Weak pricing cuts profits by 25 percent, Simon-Kucher’s global study reveals

BONN, Germany -- 65 percent of the companies are not able to charge the prices they deserve for the value their products and services deliver. As a result, they lose 25 percent of profits. Rather than focusing on profit, 46 percent fight price wars to gain volume and market share. And when companies finally bring themselves to raise prices, they only get half of what they planned. These are the key findings of the Global Pricing Study 2011 conducted by strategy and marketing consultancy Simon-Kucher & Partners. The pricing experts surveyed more than 3,900 high-level decision makers from all major service and manufacturing industries in Europe, the US and Asia about their profit culture, pricing power, inflation and profit outlook. The study results show that companies underestimate the inflation threat and are badly prepared when they need to increase prices. But inflation is inevitable. “To secure profits, managers need to make their company inflation-safe. Using the inflation rate as a benchmark for the price increase target is in most cases the wrong strategy,” says CEO Georg Tacke.

The management summary of the survey is available upon request. For further details read the press release: http://www2.simon-kucher.com/index.php/us/news/press-releases.html or contact Claudia.Schulz@simon-kucher.com, 492289843372.Pricing power is the ability of companies to get the market prices they deserve for the value they deliver to customers. Only one-third has sufficient pricing power and knows how to turn value into money. The weak performance cuts profits by one-quarter. The chemical industry and transport & logistics have the lowest pricing power. Companies in Poland, the US and France achieve more often market prices that are in line with the value they offer. “The primary drivers for high pricing power are customer value and brand.”Most companies are only able to get half of the target price increase. “To cope with the inflation risk, pricing know-how differentiates the smart companies from the low performers.” The better the pricing know-how, the higher the pricing power, the higher the profits. 25 percent higher profits are proof enough.

The management summary of the survey is available upon request. For further details read the press release: http://www2.simon-kucher.com/index.php/us/news/press-releases.html or contact Claudia.Schulz@simon-kucher.com, 492289843372.

Here Is A Simple Way To Design A Shed Even If You'e A Newbie Builder

Did it ever cross your mind to design a shed and build it yourself? If you have a garden like I do, it must have crossed your mind before to be able to store all the stuff that is scattered in the garden; all the kids stuff, the firewood or all the garden tools you have collected over the years.

It's high time to construct a new shed to avoid the tools and stocks from being worn out by weather conditions. So I find myself decided to design a shed on my own from available shed designs and build it in my free time.Now you may start constructing your shed project precisely based on the plans you created from the time you are in the process of how you can design a shed. Step by step mounting directions are included in the MyShedPlans guide. As you begin to the build the foundation of the shed make sure first to level out the ground of the site.The MyShedPlans guide includes the materials needed for the chosen design of your shed. You can purchase all the materials needed for the building in your nearby home improvement store . Make sure that you got everything listed so you won�t have to run about to buy the lacking materials.The thought do design a shed and crafted it myself sprung from that example. Luckily, I was able to find numerous shed plans after I explored the Net and the top ones are from the website MyShedPlans.Now you can start to design a shed. When you have established the size of your shed, just run through the 12, 000 layouts that you can get in the MyShedPlans guide and select the one that suits you best. You might want to go to some home improvement stores to get an idea of the actual size of the shed you selected from the MyshedPlans guide.The materials for your wall should be set up and have them ready. The key point here is that it�s a good idea to have the walls constructed on the ground. When they are together you can lift them into position and strengthen them with nails. The roof then can be started by applying the trusses one by one making sure that the alignment is ok.In my patio, I had a metal shed. With the onslaught of winter that brings thick snow, the metal's true color is showing, that doesn't complement well with the garden nicely.The shed is almost done just some retouch to make it look great. After you design a shed yourself, check to make sure to conform to the shed plans and the storage shed designs. Once the trusses were completed and the roof is applied, the shingles can now be applied then the wood can treated. Check to make sure you have applied a protective coating or covering that will serve as protection from elements.If you�re a novice builder, before you can start the construction there are a couple of points to think about first: storage shed designs, materials and the selected site to make your shed. Be sure if you�re an inexperienced builder to design a shed that's not too big.All the works are now done . After a hard work you can now sit back and relax and admire your creation. You have noticed that it�s easy to design a shed yourself.The location of the shed must be established and consider how it harmonizes with the rest of the garden. Take into account the size of your backyard in relation to the size of your storage shed. You don�t want to sacrifice a beautiful backyard by building a too large shed.Make it possible for me to discuss to you how I undertake it quickly from how to design a shed until the construction process and here are the easy steps:

All the works are now done . After a hard work you can now sit back and relax and admire your creation. You have noticed that it�s easy to design a shed yourself.

Author: Shawn Conn

Build A Shed Easily With My Shed Plans Elite

Have you been thinking about building a shed for the backyard this summer? You are going to need a very good set of garden shed plans. Read on and find out why My Shed Plans Elite is your very best resource for wooden shed plans and how to get a set of totally free shed plans.

I've been writing articles about working with wood and building sheds for a number of years now and I have never found a more useful resource than My Shed Plans Elite. It is the only resource that offers over 12,000 shed plans in one package. The plans are simple to go through, easy to stick to, and as comprehensive as you could ask. With so many options, you will be sure to locate the perfect set to go with your home and backyard.Now my daughter is all grown up and married and she never got her playhouse. I know it would have been different with My Shed Plans Elite. The plans they supply lead you through the procedure one step at a time beginning with the materials you'll need. Really, any person can use these plans.Why My Shed Plans Elite is So PopularIn addition to plans for wooden sheds, you'll also get ideas for a huge selection of other woodworking projects like boats, chairs, carts, bird feeders, playhouses, arbors, you name it. And just to let you see how simple and comprehensive their plans are, the guys at My Shed Plans Elite will give you the plans to construct an 8x12 foot garden shed absolutely free.I can remember the very first set of shed plans I ever purchased. Actually, my wife purchased them and they were plans for a child's playhouse. It was meant to be a surprise for my daughter on her fifth birthday. Well, these "plans" were really nothing more than an extremely complex exploded view of a very ornate Victorian playhouse. It might have been wonderful, but I didn't have any idea of the best way to go about assembling it or even how to start.

In addition to plans for wooden sheds, you'll also get ideas for a huge selection of other woodworking projects like boats, chairs, carts, bird feeders, playhouses, arbors, you name it. And just to let you see how simple and comprehensive their plans are, the guys at My Shed Plans Elite will give you the plans to construct an 8x12 foot garden shed absolutely free.

Author: Robert Sessions

Plans For Chicken Coops - For Happy, Healthy, Productive Chickens

So you fancy keeping some backyard fowl? I have to say I think that�s a terrific notion. So how to start? The most important job on your list - other than getting those lovely chickens of course - is to discover plans for chickens coops that measure up to your needs. The determining question is, what precisely are your needs?

Are you searching for chickens for personal enjoyment in a small garden? Do you want just a couple of eggs a day for you and your other half? Or enough for a bunch of folks? Do you think you might like to get a couple of different varieties of chickens? Could be you�re thinking of selling what�s left over? Maybe you�re thinking to get some chicken coop plans and create your own design of coops for sale? Not a bad idea that - plenty of individuals have done well with it.A shed garden enhances the beauty of your garden. It serves for the storage and it also looks very beautiful. So, it serves you two ways.Modern sheds are far easier to assemble for the average homeowner than older models were because the plans have improved so much. These newer shed plans give more than enough detail for almost anyone to be able to easily assemble a shed.So, build a shed in your house and eliminate some storage problems easily and have some peace. All you need is some confidence and a garden shed plan in your hand to accomplish this home project successfully.Good Day!A Shed is a perfect solution for this problem. It serves your storage needs for the things that you cannot store inside your home. The Garden Sheds come in different styles and sizes and their price differs according to these two factors. The shed are made up of different materials like plastic, wood and metal. You can sore many things inside it like toys, tools, pesticides, lawnmower and vehicle covers etc-etc.People can get very creative, taking a regular design for a chicken coop and then adding all manner of stuff until they get something that looks like a Dutch barn, or a mansion house, or a castle... all types of things. Then there are folk who don�t bother with chicken coop plans at all and just use an old shed, or even an old sedan. Rather funny some of them, and fine so long as underneath everything there is what your fowl need for good health and security.By building the shed yourself you can also build it to match the color choices and style of your existing home. It allows you to pick the perfect siding materials and color to compliment the d�cor of your home. You can even add interesting accents like window boxes and hardware to make it even more attractive.

