We have a new e-mail address that will allow you to get replies to your requests for information more quickly. Please use ​mgmags@btinternet.com until further notice.

Small Business Saturday is on Sat 3rd December 2016. Of course that is a very important day or small businesses, but do not forget to support them all year round! For more information on Small business Saturday, please visit http://www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/ 
​or https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturdayUK/?fref=ts

I woke  up this morning and checked my mailbox. Ok - not straight away. It was after a very strong cup of coffee. I cannot function before that.

What I saw was an e-mail from the National Association of Independent Publishers telling us that I had been nominated in several  categories and and  shortlisted as a finalist in the 'Inspirational magazine business  owner' award category. Apparently, this year there has  been a huge increase in nominations (up 64%) so the boffins at the association tell us we should be really proud..

And of course, we are.

But, without our readers and you, the local businesses and our advertisers, the backbone of our local economy, we would  have no service to provide to our readers and, quite  simply, no  magazines  to  produce, print and distribute.

So thank you. Whether you are an existing or previous advertiser or whether you have simply enquired about advertising.  Thank you for supporting us and thank you for using your local business directory.

Goring, Woodcote and District (GWD) Lions Club need you. 
Could you work with them to achieve amazing things and make a real difference for those less fortunate?
Lions would like to thank everyone who has supported thier fund raising activities over the years such as the Santa tour of local villages just before Christmas. Also more recently at the 31st Annual Woodcote 10k Road run.
Without new members this Lions Club could fold and the Santa Claus will not be coming your way again..

 GWD Lions Club  now urgently need to increase their membership by at least 5 more younger active people joining the club.

 Over many years they have supported a wide range of causes, most recently in the period 2013/14 donating over £8K to 20 different local and national causes; and a small amount internationally.

They collect and recycle unwanted spectacles free to people with impaired vision through other Lions Clubs in Asia and Africa. Charity funds are also boosted by recycling used computer inkjet cartridges .

Aiming always to have fun as well as providing community support, they ask you to go along and meet them for a drink at one of their informal meetings at 8.00pm on the second Monday each month in Goring Social Club.
To learn more ( without commitment ) about what they do and how they operate please phone:
Derek Robinson (Goring) 01491 872857
 David Croft   (Woodcote) 01491 682790
 Jon Solman (Sonning Common) 077 8888 5682
www.lions-gwd.org.uk

This December Mike is taking part in the Decembeard to help raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer and he'd really appreciate your support.
Bowel cancer is the UK's second biggest cause of cancer deaths.  Of the 100 people diagnosed every day, almost half will die.  Yet, in over 90% of cases, bowel cancer can be successfully treated if diagnosed early enough.  That is why it is so important to donate and help so that people know how to be aware of the symptoms and act on them and so that research can continue.

Donating to Mike's JustGiving page is easy - just follow this link and click Donate:

http://www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Mao88

JustGiving sends your donation straight to Beating Bowel Cancer so it’s a quick and safe way to donate.

Thank you.

Wow! Who'd have thought it? After the joyous news about the nomination, we received the even more amazing one that The RG8 Directory is now shortlisted for an award at the National Independent Magazine Publishers' Awards. Frocks and dinner jackets at the ready, here we come! We can't wait for the ceremony now....

More and more people in the UK are starting their own business, leaving the 'corporate shackles' and going it alone. Sometimes by choice. Sometimes by necessity. Whichever it is, being your own boss is exciting and daunting at the same time. Like someone once said: "Good news: you're your own boss" - "Bad news: you're your own boss"....

It can be easy when being an entrepreneur, a one-man-band, a solo-preneur (I like this latest definition), to feel alone or isolated. But there's no need to be.

I recently read a very good blog by Jenna Arak, called "The Hard Truths of Solopreneurship" where she explains very eloquently the self doubts and fears that a solo-preneur can have from time to time. She also reassures us that those doubts and fears are common to most business owners and that they are absolutely normal. If you own your own business I recommend you read it.

Jenna's article is available here http://ow.ly/By89m

Today, Thurs 4th Sep 2014, we are experiencing problems with our phone lines. If you cannot get through, please e-mail mike@rg8directory.co.uk or info@rg8directory.co.uk or tweet us @theRG8directory