An incredible demonstration of how a business can supercharge a community
If our new Prime Minister needed a real-life example of how a business can help “bring back hope” he need only look to Gloucestershire and the latest recipient of our Raikes Recognition Award.
Dear reader,
We lead on another of our Raikes Recognition Awards stories today, where we single out a business, organisation or individual achieving something outstanding in Gloucestershire.
Today it’s the turn of an individual, a business leader, a family and a whole community – but we give the award to the sports club at the heart of the story (partly because the man who helped make it all possible went to great pains to deflect any praise we tried to pin on him!).
As we say in the intro, the new prime minister has talked a lot about ‘bringing back hope’, and his critics have asked him how he’s going to pay for that.
The story below talks about how it can be done. The key ingredients appear to be an environment where business can thrive, brilliant leadership and values that see business success as a force for good and not just profit.
As one of our sponsors, QuoLux, would say, wield this power in the right way and business success can create ‘good dividends’ whose impact is felt far and wide.
If you reflect on the times we’re living in, you can’t help but think Peter Bell, the Bell family, and Cinderford Rugby Club and its volunteers have managed something akin to alchemy.
As Dr Stewart Barnes, founder of QuoLux, pointed out to us – imagine what would happen if more business leaders saw their place in their community like Peter Bell and his family see it.
Have a great week.
Best regards,
Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk
Charity of the week… Rising costs hit Gloucestershire charity
Gloucestershire charity The Longfield Community Hospice is the latest to be forced to close one of its stores, a trend begun by such stalwarts of the charity shop sector as British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK. All have blamed a change in shopping habits and rising costs including business rates and staff-related, not to mention the cost of living on consumers’ spending power and the rise in NI contributions and minimum wage. The Longfield, which provides specialist hospice care and support for adults with life-limiting illnesses across the county, said the decision was made following careful consideration as it responds to an increasingly challenging financial climate affecting charities and retailers alike. Its Winchcombe shop will remain open until 1st September. More here.
Briefing notes…
🏘️🏗️🚗🚗 Most of us are in favour of more new homes, even in our own backyard, but waking up to find the number could be close to 2,135 plus a bypass is bound to cause concern. Residents in Moreton-in-Marsh are said to have woken up to find pictures of maps on social media showing a planned bypass “carved through their back gardens” - as well as the 2,135 new homes. A new blueprint for development in the Cotswolds has been put forward by the district council’s Liberal Democrat leadership. The draft local plan aims to allocate land for 18,900 homes to be built by 2043. More here.
💷 It’s emerged that a legal team from Gloucestershire made possible a deal that saw a medical equipment specialist bought by one of Europe’s ‘premier pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisations. Cheltenham-headquartered solicitors Willans LLP solicitors’ corporate and commercial team advised county-based Medical Graphics UK on its sale to The Wasdell Group. The law firm’s real estate team was also involved too. Medical Graphics UK was founded by Ali and Nick Chapman. Its primary products help clinicians diagnose and monitor conditions such as asthma, COPD, and other respiratory or cardiac disorders. Full story here.
💷💷 Community groups across Cheltenham are being invited to apply for a share of £30,000 through the Community Pride fund. The fund aims to support initiatives that strengthen neighbourhoods, celebrate the town’s diverse communities and build pride. Grants of up to £2,000 per project are available on a match‑funding basis. The borough council will cover up to 50 per cent of the total project costs with groups asked to contribute the remainder, which can include in-kind contributions of volunteer time and resources. More here.
Dates for your diary…
As we move into the holiday period and it feels like the What’s On calendar has gone blank, here are some dates for your diary stretching into October, starting with a short feature on a special event for property investors and landlords in September…
The Cotswolds Huddle - Tuesday, 4 August 2026 at 11:30 am at Vinotopia on the Nailsworth Mills Estate, Avening Road. It’s described as a free, casual networking event for businesses. No booking or tickets required.
Cheltenham BID, Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council’s ‘public realm update and engagement event’ at Hub8 MX on Tuesday 11 August from 5pm to 7pm. More here.
