Social Activities

January 2013 - GRM "Art" Competition

For some reason the Directors at GRM thought it would be a good idea to encourage the GRM staff to explore their creative sides, with an Art Competition.

The theme, 'GRM and related fields of expertise', was thrown open to all staff to interpret in a medium of their choosing.

Some of our entries are presented here with the joint winners being Sally-ann Hodges (CAD Design Manager) for her GRM tree of expertise and Nicola and Alex (Geotechnical Engineers) with their excellent photograph.

25th January 2013 - Planned GRM Social Activities 2013

Once again the GRM Social Activity schedule for 2013 is packed full of old favourites with a sprinkling of new items. (Actually not many new items). For those of our extensive readership the events will be reported here first and hopefully not the local paper ! There are no prizes for guessing the common theme.

Most of the events are open to both Family members and the Tenants of Laurus House.

In January we are meeting at the Brewery Tap in Burton after work for a few pints of foaming real ale. Old favourites like Worthington ‘E’, Red Shield and White Shield brewed on the premises will be available and for those that need food the bar snack menu is extensive. We are departing from our normal night and trying a Wednesday night for a change with an early finish !!!. It is a great opportunity to meet and have a chat.

In February a new activity has been proposed and we are going to visit the Snow Dome in Tamworth. Activities available include ice-skating, tobogganing and skiing. The good news is that it is not mandatory to partake and there is a bar. It is rumoured that Mr Jerram and Mrs Ash will be attending and therefore it will be worth a big crowd turning up.

In March because of Easter we are limiting the activity to another Beer and Chat evening. Hopefully this will take place in one of the more celebrated Burton hostelries such as the Coopers, Burton Bridge and Devonshire Arms or perhaps for the hardy souls all three.

In April we will be visiting the Burton Bridge skittles alley for one of the most popular events of the year. We gave up with the rules many years ago and now basically divide into 3 or 4 teams and add up the scores to see by how many the Directors team has won. As usual we will be partaking of the excellent food (Faggots and Peas or Cottage Pie) and wonderful Burton Bridge Bitter.

In May we are going to the cinema. For some of our staff this will be a real treat as the last time they went the movie was silent !! Hopefully we will find a film we can all agree on.

In June we are off on our travels and by now you will gather that it involves beer ! After extensive research carried out by Chris Jerram we are going by train from Burton to Sheffield. We will be visiting (partly by Tram but mostly on foot) a number of pubs among them the Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern, Red Deer, Bath Hotel and lastly Platform 1B at Sheffield Station before wending our weary way home. The last trip (Beer on or adjacent to Stations) was a great success and hopefully this one will be too. No lager drinkers will be allowed.

In July we have the famous GRM Sports day. It is traditional that it rains heavily on this day. When we say Sports Day we actually mean Rounders in the Evening, on a field attached to the local sports centre. In the past this has become a bit too competitive so this year we are going to try to put the “fun” back into this event by banning all of the adults.

Also in July, following on from our previous Coast to Coast bike rides, a team from GRM will be cycling across Wales on the Trans Cambrian route. This route is just 104 miles long, but 70 miles of it is off road (including bridleways, peat bogs and six river crossings) over the Welsh mountains. We will be riding this route over 3 days. If anyone fancies sponsoring us, all donations will go to one of GRM’s nominated charities.

In August we are going to have another “Fun” day. The GRM 20 year party in 2011 was a great success. GRM employ a lot of big kids so a Bouncy Castle, Paddling Pool, Giant Chess etc. will all be in the programme allied to loads of food and pop. If the weather holds it will be an excellent day.

In September we are going paint-balling. Hopefully we will be able to go to a new venue that offers more places for people like me to hide until all that nasty shooting is over. A good tip is to shoot yourself in the foot, claim you have been shot by the enemy and retire to the café. The younger members of our staff love this day.

In October we will be visiting Laser Quest in Derby. Many of the smaller children and lots of GRM staff enjoy this experience. It basically does not hurt (which is a plus) and is fun or at least I am told it is.

In November we are having our annual Bangers and Mash night at GRM HQ, this will take place immediately after work with staff bringing in a selection of bangers and the means of cooking them. Open fires will not be allowed !!

In December we will be having a party somewhere!! We are exploring a few options but the consensus is that we should have another go at organising this event ourselves. Our aim is to get ALL of the staff to attend this year so we are going to announce the date early and make it early in December.

So there we are a full year of activities but we are always open to suggestions and if anyone who is reading this on our web-site would like to offer sponsorship please make contact with Mandy Bryant.

We are hoping to report the events on the web-site shortly after they happen. So those of you who follow GRM closely (Hello Mum) it will be a big treat.

26th July 2012 - 2nd Annual GRM Long Distance Bike Ride

After last years trip across northern England riding the Coast to Coast from Whitehaven to Sunderland, a crack team of geologists, engineers and technicians from GRM have again leaped onto their bikes. This year we decided to ride the Devon Coast to Coast, heading south from Ilfracombe to Plymouth.

This year the team had a new addition, GRM Director Bill Peacock. Being raised in the Devon area he had ridden some sections of the route before (mostly the flat bits!!).