Just about anybody can build a chicken coop. It really doesn�t need a lot of knowledge, just patience and a few ordinary tools. Choosing well formed, professionally created plans for chicken coops should only cost $30 or less and you�ll have all the instructions you need to put up a home for keeping healthy, happy hens - and all the tasty new eggs you could eat!

Author: Dennis Cordy

Why You Are The Best One To Build Your Shed � Not A Builder

When deciding on the best way to install a backyard shed on your property, there are really only three main ways to accomplish this. You could have it built somewhere in advance, have it delivered to your property and placed where you want it. You could also have a builder come to your property and build it for you to your specifications or you could build it yourself.

Also, there are different kinds of accessories available for the garden sheds that make it more useful for you.Let�s not forget that fixed or moveable question? The fixed one is usually going to be a more durable building. If you build it solidly it will last you longer. Doing that with a portable chicken coop can make it unnecessarily heavy - which is kind of pointless. The thing with a fixed coop is that the your ladies will eventually turn the area into a bare patch of earth. They will peck and scrape at bugs, grass and weeds until there�s nothing left. That�s not a concern for the birds, but if you want to keep the wear spread out, a mobile coop is the best option. The other thing to think about is predators. If you have large predatory animals, etc then a portable coop might be too easy for them to get at. Alternatively, if it�s an urban area, with just a handful of birds, a moveable coop can be a very nice addition to your garden.Using a builder to assemble the shed will make all of these customizations more difficult as you try and communicate exactly what you want to the builder and will of course only add to the price.Among all the different types of the sheds, the most popular one is the wooden garden shed. Most of the people choose wood as their favorite material to build a shed as it looks more beautiful. Wood ads char to your garden. Plastic shed are the next in the line, but the metal sheds are avoided by majority of the people because of the heat and they also do not look beautiful. Also, the Timber sheds are susceptible to spoilage, so people avoid them.This leaves you the choice of assembling the shed on your property and either having someone do this for you or doing it yourself. Many people feel that they may not have the skills required for building a shed and will hire a professional contractor to build it for them.Plenty to mull over, isn�t there. The best step now is to take your time because mistakes made in the choice, the style and the construction process are invariably expensive to alter afterwards. Read through a few websites with designs for chicken coops and choose one that looks like it supplies an amount of choice. That way you�re only Shelling out for one set of chicken coop plans that can give you a number of different sizes or appearances. You also want to make sure they�ve got material lists so that you can work things out first (planning should be done to keep costs down).When you buy a shed someone else has built, you have a very narrow window of choice over the style, size and color of the shed. You also need to provide access to the location you want the shed installed and many times this can be a problem because of walkways and fences. Lastly, the shed and delivery will almost always be the most expensive option for you.People add doors and windows to their garden sheds, while some like to keep them just open. Painting the shed is always good as it protects it form whether and other conditions that can damage it.The biggest mistake people make is building a chicken coop too small. As far as materials are concerned, there�s not a lot of difference in cost between a small coop and a medium one. If you can afford it, and you have the space, always build bigger than you think you might need. Your hens will be better for it, you�ll get more eggs and you�ll have space to expand because I�ve got to warn you, chicken keeping can get addictive!

Good shed plan packages take the guesswork out of the project so you can simply follow the assembly instructions and end up with a finished shed. Perhaps completing a small 10x12 shed on your own would provide you with the confidence you need to tackle other construction projects around the house not to mention giving you bragging rights with your neighbors!

