Tag: county durham

MEGA Motion Campaign Is Out Of This World

By on 16th February 2016in In & Around

Pupils from Timothy Hackworth Primary in Shildon enjoyed a special spacewalk to school with the help of an astronaut…

 

Luke Costello, 6, won a MEGA Motion competition to decide on the theme of the special walk by writing about his hero Neil Armstrong.

As his prize, he enjoyed an out of this world walk alongside MEGA Motion’s very own astronaut, Mel Keeway, who joined Luke and his classmates as they walked, cycled and scooted to school. Once there, the pupil’s enjoyed an atmospheric assembly from astronaut Mel highlighting the benefits of healthy and environmentally friendly ways of getting to school.

The special day was the latest Durham County Council supported MEGA Motion event, which comes under the wider Local Motion campaign promoting sustainable transport throughout South Durham. The campaign aims to encourage children to walk, scoot or ride to school to make them aware of the health and environmental benefits from an early age.

As well as the fun walks, pupils earn points every time they use sustainable travel to get to school, aiming to collect enough points to become MEGA heroes by the end of the year.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “MEGA Motion is a brilliant scheme that encourages our children, in a fun way, to be healthier and more environmentally friendly every day. It’s great to see the kids enjoy such a memorable day, and we’d like to wish them all good luck in their quest to become MEGA Heroes!”

Letting Agency Introduce Unique Property Matchmaking Service

By on 16th February 2016in Local Biz

North East based letting agency, My Property Box, has launched its new property matchmaking services for landlords and tenants…

The company’s unique new service aims to help landlords and tenants find their perfect match through its exclusive search criteria and the properties’ lonely heart descriptions.

To celebrate the launch of this exclusive idea, the forward thinking company has pledged to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

It is the agency’s managing director and property manager, Ben Quaintrell, who came up with the innovative idea, and he is thrilled to be announcing the new, one-of-a-kind concept.

He said: “We want to bring a bit of fun into the industry, because we know how stressful searching for both properties and tenants can be, so we came up with this idea of being property matchmakers.

“Our new matchmaking services effectively make us appear like a dating agency for properties, and whether you are a landlord or a tenant, we want to help you find your perfect match.

“To add to the excitement of the launch, we’ve also decided to donate £10 for every property let in the month of February to the British Heart Foundation, because not only is it a great charity, but the heart theme matches our new services.”

The nation’s heart charity, British Heart Foundation, is the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research.

Assistant manager of the British Heart Foundation’s Darlington branch, Pat Horton, said: “We really appreciate any donations we receive. From money to clothes to furniture, it can all be used to help the British Heart Foundation in some way. Every little helps.

“We are very thankful for the donation My Property Box has pledged to us, because without help from the local community and businesses, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

To add to the launch of the company’s new dating services, the agency has also invested in a new website.

Ben said: “We are a modern agency, and we needed our website to represent this and portray our new services in the best way possible.

“We are the only agency in the region to offer this type of service, and it feels amazing to see the company expanding, and the team and I are excited to see where these new services will take us.”

My Property Box prides itself on being an online agency, and Ben is always looking to the future, thinking about the next steps to take for the business.

He continued: “We currently cater for the whole of the North East, but I want to see us grow into a national company, and our new, unique services will help us achieve this.”

To find out more about the ingenious letting agency or its new services, visit www.mypropertybox.co.uk or follow @MyPropBox on Twitter.

QE College Hold Rugby Academy Open Evening

By on 15th February 2016in In & Around

Rugby fever has swept through Darlington…

Following the launch of the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College Rugby Academy, in association with Darlington Mowden Park RFC, in January 2016, an open evening is taking place for all interested students and parents at the Northern Echo Arena on Tuesday 23rd February at 6pm.

The open evening will provide more information about Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College and the Rugby Academy, along with the opportunity to see the world class facilities at Mowden Park where the Rugby Academy will be located.

Staff involved in the Academy from both QE and Mowden Park will be on hand to answer any questions.

For further information regarding the open evening or the Rugby Academy, call into Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Vane Terrace, Darlington, or ring 01325 461315. You can also email enquiry@qeliz.ac.uk.