Landlords struggling with Renters’ Rights Act to get a helping hand
Four months on from the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act clarity is still being sought by landlords, investors, property owners, and developers. Experts from law firm Willans LLP will aim to address concerns of landlords, investors, developers and agents with a free in-person on 8 September from 4pm to 6pm at DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham-Cotswolds, Cirencester Road, Cheltenham GL53 8EA. More here on Friday July 31 edition.
WSP Solicitors’ Tapas Tuesday networking event – Tuesday, 8 September from noon till 2pm at Sebz Cafe Tapas Restaurant, Gloucester. More here.
Cheltenham Animal Shelter celebrates 100 years with a fundraising drinks reception, three-course dinner, black-tie ball and live music from Tux Fizz at Pittville Pump Room on Friday 11 September. More here.
The Property Forum’s State of the Nation event at The Shirt Factory, Gloucester, on Thursday 17 September, sponsored by Willans LLP solicitors and Hazlewoods. A panel featuring city MP Alex McIntyre will discuss housing, planning, regulation, and the wider economic outlook. 9am to 11am. More here.
The Property Forum’s Inspiring Women, The Tavern, Cheltenham, on Thursday 24 September. Sarah Bryars, vice chair and trustee of Friends of Westonbirt, will host with special guest Sophie Nash, programme manager for Forestry England. BPE Solicitors sponsors. More here.
The team from CyNam is due to stage Gloucestershire Tech Week (GTW) from 12th to 16 October. More here.
If Burnham wants to bring back ‘hope’ – he should look to Gloucestershire
If our new prime minister needed a real-life example of how a business and its leadership can “bring back hope” he need only look to Gloucestershire and the latest recipient of our Raikes Recognition Award.
Andrew Merrell.
Since Andy Burnham stepped into the spotlight as our new Prime Minister he has talked a lot about “bringing back hope”.
He need only look to Cinderford in the Forest of Dean to see a shining example of that being achieved and more, without it costing the Government a penny.
Our story starts rather ominously with a conversation between Peter Bell, a businessman from the Forest of Dean, his wife, Yvonne, and their daughters Natalie and Nicola over money. Rather a lot of money.
Bell’s question (and you have to admire him for having the courage just to put it!!) was “I want to spend a million and a half pounds of our money on some artificial grass for Cinderford Rugby Club’s pitch. What do you think?”
As well as president of the club for 21 years, Bell is the CEO of KW Bell Group, a business empire founded by his father, Keith, and built by the family over many years since.
Today KW Bell Group includes housebuilder Bell Homes, plant hire firm Bell Plant, groundwork and civil engineering specialist Bell Contracting, AccXel Construction School and The Belfry Hotel in Littledean.
It’s a group predicting a £100 million turnover in three years’ time. So you might imagine the family has pockets deep enough, but still.
Anyway, Yvonne, Natalie (King) and Nicola (Bird) said ‘yes’. And that decision has been transformative, not just for Cinderford Rugby Club.
For a town ranked among the most deprived 10 per cent nationally the investment was not just huge in money terms, its impact has gone way beyond.
It’s allowed a dedicated team of mainly volunteers at a club already at the heart of its community to make real their ambitions and create something powerful and sustainable.
Revenue at Cinderford Rugby Club, whose first team plays in the National Two West league, has increased by 35.9 per cent, bar sales by £42,858, membership by 28 per cent, and a pitch so often waterlogged and out of action is now an asset.
The ability to rent the playing surface has created a completely new income stream already bringing in £20,000 a year.
Nicola Bird, chief operating officer of KW Bell Group, said: “The increased income is now being reinvested into facilities, community provision and the long-term future of the club.
“This is exactly the type of project that demonstrates why investment in community infrastructure matters.
“It strengthens local organisations, creates economic activity, improves health and wellbeing, and gives young people more opportunities to participate in sport.
“Too often, examples of successful local investment like this go largely unrecognised, despite demonstrating exactly how infrastructure can drive growth, participation and community prosperity.
“We spend a lot of time talking about growth strategies, yet here is a proven example of investment delivering measurable economic, social and community returns right here in the Forest of Dean.
“The AGP (Adjusted Gross Profit) isn’t just a pitch. It’s a growth asset.”
Facilities include floodlighting and the ability to film and live-stream games on Facebook. But it’s the wider impact that gets Bell most animated.
“It used to break my heart to go up there (to the Dockham Road ground) and know another game has been called off due to bad weather and the youngsters not being able to play again.
