Gloucestershire is home to a variety of thriving businesses marking some terrific anniversaries in 2022. SoGlos rounds up 14 of the fantastic high achievers going from strength to strength.
From charities to a hugely successful women’s football club – 2022 is set to be filled with plenty of impressive celebrations.
Cleevely Motors – 60th anniversary
In 2022, family-run independent garage Cleevely Motors celebrates 60 years in business.
Firing up the ignition of the business back in 1962, it has seen huge changes in the motor industry and with the launch of Cleevely EV, it is firmly at the front of the electric revolution.
Founded by Dowty’s engineer John Cleevely, the thriving family business has been passed down to the third generation with Matt Cleevely taking over the reins from John’s sons Alan and Shaun.
Daylesford Café – 20th anniversary
Back in 2002, Carole Bamford recognised the benefits of organic farming and set up her first organic café in Kingham near Stow-on-the-Wold.
Twenty years later, she has four further cafés in London as well as popular food, plant, clothing, interiors and spa outlets in Gloucestershire and the capital.
In 2022, to mark the 20th anniversary of her first café in Gloucestershire, she will be hosting a two-day harvest festival with food cooked from fire pits and barbecues as well as cookery demonstrations from guest chefs.
Cheltenham Cricket Festival – 150th anniversary
The world’s longest running cricket festival turns the grand old age of 150 this year.
Gloucestershire has been playing at Cheltenham College since 1872, when James Lillywhite set up the first match against Surrey, which was won by county players.
Organisers proudly state that no other cricket festival in the world has been played on the same ground for so many years and they claim no other cricket festival in the world lasts for 12 days or more.
Gloucestershire Academy of Music – 40th anniversary
To mark its 40th anniversary, members are striving to raise half a million pounds to buy the Gloucester building that the charity is based in.
Barbican House in Gloucester is in need of a revamp and members of the charity hope fundraising will enable them to keep educating music lovers from across Gloucestershire.
Helping more than 2,000 young and old musicians develop their skills, Gloucestershire Academy of Music hosts individual music lessons and group sessions as well as organising performances, courses, workshops and masterclasses.
Naylor Powell estate agents – 40th anniversary
Founded in 1982, Naylor Powell is one of Gloucestershire’s longest established estate agents.
Branches now stretch across the county in Cheltenham, Gloucester Docks, Hempsted, Newent, Stonehouse and Cam.
Over the course of 40 years, they have sold tens of thousands of houses and their team now exceeds more than 30 members of staff. They recently marked their anniversary with an 80s themed birthday party.
Willans Solicitors – 75th anniversary
In a few weeks, we'll be stepping up to our 75th year in business!?? Our #anniversary coincides with some exciting office improvements, including moving our reception to a new location in our premises at 34 Imperial Square. Watch this space! #throwbackthursday #willans75 pic.twitter.com/MI6ZUEgjXf
— Willans, solicitors (@WillansLLP) March 24, 2022
Founded in 1947, current staff have more than 561 years of experience between them.
Based in Cheltenham and advising on UK law, the popular solicitors has established itself as a respected authority in legal matters.
Taking on personal, charity and business cases, the forward-looking firm has also recently launched a global arm to its business with Willans Data Protection Services.
The Property Centre – 25th anniversary
The Property Centre was established in July 1997 by Steve Jones and Stuart Nash in Tuffley, Gloucester.
Within a year they opened their Quedgeley branch and since then, the company has continued to expand.
The team now works from nine sales and lettings offices located across Gloucester, Stroud, Cheltenham and Worcester.
City of Gloucester Women’s Football Club – 25th anniversary
Happy International Women’s Day 2022!
— City of Gloucester WFC (@CityofGlosWFC) March 8, 2022
We are very proud of all our female players, coaches, volunteers and supporters at City of Gloucester WFC
Here are just some of our amazing players ????????#BreakingTheBias pic.twitter.com/CJHRGb4H4X
A push to get women to the forefront of the beautiful game has seen membership to Gloucester WFC soar.
Boasting 130 members and nine teams from under eight girls up to a women’s team, the club will mark its 25th anniversary with a charity match on Saturday 18 June 2022.
Previous players in The Legends team will take on the current women’s team, for friends and family to cheer on. Proceeds raised will go to the James Hopkins Trust.
Now based at Wall’s Club in Barnwood, Gloucester WFC spent most of its 25 years at Tuffley Park. During that time, it’s had lots of successful players moving to national level, most notably former player Grace McCatty going on to play in the Champions League for Bristol City.
Pied Piper Appeal – 30th anniversary
The Gloucestershire children’s charity was founded in 1992 by Peter Hickman to raise money to fund a new children’s hospital for the county.
It opened at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in 2004 and since then the charity has raised millions to supply equipment to special schools across the county.
This year, 30 county firms are helping raise £100,000 to mark its special anniversary. Those getting behind the fundraiser include Cheltenham College, Gloucester Rugby, John Lewis and The Ivy.
SoGlos marks its 15th year with a brand-new look
Back in 2007, two intrepid journalists, Michelle and James Fyrne, returned to Gloucestershire from the heat of Dubai with a business plan on the back of a napkin. The rest is history.
Fast forward to 2022 and thanks to an investment worth hundreds of thousands of pounds; SoGlos is set to reveal some particularly exciting developments in the coming months.
With its largest ever team of journalists covering more breaking news and business success stories from across the county than ever before, SoGlos is going from strength to strength. It’s set to be a year to remember!
140 years of Wycliffe College
This independent boarding school in Stonehouse, set in 52 acres, was founded in 1882 by GW Sibly.
From a beginning with classes taught by the man himself, it now looks after around 700 youngsters within a nursery school for two to four year olds, a preparatory school for four to 13-year-olds and a senior school for 13 to 18 year olds.
Known for encouraging independent thought and a pioneering spirit, inspired by the thinking of 14th century philosopher John Wycliffe, the college is proud of its rich history and its drive to encourage pupils to be themselves.
Sweet 16 for The Brewery Quarter
Cheltenham’s Brewery Quarter has matured and improved with age as it celebrates its 16th anniversary year with not just one new opening but three!
From a semi-derelict site back in 2006 through to a packed-out hotspot today, this year has also seen Flight Club, Pho and BrewDog all open their doors at the centre.
Managed by Martin Commercial Properties since 2010, it has blossomed into a regional entertainment destination that attracts five million visitors each year.
Hosting a wide range of businesses from a hotel to crazy golf and bowling, as well as cyber space Hub8 and brand specialist SLG, The Brewery Quarter also hosts its own Christmas lights switch on.
With a range of outdoor live music events throughout the year, it’s become a social hub for Gloucestershire and beyond.
Atlas Camps turns 10
Celebrating a decade of fun, this popular children’s holiday club provider has grown from its first Cheltenham-based camp in 2012 to organising 22 clubs across the county in 2022.
Clocking up award wins and now welcoming more than 750 youngsters to its kids’ club, Atlas Camps is a source of huge pride for its two founders, James Harber and Dan Tanner, who now employ a leadership team of half a dozen alongside their much-loved camp hosts.
Brunsdon Financial – 90th anniversary
They’ve been around since 1932 and in that time they’ve build a solid reputation built on trust.
Offering mortgage services and wealth management for individuals, the firm also looks after pensions and benefits for businesses.
In its 90th year, staff at the Gloucester-based office are on a huge fundraising drive, striving to raise £22,000 for charities across Gloucestershire.
