Spotlight on our Business Supporters
Get to know our Business Supporters
With almost twenty members in our Business & Supporters Club, we decided it would be nice to feature them, many of whom have been with us a long time, in a Q&A blog series, so you can get to know them better.
What was the last show/film/event/workshop you attended at The Courtyard and what did you like about it/your visit?
Our Marketing & Sales Manager Moira went to see Chris McCausland back in the spring. The Courtyard really punches above its weight with the calibre of comedians who come to Hereford, and it’s fantastic to see genuinely funny acts without having to trek to Birmingham or London. You just have to be quick to grab those tickets!
Name one thing you love about Herefordshire and why?
How can we choose just one thing!? As a team, we love that the peace, quiet, landscapes, and rolling hills are still a well-kept secret (just about!). You’ll always bump into someone you know in the supermarket queue, and we adore the tucked-away properties down quiet country lanes with only sheep for neighbours. The thriving local food scene, artisanal cider and gin producers, black-and-white timbered houses, and the real sense of community are just the icing on the cake.
What prompted you to join our Business & Supporters Club?
We could say it was purely to support a great, local, and unique facility, but that’s only part of it. We want to get our name out there, and knowing how popular The Courtyard is and how often we attend events and shows, it seemed like a natural fit.
What’s new with your business this year?
Where do we even begin! On July 1st, after many years under a corporate umbrella, We hit the ‘GO’ button on a total rebrand, so it’s been a whirlwind since then! We’ve returned to what we know and love—unique, quirky, character-filled homes, equestrian properties, farms, and smallholdings that Herefordshire and the surrounding counties are famous for. Our team lives the rural lifestyle, so it’s something we know inside and out. Our focus for the rest of 2024 is to keep selling properties and make Character & Country a name everyone recognises.
Find out more about Character & Country here
What was the last show/film/event/workshop you attended at The Courtyard and what did you like about it/your visit?
Chris McCausland he was absolutely hilarious. It still blows me away that we get these top of their game house hold name comedians in Hereford, the great thing about The Courtyard Main House is that despite it being relatively big it still feels intimate in there.
Name one thing you love about Herefordshire and why?
Obviously the awesome local Beef literally some of the best beef in the world on our doorstep and its all down to the incredible countryside we have here.
What prompted you to join our Business & Supporters Club?
The Courtyard’s been a huge part of my life growing up. I was a steward on the opening night of Cabaret and I was a regular member of The Courtyard Youth Theatre growing up, it’s a huge asset to the city and an extremely important place for local people interested in the arts in any shape or form.
What’s new with your business this year?
There’s loads going on! We have our cook book coming out on the 15th of August, we have the National Burger Awards Champion of Champions in September and the World Burger Championships in Indianapolis in November. Somewhere mixed in to all that we might try and open another restaurant as well, so it’s all systems go.
Find out more about The Beefy Boys here
What was the last show/film/event/workshop you attended at The Courtyard and what did you like about it/your visit?
I last attended The Courtyard for Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit. I laughed until my stomach hurt, Rhod really is an expert in his craft whilst all the while shining a light on the Velindre Centre and the incredible work that they do.
Name one thing you love about Herefordshire and why?
My favourite thing about Hereford?…. The comments section in the Hereford Times!….. I jest, I used to find it frustrating that everyone knows each other growing up in Hereford, now that I am older I can recognise the benefit to this in that locals help each other out and can network easily to compliment each other’s businesses. Visiting other cities I think there’s a real community feel here that comes with it. As a company we are trying to be more involved with Hereford BID to explore this further and have just become the proud sponsors of Hereford Rugby Club! I’m a real foodie too so It would be remiss of me not to mention that we also have some really great eateries in and out of town now which I love. I’m most likely to be spotted at a local food festival wrestling with my BMI.
What prompted you to join our Business & Supporters Club?
We made the decision to join the Business and Supporters Club with the aim of benefitting as many people as possible with the budget we had available. The team here agree that the Courtyard is the hub of Hereford, accommodating a diverse clientele and providing something different for each person that accesses it. With this in mind, the supporters club felt like the perfect choice in helping us to reach a strong portion of our local community in one go. Furthermore, everyone is facing their own challenges more so than ever with the events of recent years, meaning it’s never been more important to keep hold of the things that make us smile, of which The Courtyard certainly does that in abundance.
What’s new with your business this year?
Recently we have changed our name from A-Plan to Howden Insurance, in order to streamline ourselves with our other financial offerings within the business. As well as personal insurance such as car and home, we’re also now looking after business insurance here in our Hereford office. It has been great to get out and see so many local businesses, whether they’re just starting up or have been around since the Black and White house. My dad is a roofer and my sister runs a local public house, which means free roof repairs and beer! On a serious note, I am very proud of them both and have a genuine admiration of anyone running a business, or being brave enough to start a new venture, in these difficult times.
Find out more about Howden here
With offices on Huntington Lane at Three Elms, the Partners& team comprises many familiar faces from the insurance sector in Hereford including Andy WIlliams, who heads up the team and has been a broker in the city since 1994.
Partners& advises The Courtyard on its insurance needs and aims to combine the best of broking, including technical advice and client service, with modern thinking and intelligent use of technology. The team focuses on seamless advice across business and private client insurance, employee benefits, risk management and claims, supported by a culture of partnership between their people and their clients.
Find out more about Partners& here
What was the last show/film/event/workshop you attended at The Courtyard and what did you like about it/your visit?
During the festive season, I indulged in the delightful Bottomless Festive Plates at The Courtyard, where the scrumptious food kept coming – a truly fantastic experience! Attending the Westons Cider Comedy Club in December was fun; these evenings offer great entertainment and the chance to spot emerging talent.
Name one thing you love about Herefordshire and why?
I adore Herefordshire for its breathtaking countryside that provides endless opportunities for scenic walks with my dog.
What prompted you to join our Business & Supporters Club?
Our decision to join the Business & Supporters Club is fuelled by The Courtyard’s status as a magnificent venue, offering exceptional entertainment and fostering creativity. At Rotherwood, we value supporting our local community, and we recognise The Courtyard as a vital charitable asset to the area.
What’s new with your business this year?
Our recent refurbishment at Gwen Walford Nursing Home on Hampton Park Road reflects our commitment to providing luxurious surroundings. Excitingly, our new home in Colwall opens in June and promises stunning views of the Malvern Hills.Celebrations are in order as Lynhales Hall and Kington Court Nursing Homes have both received accolades, ranking among the Top 20 Care Homes in the West Midlands, according to carehome.co.uk’s ratings from residents and their families.
Find out more about Rotherwood Health Care here
Find out more about our Business & Supporters Club on our website or by contacting our Head of Fundraising, Melanie Denning, at melanie.denning@courtyard.org.uk or 01432 346505.