Author: Brad Appleton

How to Build Garden Shed

Storage is a very common concern for every householder. No matter, how much space you have in your house, it always becomes shorter when you bring new things home.

There�s no way to provide a size for each chicken - or how many fowl you�ll need to feed a particular group of people. Some of that has got to be determined by how much you love eggs! Different fowl varieties vary in size and the number of eggs they lay. The US Department of Agriculture states that the average bird lays 260 eggs each year, but I never heard of an average chicken yet. Usually a chicken produces a single egg each day - but will often miss a day and occasionally a whole week. That doesn�t indicate there�s something out of sorts and, if you�ve got a group, you�ll never know which isn�t laying. If you�re like us, a handful of eggs a day, on and on, takes time to get through - so you�ll have plenty to share.Sorry, got a carried away there. They are all considerations though in deciding the area of coop you need. Cash might be a factor, but you are going to be saving a good deal by building your own chicken coop so there won�t be a considerable difference unless you construct one that�s really enormous. You can always sell over-production to locals to offset money spent. Make your eggs less expensive than the nearby store and those around will normally be interested!You can either choose to build your shed on your own or buy a ready made garden shed kit, or then install it in the garden. You can shop online for the ready made garden shed kits that come with shed plans and materials you need to build it.If you want to build a shed for your garden, you first need to determine your requirements, whether you want it for storing just few things like kids toys etc. or you also want to store some big things out there. Then, the size of your shed also depends on the location where you want to install it. The location is very important; it should be an easily accessible place. It is good to build a garden shed directly on the ground and avoiding any kind of platform, however you can build a thin layer of concrete base as the wooden sheds when placed directly on the ground, they are prone to rotting. It is very important that you protect your shed from getting damaged by the weather changes. You can use proper coatings and varnishes. Most of the people pain their shed for the protection against the whether.When you decide to build a DIY Shed, you should consider all the important things like the area, soil and the weather conditions in the regions you live in. The land you select for your shed should be free from the underground cables and the soil should be leveled.Much to consider then. You also have to consider the space of your back yard. Fowl are quite easy to keep and don�t need huge amounts of space, but there�s a limit to how many you can get in a given plot and still keep them healthy (and productive). There are small, medium, and large plans for the chicken coops, each of which takes a certain number of chickens. Then there are stationary ones and there are the wheeled sort.This may be the right option for a very large or complicated shed, but smaller sheds are not that difficult to build if you can swing a hammer. Even though using a contractor will eliminate the need for you to spend the time building the shed yourself, it will be a more expensive option. You could actually use the extra money you would have to spend on a contractor to build a bigger or better shed instead.This means that homeowners can build almost any shed style they might want themselves and save a lot of money in the process.While the option of having a pre-built shed seems like the easiest solution, it really involves a lot of trouble and compromise and will cost you far more than the other two options.You can buy a garden shed either online or offline. There are ready made shed plans that can help you build a shed on your own without hiring a professional service. The shed plans help you a build a shed easily. If you do not have any past experience in this kind of woodworking project, then you do not need to worry as the garden shed plans have all the important information that you need for building your shed. A garden shed plan comes with the illustrated and colorful diagrams, schematics and complete instructions. The also have video tapes to help you with step by step instructions for completing shed project.

Good Day!

Author: Robert Handson

Plans For A Storage Shed: Where Do You Find Your Plans?

Have you been looking for plans for a storage shed? If this is the first time you tried to look for plans for a storage shed, you should take a look at what we have to offer you. Before you tackle a project like this you will need some guidance through the entire procedure. Before you purchase your plans for a storage shed there are a few questions that you need to answer first. Once you have a firm answer to these questions, looking at designs for sheds is fun!

