Balloon Race Winner

26 June, 2011

Congratulations to Michelle Fripp who has won the £100 prize.

Her Balloon was found by Will & Jake O’Mahoney in Pottersbury, Northants.

They will be receiving a thank you gift for returning the tag.

Here’s the winning tag and receipt:-

The going gets tough

22 June, 2011

Into the second week of a 16 week fitness programme leading up to my trek in October.

Here’s the plan

Sailing away

5 June, 2011

Thanks to everyone who supported this event.

I raised £320 towards my charity trek fund.

It was a beautiful day and at times the sky seemed to be full of yellow balloons heading off to who knows where.

I’ll announce the £100 winner on 25th June once the return slips are in

Golf Day

5 June, 2011

What a fabulous day we had.

A huge thanks to everyone that took part and a special mention to Dean and his team at Manor Of Groves for being such fantastic hosts.

Congratulations to the the Prizewinners:-

Len Greaves – Champion

Robin Trott- Runner Up

Len Greaves- Longest Drive

Matthew Burgess- Nearest the Pin

Dave Pickard- Mr Blobby

I managed to raise a massive £1,216 towards my charity trek

WOW !!

June 1991

1 June, 2011

Here’s what happened in June 1991. You can click on the links to go to Wikipedia for fuller details

Lloyd’s of London facing £2.4bn of insurance claims

Recent natural disasters may cost Lloyd’s of London about £2.4bn, the insurance market says.
Claims from the Japanese earthquake are estimated at £1.22bn, while the New Zealand earthquake and flooding in Australia are put at £750m and £406m.
The impact of the recent tornadoes in the US has yet to be assessed, but Lloyd’s said that all the disasters will mean insurance rates rising.
Lloyd’s said that its financial health meant meeting claims was not an issue.
Chief executive Richard Ward said: “The Lloyd’s market is as well capitalised as it has ever been and, while claims from all three events could still evolve over time, the market’s total exposure is well within the worst case scenarios we model and prepare for.”
He added: “We expect to see a firming of rate as a result of this first quarter and the recent tornadoes in the United States.”
Last month, Lloyd’s reported pre-tax profits of $3.5bn for 2010, down more than 40% on 2009.

Win £100

4 May, 2011

I’ll be holding a Balloon Race on 4th June 2011 to raise money for St Thomas Lupus Trust.

Entries cost just £1.50 each. The balloon that travels the furthest and has it’s card returned to me by the finder by 25th June 2011 will win the owner a cool £100.

I’ll be releasing the balloons from Hitchin Market Square between 10am and 3pm so if you are in the area and want to have a go please drop by and see me.

If you want to enter “online” deposit the £1.50 onto my JustGiving page

www.justgiving.com/John-Gardner2

and email your name and address to

enquiries@nortoncommercial.co.uk

I’d like to thank Marion from Hawthorn Software for donating the £100 prize. Please visit her firms website for information on what they do

www.hawthornsoftware.co.uk

May 1991

1 May, 2011

Here’s what happened in May 1991. You can click on the links to go to Wikipedia for fuller details

Deal struck as Quinn reveals losses

Quinn Insurance, the leading insurance firm founded by tycoon Sean Quinn, had losses of 706 million euro in 2009.
As the staggering financial results were announced, administrators said a takeover deal has been finalised with US insurance giant Liberty Mutual and nationalised Anglo-Irish Bank.
All 1,570 staff in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland will be retained under the sale, the administrators said. But as part of the deal and due to the huge losses suffered by Quinn Insurance, consumers in Ireland will be forced to repay 600m euro under a special levy.

Charity Auction

13 April, 2011

Sit back and relax and have a three course dinner for four people cooked by me for you in your own home.

I’ll supply all of the food and even do the washing up afterwards! All you need to provide is the company and drinks.

To win this prize simply email your bid to:-

enquiries@nortoncommercial.co.uk

Minimum bid is £100.00 and bids close on 4th June 2011. In the event of two or more equal bids a tie break question will determine the winner.

All proceeds to St Thomas’ Lupus Trust

Thanks & Good Luck

John Gardner