Today I heard about a great new local charity that’s being set up in Inverclyde. Dreams Come True Inverclyde helps bring joy to terminally or seriously ill children by making their treasured dreams come true.

Local Businessman Chris Jewell said, ‘There are a number of national charities operating in this area, but I wanted to do something based in Inverclyde which will be solely aimed at local children and young people, and after detailed discussions with Peter Newman, Chief Executive of the national Dreams Come True Charity www.dctc.org.uk I am delighted that this can now come about.’

‘In setting up Dreams Come True Inverclyde, the most important thing to say is that all monies raised in Inverclyde will be for the benefit of Inverclyde children and young people. During the coming months we shall be actively fundraising for this purpose, as well as identifying local children and young people who can benefit from a ‘dream come true’. We are planning a number of fundraising initiatives and hope that the people of Inverclyde can get behind this venture for the benefit of those in need in our local area.

With the help of our local media, we want to be able to make a dream come true for as many terminally and seriously ill children and young people in Inverclyde as possible.’

To find out more visit their website   www.dctc.org.uk

Hi again!

You can now look forward to an exciting new programme of events coming your way. DI has been arranging a number of educational and fun days as well a series of training opportunities designed to help your business. Dates will be finalised in the next few weeks and we will be emailing you the programme as soon as it’s complete. Don’t miss out!

It won’t be long again until its time for Greenock to welcome back the Tall Ships Races for 4 days of celebration and fun.

This time why not go the extra mile for your business and experience the benefits of the 100 Club? Gain access to the exclusive 100 Club pavilion, use your premier exhibition space within the 100 Club Village to promote your business, sail on one of the spectacular tall ships for a day and be invited to the 100 Club dinner where you can network with other members! You will also have the chance to win sponsorship of some of the key attractions within the magnificent event.

-“The 100 club is an exclusive and unique initiative that provides businesses with a range of benefits, along with the opportunity to be part of this prestigious event.”

To discuss membership of the 100 club at the Tall Ship Races in Greenock, please contact Kim Wilson at kim.wilson@sailinverclyde.com

Hi everyone!

Its Scottish Tourism Week! The event, organised by the Scottish Tourism Forum way back in 2006 to highlight the importance of tourism to the Scottish economy, has returned this year with lots of great opportunities to learn, have your say and network with others in the industry.

Check out the website for a full timetable of events

http://www.stforum.co.uk/scottishtourismweek/stw2011.aspx

Congratulations to Laser Matrix for opening their new facility in Greenock. The new adventure arena has been opened at Fort Matilda estate, beside Funworld.

 Sharon Murdoch, the owner says, “Laser Matrix is the ultimate multi-level, laser tag arena which uses the latest laser technology from Zone EU.”

 There is also a café at the venue which offers a generous variety of tasty snacks including pizza, burgers and wraps.

 It is opened 7 days from 10am-10pm and people of all ages are welcome.

 Check the website for prices and offers http://www.lasermatrix.biz/.

Remember, DI still have a couple of X Factor finalist Lloyd Daniels’ autographs up for grabs! All you have to do is email us and they’re yours for the taking.

info@discoverinverclyde.co.uk

Happy New Year to all DI members! Hope your year is off to a good start.

And for those who are not members now is your chance to do so. Just go on to our website http://www.discoverinverclyde.com to find out about the many benefits of becoming a member and complete an application form, which you can access from our homepage at the top right corner.

Parliament visit group pic

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) and Member of the Scottish Parliament Tourism Committee recently welcomed members of Discover Inverclyde to the Scottish Parliament building.

During their visit to the Scottish Parliament the Discover Inverclyde group attended First Minister Question Time, undertook a tour of the building and also met the Minister for Tourism Jim Mather MSP for a brief question and answer session.

Mr McMillan said;

“I was delighted members of Discover Inverclyde took up my invite to visit the Scottish Parliament building.

“This was a great opportunity for local businesses and organisations from Inverclyde to see the Scottish Parliament first hand and also to meet with the Minister for Tourism.

“It’s important that we continue to promote Inverclyde as a tourism destination and highlight the many positive aspects, such as Ocean Terminal in Greenock, the Tall Ships event in 2011 and the Gourock Highland Games, the area has to offer in the way of culture and tourism.

“I hope everyone who visited the Scottish Parliament enjoyed their time and I look forward to meeting them all again in the future.”

Chris Jewell of Discover Inverclyde said;

“”Our visit to the Scottish Parliament was very informative and enjoyable and we are grateful to Stuart McMillan for the invitation and for a very helpful day.

“Our members thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the chance to discuss matters with the Minister of Tourism who provided helpful insights into what we are doing and ways forward.

“We are committed to being at the forefront of new developments in tourism, retail, leisure and the arts in Inverclyde and to working with all the relevant parties to develop and improve all aspects of tourism in Inverclyde in the future and expressly to help redress the forecast Inverclyde population decline.”

The Board of Directors of local tourism retail, leisure and the arts business group Discover Inverclyde is delighted to announce the appointment of Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld as a Director on behalf of Inverclyde Council with immediate effect.

Discover Inverclyde Director Chris Jewell said, ‘As Discover Inverclyde has been developing, we have been keen to have stronger and more direct links with the Council who already have been an active supporter of Discover Inverclyde since its inception two years ago. This move will enable our members to have greater interaction with the Council in terms of The Inverclyde Alliance Single Outcome Agreement, the Council’s Corporate Plan and its investment and commitment to tourism development in Inverclyde. Councillor Ahlfeld will also be able to provide a very helpful two way communication/consultation on local issues that concern our members. He has already highlighted a number of issues for investigation and action.

‘At this time of recession, and with a significant drop in the local population forecast over coming years, Discover Inverclyde is committed to working in partnership with others to develop tourism, retail, leisure and the arts in Inverclyde and Ronnie’s appointment will be of considerable help. It also gives the Council a single point of contact with tourism, retail, leisure and the arts businesses.’

Councillor Ahlfeld added, ‘We are determined to help Inverclyde realise its full potential as a tourist destination and to come up with a co-ordinated and sustainable future for leisure and hospitality in the area. I am delighted to have been appointed and I am looking forward to helping the Council and Discover Inverclyde achieve their aim.’

More information on Discover Inverclyde can be found on its website www.discoverinverclyde.com The group now has close to 100 member businesses.