The first question to answer is; why you would like to have a storage shed in your yard. Do you need somewhere to place all your garden tools or would you like to put your golf equipment there? Do you plan to hide there to relax from time to time when you're tired and need some private time or would you like to let your children play in it? There are many possible reasons why you would like to have a shed and there are a dozen different sites on the internet to look for plans for a storage shed. Most are easy to understand and as long as you plan your work before you start the building project you will most likely be very happy with your new shed in your yard.The owner of the plan package is Ryan Henderson, who has been teaching his site members how to build incredible looking outdoor sheds and provided outstanding woodwork designs that are made to be easy and fast to build. This system is designed for people of all skills and experience level and works regardless of the number of warehouse projects a person has done before.In addition to purchasing individual plans from a website, some sites sell a collection of wood shed plans as part of a complete package. This can be a great way to buy your plans since you will have other important details you�ll need to install the shed properly. Some of the other guides in these sets might include roofing techniques and materials, foundations and weatherproofing. While these are not technically part of a shed plan they can help you complete the larger project.Currently, visitors to the site can still get it cheaply with all the included bonuses since the product is still in beta testing. After this phase is over, its price is expected to be increased, therefore those who are interested in it should definitely get their copy now.Because of this, most homeowners that build a shed themselves still choose wood over other options since it allows them to build a shed that perfectly matches their needs and their yard. There are a number of places that you can find a great set of wood shed plans for your project that will provide you with a wide universe of choices.What Are the Benefits of Downloading My Shed Plans Guide?

Happy Shed Building!

Author: Wendell and Charmayne Vannatter

My Shed Plans Review

Would you like to find out more about My Shed Plans building guide and what types of wood storage shed plans you can expect to find inside? This guide is designed to help anyone become a competent craftsman even if he or she has not done any building projects or held a tool in their whole life. It is written in a very straightforward manner that is very easy to understand and contains step by step instructions.

Most of these shed plan packages will also provide details on other woodworking projects you might like to try. In addition to the wood shed plans they might also include basic furniture plans, smaller shed plans, boathouse or pool house plans as well as a collection of other blueprints.Even though you might only choose to build one shed from the set, seeing the plans for these other projects can give you ideas you might want to include in your shed. Buying your wood shed plans as part of a larger package like this is a great way for the average homeowner to find all the information they need in one place to help them complete their shed and help with the installation as well.This can be a problem if you have a need to move the door or window somewhere else in the shed and will be forced to compromise. Using wood instead will give you the option to make these types of changes easily since you are building the shed from individual lumber. In fact most wood shed plans will provide options for a number of changes you can make the basic design to fit your needs.Will The "My Shed Plans" Really Work for You Too?There are a lot of great places to find great wood shed plans, which enables you find the shed that�s right for you. In years past you could buy a set of plans from a lumber supplier that gave you a blueprint for a specific floor plan. While these were fine for most experienced builders, the average homeowner needed a little more detail to be successful.Who Created the Step By Step My Shed Plans Package?

Currently, visitors to the site can still get it cheaply with all the included bonuses since the product is still in beta testing. After this phase is over, its price is expected to be increased, therefore those who are interested in it should definitely get their copy now.

Author: Gary Ashby

The Great Versatility of Modern Wood Shed Plans

You have a few choices in materials when building a shed to use in your yard and your decision should be based on the type and size of shed you need as well as your location. Older sheds were mostly built from wood but newer sheds are now available in both steel and molded plastic but both of these styles offer less flexibility in design than a wooden shed.

