Tree surgeon Liam Timmins has overcome a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome to take over his family business and is now expanding the Blyth-based company, Stan Timmins and Sons, the well-known North East arboricultural company started by his dad Stan, who was one half of BBC Newcastle’s gardening team Stan and Eddie. Asperger’s is a high-functioning development disorder on the autism spectrum and people with the condition have incredible attention to detail. That’s something that helped Liam initially when studying for his degree in accounting and finance, and global financial management, and then in working as a tree surgeon, where precision is all-important. The condition also enables him to follow tenders and specifications to the letter and he has been successful in bringing in commercial clients to the business, which previously concentrated on domestic customers. Among the new work is a major contract with a multi-national hotel chain. Liam said: “When I was a kid I used to go to work with my dad while other kids were doing paper rounds and he was cutting down trees. “I wasn’t diagnosed with Asperger’s until I was 25 then immediately a lot of things clicked into place and explained why I have this overwhelming attention to detail and am at pains to do the perfect job every time.” Dad Stan worked for Newcastle City Council’s horticultural department for decades before setting up in business. Stan was a gardening guru familiar to Radio Newcastle listeners for more than 30 years. He now has a place with the firm as an arboricultural consultant and an extra pair of hands when needed. www.stantimmins.co.uk
Walter Dix & Co have been installing and servicing AGA Cookers in homes throughout the region since 1931. The family-run business has a large showroom in Gateshead with a dedicated AGA showroom which incorporates all the existing and the latest exciting AGA models with Dual Control and Total Control and the compact AGA 60. Aside from AGA, Walter Dix are Range Cooker specialists and have more than 14 different brands of high quality cookers on display.
A new KitchenAid built-in appliances display includes the Twelix Artisan oven which allows you to cook with pure steam in a conventional oven to guarantee healthy, light cuisine. The display also houses a Speed Oven, with 16 professional cooking functions, Microwave Combi oven, built in hobs and small appliances.
The knowledgeable, independent advice the company can give makes this an ideal destination store for cooking appliances. The showroom at Stirling Court, Eleventh Avenue North, Team Valley, Gateshead, is open from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9.30am to 3pm on Saturday. www.wdix.co.uk
