Freedom Cycles, the Cycling store where customer service still comes first!
We are an independent Cycle dealer in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Situated in the bus station in this historic cathedral city, we opened our shop in April 2009. As cyclists ourselves, we believe we have the passion and desire to make sure everyone is happy on two wheels!
We started our store journey as part of the Raleigh Cyclelife network, and as such we are able to offer the full range of Raleigh bikes and accessories. As we have grown as a business, and our customer base has expanded, we have developed our range of bikes and accessories to satisfy all – bike brands stocked now include Diamondback, Focus, Haibike, Tifosi and more manufacturers are being added all the time.
We pride ourselves on our personal service, and attention to detail when finding the right bike for you. Whether you are young or old, expert or novice, adventurous or sedate, we will help you to choose the right bike for your needs, and ensure that it is the right size too. Our aim is to show everyone how much pleasure it is to ‘get on your bike!’
We have over 80 bikes on display, with more in stock and readily available, ranging from toddlers trikes to tandems, full range of children’s bikes, bmx, town and country, all terrain and mountain bikes, and a full range of road bikes for all riders – right through from beginner to serious competitor.
Parts and accessories are readily available throughout the store, brands such as Altura, Polaris, Lusso and Moa for clothing, Campagnola, Shimano, Sram, Cycleops, Stans, Camelback, Motorex, Muc Off, Moon and many many more. If we don’t have an item in stock when you call in, we can normally get a very prompt delivery from our suppliers.
We have been heavily involved with Lichfield District Council in supporting and helping to run the ‘Cycle Rides for All’, a community ride which takes place once a month from March to September, on the last Sunday of the month, and has grown in numbers over the last four year’s. Further details of this year’s program of rides will be available shortly – see our website for updates.
Also, we have our very own FREEDOM RIDERS – a group of like minded cycling friends, and we ride from the shop every Tuesday evening at 6pm – this is a road bike ride, normally between 20-30 miles at a steady (ish) pace. We organise a number rides throughout the year, culminating in the Freedom 69er – a 69 mile ride, normally in September which we raise funds for Charity, last year raising over £400 for SSAFA the forces charity.
This years planned rides so far are the March Den Engel run, a steady ride up to Leek on Saturday 22nd, stay over for a meal and drink, followed by a longer ride back on Sunday 23rd. On August bank holiday, we will be leaving the shop in Lichfield at Midnight for a ride through to Barmouth – arriving on the sea-front in the morning – once you’ve done this one, you’ll want to do it again! And of course the Freedom 69er in September.
Our servicing is carried out by Cytech qualified technicians, and we repair all makes and models of bike. We are happy to quote on any service or repair job that you are contemplating. Complete rebuilds, refurbishments, wheel builds, standard and special services, even replacing inner tubes!
As we are celebrating our 5th birthday in April, we will offer a 10% discount off parts and accessories to any customer bringing this copy of Recommended magazine with them when visiting the store.
The Bus Station, Birmingham Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6HU 01543 411633
This article appears in Lichfield Recommended Magazine, a free publication delivered to homes and businesses in Lichfiled and surrounding areas.
Christmas and New Year is the time for giving – but what are the tax implications?
As this is the ‘Season of Goodwill’ in this month’s tax tips we are focusing on the tax implications of Giving.
Charity Donations
Firstly let’s consider the donations you make to Charities. Many people are aware that if you make a donation to a charity via the gift aid scheme, then the charity will receive an additional payment of basic rate tax from HMRC. But what many people paying higher rates of tax may not realise is that they can also benefit from tax relief on donations. By declaring their charitable Gift Aid donations, they can claim relief equal to the difference between the higher rate of tax and the basic rate of tax at 20% on the total value of the donation. So if you donate £100 to a charity, and you are currently paying tax at 40% you can claim additional tax relief which saves £24 tax!
‘Small’ gifts
What about the gifts to family and friends? Well you can make small gifts up to the value of £250 to as many individuals as you like in any one tax year and they will all be exempt from Inheritance Tax when you die.
