Welcome from the BIHA founder.
Another big hello to all BIHA members, and potential members who are
reading this newsletter (either in the UK or international.) There are now over
400 members in the BIHA, including several members from overseas.
This newsletter is a bumper edition and is jam-packed with useful information
about our industry. You will also see that there is a good variety of second-
hand bargains in this issue.
I would like to thank the following members for their excellent contributions
to this newsletter: Jan Mattocks, Charles Benson, Peter at Whitehall
Inflatables, Paul at Inflated News, Ben Cook, Brian Auty ( Active Hire )
Leeds . I would also like to thank all the members who contributed some
excellent hints and tips and some interesting "hirings-from-hell" stories.
If you are interested in contributing to this newsletter (either on a regular basis
or a "one-off") please could you email me at mark.jerram@ntlworld.com or
phone at 01344 485369. For everyone who becomes a contributor, whether
for the short or long term, it's a good opportunity to get your name in front
of hundreds of other hire companies.
Question: What have bouncy castles and zimmer frames got in common???
To see the answer see section 20 of this newsletter.
IAAPA Show in Florida.
On the 18th November 2002, I am visiting the IAAPA show in Orlando,
Florida. This is the largest trade show in the world dedicated to the leisure
industry and promises to have a huge selection of inflatable manufacturers
from all around the world. I am hoping to make a lot of new contacts and
also pick up some good ideas which I can then share with all the BIHA
members. PLEASE NOTE: From 18th November - 30th November I
will be in the USA and as a result may not be able to reply to your
emails and phone calls until I get back to the UK. I am taking a laptop
with me and internet connection so I should be able to send and receive a
limited number of emails.
"Job" Vacancy at the BIHA (Liason Officer).
The BIHA has a vacancy for a person to represent all the 400+ BIHA
members and to liase with the various bodies and organisations who are
connected to the inflatable hire industry here in the UK. Examples are The
Health & Safety Executive, Inflatable Manufacturing Companies, Public
Liability Insurance Companies, The Inflatable Play Manufacturers
Association (IPMA) Local Authorities, ADIPS, NAFLIC. etc. If you
are passionately interested in the Inflatable Hire Industry and possess good
communication skills, and preferably are a member of the BIHA, - please
could you email me ASAP.
This is a paid position and payment will be made on work done and also any
expenses incurred (e.g. any travelling which needs to be done). Please note
THAT THIS IS NOT SALARIED.
The successful candidate will be an ambassador for the BIHA, and will have
the full backing from the BIHA.
This vacancy has come about because I get a lot of emails and calls from
members asking me to find information out for them. E.g. I recently had the
task of trying to locate a P/L insurance Company in Eire- for some of our
Irish Members. Since, this vacancy has arisen, I have approached a BIHA
member who is enthusiastic about this role and wishes to help out.
However, I am also looking for a second person who can also liase with
these groups. If you are interested please email me at
mark.jerram@ntlworld.com
VERY IMPORTANT NEWS
It has come to my attention that recently a
child was seriously injured on a bouncy castle The details are a bit sketchy
at the moment - but apparently it was an indoor booking and allegedly safety
mats were not supplied even though the inflatable was sited on a hard
wooden floor. As far as I know the hire company is not a member of the
BIHA but this accident demonstrates the importance of placing safety mats
at the front.
IMPORTANT NOTE: please check that your free advert is correct by
visiting www.biha.org.uk and also www.leisurescene.uk.com If you want
any amendments made please email me on mark.jerram@ntlworld.com and I
will ask the BIHA web company Act-Dynamic www.act-dynamic.com to
action these changes. Please be patient, as your amendment has to go in a
queuing system.
As member numbers increase there will be more opportunities for the
sharing of hints, tips, strategies and ideas (especially those to do with safety
issues), interesting anecdotes, second-hand inflatables etc. and news and
ideas from overseas as well as at home.
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I am trying to get hold of a public liability
insurance company called Marshes in Dublin, Eire.
Can anyone help??? If you know their address or
contact number please could you email me at
mark.jerram@ntlworld.com
I would like to start publishing letters and emails from BIHA
members in this newsletter. Please email me if you would like me
to include anything for the next newsletter. Below is an example
of an email which I recently received.
Hello Mark.
Just a little note to see if you or the members have
any ideas on how to make extra money when at local
events, birthdays etc? I was possibly thinking about
helium balloons because I have attended events before
where they sell very well. Does anyone know any
recognised manufacturers etc?
Hope someone can supply some good ideas!
John Bleasdale johnbleasdale@efford.org.uk