The second thing you need to figure out is where you would like to place the shed that you are planning to build. There are some things you should remember when you're trying to decide where it should be placed. The first thing to keep in mind is that you need to build it in a place where it won't disturb your neighbours or some other member of your family. That's really important to consider before planning the construction phase. Another thing to remember if it is to be used as a garden shed; it should be placed where it's not hiding the garden from the sun. And if it is not meant to be a garden shed, it might be better to place it next to the house or the garage.Using wood to build your shed offers several advantages over most other steel and plastic options. First, other types of sheds are less flexible in design since all of the pieces of the shed are precut before they arrive. This means you are simply assembling these sheds onsite and can change very little of their design.Just go to www.PlanToBuildAShed.com for your perfect plans today!The third thing to figure out is how big you would like your shed to be. This depends on what you would like to use it for. It needs to be big if you want lots of children to play in it, but it doesn't have to be as big if you just want to put your golf equipment there. It will be much easier to choose the perfect plans for a storage shed when you firmly decide what purpose your new shed will serve.This package contains 12,000 different shed plans and wood effective patterns. It is by far the simplest way to get start learning how to build them and to acquire the highest quality yet very affordable designs. Inside the package, you will find carpentry courses and warehouse plans that are presented in step by step fashion.Browse our site, look through Ted�s Woodworking Plans and I can almost guarantee you will find the plans for the storage shed that you have been dreaming about.Happy Shed Building!

Even though you might only choose to build one shed from the set, seeing the plans for these other projects can give you ideas you might want to include in your shed. Buying your wood shed plans as part of a larger package like this is a great way for the average homeowner to find all the information they need in one place to help them complete their shed and help with the installation as well.

Author: Brad Appleton

Illinois' Les-On offering a lesson in change

Illinois' Les-On offering a lesson in change

But the organising committee, led by secretary Sydney Graham, a 68-year-old RAF veteran, can now plan for this year's event.Why the shift from retailing to design consulting? Masover says vaguely, "There were a multiplicity of reasons why we decided not to continue in the retailing and franchise environment, too numerous to go into."NEWS How we reported on the war veterans' plight LIFTED RAF veteran Sydney Graham celebrates after Greggs stepped in to help the Festival of Remembrance with a donation"It's very gratifying to know that remembrance activities and veterans in general can still get a lot of support."THEY shed tears of sadness when their annual event was pulled due to a lack of funding."The break-in was a massive blow to us. The thieves stole a new ride-on mower we bought only four months ago, along with a scarifier, which is vital for preparing the wickets, and a strimmer.

One big reason, however, was the opportunity he saw in consulting. "We design, lay out, set up and fixture a lot of the independent drug stores in the Chicago area, and our consulting work now goes way beyond drug stores into other types of outlets," Masover said. "The retail expertise we picked up as Les-On Retail Systems went a long way in the creation of the new company."

Author: James Frederick

CRICKET CLUB VOWS TO BEAT THE THIEVES; Major drive to improve facilities

Byline: NEIL ATKINSON

"A few of the stores retained the Les-On name after we sold them, but only if special arrangements were made," said company founder and president Leslie Masover, who remains head of the reformed company. "For all intents and purposes, the sale of the stores has been accomplished and we're a different company."Intruders have broken into a store shed and a container at the Jackroyd Lane club and stolen equipment worth more than pounds 5,000.Club president Neil Jaggar said: "When we moved to the present site in the 1960s, we had just one senior team.CAPTION(S):One big reason, however, was the opportunity he saw in consulting. "We design, lay out, set up and fixture a lot of the independent drug stores in the Chicago area, and our consulting work now goes way beyond drug stores into other types of outlets," Masover said. "The retail expertise we picked up as Les-On Retail Systems went a long way in the creation of the new company."Greggs was founded as a family business on Tyneside in the 1930s. It now has more than 1,500 stores around the UK and bosses were thrilled to be able to help heroes from the North East."We want to do this job once and do it properly, hence the reasons for our big fundraising drive.It had been hit by demands on reservists which meant many were unable to support the event as they had traditionally done.LINCOLNWOOD, Ill. - Change is part of doing business, but few companies have undergone such a fundamental transformation as Les-On Retail Systems and lived to tell about it. Once a big gun in Chicago-land drug store retailing, Les-On has evolved over the past few years from a drug store franchisor into a retail consulting firm.As reported in yesterday's Chronicle, heroes from around the North East had faced missing out on their first bash for 25 years because of military cuts and rising costs.But today, Tyneside war heroes are wiping away tears of joy after their remembrance service was saved by a generous cash donation.The Tyneside Festival of Remembrance is held every November at the Lancastrian Suite in Dunston. The venue is provided free of charge and hundreds of veterans, their families and supporters gather for an evening of entertainment and reflection.In the process, it has shed all of its drug store operations, moved to a new location and changed its name to Retail Store Planning Consultants. All that's left of the old company name is the Les-On Drugs logo that remains on a half-dozen stores in Chicago."Two years ago we had two senior teams and one junior team. Now we have the two senior teams and five junior sides and from next summer, we plan to run a girls' side and a Sunday team.Richard Hutton, Greggs' finance director, said: "It would be a real shame if, after 25 years, the Tyneside Festival of Remembrance couldn't take place.Masover formed Les-On in 1968 with a single store and a lot of sound ideas about how to run a drug store. "We had progressive inventory and merchandising systems, and at the time, our methods were really the cat's meow for independent drug store operators in the Chicago area," Masover said. "That's why so many of them became franchisees and adopted our systems."