“It’s bad enough when the first team can’t play, but it just didn’t seem fair when there was something we could do about it. I thought ‘this has to change’,” he said.
“The club was already looking at how to do it. Our treasurer (Robert Beavis) said he thought we might be able to put in an artificial pitch for £600,000.
“But we wanted to get the very best we could and do it quickly – and that’s why I went and had a talk with my wife about paying for it,” said Bell.
One top player who has played at Premiership level has already described the pitch as “the best surface he’s seen”.
Mini and junior rugby participation has increased by more than 200 players over the same period. The community impact has been massive.
“I’m so excited it’s bringing so many more people into the club,” said Bell, who started playing for the club when he was 15, with his dad starting to sponsor it shortly after that.
“It would be great to think that in four to five years’ time some of those youngsters will be playing in our first team too.
“And for our first team players, there are fewer injuries (because of the better playing surface). Which gives them longer careers. Being streamed on Facebook gives players more exposure too.”
Children in Cinderford now know they are growing up in a community people want to invest in. And that investment is not entirely rugby-centric either.
“We have lent the club a quarter of a million to build some padel (tennis) courts too,” added Bell.
Those courts will provide not just more income for the club and better facilities for the community, but more reason to live in the Forest of Dean. And this is where the circle begins to be squares.
KW Bell Group employs an estimated 600 staff too. Most live locally. Their families are here. They know they work for a business that is committed to them inside and outside work.
Our Raikes Recognition Awards are made possible by our sponsors, including leadership development firm QuoLux, legal experts Willans LLP solicitors and Gloucestershire College. Here’s why two of those think Cinderford Rugby is a worthy recipient of our latest award.
Dr Stewart Barnes, of leadership development firm QuoLux, has known the CEO of K W Bell Group, Peter Bell, for more than 15 years and followed the fortunes of the Bell family’s group of businesses.
QuoLux itself has pioneered the concept of Good Growth, which it describes as ‘a purpose-driven business philosophy that aligns commercial success with positive social and environmental impact. It shifts the focus from simply accumulating profit to generating Good Dividends’. Not unlike what the Bell family is doing.
“I have nothing but admiration for what Peter Bell, KW Bell Group and his family has done for Cinderford and Cinderford Rugby. It is wonderful to see.
“Setting up AccXel is massive too (the construction school founded by Nicola Bird and Natalia King).
“It’s helping train some of the many new apprentices and construction workers we need in construction.
“KW Bell is a great example of a business that invests in itself to grow and invests in its industry and in its community. If we had more like that around the country what a difference it would make.
“It’s an example of what we call good growth – a growing business doing good by its community in a sustainable way.
“Peter is a superb businessperson. He should get a knighthood or OBE and recognised for the work he does for Cinderford and Cinderford Rugby. The country needs more Peter Bells.”
Simon Cook is a partner and head of wills, trusts and probate at Willans LLP solicitors in Cheltenham, and another of the sponsors that makes possible the Raikes Recognition Awards.
Cook said: “It’s inspiring to see the positive difference this project has made, both for Cinderford Rugby Club and the wider community.
“Sport plays an important role in creating opportunities for people of all ages, helping to build confidence, resilience, and a real sense of belonging.
“At Willans, we’re proud to support sporting organisations that strengthen communities across Gloucestershire, from our partnerships with Gloucester Rugby, Cheltenham Tigers and Old Patesians Rugby Club to backing local grassroots initiatives.
“It’s fantastic to see Cinderford Rugby Club thriving and creating a lasting legacy for the Forest of Dean.”
Robert Beavis, treasurer of Cinderford Rugby and one of the many volunteers who run it, got involved in the club more than two decades ago when post football career his aunt and uncle Bob and Mary encouraged him into the fold.
“As a club we were traditionally quiet during the summer, usually doing maintenance, but now we have summer camps, football tournaments and we had a (rugby) sevens tournament recently.
“As well as padel, we have been talking about doing more – like golf simulators too.
“We want to make people aware that it’s not just about rugby any more, it’s about the whole community. Cinderford Rugby Club is a cracking place to be at the moment.”
If you have a company, organisation or individual you think is worth of one of our Raikes Recognition Awards please do let us know. Email andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.