Gucci Sales Awards Dinner at the Hurlingham Club

Sharon Bibby, Emma Ormerod and Ryan Unsworth were all finalists in a recent competition run by Gucci watches to win a Gucci customised Fiat 500!

Having been named as finalists in December and receiving a luxury Gucci leather bag the three were invited to London recently for a gala dinner and prize draw.

Upon arriving in London we were chauffeured to the world famous Hurlingham Club, bordering the Thames in Fulham and set in 42 acres of magnificent grounds, The Hurlingham Club is recognised throughout the world as one of Britain’s greatest private members’ clubs!

The Gucci Fiat 500 took centre stage as all the finalists enjoyed champagne, canapés and great conversation with the Gucci team.

Although we didn’t come away as winners the whole experience was one we won’t forget and as always Gucci were amazing hosts!

Blackburn’s Danny visits Rado in Switzerland

Danny Bond, from our Blackburn store, was recently invited by Rado to experience Switzerland the Rado way! A three day visit in the home of watches awaited.

Upon arriving in Switzerland a stunning meal was presented in the beautiful city of Bern to get to know some of the members of Rado and the other lucky people invited from the U.K to see what Rado is all about.

The next day was packed with many interesting tours and presentations, to show why Rado are innovators of materials and style in the watch world. Taking a tour of Rado headquarters is the best insight into the passion of their heritage and more importantly their future. This is shown in the company ethos “If we can imagine it, we can make it, and if we can make it, we will.”

Concept art, innovative designs and stunning watches, all the stages of what it takes to make a watch were all there to be seen, apart from one thing, how the ceramic is made. For that a trip to their ceramics factory was needed, and there you are blown away at what it takes to make one small piece of high tech ceramic.

From the start of production of a Rado watch, it is estimated that a total of sixty pairs of hands has come into contact before the finished piece is finally displayed in a jewellers window.

But a trip with Rado would not be complete without a day showcasing what makes Switzerland so stunning. The third and final day was spent at the top of Schilthorn Mountain 2970m high at the revolving restaurant where the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was set, the perfect place to view the majestic mountains and magnificent landscapes looking down onto the bright blue lakes of Switzerland.

A brilliant end to a truly amazing time with Rado which gave Danny an more in depth knowledge of what makes Rado watches so special.

The Rado collection can be viewed in each of our five stores.

Peter Jackson awarded an MBE for services to charity

We are delighted to announce that our Founder and Managing Director, Peter Jackson, has been awarded an MBE for services to charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Peter’s first exposure to charity work was at the age of eight when he was walking round Blackpool in the rain handing out leaflets for a charity ‘It’s a Knockout’ with his father. “From an early age, my father instilled in me the importance of helping people less fortunate than ourselves and this has stayed with me ever since” says Peter.

A list of some of the charities he has helped are on the company profile page of this website. Most recently Peter has been involved with The Prince’s Trust, Derian House children’s hospice and the Roy Castle Foundation.

Peter is a great believer in putting something back into the local community and this year we have given dozens of raffle prizes to small, local worthy causes to help with their fundraising.

Our next big event is our annual Charity Golf Day at Royal Birkdale in Southport on Friday 24th August. It is a great day and will raise around £10,000 for Derian House. There are still a few spaces so please contact us if you would like more details.

Art and Design students win jewellery competition with Peter Jackson

Bury College Foundation Diploma in Art and Design students Mike Hyde and Katie Matthews have won a unique competition in partnership with local jeweller Peter Jackson. Students on the course created jewellery designs as part of a project which saw the winners have the opportunity to see their designs brought to life and made by the jeweller.

Mike, a former pupil of The Elton High School was delighted to when presented with his design, a silver ring designed in the shape of clasped hands. He said, “I was really surprised to win the competition!” Katie added, “It has been amazing to see my designs made, the end result is great and the opportunity has given me an insight into working in jewellery design.”

The unique designs, Katie’s two pendants based on the human form and Mike’s ring, will now be displayed in Peter Jackson’s Jewellers in Bury Town Centre alongside their current jewellery range.

Managing Director Peter Jackson said, “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with Bury College. I’m hugely impressed by the talent of the students and am delighted to be able to produce the winning designs.”

Assistant Curriculum Manager John Pritchard is delighted by partnership with Peter Jackson. He said, “Our partnership has provided the students with an invaluable opportunity to work with creative industry professionals. I am very proud of the way the students responded to the brief and the diverse range of work they created. I would like to thank Peter Jackson for giving their time and expertise to work with us and we very much look forward to working with them again in the future.”

£6,500 raised for charity in 10k run

Edward Jackson, the son of our Managing Director ran in the Blackpool 10K Fun Run in May, completing the course in 42 minutes.

