Nick Douch, of Douch Family Funeral Directors, hosted the event at its Ives and Shand business in Parkstone, Poole.

The club, which is held in association with Frettens Solicitors, NatWest Bank, Princecroft Willis ]]> A CLUB for family owned and managed businesses heard about the workings of a successful Dorset funeral business at its latest meeting.

Nick Douch, of Douch Family Funeral Directors, hosted the event at its Ives and Shand business in Parkstone, Poole.

The club, which is held in association with Frettens Solicitors, NatWest Bank, Princecroft Willis and Aspirin Business Solutions, holds five events a year.

It allows family businesses to discuss issues and challenges specific to their sector as well as provide a platform to share experiences and successes.

Nick Douch said: “It was really interesting to discuss things with members of other businesses that are family-owned or managed. I gave an overview of our business and a tour of the premises.

“The club has only held three meetings but I’ve found it a great way of sharing tips and picking up ideas.

“I’m looking forward to future events and would urge anyone owning or managing a family business to seriously consider joining.”

The next meeting of the Family Business Club is on April 24. For more information, please contact Chris Baker at Princecroft Willis on 01425 625523 or email chris.baker@princecroftwillis.co.uk

The average age of those taking out the product has also come down as more prepare for the inevitable.

The struggling economy has left people with less in their pockets and more ]]> Sales of the Dorset Funeral Plan were up fifteen per cent last year as people tried to shield their loved ones from the costs involved.

The average age of those taking out the product has also come down as more prepare for the inevitable.

The struggling economy has left people with less in their pockets and more are taking control of their funeral costs so their relatives won’t be left with a bill.

In 2012 The Dorset Funeral Plan enjoyed its most successful year since its introduction in 1999.

The product is incredibly flexible and allows people to organise and pay for their own funerals.

It is localised to Dorset and was introduced by the Douch Family Funeral Directors, which have seven branches across the county.

The plan is one of very few that can include woodland burials, a major area of growth within the industry.

It remains highly competitive compared with national plans and has the advantage of being local.

The plan was introduced because funeral costs were rising and there was clearly a market for those seeking to organise their affairs.

Now it is a hugely popular product and last year’s growth is expected to be replicated this year.

While the Dorset Funeral Plan was introduced in 1999 the family funeral firm has been offering similar for many decades.

Nick Douch, managing director of the Douch Family Funeral Directors, said: “Funeral costs do rise – for example  Church of England costs have risen by over 50 per cent  this year

“And also we are finding that because of the economy, parents want to help their children financially and one way is by organising their own funeral so they don’t leave a bill.

“The funeral plan is very flexible and there are many advantages because it is geared to Dorset.

“Also, payments to the plan do not count as savings and so are not taken into account when care costs are being means tested.

“By paying up front – either in a lump sum or in instalments – inflation is avoided and it also gives peace of mind and saves family members many difficult decisions.

“Each plan is organised by one of our independent funeral directors.”

Hayley Snook, who was formally PA to the Vice Chancellor at Bournemouth University, will be supporting Nick Douch, who is based in Wimborne.

She replaced the much-loved member of staff Lorraine Lindow who is retiring after eight years in ]]> A new member of staff has joined the Douch Family Funeral Directors as PA to the managing director.

Hayley Snook, who was formally PA to the Vice Chancellor at Bournemouth University, will be supporting Nick Douch, who is based in Wimborne.

She replaced the much-loved member of staff Lorraine Lindow who is retiring after eight years in the post.

The Douch Family Funeral Directors has seven branches in Dorset and the family has been in the business for over a century.

Hayley, who was born and brought up in Corfe Mullen and now lives in Ferndown, said: “I spent over ten years at Bournemouth University and before that I worked at Barclays for 12 years.

“I am really, looking forward to working in a new industry and assisting Nick.”

Lorraine  is looking forward to visiting her son in New Zealand and spending time with her granddaughter  here in the UK.

