A LOCAL joinery and interior design company recently celebrated its 25 year business anniversary surrounded by the very colleagues, customers and suppliers who helped make such a milestone possible, and all the while raising money for charity.

Wignall’s, a family run business producing modern interiors, recently held a gala event at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay to celebrate 25 years of trading.

Husband and wife team, Ray and Charlotte Wignall, who created the business more than two decades ago, were presented with a giant jigsaw hand made by their colleagues as a token of their appreciation for Ray and Charlotte’s hardwork and commitment over the 25 years.

Life time service awards were given persons involved with Wignall’s since the early days.

It should be mentioned also that, during the event, some £7300 was raised for Bowel Cancer UK, a leading bowel cancer charity set on saving lives and improving the quality of life of everyone affected by the disease.

Luke Squires, Director of Fundraising at Bowel Cancer UK, said: ‘We express our heartfelt gratitude to all the guests, who generously donated in support of our chosen charity for this anniversary event, Bowel Cancer UK.

‘Wignalls have matched the donations made, to bring the grand total up to £7,300.

‘We’re so grateful that Wignall’s selected us as their chosen charity for their wonderful anniversary event.

‘Every 30 minutes someone dies from bowel cancer, making it the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

‘But it doesn’t have to be this way as it’s treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.

‘The money raised by Wignall’s will help us to make more people aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, fund vital research, and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.’

It was in the late 90s that Ray and Charlotte found themselves self-employed and with a family to provide for.

With help from family and friends who rustled up tools and equipment and gave guidance on everything from accounting to handling materials, Ray and Charlotte set up a joinery business making furniture and shop fittings for other local businesses: Wignall’s was born.

Year on year Wignall’s reputation grew in the community such that operations had to be scaled up, and so Ray and Charlotte said goodbye to their then base of operations, their garage, and moved into an industrial unit in Milber.

And it was in 2011 that the couple opened their first kitchen and bathroom showroom.

The Newton Abbot showroom was joined by a second showroom in Heathfield, ‘The Dartmoor Studio’, in later years.

Fast forward to the present day and the business now employs more than 40 team members from the factory through to customer service.

Of the journey Charlotte and Ray said: ‘It has all been an adventure!’

Elsewhere, Wignall’s have had yet more reason to celebrate.

The company’s Newton Abbot showroom won the town council’s ‘Best Dressed Coronation Window’ competition.

Their hand-painted display triumphed over some strong competition, which saw Wignall’s awarded a certificate from Cllr Carol Bunday, Mayor of Newton Abbot, on behalf of the town council.

Wignall’s described the win as a ‘fantastic achievement’ and that the company ‘could not be more proud’.