Well it comes to that time when all good chairmen need to step aside and let new blood take the group forward.

I wanted to take a quick look back at what we have achieved and why Julie Hatton and I set the group up over 3 years ago.

We looked at Wilmslow which looked tired in areas and decided we wanted to do something about it.

Looking back much has been achieved over the last nearly 4 years

Our aims were and remain 3 fold

1. To make Wilmslow a better looking place to live and work by working with authorities to achieve this and in so doing give businesses in the town a voice
2. To help us do business to business through Networking and giving business to each other
3. To put something back into the community by raising money for Charity

Some of the things we have Achieved

1. So we as a group now have representation on the Wilmslow Forum & The Local Area Partnership

We have organised Christmas light switch on

We planted 1000's of bulbs on little lindow (those who did it have blisters to prove it) through a grant from ground works

Established a list of issues by walking the streets ie broken bins etc that now 3 years on the Wilmslow Trust and Councillors are now working with and improving upon.

2.As a group we have grown our website which is now receiving thousands of hits giving group members the chance to do business with other businesses.

We have a sucessful member card which is held by hundreds of staff in wilmlsow

We have organised meetings with our Mp George Osborne (who has been very supportive of the WBG) to discuss business issues

3. Putthing something back to show the residents that businesses do care

We raised money for Guide Dogs For the blind in support of Mike Newmans new dog raised money for the David Lewis centre Animal Sanctuary/Scamps /Children in Need/Red Nose day

So as i hand over to our New Chair Steve Morris and exciting times ahead i'd like to recognise we have had help from many people but some special people need to be recognised.

Firstly Julie Hatton who even now is always supporting on the phone and without who the group would not exist.

Denise Valente who as well as now being a great support is amazing behind the scenes and always doing loads to keep us moving forward and is the reason we obtained grants from Cheshire through fund applications

Khumi Burton who if we ever need a task doing gets it done! Simon Carr for hosting the WBG and all the constant things you dont see.

Tracy Bye for her hard work in organising the Christmas light switch on

Diane Smith for her help with all the Town centre issues. All the mgt team for all their hard work behind the scenes

Sainsburys & Waitrose for supporting us so strongly

Lastly, Ian Lloyd my business partner for enabling me time over the years to get out and do what was necessary to build the group.

So as i pass over to a New Chair I can see exciting times I know we have a strong business group with a powerful voice and its been my privelage to chair and to see The WBG grow into a strong vibrant group with a voice in Wilmslow

Dave Bolton