3 Peaks Challenge 2008 Mark Wells will be leading a team of Civilian Veterans (over 35’s) to compete against a team of Army Veterans, over the gruelling 3 Peaks challenge on the 1st August 2008. Other team members for the civilian vets will be Paul Smith of Bardon Aggregates, Peter Whiting of Blackberry Homes and Fred Dugan from Gosport & Fareham RFC, who recently lost his wife to cancer. This challenge involves a team of 4-5 walkers/runners plus two support crew in a vehicle. The idea is to climb the three peaks back to back in the fastest time possible (you don’t have to run this course, but the team are so competitive, walking is not an option!) The Adventure starts on Saturday afternoon at the foot of Ben Nevis (4406ft) in Scotland, takes you overnight to Scafell Pike (3206ft) in England and finishes at the base of Snowdon (3560ft) in Wales. Training is already vigorously underway along with extensive fund raising efforts. The proceeds will be donated to the Soldiers League Members Club. Blanchard Wells would like to wish the team well on this extremely challenging event. Sports Relief This year’s Sport Relief 3 Mile Fun Run is proving to be a popular event in the office with Pete Whiting, Hannah Whiting, Luke Blanchard, Mark Wells, Kirsty’s husband Paul and their daughter Stephanie, all participating to raise funds for this excellent cause.London Marathon Our very own Luke Blanchard is competing in this year’s London Marathon, which is being held on 13th April 2008. Training has been going well and Luke is confident he will finish the course in a good time and also raise much needed funds for his chosen charity of UK Youth. For more details please visit their website www.ukyouth.co.uk. If you would like to sponsor Luke please visit his fund raising website www.justgiving.co.uk. Your donations would be gratefully received. Luke Blanchard – Moto X Luke is currently in training for the British Under 21 Championships and British Masters 2008 Series. Having come 1st in the Southern Centre HB Wakefield Final, he and his dad, Mark Blanchard, have just returned from a tour of France, Belgium and Spain covering over 2500 miles in just seven days. We would like to wish him every success in this year’s forthcoming events. Army Rugby League Team Mark Wells has been appointed the Performance Director of the Army Rugby League Team. Soldiers League Members Club Mark Wells, one of the Company Directors, has been appointed Chairman of the Soldiers League Members Club. This Charity supports the Army Rugby League 1st Team, The Royal British Legion, British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (BLESMA) and Combat Stress. The first of many events to be organised for these worthy causes will be held in May 2008. This will be a Rugby League match between Gosport & Fareham RFC Vets v Army Rats. This will be followed by a post match gala dinner and sporting auction. For more details please visit their website www.soldiers-league.com and become a member. A family affair We are delighted to announce that Hannah Whiting has joined the Company as an Accounts Assistant. She will be working alongside her sister Louise, who also runs the Accounts Department and her father, Pete, who is the Land & Technical Manager for Blackberry Homes. Portsmouth v Chelsea 2nd February 2008

Blanchard Wells was recently Match Day Sponsor for the Portsmouth V Chelsea Barclays Premiership football match at Fratton Park. Managers, staff and guests were invited to attend this exciting event and an exceptional time was had by all. Our very own “Superfan”, Robert Higgs, was nominated to present the Man of the Match magnum of champagne to Portsmouth player, Lassana Diarra. As well as everyone being shown around the grounds at Fratton Park and Blanchard Wells being presented a signed football shirt of the team, everyone enjoyed a corporate dinner with free flowing alcohol. Let’s hope we will be allowed back! The 2007 Christmas Dinner was held at The Holiday Inn, Fareham

The Directors invited all the office staff, Site Managers, Foremen and their partners to join them for a Christmas meal. A good time was had by all and Mark Wells’ speech was well received, particularly in conjunction with Matt Thomas’ own contribution of comical and drunken heckling throughout! Goodwood Race Course A superb day was had by all at Goodwood Race Course where the Site Managers and Foremen enjoyed an afternoon (and evening!) with their wives and girlfriends (WAGS if you're a footballer) along with the Directors and some of the office staff. The staff at Goodwood had certainly taken note from the previous year's event and put additional bar staff within the box to deal with the demand! Boxing their way to the top Foreman Brian Featherstone (left) met former World Champion boxer Barry McGuigan when the Blanchard Wells man completed his ABA Trainers Course. Not to be out done, Brian’s son Jack (right) met current World Champion Ricky Hatton. If you have any interesting news or comments to share with the rest of the team and the people we work with, please contact kirstycurtis@blanchardwells.co.uk