IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL THANKS TO A GENERATOR AND LOYAL STAFF

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Company’s mains electricity supply finally restored – a week after storm.

The well-wrapped-up team at Westgate Labs have been testing samples and getting orders sent out despite having no mains electricity. From left are Helen, Sarah, Ruth and Emily, plus rescue dogs Anna and Diesel, with the borrowed generator. Other team members Kristy and Sarah have been answering calls and doing admin from their homes.

With no power for eight days after Storm Arwen struck on 26 November, Westgate Labs nevertheless battled on to serve its customers.

The lights finally came on again at the worming advice and egg counting specialist, which is based on a farm in rural Northumberland, at the weekend.

“We’re northern, so we got on with it,” said director Claire Shand.

“There was a real community effort to keep our services running as closely to normal as possible.”

The basics in Westgate Labs’ laboratory, such as centrifuges and microscopes, were operating courtesy of a generator loaned by a local customer.

Storm Arwen tore the capping off Westgate Labs’ laboratory roof, while a field shelter leapt a hedge and landed in the arena. But all humans and animals are safe.

The staff kept warm thanks to big coats and gas heaters borrowed from the local church.

“Nevertheless, morale remained high,” added Claire. “We even had a gas camping stove for a brew-up. And our loyal team were amazingly resourceful in very challenging times.”

Fallen Tree Image by Reginal

 

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