Tag Archives: charity

Introducing our nominated charity for 2017 – Homestart

March 21, 2017BlogBuckatree, charity, Shropshire, TelfordWayne Jenson

April 2017

You may not know but each year we pick a charity to support for 12 months, raising as much money as possible to assist the fantastic work they do.

There are so many incredible charities out there, especially within Telford which has an amazing sense of community, so it’s always tough to come to a decision – but I’m delighted to confirm Homestart Telford and Wrekin is our choice for 2017.

I have to admit to knowing little about them before I met their fundraising manager Julia Allinson at a Shropshire Chamber of Commerce event held here at the hotel.

But as soon as I got talking to her, I realised what fantastic work the charity does and what a difference they make to the lives of families in Telford.

In fact they scooped the Businesses for Children Award Charity of the Year title earlier this month.

The aim of the charity is very simple but very important: to support those with children under five who may need a little extra help, whether they’re struggling with isolation, disability, domestic abuse or they’ve had twins or triplets or even just a hand to re-adjust to their new family life after having a baby.

They do this by training volunteers who then spend time with that family each week to help them find ways of coping and they also fundraise to take people out for rare days out and activities they probably wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy.

In addition, the team runs a number of courses which are all aimed at increasing parents’ confidence and helping them to raise happier and healthier little ones.

Simple things like having a listening ear for a couple of hours a week, having some support to get out of the house or complete day-to-day tasks or having the chance to enjoy going out together are something all too many of us take for granted but for some it’s their only lifeline.

And that’s why myself and the team at the Buckatree are determined to make this our best year yet for fund-raising. We’re already planning a busy calendar of events which will include a big gin-themed event we know will be really popular!

There are collection tins in place in our reception and guests will be able to buy Easter eggs to donate to a child supported by Homestart.

We’re also all ears if you have a fundraising idea to help the charity and would like to talk to us about hosting your event at the hotel.

Thank you in advance to anyone who helps us help Homestart this year and do check back on our blog as we’ll be updating you throughout the year on upcoming events and how much we’ve raised.

Hotel bosses taking Pride in the Community by helping out at charity event

May 12, 2016Blogcharity, children, Shropshire, Telford, WellingtonWayne Jenson

May 2016

It’s not often you get a big charity event on your doorstep, so when it does happen we feel it’s best to get involved.

And we were delighted to be involved in the Bayley Mile in Wellington yesterday.
Not sure what it is? Let me tell you.

I’m Wayne Jenson, General Manager at Buckatree Hall Hotel, and I first heard about the Bayley Mile when I was looking into events that happen near our hotel. We like to be involved in a number of events nearby and help out whenever we can so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

The Bayley Mile is a historic road race ran by local school children competing to win the fastest linear mile time.

This year it was the 20th anniversary of the event and we were so proud to be there watching these eager students – competitiveness was truly alive!

We pitched our gazebo in the car park by Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre and handed out squash, tea, coffee and biscuits to those who deserved it as well as family and friends who had come along to offer support.

And boy did they deserve it!

We had never been before so we were not sure what to expect but it was just a brilliant community event which celebrated everything about Wellington and the people in it. The children were great, I think many miles had been trodden in preparation and practice for the event and many trainers worn out.

Medals were presented by Paralympian Mickey Bushell MBE, who lives just down the road in Arleston!

It made us very proud to be based in Wellington and very proud to call this our local community. People were certainly thirsty after all this hard work so we were pleased to be able to provide the squash and biscuits to refresh them a little. It was a warm afternoon but thankfully not too sunny and no rain.

There was an open race at the end of the day too, for anyone who wanted to show the kids how it’s done – if only I hadn’t been wearing a suit or due back at the hotel, I definitely would have been able to show them a thing or two!

Organiser Ross Vickers

Leanne Roberts, F&B Manager, and Priya Don, Catering Assistant at Buckatree Hall Hotel

20 years of the Bayley Mile

Competition and charity night as farriers from across the world descend on Buckatree Hall Hotel

February 5, 2016Blogcharity, farriers, horse, Shropshire, TelfordWayne Jenson

February 2016

It’s not what you expect to see in the car park of a hotel in Shropshire.

Farriers from across the world pitched up with horses and equipment at Buckatree Hall Hotel in Wellington to compete for a variety of titles.

The Farriers Foundation charity, which was set up by Staffordshire Farriers to help farriers in times of injury or illness, held it’s annual perpetual trophy and winter ball at the historic hotel on Saturday.

The experts in horses hoof care travelled from as far afield as America, Germany, Norway, Ayrshire, Sussex, Kent and Wales, with 22 people competing during the day and 114 attending the evening.

They raised more than £5,500 for the charity and organiser Sara Nunn said it was a huge success.

She said: “It was a wonderful day of competition and evening celebration.
“Everyone enjoyed themselves,it is always a great occasion coming together for a good cause.
“Last year was our inaugural event and it went so well we decided to come back to Buckatree Hall, once again the hospitality was great.”

Buckatree Hall Hotel, at the foot of the Wrekin, is owned by seven time world champion farrier and trustee of the Farriers Foundation Grant Moon and his family.

Mr Moon said: “I am extremely honoured to be part of this event and delighted that the Buckatree can contribute to their success.
“Last year was very special, the charity was registered in 2014 and the event was held for the first time in 2015 – I didn’t think we could top it but this year has been even better.
“The addition of the competition in the car park was a great pull for crowds and everyone seemed to enjoy it, our loyal regular customers found it extremely interesting and I am grateful for their support as well.
“It is an excellent addition to our industry and I hope it will continue for many years to come.”

The Farriers Foundation is a dedicated, independent charity run by farriers raising funds to support, rehabilitate, educate and prevent for farriers and retired farriers and their families.

The initial inspiration and focus of the foundation was Richard Ellis, who sadly lost his fight with cancer in 2014, but had been mentor and tremendous inspiration within the industry.
Jon Nunn (Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, AWCF), chairman of the trustees of the Farriers Foundation, set up the charity and this year handmade the trophy for the champion of the Farriers Foundation Challenge.
Competition winners from the event at Buckatree Hall Hotel included champion Matt Randles, the Apprentice Champion was Alex Livingston, Lifetime Achievement Award went to David Gulley (Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, FWCF), John Hayes (AWCF) was named Outstanding Educator and Outstanding Achievement of 2015 went to Sarah-Mary Brown (FWCF).

The fundraising auction included many impromptu lots donated by farriers, many handmade.

Mrs Nunn added: “Last year we raised £12,000 for the charity but that was because of the particular lots in the auction – the largest contribution was £4,000 for a bark of a teek tree decorated with horse shoes made by the last seven world champion farriers.
“Although we didn’t reach that sum again this year we always knew we wouldn’t and we’re really pleased with how much we have raised.

“It will go a long way towards helping farriers in need.”