of a business than an Association. They have to embrace whatever options are out there to get the community interested which I suspect will mean Social Media going against the preference of the current system possibly - so a balance needs to be found on that front because not following the masses in this case will only be to the detriment of the funding in the longer term.
I'm probably talking/typing myself into a hole here!! Best get back to my lovely smelling roast/gloss paint combo!!
The solution? A complete overhaul of the Association? Hope someone else steps up? Bite the bullet and step up? Let the association die?
All options, some less viable than others. I'd personally love to take on more responsibility but it's not in my nature to be the front person - the idea of chairing a group of virtual strangers comes a close second to pulling my own finger nails!! Co-chair, maybe if someone else is equally willing to be the face/voice but is not so fussed on being the engine. Obviously time could be an issue but if enough people we're willing you could 'sub' the work out to various other people with each 'quango' taking on their own event.
Whoever steps up needs to be in the role for some years to ensure continuity, and perhaps gradually bring new people in and I would suggest trying to get the local businesses involved - almost make it more of a business than an Association. They have to embrace whatever options are out there to get the community interested which I suspect will mean Social Media going against the preference of the current system possibly - so a balance needs to be found on that front because not following the masses in this case will only be to the detriment of the funding in the longer term.
I'm probably talking/typing myself into a hole here!! Best get back to my lovely smelling roast/gloss paint combo!!
Thursday 16 August 2012
One year on
That's it we've succeeded in staying afloat for one year, and we go into year two with a solid number of quotes on the books - but has it been worth it?
The general consensus is yes, but there are obvious downsides which are regrettable. However life is too short to dwell on the past - but a warning never mix business with pleasure you need to keep the lines well defined. We have not spoken to our former business partners properly in the best part of 7 months now, and we would love to get back in touch but don't feel the first move can now be made by us however they may feel they can't make the first move. We can forgive and forget, but as it stands we can't even consider opening the door again to a business union. All parties have their part in fault, and annoyingly (in a good way) the business is progressing at a good pace and a second pair of hands would help - but at what cost?
Back to business though, one year and the best part of 100 tenders issued out for consideration with an average return of a little over 50%. At times it has been hectic, but always rewarding, and never dull. I've found more time to be with the children but I think the missus gets a little over looked as work gets done in the evening more. So year two will see the advent of 'ring fenced' time - well if the political parties can ring fence things I feel I should try it as well!! Hopefully this will allow for a little more time off, and who knows maybe even a few days completely away from the business.
What will year two bring - BIG decisions - do we employ staff to cover the growing workload assuming growth continues at a similar pace? If we are employing staff do we need to consider more permanent offices, or approach the situation with a more laid back attitude and have an open house?? Shall we get a second mortgage for some big fancy kit1?
So any volunteers to cast a detached eye over the business and offer constructive advice might be well received as it is always easier to see the big picture when your not on the canvas yourself!!
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The general consensus is yes, but there are obvious downsides which are regrettable. However life is too short to dwell on the past - but a warning never mix business with pleasure you need to keep the lines well defined. We have not spoken to our former business partners properly in the best part of 7 months now, and we would love to get back in touch but don't feel the first move can now be made by us however they may feel they can't make the first move. We can forgive and forget, but as it stands we can't even consider opening the door again to a business union. All parties have their part in fault, and annoyingly (in a good way) the business is progressing at a good pace and a second pair of hands would help - but at what cost?
Back to business though, one year and the best part of 100 tenders issued out for consideration with an average return of a little over 50%. At times it has been hectic, but always rewarding, and never dull. I've found more time to be with the children but I think the missus gets a little over looked as work gets done in the evening more. So year two will see the advent of 'ring fenced' time - well if the political parties can ring fence things I feel I should try it as well!! Hopefully this will allow for a little more time off, and who knows maybe even a few days completely away from the business.
What will year two bring - BIG decisions - do we employ staff to cover the growing workload assuming growth continues at a similar pace? If we are employing staff do we need to consider more permanent offices, or approach the situation with a more laid back attitude and have an open house?? Shall we get a second mortgage for some big fancy kit1?
So any volunteers to cast a detached eye over the business and offer constructive advice might be well received as it is always easier to see the big picture when your not on the canvas yourself!!
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Friday 22 June 2012
Plumbing
What is the world coming to I buy the part for a new flush system on the toilet, get the part home all seems to be working fine except there is a hole in the packet and someone has removed both washers from the pack making it useless! Of course I take it back to complain/exchange but feel so guilty with the looks for 'are you honestly telling me it wasn't you who removed the washers!!'.
Anyhow back on the job and I find that the cistern tank is a slightly smaller size that the siphon is designed for so I find myself wedging it into the tank, tightening up all the fittings, and then the moment of truth turning the water on only to hear the stead hiss of water coming out for the intake pipe!! This was not even part of the equation originally. At this time I'm going to have an 'Only Fools and Horses' moment it is the same toilet but it has had a new siphon, ball cock, flush lever, toilet seat........ but I'm refusing to change the toilet now since there are plans a foot to redo the bathroom in the coming years anyway!! I won't be sad to say goodbye to our bathroom currently sponsored by Sainsbury's - those who have seen it will understand!!
Back to work now - and I think copious amounts of sealant will be used. Then I can put my feet up....oh no it's Rosie's 5th birthday today, I have surveys to draw up and a group of screaming five year olds round tomorrow!!! My life is anything but quiet sometimes..
Anyhow back on the job and I find that the cistern tank is a slightly smaller size that the siphon is designed for so I find myself wedging it into the tank, tightening up all the fittings, and then the moment of truth turning the water on only to hear the stead hiss of water coming out for the intake pipe!! This was not even part of the equation originally. At this time I'm going to have an 'Only Fools and Horses' moment it is the same toilet but it has had a new siphon, ball cock, flush lever, toilet seat........ but I'm refusing to change the toilet now since there are plans a foot to redo the bathroom in the coming years anyway!! I won't be sad to say goodbye to our bathroom currently sponsored by Sainsbury's - those who have seen it will understand!!
Back to work now - and I think copious amounts of sealant will be used. Then I can put my feet up....oh no it's Rosie's 5th birthday today, I have surveys to draw up and a group of screaming five year olds round tomorrow!!! My life is anything but quiet sometimes..
Saturday 16 June 2012
Fathers Day 2012
Woken and down stairs my 6am (not in the scheduling for today I'm sure!), but got given my present from the girls (thank you Mummy good choice!). But now approaching half seven they want breakfast which of course I am happy to help with but they are adamant that I can't have any as mine needs to be served in bed - the bed that is currently home to their sleeping Mummy. I fear the end is near and I may die of starvation before seeing even a hint of a Corn Flake, but the alternative of defying the odds and eating breakfast early is likely to end in screams and tears from two little girls - and I though business decisions were hard!!!
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