Alternatively, email Academy Manager, Michael Garmston at michael.garmston@mowdenpark.com.

Court Battle Is Stark Reminder To Update Wills

By on 15th February 2016in Lifestyle

Joy Williams has learned the hard way what happens when Wills aren’t kept up to date…

 

Simply updating his Will would have ensured that a former dentist’s share of the family home passed to his unmarried partner of 18 years, rather than to his estranged wife, avoiding the legal battle which raged in court last week, according to a North East solicitor who specialises in Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning.

Andrew Simpson, a Lead Panel Solicitor with Seaham-based legal and financial planning specialist Ensure Inheritance, says that although Joy Williams, 69, lived with retired dentist Norman Martin as his partner for nearly two decades, they never married, nor did Mr Martin change his Will. As Mr Martin and Ms Williams owned a three-bedroom home as tenants in common, on his death Mr Martin’s share of the house was not automatically transferred to his partner, but to his estranged wife.

Ms Williams launched a legal challenge against the terms of the Will last week.

“Unfortunately Mr Martin was in the same boat as around 12 million of us who have Wills, but who have not updated them for more than five years to reflect their changed family circumstances,” says Mr Simpson.

“Simply taking advice from a Solicitor and changing his Will would have ensured that his partner’s financial future was secured, and Ms Williams would not risk losing her home.

“If you want to ensure your loved ones benefit from your hard earned efforts after your death, not only do you need to make a Will so that your wishes are carried out, you need to keep it updated to reflect any changes in circumstances.

“The costly and lengthy legal case of Ms Williams, and the possibility of her losing her family home, should be a reminder to us all to review our Wills every five years,” concludes Mr Simpson.

Based in Seaham in County Durham, Ensure Inheritance provides a range of legal and financial planning services which help protect financial assets to provide their clients and their loved ones with peace of mind. In addition to Wills and Estate planning, services include long term care planning, funeral planning, inheritance tax planning, powers of attorney, court of protection deputyships, and probate.

Ensure Inheritance can be contacted on 0191 338 5143, via email at info@ensureinheritance.co.uk or via its website www.ensureinheritance.co.uk.

Witton Gilbert Flood Defences Completed

By on 14th February 2016in In & Around

Work to protect homes from flooding in a County Durham village has been completed…

 

Durham County Council has developed a new flood defence scheme at Witton Gilbert with funding from the Environment Agency. It will help to protect 50 properties which were affected by flooding during severe weather in 2012.

The scheme was designed following an investigation into the flooding in 2012, and has involved the creation of a series of basins to the rear of Durham Gardens and South Lea.

The five basins can store up to 1,000 cubic meters of rain water, which would otherwise flow through the village, putting properties at risk of flooding.

The council has also worked with local landowners who have allowed existing ditches at the back of Brookside to be extended in order to divert water flows away from houses and towards the basins.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “I am delighted that this work has been completed, and very much hope that it will provide peace of mind to local people who have previously suffered the effects of flooding caused by severe weather.

“The scheme is designed to protect streets and properties from any further flood damage by diverting rain and surface water away towards the new basins.”

As well as working with the Environment Agency, which has contributed funding for the scheme, the county council has also worked alongside local contractor Hall Construction, which carried out the work on site.

John Reed, head of technical services at Durham County Council, said: “The flooding of homes and businesses can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.

“We have worked successfully with the Environment Agency and local landowners to construct a flood prevention scheme to protect homes and businesses in Witton Gilbert from flooding in the future.”

Darlington Building Society Offer Safety Blanket To Project Linus

By on 14th February 2016in Local Biz

The Stockton branch of Darlington Building Society is helping to bring comfort to the babies of North Tees Hospital’s neonatal unit and their children’s ward…

The High Street branch has made a £250 donation to the local branch of Project Linus, a national volunteer organisation that creates quilts for babies, children and teenagers who are ill or traumatised.

The total was a combination of money raised from a member raffle, and also a further donation from the Society’s community fund. The money will be used to purchase the fabric used by the Stockton-On-Tees arm of the charity to create the bespoke quilts.

The branch decided to support the charity after regular customer and local coordinator for Project Linus, Marjorie Cook, made them aware of its work.

Marjorie Cook, Stockton area coordinator of Project Linus, said: “We’re very grateful to Darlington Building Society and its customers for the very kind donation.

“The money will be used to purchase the fabric that our network of volunteers use to sew quilts destined for North Tees Hospital’s neonatal Unit and Children’s wards.

“The quilts are used to brighten the cots and beds whilst they are in hospital, and are given to the parents to take home once a baby or child is well enough to be discharged.

“We want to provide comfort to as many poorly babies and children as possible, but because each quilt is gifted individually, there is always a demand for us to provide more.

“We say that a quilt is a hug you can keep, and I think the physical reassurance that comes from being snuggled up is something everyone can relate to.

“We’re always looking for more volunteers. You don’t need to be an expert sewer to help. As long as you have your own machine and a little spare time, you can become part of Project Linus.”

Dawn Moore, Branch Manager at Darlington Building Society, said: “We made the decision to support Project Linus after Marjorie and I got talking over the counter. She talked so passionately about Project Linus that it touched all of our hearts.

“Darlington Building Society is committed to making a positive impact in our local communities, and the fact that the quilts go to a local hospital meant we were only too happy to help.

“We hope that we can continue to support Project Linus throughout 2016 as Darlington Building Society celebrates 160 years supporting local people.”

Week Long Roadworks Begin On A688 Over Weekend

By on 12th February 2016in In & Around

Drivers will be diverted as a week of resurfacing takes place on the A688 Spennymoor Bypass…

 

Resurfacing of the carriageway will begin on Saturday 13th February 2016, with lanes closed as Rainton Construction carries out work on behalf of Durham County Council.

John Reed, the council’s head of technical services, said: “These vital works are part of our continuing highway capital maintenance programme to maintain the condition of the highway network.”

The resurfacing is expected to be completed by Sunday 21st February.

During the works westbound traffic will still be able to use the A688, however eastbound traffic will be directed to use a signed diversion.

Peterlee Training Firm Expands Into Yorkshire

By on 12th February 2016in Local Biz

A North East-headquartered training firm has made its first foray into Yorkshire after winning a clutch of new contracts in the county…

Peterlee-based KF Training has expanded rapidly since it was launched in 2011, opening two more outlets in the North East as work flooded in.

Now the company has clinched deals with several Yorkshire firms, and is in the process of recruiting staff to service the extra workload.

One of the contracts is with Sheffield-based stainless steelmaker Outokumpu, which is putting many of its first line supervisors through KF Training’s leadership and management programme. Eventually the programme will be rolled out to 113 staff in Sheffield. Outokumpu has its headquarters in Finland and employs more than 11,000 employees in 30 countries including Scandinavia, Europe, North America and Asia.

Barbara Ayres, HR Manager at Outokumpu, said: “We are continually looking at ways of improving the skills base of our employees in our business, and we highlighted a training need within our first line supervisory team. As a result of our partnership with KF Training, more than 100 of our people will get an opportunity to learn special techniques that will help them develop and improve the performance of their respective teams.

“This will be vital as we look to succeed in an ever more competitive environment in the stainless steel and advanced materials markets.”

KF Training delivers business-focused skills programmes and consultancy services across the North of England. Headquartered in Peterlee, County Durham, the fast-growing business was launched in 2011 by Managing Director Kelly Lee, and now employs 52 people. With four specialist training divisions covering innovation, leadership and management, continuous improvement and business skills, KF Training has helped dozens of clients to build strong, dynamic businesses and develop a highly skilled workforce.

Sara O’Brien, Commercial Director at KF Training, said: “Our partnership with Outokumpu is one of several contract wins for us in Yorkshire, which is a key part of our growth strategy. We discovered that this part of the country has a range of training needs in key growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare technologies, creative and digital, life sciences and low-carbon technologies.

“We are currently recruiting staff who can help us achieve our goal of building our presence in Yorkshire.”

For further information about KF Training, visit www.kftraining.co.uk, call 0191 518 6830 or e-mail info@kftraining.co.uk.

County Durham Hotel Set To Save £250,000 In Energy Bills

By on 11th February 2016in Local Biz

The Ramside Hall Hotel & Golf Club is set to make a six-figure saving on its energy bills after forging an alliance with a cost management specialist…

Nine months ago, the prestigious leisure venue entered a three-year contract with Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) in a bid to cut its soaring energy bills, which amount to around £800,000 a year. Since then, Seaham-based GAS has renegotiated Ramside’s electricity and gas contracts, resulting in a saving of more than £60,000.

Over the period of the contract, Ramside will expect to make savings of up to £250,000, which will allow the company to reinvest the money in other parts of the business. The hotel is currently in the middle of a £16m investment programme, which has seen the opening of a brand new luxury spa, a second championship golf course, and a new wing of 47 premier rooms with state-of-the-art bathrooms. The expansion plans have already created around 100 jobs at Ramside, which now employs more than 400 people.

John Adamson, Managing Director at Ramside Estates, said: “We’re well on the way to establishing the hotel as one of the most exciting leisure destinations in the region. However, while we’ve invested a significant amount of money in new facilities, we’re also conscious of the need to keep costs under control, which is why we’ve teamed up with Great Annual Savings Group.

“They’ve helped us to secure a good deal on our utility bills, which has given us extra security and cashflow visibility at a time when energy prices are quite volatile.”

GAS helps businesses reduce their variable costs and save money in a range of areas including energy procurement, energy and water cost management, fire safety, telecoms and insurance. The company has built up a portfolio of more than 950 customers, which include Ramside, food service distributor Tyneside Foodservices, and the Parkmore Hotel in Eaglescliffe.

Bradley Groves, chief executive and chairman of Great Annual Savings Group, said: “In this era of austerity, cost control is just as important as generating revenue and new business. Through our negotiations with key suppliers, Ramside has been able to make significant savings that will improve its financial performance – with the prospect of further savings to come.”

GAS has also embarked on a major investment programme that has seen the firm treble headcount to more than 100 in the last twelve months.  As well as an expanding team of Business Solutions Managers, a raft of new senior staff have now joined the business, strengthening the management team in preparation for further expansion.

For further information about Great Annual Savings Group, visit www.greatannualsavings.com.

Aycliffe Recruitment Agency Celebrates Successful First Year

By on 11th February 2016in Local Biz

A North East recruitment agency, which was established from square one, is celebrating a successful first year in business…

Fleet Recruitment – based in Newton Aycliffe – was set up by Neil O’Connor after he became disheartened with the industry during his time as a sales director.

Having been made redundant, and with barely a penny to his name, Neil took the plunge and decided to start up his own business. Within the first 12 months, Fleet Recruitment has already expanded into a larger office and strengthened its team.

Neil said: “It really has been amazing to see what we’ve already achieved, and so quickly as well.

“To start a company from scratch, and to have to expand into a larger office and add staff members after a few months of trade is something I’m really proud of, and it just goes to show the need for our very different service.”

Fleet Recruitment specialises in recruiting candidates for jobs in sales and marketing, engineering, automotive, commercial and the legal sector, currently employing five highly experienced consultants.

The company prides itself on understanding its clients and the impact new employees need to have, both operationally and financially. This is achieved by carrying out robust fact finding with its clients, and by thorough screening and in-depth interviews with candidates, where they drill into competencies and any claims made on a candidate’s CV. This helps to manage expectations on both a candidate’s and client’s side.

Neil believes this vigorous process and its straightforward approach has resulted in the agency’s successful first year.

He said: “Fleet Recruitment was founded from nothing, and has quickly become a trusted, highly regarded business built around core values of honesty, transparency, fairness and great communication. We make no promises other than our four values.

“This simple and honest approach has been very well received, and we have secured contracts with some outstanding UK national brand names, as well as many local businesses.”

Fleet Recruitment expanded into its current office after just six months of trade, and plans to use the space to continue to grow.

“The new office is ideal, as it gives us the option to expand within the building – something we definitely envisage in the future,” said Neil.

“Our aim is to be regarded as a business that is honest, transparent, fair and easy to do business with, with a team of people who love what they do and who all share the wealth and success.”

To find out more about Fleet Recruitment, visit www.fleetrecruitment.co.uk or follow them on Twitter.

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