She said: “I had worked at Beales for 11 years when I was approached about working for the Douch family.

“I came over straight away  even though there wasn’t an official role then. I have loved the eight years I’ve been here.”

Nick said: “Lorraine has been a vital member of staff, first supporting my father Peter and now me.

“We will all miss her and we wish her all the best in her retirement. She came highly recommended when she joined us, and so does her successor Hayley.

“Being a family firm we really do value our staff and I hope Hayley enjoys the job and stays for many years.”

The 24-year-old who went on to gain an apprenticeship at Ives and Shand Funeral Service in Parkstone has just gained a Diploma in Funeral ]]> A teenage ambition to become a fully qualified funeral director has come true for Hazel Pittwood nine years after she first had work experience with a local firm.

The 24-year-old who went on to gain an apprenticeship at Ives and Shand Funeral Service in Parkstone has just gained a Diploma in Funeral Directing after two years of correspondence study.  Aged just 15 she spent two weeks on work experience with the firm’s sister company Lesley Shand Funeral Service of Corfe Mullen.

She said: “It was an unusual career choice but I was drawn to the idea of helping people in their time of need.  Arranging a funeral service for someone’s loved one is a very practical way of bringing comfort and support.

“Having joined Ives and Shand as an apprentice I’ve learnt about many different aspects of the profession; gaining my diploma and becoming a fully fledged funeral director has given me the knowledge and confidence to assist families with their individual and varied needs.

“Now that my studies are finished and I have more spare time, I’d like to focus my attentions on charity work and getting more involved with the local community.”

Hazel recently signed up as a volunteer for Mosaic, a local charity that provides support for bereaved children, and hosted a fundraising coffee morning on 6th December.

Outside of work she’s a member of a multi award-winning belly dance troupe called ‘Divaz’ and travels throughout the UK performing.

Hazel works at Ives & Shand alongside funeral director Marcella McDonagh and manager Shane Watson. She recently celebrated five years with the company.

Nick Douch, Managing Director of Douch Family Funeral Directors which incorporates Ives and Shand, said: “We’re delighted with Hazel’s achievement; she has worked extremely hard and deserves her Diploma. We offer extensive training opportunities to our staff and are currently supporting two more team members as they study for the Diploma in Funeral Directing.”

Resourceful cricketers took to the pitch with giant sponges to soak up surface water and help ensure a successful season despite the deluge.

This and other stories were shared at the annual Dorset Funeral Plan Cricket League presentation. It was a wonderful night ]]>

Wimborne Cricket Club skipper Andy Hayward receives the Division 1trophy from Peter Douch.

Resourceful cricketers took to the pitch with giant sponges to soak up surface water and help ensure a successful season despite the deluge.

This and other stories were shared at the annual Dorset Funeral Plan Cricket League presentation. It was a wonderful night for Wimborne Cricket Club in particular after they triumphed in the Premier League and Division 2 and were runners up in Divisions 4 and 6 South and East.

John Ridout, League Treasurer and Chairman and Chairman of Wimborne Cricket Club, said: “Wimborne’s success was the result of considerable hard work and investment in the junior players over the years.  We all wished that Jack Douch, who sadly died this year after a lifetime supporting the club, could have been present to witness the achievement.”

William (l) and Jack Hector from Wareham CC receive their Div 5 S&E runners-up award from Peter Douch. Jack also won the individual achivement award for his 195 against Blandford IIIs

Summarising the success of this year’s league, John added: “It has been a difficult season, with many clubs affected by the loss of match fee and bar income because wet weather stopped play. Some managed to play on regardless because of exceptional efforts by players to protect the pitches. The Olympics and the Jubilee celebrations also took players away but we hope the Ashes will bring more of a resurgence in 2013.”

William (l) and Jack Hector from Wareham CC receive their Div 5 S&E runners-up award from Peter Douch. Jack also won the individual achivement award for his 195 against Balndford IIIs

Other highlights included a Performance of the Season award for Jack Hector from Wareham Cricket Club who scored 195 not out during a match against Blandford in Division Five.

