The Musicians’ Answering Service

Service Newsletter November 1995

For Fixers & Orchestral Managers

 

173 High Street Dorking Surrey RH4 1AD

Diary Service: 01306 880669 Accounts: 01306 880404

Fax: 01306 888041

 

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The Service That Does As It’s Told

 

MAS Staffing

 

As you are all aware we were sad to have to say goodbye to Elspeth and Stephen (my only source of male support for years) during the last quarter and indeed will be saying goodbye to Bridget this week. Elspeth has become a peripatetic teacher for Surrey and Stephen opted for the Civil Service in Sutton which is a little more local to where he lives. As a newly married man he wanted to be working in a job with more sociable hours. We wish them both well and of course we will miss them just as much as we will miss Bridget when she is gone. Bridget has opted to move hack to the dance world - albeit as an administrator - and has taken a post with the Royal Academy of Dancing. I am sure she will give it everything she has got, just as she did with us.

 

On the welcoming side we would like to introduce both Alison and Gill. who both graduated with a music degree, Alison at Colchester, and Gill gained her music degree at Surrey University in Guildford. Although you may not have spoken to either of them as yet I am sure you will be delighted when you do.

 

To recap: Staff coverage and names are as follows:

 

Mon - Fri          8 am - Midnight            3 Operators on at any given time

Sat & Sun          8 am - Midnight            2 Operators on at any given time

 

Current staffing is as follows:-    Isobel - Manager            Alison

                                                Ann                              Danielle

                                                Gill                              Karen

                                                Louise                           Madeleine

 

 

 

 

 

CV Listing

Please let us know if there are any alterations you wish to have done to your C. V. before the next issue is printed.

 

If you are not sure whether this service is appropriate for you please give me a ring. I am very happy to talk it through with you. Remember it is not just applicable to people new to the Diary Service or new to the freelance world. We have very many established players included and what is more IT IS FREE.

 

Message To Fixers

 

Just a reminder that if you wish to take advantage of our 'messages to fixers service" i.e. answers to work offers we have had to refer to you for your decision, please instruct us on each occasion - if you don't - we will assume you do not want us to do it.

 

Bulletin Board

Tim Warburton has moved and has a new phone number

01832 274011 .

 

Reminder

 

Please don't hesitate to contact us if there is anything you require listed on our Bulletin Board. Such things as instruments for sale, change of telephone numbers, lost instruments or any other information that you may feel would be of interest or useful to our members or to the fixers.

 

The Service Continues To Grow

 

Thanks to you all the service continues to grow. Your recommendations are keeping musicians choosing us which in turn is helping to give a more and more comprehensive service to the fixers and people searching for deputies etc.

 

As a result of the expansion we are about to take on an extra member of staff in order to ease the pressure on existing staff and to maintain the level of service to yourselves, our loyal and valued clients .

 

 

 

 

 

Help Us To Help You

An increasing number of Clients are using, as a matter of course, 880669 to pick up messages etc instead of trying their designated client message line first.

 

To remind you in case you have forgotten.

Strings & Harps:                                   01306   885411*

Wind , Brass, Percussion & Others:       01306   889537*

 

The purpose of sticking to your message lines are:-

 

a)         It helps us identify the type of caller ringing in and to he more efficient in answering.

b)         It helps to keep fixing lines free for people to book you, and maintain our reputation for               fixers always being able to get through.

 

Help us to maintain the level of service across the board - try your client line first.

 

• Never leave these numbers on your answer machines. They are only for collecting your messages. Having people wishing to book players ringing in on the wrong lines is equally confusing for us as clients using the incorrect number to collect messages. If you are unsure ring me and I will explain all.

 

Please Come And Visit

We have had quite a few people coming to visit us over the last few months. The more people who visit the better as far as we are concerned. Should any member wish to organise a party of people to visit (any number up to twenty is ideal) we promise we will do you proud with wine flowing and food in abundance.

 

Please contact me on 01306 880669 to arrange the date. You will not be disappointed I assure you. We really enjoy meeting the faces behind the voices.

 

Mobile News

You are all, no doubt, aware of the dynamic discounts and free accessories with Orange that PMC are now offering to clients of MAS.

 

Don't miss out - Orange will he bound to change the goal posts after Christmas so if you wish to take advantage of the current offers get in touch now. PMC will advise you of the least expensive route to your mobile requirements. Their strict policy is that honesty comes before sales. Contact PMC on Tel No. 01306 740077

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Tips – Money Saving Idea

If you have taken out a Term Assurance Mortgage Protection Policy in the last three years, you could save money by applying for an new contract. Term insurance rates have fallen in the last two years to what life offices complain are rock-bottom rates. This is a remarkable turnaround. Just seven years ago, term insurance premiums soared as fears of an AIDS epidemic gripped the market.

 

Note:- with the majority of protection contracts, once the premium has been set, it is guaranteed to remain at that level for the term of the policy.

 

Telephone without obligation Robert Turrell on 0181 467 0267 for a quotation. Robert Turrell is Managing Director of Graeme Blair Financial Planning Ltd which is regulated by the Personal Investment Authority.

 

Self Assessment – The Proposed System

From the end of 1996/97 taxpayers will be able to chose whether they calculate their own tax, and pay over without assessment, or request the Inland Revenue to calculate it for them. Tax will now be paid in three instalments, the first two estimated, the third a correcting payment (or repayment). A full description of the new system is outside the scope of this article.

 

However, one of the biggest changes to the existing tax system will he the introduction of fixed penalties. If the Inland Revenue are to calculate the tax due, the self assessment return must be submitted by the 30th September following the end of the tax year. If the return and taxpayers own calculation is not submitted by the 31st January after the end of the tax year, an automatic penalty of £100 will be raised. A further £100 automatic penalty will he payable if the return is still outstanding more than six months after the filing date and the tax geared penalties of up to 100% of the tax due, will he imposed if the return is more than a year late.

To avoid these penalties, it is essential that self-employed taxpayers affairs are brought up to date now, before the implementation of the self assessment system..

 

For further information call:-    

Mike Harding

Harding Whiteman

36 Rose Hill, Sutton

Surrey SMI 3EU

 

Tel: 0181 641 0102

Fax: 0181 641 4002