Christmas doesn’t hold the monopoly on fun and good deeds.

10th December 2015

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Christmas time presents an opportunity to pause and reflect on the year that has passed.  2015 was no different in its challenges but as with most years these were eclipsed by good times and reasons to celebrate.

In February we welcomed Miguel Lopez Romero, Architectural Technician, to the company.  Championing the use of Revit, producing 3D visual presentations, his skills readily complement the Building Surveying Team.

In early summer Aston Gordon graduated and gained his BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying.  He is now working towards RICS Chartership.  Both Aston and Miguel became corporate members I.C.I.O.B. and Malcolm Gordon and Anita Darlington maintained their membership of the Association for Project Safety.

Just before the schools went back, we received a plea from The Vera Lynn Trust seeking help as they were moving the fundraising office into the main school at Ingfield Manor and wanted to make everything sparkle for the new school year.  They needed extra hands on deck to wash the windows and generally spruce the up the exterior of the building.  A number of Marigold clad hands were held aloft and off we trotted with our mops and buckets bringing out the Aggie and Annie in us all.  The tea and biscuits were really appreciated at the end of the day.

Our summer party took on the guise of competing in the Workplace B’Ashes at the Sussex County Cricket Ground.  A total of 20 teams took place in the tournament, representing a range of local, regional and national businesses. MacConvilles fielded a strong team of capable – or is that culpable – sportsmen and sportswomen but were robbed of a semi-final position on our last innings – which on a positive side meant we could be first in the BBQ line.  Smart tactics we thought.

October we swapped our damp meters for speedometers and pushed pedal to the metal to showcase our Go-Karting skills in Crawley.  Our intrepid team of Formula 2’s burst through the chequered flag in record time but sadly didn’t make the grid for Mexico this time around.

In October we also bravely volunteered our Director Toby Rollestone for a fund raising 100ft abseil down the Sandman Hotel for The Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity.  This Charity provides a specialist service for families of young children with cerebral palsy and motor learning disabilities.  The weather was kind as were the gods.  Toby didn’t buckle and at the time of this going to ress he has raised an incredible £1,325.00 on his Just giving Page, – https://www.justgiving.com/Toby-Rollestone/. As they say, you don’t have to be mad to work here but….

As Christmas approaches we are reminded that not everyone will be able to celebrate.  In Eastern Europe many families will have to make a choice between buying food or fuel this year. With this in mind we chose to support  the ‘Link to Hope Family Shoe Box Appeal’.  Everyone filled a shoe box with essentials and a few festive treats.  By the time you read this families in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova or the Ukraine will be receiving these boxes with our love and very best wishes for 2016.

We close the year welcoming Chartered Building Surveyor Paul Taylor this month.  Paul is well known to our team having started his career with us fourteen years ago.  He will be helping with our continued growth, supporting the team both in Brighton and London.

And so on to the Staff Christmas lunch – a welcome return to the Coal Shed and their amazing menu!  Crackers, silly parlour games, a loosening of  ties and belts will mark the beginning of our Christmas.

There is little more to be said except enjoy your Christmas however you celebrate it and we look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.