Page 16 • The HERALD • 8th October 2026 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES v WATERSIDE NETWORK GROUP: MEMBER FOCUS A long-term member of the Waterside Network Group is Steve Dodgson of Top Flight Taxi. Steve operates a silver VW Caddy, licensed by New Forest District Council to carry up to six passengers or 1 passenger and one wheelchair user. Top Flight began in 2014 when Steve decided to set up his own business a er working for many years with local taxi companies. Back then he was operating a Mercedes E Class and was kept particularly busy driving customers to airports, cruise ships, and private functions. at all changed in 2020 with the Covid outbreak when, what with lockdowns and restrictions on travel, work dried up for a very long time. Steve returned to licensed travel with the silver VW Caddy, a vehicle that is now a regular sight up and down the Waterside. Top Flight Taxi is the ideal choice for Southampton cruise terminals, as well as Southampton and Bournemouth airport transfers. e additional space that the VW caddy o ers over standard vehicles means getting you and your companions to your cruise ship or plane, along with all your luggage, is that little bit easier. Equally, if you’re making a local trip where reliability and professionalism are a must, then Top Flight Taxi will look a er you. Lunches, dinners, theatre trips, business meetings or just assistance getting to appointments or the shops are all part of Steve’s daily routine. e VW Caddy’s ability to take a wheelchair is another bonus, meaning Steve can assist private individuals and residents of care homes to get to where they need to be with as little fuss as possible. For availability, please contact Steve Dodgson at Top Flight Taxi directly using the contact details opposite. Top Flight Private Hire’s VW Caddy A DIFFERENT WAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR LOCAL GROUP by Claire Curl, Fair Bills Fundraising is something so many local charities, clubs and community groups rely on, but nding new ways to bring money in can be challenging. What if one of those ways could be through simply making connections? e UW (Utility Warehouse) Connectors programme gives eligible local organisations the opportunity to earn additional income by introducing people who may be interested in UW services. Unlike traditional fundraising, there’s no need to organise a cake sale, sponsored event or ra e. You simply make an introduction, and UW takes care of the rest. It could be a really simple way for a group to generate some extra funds alongside the fundraising you already do. I’m Claire, a local UW Partner, and I’d love to hear from any local charity, club or community organisation that would like to explore whether this could work for them. I’ll explain exactly how it works before you decide whether it’s suitable for your organisation. ere’s also currently an extra £400 bonus available for eligible Connectors, subject to the relevant terms and conditions. It’s people helping people. Get in touch on: 07823 554 362 and let’s have a chat, or visit: www.uw.partners/claire. curl Claire Curl, Fair Bills
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=