“This is a great idea which we are only too happy to support,” says Seeker MD Steve Cook.

“Green issues are important to us as a business and we’ve been trying to do more to offset our carbon footprint such as recently switching to a hybrid car.”

Steve Cook of Seeker

The popular National Trust estate near Wimborne has partnered the Daily Echo’s tree planting initiative in a bid to re-instate an ancient orchard.

“When we found out the Echo was running a campaign aimed at getting businesses to plant trees we offered them the orchard as a venue,” says Elaine Arnold, the National Trust’s business development manager for Bournemouth and Poole.

“We had been planning to bring back the ancient orchard on the estate and this provides us with the perfect opportunity to move forward on what is a very local project.”

The Trust is aiming to plant 30 apple trees each sponsored by a local business on November 24.

The National Trust has been conserving Britain’s woodland since it acquired its first wood in 1902. It now manages more than 60,000 acres of woodland in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, from some of the oldest woodland in the country to relatively recent commercial conifer plantations.

Order your photo from our business events gallery using the JPG for Charity option, make a donation to Diverse Abilities Plus through our JustGiving page and we’ll send the file to you.

Please remember that it’s one image per donation with no minimum charge but that the images usually cost £5. Feel free to donate more and come back as often as you like to get more images!!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Estupendo - Seeker Young Enterprise Company of the Year

Their product the ‘CorfeHillsCard’ is a discount card providing savings from businesses in the local community. They have already been very successful and sold over 200 cards, even the local MP, Annette Brooke has brought one. Her testimonial about the card was “In my previous career I was involved with Young Enterprise for many years. This is the
best product I have seen and I hope you make it to the nationals”.

The evening was held at the Hamworthy club at Canford Magna, where all 8, Young Enterprise groups prepared a company report, a trade stand and a presentation. The businesses had worked hard hoping to impress the 5 judges. One of the judges, Kevin Always, manager at HSBC, comments “This is my sixth consecutive year and the standard was as good as ever. It’s so fantastic to see what the achievers have done this year, even in the present climate; they are a great credit to their schools and families”.

Estupendo collected numerous awards on the night which included ‘best report’, ‘best financially managed Company’ as well as the overall title of the ‘Young Enterprise Company of the Year sponsored by Seeker’. On the 14th June they will compete again in the South West final which is to be held in Torquay, Devon.

Estupendo were judged to win best overall company with their loyalty card scheme, more information about them and their product can be found at www.corfehillscard.co.uk The award was supported by Seeker who will conduct a professional photo shoot with the company to prepare them for the regional final. The group cannot wait to compete in the next round of the competition and hope to continue growing and evolving their business. Steve Cook from Seeker said “The quality of all of the finalists was exceptional, the great thing about Young Enterprise is that it teaches the pupils to do things properly. From finding the finances to start the business, through to ideas, product design, research, marketing and presentation skills. A great many adult start ups could learn a great deal from looking at the way these youngsters developed their businesses.” Zoe Guscott, their link teacher from Corfe Hills School won the link teacher of the year award and says “The students are buzzing after their success last night. It has been a great experience and we look forward to the regional finals. We are very proud of them”. Estupendo were advised by Ian Glen from the 288 Group Ltd and Sasha Morgan from New Driver. Ian says “It’s great to get to work so closely with the students from Corfe Hills School and see them bring such a great idea as the CorfeHillsCard to market. It was fantastic to watch them win Company of the Year.” Ian and Sasha also won the Business advisors of the year award, supported by Dorset Chamber of Dorset Chamber of Commerce Estupendo also won Best Report and Best Financially managed company which was supported by Kier Construction.

The Best Trade Stand award which was supported by Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce went to Epilimnion who have managed to strike a deal with Sit-Up TV to sell eyelash extensions.

The most innovative product award was given to SwipEase who has designed a unique and very clever healthy eating swipe card to replace taking money to school and as a way for parents to monitor their childs diet. Judges were astounded by the talent and commitment within the group, with their MD, Scott Campbell, being recognised with a special achievement award, sponsored by Tower Park.

