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WCI@140 Photo Competition – And the winner is…

Back in October 2023, our parent company launched the Winn & Coales 140th Anniversary Photo Competition as a way of drawing their 140th year to a triumphant close and inviting you to become a small part of that celebration.

Firstly, on behalf of WCI, we would like to thank everyone who entered. We were thrilled at the response from our customers and online followers and want to thank you all for joining in our celebrations.

So, with the competition now closed, who are the lucky winners?! In descending order…

Third place – Vipan K. from Botswana!

Vipan shared a brilliant photo of CPT Tape which had been applied on a water pipeline project in Botswana. The unique perspective displayed in the photograph showcases the extremely professional and tidy tape application as the pipe waits to be lowered into the trench.

Second place – Richard R. from South Africa!

Richard was one of our first entries into the competition and set a high standard for the many that followed with this Archco 403D application during a petrochemical plant’s shutdown in September in South Africa. This unique shot was taken inside the water storage tank that Richard and his team had blast-cleaned and coated in only 11 days!

And finally, our winner, in first place, is – TAMS Group from Australia!

The TAMS Group submitted this incredible photo of a SeaShield 2000FD System application during pile remediation works in Western Australia. Our judges were extremely impressed with this truly unique shot, which spotlights an often-unseen perspective of pile repair and maintenance taking place below the water line.

We’re sure you will agree that all three of our winners submitted excellent photos that are extremely worthy of their placements.

Once again, we would like to thank everyone for their participation and helping Winn & Coales International Ltd. to celebrate its 140th anniversary!

St. Luke’s Pond Revamp Funded by F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust Donation

The F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust continues in its mission to support good causes around Southeast London and Kent. Last year, the Trust were delighted to offer their support to St. Luke’s CofE Primary School in West Norwood – a mere two streets away from the Winn & Coales International Ltd. (WCI) head office!

St. Luke’s supports 188 children between the ages of 4 and 11 to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. Exposure to a wide curriculum of subjects combined with access to a range of outdoor spaces and extra-curricular activities, encourages pupils to succeed and achieve their personal best in a warm, caring and inclusive environment.

The F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust were approached by the PFA (Parents and Friends Association) at St. Luke’s in early 2023 to see how they could help to further enrich the learning opportunities provided for the students. After some positive discussions, the Trust were thrilled to donate £10,000 to help revamp the school’s outdoor pond area and for the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) to purchase additional learning aids for the school.

A valuable learning resource, the pond and nature area bring the classroom outside, providing an exciting new environment for students to explore. Sophia Bryan-Whyte, the headteacher of St. Luke’s said, “The children can read about the wildlife, but coming in to see actual plants oxygenating the pond, it makes a difference for the learners.”

Over time, the pond had become overgrown and in need of refurbishment; with the Trust’s donation, St. Luke’s commissioned the expert help of Sprout Up – Schools to breathe new life into this educational outdoor space. Seonaid Royall from the company said, “Sprout Up – Schools was built to be able to help schools like St. Luke’s build their pond area, making a derelict space more beautiful and useful for the children.”

The ‘Water Life Area’ was officially opened in September 2023 after a busy summer of renovation works by Sprout Up – Schools and Thomas Patrick Landscapes, with pupils able to enjoy renewed learning opportunities in the great outdoors for the 2023/24 school year. Amari Bempah, a Year 5 learner at St. Luke’s, thanked WCI and the Trust at the grand opening, saying, “Thank you so much for making the pond better; we appreciate and love it very much.”

The Trust’s donation also helped the SENCo leader at St. Luke’s to purchase additional learning materials and items for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A range of wobble stools, wobble feet, ear defenders and chew toys were purchased to support pupils who benefit from additional help in the classroom to assist them in their day-to-day learning. The teachers have already seen these items make a positive impact on their students and will no doubt see further benefit to more pupils in the future.

Sarah Hashmi, F.B. Coales Trustee, said, “It was an honour to attend the grand opening of the new pond area and I would like to extend my thanks to everyone at the school for making me feel so welcome and for the lovely warm reception we received.

It was clear to see the children were so excited and engaged with the new pond area and I am sure it will be a valued learning resource for many years to come. The team at Sprout Up – Schools did an amazing job, and it was lovely to meet the team responsible for creating this haven of tranquility in the middle of West Norwood.

The wobble chair was actually very comfortable too and it is good to hear how these additional resources are benefitting the students that use them.”

For further information about the work of the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust, read our blog post here.

WCI & Charitable Trust Support Local Foodbank to Fight Food Poverty

Winn & Coales International Ltd. (W.C.I.) and the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust were delighted to support the Norwood & Brixton Foodbank with a £25,000 donation in 2022. The donation has now funded the hire of an electric delivery vehicle and driver for a 12-month period, increasing food parcel deliveries across the borough.

The foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust’s UK foodbank network, is a lifeline for the local community, providing emergency food parcels, advice, and support in times of crisis. Operating since 2011, the foodbank serves all of Lambeth and north Croydon, with a team of dedicated volunteers working to provide much-needed items to families in need.

“The sheer scale of the foodbank’s operations is astounding, matched only by the professionalism and kindness of the volunteers working there,” said Sarah Hashmi, an F.B. Coales Trustee. “We’re overjoyed to support the foodbank’s great work to reach more families facing food poverty in Lambeth.”

W.C.I. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of corrosion prevention and sealing technologies based in West Norwood, London. The F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust was set up by company co-founder Frank Coales, and today has three trustees and is a registered charity (no. 1179856).