He worked very hard for six months collecting sponsorship for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation – the only charity in the UK dedicated to research and treatment of the disease and supporting families dealing with Lung Cancer.

Edward is pictured presenting a cheque for £6500 to Hayley Weaver of the Foundation.

To read more about the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation please click the logo on the left.

Lancashire Sports Dinner

We were delighted once again to be helping the Princes Trust at the Lancashire Sports Dinner.

Northcote Manor provided a banquet for 250 high profile guests who were then entertained by anecdotes from Matt LeTissier.

Our team sold teddy bears for the raffle and helped Eric Knowles with the auction.

The event was a huge success and raised almost £20,000 to support the wonderful work of the Princes Trust.

Derian House Children’s Hospice Cheque Presentation

Derian House Children’s Hospice has benefitted from a windfall of over £10,000 thanks to the generosity of Peter Jackson the Jeweller’s charity golf day.

“This was our 10th annual charity golf event and we had a great day,” said Peter Jackson, Managing Director. “As a company we are keen to find ways of supporting local charities and over the last 10 years the golf day alone has raised almost £100,000.”

Over the years Peter Jackson the Jeweller has supported a wide range of charities with the proceeds of the golf days going to the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, the Prince’s Trust and Derian House. Thanks to the generosity of golfers £10,750 has been given to Derian House this year to help support their valuable work.

“I would like to thank and congratulate everyone who took part. The day included a good deal of friendly rivalry, but by far the most important outcome was that we have been able to present this cheque to Derian House, a fantastic charity which does so much good work.”

Trevor Briggs from Derian House added: “The ongoing support of this golf day by Peter Jackson the Jewellers has ensured much needed and significant funds have been raised for the hospice, making a huge difference to children and their families facing a difficult and unsure future, on their behalf it’s a big thank you.”

Celebrity designer comes face to face with 1989 Duchy design during visit to local jeweller

“I obviously knew that Gail was High Sherriff in 2004,” explained Peter Jackson, “but had no idea that back in 1989 Theo Fennell had designed the Duchy Brooch, which is given to ladies who hold this honour.

“Approved by Her Majesty the Queen, the Duchy brooch depicts an ostrich feather and a small scroll. Only six such brooches have been given in Lancashire and once I had uncovered this connection I immediately got in touch with Suzie Reynolds, of Leighton Hall, who held this prestigious office in 2009. I am delighted that both were able to come and that they arrived wearing their brooches with pride.”

theo_catering“It was a pleasure to be able to introduce Theo Fennell to these two ladies and the rest of our guests enjoyed listening to Theo as he spoke about the excellent craftsmanship that goes into all of his designs. His beautifully made pieces of jewellery are proving to be very popular with our local customers who obviously appreciate the uniqueness of his pieces.” It was fitting that it was Peter Jackson who invited Theo to the county, not only because of the Duchy connection, but also, because they are the only jeweller in the North West to have been entrusted with this prestigious brand.

“It was wonderful to be in Lancashire and to meet these lovely ladies,” said Theo Fennell, as he spoke of the craftsmanship and affection that goes into every piece of jewellery – including these prestigious two colour gold brooches.

Acknowledged as one of Britain’s premier design led jewellers Theo’s pieces often have a quirky twist and are hugely popular with celebrities. Indeed only a few weeks ago Alesha Dixon wore a Theo Fennell necklace while judging BBC TV’s Strictly Come Dancing and both Emma Bunton and Cheryl Cole wore his jewellery for the Pride of Britain Awards.

Intelligent, witty design is the cornerstone of Theo’s philosophy and award winning, chef Andrew Nutter entered into the spirit by making fun replica cakes depicting Theo’s designs for guest to enjoy.

When Southport based Peter Jackson the Jeweller invited Gail Stanley, who lives in Ormskirk, to meet designer Theo Fennell he had no idea of the connection he was about to uncover.Gail Stanley spoke of the honour in meeting the man who designed these beautiful brooches and Suzie Reynolds added: “I have always Ioved wearing this incredibly well made piece of jewellery but now it’s even more special having met the man who designed it.”

Catherine from our Blackburn store visits Gucci in Florence

When Peter Jackson the Jeweller’s Blackburn store decided to offer a new collection it fell to Assistant Manager, Catherine Harrington to check out the jewellery. Not that she minded because the new brand is Gucci and in order to find out more she was invited to Florence – home of the prestigious Italian brand.

“Of course I had a fabulous day in this wonderful city of culture and high fashion but I was also very impressed by the quality and attention to detail of the jewellery being made there. Gucci is a luxury brand with an iconic image and we are absolutely delighted to be the only local jeweller to offer this on trend collection.

“With prices starting at £100 I know that Gucci is going to be on a great many Christmas wish lists.”