Viridis, with pupils from Talbot Heath and Parkstone Grammar School, won the J.P. Morgan Corporate responsibility award as well as the Best Presentation award which was supported by Humphries Kirk. The MD of Viridis said ‘Our Young Enterprise company, Viridis, have always had a passion for restoring vintage to the high street, and took the initiative of transforming old, unplayable vinyl records into products of everyday use – bowls, clocks, notebooks, candles and bags. Personally I learnt so much from this Young Enterprise experience, from how to manage members of a business (playing to everyone’s strengths) to how to approach businesses about our product. The most enjoyable part of the experience for me is when we’re selling our products at trade stalls; as a team we always seem to have a great time regardless of how many sales we make, as being together, selling products we are passionate about strengthens our team spirit and helps us look towards new opportunities and directions for our business together.’

The competition was very close with Loops, from Poole High school, Accelerate from Talbot Heath School and Unite Teens from a mix of Bournemouth schools, narrowly missing out on an award.

Each company has been advised by a volunteer who has met with them for approximately 2 hours a week since September. Advisors and teachers are needed now who would like to be part of the company programme starting in September. Day and location can be flexible and full training and support is offered. Please e-mail Hannah.cook@yesw.org.uk to find out more.

If you are a charity or know one that might benefit from this offer please contact us.

Seeker Photography were lucky enough on a warm July evening to be snapping the pictures when the world sandcastle building record was broken in the sand polo arena on Sandbanks beach.

It was all part of a great cause to raise funds for the Lewis Manning Hospice.

Eighty entrants had an hour to break the previous record of 520 sandcastles. And that particular record went tumbling as our intrepid bucket and spaders built 539!

Reham Khan from BBC South Today adding to the sandcastle world record

Even a brief down pour was not allowed to spoil things. In fact the dampened sand made things a lot easier for our sandcastle builders’ record breaking endeavours.

It proved to be a great day for Dorset sandcastle builders, a great day for Lewis Manning Hospice and we give them all our heartfelt congratulations!

More photos online here.

Read more about this on Seeker News.

They will now be able to use these images as part of their presentation in the regional finals in Torquay later this month.

Local business representatives were invited to partner up with professional ballroom dancers and enjoy a gala dinner followed by one heat of fancy footwork.

Steve Cook of Seeker Photography joined Richard Cossey of Humphries Kirk, Emily Johnson of Morris Lane Accountants, Sue Langley of Marketing Solutions, Andy Lear of HSBC, Karen Rickman of Parcelhub and Jo West of Team Recruitment who were the superstars of the evening as they took the challenge.

With sparkles and dance moves the audience were hooked cheering and clapping as each couple graced the floor.  With only a few hours practice the contestants were judged by a panel marking on performance and technique.

Seeker Photography’s Steve Cook showed grace and style with the famous Paso Doble dance guided by professional, Olesia.  With a tricky technique, Steve did so well and the crowd erupted with applause as the music came to an end.  Each judge gave a high score of 10-9-9-9, a total of 37/40 but Steve was beaten into second place by the last performance of the jive by Andy Lear of HSBC.

The whole event was organised in just five weeks and raised £6,000 for the cause.  Such a fantastic concept that aims to be a yearly occasion.

If you’d like to sponsor Steve, please visit his JustGiving page.

On May 12th, I, along with seven other local business people will be competing in a Strictly Come Dancing event for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

Teamed up with (hopefully) very patient pro dancers we will be tripping the light fantastic to raise money to support this local charity.

The Wessex Cancer Trust is an independent charity which has raised approximately £17million to help support and improve cancer services in the Wessex region. Established in 1981, this unique Trust supports many aspects of cancer care, including leading edge research, the improvement of patient facilities, purchase of much needed equipment, patient grants, complementary therapy and counselling services.

My only previous connections to dancing were photographing the wedding of Strictly winner Karen Hardy on the beautiful Greek Island of Santorini and capturing various performances over the years – but definitely only from BEHIND the camera!

Gary Rhodes lends his support to Steve Cook of Seeker Photography

Whilst photographing former Strictly contestant Gary Rhodes this week, he told me how he’d always wanted to learn how to dance properly and how he fancied taking it up as a hobby when he retired.

Gary wished me luck with the event but didn’t pass on any killer moves to boost my chances.

I’ll keep you updated on my training progress but in the meantime please visit our JustGiving page and sponsor me, having lost family and friends to Cancer recently I know how important the cause is – thanks!

Accompanied by Atlas from Gladiators, the Mayor and Mayoress of Poole, the cast of the Lighthouse’s Panto, 2 marching bands, dancers, etc old St Nick made his way up the High St before taking up residence in his Grotto in the Dolphin Centre.