Groundsmen Henry Gatehouse and Martin Hedge of Stalbridge won Groundsmen of the Year after making significant improvements to the playing surface.

Groundsmen of the year Henry Gatehouse and MArtin HEdge of Stalbridge CC receive their award from Peter Douch

Swanage Cricket Club won Division 1, Compton House won Division 3, Pimperne won Division 4, Wareham won Division 5 South and East, Weymouth Longshots won Division 5 North and West and in Division 6 South and East Swanage Seconds were triumphant, while Shillingstone Seconds stole the show in the North and West.

Other league runners up included Martinstown in Division 2, Winton Seconds in Division 3, Sturminster Marshall in Division 5 South East, Abbotsbury in Division 5 North and West and Portland in Division 6 North and West.

85 teams completed the season and sponsors at The Dorset Funeral Plan have once again confirmed their support for next year.

Malcolm Green, who joined James Smith Funeral Service in Swanage three years ago as a bearer and driver after 14 years in local government finance, has been appointed ]]> A former accountant and a former prison officer who underwent radical career changes to become funeral directors have taken on permanent roles at a Swanage company.

Malcolm Green, who joined James Smith Funeral Service in Swanage three years ago as a bearer and driver after 14 years in local government finance, has been appointed Manager. His colleague Derek Trotter (nicknamed Del Boy after the BBC sitcom) has extensive experience of funeral arranging and joins the company as a funeral director.

“It wasn’t a career I’d ever considered,” said Malcolm, “but I was enjoying a career break when I spotted the advert and it seemed an opportunity to do something completely new. It’s a real privilege to be able to help people at such a difficult time in their lives. The business was run by Lew Fletcher for many years until his retirement – he was immensely popular and well respected so I have a tough act to follow.”Malcolm has lived in Swanage since 1972 and, outside of work, is passionate about amateur dramatics  and music; he’s a member of The Purbeck Players and the Swanage Musical Theatre Company. He’s currently studying for a diploma in funeral directing.

Derek previously worked as a carer for adults with learning difficulties and has also worked as a prison officer. He lives in Wareham and joins James Smith from a Poole-based funeral firm. He’s a keen stock car racer and owns a share in a racehorse.

James Smith has been in business since 1892 and is part of the Douch Family Funeral Directors. Other branches include Douch & Small, A.E Jolliffe & Son, Albert Marsh, Ives and Shand and Lesley Shand Funeral Service.

The father of two joined the firm as an apprentice when he was just 17 years old and helped out with everything, from cleaning cars to preparing coffins. He went on to gain qualifications in funeral arranging, embalming and health and hygiene ]]> Funeral Director Shane Watson is celebrating 20 years at Lesley Shand in Corfe Mullen.

The father of two joined the firm as an apprentice when he was just 17 years old and helped out with everything, from cleaning cars to preparing coffins. He went on to gain qualifications in funeral arranging, embalming and health and hygiene and now manages the firm and its sister company Ives and Shand in Parkstone.

He’s overseen more than 2,000 funerals – some traditional and some much more unique but says, when it comes to unusual requests, nothing can surprise him.

Shane said: “20 years have passed by in a flash but when I look back it’s incredible how much things have changed. The best change is that the industry is more professional than ever before and public expectations are higher.

“Funerals have become more personal and at times quirkier but nothing surprises me anymore. When I started out eco funerals were rare and the majority of mourners wore black. Now it’s not unusual for people to wear bright colours or for us to be asked to wear bright ties. Eco funerals are increasingly mainstream, with coffins made from renewable and biodegradable materials.”

Among the more unusual funerals Shane has led are coffins towed on an HGV lorry, a Harley Davidson funeral procession and the coffin of a stamp collector covered in Flying Boat stamps.