Annual exemption
You can give away additional gifts worth up to £3,000 in total in each tax year and these gifts will also be exempt from IHT. There is also provision to carry forward the unused part of the £3,000 exemption from last tax year.
Wedding gifts/civil partnership ceremony gifts
If you give cash or gifts or because of a Wedding or civil partnership, then this will be exempt from IHT if it is below the following limits:
Parents – each up to £5,000
grandparents and great grandparents – each up to £2,500
anyone else – up to £1,000
Regular gifts or payments that are part of your normal expenditure
If you make regular gifts out of your after-tax income, these can also be exempt from Inheritance Tax. These gifts will only qualify if you have enough income left over to maintain your normal lifestyle.
Any other gifts
Gifts in excess of the above exemptions, but which were made more than seven years before the donor dies are free of IHT. However, if you reserve any benefit from a gift – such as continuing to live in a house you have given away- “gift with reservation” rules may apply tax as though your gift had never happened…
We offer a free 30 minute consultation, so if you would like any additional information regarding the above or any other tax issues concerning you, then please contact us or visit us in our offices in Walmley Village, Sutton Coldfield.
This article appears in Walmley Pages Magazine, a local magazine delivered to homes and businesses in Sutton Coldfield, Walmley, Minworth and surrounding area’s.
Green is the colour
Looking back is traditional at this time of year, especially as we have a bright shiny new one to make a mess of. Such a lot of rain made it a difficult time down in the Valley. Our wildflower meadows missed the correct time for mowing and we have to hope that it has not too much effect on this new year`s display. Certainly the undergrowth burgeoned massively and it meant machete time around the Boardwalk and at various other points where the greenery impeded a walk or ride. Earlier in the year we had a go at the Himalayan Balsam that infests the brook and would hope to do the same this coming spring. There are those that would have us clear out the stream of its silt and and weeds but I think that the fact that fish and crayfish have returned are an indicator of good water quality. The long bright green weed that has white flowers is water crowfoot , again a natural sign of water quality. Also, we will be adding some extra, long awaited , litter and waste bins shortly as a joint effort between the Council and the Steering Group.( We pay for `em ,they get `em emptied!) The muddy gateway at Allendale Rd has at last received our attention and been meshed. Apart from work of course there has been much to enjoy and appreciate. The lush summer gave way to a spectacular autumn and now winter. Whatever the season there is always good reason to get out there and enjoy, `cos it is the users who make it what it is , ours.
Ours, also, is the Green Belt that surrounds us. It is under pressure from an increasing city population. I fear that the case for releasing some of it (400hectares) is too strong to resist. However, with the right response to the current consultation we should be able to mitigate its effect on our locale. If you have not already done so , please comment on the proposals before the end of January. Try to make objections objective and offer alternatives. Don`t be afraid to be a Nimby , because Nimbys care about where they live and how they live. Be heard and least say you tried. Your kids may yet thank you for it .
Jeff Gilbert
NIMBY or Nimby (an acronymfor the phrase “not in my back yard“)
This article appeared in the January edition of Walmley Pages Magazine,
a local magazine delivered free to over 8000 homes.
Sutton Coldfield man to undertake End 2 End Cycling Challenge
Local Supporter to undertake End 2 End Cycling Challenge
Local man Derek Wilson, of Sutton Coldfield, will be undertaking a mammoth 1,100 mile cycling challenge in May 2012 in order to raise funds for the Cancer Support Centre.
Derek will be setting off from Lands End, Cornwall on May 5th and will then cycle an average of 74 miles a day aiming to reach John O’Groats, Scotland 15 days later.
Derek said. “This is the ultimate bike challenge for any cyclist in Britain and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. However there is another reason for me doing this. In August 2009, my wife Sue was diagnosed with bowl cancer, it has been a long and hard battle and it’s not quite over yet. “
“Along the way Sue and I have had great support from family and friends but sometimes you need outside support. This came from customers of my business and the Cancer Support Centre in Lindridge Road, Sutton Coldfield. The therapists, staff and volunteers were a tremendous source of help, support and advice at a very difficult time. So to give something back I want to raise £1,100 which is £1 for every mile I will be travelling.”
Ann Mckeown, Fundraiser of The Cancer Support Centre, Sutton Coldfield said: “Derek is undertaking an amazing challenge and we really are grateful for all that he is doing for us. I can’t imagine cycling just 74 miles in one day let alone doing the same distance every day for 15 days.”
“The money that Derek is hoping to raise for us will make a huge difference to the Centre. We are completely independent and receive no government funding and rely entirely on the goodwill and support of local people like Derek.”
The Cancer Support Centre has a whole host of activities and events that people can join in with and is in particular looking for runners for the Great Midlands Fun Run to support the Centre. For more information about how you can help The Cancer Support Centre and local people living with cancer call Ann Mckeown on 0121 378 6296 or email fundraising@suttoncancersupport.co.uk for details of the latest activities.
IT’S A CHALLENGING TIME FOR THE CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE
It’s that time of year when peoples thoughts turn from cosy night’s in front of the fire finishing off the Christmas chocolates to bright mornings and summer holidays. And the realisation that this year they may have over done the festivities yet again. So what to do about it
Why not sign up for a challenge and raise funds for the Cancer Support Centre – a local charity based in Sutton Coldfield, working to help local people affected by cancer.
Ann Mckeown, Fundraiser at the Cancer Support Centre says “There are probably lots of people out there thinking about the need to tone up and slim down this year. They may even be thinking about ‘challenging themselves’ in some other way. It’s also a challenging time for the Cancer Support Centre. We moved to new premises in Sutton Coldfield, February last year and extended our opening hours so knew we would be able to support more people. However new client numbers are up over 40% and we have already provided more treatments so far this financial year than we did in the whole of the previous year. So it’s putting a real strain on our resources.”
The Cancer Support Centre is asking people if they have set themselves a New Year’s resolution if they would also add a charity challenge to this as well and raise some much needed funds for the Cancer Support Centre. There are lots of ready made opportunities that people can take part in. For example the Great Midlands Fun Run 2012 opens its registration for this year’s event on Friday February 3rd and the Cancer Support Centre has a small number of guaranteed places for the Birmingham Half Marathon later in the year. The Centre would also love to hear from anyone who may be undertaking a more gently challenge as they can help with ideas and materials such as sponsor forms and posters.
Ann says “We need to raise £110,000 this year in order to continue to provide support, advice and complementary therapies to the many local people diagnosed with cancer this year. It’s a been a challenging year in lots of ways with high and low points but without more funds the number of people we can support will always be limited. So if anyone is signing up for the Great Midlands Fun Run don’t forget to support the Cancer Support Centre.”
To find out more about how you can help The Cancer Support Centre, Sutton Coldfield and local people living with cancer call Ann Mckeown on 0300 012 0245 or email fundraising@suttoncancersupport.co.uk for details of the latest activities.
OLYMPIC SWIMMER URGES SYNCHRONISED SUPPORT FOR 2012 ST GILES HOSPICE SOLSTICE WALK
A 2012 Olympics hopeful from the Sutton Coldfield is encouraging women across the region to grab some glory of their own this summer by taking part in the St Giles Hospice Solstice Walk. Synchronised swimmer Yvette Baker has begun the official countdown to St Giles’ biggest single fundraising event of the year by calling on women to sign up now – and help raise thousands of pounds for the care of local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses. The 2012 Solstice Walk, sponsored by Lichfield-based Florette, the UK’s leading prepared salad specialist, is a high-spirited night-time 9-mile stroll through the streets of Lichfield taking place on Saturday 23rd June. Yvette (20), who is from Sutton Coldfield, says: “Coming from the local area, I’m well aware of the superb work that St Giles Hospice does for people in need – and the Solstice Walk is a fantastic opportunity for women to get together, have a great time and raise money for a really worthy cause.”
The Solstice Walk is open to women aged 16 and over, and entry is £15. To sign up, visit http://www.stgileshospice.com/solsticewalk, calling Jenni Dawson on 01543 432542, email jenni.dawson@st-giles-hospice.org.uk.
thinkbigpublishing 