Day 5
Another day and the day brought us together to solve the problems given us the previous day. Wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be. We where put in groups of four and then gave a a problem. Our problem was from the first business we looked at which was how can we encourage more younger people into the shop and more business. So our team come up with a few ideas which were:

• A play area for young kids to encourage young family's in.
• A farmers market where people can come buy local produce and even the shop to buy some and sell on in the shop, but the people selling would have to pay a small stand fee
• And a carboot day perhaps twice or three times a day

When we put all this together we then had to present out ideas to Christine Hope  who was the owner of the shop although we where nervous, well I was even though I drank loads of coffee we got threw and I would like to say a. Huge thank you to annalena, Ella and Markis well done.

That night we all went off on a little adventure up a big hill where on top was amazing views.

Day 4

Hey every one today comes the day I wasn't to sure of. Comming up with solutions for the two problems we where faced with yesterday. But and yes there's a but we where split into six groups which meant yes just one problem which was problem 1 from Hopes of 

Longtown which was........

What can we do to engage with a younger audience - our customers of the future?

What do they look like and what additional services could we provide?

So like a bull in a china shop me and my group got stuck in to it but before we knew it, it was dinner time and time was getting the better of us. With the time of business comming to hear our solutions getting closer things come together very nicely. Presentation came round and well we put our thoughs over  and I thought we did well as a team.

So really don't know why I worried bout today because actually I really did enjoy the exercise and look forward to any others we get.

Good night time for bed.

Day 3

Right  bit late with this blog. So will get on with it. Right yesterday we went and visited three businesses was a long day but learnt a lot. The first business we visited was hopes of longtown which was the business of Christine Hope. The family run business is situated at the foot of the black mountains, on the south-west border of Herefordshire. She started the business in 2001 and rented a premises when the local village shop closed.  In 2003 she joined forces with her family and applied for  for a grant in 2004  to part fund the building of their current premises. And also have post office situated with in the shop.

15 mis drive and we arrive at our next business White Haywood  Farm Restaurant. This is a fully licensed restaurant with a b&b. all this is run by husband and wife which are called Pauline and Phillip Goodwin and their family. They rear all there own lamb and beef they use in there lunches and dinners.
The reason for starting the business waste create an income for Pauline  and was established in 2006. After the tour and talk we then was able to sample there food as we where treated to a delicious meal.

And finally we get to our last farm of the day was to wiggly wigglers. This is  a company that promotes self sufficiency  and natural gardening through the mail order supply of some 900 products.
The company is based on lower Blakemere Farm in rural Herefordshire which is run by Heathers husband Phil who has his own business which is growing and mixes and packs bird seed which he sells online and through various retail outlets. Heather also has a flower business.

The main point of the day was to visit these three business's get the background info on them, then we where given two problems from each business which when I herd wasn't to sure. Any way thinks that's enough for today so am off.

O and I for got the social and media workshop. Big thanks to Lynsey for the presentation never knew how much social media can help your business and even when your starting up so learnt a lot today so time to go have a few relaxing drinks and watch a bit of Morris dancing.

Day 2 in good old sunny malvern. Started the day with a good ninja style energiser  in the rain lol. Next up on the agenda how to become an entrepreneurship . Learnt the main things you need to become an entrepreneur is to be

• Dedicated
• Be a good business man
• Motivated
• Self driven
• Dream having a successful business
• Good leader
• Ambitious
• Enthusiastic 
• Be a good planner and time
• Connections

Second session day business planning with chris Lloyd and thanks to him for this and also a big thank you to Georgina and Simon from natwest  for taking time out of there busy schedule to come and talk more on how to create business plans. So to what I learnt hmmmmmm well

• The main one is that the bank will prob spend a max of ten minutes to read through your business Plan. So to start with you must start with
• A summary 
• Then it must include your idea
• Cash flow and profit and loss forecasts 
• Bout you and where you want to go with your business
• 
  
• Mainly just keep it simple stupid (kiss) 

Take two lol this week hmmm what am I looking to gain. Learn something that's worth while I can take back home with me to use ether at work or in the future when I want to start my own business. Over and out good night all

Day 1

Karl Hockenhull here reporting in from the first day up in the hills of Malvern. I am from England and a member from Staffordshire young farmers which is made up of ten clubs  which am a chairman of Ashley for the second year. Today consisted of presentations from the other country's which where. Interesting to listen to and watch.