[bar] TARGET: Upper Hopton Cricket Club president Neil Jagger with the shed which was broken in to. Below, the clubhouse which is set for major improvement

Help for the heroes; Greggs reprieves remembrance festival with pounds 1,000

Byline: ANDREW GLOVER

But their plans to raise thousands of pounds to equip the revamped pavilion at Upper Hopton Cricket Club have been dealt a massive blow.War veterans had been left devastated when organisers had to make the decision to cancel the event.When the Chronicle told Mr Graham about the pounds 1,000 offer from Greggs, he said: "That's absolutely amazing.[bar] TARGET: Upper Hopton Cricket Club president Neil Jagger with the shed which was broken in to. Below, the clubhouse which is set for major improvementThere will be a junior cricket match in the morning followed by a barbecue and entertainment for families, including games, races, a bouncy castle and a Between The Sexes cricket match.The club has been given grants totalling pounds 45,000, from Kirklees Council and the waste group Sita UK, to build extensions to the clubhouse, which dates back to 1962 when the cricketers moved to their present ground.Mr Graham, from Cramlington, Northumberland, said: "There's been a lot of tears among the veterans and the people who supported it. To know we can put something on for them is great. They will be greatly relieved."Father-of-two and grandfather-ofthree Mr Graham said the festival would still be without a military band because of cutbacks to the Armed Forces brought about by the Strategic Defence Review.At its height in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Masover's firm operated 30 Les-On Drugs stores in greater Chicago and downstate Illinois, each averaging close to $1 million in sales. By 1987, however, the chain was down to 12 units. Recently, the last of them were sold back to their franchisees.The festival, held in Gateshead, commemorates the fallen and raises thousands of pounds for military charities, including the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.But they also want to provide new furniture, fittings, showers and toilets to meet growing demand at the club.Mr Graham, who is also Newcastle chairman of the Royal Air Force Association, said it was the highlight of the year for many veterans."They caused damage to the locks on our container and smashed the door on the storage shed. It will cost us pounds 5,000 and although insurance will cover some of the cost, it is equipment we have to replace.The Chronicle reported how this November's event had been cancelled because the committee could not cover the costs of catering, entertainment and the printing of tickets and programmes, which cost around pounds 1,000."We want the club to become the focal point of village life as other non-cricket community and village groups, such as the local art group and coffee mornings, can make use of it."The Tyneside Festival of Remembrance has won a reprieve after bakers Greggs donated funds to help it continue."Our Tuesday practice nights see 70 children on the fields and that is why we desperately need to expand the facilities.PLAYERS and officials of a Mirfield cricket club are pulling out all the stops to improve their facilities.CAPTION(S):"Times are very tough for many people and at Greggs we really wanted to help so this important festival can take place again, bringing veterans from across the region together and helping to raise funds for the Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal."But the Greggs' offer means the committee can begin to plan the celebrations so many ex-servicemen and women looked forward to every year.

NEWS How we reported on the war veterans' plight LIFTED RAF veteran Sydney Graham celebrates after Greggs stepped in to help the Festival of Remembrance with a donation