A wonderful part of my job is meeting so many people and businesses who make up our community.

Visiting Oxley Group in Ulverston this week, who I thought I already knew plenty about, revealed so much more about this dynamic business and its founder Freddy Oxley.

A business that began in 1940 but relocated after the Blitz, establishing in Market Place Ulverston before settling in Priory Park in the 1950s.

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The beautiful home that so many pass on the coast road is still used today alongside the more industrial buildings hidden behind that have been added over the years.

Freddy held the record for the most number of patents, a man driven by innovation that is evident in the business to this day.

Staff are encouraged to be creative and with every part of the product developed and made on site, something that is sadly rare in today's world, it gives Oxley's an edge.

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Few businesses can adapt in an instant to their customers needs and it served them well during Covid when most competitors were struggling with supply chains grinding to a halt.

Many businesses fail to understand their role in the community around them, or what a complex and fragile system it is.

(Image: Michelle Scrogham's office) But the team at Oxleys take a positive and proactive approach and have been at the forefront of work to fill the skills gap causing pain for so many of our services in South Cumbria.

I’m looking forward to working with them and encouraging other businesses to adopt this mindset for the benefit of everyone.

Everyone’s lives are improved when we work as a community and the solution to many problems can be found there.

(Image: Michelle Scrogham's office) I can’t end this weeks column without mentioning the sad loss of Brian Keen who saved Barrow AFC in the 90’s.

I have fond memories of his son Tony playing football for Ulverston Rangers back in the 80s when my dad was coach, and my thoughts are with him and his family this week.