Andrew Corbett - Network Chair -  is technical director for PerfectArc, which is one of the best known web and online marketing companies in the south of Shropshire. He says “ As many people’s only knowledge of Craven Arms is from driving though it, it’s easy to forget that there are around 800 businesses within 5 miles of the town and the Craven Arms Business network welcomes all types of business from the SY7 postal area and just outside. It’s an informal group, short on rules and long on getting to know the other businesses in the area and promoting our members to the outside world.”

Andrew nearly lived another life - 25 years ago after living in Nice for 2 years, he came back to the UK just to take a HGV test and accidentally fell into a life of IT! Find out what Andrew is up to on twitter at https://twitter.com/jacorbett

Craven Arms Biz has it's own twitter at https://twitter.com/cravenarmsbiz

Peter Simmons - Deputy Chair - runs Border Vehicle Contracts based in Corvedale which supplies cars & vans on lease to SMEs. Their best advert is perhaps that they still have clients from our first year of operation. His claim to fame is that his school dinner monitor was David Bowie!

“In these days of email and internet business, isolation - especially in an area such as ours - can be a real problem. The opportunity to chat over problems, strategy, achievements, plans etc in a relaxed atmosphere, plus keep up to date with events regionally and nationally is invaluable. To have this for free is an opportunity not to be missed”  Tweet me at https://twitter.com/bordercars

Anna Wilde has been involved in Craven Arms Business Network since its initial meeting back in 2003. She’s the Managing Director of PerfectArc Ltd, a web company who’s registered office is in the Corvedale although the main office these days is in Ludlow. Why not follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/annawilde

“The Business Network is such a friendly place to meet local businesses – there’s none of the formality that a lot of other networks seem to demand and what I like about it is the fact that there’s such a variety of businesses that attend. I like to meet ‘real’ people and hear their stories – it’s amazing who is out in them there hills!”

Carole Clayton is a business woman and farmers wife and runs www.theruralmeetingplace.com to connect businesses throughout South Shropshire and beyond; offering Business support and mentoring on a peer to peer basis.

She says“ I am really excited that the Business Network is helping to identify areas of common interest amongst Businesses in the SY7 area with a view towards business promotion” See what I'm up to on Twitter at https://twitter.com/carolermp

Carole was kissed by Eric Bristow, darts player, while helping to interview him for a radio station.

Karen Thorne is the treasurer of the committee, and runs Hopton House B&B at Hopton Heath . She also runs training courses in how to set up, run and successfully market a B&B, as well as marketing training for small businesses.

“The Craven Arms Business Network is a great way for local businesses to meet, share best business practice and also socialise. I’ve had several referrals as result of being in the network.”

I’m active in social networking, particularly Twitter. I believe it’s a great way to promote your business when done properly! So there really is nothing that my followers don’t know about me – follow me at http://twitter.com/HoptonHouseBnB

Ed Moelwyn-Williams is a Chartered Accountant at Whittingham Riddell. He used to enjoy DIY but is finding that time is in short supply for this since the birth or his daughter 8 months ago!

Ed’s views on Craven Arms Biz ....” I think the network should provide members with an opportunity to develop a business and social network where ideas and experiences can be shared. Members will build reliable and useful contacts and ultimately pass business to one another benefitting all in SY7 and surrounding regions.”

Stella and Dave Mitchell have been running the Land of Lost Content, national popular culture Museum for 19 years . They have recently started a new venture, Rejectamenta, antiques and collectibles shop on Market St.

Stella’s claim to fame is that she is probably the only person to have said the words "museum -Craven Arms" live on national TV! She’s also kissed Lonnie Donegan. They think C.A. Biz should be a unifying structure in an increasingly divisive world. Divided we strive, united we thrive. Hopefully!

Des Seal is a Lighting Cameraman with 30 years experience whose clients include BBC, Channel Four and National Geographic. He filmed “Reach New Heights” which is featured as part of the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre show.

He’s also a keen musician and is often seen “jamming” and “gigging” around the area.

He believes that the network should strive to increase awareness of the strong and diverse nature of the businesses within the area.” Visit Dessealtv here or follow him on twitter at https://twitter.com/dessealtv

Peter Dunhill is a Shropshire Council Community Regeneration Officer. The Community Working Team supports the new Local Joint Committees that scrutinise Shropshire Council's actions and allocates small grants. Peter’s claim to fame is that he started a popular New Years Eve event in Shrewsbury floating handmade illuminated boats down the river Severn. A beautiful sight and great community activity.

“I think the Craven Arms Business Network is about local businesses making new connections with each other and finding enjoyable ways of helping the area's economy to flourish.“

Michaela Hardwick is a Business Coach and Consultant with Beyond Expectation who loves helping people get the best out of themselves and their processes and people. She escaped a career as a solicitor in a city to come to this idyllic part of the world is thrilled to be working with Craven Arms Biz as it is proving to her that both life and work “out in the sticks” can be much more exciting and rewarding.

For fun, Michaela enjoys throwing herself off these beautiful hills with a paraglider above her head – things look very different (and even more wonderful) from up there. You can find Michaela on Twitter at http://twitter.com/michaelabeyond