Winn & Coales 140th Anniversary Photo Competition

Winn & Coales International Ltd. needs you!

As WCI continue to mark 140 years’ service to industry, we have a special opportunity for you to become a part of the celebrations…

We’ve manufactured our innovative corrosion prevention systems for over 90 years, but we wouldn’t be the company before you today without the unsung heroes of the Winn & Coales family: the customers, contractors, and avid DIYers who specify and apply our products throughout the UK and beyond.

As a thank you to you all, we are launching the Winn & Coales 140th Anniversary Photo Competition! We want to see your very best product applications – the more interesting or unique, the better! Our judges will select the best photo from all the submitted entries, and one lucky winner will win an Apple Watch Series 9 and a bag of WCI merchandise! Two runners-up will also get their hands on a bag of WCI merchandise each, and the winners’ photos will be shared on our website and social channels for all to see.

Perhaps you’ve applied a SeaShield system in a stunning seaside location?

Maybe you’ve used a Protal liquid epoxy on a complex infrastructure project?

Or maybe you’ve discovered an alternative use for Premtape that’s never been seen before?

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

  1. Select up to three photos (each photo: min. 1mb, max. 10mb) that clearly demonstrate the application of one of our products.
  2. Provide a short description (no more than 50 words) of the product and its application.
  3. Email your photo(s), along with your name, location, email address, and a contact telephone number to your local Premier Coatings Ltd representative
  4. The competition closes on Wednesday 31st January 2024, and winners will be notified thereafter.

Full terms and conditions can be downloaded here (Terms & Conditions) or viewed on the Premier Coatings Terms and Policies page on our website (click here).

Get snapping and good luck!

The Spirit of Giving: The F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust

Over the last 12 months, the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust has donated over £272,000 to 106 charities; but this is not just a recent endeavour. The Winn & Coales International Ltd. (WCI) group of companies have been donating to charitable organisations for many years – the roots of which can be traced back to a notable figure in our history…

Who is F.B. Coales?

Frank B. Coales was the second Chairman of the company known today as Winn & Coales International Ltd. Paul Winn – the first Chairman and the company’s founder – appointed Frank Coales as his partner in 1933 and gave their names to the company which has continued to grow and prosper.

What is the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust?

The Trust was set up many years ago by the late Frank Coales as a way of giving back to communities in the vicinity of the company’s head office. As a prominent local employer in West Norwood, Frank Coales wanted to reward and support the many people (and their families) in the local area who had helped the company to develop and thrive.

Who has benefited from the Trust’s donations?

The Trust contributes to fundraising efforts and good causes throughout the UK, with a particular focus on Southeast London and Kent. Some recent recipients include:

  • Bromley Brighter Beginnings who provide essential everyday items for babies and children in Bromley. The Trust donated towards their Christmas Hamper appeal in 2022 which helped to provide 241 families and 611 children with food and gifts for Christmas Day.
  • Lifelites provide assistive technology packages for children with life-limiting conditions. A donation from the Trust purchased two Soundbeams for the Children’s Trust in Tadworth, Surrey.
  • In 2022, a donation was made to Crackerjacks Children’s Trust for the purchase of a Tomcat Trike. Tomcat manufacture custom-built trikes designed to meet the specific mobility needs of its owner. The Trust has supported the Crackerjacks community on numerous occasions and have since donated toward the purchase of another trike in 2023.
  • The Elizabeth Foundation provide a wide range of educational services for babies and preschool children with all degrees of deafness. The Trust were delighted to support the great work they do and made a donation in February of this year.
  • In 2022, a £35,000 donation was made to the DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. In light of the continued war in Ukraine, in 2023 a further donation of £35,000 was made to help with ongoing support to those affected or displaced by the conflict.
What does the future hold for the Trust?

With the continued success of the company, as demonstrated by WCI achieving 140 years’ service to industry this year, there comes a firm and ongoing commitment to honouring the work started by Frank Coales decades ago.

Today, the Trust has three trustees and is a registered charity (no. 1179856) that continues to work with colleagues from across the WCI group of companies to identify worthy causes where a donation from the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust will make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Winn & Coales International Donates £35,000 for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal

Winn & Coales International Ltd. has donated £35,000 for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The donation has been made possible by the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust; a registered charity set up by the late Frank Coales, the then chairman of the company.

In the early hours of Monday 6th February, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey (now known as Türkiye) and north-west Syria. This was followed hours later by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The quakes were so powerful that tremors were felt as far away as Cyprus, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan.

Buildings, such as homes, schools, and hospitals, have been destroyed. Local infrastructure, including roads and bridges, have been seriously damaged. Survivors of the tragedy have been forced onto the streets where they are exposed to harsh winter conditions.

It is estimated that 35,000 people have died as a direct result of the disaster, with over 70,000 injured. As rescuers continue to search through the rubble of collapsed buildings, both figures are sadly expected to rise.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which unites 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialists in different areas of disaster response, launched the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal on Thursday 9th February. The DEC only launch appeals at times of monumental suffering. With the earthquakes predicted to have impacted up to 23 million people within the region, the DEC swiftly responded.

DEC charities and local partners on the ground are aiding search and rescue efforts, alongside providing medical treatment for the injured. Emergency shelters for thousands of displaced survivors are being set up and access to essential items such as food, clean water, warm blankets, and medical supplies are all being prioritised at this time.

Winn & Coales International Ltd. and the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust are proud to support the DEC and its partners in the humanitarian response. For further information or to donate to the appeal, please visit the DEC website here: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal