Who would've thought (and it still amazes me) that the Melton Messenger has now been running for ten years….?

I started the Messenger after having a bad experience with a tradesman and thought that there was a need out there for a handy little directory listing local services recommended by real people. All this was well before any of the customer rated websites had formed. I started out by knocking on neighbours doors and asking them if they would mind telling me what services they had used and which had done a good job!

Over the years we have endeavoured to maintain the Messenger’s ethos of including businesses and services that have been recommended by previous customers. And thank you to all of you who we have spoken to and who have helped us to do this. We still encourage readers to feedback on the services featured in the directory and we will pass this back to the advertiser concerned. Nine times out of ten this is positive, but if we did get lots of readers complaining about a particular service we do reserve the right to take them out of the directory - thankfully this has only ever happened on a handful of occasions.

Our main aim has always been to provide readers with a handy, interesting and useful publication and to encourages readers to use local businesses.

Over the past 10 years we have keep up to date with the changing technology with our website, online magazine, social media and

mobile app. I still however firmly believe that there will always be a place for a quality printed local directory.

Readers may remember the very first issue we produced in December 2004, rather different from what it looks like today. It’s thanks to our local contributors and writers that has helped keep the publication interesting and relevant. Back then we only distributed to one thousand homes, today its almost 14,000. I must also mention here my fantastic distribution team who reliably deliver the Messengers through your door every other month. It started out with friends helping me deliver and now most

of their own children have grown up and taken over!

I am proud to say that lots of our advertisers have been with us many years and I wanted to take this opportunity of thanking them all for their continued support. In particular are those who were with us in those first few months and who have stayed in every single issue since! You may recognise some of their original adverts opposite. Finally last but not least a big thank you to you the readers.

By using the Messenger to source your local services you are not only supporting the local economy, but keeping the Messenger going too. We are not run by the Council or part of the local paper, as some people may believe, but an independent company run solely by yours truly. Please do feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions on improving the Messenger, any feedback for any of our advertisers or recommendations on who we should be including.

You can find more information about us on our webite Do find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to download our mobile app!

Some kind words from our advertisers “Advertising with the Messenger over the last 10 years has been a hassle free effective way of gaining new customers.” Dean Cordwell - Valley Taxis “Debbie realises how busy I am ... she sorts out my adverts with little or sometimes no input from me. Our "These are the only corners we cut" advert that she designed is in my opinion the best advert I've had in the 23 years of kings road carpets” Peter Cox - Kings Road Carpets “The Messenger is a trusted local magazine, everyone should realise that the advertisers in it have been recommended by local people.” Cliff Hefferman - CC Plumbing “We have had our advert in the magazine since day one. We monitor all of our calls & we know from our customer base, that the messenger advertising works. Debbie is always keen to help with any advert changes we may have & looks after us well. We wish Debbie & the Melton Messenger every success for the future.” Dawn and Paul Gartshore LOL Contracts “ After all this time it still works for us” Brett Dziura - Betta Gardens “Since the first time we advertised we have had continuously good and regular enquiries with an excellent conversion rate to completed jobs with happy customers. Being in the Messenger only strengthens our quality reputation within the bathroom and kitchen industry.” Richard Potts - RPM “ We have stayed in the Messenger because it is a good quality, well respected publication” Elaine & Graham - Graham Skinner Motors “We continue to advertise because we receive many enquiries from potential clients thanks to the wide exposure it gives our business...we look forward to the next ten years! Aniela Maddock - Foxwise Accountacy

CC Plumbing

TEL: 01664 567133 MOB:07771 293791

First class Gas Heating and Plumbing work

Airwave Aerials

* Same day Callout * * Installation & repair of Analogue and Digital Aerials * Satellite System Installation & repair * Extra points for Terrestrial & Sky TV * Freeview Installation * Extra telephone points * All work signal meter tested and guaranteed

For a FREE quote Tel:

01664 851067 or 07739 971925

Kings Road Carpets

Providing Excellent Customer Service

for Over 13 years

Consultations * sales *

fittings

TEL : 01664 500911

GRAHAM SKINNER MOTOR SERVICES “Motor Engineering as it should be”

Est. 1979 Unit 2c Mill Lane, Mill St. Melton Mowbray LE131AX

- Servicing and repairs for all makes of vehicle - Brakes, steering and suspension - Cam belt replacements - Specialists in Engine Diagnostics - Engine Management systems and fault finding - Vehicle Electronics, Re-wiring, Tow bars, Alarms etc - Exhaust emissions Tel:01664 410500 or 07860 474685 (All major credit cards accepted)

FOXWISE ACCOUNTANCY Over twenty years of experienced, reliable

and cost-effective accountancy and taxation services to

Individuals

Small Businesses Partnerships

Limited Companies

Call now for a free consultation Members of the ICPA

28 Burton Street, Melton Mowbray Tel : 01664 501010 – E-mail :

info@foxwise.co.uk

VALLEY TAXIS

For a friendly, efficient, local service.

CALL 01664 813400

Contract and courier work also available

24- hour Airport service

GORDON Decorators High quality Low cost

Reliable service

14 years experience City and Guilds qualified

CALL mm 851375 or 07974 936778 And ask for Carl Gordon.

• Internal and external painting • Wallpapering • Specialist paint finishes • Fencing • Windows and doors

MELTON WINDOWS &

CONSERVATORIES LTD

Contact Phil Howard ( M.D.) TEL: 01664 482247 Mob: 07931 952106

PVCU DOORS - REPLACEMENT GLAZING FACIAS - SOFFITS - GUTTERING - CARPORTS

- CONSERVATORY MAINTENANCE

Kitchen & Bathroom Installation Specialists

BUYING A NEW BATHROOM OR KITCHEN?

Let RPM provide a professional

Fitment at a realistic price

. Wall & Floor tiling . Domestic Plumbing . En-suite Conversions . Carpentry & Joinery

. Design & Planning service

01664 560 334

www.rpm-interiors.co.uk

RUTLAND & BELVOIR LTD

Your Local Security Systems & Communications Specialists

* DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL * INTRUDER ALARMS * TELEPHONE SYSTEMS * CCTV * RED CARE * MAINTENANCE TEL: 01664 565001 for a free quote 75, Laycock Ave. Melton LE13 1UL

COLIN MOUSLEY BUILDING

CONTRACTOR

• EXTENSIONS • ALTERATIONS • RENOVATIONS • ROOFING

FOR A COMPLETE BUILDING SERVICE & FREE ESTIMATE CALL

COLIN ON 01664 561057

29 Sherrard Street . Melton Mowbray . Leicestershire . LE13 1XH Telephone 01664 564591 . Tel/Fax 01664 566274

E-Mail pearcejewellers@btconnect.com

Come and join the fun at our annual FAMILY BONFIRE NIGHT CELEBRATIONS

Games * Stalls * Food * Bar * Disco

NON MEMBERS WELCOME

Starts 6pm Tickets £2 per person under 2’s Free

TENNIS AVENUE, MELTON MOWBRAY. TEL: 01664 562204

EST. 1928

Clare Spencer B(Ost) Registered Osteopath

Osteopathy treats of a wide range of

conditions including: * Neck, Shoulder & arm pain

* Back and leg pain * Sports injuries * Ante and post natal care * Headaches and stress related problems

Emergency, early morning and evening

appointments available.

21 Leicester Street, Melton Mowbray, LE13 OPP

Melton: 01664 480568

Melton Mowbray Conservative Club

Interested? Then why not call in and take a look.!!!!

PICK UP A MEMBERSHIP FORM BOOK A ROOM FOR YOUR FUNCTION

Melton Mowbray Conservative Club

Thorpe End Melton Mowbray Tel: 01664 562039

C omfortable surroundings O bliging Staff N ewly appointed Steward S ky TV, Darts, snooker & Pool tables E fficient Service R ange of beers, spirits, snacks V enue for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings A ll day opening on Saturday & Sunday T wo function Rooms for hire I nviting & welcoming to all V alue for money E xcellent standards throughout the club