CHAIR of renowned Mere brush-maker Hillbrush – Philip Coward – said a day out with the Wiltshire Bobby Van convinced him to get involved with the charity.

Seeing first-hand how the van’s operatives care for victims of crime and domestic abuse convinced Mr Coward to become chair of the cause.

Mr Coward, takes on the role from Robert Hiscox, who has stepped down after 25 years to become Honorary Lifetime President.

He is also set to become chairman of the Royal Warrant Holders Charity in April and was unsure if he would have the time for both, until Bobby Van Director Jennie Shaw invited him for a day out on the van with operative Mick Leighfield.

The charity, which works in partnership with Wiltshire Police, has three vans operated by former police officers who visit homes across Wiltshire and Swindon.

They offer and fit home security measures and fire safety assessments for people over 60, those at risk of domestic abuse or over 18 with a registered disability, completely free of charge.

“I knew roughly what the charity does but not everything and when I went out with Mick on the van I just couldn’t believe what was happening behind some quite nice-looking front doors,” said Mr Coward.

He was left moved by the plight of burglary and domestic abuse victims they met, as well as the care and attention given them by Mr Leighfield.

“That was the most impressive thing,” he said. “It is reasonably straightforward go in and change a lock and give someone a panic alarm but it was the time he spent talking to the people, reassuring them and putting their mind at rest that was so much more important. He was totally brilliant at it.

“I came away convinced that I wanted to be chair so I said I’d do it. I think Jennie knew that she could persuade me by sending me out on the van.”

His ambition as chair is to grow the Bobby Van’s fundraising.

The charity, which last year helped around 1,200 victims of crime and more than 300 people suffering domestic abuse, receives no statutory funding and has to raise more than £300,000 a year to maintain the service.

“I just want to make sure that the charity at least carries on but then keeps growing,” Mr Coward said. “We have to ensure we’ve got sustainable fundraising because that’s the most important thing, if you can’t fundraise, the whole thing dies.

“I would like to reduce the six-week waiting time for visits, which is not really right. It shouldn’t be more than two or three weeks really.”

Mr Coward this year marked 50 years since he joined Hillbrush straight from an engineering degree, becoming the third generation of the family to run the firm since it was founded in 1922.

He has seen the company grow to a world-leading supplier of brooms and brushes for the domestic and commercial market, exporting to more than 90 countries.

He led the project to move Hillbrush and its 120 staff from the south side of Mere to a purpose-built headquarters, complete with a museum and restaurant, to a site by the A303.

Four years ago he handed the reins over to his son Charlie and nephew Andy, who are joint managing directors.

As chair he is still involved in the business, particularly with the research and development and engineering side.
He said his first months with the Bobby Van will be about getting to know its staff, volunteers and stakeholders.

“I’m looking forward to working with everyone and understanding more about how it all works,” he said. “Above all, I want to try and bring across to people just how much the Bobby Van does and how important its service is so we can continue to grow and help even more people.”

Find out more about the work of the charity at wiltshirebobbyvan.org.uk.