Lesley Shand and Ives and Shand are part of the Douch Family Funeral Directors and are among those offering the Dorset Funeral Plan; enabling people to pre-pay for their funerals in instalments to ease the financial burden on loved ones.

Shane is an active member of the Bournemouth Association of Funeral Directors and Lesley Shand Funeral Services are long-term sponsors of the Corfe Mullen Carnival.

James Smith Funeral Directors has sponsored Swanage Bowling Club to help give their up andcoming stars Harry Barrett, 13, Ollie Thake, 17, and Dale Mason, 17, help with subscription, training and match transport.

Mike Keats, President of the Club, ]]> Three local sportsmen have been given a helping hand, thanks to the generosity of a local funeral directors.

James Smith Funeral Directors has sponsored Swanage Bowling Club to help give their up andcoming stars Harry Barrett, 13, Ollie Thake, 17, and Dale Mason, 17, help with subscription, training and match transport.

Mike Keats, President of the Club, said: “The sponsorship from James Smith means a great deal to us and has helped us set up a bursary fund to help young people afford to play bowls. We’re determined to get more young people interested in the sport and are recruiting widely through local schools, Air Cadets, Scouts, Guides and other organisations; a venture which Dale has coordinated. The young men who benefit from this sponsorship are all very talented and have shown considerable dedication to the sport. By subsidising their membership and transport costs we’re making life just a little easier.

“Bowls is a sport for all age groups and all are welcome at Swanage.”

Swanage Bowling Club, which play at Beach Gardens, has around 80 members and takes part in various local leagues, including the ladies’ and men’s Dorset League and Bournemouth and District League.

Dale and Ollie compete at county level for the Dorset Middleton Cup squad, Ollie has shown promise at county level in the under 25s competition and Harry is taking part in friendly leagues and building up to bigger competitions.

Malcolm Green, Acting Manager of James Smith, said: “Bowls is incredibly popular in Swanage and we’re delighted that our support will help make the sport more accessible for young people.”

Jack Douch from Colehill in East Dorset was awarded the Freedom of Valletta for his bravery aboard HMS Bramham bringing supplies to besieged Malta. He passed away peacefully at home ]]> A much-loved funeral director who played a role in one of the most strategic victories of World War Two has died at the age of 90.

Jack Douch from Colehill in East Dorset was awarded the Freedom of Valletta for his bravery aboard HMS Bramham bringing supplies to besieged Malta. He passed away peacefully at home on Easter Saturday.
Hundreds of people will attend Wimborne Minster this Friday April 20 at 11.45am to celebrate the life of the cricket enthusiast and family man.

His daughter Judy said, “Dad was a wonderful man who took an interest in everyone he met – he loved current affairs and sports and in the moments before his death had celebrated England winning the Test Match and had enjoyed the chaos of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.”

At the tender age of 14 Jack, who excelled at Wimborne Elementary School, joined his father Fred’s cabinet making and funeral directing firm F C Douch & Son.  In addition to furniture handmade at the firm’s workshop in Church Street, he travelled Europe in search of stock and joked that he was selling Scandinavian furniture before IKEA even existed.

Jack, a former President of Wimborne Cricket Club, married his childhood sweetheart Barbara Comben in 1944 during a week’s leave from the Navy.  Described as ‘soul mates’ by friends and family; the couple shared a love of sport and coastal walks and enjoyed 63 years of marriage before Barbara died in 2007. They are survived by son Peter, daughter Judy, five grandsons and three great granddaughters.

Jack joined the Navy in 1942 as a telegraphist.  He was aboard HMS Bramham during Operation Pedestal and helped tow the stricken tanker Ohio to the harbour after it was bombed. The action saved vital supplies of fuel, munitions and food for troops and civilians in Malta and strengthened the war effort against the Italian and German forces in North Africa.  His life-story is documented by the Imperial War Museum in London.

