Stephen Winyard: Stobo chairman dedicates MBE to staff

Stephen Winyard, chairman of Stobo Castle Health Spa, Peeblesshire, will receive an MBE for services to business and the community in Peeblesshire.

Mr Winyard, 71, says it is the latter of the two that means the most to him, describing the community as “everything”.

“Any sort of honour is a reflection of the work that we do,” he said. “With services to business, yes we run a good business, but what is more important to me is the services to the local community.

“I am incredibly proud of the amazing team at Stobo, 200-strong. Only through their dedication and hard work are we in the position to support the local community and fulfil our position of social responsibility."

'I take no plaudits personally'

Mr Winyard found out about the honour in May, but the official announcement was delayed until October due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Asked whether he has found time to celebrate, he said: “Not at all. It is not a celebration for me, it is a celebration for an incredible team we have at Stobo.

“I take no plaudits personally. This MBE is a tribute for everyone who works at Stobo.”

Mr Winyard became chairman in 2019, stepping away from his role as managing director of the business.

That role is now occupied by his eldest son, one of four family members he works with.

Mr Winyard described working with his wife and three children as “incredibly satisfying”.

“Sometimes people in family businesses fall out with each other but the five of us are very, very close and support each other,” he said. “The future of Stobo is in far safer hands now than when I was in charge.”

Stobo Castle flying the Olympic flag back in 2016

Stobo closed in March due to the pandemic, a situation that Mr Winyard described as “pretty grim”.

However, the team at Stobo used the unusual circumstances to refurbish areas of the site.

Mr Winyard says his “main focus” is now keeping the team at Stobo together.

“My focus over the last few months has been to ensure as far as possible that our 200-strong workforce stays intact,” he said. Most staff live in Peebles and nearby, he added.

Part of Stobo’s service to the community is the money donated to local charities and services.

In 2020, Mr Winyard has overseen £33,000 of donations to local causes, including £10,000 to Peebles RFC.

Since 2015, Stobo has donated £443,225 to different causes, helping hundreds of charities in that time.

Here is the full list local causes Stobo has donated to between 2015-2020:

2015: Missing People Annual Donation - £10,000; Missing People Auction Prize (Poppy) - £10,000; Peebles Fireworks - £11,000; Peebles Christmas Lights Association - £2,000; Scottish Borders Junior Football Association - £700; Dragons Netball Team - £500; Broughton Curling Club - £500

2016: Missing People Annual Donation - £10,000; Missing People Additional Donation - £10,000; Peebles Fireworks - £15,000; Scott Brash Sculpture - £10,000; Peebles Scout Hut - £10,000; Peebles Christmas Lights Association - £2,000; STV Children’s Appeal - £2,000; Peebles Equestrian Team - £1000; Arrows & Dragons Netball Team - £1000

2017: Missing People Annual Donation - £10,000; Missing People Payment for Table @ Ball - £3,500; Missing People Additional Donation - £10,000; Peebles Fireworks - £20,000; Peebles Rugby Club - £10,000; Peebles Christmas Lights Association - £2,000; Arrows & Dragons Netball Team - £1000

2018: Missing People Annual Donation - £10,000; Missing People Payment for Table @ Ball - £5,000; Missing People Auction Prize (Wimbledon Tickets) - £3,000; Peebles Fireworks - £20,000; Craig Howie (Golfer) - £10,000; Peebles Rugby Club - £10,000; Eastgate Theatre - £10,000; Eastgate Theatre (conversion of loan to donation) - £30,000; SBC donation to repair potholes - £10,000; Peebles Christmas Lights Association - £2,000; The Stuart Netball Club - £1,000

2019: Missing People Annual Donation - £10,000; Missing People Payment for Table @ Ball - £5,000; Missing People Auction Prize (Bali) - £10,000; Peebles Fireworks - £20,000; Craig Howie (Golfer) - £10,000; Peebles Rugby Club - £10,000; Peebles Equestrian Team - £3,000; Peebles Christmas Lights Association - £2,000; English Channel Swim - £1,000; Stuart Netball Club - £1,000; Nomad Beat Music Club - £750; Peebles Children’s Football Camp - £500; Linton Hotspur Football Club - £150; Peebles Show - £125

2020: Missing People Annual Donation - £10,000; Craig Howie (Golfer) - £10,000; Peebles Rugby Club - £10,000; Peebles Christmas Lights Association - £2,000; Save Broughton Brewery Campaign - £1,000

Value of gift vouchers donated to an average of 150 different charities each year (2015-2019) - £73,500