The team (Bill, Geoff, Paul, Tony, Matt and Tim; with Fiona driving the support vehicle) set off from Ilfracombe on a sunny Saturday morning in early July, after a hearty breakfast. The ride started with a climb that hinted at the way the route was going to treat us. Sixty five miles later (after 1,300m of climbing) we arrived at Betty Cottles Inn ( a place that does a fine mixed grill!), just outside Oakhampton.

Next morning after several beers, a good nights sleep and another large breakfast we set off again with only Dartmoor between us and Plymouth. We thought the final 20 miles would be mostly downhill. We were wrong....

After another 41 miles (with 780m of climbing) we arrived at the end of the rise, having pedalled along the seafront of Plymouth, enjoying the sunshine.

Although there were a few aches the team had a great time. Amazingly there were no breakdowns or punctures.

Where next year? Possibly something to do with Welsh Mountains.

GRM Celebrates 21 years

2011 has seen GRM celebrate it's 21st birthday with a series of events held throughout the year. These have included old favorites such as visits to Indian and Chinese restaurants, a sausage and mash evening, and for the more energetic staff and children, nights of laser questing, skittles, and the annual GRM Rounder's match.

To make sure there was something for everyone, the year has also seen visits to Nottingham's greyhound racing track and to Alton Towers, with the highlight of the year being a special birthday barbecue held in August for staff and their families.

The barbecue was held at GRM's offices and included bouncy castles for children of all ages (2 - 64), a paddling pool, marquee, and a selection of games to go with the music and copious quantities of food and drink. We are glad to say that everyone survived the efforts of GRM's volunteer cooks and the entertainment.

At the end of barbecue, the founders of the company, Bill Peacock and Chris Jerram, were presented with a 21st Birthday Cake to celebrate the success and achievements of GRM in making it to 21 years of age, particularly given the severe downturn in the economy over the last few years. The cutting of the cake was greeted with loud applause by the onlookers, many who have been with Bill and Chris for over 10 years.

GRM has seen a lot of changes over the 21 years, in regulations and guidance, in technology, in expanding the range of clients we work for and in the colleagues we have worked with. Our achievements over this time have been built on the solid foundations of our "No Problems, Only Solutions" motto, and our keen attention to providing a personal service that covers everything our clients need. We are looking forward to celebrating many more anniversaries together.

The last event of this celebratory year is the GRM Christmas Party, more details to follow about this.

We would like to thank all those who have helped to organise, run and have attended the events we have held this year. Without you we would not have been able to have such a varied and interesting range of activities, activities which exemplify GRM's ability to organise and work together for others.

This year has also seen members of GRM take part in a number of charitable activities such as Movember (men's prostate cancer), Pink Day (breast cancer), and raising money as part of a group doing a Coast to Coast bike ride for Rainbows Children's Hospice.

Check this page again to see what we do next year...........

2nd August 2011 - GRM Annual Summer Rounders Match.

GRM’s summer rounders match was held outside again this year, adjacent to the Water Festival at Shobnall (well done all for resisting the real ale tent!).
The gruesome twosome of Geoff and Tony were separated to be the two team captains and Su Sharp was “volunteered” to umpire. As usual Dr Peacock’s Westcountry rounders rules were in force (i.e. make it up as you go along). With player ages ranging from just 4 to about 104 (CJ), and the use of metal bats and a hard ball, it was a miracle there were no fatalities. The main injury was to Su’s ears as over exuberant players attempted to alter her understanding of real events. The first game was won by Geoff’s team 53 to 52, and then players and spectators devoured the substantial picnic to refuel for the final game. Time constraints meant this game was a one hit per player game and Tony’s team got revenge by winning 12 points to 7. At this annual event it is fun to see active staff, family and friends, but fantastic to see the kids grow in stature and confidence.

19th July 2011 - GRM go to Alton Towers

A wet Saturday 16th July saw a few GRM staff and their families brave the English weather to visit Alton Towers. The thrill seekers amongst us queued for the new "Thirteen" ride, then straight onto "Rita". Meanwhile the younger members followed by their parents managed the "Water Rapids" and the "Run Away Train" rides. The sun did come out during the visit and allowed us to enjoy the picnic we had all taken. Everyone had a great day, the kids really enjoyed themselves and some of the bigger kids (especially Geoff, who had lots of fun on the pirate ships - any excuse to get wet!!) enjoyed it even more.

13th July 2011 - GRM team complete the C2C bike ride.

A team from GRM (Geoff Beckett, Tony Heron, Matt Tomkins, Paul Wardle and Tim Rogers), together with a few others (Tony's sister and brother-in-law) have recently completed the Coast to Coast (C2C) bike ride from Whitehaven to Sunderland. The ride was done over three days (via Keswick, Penrith, and Nenthead), and covered a distance of almost 140 miles. As you can imagine the route included some quite big hills (which some people managed to pedal up), as well as some relatively relaxing downhill sections (especially on the approach to Sunderland).
While most of the team completed the ride just for the challenge (and fun?), Tony used the opportunity to raise some sponsorship for one of the charities supported by GRM, Rainbows.
The team is now planning it's next cycling challenge.

On the start line in Whitehaven.