News and events
MICHELLE MOVES INTO MOTOR CARAVAN PARTS AND ACCESSORIES DEPARTMENT
Everyone at Simpsons Motor Caravan Centre is congratulating Michelle Wing on her recent promotion to Motorhome Parts and Accessories Adviser.
Since joining Simpsons in March, 2007, Michelle has been extremely busy
operating as a Sales Administrator from our Suffolk Road, Great Yarmouth, Sales Centre.
"It's been extremely busy ever since I joined Simpsons last spring. I've enjoyed every minute of it as we actually achieved a record year in motor caravan sales in 2007," she told us.
Michelle's first year baptism in the busy Motor Caravan Centre was sadly blighted by the sudden and unexpected loss of our Chairman, Simon Woodgreaves, a personal friend of Michelle's family.
"I was upset by Simon's sudden departure, but this new challenge is one which will utilise my motor caravan parts knowledge as well as my IT skills," she told us enthusiastically. "I will be busy expanding the Accessory Range available to motorhome enthusiasts, especially through our website. Keep a watchful eye on our accessory offers and regularly look at the online bargains," she added.
SAD LOSS OF OUR CHARISMATIC CHAIRMAN, SIMON WOODGREAVES
It is with the deepest regret, that I have to announce the sad and sudden loss of Simpsons’ Motor Group Chairman, Simon Woodgreaves in December, 2007.
Simon developed mylodisplacer, a debilitating cancer which attacks and destroys the body’s defence mechanism. His wife Pauline and family, and all his colleagues and friends in the motor caravan and motor industries would like to thank everyone for all their kind thoughts and messages of condolence.
His funeral was held on the 2nd January, 2008.
Simon Woodgreaves was literally a larger than life, charismatic character in the automotive industry and one who is irreplaceable in terms of his knowledge, expertise, enthusiasm, energy and motivation. He was an icon in the East Anglian motor trade, having built up a working relationship with the Volkswagen Group which stretched back over 50 years.
Simon’s beloved fascination with military history and European battlefields regularly took him and Pauline to commemorative celebrations in Normandy, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
Everyone who met and knew Simon could not help but be affected by his immense enthusiasm for anything he involved himself with, whether it was in the motor industry, new vehicle franchises, motor caravans, after-sales support, or any of his other business interests or hobbies.
As one of my own close advisers once told me, “They don’t make ’em like Simon Woodgreaves any more….It is people like him that made this country great.”
I personally have so much to thank him for insofar as he gave me the chance – at 15 – to leave school and serve a dedicated mechanics’ apprenticeship with the Simpsons Garage Group. I even wrote to him while still at school to ask if I could attend a work experience programme with his reputable dealership. In his inimitable style, Simon welcomed my enthusiasm, took me under his wing and guided my career path into eventually becoming Group Managing Director, where I proudly stand today.
Across East Anglia, Great Britain and even in Europe there are scores of talented business executives whose automotive careers gained both momentum and experience by their fortunate encounters with Simon Woodgreaves.
He was both one of their senior mentor advisors as well as my own. I can proudly say he made a not inconsiderable contribution to my career success and to many, many others.
Everyone within the Group, and suppliers and customers too will be delighted to know that it will be ‘business as usual’ for Simpsons.
It’s what Simon wanted with the family remaining very active in all trading activities: his daughter Belinda and son-in-law Brinley Crick, who both have key roles in the Motor Caravan Centre, have been devastated by Simon’s sudden departure, but they know dad was so proud of his family’s motivation in driving the Group to even better levels of customer service in 2008, and beyond.
Simon’s business acumen and foresight was legendary: with over 40 years of leading from the front he emulated many of the military generals he greatly admired. He had been the proud recipient of numerous awards and plaudits from the Motor Caravan and Automotive Industries.
As Simon so regularly said as he saluted soldiers who had fought so hard for their country and paid with the ultimate sacrifice…. “We will remember them.”
Not withstanding this tragic loss for so many people who cherished his sense of humour, banter and business motivation…. “We will always remember him…a great motivator, a great friend and an immense contributor to the modern motor industry.”
Andrew Aldis, Group Managing Director
2008 EASTERN DEALER of the YEAR
The 2008 MMM Awards Ceremony, was recently held at the Hilton Metropole Birmingham, and Simpsons Motor Caravan Centre in Great Yarmouth was named Eastern Dealer of the Year.
Readers of MMM magazine had been asked to nominate which dealers they thought had consistently offered a great experience in terms of advice, sales and after-sales support. Their comments and suggestions - together with the expert knowledge of MMM's panel of judges- had culminated in Simpsons securing the top Eastern Dealer Award.
Our Group Managing Director, Andrew Aldis, was somewhat surprised and obviously elated with the unexpected MMM Award.
"I can't thank everyone in the Motor Caravan centre enough for all their hard work and dedication to customers' service standards. We pride ourselves on offering a level of expertise which reflects the past 45 years we have operated in the Motor Caravan industry and the MMM Award is testimony to this unprecedented level of service offered from an enthusiastic team of motor caravan staff".
New Motorhome for Clay Target Champion
John Bidwell, owner of the High Lodge Shooting School at Haw Wood in Suffolk, is enjoying a double celebration this summer.
Our news picture shows John taking delivery of his new 07 plate Autocruise Wentworth Motorhome from Brinley Crick, one of Simpsons Senior Sales Advisors.
John travels constantly across Great Britain and Europe competing in Clay Target Shooting competitions and demonstrating his skills to thousands of excited spectators at Agricultural Shows. He recently became European 2007 Sporting Champion, having won this prestigious Clay Target
Championship against very strong competition. John is also currently England Open Sporting Champion 2007 and holds 5 World Championship titles as well as 2 European Champion titles.
A new motorhome from Simpsons is perfect for travelling on a fishing or golfing holiday, or for attending sporting events like motor racing, motor cycle racing or go-kart racing tournaments. John would be the first to tell you it's the ideal home on wheels.
Why not hire yourself a motorcaravan from Simpsons?
Call John Beckham for details on 0845 20 10 670 or click here for more information.
