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Poole Afloat continues to sail on sea of success and has been awarded Tourism Promotion of the Year 2006 at the Poole Tourism Sibbett Gregory Palms Awards. The award recognises the resounding success of the event since it launched in 2005, with thousands of people attending to enjoy a free two-day extravaganza by the sea. Sponsored by Rockley Park, the event brings together a spectacular showcase of celebrity style yachts and motor-cruisers, marine equipment and watersports gear, with 'Try A Boat' sessions, as well as a programme of free family entertainment. The event has attracted companies such as Rockley Watersports, Salterns Marina, Powerboat Training UK, Magic Marine and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and has demonstrated that Poole is the perfect spot for a boating and marine exhibition. Graham Richardson of Poole Tourism explained: "Poole is renowned for its superb harbour, excellent water sports and nationally and internationally successful marine industries, and the Poole Afloat event provided a first class platform to showcase the town's excellence. It was not only the significant media exposure that helped generate the large audience to the event that convinced the judging panel, but also how it fully complemented the town's image and brand identity." James Sydenham, founder of the event, comments: "We are delighted to receive this prestigious accolade. The event has been a huge success since its inception in 2005 and aims to encourage and inspire people of all ages and abilities to get out on the water, get into boating or perhaps learn a new water sport. Each year we receive a great response from both families and exhibitors who came along and we are looking forward to building an even bigger Poole Afloat 2007!" Poole Afloat is entering its third year in 2007 and will be taking place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June.
Powerboat Training UK have just taken Yellow Penguin Self Drive Boat Hire. They will now run this business from F Pontoon at Cobbs Quay. The business will be renamed Purple Pelican and markets itself through leaflets, the web and the tourist board and is unique on the south coast in offering the ability for individuals to hire quality small powerboats - with or without experience. The vessels are limited to operating in the Harbour and are licensed by the council. Please note the rest of Yellow Penguin's business will be running as before. We wish them luck with this new venture. www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne visited Poole in October to support Poole MP Robert Syms on a visit to Dorset Software. Peter Gordon of Rockley Watersports was asked to transport the MPs across from the Quay to Hamworthy as the bridge was closed. They also took a short trip around the harbour.
Plymouth Marine Skills Centre is to be officially opened shortly. Maritime Plymouth are holding a Network Meeting at the Centre on Thursday, 16th November, 2006. This meeting will be an opportunity for all to come and see what the Centre has to offer you and your business. The Centre will be available from 3pm to 8pm that day. Coffee, tea etc. will be available free. On this occasion you do not need to reply, just turn up sometime during the period. If anyone needs directions please contact George Skinner on georgemp@blueyonder.co.uk
Leslie Spiers is the Managing Director of Proem Consulting an International Management Development and Consulting firm. He has just completed two term assignments as non executive chairman of companies with a combined turnover of £55m.
His career has spanned the public and the private sectors and has involved him working in organisations ranging from small companies to Multi-National conglomerates. He was Director of Consultancy with Mecca Leisure, Development Director whilst with The Rank Organisation and following a Management Buy-Out of Rank's property company he became Managing Director of Garsington Estates, an award-winning property development company.
Prior to working in the private sector, Leslie was a Principal Officer in Local Government Leisure Services responsible for Leisure Centres, Swimming Pools, Museums, Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. He is a qualified Teacher and a visiting fellow at Southampton Solent University.
In 1997, Leslie took a year out and in an action-packed adventure he backpacked round the world to gather material for a book he will write on day when the legs give out!.
He studied Divinity at The University of Newcastle upon Tyne, has an MBA from Southampton Business School, and an MA in Art & Ideology, from The University of Southampton, in which he specialised in Propaganda, and a Diploma in Management Studies from The School of Management Studies at Portsmouth University. He also has a Diploma in IT in Organisations.
Leslie played Rugby, but now runs Marathons and undertakes long distance charity walks. He enjoys Opera, Russian Art, Cryptic Crosswords, Classic Cars, Golf, Adventure Travel and Outdoor training activities.
In recent times he has walked from Southampton to Scotland, taken a month long trip on the Trans Siberian Express from Moscow to Beijing whilst en route trekked round Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia and lived in a herdsman's Ger Camp in the Gobi Desert. He completed solo treks of 200km across the icecap in Greenland and the Chilkoot Trail, a rugged hike from Alaska to The Yukon taken by the gold miners in the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898.
In 2001 he lived with a tribe of Maasai herdsmen in the Kenyan Rift Valley and spent time in "Warrior School" learning spear throwing, sword fighting, elephant tracking and how to use the shield to defend the "rungu" - a throwing club used by the Maasai!
Last year he was the only person from England to run in the Beirut Marathon and this summer he completed a solo charity run of 270 miles in 13 days from the northern tip of Scotland back to Edinburgh raising funds for The Children's Society.
Please send articles for future newsletters to wessex@britishmarine.co.uk
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