Talking Tables, Ling Design, UKG, IG Design Group, Hallmark, Biddles
PG Buzz shares a batch of recent news and happenings from the greeting card community…
- Sam Ody has joined Talking Tables just in time to enjoy the Comic Relief fun at the party product and giftwrap business. And it’s almost a case of poacher turned gamekeeper as the former senior buying manager for everyday cards and giftwrap at Tesco is now Talking Tables’ head of Tesco account development. Sam (pictured above left) has made the move to the BCorp business after almost 16 years at Tesco, followed by nearly a year as the head of buying at the Cardzone retail group. And her new colleagues all had a great time (pictured above) on Wednesday, 19 March, getting in the mood for today’s Comic Relief fun, with company founder Clare Harris saying: “What a great day and, wow, the team did well to raise more than £1,000. “Grace Ludlam and Ceri Saunders did us proud with managing a fun raffle and a fiercely competitive auction of super prizes. Chef Yabu Lurieled his sous-chefs to a great spread – yummy!It’s a great cause and so, as a company, Talking Tables will double up the team’s efforts.”
- There was plenty of colour at Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre on Monday, 17 March, as the Hallmark-Liz Harry collaboration was showcased. The freelance creative’s bold and bright illustrations decorate a new five-card set as part of the Bradford-based publisher’s Magjcal Botanicals 3D range, and the day (pictured above) proved a massive hit with the public. Liz’s work centres on improving mental health, and she joined in bringing plenty of sunshine to passers-by who could win prizes while checking out the new fully-recyclable cards, including a vase of flowers, cowboy boot, and pink swan, and each 3D designs comes with a pack of stickers.
- Biddles has been celebrating an incredible 140 years at the heart of retail in Guildford, still selling stationery in a shop just 100m around the corner from where the business began in 1885. Founded as Biddle & Son by local printer Charles Biddle with son Leonard, they produced printed stationery for shopkeepers. When Charles retired in 1894, his three grandsons carried on the business, moving to a new building with the stationery store on the ground floor and a print works above – which was commandeered by the Air Ministry in WWII to manufacture aircraft components. After moving to Ward Street in 1989 and following mergers and restructuring, the business faced administration due to the pandemic in 2020 but Neal Heaven, who had been manager since the 70s, and David Goddard, who joined in 1991, secured the stock and premises and, in July 2020 thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, they reopened the doors to customers. Neal and David are pictured above with Biddles’ various stores.
UK Greetings’ and IG Design Group freelance designer Sally Leach has been busy getting people to Love Local as her artwork features on the campaign posters and flags around Kettering. Working with North Northants Council, the campaign is now live and Sally (pictured above) said: “I’m super proud to showcase the collaboration I’ve been working on with the council and the fantastic Hi-Street campaign – all about highlighting the wonderful local businesses we have on offer. First time seeing my illustrations at billboard size and such a thrill!” Sally’s usual work is on a much smaller scale as she has designed cards for retail customers such as Aldi and Poundland at IG, and Sainsbury’s and Clintons at UKG.
Ling Design’s marketing manager Astrid Cooper is set to pound the streets for the Great Bristol Half-Marathon on Sunday, 11 May, in aid of Dorothy House palliative hospice care. It’s a course close to her heart as they had cared for her father (pictured together above) before his death in September 2024 from metastatic prostate cancer. “We were fortunate that he passed away peacefully at home,” Astrid said. “He was comfortable and surrounded by family, but this wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the amazing teams at Dorothy House. Part of the business I work for is creating bespoke greeting cards for the charity sector, and retail counts for a huge proportion of Dorothy House funding.” It costs £19million a year to run the charity, with just 20% coming from the government so the rest comes from the organisation’s shops and donations. Anyone who’d like to donate to Astrid’s £250 target can do so here.