Jack was also aboard the Bramham when it escorted the Queen Mary, requisitioned as a troop ship, into the Clyde – as the 80,000 ton liner zigzagged to avoid U-boats, she was in collision with the cruiser Curacao, which had also been zigzagging. The Curacao was cut in two and sank, with mass fatalities and the Bramham was one of six destroyers to take part in the rescue operation.

He also served on Arctic convoys delivering supplies to the Soviet Union. Though the UK was slow to decorate its Arctic war heroes, he received a medal of thanks from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

His son Peter said, “We’re incredibly proud of my father’s bravery. He sailed the Atlantic and the Arctic under heavy enemy fire and witnessed the death and injury of close friends.  Yet he was the eternal optimist – he saw the positive in everything and felt very lucky to have survived.”

While stationed with the Navy in America, Jack visited other funeral directors in the name of research – and, when he returned home from war, he became one of the first funeral directors in the South West to study embalming.  His father gave him half the firm and he focused his attentions on expansion, which included acquiring a carpet firm in Southsea, a furniture shop in Swanage and a car hire firm to ensure he had hearses and limousines at his disposal.

Peter added, “Dad always had foresight – he was never afraid of change or of pushing the business in new directions.   He knew embalming would soon catch on in the UK so he set about qualifying. He was also one of the first in the area to offer pre-paid funeral plans.”

Under Jack’s leadership F C Douch & Son employed a workforce of 80, with eight furniture stores in the South and a list of esteemed customers including the Ottoman Bank and Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest.  Jack’s son Peter joined the business in the early 90s and his grandson Nick joined in 1999. In 1995 the last of the furniture shops closed and the business became purely funerals. The F.C. Douch & Son group has expanded to include seven funeral branches in Dorset and staff recently celebrated the firm’s centenary.  Jack remained a major shareholder and played a key role in major decisions affecting the business.

Jack was a keen batsman and wicketkeeper at Wimborne Cricket club from 1935 till the early 70s and was looking forward to the 2012 season.  He recently took part in a series of interviews with Wimborne Museum about his life and the area.

A private cremation will take place this Friday followed by a public service at Wimborne Minster in celebration of his life. Donations are being made in Jack’s memory to the Winchester children’s hospice Naomi House.

To pay your own tribute, follow the link below:

http://www.funeraldirector.co.uk/funeral/jack-douch/

Ives & Shand Funeral Service in Ashley Road has taken the unusual step of building its own service chapel and Ministers from a range of faith groups attended a dedication ceremony to mark its official ]]> Parkstone now has its own independent service chapel – offering an alternative to a crematorium funeral ceremony for people of any or no religious faiths.

Ives & Shand Funeral Service in Ashley Road has taken the unusual step of building its own service chapel and Ministers from a range of faith groups attended a dedication ceremony to mark its official opening on Tuesday March 22.

The move marks a growing appetite for non-religious and more personal funerals.

Shane Watson, Manager of Ives & Shand Funeral Service, said: “Everyone is entitled to a personal and special funeral – many people don’t have a traditional faith and until now their only option has been to have a service in a crematorium. Our service chapel gives them more choice and can also be used for religious ceremonies.

“There’s more choice in funeral planning than ever. When I started, oak coffins were standard – now, as well as wood, they can be made of willow, bamboo or hyacinth and people have much more influence over the content of their services. Now we’re going a step further by providing extra choice over venues.

“It’s rare for a funeral director in this country to have its own building for services but I think as demand for more personalised funerals grows we’ll see more of these buildings spring up. Service chapels are much more prevalent in America.”

The new chapel will host up to 40 people and services can be conducted by family members, funeral directors, humanist ministers or religious leaders.

Philip Blatchly, president of the National Association of Funeral Directors was among invited guests at the dedicated ceremony alongside Deputy Mayor of Poole The Reverend Charles Meachin and a special blessing was carried out by Reverend Jonathan Foster, Minister of St Clements Church, Parkstone.